The Fin

In this conversation, James Thomson, a Chanticleer columnist for The Australian Financial Review, teams up with reporter Hannah Wootton to dissect the turmoil in Australia’s superannuation sector. They explore the significant lawsuit against Cbus for insurance claim delays, questioning accountability and customer trust. With super funds facing a governance crisis, they discuss the emotional toll on Australians due to poor claims handling. The duo also examines the urgent need for enhanced customer service and governance reform to restore faith in the system.

This week on The Fin podcast, Technology editor Paul Smith and media and marketing reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on why the ban is being introduced, what it means for children and parents and whether it could cause a rift with the new US President.This podcast is sponsored by UNSWFurther reading:Why this former TikTok executive wants a strict social media banTikTok hired Felicity McVay to convince Disney, Universal and the AFL to use the platform more. Now she’s campaigning to get children off it.Canberra takes on big tech – and Gen Alpha – with social media bansAll Australians could be forced to register official identity documents with social media giants to prove they are over the age of 16.Trump may use tariffs to hit back at PM’s tech crackdownAmerican and Australian officials are warning the Albanese government that its crackdown on social media platforms could anger the incoming US president into putting tariffs on $33 billion of exports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging discussion, Geoff Raby, former Australian ambassador to China and author of Great Game On, shares his insights on the complex dynamics between China and Russia. He explores Trump’s strategy to create rifts in their collaboration, revealing surprising factors that could weaken their ties. Raby also examines the implications of tariffs on global trade and how geopolitical shifts, particularly in Central Asia, are reshaping alliances. His nuanced take clarifies that the ‘Chussia’ partnership may not be as solid as it seems, impacting future U.S. foreign policy.

This week on The Fin podcast, investigative reporter Neil Chenoweth and Rear Window columnist Mark Di Stefano on how Chris Ellison’s secret deal with the tax office came to light, why some investors want the founder to stay on and whether Mineral Resources can draw a line in the sand. This podcast is sponsored by UNSWFurther reading:Inside the two-week unravelling of Chris Ellison’s hold on MinResMonday’s attempt to draw a line in the sand still leaves unanswered questions for shareholders and investigators about the goings-on at Mineral Resources.Meet Chris Ellison’s personal accountantYenna Ong, the number cruncher who managed the Mineral Resources founder’s private affairs, rapidly gained great power. Then just as suddenly, she was gone.MinRes paid a 70pc mark up to rent Chris Ellison-owned propertiesIndependent valuations that the owners of the four industrial facilities commissioned themselves indicated that the leases were well in excess of market rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast, senior reporter Simon Evans and Rear Window editor Myriam Robin on Sanjeev Gupta’s flashy property purchase, his financial troubles and the South Australian town caught in the middle.This podcast is sponsored by UNSWFurther reading:Whyalla steelworks running out of options as taxpayer rescue resistedThe SA premier says it’s time Sanjeev Gupta took some action, with governments wary of taxpayer funds being siphoned off to overseas parts of GFG Alliance.The town bearing the brunt of Sanjeev Gupta’s financial nightmareThe British industrialist’s steelworks looms over Whyalla, population 21,900. There’s plenty at stake if things go south.Sanjeev Gupta buys on Sydney waterfrontThe steel magnate is cutting jobs and salaries at the Whyalla steelworks one week, and splashing out for prime Sydney waterfront property the next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast, Joe Aston, former Rear Window editor and author of The Chairmain's Lounge, discusses what went wrong for the Qantas, its oversized influence in Canberra, and the extraordinary perks of a Qantas board seat.Editors note: On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied ever contacting Alan Joyce to seek a flight upgrade.This podcast is sponsored by UNSW Further reading:The incredible financial value of a Qantas board seatThe lavish and fudged flight perks of the airline’s executives are revealed in this extract from Joe Aston’s “The Chairman’s Lounge”.The zombie chairman: How Goyder let Joyce trash Qantas’ reputationAn exclusive extract from Joe Aston’s book The Chairman’s Lounge tells the inside story of how Richard Goyder and his board allowed Alan Joyce to fly Qantas into a reputational disaster.Albanese faces calls for probe into flight upgradesDavid Pocock and Peter Dutton have both called for a probe into whether Anthony Albanese breached the ministerial code of conduct while he was transport minister.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Fin podcast, International editor James Curran and US correspondent Matthew Cranston on how Trump has managed to claw back Harris’ lead in the final weeks of the campaign and what Canberra is worried about.This podcast is sponsored by IGFurther reading:Trade wars, market jolts: What a Trump win means for AustraliaThe tax and economic policies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will have profound effects for Australian investors, exporters and US subsidiaries.Trump works a McDonald’s fry station as election goes off colourThe former president served up fries in an apron as he poked fun at rival Kamala Harris’ story of working there in the 1980s.America’s new Asian alliance network will survive beyond TrumpNo matter who is in the White House after November 5, the US’ carefully structured latticework of alliances that underpins its regional primacy will continue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the intriguing life of a tech billionaire facing scandal and bankruptcy. Discover the courtroom drama unfolding between him and a beauty entrepreneur, revealing personal and financial entanglements. There's a look at how his controversial relationship could tarnish his company's reputation. Explore the complexities of founder-led firms while uncovering surprising insights about investor reactions and the impact of personal conduct on corporate dynamics. This saga intertwines ambition, love, and legal turmoil in the fast-paced tech world.

This week on The Fin podcast, economics correspondent Michael Read and political correspondent Tom McIlroy discuss whether winding-back the two big tax advantages to buying property – negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount – will help solve Australia’s housing crisis. This podcast is sponsored by IGFurther reading:These Australians are most likely to negatively gear their propertiesThe housing policy choices facing votersWe’re more nuanced on negative gearing than five years agoA quick guide to the politics of housing tax breaksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phillip Coorey, a political editor, and Matthew Drummond, an AFR Magazine editor, dive into the dynamics behind Australia's influential power shifts. They discuss the criteria for selecting power figures and the fading voice of corporate leaders. Cartoonist David Rowe shares his favorite prime minister to illustrate while reflecting on the artistic challenges of depicting power. The trio also explores how recent events like the Gaza conflict impact Australia's cultural landscape and political scene, revealing insights into upcoming electoral dynamics.