The Fin

Washington correspondent Jessica Gardner and foreign affairs reporter Nicci Smith break down the elections in America and Israel and what the fallout means for markets, energy prices and democracy. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: Everything you should know about Trump’s midterm elections Americans go to the polls to decide the new make-up of the House of Representatives and part of the Senate. The vote serves as a check on Donald Trump’s power. Voters are about to whack Trump. Markets could tumble a Democratic sweep would be a big risk-off moment. Stocks could tumble by as much as 10 per cent – the accepted definition of a correction. The stakes could hardly be higher’: The election for Israel’s soul October 7 has become a lightning rod issue for Israelis in an election that is a referendum on the polarising leadership of Netanyahu and on the nation’s soul. Israel can’t postpone its reckoning forever Intractable divides between the secular and religious sections of the population pose a…

This week, workplace correspondent David Marin-Guzman and legal reporter Janek Drevikovsky on how litigants are using AI to level the playing field, what it means for judges, and the business of law. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: AI wins landmark Fair Work Commission case for Macquarie academic When Macquarie University computing academic Greg Baker decided to represent himself in a legal dispute with his employer in October, his knowledge of workplace laws was close to zero, he concedes. A tiny AI law firm beat the taxman – and may have shrunk your tax bill For a two-person law firm, going head-to-head with the taxman is a Herculean task. Four or five senior barristers said it was impossible. Michael Drummond simply consulted Rachel, his tiny firm’s homemade artificial intelligence bot. Lawyers go to war with clients who force-feed them AI slop In her 30 years as a tax lawyer, Tania Waterhouse has never seen anything like it. The case was a straightforward ATO matter. The client – an…

Today, senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and tech editor Paul Smith take us inside the spectacular undoing of Firmus: what went wrong, how it unravelled in a week, and what this sudden collapse reveals about the AI boom. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: How Firmus’ $44b IPO failure unfolded Firmus was on a runaway train to become one of the country’s most valuable listed companies. This is the day-by-day account of how that hope evaporated. The pain that killed Firmus’ float is spreading. Here’s a new victim AirTrunk’s decision to delay its Singaporean property IPO is another sign that the rising cost of capital is starting to foster doubts in the global artificial intelligence trade. AirTrunk postpones $4.4b Singapore listing as interest rates soar AirTrunk, has delayed plans to list a real estate investment trust in Singapore due to global market volatility, including rising interest rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, senior reporter Greg Bearup and pollster Kos Somaras on how vital migrants have become in the regions, why those towns are voting for One Nation and how new data shows that the shift doesn’t have much to do with immigration. With additional audio: Nic Walker This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading ‘We’ll cut your rent by up to 4k’: Hanson ups the ante on immigration One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has lifted the stakes in the immigration policy wars by releasing modelling showing her policy would save renters between $2000 and $4300 a year. Taylor’s middle ground on migration might be the safest course The Coalition has tried to reconcile two competing interests: how to slash the number of arrivals without hurting the economy. Voters turn on Albanese and Chalmers as economic concerns bite The latest The Australian Financial Review/RedBridge Group/Accent Research poll also shows economic management is starting to resonate with voters, jumping 7 percentage points in a month as an issue…

