This week on The Fin podcast, Ben Potter and Jacob Greber talk about Peter Dutton’s atomic bet, the economics of nuclear energy and whether the power requirements of the AI revolution change the debate. This podcast is sponsored by ANZ Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify here Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: Dutton’s atomic bet threatens Coalition chain reaction over climate Rather than keep the heat on Labor’s handling of the cost-of-living pain as inflation stays high, the opposition leader’s nuclear venture risks becoming the story. Booming AI demand threatens electricity supply Regulators are scrambling to factor the explosive growth of data centres into demand projections as one network warns of a 250 per cent surge in power needs. Why Dutton is going nuclear Peter Dutton thinks he can sell nuclear power to the public. The energy industry remains unconvinced by the business case.

This week on The Fin podcast, before heading home after more than six years based in Shanghai and then Tokyo, Michael Smith talks about the changes in China over that time, what its slowing economy means for Australian prosperity and Japan's new role on the world stage.  This podcast is sponsored by ANZ Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify here Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: In six and a half years I witnessed a dark pivot in China When I first landed in Shanghai on a freezing winter’s night in January 2018, China felt like a place bursting with optimism and opportunity. Japan is finally waking up from its lost decades. Can it last? The country is doing defence deals and its economy is powering up. But it has a fight on its hands to keep the momentum going given its structural challenges. The data that reveals the truth about Australia’s China ties Although Australia’s relations with China have warmed, key metrics show economic ties are at their lowest levels in more than five years and are unlikely to bounce back.

This week on The Fin podcast, senior reporter James Eyers takes us inside the high-stakes negotiations over Armaguard's financial future, talks about the big personalities involved and gives his view on whether we are witnessing the death of cash.  This podcast is sponsored by ANZ Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify here Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: Inside the battle for Armaguard and the future of cash The high-stakes negotiations over the financial future for the cash transit monopoly reached a crescendo over Easter. Linfox lays out its terms for keeping Armaguard afloat Peter Fox, the company’s executive chairman, says his family are “not beggars here”. He says the cash-in-transit monopoly will keep operating if fees rise Coles hoards cash over Easter as Armaguard teeters on the brink The Lindsay Fox-controlled monopoly has engaged former ACTU secretary Bill Kelty to lead negotiations with major banks over a rescue package

This week on The Fin podcast, Lauren Sams talks about the rise of Zoë Foster Blake, takes us inside the deal to regain control of her skincare business and tells us why there is so much takeover activity in the beauty industry. This podcast is sponsored by ANZ Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify here Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: Zoë Foster Blake: ‘I still think it’s hilarious that I’m in business’ This beauty entrepreneur sold her business for a fortune. And then she bought it back for a song. Foster Blake sold Go-To stake for $89m. She’s bought it back for a fraction of that The former Young Rich Lister, along with her co-founder Paul Bates, have taken back control of the skincare brand from the failed BWX Group. One of the fastest growing categories for Young Rich Listers – vanity Australian beauty brands have pushed out the established labels, from toothpaste to tanning, with a little product innovation and a lot of savvy marketing.

This week on The Fin podcast, property editor Nick Lenaghan and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on the relentless rise of house prices and the dilemma it poses for the RBA. This podcast is sponsored by ANZ Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify here Listen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: Record-breaking house prices make early rate cuts ‘less likely’ Home values nationwide hit new peaks in March, boosted by strong gains in the more affordable markets, but rising prices could also delay rate cuts. Why good intentions are no match for housing’s grim reality Big house price gains in 2025 and 2026 look likely as Australia’s housing supply crisis gets worse The housing data that should make the RBA wary of cutting rates Australia is a nation obsessed with house prices, and with 60 per cent of people planning to buy in the next five years, the central bank is unlikely to be immune from that.

This week on The Fin podcast, Jonathan Shapiro and Carrie LaFrenz take us inside their shopping experiment and talk about what happens in the luxury grey market and why investors are so polarised when it comes to the high-end retailer, Cettire. Further reading: Cettire’s Texas hold ’em reveals questions about the value of luxury The red-hot ASX-listed retailer appears to have one figure for customs and another for customers when it comes to its products. The market battle over secretive e-commerce play Cettire There’s smart money on either side of the Cettire trade. But there remain unanswered questions about its closely guarded business model. We spent $1300 shopping at Cettire. Here’s what happened It’s the buzziest stock on the ASX, thanks to “eye-watering” sales and wide margins. Customer reviews aren’t all so glowing. What’s behind the success?

This week, we are bringing you the first episode of season 3 of Tech Zero, a podcast from resources reporter and regular on The Fin Peter Ker.  Ker and producer Lap Phan talk to Formula 1’s Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds about the championship’s existential threat, what they are doing about it and whether there is a future in zero-carbon fuel. 

