The Fin

Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald and technology editor Paul Smith on the investment case for SpaceX, whether there’s enough money for the other AI mega floats and why Australian investors are all in. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: SpaceX is the first of three sci-fi IPOs with truly insane maths Elon Musk has shot for the stars with the first of three huge AI-based floats that ask investors to believe the companies can boldly go where no one has gone before. Fears of ‘AI Strait of Hormuz’ as Trump’s Anthropic ban shocks business Labor’s Ed Husic and some of Australia’s top tech leaders warn Donald Trump’s export ban on the latest Anthropic AI models exposes a national over-reliance. How SpaceX turned the IPO curse into a goldmine The real genius of the company’s historic $2 trillion public listing isn’t the valuation – it’s how it hacked the market’s ultimate gatekeepers: passive funds.

On The Fin podcast this week, professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the KPMG allegations, and why they might be more damaging than the PwC tax leaks scandal. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: Move over PwC: Why KPMG audit leaks are the ultimate betrayal Why the big four firm’s misconduct could be worse than the tax leaks scandal, and a blockbuster hearing date is set for June 19. Plus, are you in talent debt? KPMG audit leaks scandal – everything you need to know KPMG Australia faces a crisis following a whistleblower’s allegations that partners used confidential client data to win audit work. KPMG barred from bidding for federal work for three months The firm has agreed to stop bidding for federal government work while the Finance Department investigates its handling of a whistleblower complaint.

Associate editor Joyce Moullakis and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on how Macquarie crashed the big four bank’s mortgage party, why deposits are next and whether the banking bubble is about to pop. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: Macquarie banks on tech nerds to smash big four’s mortgage oligopoly When it came to building up its retail banking business, the Silver Doughnut has taken inspiration from America’s tech giants – not its banking rivals at home. The bank bubble is popping. An AI winter may be coming next Bank stocks have quietly slipped into a correction as the sector is suddenly hit by structural pressures. AI-driven cuts may be the answer to holding the line. The budget killed our property super cycle. What comes next? The way the budget has deliberately blown up the 30-year housing super cycle raises uncomfortable questions about Australia’s economic future.

Senior writer Myriam Robin and energy and climate reporter Ryan Cropp on the gas tax campaign, who’s behind it, why it took Australia by storm and whether it’s a good idea. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Inside the online army fighting the gas tax war (and it’s not over) How a teacher-turned-podcaster, a heterodox economist and a rugby player sparked a groundswell of discontent. One Nation backs gas tax and new state-owned projects Party leader Pauline Hanson will unveil a plan to hit oil and gas companies with a new royalty regime while taking state ownership of new exploration. Korea Gas accuses government of breaking pledge on LNG contracts KOGAS Australia said the government’s draft gas reservation plan conflicts with its assurance that long-term LNG sales contracts would not be hit.

Financial Review tech reporter Paul Smith and business reporter Amelia McGuire on what happens next for Australia’s two tech titans and their billionaire founders, and which company is best placed to weather the SaaSpocalypse. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading:  ‘A certificate for burnout?’ Inside Canva’s confetti-filled AI pivot In the midst of the AI-fuelled wipeout of tech firms, Canva and Atlassian spruik similar talking points to very different receptions. How Mike Cannon-Brookes’ divorce may affect the control of Atlassian The division of the Atlassian co-founder and CEO’s shares in his divorce settlement with estranged wife Annie could have big consequences for the company. Cannon-Brookes says Atlassian’s $37b AI fall is rational but wrong In an interview, the billionaire says the software giant will emerge stronger from the sharemarket sell-off and that he misses running it with Scott Farquhar.

Financial Review wealth editor Joanna Mather and reporter Andrew Hobbs on how Labor’s new tax rules reshape investment strategies and what that means for you. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading:  Albanese says CGT is going back to 1999. That’s not quite trueLabor’s proposed capital gains tax inflation model is different from Paul Keating’s in two ways that mean investors will typically pay more tax. The game has changed – what investors need to know The budget measures have jolted many wealth plans. We ask the professionals about tips for first home buyers, property and share investors, retirees and those with trusts. ‘Ludicrous’: Modelling shows bucket companies face even bigger tax hitFurther examination of the budget papers shows the penalty tax rate that will apply to bucket companies could be as high as 70 per cent, tax specialists say.

