Director sentiment plunges amid global economy fears and no action on climate, energy policy

Sentiment amongst company directors has plunged to a two year low amid growing concerns about fallout from a slowing global economy. 

Institute of Company Directors chief executive Angus Armour tells ABC's Peter Ryan that directors are also frustrated about a lack of action on climate change and energy policy from both major parties.

Source: Australian Institute of Company Directors

News Corp boss Robert Thomson lashes New York Times "hatchet job" on Murdoch family

News Corporation global chief executive Robert Thomson has attacked the digital giant Google while warning that a "mob mentality" has taken hold of debate in much of the West. 

Mr Thomson also defended his boss and News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch accusing his rivals including the influential New York times of "muck spreading" and doing a hatchet job on the Murdoch family. 

ABC's Peter Ryan says Mr Thomson's comments come as Rupert Murdoch recalibrates his empire to deal with the digital shift and determines his succession plan.

Excerpt from Robert Thomson address for Keith Murdoch Oration

Safe as houses? Report home borrowers better off renting and investing in shares. I speak with Ernst & Young chief economist Jo Masters

Home owners could have saved $608,000 over ten years if they invested their deposit in the sharemarket over ten years and rented, according to research from the advisory firm Ernst & Young. 

Chief economist Jo Masters tells ABC's Peter Ryan it's time for investors to give up on the mindset that renting is "dead money". 

The research found that 60 percent of Sydney apartment owners would have been better off if they had invested in shares.

"Truly apocalyptic" - Professor Robert Aldrich witnesses Notre Dame in flames

Robert Aldrich - professor of European History at the University of Sydney - awoke this morning to see vision of Notre Dame in flames. 

He spoke this morning with the ABC's Peter Ryan.

Trust in politicians under cloud as anti-corruption body concerns grow. I speak with Griffith University professor AJ Brown

The anti-corruption body Transparency International will today update its wish-list for a national integrity body amid concerns that it won't be properly resourced to fight corruption. 

The coalition's proposal for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission is seen as weak given that it won't be permitted to hold public hearings, won't take tips from the public and will only investigate when the evidence meets a high threshold. 

Griffith University professor AJ Brown - who's also on the Transparency International board - speaks with ABC's Peter Ryan.