This week on The Fin podcast, Zoe Samios on the Matildas' Olympic campaign, the bankability of women’s sport and Captain Sam Kerr’s legal case. Further reading: Australia’s favourite sports team is no longer male. Will the dollars follow? Matildas merchandise already outsells the Socceroos’ by a factor of two to one. But in the big-money world of major sport, scoring goals doesn’t always move the dial. Australia in the box seat to host the 2026 women’s Asian Cup With money flowing into women’s soccer, registrations up and the Matildas on a roll, it would be the icing on the cake. Socceroos, Matildas success boosts cash for Football Australia Almost $20 million in prizemoney from the Socceroos, a boost in sponsorship and an uptick in merchandise sales nearly doubled Football Australia’s revenue.

This week on The Fin podcast, Boss editor Sally Patten and reporter Hannah Wootton on why the gender pay gap exists, who are the worst offenders and what can be done to fix it. Further reading:  Bonuses, overtime drive 19pc gender pay gap The median pay gap at businesses with 100-plus employees has been revealed for the first time and professional services and banks recorded some of the worst disparities. These companies nailed the gender pay challenge. It wasn’t easy Companies such as Super Retail Group, Wesfarmers, PwC and Cotton On have the most balanced pay rates between men and women employees. Family choices explain part of gender pay gap, say bosses Corporate leaders say women taking more family responsibilities makes the dominance of men in the highest-paid roles difficult to shift. But some female directors said women “deciding” to take on lower-paid work was a “false choice”.

This week on The Fin podcast, United States correspondent Matthew Cranston and senior writer Jacob Greber, who covered the last Biden-Trump race, give their predictions for the US election. They discuss why Nikki Haley is staying in the Republican contest, whether the legal cases will help or hurt Trump and how Canberra is preparing for the result. This podcast is sponsored by Governance Institute of Australia. Further reading: Biden suffers strong protest vote in primary win The US president easily won the Democratic primary in Michigan, despite significant defections by voters in his party angry at his support for Israel’s war in Gaza. Your dinner party guide to the US election Will the November vote be a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump? With primaries and caucuses in full swing, and candidates dropping like flies, here’s the lowdown. Trump, backed by Rinehart, dispatches Haley in South Carolina Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart backed Donald Trump to be the next US president as Nikki Haley vowed she would stay in the race despite losing her home state to the former president.

This week on The Fin podcast, workplace correspondent David Marin-Guzman and Boss deputy editor Patrick Durkin discuss the blurred lines between work and home, the push by some companies to get staff back in the office and whether the new right-to-disconnect laws will ever be used. This podcast is sponsored by Governance Institute of Australia. Further reading: Why we still can’t agree on how to work from home Four years on from the onset of COVID-19, companies and individuals are as far apart on a consensus on this issue as ever. But this year could bring change. ‘Horse has bolted’: Burke consults over right-to-disconnect fix Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has initiated a last-minute consultation with business over a technical fix to the right to disconnect. Four-day week v office mandate: One size does not fit all Medibank’s Kylie Bishop says its workers on a four-day-a-week trial are less stressed, but JPMorgan says it needs its merchant bankers in the office every day.

This week on The Fin podcast, Financial Review reporters Jenny Wiggins and Liam Walsh on how IAG became entangled in the Greensill Capital collapse, what’s next in the legal stoush, and why billions of dollars and corporate reputations are at stake. This podcast is sponsored by Governance Institute of Australia. Further reading: The $7b hangover: How IAG was sucked into Lex Greensill’s vortex One of Australia’s most expensive corporate fights is in court. But how did the insurer targeted in the cases become entangled? The battle of Saughall fields: What Lex Greensill did next The fallen Australian billionaire tried to buy 200 hectares of farmland near a village in north-west England so the view from his home isn’t spoiled. Now the town is tearing itself apart over the plan. How the Greensill empire was brought down Skittish insurers, wary fund managers, a suspicious regulator and a sceptical press created a pile of tinder that only needed a few sparks to start a fire.

This week on The Fin podcast, senior writer Emma Connors joins us from Jakarta to talk about who is in the race to be the next president of Indonesia and what that will mean for the region and Australia’s nickel miners. This podcast is sponsored by Governance Institute of Australia. Further reading: Indonesia’s poll frontrunner has bad news for Australian nickel miners Prabowo Subianto has vowed to continue the turbocharged industry development backed by Chinese investment that has flooded the world with cheap nickel. This billionaire used Indonesia’s nickel to squeeze out Australia Xiang Guangda, founder of Chinese giant Tsingshan Holdings, has invested billions of dollars to elbow competitors aside. Why this man is the most disappointed politician in Indonesia The sudden entry of President Joko Widodo’s son into the election race has upset many plans – particularly those of the minister who thought he had a good shot at the vice presidency.

