Thursday, October 15, 2020

Paul Scurrah to leave Virgin Australia as Bain Capital takes control - former Jetstar CEO Jane Hrdlicka steps in

Bain Capital has confirmed that the chief executive of Virgin Australia Paul Scurrah will leave the airline when the private equity firm takes control in November. 

Mr Scurrah will be replaced by Bain Capital executive Jane Hrdlicka who is a former chief executive of Jetstar. 

ABC's Peter Ryan analyses what appears to be a coup and stark differences over whether Virgin 2.0 is a budget carrier or a full service competitor to Qantas.

I also spoke to ABC NewsRadio shortly after the announcement hit






Home loan deferrals halve leaving rest still reliant on emergency bank support; I speak with Bank of Queensland boss George Frazis

Half of Australia's paused home loans still not being repaid as amnesty period comes to a close.

Updated data from the Australian Banking Association shows almost half of the deferred loans are now being repaid - down from a crisis peak of almost 700,000 - as the economy shows signs of recovering. 

Bank of Queensland chief executive George Frazis speaks with ABC's Peter Ryan, warning that the economic recover depends on the search for a successful vaccine.



Wednesday, October 14, 2020

IMF warns against premature withdrawal of emergency pandemic support; says 90 million people living on US$1.90 per day as poverty deepers

The International Monetary Fund is warning against the premature withdrawal of emergency stimulus that has propped up businesses and households. 

While the IMF thinks the global recession will be less severe than first thought, the fallout will be long lasting with poverty to rise for the first time in two decades. 

ABC's Peter Ryan says according to the IMF there are 90 million people in "extreme deprivation" living on US$1.90 a day.

I speak with Thomas Oriti on ABC NewsRadio and Sabra Lane on AM



Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou slammed for reading from notes at casino licence inquiry

Crown director Andrew Demetriou has been castigated for reading from notes while giving evidence to a high stakes casino licence inquiry. 

Mr Demetriou, a former AFL chief executive, admitted he got definition of "culture" from the internet for the notes. 

ABC's Peter Ryan says the hearings are becoming a daily train wreck for Crown.



Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou denies "turning blind eye" to money laundering risks but concedes cultural issues at casino giant

Former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has rejected allegations at the Crown casino licence inquiry that the company board "turned a blind eye" to money laundering risks. 

The former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, who joined the Crown board five years ago, has conceded that Crown had a "failure of culture" where the top levels of the company were shielded from bad news about potential exposure to organised crime. 

Mr Demetriou is the latest Crown director to say he was "in the dark" about the arrests of staff in China four years ago. 

ABC's Peter Ryan is covering the NSW gaming inquiry and speaks with Thomas Oriti on ABC NewsRadio.

Coal imports a potential target as unconfirmed report escalates China trade rift with Australia.

Coal producers are on edge after an unverified report said China's biggest energy companies have been verbally told to stop importing Australia coal. 

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says he has not yet seen evidence of the import restrictions and is waiting on more information. 

ABC's Peter Ryan says the reaction to speculation shows Australia's relationship with China remains fraught.





Monday, October 12, 2020

Crown director Andrew Demetriou "shocked and in the dark" about China arrests

Former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is the latest director of Crown casinos to say he was "in the dark" about the arrests of staff in China four years ago. 

The admission about poor risk management comes as Victoria's gaming regulator has slapped Crown with a "show cause" disciplinary notice under the casino control act. 

ABC's Peter Ryan is covering the NSW gaming inquiry into Crown's licence to operate a casino at Barangaroo in Sydney.





Reserve Bank warns on small business failures; Crown director Harold Mitchell did anti-money laundering training in 30 mins "in light" of licence inquiry

The Reserve Bank has warned that thousands of small business could fail when emergency measures come to an end early next year. 

The RBA's latest financial stability review says while the banking system remains strong, that many businesses relying on loan repayment deferrals won't survive. 

Also on Monday Finance - PWC partner Paul Abbey says the "carry loss back" measure revealed in last week's federal budget is critical as the government consider eventual measures to raise revenue. 

Crown director Harold Mitchell tells the casino licence inquiry he did anti-money laundering training in 30 minutes as James Packer signals he might sell at least some of his 36 percent stake in Crown to meet the "fit and proper" requirement.

Here's my analysis on RN Breakfast