Morning Headlines

NW wind, sun to power Java

A $13.2 billion wind and solar power plant in the Pilbara would send electricity to the Indonesian island of Java, under a plan by a consortium of energy companies. The West

It may not feel like it but Perth is more affordable

WA’s reputation as an expensive place to live has been exploded as a myth, with a comprehensive analysis revealing it is becoming increasingly affordable. The West

Bank probe hits union super

The Turnbull government has moved to pay back Labor for helping force it into a humiliating backdown on a royal commission into the financial services sector by having the inquiry look specifically at industry superannuation funds and their union-dominated boards. The Fin

ASFA chief hits out at ‘never-ending’ super probes

Australia’s peak superannuation body, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, has hit out at the Turnbull government’s proposal to include super in the royal commission into financial services. The Aus

FMG’s new era starts with high-grade switch

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest has set his new chief executive Elizabeth Gaines a typically challenging target after vowing the miner would ship mostly high-grade iron ore in the future. The Fin

China Energy in $430m AWE bid

State-owned China Energy Reserve and Chemical Group says it plans to use the big Waitsia onshore gasfield north of Perth to supply tight east coast gas markets with small-scale LNG if it is successful with its $430 million tilt for Sydney’s AWE. The Aus

Mindarie growth a surprise to many investors

Take a bow if you bought in Mindarie 25 years ago — because your suburb has appreciated in value more than any other in WA in the past quarter-century. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Page 1: The Turnbull government has moved to pay back Labor for helping force it into a humiliating backdown on a royal commission into the financial services sector by having the inquiry look specifically at industry superannuation funds and their union-dominated boards.

Page 3: After Amazon wipes out major local retailers, the banking sector will be next, CEO of the original disrupter SEEK Andrew Bassat warns.

Page 4: Besieged senator Sam Dastyari will not be booted out of the Labor Party because he has not broken any laws despite being dumped from the frontbench over new revelations about the depth of his relationship with Chinese businessman and political donor Huang Xiangmo.

Page 8: Banks and financial institutions fell sharply on Thursday morning but many recovered to finish the day up in a minor relief rally following the announcement of a royal commission into the banking, superannuation and financial services industry.

Page 12: Business investment spending plans for the current financial year have been upgraded over the past three quarters by the most in 12 years, adding to signs the economy is headed towards a more sustainable and balanced expansion.

Page 19: Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest has set his new chief executive Elizabeth Gaines a typically challenging target after vowing the miner would ship mostly high-grade iron ore in the future.

Page 22: The world’s biggest beer company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, has continued its acquisition spree of smaller craft brewers in Australia, this time snapping up the Pirate Life operations in Adelaide.

The Australian

Page 2: Tax commissioner Chris Jordan has unveiled a plan to give motorcycle gangs the “Al Capone treatment” to ensure more criminals go to prison, as crack joint Australian Taxation Office and police teams form a powerful alliance against organised crime.

Page 3: Children will be able to access irreversible hormone treatment to change their gender without seeking court approval following a landmark Family Court judgment.

Page 19: Australia’s peak superannuation body, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, has hit out at the Turnbull government’s proposal to include super in the royal commission into financial services.

Page 21: Food service will be a key component of The Star Entertainment Group’s development forays as the casino enterprise starts a partnership with Aboriginal communities on North Stradbroke Island to produce honey.

CrownBet has given rival Tabcorp a boost in its hopes of completing a long-awaited deal with Tatts Group this year by agreeing not to appeal against regulatory approval.

Page 22: State-owned China Energy Reserve and Chemical Group says it plans to use the big Waitsia onshore gasfield north of Perth to supply tight east coast gas markets with small-scale LNG if it is successful with its $430 million tilt for Sydney’s AWE.

The West Australian

Page 9: WA’s reputation as an expensive place to live has been exploded as a myth, with a comprehensive analysis revealing it is becoming increasingly affordable.

Page 14: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has stripped Labor senator Sam Dastyari of his official roles after more damaging details emerged about the NSW powerbroker’s dealings with a Chinese donor.

Page 16: Women will have pap smears every five years instead of every two with a more sensitive cervical cancer test in effect today.

Page 18: Take a bow if you bought in Mindarie 25 years ago — because your suburb has appreciated in value more than any other in WA in the past quarter-century.

Page 19: Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has denied accusations of “inappropriate behaviour” during his time with the Sydney Theatre Company.

Page 22: Congestion continues to add to peak-hour commute times with a study showing growing delays on many Perth routes.

Business: A $13.2 billion wind and solar power plant in the Pilbara would send electricity to the Indonesian island of Java, under a plan by a consortium of energy companies.

A state-owned Chinese energy company has identified development of the Perth Basin’s onshore Waitsia gas project as the key driver behind a $430 million takeover bid for AWE.

Perth-based home builder Aveling Homes has been fined $380,000 for engaging in conduct liable to mislead the public in connection with two online review websites.

More than 500 jobs at Oroton Group hang in the balance after the luxury handbag and leather goods maker became the latest traditional retailer to collapse.