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Australia’s top fund managers and superannuation operators have joined in an extraordinary protest against the Australian Securities Exchange ’s apparent decision to allow James Hardie to proceed with its US acquisition without seeking shareholder approval.

Meanwhile, mining giant BHP has hit the 40 per cent female employee milestone and chief executive Mike Henry says hiring more women has made the business safer, more productive and better performing.

And Fortescue supremo Andrew Forrest’s addition to Time’s 100 influencers list is a triumph of self promotion. But maybe someone should have looked at his record and not just the hot air about environmental promises, writes Nick Evans.