Jessica Gardner on why Xi Jinping is the quiet winner from the war, how much the conflict has cost Donald Trump and what it means for the midterm elections and the rest of his presidency. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: MAGA still supports war strongman Trump. But that’s not enough On the streets of Miami and Palm Beach, havens for Donald Trump supporters, the president’s war in Iran gets unswerving trust – or at least the benefit of the doubt. Off the reins: Xi, Trump set for summit with a difference Neither leader needs any more drama than they already have, so they will instead seek an easy path to stability in the world’s most important bilateral relationship. Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support’ The US president accused Tehran of reneging on a promise to drop its nuclear ambitions as part of a deal to end the war, which threatens his meeting with Xi Jinping.

Phillip Coorey on the first year of the Albanese’s government’s second term, what’s happening with property taxes and how the biggest loser in the budget will be Gen X. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Prime minister arrests popularity decline, One Nation plateaus: poll Anthony Albanese’s handling of the petrol crisis has improved his personal ratings and is helping to prop up Labor’s vote. Anthony Albanese sees the populist writing on the wall As Labor prepares for a Hastie-led opposition, the PM is ready to break promises so Labor can court younger voters and save it from the parties of grievance CGT change to tax existing investments based on length of ownership The Albanese government plans to transition investors to a new capital gains tax regime through a hybrid grandfathering system.

This week, Jesinta Burton and Tom Rabe on the landmark ruling, who won, who lost and why this is just one part of a complex web of legal battles over Gina Rinehart’s fortune. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: The sins of the father: Gina Rinehart’s bitter victory The legal war between the billionaire and her children mirrors the secrecy and power struggles she once faced with the late Lang Hancock. Battle of the titans gives Pilbara’s quiet achiever his due Don Rhodes was the man to whom Lang Hancock turned to identify a rich iron ore deposit. Fifty years and a huge court case later, his company is in for a big royalty win. Rinehart and Rio Tinto to pay, but mining saga cost yet to be revealed A landmark ruling has found Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting owes the heirs of her father’s former partner millions in royalties on one of the Pilbara’s most valuable iron ore assets.

This week, editor-in-chief James Chessell and media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on the rise and spectacular fall of Antony Catalano. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Catalano’s big play to take on REA and Domain to be mothballed Staff at the businessman’s regional media empire were told on Friday that the View.com.au platform, only recently bound for the ASX, would instead close down. The cult of Antony Catalano is coming crashing down Accused of assaulting his wife Stefanie, the businessman – once dubbed Mr Property – has gone into rehab. The survival of his empire hangs in the balance. Antony Catalano is losing even more money The bottom line at Australian Community Media, which Catalano co-owns with Alex Waislitz, has gone from bad to worse.

This week, political editor Phil Coorey and Redbridge pollster Kos Samaras on the sudden rise of One Nation. What's driving it? How far it could go, and what it says about how Australia is changing. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: ‘For too long, we’ve turned a blind eye’: Liberals vow hardline immigration approach Liberal leader Angus Taylor has flagged an end to a non-discriminatory Australian migration policy, promising to use social media to weed out undesirables and to “boot out” visa holders who fail to adhere to a legally binding and enforceable set of national values. One Nation nears Labor as Coalition vote hits record low Support for the federal Coalition has hit a new low of 17 per cent, but Labor’s vote is holding steady as Australians overwhelmingly blame Donald Trump for spiralling petrol prices triggered by the war in the Middle East. One Nation now speaks for a generation politics ignored The rise of One Nation among Australia’s working- and middle-class battlers is a story of economic decline and political abandonment by Labor and the Coalition. 

This week, motoring writer Tony Davis and reporter Sam Irvine on why Australia is closer than ever to the EV tipping point and whether charging infrastructure and policy settings are keeping pace. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: Now’s the time to buy a used EV: What you need to know Electric cars are smoother, quieter, cleaner, cheaper to run and cheaper to service. And the data shows people are rushing to make the switch. Australians can’t get enough of this Chinese EV as fuel prices soar The sales spike came as the Middle East conflict sent fuel prices soaring and despite a decline in overall new vehicle sales. How the fuel crisis could fix a hole in the EV market Stephen Yiu lives near a petrol station, and is constantly reminded of his escape from soaring prices as new and used EV sales jump.

