The Fin

Australian Financial Review

A weekly podcast from The Australian Financial Review that examines the biggest stories in business, markets and politics, and why they matter, explained by the best financial journalists in the country.

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100 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes100

Newest first

Oct 22, 2025 · 23 min
'Don’t do a Deloitte': the AI stuff-up that ricocheted around the world
This week on The Fin podcast, Edmund Tadros and Paul Karp on Deloitte’s stuff-up, why it became a global story and what it means for the way we use, and value, AI. This podcast is sponsored by Salesforce Further reading: ‘Oversight was not followed’: Deloitte apologises for AI report The firm will discipline personnel over a report that had to be reissued after they failed to vet incorrect AI-generated material in the document. Deloitte’s AI scandal shows consultants need a new strategy The saga also raises existential questions: for consultants, AI is both a major opportunity and a threat that directly undermines their premium fees. Deloitte to refund government, admits using AI in $440k report Deloitte will issue a partial refund to the government after admitting that artificial intelligence had been used in the creation of a report littered with errors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 15, 2025 · 21 min
Is your Chinese EV a 'ticking time bomb'?
This week, senior writer Greg Bearup and Lowy Institute senior fellow Richard McGregor on China's dominance of the local EV and battery market and why that's a security risk. This podcast is sponsored by Salesforce Further reading: Is your Chinese EV a ‘ticking time bomb’? The rapid uptake of electric cars and home batteries from the Asian nation has put Australia’s energy infrastructure at risk of foreign hijack, experts warn. China could disable or detonate Aussie EVs, warns top cyber expert Malcolm Turnbull’s former cybersecurity tsar says Australian government officials should not ride in Chinese-made EVs because of the surveillance risk. ‘Crying shame’: Inside the demise of Australia’s only battery maker Brian Craighead spent a decade trying to build an industry. He blames a cash crisis, a glut of Chinese product and shambolic federal policies for its failure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 8, 2025 · 24 min
Inside the biggest investment scandal in 15 years
Andrew Hobbs and Tony Boyd on how investors lost $1.2 billion in Shield, First Guardian and Australian Fiduciaries, and how the gatekeepers let it happen. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: The ‘easy peasy’ approval: Shield exposes $850b super wrap industry These funds told us they were toxic: how did Macquarie miss it? How Macquarie ignored its own advice on Shield (and lost $100m) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 1, 2025 · 22 min
What LaTrobe and Jon Adgemis reveal about the private credit boom
Senior reporters Jonathan Shapiro and Primrose Riordan on what ASIC's crackdown on LaTrobe Financial and the Jon Adgemis saga tells us about the private credit market, the risks for super investors and whether the golden run is over. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: Private credit faces tougher regulation after damning report La Trobe investment products hit with stop orders by ASIC Deutsche Bank appoints receivers for Adgemis pubs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 24, 2025 · 33 min
Australia's defence deals in the Pacific and why they matter
Canberra bureau chief Nicola Smith and Washington correspondent Jessica Gardner on the Pacific defence deals and what to expect when Albanese sits down with Donald Trump. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: Trump and Albanese meet, as PM finally lands White House visit Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese met at a UN reception in New York as it was confirmed they would finally sit down together at the White House next month. China looms large over PM’s embarrassing setback Australia faces a diplomatic setback after failing to secure PNG defence treaty, but what it really signals is a growing influence of China in the Pacific. Tears, forgiveness and fury: Kirk remembered as martyr for free speech Allies of Charlie Kirk have vowed to carry on his mission to defeat leftist ideology at a packed service that at times looked more like a campaign rally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 17, 2025 · 26 min
It’s firing season at the banks. How far will the job losses go?
Chanticleer columnist James Thomson and banking reporter Angira Bharadwaj on ANZ’s overhaul, why banks are cutting jobs and whether management has lost control of the message. This podcast is sponsored by Acenda Further reading: ANZ’s pragmatic deal for ‘betraying’ Australia deserves no applause ANZ has stitched up a pragmatic settlement with ASIC to give Nuno Matos room to launch his reset. But it shouldn’t distract from what has been shabby governance. ‘It’s long overdue’: The cull wiping out thousands of bank jobs After a spike in staff numbers since the royal commission, three of the big four banks are wielding the axe, with more than 5000 people exiting the industry. It’s the age of turbulence as Nuno Matos turns ANZ upside-down Known among some staff as El Nuno, the Lisbon-born chief executive is attracting fear, intrigue and admiration as he cuts staff and overhauls the bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 10, 2025 · 32 min
Is the war on NIMBYs enough to fix Australia’s housing crisis?
NSW political correspondent Paul Karp and deputy property editor Michael Bleby on the political leaders declaring war on NIMBYs, whether it will help the country meet its housing supply target and why the bigger problem might be a tradie deficit. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: How the Woollahra development could redraw politics in Sydney’s east Urban infill doesn’t just reshape the local environment; it can change the political landscape as well. NSW planning minister says NIMBYs ‘vying to create childless suburbs’ Paul Scully has been pushing for higher densities in Sydney, creating a backlash from residents. He says resistance to housing has become “institutionalised”. Property supply chief targets capital gains tax breaks in housing ‘war’ As the country begins a discussion about tax, the property industry veteran says the crucial role of housing also demands a big-picture review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 9, 2025 · 8 min