This week on The Fin podcast, Political editor Phillip Coorey on the government’s gamble on stage-3 tax cuts, why it will dominate this year’s political agenda and whether there could be an early election. This podcast is sponsored by Governance Institute of Australia. Further reading: Albanese’s version of integrity comes with a means test Aspiration is not part of this government’s vernacular – not right now at least. Tax cut for top earners halved under stage three changes The federal government will slash the stage three tax cuts for those earning $200,000 from $9075 to $4529. An ‘almighty wedge’: The PM’s big tax gamble There are eight winners for every loser in Labor’s reworking of the stage three tax cuts. By focusing on middle-income earners, the PM hopes to create big problems for the Opposition.

The podcast is on holiday right now so we are replaying some of our favourite episodes as part of a summer series. In March, The Fin spoke with the Australian Financial Review’s Fashion editor Lauren Sams, who was in Paris for fashion week at the time, about the rising fortunes of Bernard Arnault. The founder of luxury fashion powerhouse LVMH, had recently become the first European to rise to the top of the world’s rich lists, knocking tech titan Elon Musk off his perch. Alas, his time at the top was not to last. A recovery in Tesla’s shareprice reinstalled Musk in the number one spot a few months after Lauren was on the podcast. But Arnault’s fortune has continued to rise. LVMH is a giant with more than 70 brands, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Tiffany and Sephora. And there is speculation in recent weeks of more deals to come. So please enjoy this discussion with Lauren and AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond on the big business of luxury fashion. Background reading: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/fashion-and-style/here-s-what-you-ll-be-wearing-in-2023-20230306-p5cplq http://afr.com/women-of-influence/grit-and-gut-instinct-take-women-to-top-of-fashion-world-20230226-p5cnqm https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/fashion-and-style/bernard-arnault-promotes-daughter-delphine-in-lvmh-reshuffle-20230112-p5cc7s https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/fashion-and-style/the-secret-to-zimmermann-s-31-year-success-staying-in-its-lane-20220606-p5arex

The podcast is on holiday right now so we are replaying some of our favourite episodes as part of a summer series. Former Rear Window editor Joe Aston was one of the Australian Financial Review’s most loved and most feared columnists. He had people turning to the back page every morning before they had poured out their coffee. In October, after a twelve-year reign, he decided to call it a day. The Fin spoke with Joe about his evolution from gossip columnist to campaigning journalist, his struggles along the way and how he held companies like Qantas and PwC to account. We hope you enjoy this replay of our discussion. Further reading: Joe's farewell column Rear Window’s style evolved (and its rigour improved), but my primary motivation never really changed, and that was to entertain. Richard Goyder's pantomime swan song The Qantas chairman has elected to take an excruciating route to the inevitable. Sobering thoughts from Rehab Riviera Resisting alcohol is almost the easiest part of early sobriety. Vastly more daunting is the reconstruction of one’s interpersonal skills.

The podcast is on holiday right now so we are replaying some of our favourite episodes as part of a summer series. In June, The Fin spoke with AFR Magazine culinary editor Jill Dupleix about a trend in Australian dining that was bugging her. All the restaurant menus looked the same. She wrote a story for the magazine about this and on the cover was a photograph of a cracked plate with Kingfish crudo prepared in four different ways.  So please enjoy this discussion with Jill about the broken business model for Australian restaurants and why some food trends have lingered for more than a decade. Background reading: Why the world’s best restaurant is taking up residency down under Chef Mauro Colagreco is bringing a team of 20 to create a uniquely Sydney version of his three-Michelin star French diner Mirazur. Why top restaurateurs are opening spin-offs right next door You can do degustation at Ides in Melbourne, and now you can go next door to March and settle for a bar snack also prepared by chef Peter Gunn.

This week on The Fin podcast, senior reporter Carrie LaFrenz and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on the story behind the rise of Chemist Warehouse, how the deal with Sigma will work and whether the business’ low-profile founders will cope with being out in the open. This podcast is sponsored by First Sentier Investors Further reading: Inside the Chemist franchisee world There are over 200 managing partners who are shareholders in the discount chain. They are all ambitious pharmacy owners, many with multiple sites. Chemist Warehouse's 100-year plan to be the next Walgreens Chemist Warehouse chief executive Mario Verrocchi, flagging a 100-year growth strategy, said it was a “life dream” to list the company, which has more than 600 stores in its network. Why Chemist Warehouse creates a quandary for fund managers After the initial burst of justifiable excitement generated by a chance to look at a business long hidden from public view, fund managers have started to ponder where, when and how Chemist Warehouse might fit into their portfolios.

This week on The Fin podcast, senior correspondent Jacob Greber talks about whether the government’s new plan will work, how much it will cost and what are the political stakes for the country’s ambitious climate change minister. And Europe correspondent Hans van Leeuwen reports from Dubai on Australia’s role at this year’s COP28 summit. This podcast is sponsored by First Sentier Investors Further reading: Bowen's energy plan might cost 'tens of billions' The cost of Labor’s freshly minted Capacity Investment Scheme is being hotly debated by energy experts, with most agreeing the Commonwealth faces a material financial exposure, as well as concerns about the government’s refusal to reveal costings. Bowen dramatically expands green energy support The Albanese government will supercharge its struggling 82 per cent clean energy goal by dramatically expanding its underwriting of green generation and storage, effectively replacing the Renewable Energy Target favoured by some wind and solar proponents. 'A lot of zeroes': Why global CEOs flock to COP In recent years, a ‘climate Davos’ has emerged on the fringes of COP summits, with companies striking deals, swapping notes and talking to politicians.

