Capital Brief
@capitalbrief.com
Intelligence for the new Australian economy.
By popular demand, On The Call is now a weekly live event. Exclusively for subscribers.
Every Thursday our journalists unpack the stories driving the agenda and answer your questions live.
Expect candid conversations and regular cameos from the newsroom.
Join us on the call 👉 lnkd.in/gpgiEpSG
Every Thursday our journalists unpack the stories driving the agenda and answer your questions live.
Expect candid conversations and regular cameos from the newsroom.
Join us on the call 👉 lnkd.in/gpgiEpSG
August 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
By popular demand, On The Call is now a weekly live event. Exclusively for subscribers.
Every Thursday our journalists unpack the stories driving the agenda and answer your questions live.
Expect candid conversations and regular cameos from the newsroom.
Join us on the call 👉 lnkd.in/gpgiEpSG
Every Thursday our journalists unpack the stories driving the agenda and answer your questions live.
Expect candid conversations and regular cameos from the newsroom.
Join us on the call 👉 lnkd.in/gpgiEpSG
📣 Introducing The Signal: Capital Brief’s latest newsletter, providing an insider look at how media, tech, entertainment and power collide in Australia.
First up: 🗞️ Nine’s $700m question
www.capitalbrief.com/newsletter/n...
First up: 🗞️ Nine’s $700m question
www.capitalbrief.com/newsletter/n...
🗞️ Nine’s $700m question
As Nine nears a $1.4 billion payday for its stake in Domain, attention has turned to what it could offload next.
www.capitalbrief.com
July 27, 2025 at 11:43 PM
📣 Introducing The Signal: Capital Brief’s latest newsletter, providing an insider look at how media, tech, entertainment and power collide in Australia.
First up: 🗞️ Nine’s $700m question
www.capitalbrief.com/newsletter/n...
First up: 🗞️ Nine’s $700m question
www.capitalbrief.com/newsletter/n...
EXCLUSIVE: The Albanese government's National Reconstruction Fund is being investigated over possible misconduct following a whistleblower complaint alleging governance failures and ongoing workplace culture issues.
www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
June 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
EXCLUSIVE: The Albanese government's National Reconstruction Fund is being investigated over possible misconduct following a whistleblower complaint alleging governance failures and ongoing workplace culture issues.
www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
IDEAS: Australia led the world in solar innovation but failed to cash in. With quantum computing, we have a second chance — if we act decisively.
Let's not repeat our solar energy mistake with quantum computing
Australia led the world in solar innovation but failed to cash in. With quantum computing, we have a second chance — if we act decisively.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:14 AM
IDEAS: Australia led the world in solar innovation but failed to cash in. With quantum computing, we have a second chance — if we act decisively.
After finding immense investor appetite for Guzman y Gomez on the ASX, Morgan Stanley is eager to serve up the next hot restaurant chain to the market
Morgan Stanley is hungry for Australia's next fast food IPO
After finding immense investor appetite for Guzman y Gomez on the ASX, the investment bank is eager to serve up the next hot restaurant chain to the market.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:31 AM
After finding immense investor appetite for Guzman y Gomez on the ASX, Morgan Stanley is eager to serve up the next hot restaurant chain to the market
Reposted by Capital Brief
New: ABC boss Hugh Marks confirms 50 roles impacted by restructure via @capitalbrief.com www.capitalbrief.com/briefing/abc...
ABC boss Hugh Marks confirms 50 roles impacted by restructure
The ABC will cut about 50 roles as part of a restructure that will bring an end to the late night current affairs show Q+A and introduce ABC Screen in place of its content division.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
New: ABC boss Hugh Marks confirms 50 roles impacted by restructure via @capitalbrief.com www.capitalbrief.com/briefing/abc...