Bonus episode - Lachlan Murdoch's $5b succession
Rupert Murdoch's eldest son has finally secured control of the family’s sprawling media empire in a multi-billion dollar settlement with his siblings. Media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones gives his take on the deal that ends a bitter succession battle. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Lachlan Murdoch takes family media empire, paying siblings $5b to exit The deal brings to an end almost two years of bitter legal wranglings over control, cementing Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son’s leadership at News Corp and Fox.6:42Lisa MurrayWendi Deng emerges on Rupert and Lachlan’s side in Murdoch split Unlike three of their older half-siblings, the businesswoman’s two children with the billionaire patriarch will keep a stake in the family media empire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 3, 2025 · 26 min
WFH debate: Is your boss listening into your laptop?
This week on The Fin, workplace correspondent David Marin-Guzman discusses the test case of a compliance company that has been spying on its staff, what it means for work from home and how AI will affect the future of surveillance. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Company turned laptops into covert recording devices to monitor WFH Safetrac says it needed to track work-from-home staff for underperformance, but some employees say the surveillance went too far and police are now investigating. WFH surveillance case is a wake-up call The Safetrac case shines a spotlight on the issue of employee surveillance versus the right to personal privacy when staff work from home. Safetrac surveillance installed without staff agreement: HR manager The firm, which turned staff laptops into covert listening devices, should have updated its surveillance policy beforehand, its own people manager told WorkCover. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 27, 2025 · 29 min
Will Albanese’s mega-majority make or break him?
Political editor Phillip Coorey on the debt bomb facing the next generation, the ‘Braveheart ’situation in parliament and the Iran-led attacks in Australia. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: The VW, the tobacco kingpin, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Sloppy criminals who reused a stolen car for arson attacks on a synagogue and nightclub led spies to uncover a state-sponsored campaign of terror. PM had no choice but to act after explosive Iran revelations After years of rejecting overtures to sever ties with Iran, the government was left with no other option. Talkfest hasn’t started yet. Jim Chalmers says it’s already a win The treasurer says the build-up to Tuesday’s summit has entrenched the productivity crisis in the political psyche. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 23 min
The chequebook of Mormon: $500m on Australian farms in six months
This week on The Fin podcast: senior writer Greg Bearup on why the Mormon Church is buying up vast tracts of Australian farmland and whether it’s in the national interest. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Mormon church’s $490m spending spree exposes trade deal blind spot Farmers fear the American church could change the face of Australian agriculture. The chequebook of Mormon: $500m on Australian farms in six months With its immense resources, the US-based Mormon church is buying up vast tracts of Australian farmland. Is this in our national interest? Wagyu Rich Listers fatten outback portfolio with Qld deal Peter and Jane Hughes, already among the world’s biggest producers of wagyu beef, have added a central western Queensland cattle property to their operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 13, 2025 · 24 min
Do we really need to bring back the baby bonus?
This week on The Fin podcast: senior writer Myriam Robin on how worried we should be about declining fertility rates, whether they could and should be reversed and why politicians in Australia are so reluctant to talk about it. This podcast is sponsored by CMC Markets Further reading: Can Australia escape the global fertility crisis? Not too long ago, the world was worried about runaway population growth. But with birth rates falling too fast, the scramble is on to avoid the demographic crunch. How to fix the economy to make Aussies richer – from people who did Jim Chalmers’ economic roundtable risks history being repeated because a cautious prime minister has no electoral mandate for sweeping change. Why Australia is far from full but no one wants to talk about it Angst over house and rental prices is fracturing the fragile bigger-Australia consensus. Yet walking away from a larger population is not an option See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 6, 2025 · 31 min
A 'strike' at the heart of the millionaires' factory
This week on The Fin podcast: senior reporter Jemima Whyte and associate editor Joyce Moullakis on whether Macquarie has lost its edge, who might be in line to take over the top job and what happens when you threaten the pay packets of a millionaires’ factory. Further reading: Macquarie scrambled to lobby proxy firms ahead of fraught AGM The company made the highly unusual move to understand if major investors would reject executive pay plans as it dealt with a backlash. Glenn Stevens feels the burn from Macquarie’s worried investors The former RBA governor has seen off a global financial crisis and angry borrowers. Can he turn around an undercurrent of anxiety at the Millionaires Factory? Macquarie investors deliver wake-up call with strike on executive pay Investors deliver an embarrassing rebuke to the Millionaires Factory over bonuses amid regulatory woes and the surprise exit of its CFO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 30, 2025 · 29 min
"What the f*** did you do?" Sam Altman on being fired & rehired for AI’s biggest job
