Morning Headlines

Japan set to be part of AUKUS pact

Japan could soon join the AUKUS military technology sharing pact alongside Australia, the United States and United Kingdom, in a significant boost to regional alliances that would provoke a furious response from China. The Fin

Emerson’s tougher supermarket code rejects ‘populist’ break-up proposal

An independent review has rejected the forced break-up of Coles and Woolworths, finding the ‘‘populist’’ idea, backed by the Coalition and advocated by the Greens, lacking in ‘‘credibility’’ and warning that it could trigger store closures and job losses. The Fin

Treasury considers cheap wine spin-off

Treasury Wine Estate chief executive Tim Ford said the company will decide by December whether to sell off its less expensive brands and focus on the premium wines business and its lucrative Penfolds label. The Fin

Business to ALP: profit is not taboo

Business chiefs have launched a fightback against the demonisation of corporate profits and the Albanese government’s “anti-business” policies, as Jim Chalmers tis week unveils a key plank of Labor’s competition overhaul centred on sweeping merger reforms. The Aus

Unis strand foreign students in accommodation wasteland

Australia’s biggest universities are failing to provide 80 per cent of their foreign students with guaranteed housing, despite taking in $9bn a year in tuition fees. The Aus

Three boats in, PM vows no turnback on Operation Sovereign Borders

People who arrive by boat seeking a better life or even asylum “won’t be settled in Australia”, Anthony Albanese has said as he doubles down on his government’s commitment to the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy following another undetected mainland arrival. The Aus

Giants put on notice

A Federal inquiry will recommend mandating a food and grocery code of conduct for Australia’s biggest supermarket chains and imposing heavy fines of up to $10 million if they breach business behaviour standards. The West

A fighter until the end

Perth-raised Bev Brock — the longtime partner of Australian motor-racing legend Peter Brock — has passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Page 6: Suspected Chinese boat arrivals have been taken to Nauru’s detention centre for processing after they reached the mainland, generating fresh controversy for the Albanese government on border protection.

Page 7: Chinese investment in Australian companies has dwindled to record lows, as the world’s second-largest economy battles problems at home and redirects corporate firepower towards developing countries hooked into its Belt and Road initiative.

Page 9: Wesfarmers-owned hardware giant Bunnings and food producers with large market power could be brought under a compulsory version of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct set to be overhauled this year.

Page 9: Financial advisers warn new rules that require superannuation trustees to check every piece of advice delivered to members are unworkable, will add red tape and drive up compliance costs.

Page 11: Australian companies are better preparing themselves for attacks by cybercriminal gangs, leading to a dramatic drop in successful extortion demands, according to a major security firm.

Page 16: China’s mining giants have extracted at least $2.5 billion from local lithium operations – in the form of dividends and share sales – over the past year, even though some of those investments would be unlikely now amid tighter restrictions on the sector.

Page 16: Despite well-flagged expectations of weaker earnings growth, and the departure of one of its most senior executives, Macquarie’s share price remains surprisingly strong.

Page 17: One of the country’s most prominent brokers has accused CGI Glass Lewis of losing objectivity and acting like an anti-industry activist, after recommending against the election of Woodside Energy chairman Richard Goyder.

Page 17: Spenders with Commonwealth Bank’s rewards credit cards received a surprise notification last week, declaring the interest-free period on the products had been slashed from 55 to 44 days.

Page 20: Healthscope’s lenders have appointed McGrathNicol to help restructure about $1.6 billion in debt they refinanced for the hospital operator a year ago.

Page 22: Tricky transition Jeff Howard takes charge as Spotlight scandal festers.

Page 21: As turmoil engulfs Boeing – following a series of incidents with its next-generation 737 MAX-9 plane and the resignation of its chief executive – a quiet storm is brewing when it comes to the transformation plans being touted by Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Page 32: The affordable end of the housing market, already streaking ahead, is about to get even more competitive for buyers as more downsizers seeking to reduce their mortgage join the fray, property experts say.

The Australian

Page 2: The Albanese government will select an experienced military figure as its special adviser on Israel’s killing of seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom.

Page 3: Qantas will unveil details of a much anticipated change to its frequent flyer program on Monday, in a move designed to appease members struggling to redeem points in the way they most want.

Page 4: Anthony Albanese has attacked the Coalition’s plans to deliver nuclear energy, saying it is a policy that relies on infrastructure “which can’t be built, some would say, for decades”.

Page 5: The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has spent almost $40,000 on “sunglasses for extreme climate” and almost $27,000 on a “planning day” for senior executive staff at a Canberra hotel, commonwealth tender documents reveal.

Page 13: The closure of Qenos could blow a fresh hole in plans to increase plastics recycling in the country, industry experts say, as small manufacturers that buy from Qenos say they have been treated “with contempt” by the company, which is yet to give any clear indication of its future plans to local customers.

Page 13: Fortescue will open Australia’s largest electrolyser manufacturing facility in Gladstone on Monday as part of plans by the Andrew Forrest-backed mining giant to become a major force in hydrogen and renewable energy.

Page 14: The focus has turned to Macquarie and Westpac as possible buyers of Judo Bank.

The West Australian

Page 4: The AFL has admitted the controversial decision that robbed Fremantle of an undefeated start to the 2024 season was wrong.

Page 8: HMAS Stirling will receive an $83 million injection for defence infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the state’s navy base becoming home to Australia’s nuclear submarines.

Page 8: Entrepreneur and army veteran Jonathan Huston will fly the Liberal flag in the once-blue ribbon stronghold of Nedlands at next year’s state election after upsetting hot favourite Brent Fleeton to snare preselection.

Page 20: Rottnest Island accommodation appears to have spiked by 30 per cent in a single year — but the authority in charge of the increasingly exclusive getaway is refusing to confirm the size of the hike or provide any insight into how prices are set.

Page 24: Australia should expect China will be a less significant driver of its economy in future and instead look to Japan and India for growth opportunities, ANZ chief economist Richard Yetsenga says.

Page 24: The world’s biggest gold miners are at risk of missing out on the metal’s record run after spending billions to be the obvious bullion-focused investors’ home.