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The Fin

by Australian Financial Review · English · News

A weekly podcast from The Australian Financial Review that examines the biggest stories in business, markets and politics, and why they matter, explained by the best financial journalists in the country. Search The Fin and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 28 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 21 minNew

The spectacular undoing of Firmus – and what went wrong

Today, senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and tech editor Paul Smith take us inside the spectacular undoing of Firmus: what went wrong, how it unravelled in a week, and what this sudden collapse reveals about the AI boom. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: How Firmus’ $44b IPO failure unfolded Firmus was on a runaway train to become one of the country’s most valuable listed companies. This is the day-by-day account of how that hope evaporated. The pain that killed Firmus’ float is spreading. Here’s a new victim AirTrunk’s decision to delay its…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S5 · E38 · 7 Oct 2026 · 26 min
Migrants keep this town running. Why it's voting for One Nation
This week, senior reporter Greg Bearup and pollster Kos Somaras on how vital migrants have become in the regions, why those towns are voting for One Nation and how new data shows that the shift doesn’t have much to do with immigration. With additional audio: Nic Walker This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading ‘We’ll cut your rent by up to 4k’: Hanson ups the ante on immigration One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has lifted the stakes in the immigration policy wars by releasing modelling showing her policy would save renters between $2000 and $4300 a year.…
S5 · E37 · 30 Sep 2026 · 24 min
What a 200-property landlord reveals about the housing market
This week, senior reporter Myriam Robin on the story of a mega landlord and what it tells us about the vibe in the housing market – between renters and Australia’s two million landlords. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: This 34-year-old owns over 200 properties. Now his tenants are unionising Australia was built on the dream of owning property. But as that compact unravels, Eddie Dilleen’s clash with a militant renters union exposes a growing fault line. Why 6.5pc is the benchmark for new residential property investors The changes to negative gearing and…
S5 · E36 · 23 Sep 2026 · 25 min
How much super is enough for a comfortable retirement?
This week, deputy economics editor Michael Read and wealth reporter Andrew Hobbs on the latest round of the super wars, whether you should be able to access your superannuation early and what is the magic number for a comfortable retirement. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: Hanson poses the super question Australia stopped asking How much super is too much and, in the trade-off between living standards today and in retirement, do we really need to put 12 per cent away? Support grows to tap superannuation for wages, housing About 62 per cent of voters support using super…
S5 · E35 · 16 Sep 2026 · 27 min
Is this AI Armageddon or a 'golden age' for the share market?
This week, markets reporter Alex Gluyas on what the AI threat debate means for tech stocks, why Cathie Wood is predicting a golden era and whether the bond market might spoil the party. This podcast is sponsored by Ripple Further reading: Cathie Wood declares ‘golden age’ for equities after bumpy ride The high-profile investor is betting equity markets are at the start of a decade-long bull market driven by artificial intelligence. And she’s an Elon Musk fan. Investors see their own threats in push to slow AI development One fund manager said tighter restrictions would be a…
S5 · E34 · 9 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Why the Bathla collapse is being compared to the GFC
Senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and associate editor Primrose Riordan on how Bathla built its property empire, why it all fell apart and why its effects will be felt well beyond western Sydney. This podcast is sponsored by Elston . Further reading: Living in ‘half a house’: How Bathla turned cheap housing into a nightmare The downfall of the developer has left families stranded in half-built homes and sent shockwaves through the private credit market. This developer could be private credit's ticking time bomb Bathla Group, a property developer has almost $3.2 billion in debt, it…
S5 · E33 · 2 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Too big to cancel? The project that sums up Victoria’s problems
This week, editor-in-chief James Chessell and Victorian political correspondent Sumeyya Ilanbey on the project that has come to sum up Victoria’s problems, whether it is too big to cancel and how it will play into November’s state election. This podcast is sponsored by Elston . Further reading: The secret tax that says everything about Victorian Labor The revelation that Labor secretly introduced a tax on public transport users is the latest chapter in a saga in which political momentum has trumped fiscal responsibility. (edited) Vic Labor’s secret tax exposes fiscal…
S5 · E32 · 26 Aug 2026 · 28 min
How to go from pub baron to Australia’s biggest bankrupt in 10 years