Over a special two-part podcast series, Financial Review journalists Peter Ker and Alex Gow examine the makeup of the archetypal insider trader, scrutinise the trend of non-custodial sentences, and ask ASIC chair Joe Longo if the regulator's recent focus on investigation will lead to more prison time.

Angira Bharadwaj and Joyce Moullakis on why CBA ended up in the middle of a billion dollar loan fraud scandal, how its spreading to the other banks and who might be behind it. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: Escalating $1b loan fraud scandal threatens to engulf top banks AUSTRAC is investigating a widening mortgage loan fraud scandal, after a syndicate duped Commonwealth Bank into writing $1 billion in loans off fake payslips. AUSTRAC calls in 10 banks for key meeting on spike in mortgage fraud The agency requested data from the lenders as it works to assess the extent of the fraud and whether properties funded by criminal proceeds should be seized. CBA probes $1b in suspected fraudulent home loans, calls in police The country’s largest bank is working to assess how many loans have been secured based on doctored applications, including documents created using AI.

In our two-part series, Inside Edge, we go behind the scenes of the corporate regulator's high-stakes war on insider trading. We trace the thin line between a "great piece of gossip" and a federal crime, revealing why this is the easiest law to break-and the hardest to prove. As a massive new crackdown looms, ASIC boss Joe Longo reveals his growing frustration with the courts: "The sentences aren't as strong as we would like." Find out if you're closer to the edge than you think.

This week on The Fin podcast, Jonathan Shapiro and Emma Rapaport on what's behind the Magellan and Barrenjoey merger and whether there's enough room for another homegrown investment bank. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Magellan merger delivers billion-dollar bonanza for Barrenjoey staff Since the merger was announced, Magellan’s shares have risen by more than 33 per cent, lifting the paper wealth of Barrenjoey’s 463 staff to over $1 billion Booming Barrenjoey swallows parent Magellan after only 5 years Barrenjoey and Magellan are tying the knot to create a mini-Macquarie in a $1.62 billion deal. We’d tip one side to dominate the merger. Lowy family takes major stake in Magellan after merger with Barrenjoey Steven Lowy, a principal of Lowy Family Group, the family’s private investment business and family office, said it had a long history with Magellan.

Technology reporter Amelia McGuire and Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald on whether Curtis' AI start-up Firmus can live up to the hype. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Firmus lands $600m-plus annual tech giant deal as it eyes ASX float The artificial intelligence start-up has already announced a $70 billion plan to work with Nvidia and CDC Data Centres on facilities across the country. Firmus plans mid-year IPO after sealing $14b Blackstone deal The AI data centre provider co-founded by Oliver Curtis has secured the huge debt facility to build its so-called AI factories across Australia. The new iron ore: Can AI ‘tokens’ become Australia’s next great export? Having exhausted excess power in the US, the tech giants want to have AI factories in Australia. Are we the lucky country again, or is it all a trick?

This week, media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on the radio stars' falling out and whether ARN can use it to exit one of the worst deals in Australian media history. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Kyle Sandilands fires back at ARN: ‘I am not in breach’ The high-profile radio personality says his employer denied him due process after it accused him of serious misconduct and cut up a $200 million contract. Jackie O declares: ‘I did not quit’ radio show In a statement on Friday Jackie Henderson said she was “deeply saddened by the events of the past week” after her radio partnership with Kyle Sandilands ended. Kyle and Jackie O’s radio rift was about more than star power The pair’s two-decade run atop broadcasting with the most expensive show of its kind has come to a sudden and acrimonious end. We look inside the implosion.                                                                ‘There is no line’: how Kyle Sandilands thrives in the cancel culture era The radio host on his record-breaking contract, expanding business empire and what the PM did at his wedding.

This week, resources reporter Peter Ker on the challenges ahead for Australia’s iron ore industry, why copper is booming and what miners are doing to ensure the country remains a resources powerhouse. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Iron ore giants face billion-dollar hit from China-backed price switch A new index for the country’s most lucrative export has been lower than the long-time benchmark for the vast majority of days since it was launched this year. Size counts in mining’s game of relevance, but not that much Glencore BHP and Rio shares are at record highs and their bosses are being courted at the White House. So how can Glencore boss Gary Nagle say they’re irrelevant? Copper displaces iron ore as BHP’s best earner, supercharging profits The Big Australian, like its rivals, pivoted towards commodities critical to the energy transition, with production of the red metal to grow 25 per cent by 2035.

