Billions of dollars are pouring into Australia’s data centers, with the industry promising jobs, investment and a chance to turn the country’s abundant renewable energy into computing power for the world. But how much richer will the boom actually make Australia — and who ultimately benefits?

Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins host Haidi Stroud-Watts to follow the money and separate the economic opportunity from the AI hype. He explains what the boom could mean for jobs, power prices and inflation — and why the surge in investment could make the Reserve Bank’s job even harder.

Billions of dollars are pouring into Australia&rsquo;s data centers, with the industry promising jobs, investment and a chance to turn the country&rsquo;s abundant renewable energy into computing power for the world. But how much richer will the boom actually make Australia &mdash; and who ultimately benefits?
Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins host Haidi Stroud-Watts to follow the money and separate the economic opportunity from the AI hype. He explains what the boom could mean for jobs, power prices and inflation &mdash; and why the surge in investment could make the Reserve Bank&rsquo;s job even harder.

Our Economist Cuts Through the Data Center Hype

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Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media. Almost a year later, the government is preparing for a potential court battle with some of the world’s biggest tech companies — while pushing ahead with even tougher rules for social media platforms and AI chatbots.

In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg’s Angus Whitley, communications minister Anika Wells explains why she believes the ban is working, why Big Tech still isn’t doing enough to protect children, and how Australia’s next wave of regulation could reshape the way companies from Meta to OpenAI operate.

Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media. Almost a year later, the government is preparing for a potential court battle with some of the world&rsquo;s biggest tech companies &mdash; while pushing ahead with even tougher rules for social media platforms and AI chatbots.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg&rsquo;s Angus Whitley, communications minister Anika Wells explains why she believes the ban is working, why Big Tech still isn&rsquo;t doing enough to protect children, and how Australia&rsquo;s next wave of regulation could reshape the way companies from Meta to OpenAI operate.

Why Australia Is Set to Sue Facebook and TikTok

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Firmus went from being one of Australia’s hottest IPO prospects to a spectacular flop in less than 48 hours. The Nvidia-backed data center operator’s failed listing has raised questions about sky-high valuations, enormous funding needs and just how much investors are willing to pay for the promise of future AI profits.

Bloomberg’s Sydney Bureau Chief Ainslie Chandler joins Chris Bourke to unpack what went wrong — and why the Firmus fiasco may be a warning sign for the billions pouring into AI infrastructure around the world.

Firmus went from being one of Australia&rsquo;s hottest IPO prospects to a spectacular flop in less than 48 hours. The Nvidia-backed data center operator&rsquo;s failed listing has raised questions about sky-high valuations, enormous funding needs and just how much investors are willing to pay for the promise of future AI profits.
Bloomberg&rsquo;s Sydney Bureau Chief Ainslie Chandler joins Chris Bourke to unpack what went wrong &mdash; and why the Firmus fiasco may be a warning sign for the billions pouring into AI infrastructure around the world.

How Firmus Exposed Cracks in the AI Funding Frenzy

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Australia is embracing the AI boom, with billions of dollars pouring into data centers and the technology promising to transform the economy. But anxiety is growing too. A rogue OpenAI agent’s unauthorized access to Medicare systems has raised fresh questions about what happens when increasingly autonomous AI behaves in ways its creators never intended.

Bloomberg’s Chris Bourke is joined by tech reporter Newley Purnell to unpack what the incident tells us about the risks of AI, whether Australia has the power to keep US tech giants in check, and the dilemma facing Canberra as it pushes for greater safeguards while trying to attract a potentially enormous wave of AI investment.

Australia is embracing the AI boom, with billions of dollars pouring into data centers and the technology promising to transform the economy. But anxiety is growing too. A rogue OpenAI agent&rsquo;s unauthorized access to Medicare systems has raised fresh questions about what happens when increasingly autonomous AI behaves in ways its creators never intended.
Bloomberg&rsquo;s Chris Bourke is joined by tech reporter Newley Purnell to unpack what the incident tells us about the risks of AI, whether Australia has the power to keep US tech giants in check, and the dilemma facing Canberra as it pushes for greater safeguards while trying to attract a potentially enormous wave of AI investment.

Australia Wants an AI Boom – But at What Cost?

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Australia’s inflation fight just got harder. The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the fourth time this year as surging energy prices ripple through the economy — and another hike could be just weeks away.

Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins host Chris Bourke to explain why the RBA is so worried about businesses passing higher costs on to consumers, what that means for jobs and household budgets, and when Australians might finally see some relief from high interest rates.

Australia&rsquo;s inflation fight just got harder. The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the fourth time this year as surging energy prices ripple through the economy &mdash; and another hike could be just weeks away.
Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins host Chris Bourke to explain why the RBA is so worried about businesses passing higher costs on to consumers, what that means for jobs and household budgets, and when Australians might finally see some relief from high interest rates.

