This Month
Sigma’s advisers kept Chemist Warehouse close
Sigma’s board no doubt pushed for as good a deal as they could get. The motivations of their advisers, though, are complex.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
Talk builds about Frydenberg political return
Josh Frydenberg and his supporters have commissioned a poll of voters in his former seat of Kooyong, fuelling speculation about his return to federal politics.
- John Kehoe
November
JobKeeper recipients hit by pay penalty, report finds
The Morrison government’s $89 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy went on for too long and tied workers to lower paying jobs, an independent review has found.
- John Kehoe
- Exclusive
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘I’m above groupthink’: Why Keating snubbed the Israel statement
Paul Keating says the first draft of a statement on the Israel conflict eventually signed by all living prime ministers except him was too ‘sharp’, and anyway he had never been a co-signatory with other leaders despite being asked many times.
- Phillip Coorey
October
- Opinion
- The AFR View
JobKeeper worked, but the bill is unpaid
The Albanese government has still not squared up to the fiscal policy challenges left by the pandemic.
- The AFR View
Pay back clause could have undermined JobKeeper
Requiring profitable companies to pay back JobKeeper could have damaged confidence, but the program should only be revived in a severe economic crisis.
- Michael Read and Tom McIlroy
‘Never thought I would feel this’: Frydenberg laments antisemitism
Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he is anguished after the Hamas terror attack and called anti-Jewish chants a “national disgrace”.
- Patrick Durkin
Big four-backed growth fund hunts for cutting-edge investment ideas
Australian Business Growth Fund chief Anthony Healy wants to inject more capital into sectors such as technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing and defence.
- John Kehoe
September
- Opinion
- Voice to parliament
Such is politics: Josh Frydenberg departs as Jacinta Price arrives
After having their cosy consensus on the Voice disturbed, the political class and big business are starting to worry about what other issues the Indigenous senator might disrupt.
- John Roskam
Frydenberg shelves political plans for Goldman Sachs promotion
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has put his political plans on hold after being appointed the chairman of Goldman Sachs’ Australian business.
- Updated
- Lucas Baird and Phillip Coorey
August
Sayers, Andrews, Frydenberg: Melbourne who’s who celebrate ABL
Mark Leibler, who oversaw Noel Pearson as an articled clerk, says Indigenous Australians share the Jewish community’s battle against dispossession, disrespect and racism.
- Patrick Durkin
July
- Exclusive
- Monique Ryan
Teal MP Monique Ryan’s seat polled on Josh Frydenberg’s return
Voters in the federal seat of Kooyong, represented by Teal MP Monique Ryan, are being polled on the return of ex-treasurer Josh Frydenberg, two years before the federal election.
- Updated
- Patrick Durkin
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Dan knows best, regardless of the collateral damage
At some stage in this country, the definition of “good politics” needs to be expanded beyond doing what it takes to win elections. Legacy should also matter.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Lowe had to go, but hard-headed Bullock may have to trigger recession
The new governor will be a “dovish hawk”. Not hiking unnecessarily but committed to bringing down inflation even if that means a short downturn.
- Warren Hogan
Inside the downfall of a top central banker
Philip Lowe joined the Reserve Bank straight from high school and went on to oversee a period of dramatically shifting economic fortunes. Until his time ran out.
- Michael Read
May
Liberal Party heavyweights gather to farewell Tony Staley
Tony Staley was a kingmaker in conservative Australian politics and a cabinet worth of Liberal Party heavyweights joined his friends and family for his funeral.
- Gus McCubbing
The big surprise for CEOs under Labor
CEOs say engagement with Albanese government ministers has generally been better than under the Morrison government, despite some clashes over policy.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Vanishing deficit depends on heroic politics of NDIS reform
This budget’s place in history will depend on whether huge savings in the way the National Disability Insurance Scheme operates can ever be achieved.
- Chris Richardson
Tony Staley, former Liberal Party president, dies aged 83
Despite a near-fatal car accident, the former minister became federal president of the Liberal Party, helping propel John Howard to become prime minister.
- Gus McCubbing
April
- Exclusive
- Federal budget
Budget closes in on first surplus in 15 years as taxes soar
Surging tax revenue from iron ore, coal and gas, and record numbers of people in work are set to deliver an $80 billion turnaround from the forecast 12 months ago.
- John Kehoe