This week on The Fin podcast, Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald and senior resources writer Angela Macdonald-Smith on the twists and turns of the Origin takeover saga, why the bid failed and where those billions of dollars might be headed next. This podcast is sponsored by First Sentier Investors Further reading: Origin shareholders demand demerger, higher dividends in deal fallout Origin Energy’s board is facing demands to consider a demerger, a beefed-up transition plan and higher dividend payouts after the collapse of a $20 billion takeover plan. The one question for every director in Origin's $20 billion belly flop Stability is the new buzzword at Origin Energy. Having tried to upend the joint for the past year, everyone now seems to want stability: the board, management, investors (institutional and retail), even Brookfield. Brookfield taking ‘suckers for a ride’ in Origin play: Keating Assets of Origin’s premium quality should not be sold to private equity investors and, worse, sold cheaply, only to be bought back five years later – with the sole aim of delivering unconscionable profits to equity fund investors.

This week on The Fin podcast, education editor Julie Hare on why young Australians are losing faith in the value of uni and whether the government can turn it around. This podcast is sponsored by First Sentier Investors Further reading: Have young Australians lost faith in uni? The number of Australian students studying for a bachelor’s degree has fallen more than 13 per cent since 2016, new data reveals, as rising student debt and the booming jobs market turn young people off higher education. The income boost from a uni degree is slumping The income boost graduates gain from earning a university degree is declining and greater for those with higher qualifications, such as master’s and PhDs, a study has found. The secret plan to control what uni students can study In what would be a radical overhaul of higher education, a major review is considering an external body to oversee all aspects of universities, potentially stripping them of their autonomy and independence.

This week on The Fin, economics editor John Kehoe on why young Australians are at risk of a poorer future and what can be done to lighten their load. This podcast is sponsored by First Sentier Investors Further reading: Why younger Australians are at risk of a poorer future The nation will become older, more indebted, and tax working-age people more over coming decades unless something dramatic changes. The penny has finally dropped on income tax burden There are at least three achievable ways to alleviate the intergenerational inequities in the tax system to take pressure off workers and not harm economic growth. Tax system fails every test, says Ken Henry The federal-state tax system “fails” every test, including for economic growth and fairness to younger people, underlining the need for political leadership to deliver more than “mere tinkering”, former Treasury boss Ken Henry says.

This week on The Fin podcast, Europe correspondent Hans van Leeuwen on the war between Israel and Hamas and whether it could spread across the Middle East. And political editor Phillip Coorey on Australia’s complicated response. This podcast is sponsored by SAP. Further reading: Netanyahu's dilemma Israel, as ever, is caught between its hard-won capacity to fight militarily on its own terms, and its inability to achieve lasting security without the collusion of Washington, and the major Arab capitals too. Australia a small player in Middle East conflict Anthony Albanese has called for a sense of perspective regarding Australia’s ability to influence events in the Middle East, as he accused the Greens and Coalition of using the tragedy for political gain while the government was trying to minimise civil unrest. Wong's ceasefire call draws flak from both sides Foreign Minister Penny Wong is under fire on two fronts after she raised the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accusing her of being “reckless” for even broaching the topic while the pro-Palestinian lobby criticised her for not going far enough. (edited) 

This week on The Fin podcast, technology reporter Jessica Sier and United States correspondent Matthew Cranston on the great unravelling of Sam Bankman-Fried, what it was like inside the courtroom and why his legal troubles aren’t yet over. This podcast is sponsored by SAP. Further reading: Sam Bankman-Fried: the villain in a cinema near you His defence lawyer said the government tried to show the jury “the movie of Sam the villain.” He might have been ahead of his time. Sam Bankman-Fried squirms under cross-examination While Bankman-Fried appeared almost chipper while answering questions from his defence lawyer, the mood turned quickly when the prosecution got started. Bankman-Fried brought to book Sitting in front of a freshly picked jury and a courtroom jammed with reporters, Sam Bankman-Fried’s trademark unruly curls had vanished after five weeks in a Brooklyn prison.

This week on The Fin podcast, political editor Phillip Coorey and North Asia correspondent Michael Smith on why Albanese’s China trip is so important, the challenges facing Xi Jinping at home and how China’s slowing economy is changing the game. This podcast is sponsored by SAP. Further reading: Taiwan warns Albanese - don't be blindsided by China  Taiwan’s Foreign Minister has warned Anthony Albanese ahead of his visit to Beijing that China may take advantage of warmer ties with Western democracies to try to isolate Taipei and bring it under Communist rule. China sacks defence minister who disappeared two months ago China has sacked its Defence Minister, General Li Shangfu, who disappeared from public view two months ago in what experts believe is part of a purge of Xi Jinping’s top ranks. China denies Cheng was a political hostage Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Cheng Lei’s release was the result of the Albanese government’s “persistent” advocacy with the China, which allowed the former television anchor to return to Australia this week after three years in prison.