This week Technology editor Paul Smith and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on why financial markets are suddenly spooked, which businesses are most at risk from AI disruption and whether the concern is overblown. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading: WiseTech drops Australia’s first AI jobs bomb Rapid, large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence is happening, with the companies most at risk of disruption leading the charge. AI comes for the software giants, and Australia is no safe haven One venture capitalist warns there will be “roadkill”. Another says the market is “schizoid”. Artificial intelligence is making tech increasingly turbulent. Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei warns AI has the potential to tear society apart Dario Amodei’s Anthropic is behind the most popular AI platform for businesses worldwide, but he has serious worries about the technology tearing society apart.

Political editor Phillip Coorey and former Labor adviser and columnist Lidija Ivanovski on Angus Taylor’s big move, the threat from One Nation and why this might not be the last leadership contest before the next election. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading: It’s Timmy v Jimmy, with CGT the first battleground Jim Chalmers and Tim Wilson both harbour leadership ambitions. Treasury will be their sparring ring, and both will be determined not to come off second best. Taylor’s big advantage could be 35pc of voters don’t know who he is The new opposition leader is standing at the bottom of a mountain and there is doubt among many in his own party that he can climb it. Jane Hume has become the Liberals’ woman problem by tearing down Ley The new deputy leader might be able to charm some with her confidence and presentation, but her record does not look like that of a champion for working women.

This week on The Fin podcast: journalist Lucy King on the global scam operators targeting Australian investors, how the brother of Olympic breakdancer Raygun came to be working for them and why they are so hard to shut down. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading: Raygun’s brother linked to global scam network with nearly 40,000 Aussie victims An AFR investigation unravels corporate registries to link Brendan Gunn, brother of “Raygun”, with a global network that has fleeced victims of millions. ‘Devastated’: How I lost $500k in a crypto ATM scam Mary, 85, is one of thousands of victims of Australia’s boom in crypto ATM’s, which suck in $275 million a year, and are the “getaway cars” for scammers. Modern money laundering explained: Inside a $2.2b crypto heist The washing of money through digital tokens is fuelling global crime. We trace the funds from the robbery to its final “integration” and explain why Australia needs stronger international rules.

This week, James Eyers on why key executive and eldest son Peter Fox has taken an unexpected break from the company, what it means for the Linfox succession plan and why handing over mult-billion dollar family fortunes is so hard to do. This podcast is sponsored by Vanta Further reading: Peter Fox’s long absence puts Linfox succession plan in the spotlight For seven decades, billionaire businessman Lindsay Fox has loomed large over the empire he built from one truck. Who will succeed him is an open question. Peter Fox on extended leave at Linfox as non-family directors step up The son of the trucking magnate has been on sabbatical since December, with others outside the family appointed chairman of various logistics businesses. ‘We’re not going anywhere’: Peter Fox says Armaguard’s future assured The Linfox boss hopes an independent pricing model is swiftly approved by the competition regulator, so a new enterprise deal can be struck with the union.

This week, United States correspondent Jessica Gardner on Trump’s first year back in the White House and Mark Carney's viral speech. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading: Rudd’s replacement is no political animal. That’s a good thing Many believe the role of US ambassador requires a sharp politician, but Greg Moriarty is the technocrat that Australia needs to meet the challenges of the times. Trump softens on Minneapolis, but Dalio warns of slide to civil war The US president has signalled a shift in strategy on immigration after the deadly chaos, but global investor Ray Dalio says the “United States is now a tinderbox”. Carney declares rules-based order dead as Greenland row escalates The Canadian prime minister warned the world order was breaking, and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed not to give in to “bullies”.

This week, health editor Michael Smith on why baby-making is such big business and how private equity firms are reshaping the IVF sector. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading: Ill-conceived: Inside Australia’s IVF money-making machine The commercialisation of the industry as private equity owners take over from pioneering doctors has many people very worried. Monash IVF rejects $300m takeover bid from Genesis Capital as too low Shares in the fertility group have fallen more than 40 per cent since mistakes were disclosed earlier this year, prompting the PE-led consortium to swoop. Monash IVF says market share, patients down since embryo mix-ups Stiff competition and pricing pressure in Victoria has hurt the fertility group’s performance so far this fiscal year.

