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The Australian Business Review
 

Good morning,

Just months before Australians head to the polls, Woodside Energy chief executive Meg O’Neill has put both sides of politics on notice , warning it would be a major government policy failure if the country cannot deliver the cheap and reliable energy needed to remain globally competitive.

Meanwhile, disgraced Greek-Australian printer rental magnate and fraudster Bill Papas has been sentenced, in absentia, to seven years’ jail in Greece after failing to pay former players and staff at his football club, Xanthi. 

And BHP has shifted the focus of its ­investigation into corruption in its Bowen Basin coal business into mine rehabilitation work that has taken on new significance under changes to Queensland laws. 

Perry Williams
Business editor
The markets


Making news this morning
1
Watt’s warning to Virgin owners over next CEO
Employment Minister Murray Watt has issued a veiled warning to Virgin’s owners as the government weighs up the airline’s partnership with Qatar Airways.
2
Empty Melbourne office space ‘needs government leadership’
Melbourne’s CBD office vacancy rate continues to be the worst in the nation and needs Victorian government leadership to encourage people back into the city, says the Property Council.
3
Trade jitters can’t dull reason for reporting season optimism
Strategists expect some optimism in corporate outlook statements as the economy appears to have troughed and consumers are turning positive as interest rate cuts loom.
Editor's picks
MARGIN CALL
Melbourne Cup-winning trainers’ cash bonanza shemozzle
Training Knight’s Choice in the Melbourne Cup should have brought joy to Sheila Laxon and John Symons, except their winning cheque was wrongly sent to a company in liquidation.
By YONI BASHAN, NICK EVANS
EXCLUSIVE
Apartments plan for historic harbourside hotel
After years of delays the Sydney harbourside hotel Sir Stamford is expected to be redeveloped as entrepreneurs bet on the top end of the apartment market.
By BEN WILMOT, LISA ALLEN
AVIATION
Air Canada’s sneaky new fee for Aussie travellers
The unbundling of airfares has delivered a raft of ‘add-on charges’ for passengers, and now Air Canada has found another one that will sting Australian travellers.
By ROBYN IRONSIDE
Commentary
Future Fund’s advantages over the partisan Trump model
By GLENDA KORPORAAL
Senior writer
Australia’s Future Fund is significantly different to the politically charged model Donald Trump wants for the US, but maintaining its strength in our national interest will be clo...
DataRoom
For retail behemoth Mecca, beauty may be in the eye of a buyer
Speculation is growing that the Jo Horgan-built beauty products retailer, Mecca Brands, may find its way to the market with a valuation of well over $1bn.
REITs return to vogue as figures stack up for investors
Centuria Office Fund’s share price reflects high office vacancies in city fringe markets, a weak economy and working from home – but buyers could soon move in on Australian REITs.
Lone Star likely to bide its time over Orora
As Orora’s share price has declined, speculation has risen whether it could be back in the crosshairs of private equity suitor Lone Star Funds.

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