Labor’s bold $1b bet on Aussie quantum start-up
Australia will invest $940 million in Silicon Valley start-up PsiQuantum in a major bet that it will build the world’s first commercially useful quantum computer.
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
Police called to ‘keep the peace’ in CFMEU showdown
A stand-off between a crowd of CFMEU representatives and security guards at a Queensland project allegedly involved unionists jumping fences to get on to site.
Government baulks at hard caps on foreign student numbers
The Albanese government is shying away from a Canadian-style hard cap on foreign student numbers and will opt for more nuanced measures to control migration.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Investors need to turn detective in the hunt for interest rate pain
Several sectors on the ASX have surged on the prospect of rate cuts that aren’t coming any time soon. It’s time for investors to reassess.
Super Retail legal action expands to at least four staff
Lawyers acting for employees say they offered to settle confidentially for less than a third of the $30 million to $50 million sought.
BHP goes big game hunting on the African savannah
BHP and Anglo American are undisputed industrial champions in their home countries. The vast gap between them says a lot about Australia and South Africa.
BHP investors fear costly second tilt at Anglo American
Shares in BHP have dropped 5.2 per cent since it made the $60 billion bid for Anglo-American that was swiftly rejected last week.
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tuesday tech
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Aussie tech pushes into China, Taiwan despite geopolitical risks
Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht has warned start-ups China should not be their first market but says it has massive rewards for companies that can make it there.
- Exclusive
- Electric vehicles
Controversial SPAC listing hobbled Tritium
The charging company’s leaders were preparing for a potential collapse before Christmas as it failed to get state government cash.
- Exclusive
- Venture capital
VCs are banking on Canva staff cash, but they’re buying houses instead
While most staff say they plan to put the money towards real estate, an investing program just for Canva staff already has the interest of more than 100 people.
Snapchat going backwards in Australia
Elon Musk’s takeover crushed Twitter, but Snap is still a fraction of the size of the dominant Meta-Google online advertising machine.
Melbourne rivals hope Kyle and Jackie O’s sins haunt advertiser demand
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson signed a 10-year, $200 million contract late last year. Now they’re taking on Melbourne’s $220 million radio market.
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Companies
Board ousts Star chairman as inquiry blowback continues
David Foster will be replaced by director Anne Ward. She was one of the few directors who wanted former CEO Robbie Cooke to step down in December.
BHP goes big game hunting on the African savannah
BHP and Anglo American are undisputed industrial champions in their home countries. The vast gap between them says a lot about Australia and South Africa.
BHP investors fear costly second tilt at Anglo American
Shares in BHP have dropped 5.2 per cent since it made the $60 billion bid for Anglo-American that was swiftly rejected last week.
Optus parent writes off billions and strikes $1.6b deal with TPG
Singtel has had to write off billions of dollars on Optus, offset partly by the beleaguered telco striking a $1.6 billion deal with Australian rival TPG.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Investors need to turn detective in the hunt for interest rate pain
Several sectors on the ASX have surged on the prospect of rate cuts that aren’t coming any time soon. It’s time for investors to reassess.
Super Retail legal action expands to at least four staff
Lawyers acting for employees say they offered to settle confidentially for less than a third of the $30 million to $50 million sought.
Nickel miner axes 530 jobs as pressure builds for budget bailout
Resources Minister Madeleine King says government alone cannot solve nickel industry woes as job losses near 2000 since December.
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Markets
RBA’s next move will still be a rate cut, say investors
Market pundits argue that interest rates are still going down, not up, because inflation is declining, albeit at a slower pace than many had expected.
Perpetual inches closer to KKR deal
The wealth manager is one step closer to breaking up the business after it confirmed talks with KKR that would leave Perpetual solely with asset management.
ASX bounces as real estate, tech rally; First Quantum mothballs mine
Shares close higher. Perpetual confirms exclusive talks with KKR. Tech stocks rise ahead of Apple and Amazon earnings.
Fed rate cut debate shifts from when toward if on sticky inflation
US policymakers are widely expected to hold rates steady at a more than two-decade high this week, so much of the focus will be on any pivot from the Fed chairman.
Javier Milei fuels wild rally that makes peso No. 1 in world
The currency has, in fact, not only stopped plunging day after day but in one key foreign exchange market, it’s actually rallying sharply.
Opinion
Labor green lights toxic bully-boys of the CFMEU
The political protection racket the modern ALP is running for the toxic behaviour of the CFMEU, which would be condemned in any other setting, is disgraceful.
Editorial
Albanese confronts domestic violence crisis
Women are angry, and the prime minister is dodging criticism even as he calls an emergency meeting of national cabinet on domestic violence.
Columnist
Politicians alone cannot stop violence against women
Malcolm Turnbull best summed up the challenge a decade ago when he sought to address domestic violence. The challenge for Anthony Albanese is little different.
Political editor
RBA must ignore the band of economists pushing a rate rise
The Reserve Bank should not be firing up its interest rate models on the strength of inflation that is now steadily dropping into target range.
Former Labor minister and economist
Australia’s last-mile inflation looks like the last 10 miles
The Albanese government took power promising to increase wages. It was a risky gamble that is not paying off.
