The reality behind Jac Nasser’s complaints is that the mining industry is responsible for much of what it claims is wrong with Australia, write Bernard Keane and Glenn Dyer.
Business / Companies
Police bribes probe the ticking time-bomb under News Corp
With the word’s gaze fixed firmly on Rebekah Brooks, Operation Elveden — the broader criminal investigation into News International’s payments to police and military officials — is a ticking time-bomb.
Rinehart’s pitch for Fairfax board: why it’s going wrong
The effort by Australia’s richest businesswoman, Gina Rinehart, to break into the boardroom of Fairfax Media, is a textbook study in how not to conduct a negotiation, writes Kath Walters.
Moving the goalposts on cash splashes and wage cases
What role should the budget’s cash handouts play in wage determinations? There’s a long history to the issue.
Why a code of conduct won’t change Craig Thomson
A code of conduct will not make a person behave ethically, but a code of ethics might. Kath Walters of LeadingCompany speaks to an ethics expert.
Will AGL have to choose between green and brown gold?
Many in the clean energy industry are wondering how the AGL Energy managing director can now argue both sides of the energy equation, writes Giles Parkinson of ReNew Economy.
Healthier alternatives at the golden arches: is anybody buying them?
A recent study examined how many healthier alternatives are consumed at Maccas and discovered — perhaps unsurprisingly — that a tiny minority of Australians are purchasing them, writes Dr Melissa Stoneham.
With Karl, James Packer showed he has his swagger back
James Packer showed us last night in a very positive interview on 60 Minutes that perhaps a direct media stake is unnecessary.
Did Joe Hockey and Barry O’Farrell watch Packer on 60 Minutes?
The first time I met Joe Hockey was 19 years ago in the back of a cab from Sydney Airport with my then boss, Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale. Joe was working for NSW Premier John Fahey and we were packed into the cab like sardines listening to the big guy rattle off all the things […]
The sustainable professorship of Clive Palmer
Clive Palmer likes to call himself “professor”. But what exactly is he professor of?
Sky darkens for Qantas tormentors as profits in free fall
The sky has gone deep black with threatening storm clouds as Emirates and Singapore Airlines report imploding profits, and Cathay Pacific cuts its growth forecasts in half.
News prowling as Kohler rejects Fairfax offer for sites
Web-based business publisher Australian Independent Business Media remains firmly on the market after it rejected a low-ball 75% takeover offer from Fairfax Media.
Gina’s kids spend Mother’s Day wondering what she’s up to
Gina Rinehart’s children — John Hancock, Hope Welker and Bianca Rinehart — will spend Mother’s Day wondering what exactly their mum is up to as a bitter legal war continues.
Rupert among the missing as News reports 47% net profit jump
It was a third no-show in a row from Rupert Murdoch at News Corp’s latest quarterly profit briefing, this time for the three months to March in which the company reported a 47% jump in net profit.
Google set to grow Aussie start-up scene
Google is rolling out a new series of networking and tutorial events aimed at growing Australia’s start-up scene, reports Oliver Milman.
Dick Smith’s Foods — a resort to desperate commercial Hansonism
It’s a de facto marriage made in populist heaven — the unholy union between the little Aussie huckster Dick Smith and the crass, unquestioning tabloid TV of A Current Affair, writes David Salter.
Dream of Dreamliner inches towards reality
It’s been a long wait, but Boeing is set to start flying Dreamliners to Melbourne and Sydney from Septemember, writes Ben Sandilands.
Idiot’s Guide to the Convergence Review: local content in global age
While the Convergence Review’s final report put forward a radical rewriting of the basis for media diversity regulation, on local and children’s content this is a strongly status quo report.
Oz, AFR embark on another round of the pay-TV piracy wars
Nick Cater, editor of The Weekend Australian, is one of the lesser known Murdoch editorial heavyweights in Australia.
As the miners look tough, the government looks weak
If the mining industry was a political party, it would make the current federal government look like a success story, writes Dr Richard Denniss, is executive director of The Australia Institute.
aviation industry Why Australians hope carriers don’t follow Spirit
US and Latin America self-titled ‘ultra’ low-cost carrier Spirit has announced forthcoming $100 carry-on baggage fees. It’s a notion that would strike terror into the heart of most travellers, writes Ben Sandilands.
Global Mail teething: tensions and changes for Attard’s baby
The Global Mail is mulling a new direction, with senior management considering luring managing editor Monica Attard away from the day-to-day coalface in favour of a senior writing role.
Austerity drives cutbacks in military spending, here and abroad
Yesterday’s defence spending cutbacks won’t have much impact from the critical perspective of industry policy.
Facebook is profitable, but $86 billion is still speculation
Facebook’s IPO Roadshow, 30 minutes of video Kool-Aid that you can’t fast forward, contains all the usual elements of Silicon Valley hype.
