This Month
- Exclusive
- Property development
Home building faces Productivity Commission probe
The new inquiry comes amid housing industry doubts that the Albanese government will achieve its goal of 1.2 million homes to be built over the next five years.
- John Kehoe
Canberra Airport developer Terry Snow dies
His biggest legacy was in property development and philanthropy, but his family also praised him as “a family man and a man who sought adventures”.
- Ronald Mizen
Transurban’s Brisbane toll road operations scrutinised by council
The company has been forced to hand over toll road operational manuals to the Brisbane City Council after the government authority demanded information on responses to traffic accidents.
- Jenny Wiggins
July
Alibaba-backed Singapore Post shops Australian assets
Street Talk can reveal Bank of America has been mandated to sell the Singapore group’s Australia unit which is understood to be making about $100 million in earnings.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Sydney metro line delayed days before opening
The National Rail Safety Regulator is yet to sign off on the $21.6 billion project’s latest section, just five days before the state government said it would open to passsengers.
- Staff reporters
Building bad: Inside the CFMEU investigation
This week on The Fin podcast, David Marin-Guzman on his nine-month investigation into the CFMEU, why the response shocked insiders and whether there might be lasting change.
Au revoir! Vinci out at Queensland Airports auction as bids land
It’s the second time that Vinci, an investor in London’s Gatwick, Osaka’s Itami, Santiago and Lisbon, has missed out on adding an Aussie airport to its portfolio.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Transurban’s Queensland office shake-up leads to departures
The branch, which manages six toll roads, is losing more senior staff following a restructure and investigation into whistleblower complaints.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Analysis
- Roads
Sydney’s toll road overhaul is set to target the rich
Drivers who live in some of the city’s priciest suburbs may pay extra, but the benefits of reducing fares on many of its other motorways will be worth it.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Surely everyone knew the CFMEU’s dirty secrets?
Given the money flows between the union, criminals, building companies and the Labor Party, cleaning out this poison must surely require action by federal or state corruption bodies.
- The AFR View
Inside AirTrunk’s pitch to the world’s heaviest hitting investors
Also around the boardroom table: the same Blackstone team who ruled off a $US10 billion ($14.8 billion) takeover of QTS in 2021
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Transurban contracts have ‘concerning’ lack of transparency: inquiry
The findings of a NSW parliamentary probe called after the opening of the Rozelle Interchange comes ahead of a government review into Sydney’s toll road system.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Investigation
- Building Bad
Caught on film: How Setka and the CFMEU wield their power
Videos show John Setka delivering a suitcase message to a rival’s home, and other officials issuing threats and boasting of the union’s total control.
- Nick McKenzie, Ben Schneiders and David Marin-Guzman
- Investigation
- Building Bad
Bikies, underworld figures and the CFMEU takeover of construction
‘It’s a cancer that spreads ... we’ll all pay for it’: This is the investigation into CFMEU power that prompted union boss John Setka to quit.
- Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders
Macquarie-owned water company faces $103m fine
Britain’s water regulator said Southern Water is too heavily geared, and must pay a fine if it doesn’t improve its “inadequate” business plan.
- Hans van Leeuwen
AustralianSuper, Gold Coast Council fly into Queensland Airports sale
The super fund is said to be weighing a sole bid, even though it would be in hot demand with overseas bidders seeking a local partner.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Aurizon acquisition could push up cargo prices: ACCC
The company’s attempts to move into stevedoring in South Australia as it expand its bulk freight business could be used to “frustrate” rivals, the regulator said.
- Jenny Wiggins
Transurban beds down new executive team after restructure
An operations manager has left Transurban’s Brisbane office as the toll road group’s new executive management team tries to shake off claims it breached the Fair Work Act.
- Jenny Wiggins
Transurban denies employee fired for whistleblowing
The toll road group has asked courts to dismiss a claim brought by a former employee who alleged he lost his job after alleging coercion, manipulation of company records and safety failings.
- Jenny Wiggins
June
$11b swoop on ASX building giants leaves James Hardie the lone prize
The CSR, Boral and Adbri buyouts come at a low point in the construction cycle, with better times expected from mid-2025 once interest rate cuts arrive.
- Simon Evans