This week on The Fin podcast, resources reporters Peter Ker and Elouise Fowler on lithium’s rise and fall and rise again, why the Liontown deal collapsed and whether the critical mineral could become the next iron ore for Australia. This podcast is sponsored by SAP. Further reading: Can brains disrupt Australia's lithium mining brawn Some of the world’s biggest and smallest companies reckon technology can disrupt Australia’s lithium boom by unlocking vast new supplies and crushing prices. Deal off, Game on: The battle for Liontown is just beginning Less than five hours after Liontown Resources announced the withdrawal of Albemarle’s $6.6 billion takeover bid, the lithium junior’s biggest shareholder, Gina Rinehart, was busy setting up a new vehicle for her pivot towards critical minerals. Lithium takeovers ignite the Pilbara Deal fever has swept the Australian lithium, with Chilean giant Socieded Quimica Y Minera set to play a central role in two deals.

This week on The Fin, Joe Aston on his evolution from gossip columnist to campaigning journalist, what happened when he went too far and life after Rear Window. This podcast is sponsored by SAP. Further reading: Joe's farewell column Rear Window’s style evolved (and its rigour improved), but my primary motivation never really changed, and that was to entertain. Richard Goyder's pantomime swan song The Qantas chairman has elected to take an excruciating route to the inevitable. Sobering thoughts from Rehab Riviera Resisting alcohol is almost the easiest part of early sobriety. Vastly more daunting is the reconstruction of one’s interpersonal skills.

This week on The Fin podcast, political correspondent Tom McIlroy and political editor Phillip Coorey on what the result is likely to be, where the campaign will be won and lost and what happens next. This podcast is sponsored by Superloop Further reading: Albanese cries over Voice to parliament chance Anthony Albanese has urged Australians preparing to vote No in Saturday’s referendum on the Indigenous Voice to parliament to reconsider, saying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are “reaching out” to the rest of the community for their own survival. Albanese will walk away from Voice if voters say no Anthony Albanese says he will walk away from the Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal if voters defeat Saturday’s landmark referendum. Why middle Australia is leaning towards No Debate about the details, partisan bickering and indifference about Indigenous affairs are all continuing to hamper the Yes case.

This week on The Fin, senior writer Neil Chenoweth and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson explain how family politics within the Murdoch empire could shape politics at large in some of the world's major democracies.  This podcast is sponsored by Superloop Further reading: https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/the-murdoch-succession-saga-is-far-from-over-20230922-p5e6r5 https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/what-lachlan-murdoch-told-fundies-in-sydney-two-weeks-ago-20230922-p5e6t1 https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/there-may-not-be-another-mogul-like-rupert-murdoch-20230920-p5e6c3

This week on The Fin podcast, media writers Sam Buckingham-Jones and Mark Di Stefano take us inside the crackdown on gambling advertisements, and what it could mean for the future of Australia's biggest sporting codes.  This podcast is sponsored by Australian Unity. Further reading: https://www.afr.com/rear-window/sydney-swans-no-d-ckheads-policy-stretches-thin-20230807-p5dujr afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/how-the-big-banks-help-australians-stop-themselves-from-gambling-20230404-p5cxv3 https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/gambling-ad-ban-would-hurt-footy-and-media-sportsbet-20230512-p5d7zm

Follow The Australian Financial Review’s newest podcast offering called 15 Minutes with the Boss.  It’s a weekly podcast, in which AFR’s Boss Editor Sally Patten sits down with one of the country's top CEOs and asks them to share all the valuable advice and wisdom they’ve gained during the course of their careers.  They’ll chat about their successes and failures and everything in between. Here’s a little preview of episode 1 featuring AMP CEO Alexis George, where she chats about everything from her favourite podcasts, dealing with conflict and reveals the best piece of advice she has ever been given and much more. At the end of the preview, just search 15 Minutes with the Boss to hear the rest of the show.

This week on The Fin podcast, property editor Nick Lenaghan on the great divide in Australian housing, what the government and industry need to do to fix the supply problem and those explosive comments that made the AFR property summit news around the world. This podcast is sponsored by Australian Unity. Further reading: Developers scoff at 1.2 m new homes housing target A dysfunctional planning system and huge labour shortage will cripple the Albanese government’s target of 1.2 million new homes in the next five years, despite billions of dollars of public funding pouring into the sector, warn senior property industry figures. Something strange is happening in the housing market  An economist, a lender and an investor walked into a property summit – and left everyone confused about where the heck the housing market is going next. We need pain in the economy: Tim Gurner An edited transcript of the conversation with property developer Tim Gurner at the Property summit.

