Trump shifted on tariffs after bond holders got jittery. He held millions
When the US President paused a round of global tariffs, he attributed his change of heart to the bond market. Trump should know – he had a big personal stake in it.
Israel still eyeing a limited attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
As US and Iranian negotiators are set for another round of nuclear talks, Israel officials have vowed to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
‘You’re horrible people’: US threatens to abandon Ukraine peace push
Donald Trump says the US will walk away from efforts to broker a peace deal unless there is progress soon, saying any party that makes it difficult are ‘fools’.
Dutton opposes Albanese ‘stunt’ to ban cuts to penalty rates
Peter Dutton said he supported the status quo on worker entitlements, while employer groups slammed Labor’s proposal to ban cuts to penalty rates.
Why hope still matters in a divided world
Despite the social conflicts we are experiencing at home and abroad, Easter and Passover are still times for reconciliation and celebrating light over darkness, writes Peter Kurti.
YouTube exemption exposes teen social media ban as a sham
The government’s preferential treatment of YouTube undermines the purpose of its under-16s social media ban, and is unfair to the other tech industry players, writes Paul Smith.
More chaos, no bottom: How the next nine months of Trump could go
Houston fund manager Chris Wallis loves chaos and sees plenty more to play out over the rest of the year. Here’s where he’s looking for opportunities.
Find out everything you need to know before Australians go to the polls on May 3.
Smart Investor
My biggest mistake in 20 years of investing
Unless the price is truly egregious, never substitute a business you know intimately for one you don’t because of valuation alone, writes Joshua Derrington.
Can I get more age pension if I sell my investment property?
The government expects you to spend your own savings before becoming eligible for Centrelink support.
Got $2m in super? This is what a bear market will do to it
So far, the cost of Donald Trump’s presidency has been felt by bond and stock traders. But if pain persists, it could cost wealthy retirees $100 a week.
Will we have to pay tax on an inheritance from family overseas?
You will be eligible for the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount once you’ve held the asset for more than a year.
Why this early Whiteley went from £200 to $1.2m
Two paintings were brought from the young artist in 1961. Last week one sold for almost four times the other.
big reads
Meet the man running from Cottesloe to Bondi in 35 days
British ultra runner William Goodge is attempting to run across Australia – the equivalent of 90 marathons – in 35 days to claim a new world record.
Naomi Campbell’s charity ended in disgrace. She wants to talk about why
The world’s most famous supermodel tells a tale of stolen identity, siphoned funds and friendship betrayed.
How ‘Green’ is your teal MP?
Analysis of voting records shows the teals have carved out a political space to the right of the Greens. But some teals are greener than others.
Trump’s crisis is only beginning. It will make you question everything
The issue that really matters for markets and the world now is: do Donald Trump’s actions mean America is no longer the safe haven it’s been for decades?
‘It’s the cost of living, stupid’: How Dutton squandered his lead
At the halfway mark of the election campaign, the opposition leader is playing catch-up on the cost of living and Donald Trump’s trade war chaos hasn’t helped.
Is your business turning inspiration into innovation? It’s your turn to be recognised.
Companies
Investors managing $1trn push ASX for say on James Hardie deal
Twenty-one major Australian money managers are demanding local shareholders get a say on whether the building materials giant can move its listing to New York.
BHP chief warns of ‘significant’ economic risks from tariffs
Mike Henry says China’s ability to ramp up domestic consumption will determine if Donald Trump’s levies will create a global economic downturn.
StrongRoom AI boss denies investor claim he admitted to fraud
But lawyers for the start-up’s venture capital backers questioned how founder Max Mito could pay for his expensive legal bills if he had such few assets.
Pizza Hut, Wendy’s recruits new boss as it targets mega expansion
Flynn Group, one of the world’s biggest operators of fast-food restaurants, has appointed former KFC executive Richard Wallis to run its regional business.