Rear Window columnists Mark Di Stefano and Hannah Wootton look back on the action-packed year that was and ahead to what 2026 might bring. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading: Cannon-Brookes now travels by private jet Mike Cannon-Brookes, Atlassian co-founder and leading climate change crusader, has recently picked up a private jet. Dutton left ‘very serious’ cyclone area for Hemmes’ Sydney mansion The opposition leader said people wanted the prime minister “governing, not campaigning” as Queensland braced for Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Billionaires, boardrooms and office romances: Rear Window’s 2025 year-in-review There was no shortage of hypocrites in corporate and political life in 2025, and a veritable surfeit of illicit office romances.

This week on The Fin podcast political editor Phillip Coorey and NSW political correspondent Paul Karp on the carnage at Bondi, what is being done to make sure it never happens again and whether it’s enough. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading:  ‘When is the shooting gonna stop?’ 9 minutes of terror on Bondi Beach At first, the crowd thought it was fireworks; but as the bloodied bodies dropped around them, they realised this was a shooting and they were the targets. Minns wants new laws to block protests after terror attacks The NSW government has recalled parliament to legislate caps on gun ownership and new protest restrictions, despite federal Nationals rejecting a gun crackdown. Just like that, the nation grew accustomed to antisemitism The government did act to ward off “the long shadows of the past” for Jews, but not enough. And for that, it is exposed.

This week on The Fin podcast: Greg Bearup and Carrie LaFrenz on what’s behind Australia’s retail crime wave, why Victoria is ground zero and whether facial recognition technology is the answer.  This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading: We met a professional shoplifter to understand this crime’s popularity Retailers are contending with a new type of player in their industry. Here’s how such offenders became a nationwide phenomenon and scourge of the country. Facial recognition tech vital to protect staff and shoppers: retailers Business leaders are ramping up efforts to combat surging crime rates, but their use of new tech is running up against privacy concerns. Victoria accounts for half the rise in crime at Woolworths stores The supermarket giant is the latest retailer to use profit season to highlight an increase in crime and aggression against staff.

Chanticleer columnist James Thomson and technology editor Paul Smith on the multi-trillion dollar AI investment boom, where the opportunities are for Australia and what happens if it goes wrong. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda  Further reading:  OpenAI in Australian blitz as it woos start-ups, corporates The Silicon Valley giant behind ChatGPT will offer free services to major venture capital-backed tech companies as it attempts to steal a march on rivals. Burry, Buffett and boomers: How markets drive our ugly generation gap While investors love the contrarian wisdom of Michael Burry and Warren Buffett, capital-soaked markets mean the world they won in is gone, creating deep societal problems. Reasons the AI bubble doesn’t look like the dotcom crash (yet)It’s the biggest spending spree in history. Is the AI boom a bubble, and what does it mean for investors and the Australian economy if it bursts?

Senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro on the rise of DroneShield, why its CEO just dumped all his stock and whether the company can restore the faith. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:  Oleg Vornik defends $50m DroneShield share sale, citing risk to life While the businessman has been circumspect about the reasons for offloading his entire stake, privately he has given an explanation to some investors. Inside the two-week unravelling of high-flying tech stock DroneShield A $70 million share sale by the chief executive, chairman and a third director has opened up a Pandora’s box of questions about its products, and accounts. DroneShield dream run comes to abrupt end after CEO dumps $50m stake Shares in the defence technology business crashed almost 30 per cent after Oleg Vornik and two directors sold considerable holdings with little explanation.

Phillip Coorey and Tony Barry on the decision to dump net zero, the Coalition’s existential crisis and whether Sussan Ley’s leadership can survive. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading:  Andrew and Angus who? Leadership rivals a blank canvas, says poll More than a third of voters have never heard of Andrew Hastie or Angus Taylor, the men who could challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership. One Nation seen as party best suited to handle immigration: poll While cost of living remains the most important issue for voters, they believe One Nation is the party best suited to deal with immigration policy. ‘Lowest since Federation’: Dire poll for Liberals and Ley as One Nation surges Voters are more disillusioned than ever with the Coalition after a week of infighting over climate policy, and as support for One Nation hits a new high.