Economics professor
How Australia is losing the equity market war
Australia’s equity capital markets are slipping behind global competitors on market value, shares traded and foreign listings. That trend is unlikely to change while the ASX is fixing its monopoly clearing and settlement system.
Contributor
Politics
Budget spending cuts must ‘take heat off’ interest rates
To limit the RBA’s interest rate rises, tens of billions of dollars in federal and state government expenditure must be unwound, economists say.
Union push for 9pc gender-based pay rise risks inflation: employers
Employers have lashed a landmark union push to apply gender pay principles to this year’s minimum wage increase.
PM flags tougher treatment of men who harm women
Bail law reform and tougher penalties for men who engage in violence against women are set to be considered at this week’s national cabinet meeting.
Albanese out, Pope in for G7 summit
Despite Australia being a regular fixture in recent years, Anthony Albanese is off the guest list for the June leaders’ summit of the world’s most advanced economies.
The NIMBY council singled out by Minns for rejecting density
The NSW government has released its reforms for increasing housing near transport, and will immediately enforce it on the one council that has opposed density.
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World
China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon’s ‘hidden’ side
China has made leaps forward in its lunar exploration, narrowing the technological chasm with the United States and Russia.
Scotland leader quits after coalition power play backfires
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf had pulled out of coalition with the Greens - a move that has triggered political chaos.
EU would need 50pc tariffs to curb imports of Chinese EV
Researchers at the Rhodium Group say any punitive action arising from a blockbuster anti-subsidy investigation is likely to be too timid to deter Chinese car makers.
- Analysis
- US election
With Trump in court, can Biden take control of the election?
As polls show the race tied, the president is campaigning around the country and his opponent is stuck spending his days in a Manhattan courtroom.
Tesla clears key regulatory hurdles for self-driving in China
CEO Elon Musk’s surprise visit to the US vehicle maker’s second-largest market appears to have paid off.
Property
Stockland says interest rates key to further market improvement
The country’s largest listed diversified developer said sales picked up in the March quarter, but lower borrowing costs were needed for the housing market to pick up.
Property investors spooked by renewed talk of rates rise
Having recently returned to the housing market in droves – outpacing owner-occupiers – investors could face a potential slowdown in capital gains.
- Exclusive
- Industrial
Batteries to power up warehouse pipeline as big as 40 MCGs
Dexus’ program to install batteries in all its new warehouses will cut its tenants’ energy bills by almost $100,000 a year and reduce their carbon emissions.
Real estate agent doubles his money by selling own apartment for $6.5m
There’s a national shortage of suitable units for downsizers, so a man who sells them for a living has just sold his own home – at quite a profit.
BTR push in Sydney’s west gains steam despite flood risks
The NSW planning department concluded that increasing housing supply outweighed potential risks such as flooding for one BTR project.
Wealth
Why more Australians are choosing semi-retirement
Fusing the parts of work you still enjoy with hobbies, travel and passion projects is the dream for many. Here’s how to make a go of it
Why you’ll live longer than you think (and what it means for your wealth)
Very few people die at their age of life expectancy, giving rise to financial planning’s biggest conundrum: longevity risk.
A child won a share of her dad’s estate – despite planning to kill him
A 75 per cent success rate in contesting wills is encouraging more family members to sue for a bigger share. Here’s how to protect your final wishes.
Technology
Snapchat going backwards in Australia
Elon Musk’s takeover crushed Twitter, but Snap is still a fraction of the size of the dominant Meta-Google online advertising machine.
The Meta-morphosis of Mark Zuckerberg
The robotic nerd depicted in The Social Network has turned into the kinder, more accessible face of Silicon Valley. What’s going on?
Why Apple has a $US300b ‘Made in China’ problem
Apple is gradually weaning itself off China as a longstanding and mutually-beneficial relationship between the corporate giant and the country begins to fray.
Work & Careers
Pro-Palestinian protesters are peaceful here, say university bosses
A series of encampments are popping up on campuses as students take up the pro-Palestinian cause. But it’s very different from what’s happening in the US.
Steep rise in student visa rejections ‘scaring applicants away’
News of the federal government’s clampdown on student visas is spreading far and wide and the US is becoming the destination of choice.
Life & Luxury
- Opinion
- Digital Life
You’ll forget you’re even wearing these earbuds
The OpenFit earbuds by Shokz might not look the best, but they certainly feel the best of any earbuds we’ve ever reviewed.
13 tactics you’ll need to thrive in midlife
Jason Fox, a former special forces operative turned TV star who has experienced more than his fair share of gritty situations, shares his life tips.
Nobody actually needs a watch, says Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO
Artistry and occasion influence buyers today, Catherine Rénier tells Life & Leisure ahead of JLC’s uniquely hands-on pop-up store opening in Sydney in May.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- Motoring
The new Porsche Macan 4 EV is coming to Australia this year
Priced from $133,700-plus for the entry-level model, this highly popular SUV has been upgraded – and performs brilliantly in every respect.
How exercise strengthens your brain
Perhaps most remarkably, exercise offers protection against neurodegenerative diseases.