Email
Get the latest from The Australian Business
To view this email as a web page, go here.

Good morning,

Peter Spencer-Franks and his wife had a $1m savings pot and planned to retire when they turned 60 last year. With the collapse of First Guardian, retirement may no longer be an option. Cliona O'Dowd speaks to victims of the financial scandal.

Meanwhile, the Victorian government has contracted EY Parthenon to handle two secret safety net plans for the state’s Yallourn and Loy Yang A coal power stations.

And BHP will look to electrify its mining operations with the help of Chinese car maker BYD, and Hong Kong-listed battery heavyweight CATL.

Vesna Poljak
Business editor
The markets


Making news this morning
1
Revealed: The Sydney Airport slots controlled by Qantas this summer
Sydney Airport’s new slot coordinator has revealed how it carved up access to Australia’s biggest gateway for the busy summer months — with some airlines better off than others.
2
Data centre boom set to claim apartment site in $240m splash
Macquarie Technology Group has swooped on an increasingly crowded part of Sydney as the battle for data centre territory intensifies. But housing may miss out.
3
Investor confidence in Queensland renewables wanes
A series of policy interventions by the Queensland government means would-be developers now see greater opportunity elsewhere – a trend that threatens the state’s transition plan.
Editor's picks
MARGIN CALL
Legal costs rise in BHP Brazil dam disaster case
BHP is making efforts to find the funders of Pogust Goodhead’s $55bn Brazilian dam case, as the mining giant reveals its own extraordinary legal costs.
By NICK EVANS
INVESTING
Why Bitcoin bets could backfire
Investors, especially older Australians, are moving into Bitcoin just as the chances of high returns begin to fade.
By JAMES KIRBY
COMMENTARY
Qantas hack proves the risk of digital disaster
The convergence of quantum computing and AI risks a digital disaster for Australian businesses, shattering current cybersecurity defences and reshaping our economy – yet we are dangerously unprepared.
By DEREK PETERSON
Commentary
Green steel hype gives PM ‘safe space’ to stay in China
By ERIC JOHNSTON
Associate Editor
Even the green dreams of Fortescue’s Andrew Forrest couldn’t derail official meetings in Shanghai aimed at keeping the steelmakers buying.
DataRoom
US group risks backlash by overbidding for Abacus Storage
US giant Public Storage and billionaire Nathan Kirsh have lifted their offer for Abacus, but analysts warn the deal hinges on relative share price movements, and kingmaker National Storage.
Macquarie hunting for local buyer for Kiwibank
Bankers at Macquarie Capital are looking for a buyer for New Zealand’s government-owned Kiwibank, with some early interest emerging.
Kraft Heinz break-up plans could revive interest in Australia sale
The US food giant’s plans to spin off a $US20bn grocery business may trigger a fresh attempt to sell its Australian and New Zealand operations, which were on the market two years ago.

image