John Kehoe and Michael Bleby on the RBA’s inflation dilemma, why the next interest rate move might be up and how that will affect the property market. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Investors are flocking back to the property market Three interest rate cuts, double-digit price rises and tepid new housing supply have convinced investors that property is once again a sure bet. If you’re waiting for another rate cut, read this first The lower speed limit means the economy cannot afford as much income growth for people, and that living standards will increase by less than in the past. Housing market tipped to cool as rate cut hopes diminish Home prices grew 1.1 per cent in October, the fastest monthly pace in two years but some of the heat may come out soon as borrowing costs stay on hold.

Health editor Michael Smith discusses CSL’s remarkable story, why investors have lost faith in the healthcare giant and what Trump has to do with it. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: How CSL went from 'bloated bureaucracy' to $145b global behemoth When Brian McNamee took on the top job at Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, the government-run entity was barely worth the land it was built on. McNamee vows to stay CSL chairman despite growing investor disquiet The pharmaceutical giant has avoided a board spill, but a market bloodbath arising from declining US vaccine rates has investors seething. ‘We have to fix this’: Brian McNamee on turning around CSL CSL was once a market darling, now it’s out of favour and pressure is on board and management to convince sceptical investors of a plan to restructure the business.

This week on The Fin, Lucy King and James Eyers on Australia’s crypto ATM boom, how they are being used for investment scams and why Australia is being targeted. This podcast is sponsored by Salesforce Further reading: ‘Devastated’: How I lost $500k in a crypto ATM scam Mary, 85, is one of thousands of victims of Australia’s boom in crypto ATM’s, which suck in $275 million a year, and are the “getaway cars” for scammers. Consumers, banks urge outright ban on crypto ATMs Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will give AUSTRAC powers to restrict the machines, but consumer groups say this won’t stop the danger to older Australians. Labor to crack down on crypto ATMs amid scam surge New powers will be handed to regulators to restrict the use of crypto ATMs, which have become a hub for scams and illegal money laundering.

This week on The Fin podcast, Edmund Tadros and Paul Karp on Deloitte’s stuff-up, why it became a global story and what it means for the way we use, and value, AI. This podcast is sponsored by Salesforce Further reading:  ‘Oversight was not followed’: Deloitte apologises for AI report The firm will discipline personnel over a report that had to be reissued after they failed to vet incorrect AI-generated material in the document.  Deloitte’s AI scandal shows consultants need a new strategy The saga also raises existential questions: for consultants, AI is both a major opportunity and a threat that directly undermines their premium fees. Deloitte to refund government, admits using AI in $440k report Deloitte will issue a partial refund to the government after admitting that artificial intelligence had been used in the creation of a report littered with errors.

This week, senior writer Greg Bearup and Lowy Institute senior fellow Richard McGregor on China's dominance of the local EV and battery market and why that's a security risk. This podcast is sponsored by Salesforce Further reading: Is your Chinese EV a ‘ticking time bomb’? The rapid uptake of electric cars and home batteries from the Asian nation has put Australia’s energy infrastructure at risk of foreign hijack, experts warn. China could disable or detonate Aussie EVs, warns top cyber expert Malcolm Turnbull’s former cybersecurity tsar says Australian government officials should not ride in Chinese-made EVs because of the surveillance risk. ‘Crying shame’: Inside the demise of Australia’s only battery maker Brian Craighead spent a decade trying to build an industry. He blames a cash crisis, a glut of Chinese product and shambolic federal policies for its failure.

