The Hong Kong float of Clive Palmer’s Resourcehouse is now officially under way, with Palmer launching the $3 billion share offer.
Articles by James Thomson 
The patchwork Rich List: Gina’s on top, but non-miners a drag
On the surface, the headline numbers from the BRW Rich 200 list look impressive. But the bulk of the $31 billion increase in total wealth was generated by a handful of people.
Australia’s $10.3b women: Gina Rinehart tops Rich List
Gina Rinehart has topped off a dramatic 12 months by sweeping to top place on the BRW Rich 200 list with a fortune of $10.3 billion.
Our filthy rich miners — and the new $10b Aussie
This year, the top of the rich list — like the rest of the Australian economy — will be transformed by the resources sector.
Thomson: tackling skills, but no real business breaks
The Treasurer has managed to throw a few small bones to SMEs and one very big one, in the form of a $3 billion workforce package.
Did MasterChef slip up on OH&S? Wet kitchen draws viewer fire
Occupational health and safety concerns are generating discussion in the vocal MasterChef community, with viewers questioning whether water visible on the floor of the show’s set represents a hazard for the contestants.
Fashionable and aggressive: why Zara will test local retailers
World-famous fast-fashion chain Zara has finally opened the doors on its first Australian store in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall. Its aggressive pricing and business model will test local retailers, says Smart Company’s James Thomson.
Private equity’s long hangover
The private equity players may be suffering from a horrible post-GFC hangover brought on by over-exuberance, a lack of foresight and an over-reliance on debt.
You’re responsible for dodgy social media feedback, ACCC rules
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Graeme Samuel says companies will be held responsible if they do not delete or respond to false, misleading and deceptive testimonials on Facebook or Twitter.
Gina Rinehart’s rise is just beginning
The crowning of Gina Rinehart as Australia’s richest person on Forbes magazine’s Australian rich list, with a fortune of $9 billion, is a historic moment for female entrepreneurship in this country.
Thorpe back in the swim, but drinks business still treading water
Champion swimmer Ian Thorpe has denied his return to competitive swimming is being driven by money, but there is no denying at least one of his business interests has struggled since the swimmer went into retirement in 2006.
Knockers knocks public servant out of a job
A senior federal public servant accessed porn on an employer-provided laptop while at home. He was caught, his employment was terminated and he attempted to overturn the termination in court. Yesterday, that court case failed.
Meet the new ally in the Retail Coalition’s war on GST exemption
The Retail Coalition that is campaigning to have the Government abolish the GST exemption on purchases made overseas has an unlikely new member – domain name reseller and web hosting firm Netregistry.
The great ASX float rush of 2010 is finally on
Despite the fact there are little more than two full working weeks before the end of December, a total of 32 companies are set to hit the boards, including four set to list today, writes SmartCompany’s James Thomson.
Life according to Gina: mining magnate brings an axe to Fairfax
Gina Rinehart’s $50 million investment in Fairfax Media would seem to confirm one of the theories regarding her sudden interest in the media sector, and blow up a few others.
Rinehart joins the Ten billionaire’s club — so what’s she playing at?
There is a more than touch of irony in the news that Gina Rinehart has purchased a 10% stake in Ten Network, given her well-known dislike of giving media interviews or revealing very much at all about her vast mining empire, Hancock Prospecting. So what’s she playing at?
Sweet and sour: why our love of Krispy Kreme faded
In today’s health-conscious society, donuts such as Krispy Kreme’s were never going to become part of anyone’s regular diet, at least not in the way donuts are loved in the US. The company quickly went from novelty to normality, writes Smart Company’s James Thompson.
The secret to finding Melbourne Cup riches
There’s a big chance this year’s Cup will again end up in the trophy cabinet of a wealthy entrepreneur, writes SmartCompany editor James Thomson.
Former rich lister spends first night in jail awaiting McGurk trial
Federal Court documents show Medich and McGurk were locked in a separate dispute over McGurk’s role in “extricating” Medich from an investment in the then-listed lender Amazing Loans (which has since been de-listed following a takeover deal), reports SmartCompany’s James Thomson.
Lachlan Murdoch hit for six as IPL bowls out Royals
Lachlan Murdoch’s most unusual asset, the Indian Premier League’s Rajasthan Royals, has been banned from the competition due to irregularities in its shareholdings and ownership structure. What does this mean for Murdoch?
Retailer Allied Brands accused of breaching immigration laws
Queensland company Allied Brands has been accused of running an elaborate immigration rort where it sponsored a group of Korean nationals to work in administrative roles under 457 visas, put them to work in its Baskin Robbins stores and in some cases sold Baskin Robins franchises to their family members.
The Samuel swipe: business partners turn rats on sinking DFO
Rich list entrepreneurs David Goldberger and David Wieland have launched an extraordinary public attack against ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel, calling for an inquiry into what their former business partner knew about the problems at shopping centre chain DFO.
RBA leaves cash rate unchanged at 4.5%
The RBA has resisted the temptation to increase the official cash rate, but has again warned that rates will need to rise soon to keep inflation in check.
Apple’s strict app diet
I can’t think of many markets where a single corporation gets to decide if a product is fit for sale, based on something as notoriously difficult to judge as good taste.
Rich pickings: happy joint b’day to Packer and Murdoch jnr
What do you get the wealthy entrepreneur who has everything?