Top stories in today's Edition
- Uneasy as ABC: Hugh Marks swings the axe
- Labor's Tim Ayres on PsiQuantum, NRF revamp
- Airwallex's crypto aversion
- Michaelia Cash walks back error
- Uneasy as ABC: Hugh Marks swings the axe
- Labor's Tim Ayres on PsiQuantum, NRF revamp
- Airwallex's crypto aversion
- Michaelia Cash walks back error
Uneasy as ABC
Hugh Marks' move to cancel Q+A is part of a bigger overhaul of the ABC that's expected to include jobs cuts, as the new managing director puts his stamp on the broadcaster.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- Uneasy as ABC: Hugh Marks swings the axe
- Labor's Tim Ayres on PsiQuantum, NRF revamp
- Airwallex's crypto aversion
- Michaelia Cash walks back error
- Uneasy as ABC: Hugh Marks swings the axe
- Labor's Tim Ayres on PsiQuantum, NRF revamp
- Airwallex's crypto aversion
- Michaelia Cash walks back error
Reposted by Capital Brief
for my myriad sins, i wrote about Q+A www.capitalbrief.com/article/qa-w...
Q+A was built for another era of media, and died with it
Once a cornerstone of the national political conversation, Q+A ultimately couldn’t survive an increasingly fractured media landscape.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
for my myriad sins, i wrote about Q+A www.capitalbrief.com/article/qa-w...
The US and China have agreed in principle to a framework for deescalating trade tensions, according to reports
US and China strike in-principle agreement to ease trade war: reports
The US and China have agreed in principle to a framework for deescalating trade tensions, according to Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 11, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The US and China have agreed in principle to a framework for deescalating trade tensions, according to reports
Reposted by Capital Brief
Scoop: ABC to axe Q+A after nearly two decades on air via @capitalbrief.com www.capitalbrief.com/article/abc-...
ABC to axe Q+A after nearly two decades on air
The ABC is set to pull the plug on its late-night panel program, ending years of speculation over its future.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Scoop: ABC to axe Q+A after nearly two decades on air via @capitalbrief.com www.capitalbrief.com/article/abc-...
Top stories in today's Edition
- Mandarin moves: Albanese shuffles top bureaucrats
- The bizarre story of the Sydney Stock Exchange
- Why Aussie founders are AI optimists
- Economists on Taylor's tax plan
- Mandarin moves: Albanese shuffles top bureaucrats
- The bizarre story of the Sydney Stock Exchange
- Why Aussie founders are AI optimists
- Economists on Taylor's tax plan
Mandarin moves
The appointment of Jenny Wilkinson as Australian's first female Treasury secretary is clearly a historic moment. What it says about the government's economic plans is less certain.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- Mandarin moves: Albanese shuffles top bureaucrats
- The bizarre story of the Sydney Stock Exchange
- Why Aussie founders are AI optimists
- Economists on Taylor's tax plan
- Mandarin moves: Albanese shuffles top bureaucrats
- The bizarre story of the Sydney Stock Exchange
- Why Aussie founders are AI optimists
- Economists on Taylor's tax plan
For the last eight months, the Sydney Stock Exchange has been the financial equivalent of a pub with no beer ‒ a stock market with no shares changing hands on it
The bizarre story of the Australian stock exchange with no stocks listed on it
Once a burgeoning bourse home to companies like Sigma, SPC Ardmona and Brumby's Bakeries, not much is going on at the Sydney Stock Exchange any more.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 10, 2025 at 2:48 AM
For the last eight months, the Sydney Stock Exchange has been the financial equivalent of a pub with no beer ‒ a stock market with no shares changing hands on it
Reposted by Capital Brief
Scoop from my colleague Anthony Galloway: Angus Taylor proposed an automatic tax rebate tied to high inflation months before the election campaign, but the plan was rejected by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s office in favour of a cut to fuel excise www.capitalbrief.com/article/angu...
Angus Taylor had an inflation rebate tax proposal. Peter Dutton said no.
Taylor’s dismissed tax plan underscores deepening internal Liberal tensions over how to rebuild the party’s low-tax reputation after its election defeat.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Scoop from my colleague Anthony Galloway: Angus Taylor proposed an automatic tax rebate tied to high inflation months before the election campaign, but the plan was rejected by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s office in favour of a cut to fuel excise www.capitalbrief.com/article/angu...