This week, senior reporter Myriam Robin on the story of a mega landlord and what it tells us about the vibe in the housing market – between renters and Australia’s two million landlords. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: This 34-year-old owns over 200 properties. Now his tenants are unionising Australia was built on the dream of owning property. But as that compact unravels, Eddie Dilleen’s clash with a militant renters union exposes a growing fault line. Why 6.5pc is the benchmark for new residential property investors The changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax have made rental returns more important than ever. Here are 37 suburbs that are throwing up opportunities. Investors are still buying, as this $950,000 inner-Sydney sale shows We speak to the team behind last week’s most intriguing property sale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, deputy economics editor Michael Read and wealth reporter Andrew Hobbs on the latest round of the super wars, whether you should be able to access your superannuation early and what is the magic number for a comfortable retirement. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: Hanson poses the super question Australia stopped asking How much super is too much and, in the trade-off between living standards today and in retirement, do we really need to put 12 per cent away? Support grows to tap superannuation for wages, housing About 62 per cent of voters support using super to boost take-home pay, as some in the Coalition consider a policy allowing people to pay their mortgage out of super. Gazumped again? Hanson announces previous Coalition super policy One Nation’s plan to let workers access 3 percentage points of their super is the same policy the Coalition planned to announce under Sussan Ley. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, markets reporter Alex Gluyas on what the AI threat debate means for tech stocks, why Cathie Wood is predicting a golden era and whether the bond market might spoil the party. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: Cathie Wood declares ‘golden age’ for equities after bumpy ride The high-profile investor is betting equity markets are at the start of a decade-long bull market driven by artificial intelligence. And she’s an Elon Musk fan. Investors see their own threats in push to slow AI development One fund manager said tighter restrictions would be a commercial advantage to Anthropic and OpenAI, and hurt newer start-ups and microchip manufacturers. The market’s biggest fear is no longer the AI bubble. It’s this Investors are worried about a disorderly meltdown in bonds. Australia – now almost halfway to a correction – provides a window into how it could unfold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and associate editor Primrose Riordan on how Bathla built its property empire, why it all fell apart and why its effects will be felt well beyond western Sydney. This podcast is sponsored by Elston. Further reading: Living in ‘half a house’: How Bathla turned cheap housing into a nightmare The downfall of the developer has left families stranded in half-built homes and sent shockwaves through the private credit market. This developer could be private credit's ticking time bomb Bathla Group, a property developer has almost $3.2 billion in debt, it will be private credit investors who could lose out. Bathla’s collapse has property insiders panicking like it’s 2007 Australia’s ever-rising property market has masked all manner of sins, particularly in private credit, which has been shown up for its lack of discipline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, editor-in-chief James Chessell and Victorian political correspondent Sumeyya Ilanbey on the project that has come to sum up Victoria’s problems, whether it is too big to cancel and how it will play into November’s state election. This podcast is sponsored by Elston. Further reading: The secret tax that says everything about Victorian Labor The revelation that Labor secretly introduced a tax on public transport users is the latest chapter in a saga in which political momentum has trumped fiscal responsibility. (edited) Vic Labor’s secret tax exposes fiscal transparency void The opposition and leading economists say a charter of budget honesty is needed after the Victorian government introduced a new tax without telling the public. (edited) Carroll’s budget scalpel misses the $34b elephant in the room Premier Ben Carroll is looking to scrape off as many costly, wasteful barnacles he can find before the November 28 state election See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate editor Primrose Riordan and courts correspondent Max Mason on why Jon Adgemis is struggling to keep the details of his $1.8 billion financial collapse secret and what his story tells us about the private credit market. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac. Further reading: Jon Adgemis thought he was winning. Then his CFO took the stand The failed pub baron has been trying to keep the details of his $1.8 billion financial collapse secret. But a chatty former accountant is making that difficult. Adgemis’ right-hand man alleges tax con funded ‘exorbitant lifestyle’ The business affairs of the former KPMG deal maker-turned-bankrupt are being scrutinised, with allegations of “sham arrangements” to pay for his spending. From playboy pub baron to bankruptcy: Inside Jon Adgemis’ $1.8b fall From KPMG consultant to “glamour banker” with the “Midas touch” to junk-debt-laden bankrupt. It’s been a wild ride for Jon Adgemis and Public Hospitality Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political editor Phillip Coorey on the government’s bet on gambling reform, the problem with "brand Albo" and why there’s nothing funny about the melon incident. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac. Further reading: PM bets on stability pitch as popularity falters Anthony Albanese celebrated a significant milestone on Friday, but voters have learnt stability and steadiness don’t preclude poor taste. Migration or superannuation, the spectre of Hanson hangs heavy Pauline Hanson keeps setting the agenda, whether she means to or not. The government and Coalition are scrambling to follow. ‘Policy capture’: The week that exposed Labor’s gambling ties An explosive week of public hearings exposed the harms of the gambling industry. So why isn’t the government following its own advice on advertising bans? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy economics editor Michael Read on what’s going on in the housing market, whether it’s the correction we had to have and why the government doesn't want to call it that. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: RBA warns house prices have further to fall Despite the softness in the housing market, RBA governor Michele Bullock said another interest rate rise remains squarely on the table. Labor MPs are lost in housing’s hall of mirrors Prices are falling, but the government is reluctant to claim the credit. So its MPs have resorted to rhetoric about renewed optimism for first home buyers. Property price slide exposes political peril for Albanese government As the sharpest housing market correction in almost four years gathers pace, the Albanese government is discovering that voters do not necessarily welcome falling values. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela Macdonald-Smith and Ryan Cropp on the reasons we all stopped freaking out about the oil price and why that was premature. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Labor’s plans to source more fuel leaves shipments stranded at sea The government has been accused of picking winners for its subsidised import plan, which has created a glut and forced vessels to wait offshore for months. Ampol rakes it in on refining, trebling first-half profits Bumper first-half gross profits have been driven by soaring returns on turning crude oil into petrol and diesel during the conflict in the Middle East. Oil refiners chase sweeter support deal despite surging profits Ampol and Viva Energy are pushing for a major overhaul of subsidies to keep their refineries running for longer, even as their own earnings are soaring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legal affairs reporter Janek Drevikovsky on why Twiggy is taking on Meta, whether he can win and what happens if he does. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Meta admits it wiped key evidence in Forrest stoush The social media giant has accepted it should be punished for not preserving copies of Facebook scam ads featuring the mining billionaire’s likeness. ‘Dad, it’s a fraud’: Call that sparked Forrest’s $60m war on Facebook Why is Andrew Forrest fighting one of the world’s biggest tech companies in one of California’s most storied courts – and spending his own money to do it? Forrest pressures local ad body to penalise Meta over scam revenue Andrew Forrest has written to IAB Australia asking for the group to consider Meta’s membership, after news the company made more than $20 billion from scams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Thomson and Ronald Mizen on why CEOs are losing patience with the AI giants, what’s driving the government’s policy shift, and whether Anthony Albanese is overplaying his hand. This podcast is sponsored by Workday Further reading: Could China’s AI bombshell spark a ‘Lehman Bros moment’ for markets? A new model that threatens OpenAI and Anthropic could have huge ramifications for global indices, which have soared on the artificial-intelligence trade. The AI pivot: inside Albanese’s plan to bring big tech to heel Riding high on global momentum from the under-16 social media ban, the prime minister is stepping up for a high-stakes public brawl with AI tech giants. National security concerns drove Labor’s pivot on AI As the technology increasingly encroaches on defence capabilities, cyber experts and the opposition warn that Australia must redouble its efforts to master it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Made It is back with host Lauren Sams. Don’t miss season six as we uncover how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the fallout from the KPMG scandal and what the government might do to bring the big four accounting firms into line. Further reading: KPMG’s ‘10-hour masterclass in how not to respond to a crisis’ By repeating PwC’s crisis-management mistakes, KPMG has forced a reluctant federal government to finally pull the trigger on unprecedented structural reforms. No timeline for big four reform despite PwC, KPMG scandals Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino says reform is “real priority for the government”, but concedes there is “no particular timeline” for new rules. Inside Project Magenta: How Allens gave KPMG a pass on leaks The law firm cleared the company of partner misconduct without interviewing a single outsider and using a literal reading of the allegations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wealth reporter Andrew Hobbs and property reporter Lucy Slade unpack our national obsession, explain why property has been such a powerhouse, and ask a previously unthinkable question: Is investing in property even worth it anymore? This podcast is sponsored by Workday FURTHER READING: Should you buy an investment property after the budget changes? New restrictions on negative gearing and capital gains tax alter the appeal of residential property. Economists say property prices might fall 10pc. So what? With property prices up 400 per cent since 2000, what does a 10 per cent drop actually mean? And what happened the last time governments made major changes to property taxes? Sydney renters drowning amid record rent rises Rental prices are at record highs nationallypushing Sydney’s median to $841 a week, due to the vast shortage of homes available See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political editor Phillip Coorey on the government’s budget backdowns, the increasingly crowded field in Australian politics and why it will be a bumpy two years to the next election. This podcast is sponsored by Workday Further reading: PM wins round one of the budget battle, at a cost Proper process, good policy and taxpayers’ money were among the casualties of this week’s rush to legislate the budget. Finally, the teals discover that the Senate is where it’s at By forming a new party – Community Strong Australia – lower house independents are finally realising that true policy influence lies in the upper house. While Hanson stumbles, Taylor’s Coalition is quietly sinking One polling setback does not a crisis make for One Nation, but it is a reminder that major parties are subject to more questioning and scrutiny. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 true Labor’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 hit Further 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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…

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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…

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.