This week of The Fin, Brad Thompson and Peter Ker on what’s behind the executive churn at Fortescue, how it will affect the company's green energy reinvention and whether Andrew Forrest is just too hard to work for. This podcast is sponsored by Australian Unity. Further reading: Fortescue partied, then parted ways with its CEO Saturday was the party, Sunday was the departure of a chief executive of just six months. By Monday, hard questions were being asked. Fortescue Metals CFO quits Fortescue Metals has lost its chief financial officer, Christine Morris, the 11th executive to leave in three years. Fortescue Investors split over whether Forrest is wrecking or rescuing Fortescue Metals investors are split over whether Andrew Forrest is damaging its culture, with a former major shareholder selling down his stake over fears the company’s chairman might “wreck” the iron ore major. 'Flame Trees' as performed by Jimmy Barnes at the Fortescue 20th anniversary party was written by Steve Prestwich and Don Walker.

This week on The Fin, aviation reporter Ayesha de Kretser and Rear Window columnist Joe Aston on the early departure and legacy of Alan Joyce, who else should be held to account for the mess Qantas finds itself in and whether the government will have to revisit its decision on Qatar Airways. This podcast is sponsored by Australian Unity. Further reading: Hudson to focus on customers after Joyce exit Vanessa Hudson has vowed to focus on customers as she tries to repair the national carrier’s battered reputation after Alan Joyce abruptly quit as the chief executive of Qantas two months earlier than planned. Qantas U-turn on credits as ACCC sues over cancelled flights Qantas has scrapped the expiry date on $570 million of flight credits, as it faces allegations from the competition regulator that it sold tickets for thousands of services that had already been cancelled. Further reading: Profits and power: Qantas and the Qatar question The government’s decision to block the foreign operator from obtaining more slots has prompted many to query the power of the country’s biggest airline. What exactly is the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, and how do you join? There’s much more to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge than just free canapes and champagne. Here’s how to become a member and what’s on offer once you’re inside Alan Joyce puts Albo’s son in Qantas Chairman’s lounge It’s easy to forget that Anthony Albanese has been in Canberra for a very long time. Entitlement to largesse is a lifelong practice.

This week in The Fin podcast, senior writer Neil Chenoweth, professional services editor Edmund Tadros and Rear Window columnist Joe Aston on the tax leaks scandal nine months on, why it can never be business as usual for the big four consulting firms and whether PwC’s Australian business can survive. Further reading: Why fixing PwC gets harder with every passing week The week in the tax leaks saga where it became clear the culture that had developed in PwC’s tax division over the past decade or so will have consequences that stretch far beyond the firm and will take years to play out. PwC’s Kevin Burrowes: an American agent on a Maldives holiday Before jetting off last week, Burrowes briefed retired PwC Australia partners on the firm’s global inquiry – being run by Allens Linklaters – into the involvement of PwC partners outside Australia in the tax leaks scandal. Expect a fierce response to Labor’s PwC reforms The plan to crack down on misconduct by tax advisers is ambitious. But it faces a long rocky road.

This week on The Fin, senior correspondent Jacob Greber on the intergenerational report, why Australia is far from full and what needs to change to make a bigger population work. Further reading: Why Australia needs millions more people - and is getting there fast Angst over house and rental prices is fracturing the fragile bigger-Australia consensus. Yet walking away from a larger population is not an option. Ageing population driving $140b blowout in spending A doubling of people older than 65 and a tripling of those 85 and over will present major economic challenges over the next 40 years and be a primary driver of increased government spending. Productivity leads to prosperity – here’s how to get there Treasury keeps betting that bipartisanship will help Australia to change in ways that are hard to do but much needed.

This week on The Fin, economics correspondent Michael Read on the changing of the guard at the RBA, whether interest rates have peaked and the number one problem for the economy. Further reading: Inside the downfall of a top central banker Philip Lowe joined the Reserve Bank straight from high school and went on to oversee a period of dramatically shifting economic fortunes. Until his time ran out. Lowe warns rent caps will make the housing shortage even worse Imposing rent controls to ease the housing crisis would make the shortage of homes even worse over the long term, outgoing RBA governor Philip Lowe warned on Friday, saying politicians should resist the push for such short-term solutions. Bullock to steady RBA after ‘regrettable’ Lowe departure Michele Bullock’s appointment as the next governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia was motivated by a need to restore the bank’s public image and reform its structures after the pandemic, while staying the course on monetary policy.

Ahead of the final two sentencings in the Plutus tax fraud case, David Marin-Guzman and Neil Chenoweth tell The Fin podcast why it was a Gen Y crime and how it almost never came to light. Further reading: Adam Cranston found guilty in Plutus tax fraud trial After a nine-month trial and almost two months of deliberation, a jury has found Adam Cranston and two of his key co-conspirators guilty of one of the biggest tax frauds in Australia’s corporate history. ATO tax fraud: Behind a $191m Gen Y crime wave This is the face of a Millennial crime wave: there's the party guy, there's the bovver boy and then there's Mr Invisible, the guy who leaves no tracks. Plutus ATO fraud Part 2: Sex, tax and Instagram The key to any successful fraud is not just to get your hands on the money, it's not leaving any fingerprints afterwards - so exactly when did "Mr Invisible", Adam Cranston, become involved in the Plutus Payroll scam allegations?