Reposted by Capital Brief
My latest piece for Capital Brief on the case for investing in deep tech for Australia
www.capitalbrief.com/article/the-...
www.capitalbrief.com/article/the-...
The case for betting big on deep tech
Despite the myths, deep tech isn’t riskier than traditional tech. It just demands different skills, more courage and a bigger vision for Australia’s future.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:02 PM
My latest piece for Capital Brief on the case for investing in deep tech for Australia
www.capitalbrief.com/article/the-...
www.capitalbrief.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Capital Brief
New: Polling firm Freshwater Strategy is poised to retain at least two of its three major media partners despite criticism of its work in the lead up to the Coalition’s historic 2025 federal election defeat www.capitalbrief.com/article/fres...
Freshwater retains offshore media partners despite Australian election backlash
The polling firm has media partnerships with UK-based City AM, New Zealand's The Post, and the Australian Financial Review.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
New: Polling firm Freshwater Strategy is poised to retain at least two of its three major media partners despite criticism of its work in the lead up to the Coalition’s historic 2025 federal election defeat www.capitalbrief.com/article/fres...
Top stories in today's Edition
- The $300b bank: Commonwealth defies sceptics to hit a new record
- Treasury Wine in short sellers' sights
- HSBC targets Aussie tech
- Labor lashes ASPI
- The $300b bank: Commonwealth defies sceptics to hit a new record
- Treasury Wine in short sellers' sights
- HSBC targets Aussie tech
- Labor lashes ASPI
The $300b bank
Commonwealth Bank keeps on defying its many sceptics, becoming Australia's first $300 billion company today after its share price hit a new record. What could go wrong?
www.capitalbrief.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- The $300b bank: Commonwealth defies sceptics to hit a new record
- Treasury Wine in short sellers' sights
- HSBC targets Aussie tech
- Labor lashes ASPI
- The $300b bank: Commonwealth defies sceptics to hit a new record
- Treasury Wine in short sellers' sights
- HSBC targets Aussie tech
- Labor lashes ASPI
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has used an appearance at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to attack the think tank, deepening its already fractious relationship with Labor
Labor minister lashes ASPI on its own turf as defence spending debate gets heated
The Albanese government's testy relationship with the think tank was on full display on Wednesday.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has used an appearance at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to attack the think tank, deepening its already fractious relationship with Labor
Top stories in today's Edition
- Hegseth's heckle: Albo holds firm against US pressure on defence
- Geoff Wilson backs Greens on super tax
- The big banks' AI talent war
- Hegseth's heckle: Albo holds firm against US pressure on defence
- Geoff Wilson backs Greens on super tax
- The big banks' AI talent war
Hegseth's heckle
The PM has pushed back against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's call for Australia to lift defence spending significantly, but he may have little choice as conflicts flare up globally.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- Hegseth's heckle: Albo holds firm against US pressure on defence
- Geoff Wilson backs Greens on super tax
- The big banks' AI talent war
- Hegseth's heckle: Albo holds firm against US pressure on defence
- Geoff Wilson backs Greens on super tax
- The big banks' AI talent war
Prominent fund manager Geoff Wilson and Liberal MP Tim Wilson are preparing for a fight over Labor's super tax changes that may be franking credits 2.0
Fund manager Geoff Wilson '100% supportive' of Greens tweak as Liberals' Tim Wilson readies anti-super tax campaign
Prominent fund manager Geoff Wilson and Liberal MP Tim Wilson are preparing for a fight that may be franking credits 2.0.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Prominent fund manager Geoff Wilson and Liberal MP Tim Wilson are preparing for a fight over Labor's super tax changes that may be franking credits 2.0
Top stories in today's Edition
- Can Australia lead on AI?
- Nine exec shake-up complete as Stutchbury exits
- Why Allan Gray backs Ramsay Health Care
- Koda Capital shifts its VC strategy
- Can Australia lead on AI?