Why the RBA Could Hike Again in November

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Tasmania is home to the world’s largest battery-electric ship — a 130-metre ferry powered by more than 250 tonnes of batteries. This week, host Rebecca Jones talks to David Stringer, APAC Managing Editor for ESG and Green, who toured the vessel and met veteran shipbuilder Robert “Bob” Clifford. They explore how this remarkable project came together, whether electric ferries can transform global shipping, and what Tasmania’s maritime innovation could mean for an industry under pressure to cut emissions.

Tasmania is home to the world&rsquo;s largest battery-electric ship &mdash; a 130-metre ferry powered by more than 250 tonnes of batteries. This week, host Rebecca Jones talks to David Stringer, APAC Managing Editor for ESG and Green, who toured the vessel and met veteran shipbuilder Robert &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; Clifford. They explore how this remarkable project came together, whether electric ferries can transform global shipping, and what Tasmania&rsquo;s maritime innovation could mean for an industry under pressure to cut emissions.

Tasmania’s 250-Tonne Bet on Electric Shipping

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The Japanese yen has been trading near multi-decade lows — but one big Australian investor has bet on the currency’s recovery. This week, host Rebecca Jones talks to Bloomberg’s Chief Asia Rates Correspondent Ruth Carson about why Australian Retirement Trust is buying the yen, what’s driving Japan’s currency, and what a rebound could mean for Australian investors, businesses and anyone planning a Japanese ski holiday.

The Japanese yen has been trading near multi-decade lows &mdash; but one big Australian investor has bet on the currency&rsquo;s recovery. This week, host Rebecca Jones talks to Bloomberg&rsquo;s Chief Asia Rates Correspondent Ruth Carson about why Australian Retirement Trust is buying the yen, what&rsquo;s driving Japan&rsquo;s currency, and what a rebound could mean for Australian investors, businesses and anyone planning a Japanese ski holiday.

The Great Yen Rebound and What It Means for Australian Investors

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Australians haven’t stopped spending — they’ve just become much more selective about where their money goes. This week, Bloomberg global business editor Karen Leigh joins host Rebecca Jones to unpack the winners and losers from Australia’s latest earnings season, from Kmart and supermarkets to furniture and electronics retailers. They discuss the rise of home brands, the impact of higher housing costs and falling property prices, and whether Australia’s newfound obsession with value could permanently change how we shop. 

Australians haven&rsquo;t stopped spending &mdash; they&rsquo;ve just become much more selective about where their money goes. This week, Bloomberg global business editor Karen Leigh joins host Rebecca Jones to unpack the winners and losers from Australia&rsquo;s latest earnings season, from Kmart and supermarkets to furniture and electronics retailers. They discuss the rise of home brands, the impact of higher housing costs and falling property prices, and whether Australia&rsquo;s newfound obsession with value could permanently change how we shop.&nbsp;

The Winners and Losers in Australia’s Value Economy

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The crisis engulfing Sydney property developer Bathla Group has put the spotlight on a fast-growing but little-understood corner of Australian finance. With the company owing about A$3.3 billion to non-bank lenders, its troubles are raising questions about the risks lurking in Australia’s A$200 billion private credit market — and whether other property developers could be next.

Bloomberg finance reporter Richard Henderson joins host Chris Bourke to explain what private credit actually is, why Australian lenders have piled so heavily into property, and why regulators are increasingly worried. They also look at how exposed super funds and ordinary investors are — and whether Bathla’s troubles could be the first sign of something bigger.

The crisis engulfing Sydney property developer Bathla Group has put the spotlight on a fast-growing but little-understood corner of Australian finance. With the company owing about A$3.3 billion to non-bank lenders, its troubles are raising questions about the risks lurking in Australia&rsquo;s A$200 billion private credit market &mdash; and whether other property developers could be next.
Bloomberg finance reporter Richard Henderson joins host Chris Bourke to explain what private credit actually is, why Australian lenders have piled so heavily into property, and why regulators are increasingly worried. They also look at how exposed super funds and ordinary investors are &mdash; and whether Bathla&rsquo;s troubles could be the first sign of something bigger.

Why a Sydney Property Developer Has Private Credit Investors on Edge

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The Iran war has sent fuel prices soaring, but it may also be accelerating a much bigger shift in how Australians get around. Electrified vehicles have accounted for more than half of new car sales in recent months, as high petrol prices collide with a wave of cheaper models from China.

Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins Chris Bourke to explain why the shift could eventually make Australian households — and inflation — less vulnerable to global oil shocks. They also discuss what it could mean for the Reserve Bank and why, after three interest-rate hikes this year, McIntyre thinks the RBA is finally done.

The Iran war has sent fuel prices soaring, but it may also be accelerating a much bigger shift in how Australians get around. Electrified vehicles have accounted for more than half of new car sales in recent months, as high petrol prices collide with a wave of cheaper models from China.
Bloomberg economist James McIntyre joins Chris Bourke to explain why the shift could eventually make Australian households &mdash; and inflation &mdash; less vulnerable to global oil shocks. They also discuss what it could mean for the Reserve Bank and why, after three interest-rate hikes this year, McIntyre thinks the RBA is finally done.

The Surprising Link Between EVs and Interest Rates

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Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business. 

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

The Bloomberg Australia Podcast

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

The Bloomberg Australia Podcast

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