Andrew Hobbs and Tony Boyd on how investors lost $1.2 billion in Shield, First Guardian and Australian Fiduciaries, and how the gatekeepers let it happen. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: The ‘easy peasy’ approval: Shield exposes $850b super wrap industry These funds told us they were toxic: how did Macquarie miss it? How Macquarie ignored its own advice on Shield (and lost $100m)

Senior reporters Jonathan Shapiro and Primrose Riordan on what ASIC's crackdown on LaTrobe Financial and the Jon Adgemis saga tells us about the private credit market, the risks for super investors and whether the golden run is over. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: Private credit faces tougher regulation after damning report La Trobe investment products hit with stop orders by ASIC Deutsche Bank appoints receivers for Adgemis pubs

Canberra bureau chief Nicola Smith and Washington correspondent Jessica Gardner on the Pacific defence deals and what to expect when Albanese sits down with Donald Trump. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading:  Trump and Albanese meet, as PM finally lands White House visit Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese met at a UN reception in New York as it was confirmed they would finally sit down together at the White House next month. China looms large over PM’s embarrassing setback Australia faces a diplomatic setback after failing to secure PNG defence treaty, but what it really signals is a growing influence of China in the Pacific. Tears, forgiveness and fury: Kirk remembered as martyr for free speech Allies of Charlie Kirk have vowed to carry on his mission to defeat leftist ideology at a packed service that at times looked more like a campaign rally.

Chanticleer columnist James Thomson and banking reporter Angira Bharadwaj on ANZ’s overhaul, why banks are cutting jobs and whether management has lost control of the message. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: ANZ’s pragmatic deal for ‘betraying’ Australia deserves no applause ANZ has stitched up a pragmatic settlement with ASIC to give Nuno Matos room to launch his reset. But it shouldn’t distract from what has been shabby governance. ‘It’s long overdue’: The cull wiping out thousands of bank jobs After a spike in staff numbers since the royal commission, three of the big four banks are wielding the axe, with more than 5000 people exiting the industry. It’s the age of turbulence as Nuno Matos turns ANZ upside-down Known among some staff as El Nuno, the Lisbon-born chief executive is attracting fear, intrigue and admiration as he cuts staff and overhauls the bank.

NSW political correspondent Paul Karp and deputy property editor Michael Bleby on the political leaders declaring war on NIMBYs, whether it will help the country meet its housing supply target and why the bigger problem might be a tradie deficit. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: How the Woollahra development could redraw politics in Sydney’s east Urban infill doesn’t just reshape the local environment; it can change the political landscape as well. NSW planning minister says NIMBYs ‘vying to create childless suburbs’ Paul Scully has been pushing for higher densities in Sydney, creating a backlash from residents. He says resistance to housing has become “institutionalised”. Property supply chief targets capital gains tax breaks in housing ‘war’ As the country begins a discussion about tax, the property industry veteran says the crucial role of housing also demands a big-picture review.

Rupert Murdoch's eldest son has finally secured control of the family’s sprawling media empire in a multi-billion dollar settlement with his siblings. Media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones gives his take on the deal that ends a bitter succession battle. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Lachlan Murdoch takes family media empire, paying siblings $5b to exit The deal brings to an end almost two years of bitter legal wranglings over control, cementing Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son’s leadership at News Corp and Fox.6:42Lisa MurrayWendi Deng emerges on Rupert and Lachlan’s side in Murdoch split Unlike three of their older half-siblings, the businesswoman’s two children with the billionaire patriarch will keep a stake in the family media empire.

This week on The Fin, workplace correspondent David Marin-Guzman discusses the test case of a compliance company that has been spying on its staff, what it means for work from home and how AI will affect the future of surveillance. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Company turned laptops into covert recording devices to monitor WFH Safetrac says it needed to track work-from-home staff for underperformance, but some employees say the surveillance went too far and police are now investigating. WFH surveillance case is a wake-up call The Safetrac case shines a spotlight on the issue of employee surveillance versus the right to personal privacy when staff work from home. Safetrac surveillance installed without staff agreement: HR manager The firm, which turned staff laptops into covert listening devices, should have updated its surveillance policy beforehand, its own people manager told WorkCover.

Political editor Phillip Coorey on the debt bomb facing the next generation, the ‘Braveheart ’situation in parliament and the Iran-led attacks in Australia. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading:  The VW, the tobacco kingpin, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Sloppy criminals who reused a stolen car for arson attacks on a synagogue and nightclub led spies to uncover a state-sponsored campaign of terror. PM had no choice but to act after explosive Iran revelations After years of rejecting overtures to sever ties with Iran, the government was left with no other option. Talkfest hasn’t started yet. Jim Chalmers says it’s already a win The treasurer says the build-up to Tuesday’s summit has entrenched the productivity crisis in the political psyche.