Greensill Bank alleges IAG executives knew of billion-dollar policies
The claim, filed with the Federal Court, has been brought against the insurance giant by German investors owed money by Lex Greensill’s failed financial group.
ASIC’s WiseTech investigation goes from preliminary to formal
The corporate regulator has already examined current and former directors at the logistics software giant as it probes disclosures made about share trading.
Super funds demand answers after MinRes board exodus
Susie Corlett and Jacqueline McGill have been critical of founder Chris Ellison, and their exit has raised questions about plans to overhaul governance.
Markets
S&P 500 edges up as investors weigh trade negotiations
Traders leaned toward optimism following Donald Trump’s encouraging signals that negotiations with other countries could lead to lower tariffs.
Rebound or mirage? Aussie dollar faces global storm
The escalating US-China trade war and concerns about a global recession will weigh on the Australian dollar and could push it back below US59¢.
Peter Cooper overhauls $6b local equities fund after years of losses
The veteran stockpicker has told staff he will be directly involved in his firm’s main vehicle, getting rid of some managers to stop long-term underperformance.
Still-tight jobs market unlikely to derail May rate cut
Economists still expect the RBA to cut rates next month despite employment increasing by 32,200 in March.
Why the RBA won’t cut interest rates in May: economists
Judo Bank’s Warren Hogan is the latest to tip a rate cut in May because of Trump’s hefty tariffs on China, Australia’s top trading partner. But some still say rates will stay on hold.
Opinion
In Trump’s new order, Australia must fight for affordable medicines
We must protect the principle that sovereignty, stability and fairness are not up for negotiation – even in a more transactional world.
Former political adviser
Dutton’s ‘aspiration’ to end tax bracket creep is too little, too late
If the Coalition leader had committed to indexing the tax scales a month ago, he could have given himself a better shot at winning the election.
Economics editor
Trump has already lost his trade war against China
China wins the 21st century only if the West commits suicide, and that's what the US president is urging upon us, writes Ambrose Evans-Pritchard.
Global economy commentator
YouTube exemption exposes teen social media ban as a sham
The government’s preferential treatment of YouTube undermines the purpose of its under-16s social media ban, and is unfair to the other tech industry players.
Technology editor
The forgotten tax keeping women out of work
Removing fringe benefits tax on employer-subsidised childcare is a no-brainer if we truly care about lifting workforce participation.
Business director at Kicker Communications
Our biggest national test since World War II is here and we’re blowing it
We need leaders with the capacity and mindset to articulate a compelling vision for our future and the courage to execute on that vision.
Contributor
Reports
AI Opportunities
This report delves into the new wave of AI opportunities for businesses and where Australia sits in the global tech race.
Sponsored
by SalesforcePolitics
Albanese to ignite IR war with promise to ban cuts to penalty rates
Labor will drag Peter Dutton into an election fight over industrial relations, effectively killing off a handful of cases by employer groups to cut penalty rates.
Dental plan gives Medicare something to chew on
Prominent people were asked to propose one policy initiative they believed political parties should pledge to do, should they win the election.
Dutton announces tax discount for small businesses
Small businesses will receive a $2000 tax deduction for tech upgrades, while entrepreneurs will pay discounted tax rates for three years under a $330 million plan.
In our newest seat, there’s a burning issue no leader is talking about
Labor surprised itself by winning four Perth seats at the last election. This time it has to convince a disparate range of residents in newly created Bullwinkel that it is worthy of their vote.
YouTube exemption exposes teen social media ban as a sham
The government’s preferential treatment of YouTube undermines the purpose of its under-16s social media ban, and is unfair to the other tech industry players.
SPONSORED
World
Israel still eyeing a limited attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
As US and Iranian negotiators are set for another round of nuclear talks, Israel officials have vowed to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Can Trump fire Powell before his term ends?
Any prospect that the Fed chair could be sacked over a policy like lower interest rates would likely tank financial markets.
