Email

Email

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Good morning,

A Japanese-backed offshore wind developer may be forced to walk away from building one of Victoria’s biggest electricity projects as a legal standoff with federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen paralyses progress on the facility, while ceding ground to rival ventures.

Meanwhile, a sharp decline in the Australian dollar has yet to be priced in this reporting season by markets, heightening the likelihood of earnings misses by retailers and importers unable to implement price rises, boutique fund manager Maple-Brown Abbott warns.

And a female architect claimed she was illegally sacked from her job at an award-winning architecture practice after the firm’s founder, Rob Mills, allegedly told her “f..k you Alice” and “drop the act”, according to claims in court documents.

Perry Williams

Business editor

The markets

Making news this morning

1

China and new export markets key to wine industry: Brown

Brown Family Wine Group executive director Ross Brown, who has been recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list, says export markets are key for the Australian wine industry.

2

Quantum chips pose huge threat to data encryption

Bad actors are probably warehousing encrypted data now in anticipation of the imminent advent of quantum computing, experts warn.

3

CBA’s China sale delivers $1bn windfall

After two decades, the banking major calls time on one part of its ambitious Chinese expansion.

Editor's picks

Going for gold on the coast with $9.888m sale

A five-bedroom Hollywell home on the Gold Coast was the pick of the long weekend auctions, with $9,888,000 sealing the deal for a property with over 20m of water frontage.

By JONATHAN CHANCELLOR

Skydance deal may seal 10’s future

The parent company of Australia’s Network 10, Paramount Global, is hoping to close a deal in which US studio Skydance Media will take control of the troubled media giant.

By JAMES MANNING

Game, set and much posturing at opening salvo

Let’s call it the first — and ultimate — status update of the corporate season. School assembly for the CEOs. The gathering of big-shots and silverbacks. The Australian Open tennis finals.

By YONI BASHAN, NICK EVANS, JOHN STENSHOLT

Commentary

Perks at forefront of new banking battleground

By JOYCE MOULLAKIS

Senior Banking Reporter

Banks are ramping up efforts to lure and retain transaction account customers, as competitive intensity shifts in a big way to the deposit and everyday banking market.

Lifting productivity the key issue

By PAUL BLOXHAM

Unless we do something to turn around the faltering productivity, we will be less prosperous economically. The issue should be on the agenda during this year’s federal election cam...