Read it and weep

The deal by which federal taxpayers provide extra funding to the nation's strongest state economy - WA - was last officially costed at $39.2 bn

Treasury just updated that estimate to $52.9 bn - higher than the $50 bn that Saul Eslake and I had each…

Whose boots really rule Canberra? And other frivolities from yesterday afr.com/rear-window/ji…

Our first take on Budget day: The return of the Mike.

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And if anyone wondered: no we are not in the lockup because our job is froth and bubbles only today

The Govt's tax on super balances over $3m should apply to pensions, right? Equalising rules have been left to ministerial edict, which means Finance Minister Stephen Jones is now in charge of Anthony Albanese' pension taxes afr.com/rear-window/pm…

Here's a story about how Sportsbet used a shell company to shield its involvement in the NRL's tipping competition, which skirted regulations and bombarded users with gambling ads. Then, the jackpot was won by an excluded gambler.

Tomorrow's column:

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New today: Nine has been forced to pull its print editions of The Australian Financial Review from Perth after billionaire Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media demanded a new contract that DOUBLED the price.
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The Qantas settlement for selling ghost flights, and what it means for Alan Joyce and another potential $2 million bonus windfall, from Myriam Robin:

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Perhaps a bit underdiscussed in the Peter Stefanovic clanger was the role of Sportsbet who thought it was a great idea to turn an Indigenous teenager into a sandwich board for Australia’s biggest online gambling company.

Tomorrow’s column:

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Fantastic column from Myriam Robin on Financial Services minister Stephen Jones spruiking an Islamic super fund that performed so badly it needed to merge with another, all while he’s the minister in charge of the super sector.

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King Island (where I have been eight times so far) is a world away from Tasmania but it is not exempt from the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998. #politas

This piece by Myriam Robin is amazing.
Animus Rex: airline’s extraordinary threat to ground a local mayor
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What if every major macro problem we are facing is that we don’t have enough homes? Can it be that simple?

The mayor of King Island said Rex was price-gouging his constituents. So Rex said he had to take it back or he couldn't fly with them anymore

Today's column, feat. the most extraordinary case of airline pique since Qantas banned the AFR from its lounges: afr.com/rear-window/an…

“National security and government figures have now confirmed to the ABC that India's foreign intelligence service was responsible for the ‘nest of spies’, and ‘a number’ of Indian officials were later removed from Australia by the Morrison government” abc.net.au/news/2024-04-3…

Rear Window: Grill’d boss Simon Crowe tells on himself #ausbiz afr.com/rear-window/gr…

Now that they're all friends, let us recap the great spectrum war of 2022 and all the mean things Optus/TPG said about each other

Tomorrow's column:

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SCOOP: Anthony Albanese's office sent a secret manual to government departments on how to sidestep questions on notice from Senate estimates.

Current and former senators say the edict, seen by Capital Brief, represents contempt of the Senate.

Read more: capitalbrief.com/newsletter/the…

I know nothing about minor party British politics but this article’s craft filled me with joy

Good column by Myriam Robin on LIV golf and Saudi sports washing and Labor sports minister Anika Wells, an attendee whose strong convictions suddenly disappeared.

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