This week on The Fin, Technology editor Paul Smith talks about his interview with Altman and reveals what it would take for the AI chief to pull the plug. Further reading: What OpenAI’s Sam Altman suggests you do to keep your job The race is on to build machines that can outthink humans. The tech founder in charge of ChatGPT says there is one thing that would make him stop. ‘Try the future’: New ChatGPT AI agents promise to do your jobs Drawing on three pre-existing OpenAI products, ChatGPT Agent lets users ask AI to take control of multi-step and fairly complex tasks. OpenAI wants AI tax breaks, promises $115b annual windfall OpenAI chief economist Ronnie Chatterji has conducted a whirlwind set of meetings in Canberra as the company prepares to launch an AI blueprint for Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 23, 2025 · 25 min
Is Xi Jinping losing his grip on power in China?
This week on The Fin, North Asia correspondent Jessica Sier and Lowy Institute senior fellow Richard McGregor on whether Panda diplomacy works and why Beijing needs a succession plan. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. China ordered this Aussie flower farm to grow rice. Then they found a solution In a country of 1.4 billion people, keeping everyone fed can be the difference between stability and chaos. The Lynch Group nearly had to tear down its greenhouses. Beyond the Wall: Albanese’s high-stakes China play As the prime minister is criticised over the extent of his China sightseeing, the government insists it is playing the long game and that face time matters. Rumours of Xi’s downfall distract from China’s real challenges The notion that Xi Jinping is about to be toppled is a distraction from the real cleavages in Chinese politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2025 · 27 min
The rates call that stunned economists, markets and... our reporters
This week on The Fin podcast, economics editor John Kehoe and senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro on the RBA’s shock decision on interest rates, what it means for the economy and whether the next generation could be the first to be worse off than their parents. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. Further reading: Gen Z will be richer than their parents. But here’s the catch Sluggish productivity and tax policies rigged against young people mean many are missing out on financial comfort precisely when they need it most. RBA rate call extraordinaire Rory Robertson makes his last prediction The economist has spent three decades trying to interpret the smoke signals emanating out of Martin Place. He’s giving up the game as it’s profoundly changing. Which RBA board members voted for a rate cut? At least two Labor appointees to the Reserve Bank monetary policy board almost certainly voted for a cut on Tuesday, former insiders believe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9, 2025 · 25 min
‘Law of the jungle’: the struggle to clean up the CFMEU
This week on The Fin podcast, workplace correspondent David Marin-Guzman on what has been done to stamp out a culture of fear and intimidation in the CFMEU and whether it's working. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. Further reading: High Court leaves CFMEU administrator with no more excuses The failed High Court challenge to the CFMEU administration has cleared a path to cleaning out the union. But the administrator still has to walk it. High Court ruling on CFMEU a ‘line in the sand’ moment for cleanout The CFMEU administrator has declared the High Court backing of the administration will make way for systemic industry reforms. ‘Let’s make some money together’: Inside the CFMEU’s bribery scandal Sometimes it was a foot tap, other times a little kick, but either way cash was passed under the table to the union boss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2, 2025 · 26 min
Does inheritance matter more than a career?
This week on The Fin, Chanticleer columnist James Thomson and Wealth reporter Lucy Dean on the surge in inherited wealth, what’s behind it and what can, or should, be done about it…. This podcast is sponsored by Workday. Further Reading: You're probably part of Australia's new inheritocracy How inheritance is upending the marriage market How do the 1pc find love? With these high-end matchmaking services The maths that makes SMSFs a tax reform target for Chalmers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2025 · 25 min
Virgin’s rollercoaster return & why Australia is a two-airline town
This week on The Fin podcast: senior reporter Ayesha de Kretser and Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald on Virgin’s return to the market, why it will struggle to stay in its lane and whether Australia can ever sustain more than two airlines. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Virgin prepares for IPO take-off in a test for Bain – and the market Five years after collapsing into administration, the country’s second-largest airline will finally return to the ASX on Tuesday. There is a lot at stake. IPO market cracks open as Virgin, Greatland shares soar on debut Fund managers rushed into the airline’s stock in a major win for Bain Capital, which has worked on turning around the business for five years. Virgin’s future is now in the hands of the markets gods The problem with listing ceremonies is they look backwards, but investors look forward. The airline did what it must to relist, but now it’s over to the ASX. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18, 2025 · 25 min
‘The Great Wall of China’: A law firm’s cautionary tale
This week on The Fin, professional services reporter Maxim Shanahan on why King & Wood Mallesons is struggling to manage risk and conflicts across its jurisdictions. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: ‘We didn’t have a hope in hell’: KWM’s cautionary China tale A corrupt wind farm deal in Montenegro, a controversial Russian legal conference and the financial problems of one of its most senior executives have thrown the spotlight on the Sino-Australian law firm. Calls for tougher rules amid KWM drama The senators who led the inquiry into the PwC tax leaks scandal say King & Wood Mallesons’ troubles expose flaws in the governance of top law firms. KWM sues former global chief operating officer King & Wood Mallesons is suing a former member of its international management committee for debt relating to loans worth more than $1 million. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.