This week on The Fin podcast: senior writer Greg Bearup on why the Mormon Church is buying up vast tracts of Australian farmland and whether it’s in the national interest. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading:  Mormon church’s $490m spending spree exposes trade deal blind spot Farmers fear the American church could change the face of Australian agriculture. The chequebook of Mormon: $500m on Australian farms in six months With its immense resources, the US-based Mormon church is buying up vast tracts of Australian farmland. Is this in our national interest? Wagyu Rich Listers fatten outback portfolio with Qld deal Peter and Jane Hughes, already among the world’s biggest producers of wagyu beef, have added a central western Queensland cattle property to their operation.

This week on The Fin podcast: senior writer Myriam Robin on how worried we should be about declining fertility rates, whether they could and should be reversed and why politicians in Australia are so reluctant to talk about it. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Can Australia escape the global fertility crisis? Not too long ago, the world was worried about runaway population growth. But with birth rates falling too fast, the scramble is on to avoid the demographic crunch. How to fix the economy to make Aussies richer – from people who did Jim Chalmers’ economic roundtable risks history being repeated because a cautious prime minister has no electoral mandate for sweeping change. Why Australia is far from full but no one wants to talk about it Angst over house and rental prices is fracturing the fragile bigger-Australia consensus. Yet walking away from a larger population is not an option

This week on The Fin podcast: senior reporter Jemima Whyte and associate editor Joyce Moullakis on whether Macquarie has lost its edge, who might be in line to take over the top job and what happens when you threaten the pay packets of a millionaires’ factory. Further reading:  Macquarie scrambled to lobby proxy firms ahead of fraught AGM The company made the highly unusual move to understand if major investors would reject executive pay plans as it dealt with a backlash. Glenn Stevens feels the burn from Macquarie’s worried investors The former RBA governor has seen off a global financial crisis and angry borrowers. Can he turn around an undercurrent of anxiety at the Millionaires Factory? Macquarie investors deliver wake-up call with strike on executive pay Investors deliver an embarrassing rebuke to the Millionaires Factory over bonuses amid regulatory woes and the surprise exit of its CFO.

This week on The Fin, Technology editor Paul Smith talks about his interview with Altman and reveals what it would take for the AI chief to pull the plug. Further reading:  What OpenAI’s Sam Altman suggests you do to keep your job The race is on to build machines that can outthink humans. The tech founder in charge of ChatGPT says there is one thing that would make him stop. ‘Try the future’: New ChatGPT AI agents promise to do your jobs Drawing on three pre-existing OpenAI products, ChatGPT Agent lets users ask AI to take control of multi-step and fairly complex tasks. OpenAI wants AI tax breaks, promises $115b annual windfall OpenAI chief economist Ronnie Chatterji has conducted a whirlwind set of meetings in Canberra as the company prepares to launch an AI blueprint for Australia.

This week on The Fin, North Asia correspondent Jessica Sier and Lowy Institute senior fellow Richard McGregor on whether Panda diplomacy works and why Beijing needs a succession plan. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. China ordered this Aussie flower farm to grow rice. Then they found a solution In a country of 1.4 billion people, keeping everyone fed can be the difference between stability and chaos. The Lynch Group nearly had to tear down its greenhouses. Beyond the Wall: Albanese’s high-stakes China play As the prime minister is criticised over the extent of his China sightseeing, the government insists it is playing the long game and that face time matters. Rumours of Xi’s downfall distract from China’s real challenges The notion that Xi Jinping is about to be toppled is a distraction from the real cleavages in Chinese politics.

This week on The Fin podcast, economics editor John Kehoe and senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro on the RBA’s shock decision on interest rates, what it means for the economy and whether the next generation could be the first to be worse off than their parents. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. Further reading:  Gen Z will be richer than their parents. But here’s the catch Sluggish productivity and tax policies rigged against young people mean many are missing out on financial comfort precisely when they need it most. RBA rate call extraordinaire Rory Robertson makes his last prediction The economist has spent three decades trying to interpret the smoke signals emanating out of Martin Place. He’s giving up the game as it’s profoundly changing. Which RBA board members voted for a rate cut? At least two Labor appointees to the Reserve Bank monetary policy board almost certainly voted for a cut on Tuesday, former insiders believe.