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The Fin

Australian Financial Review

A weekly podcast from The Australian Financial Review that examines the biggest stories in business, markets and politics, and why they matter, explained by the best financial journalists in the country.

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28 episodes
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Avg 27 min
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S5 · E36
Yesterday · 25 min
Super wars: Should you be allowed to spend it early?
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. 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.
S5 · E35
September 16 · 27 min
Is this AI Armageddon or a 'golden age' for the share market?
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.
S5 · E34
September 9 · 30 min
Why the Bathla collapse is being compared to the GFC
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.
S5 · E33
September 2 · 30 min
Too big to cancel? The project that sums up Victoria’s problems
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.
S5 · E32
August 26 · 28 min
How to go from pub baron to Australia’s biggest bankrupt in 10 years
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.
S5 · E31
August 19 · 27 min
Anthony Albanese now has 'a list' – and that’s a problem
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.
S5 · E30
August 12 · 23 min
Why this property downturn is different to the rest
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.
S5 · E29
August 5 · 24 min
Did we stop worrying about the oil price too soon?
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.
S5 · E28
July 29 · 32 min
Inside Andrew Forrest’s $60 million war on Facebook
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.
S5 · E27
July 22 · 32 min
Australia's AI gamble: Inside Albanese's plan to bring big tech to heel
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.
July 22 · 57 sec
Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29
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.
S5 · E26
July 15 · 30 min
KPMG’s masterclass in how not to respond to a crisis
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.
S5 · E25
July 8 · 23 min
Is it even worth investing in property any more?
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.
S5 · E24
July 1 · 27 min
Is this the end of Australia's two-party system?
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.
S5 · E23
June 24 · 29 min
Sizzle or fizzle: Will investors make money from SpaceX?
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.
S5 · E22
June 17 · 25 min
Did KPMG learn nothing from the PwC tax leaks scandal?
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.
S5 · E21
June 10 · 29 min
Will Macquarie burst Australia’s banking bubble?
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.
S5 · E20
June 3 · 29 min
Beer, gas and the viral tax fight gripping Australia
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.
S5 · E19
May 27 · 32 min
The AI questions Atlassian and Canva can no longer ignore
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.
S5 · E18
May 20 · 27 min
What the budget means for your wealth (and did Boomers win?)
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.

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