This week in The Fin podcast, technology writer Nick Bonyhady and health editor Jill Margo on how Ozempic has upended the weight-loss industry, the companies trying to make money from it and the health risks threatening to derail its meteoric rise. Further reading:  The weight loss cycle: out with Jenny Craig, in with Ozempic Depending who you ask, Ozempic is “phenomenal” for patients or a “dangerous” way of losing weight. Either way, its arrival heralds a new model of medicine. Eucalyptus changes tune and begins selling Ozempic Australia’s biggest weight loss drug selling start-up, Eucalyptus, has begun selling Ozempic after previously insisting it only sold medications specifically approved to help people shed kilograms. If this episode has raised any concerns for you, help is available. Call Lifeline on: 13 11 14

This week in The Fin podcast, resources reporter Peter Ker on the split in the Forrest empire, how it came to light and what it means for the iron ore giant and its green energy plans. Further reading: Andrew and Nicola Forrest to pursue separate lives Australia’s richest couple, Andrew and Nicola Forrest, have separated but insist the strategic direction of the mining giant they control, Fortescue Metals Group, will not be affected by their decision to pursue independent lives. Forrest split won’t destroy Fortescue, investors say Big investors in Fortescue Metals say the miner can sail through the breakdown of executive chairman Andrew Forrest’s marriage and the subsequent ownership reshuffle that has given Nicola Forrest control of the single biggest Fortescue stake. Anonymous Nic emerges from the Forrest split Anyone who thinks Nicola will just quietly go along with whatever Andrew says and does from now is likely mistaken, even if, in regard to Fortescue, they stay on a steady course.

This week on The Fin, senior reporter Angela Macdonald-Smith and senior writer Ben Potter on the mammoth task ahead to re-engineer the country’s power system, why we are unlikely to meet those 2030 climate targets and how we can get back on track to reach-net zero by 2050. Further reading: Meeting 2030 climate targets close to ‘impossible’ Energy industry leaders are increasingly convinced that Australia will miss its 2030 climate targets, as the pace of adding renewable energy, back-up capacity and transmission falls further and further behind what is needed. Phased Eraring shutdown on cards as price worries mount Fortescue Future Industries director and former Reserve Bank deputy Guy Debelle warned that the lagging response in the supply of clean energy poses a risk for prices over the next 10 years as the economy transitions to low-carbon energy. Farmers revolt at Victorian power plan Australia hasn’t built transmission projects this large across farm country for decades. The projects are critical to the transition to net zero, but farmers say they’ve been ignored, taken for granted and patronised.

Today, senior reporter Max Mason on how two former 'besties' turned on each other after their multi-million dollar fraud unraveled, and why it took NAB years to uncover their lucrative scheme. And legal editor Michael Pelly gives his take on what it means for white-collar crime in Australia. Update on the case as of July 20: National Australian Bank fraudster Helen Rosamond has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for a scheme “breathtaking in its audacity” that embezzled millions of dollars with the help of a former chief of staff to two bank bosses. Further reading: Former NAB chief of staff jailed for fraud The former chief of staff to NAB chief executives Andrew Thorburn and Cameron Clyne has been sentenced to a combined eight years in prison for participating in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Lavish lunches key to planning NAB fraud Rosemary Rogers, the former chief of staff to NAB chief executives Andrew Thorburn and Cameron Clyne, and Helen Rosamond, the owner of events company Human Group, met for lavish lunches in Sydney every few weeks to plan their alleged fraud of the big four bank, the Crown alleges.

This week in The Fin podcast, aviation reporter Ayesha de Kretser and travel editor Fiona Carruthers on why customers love to hate Qantas, when flying will become more affordable and what to do to get cheaper fares in the meantime. Further reading: Why is flying out of Australia still so expensive?  Australian travellers are paying about 50 per cent more for international flights than before the pandemic. I just flew Qantas Auckland-New York in business – here’s how it went  New plane, less flying time overall, no LAX airport: The Australian Financial Review went along for the inaugural ride taking Australians on this new route. Pointy end shake up: how first class, premium and business will look soon In the midst of a travel boom, airlines everywhere are sharpening things up at the front of the plane. The outgoing Qantas boss opted to buy the flat next door to his home in The Rocks and sell his harbourfront mansion, just 15 months after paying $19m for it.

This week in The Fin podcast, AFR Magazine culinary editor Jill Dupleix on why Australian dining is stuck in a rut, how the business model for high-end restaurants has changed and what the industry needs to do to regain momentum. Background reading: Why the world’s best restaurant is taking up residency down under Chef Mauro Colagreco is bringing a team of 20 to create a uniquely Sydney version of his three-Michelin star French diner Mirazur. Why top restaurateurs are opening spin-offs right next door You can do degustation at Ides in Melbourne, and now you can go next door to March and settle for a bar snack also prepared by chef Peter Gunn.

