Foreign Investment Review Board


The story behind the Chinese miner’s land deals here

The Chinese mining company’s purchases of properties have been well known in the Caroona district of the Liverpool Plains. And guess who’s got the project next door? BHP Billiton.

Australia’s black box of foreign investment regulation

The knockback of the SGX-ASX takeover is an example of the complete lack of transparency around our FIRB process. At least Joe Hockey and the Coalition are happy.

House prices still on the up while loans head down

Property watchers continue to question the bizarre set of circumstances that has led to house prices continuing to rise but loans to finance property purchases falling.

The murky world of the FIRB

A recent foreign investment review board decision has cast doubt on the rationale for its decision-making, writes Tom Elliott. As a result, it is now incumbent on Treasurer Wayne Swan to clarify what has become and extremely murky issue.

Hostility to China investment borders on racism

The best way to handle the Sinophobic hostility being whipped up by the likes of Barnaby Joyce is to provide greater transparency in our foreign investment review process.

Are bonds the new sure thing?

Unpredictable FIRB reviews, unreliable banks and dilutive rights issues make bonds an increasingly attractive fund raising avenue for companies. And Australia’s retail investors are belatedly waking up to the asset class.

Crikey Clarifier: Who has the final say on foreign investment decisions?

Crikey asked HSBC Chief Economist John Edwards: who has the final say on foreign investment decisions?

Costello trumps Keating in Rio stoush

Peter Costello made some telling points yesterday over Chinalco’s bid to buy Rio Tinto’s resources assets, writes Nicholas Gruen.

Eleven years of the Tories left the good guys with plenty to do

So, that’s than then. We are all economic conservatives now. And not before time. It may have taken 11 years in the snow to get here, but better late than never one guesses.