- Nine exec shake-up complete as Stutchbury exits
- Why Allan Gray backs Ramsay Health Care
- Koda Capital shifts its VC strategy
AI or bust
Fears are growing that artificial intelligence will have a devastating impact on Australia's jobs market, but failing to take advantage of AI's productivity benefits would be a worse outcome.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- Can Australia lead on AI?
- Nine exec shake-up complete as Stutchbury exits
- Why Allan Gray backs Ramsay Health Care
- Koda Capital shifts its VC strategy
- Can Australia lead on AI?
- Nine exec shake-up complete as Stutchbury exits
- Why Allan Gray backs Ramsay Health Care
- Koda Capital shifts its VC strategy
Koda Capital, one of Australia’s largest private wealth firms, is shifting more capital into smaller venture capital funds
Koda Capital shifts focus to smaller VC funds for better returns
Co Ventures and Side Stage Ventures say smaller VC funds have the maths on their side — it’s easier to deliver outsized multiples from smaller pools of capital.
www.capitalbrief.com
June 1, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Koda Capital, one of Australia’s largest private wealth firms, is shifting more capital into smaller venture capital funds
Top stories in today's Edition
- Behold the TACO trade
- Ley and Littleproud face dissent
- Biotech PolyActiva's $40m raise
- ABC job cut fears
- Startup lessons from the Labubu craze
- Behold the TACO trade
- Ley and Littleproud face dissent
- Biotech PolyActiva's $40m raise
- ABC job cut fears
- Startup lessons from the Labubu craze
TACO Friday
Donald Trump may have erupted when asked about the "TACO" trade this week, but it seems markets are just pleased it provides an element of predictability.
www.capitalbrief.com
May 30, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Top stories in today's Edition
- Behold the TACO trade
- Ley and Littleproud face dissent
- Biotech PolyActiva's $40m raise
- ABC job cut fears
- Startup lessons from the Labubu craze
- Behold the TACO trade
- Ley and Littleproud face dissent
- Biotech PolyActiva's $40m raise
- ABC job cut fears
- Startup lessons from the Labubu craze
IDEAS: Labubu is more than just a viral plush toy. It’s the mascot for a new playbook in brand building.
What founders can learn from viral toy phenomenon Labubu
Pop Mart's increasing global success shows how brand, community and clever distribution can drive growth — and why startups should take note.
www.capitalbrief.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:22 AM
IDEAS: Labubu is more than just a viral plush toy. It’s the mascot for a new playbook in brand building.
In today's Political Capital newsletter from @finnmchugh.bsky.social
- Conservative Liberals angered by Sussan Ley's reshuffle
- David Littleproud also facing leadership rumblings
- Husic speaks out on Gaza
- US court rulings on Trump's tariffs add to investment uncertainty
- Conservative Liberals angered by Sussan Ley's reshuffle
- David Littleproud also facing leadership rumblings
- Husic speaks out on Gaza
- US court rulings on Trump's tariffs add to investment uncertainty
Look behind you
Both Sussan Ley and David Littleproud face dissent from within after this week's reunification of the Coalition and shadow ministry announcement.
www.capitalbrief.com
May 30, 2025 at 3:46 AM
In today's Political Capital newsletter from @finnmchugh.bsky.social
- Conservative Liberals angered by Sussan Ley's reshuffle
- David Littleproud also facing leadership rumblings
- Husic speaks out on Gaza
- US court rulings on Trump's tariffs add to investment uncertainty
- Conservative Liberals angered by Sussan Ley's reshuffle
- David Littleproud also facing leadership rumblings
- Husic speaks out on Gaza
- US court rulings on Trump's tariffs add to investment uncertainty
Moves by ABC management to implement a new operating model have sparked fears of job cuts
ABC staff shake-up sparks job cut fears ahead of pay talks
The public broadcaster's plans to implement a new operating model and change the way support staff work has unnerved employees and unions.
www.capitalbrief.com
May 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Moves by ABC management to implement a new operating model have sparked fears of job cuts