This week in The Fin podcast, investigative reporter Neil Chenoweth and professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the civil war that has broken out within PwC, the financial hit taken by the firm and why this long-running investigation now has a second wind. Read more on the PwC tax leaks scandal: ‘The dog that didn’t bark’: Where was the ATO in the PwC mess? Tax Office chiefs blamed everyone else for what appears a disturbingly ineffective investigation. PwC faces fresh probe into its tax leaks scandal The regulator that uncovered the PwC tax leaks scandal has launched a new inquiry into the role of dozens of people who shared confidential government information. At PwC partners’ meeting, a firm in civil war Many among the 900-strong partnership fear the firm is descending into a civil war that could take years to recover from. PwC sends nine partners on leave, chairman exits PwC will put nine senior partners on leave and will “ringfence” all federal government advisory work as part of a suite of measures designed to signal to the Commonwealth the firm is taking decisive action over its ongoing tax leaks scandal. The inside story of PwC’s tax scandal The consultancy is facing one of the biggest crises in its history. This is how it happened. Podcast | Why this is just the start of the PwC tax scandal Neil Chenoweth and Edmund Tadros discuss the scandal engulfing the big four firm, how the story broke, who was involved and what happens from here.

This week in The Fin podcast, technology columnist John Davidson on how long it will be before AI systems are smarter than humans and whether we will survive the transition. Further reading: Is ChatGPT a form of magic or the apocalypse? ChatGPT hit the headlines in November, but it’s based on technology that data scientists have been working on since the 1950s. Generative AI replaces crypto as tech’s latest gold rush The world’s biggest software companies - Google’s Alphabet, Microsoft, China’s Baidu, Salesforce and Meta itself - have swarmed into the space ChatGPT opened. How Australian workers could be left behind by AI A report commissioned by the government has warned Australia may not have enough skilled workers or computing power to capitalise on the AI revolution.

This week in The Fin podcast, property editor Nick Lenaghan on why prices are rising, whether it will last and what is wrong with the housing market. Further reading: How to solve Australia’s housing crisis The growth in Australia’s housing stock has dramatically slowed in the last 20 years, a surprising outcome given demand. The blame lies firmly with local councils and state governments. Two radical ways to fix Australia’s housing mess Australia’s home ownership rate peaked at 73 per cent in 1966, but is about 63 per cent today. Here are ways to fix a damaging crisis that has morphed into a political, economic and social problem. ‘Very early on in this recover’: Demand outstripping supply Buyers – including first home buyers and investors – are racing to lock in deals ahead of the traditional winter slowdown, and that is putting a solid floor under prices.

This week in The Fin podcast, senior Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on who makes the cut this year, how that has changed over the last four decades and why it matters. Further reading: The biggest hits (and misses) from 40 years of the Rich List Corporate raiders, post-war migrants, tech booms and busts – the annual scorecard of our most wealthy charts the ups and downs of Australian entrepreneurialism. The 200 richest people in Australia revealed In another year of the billionaire bingo that names the nation’s wealthiest, mining and manufacturing is up, technology is down and everything old is new again. If Rich Listers had to start over in 2023, what would they do? What if you had to build your career from scratch again? We asked 10 Rich Listers, Young Rich Listers and notable entrepreneurs to imagine they were back at the beginning right now

This week in The Fin podcast, senior reporter James Eyers on Apple’s latest push into financial services in Australia, what it means for the consumer and why it’s threatening the big four banks. Further reading: Apple Pay on a roll and the banks are rattled to their core While Westpac and Tyro touted a deal with Apple this week to let iPhones accept payments, senior bankers are worried about where the tech giant will go next. Apple lets iPhones accept payments for Westpac and Tyro The move expands the payments market, generating higher fees for banks and Apple, which is continuing to push for a cashless society. Apple Pay costs for Australian banks revealed Apple is raking in more than $110 million in annual fees from Australian banks, an amount that will further rise as paying with mobile phones becomes more common.

This week in The Fin podcast, senior writer Neil Chenoweth and professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the tax controversy engulfing PwC, how the story broke, who was involved and what happens from here. Required reading: Panic at PwC: how a tax scandal played out behind closed doors In the space of 10 days, an almost daily drumbeat of bad news has reduced the firm and its reputation to a level its partners could have barely imagined at the start of the month. The inside story of PwC’s tax scandal The consultancy is facing one of the biggest crises in its history following revelations that dozens of PwC operatives used confidential updates on government tax plans to drum up new clients. This is how it happened. For your eyes only: How PwC leaks helped global clients dodge tax Accounting giant PwC Australia charged $2.5 million in fees to advise 14 clients how to sidestep new multinational tax avoidance laws in 2016.