Trump hits Chinese-vessels with port fees in global shipping shakeup
US importers who rely on Chinese vessels to move everything from crude oil to retail goods warn they may be forced to raise prices for consumers.
Trump says US will ’100pc’ strike trade deal with EU
The US president raised hopes of a breakthrough during an Oval Office meeting with Italy’s leader Giorgia Meloni, whom he has called “a wonderful woman”.
Daily weight-loss pill could rival Ozempic, trial shows
Eli Lilly said clinical results of its GLP-1 in pill form showed safety and efficacy data similar to blockbuster injectable drugs.
Property
Brisbane’s newest attraction has three infinity pools and killer views
The Star Brisbane launches its long-awaited Isoletto Pool Club, seven months after the hotel’s grand opening.
This investor prefers hospitals to offices in $28m Hunters Hill buy
April Group has acquired Hunters Hill Private Hospital for $28 million on the basis it will deliver stable rents and rising land values.
Chemist Warehouse pharmacist buys mansion listed for $26m
A Chemist Warehouse managing partner has splashed on a Hawthorn mansion, while the historic Toorak estate of late biotech pioneers sells for more than $20m.
Labor housing scheme exposes taxpayers to half of mortgage defaults
Labor’s expansion of a free guarantee on first home loans will wipe out more than half of the $1 billion private market for lenders mortgage insurance and expose taxpayers to potentially billions of dollars in payouts on defaults.
ISPT to plug a gap with Brisbane’s first Intercontinental hotel
The super fund-backed developer and fund manager is pairing with operator IHG for the first part of its 1ha transformation of central Brisbane.
Wealth
Can I get more age pension if I sell my investment property?
The government expects you to spend your own savings before becoming eligible for Centrelink support.
Got $2m in super? This is what a bear market will do to it
So far, the cost of Donald Trump’s presidency has been felt by bond and stock traders. But if pain persists, it could cost wealthy retirees $100 a week.
My biggest mistake in 20 years of investing
Unless the price is truly egregious, never substitute a business you know intimately for one you don’t because of valuation alone.
Technology
The Sydney radio station using an AI presenter
One of the country’s biggest radio companies has been trialling an artificial intelligence-powered host for months – and almost no-one has even noticed.
Rowland gave YouTube a personal exemption guarantee from social ban
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland wrote to YouTube’s global chief to reassure him the platform would not be covered by a contentious social media ban.
Finding someone to fix your EV is hard, and may be about to get harder
Australia is short at least 7000 electric vehicle technicians and industry leaders warn proposed occupational licensing could exacerbate the repair bottleneck.
Work & Careers
Freehills’ US partner scrubs DEI references ahead of merger
Kramer Levin has removed references to diversity initiatives from its website, after law firms were targeted by the Trump administration over their DEI programs.
Perpetual sued to stop clients moving after Ord Minnett raid. It lost
Two courts rejected the firm’s bid to enforce “extremely broad” non-solicitation clauses, in cases that reveal it has already lost 22 clients and fears 200 more are at risk.
Life & Luxury
Peter Greste’s biopic gets journalists like few others
The film captures the drama of the Al Jazeera correspondent’s arrest and imprisonment in Egypt, but is also unsparing about the stubbornness the profession can breed.
Can ordinary people use stylists too?
Celebrities have them on speed-dial – but what about the rest of us? We speak to fashion maven Anthea O’Connor about bringing the art of dressing well to the people.
8 ways to sleep when your thoughts are racing
Dominique Antiglio is a sophrologist with more than 20 years’ experience. Here, she shares her techniques that have helped everyone from CEOs to athletes.
It’s BYO pyjamas at this chef’s table above the clouds
This culinary adventure combines fine dining, extreme views and a cabin to lay your head.
The 8 best shows to binge this Easter weekend
From CIA agents to zombies, F1 drivers to unemployed British strivers – here are eight shows to set you up for your days off.