Associate editor Primrose Riordan and courts correspondent Max Mason on why Jon Adgemis is struggling to keep the details of his $1.8 billion financial collapse secret and what his story tells us about the private credit market. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac . Further reading: Jon Adgemis thought he was winning. Then his CFO took the stand The failed pub baron has been trying to keep the details of his $1.8 billion financial collapse secret. But a chatty former accountant is making that difficult. Adgemis’ right-hand man alleges tax con funded ‘exorbitant lifestyle’…
S5 · E31 · 19 Aug 2026 · 27 min
Anthony Albanese now has 'a list' – and that’s a problem
Political editor Phillip Coorey on the government’s bet on gambling reform, the problem with "brand Albo" and why there’s nothing funny about the melon incident. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac . Further reading: PM bets on stability pitch as popularity falters Anthony Albanese celebrated a significant milestone on Friday, but voters have learnt stability and steadiness don’t preclude poor taste. Migration or superannuation, the spectre of Hanson hangs heavy Pauline Hanson keeps setting the agenda, whether she means to or not. The government and Coalition are…
S5 · E30 · 12 Aug 2026 · 24 min
Why this property downturn is different to the rest
Deputy economics editor Michael Read on what’s going on in the housing market, whether it’s the correction we had to have and why the government doesn't want to call it that. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: RBA warns house prices have further to fall Despite the softness in the housing market, RBA governor Michele Bullock said another interest rate rise remains squarely on the table. Labor MPs are lost in housing’s hall of mirrors Prices are falling, but the government is reluctant to claim the credit. So its MPs have resorted to rhetoric about renewed…
S5 · E29 · 5 Aug 2026 · 24 min
Did we stop worrying about the oil price too soon?
Angela Macdonald-Smith and Ryan Cropp on the reasons we all stopped freaking out about the oil price and why that was premature. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Labor’s plans to source more fuel leaves shipments stranded at sea The government has been accused of picking winners for its subsidised import plan, which has created a glut and forced vessels to wait offshore for months. Ampol rakes it in on refining, trebling first-half profits Bumper first-half gross profits have been driven by soaring returns on turning crude oil into petrol and diesel during the…
S5 · E28 · 29 Jul 2026 · 32 min
Inside Andrew Forrest’s $60 million war on Facebook
Legal affairs reporter Janek Drevikovsky on why Twiggy is taking on Meta, whether he can win and what happens if he does. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Meta admits it wiped key evidence in Forrest stoush The social media giant has accepted it should be punished for not preserving copies of Facebook scam ads featuring the mining billionaire’s likeness. ‘Dad, it’s a fraud’: Call that sparked Forrest’s $60m war on Facebook Why is Andrew Forrest fighting one of the world’s biggest tech companies in one of California’s most storied…
S5 · E27 · 22 Jul 2026 · 33 min
Australia's AI gamble: Inside Albanese's plan to bring big tech to heel
James Thomson and Ronald Mizen on why CEOs are losing patience with the AI giants, what’s driving the government’s policy shift, and whether Anthony Albanese is overplaying his hand. This podcast is sponsored by Workday Further reading: Could China’s AI bombshell spark a ‘Lehman Bros moment’ for markets? A new model that threatens OpenAI and Anthropic could have huge ramifications for global indices, which have soared on the artificial-intelligence trade. The AI pivot: inside Albanese’s plan to bring big tech to heel Riding high on global momentum from the…
22 Jul 2026 · 1 min
Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29
How I Made It is back with host Lauren Sams. Don’t miss season six as we uncover how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E26 · 15 Jul 2026 · 31 min
KPMG’s masterclass in how not to respond to a crisis
Professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the fallout from the KPMG scandal and what the government might do to bring the big four accounting firms into line. Further reading: KPMG’s ‘10-hour masterclass in how not to respond to a crisis’ By repeating PwC’s crisis-management mistakes, KPMG has forced a reluctant federal government to finally pull the trigger on unprecedented structural reforms. No timeline for big four reform despite PwC, KPMG scandals Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino says reform is “real priority for the government”, but concedes…
S5 · E25 · 8 Jul 2026 · 24 min
Is it even worth investing in property any more?
Wealth reporter Andrew Hobbs and property reporter Lucy Slade unpack our national obsession, explain why property has been such a powerhouse, and ask a previously unthinkable question: Is investing in property even worth it anymore? This podcast is sponsored by Workday FURTHER READING: Should you buy an investment property after the budget changes ? New restrictions on negative gearing and capital gains tax alter the appeal of residential property. Economists say property prices might fall 10pc. So what ? With property prices up 400 per cent since 2000, what does a 10 per cent drop actually…
S5 · E24 · 1 Jul 2026 · 28 min
Is this the end of Australia's two-party system?
Political editor Phillip Coorey on the government’s budget backdowns, the increasingly crowded field in Australian politics and why it will be a bumpy two years to the next election. This podcast is sponsored by Workday Further reading: PM wins round one of the budget battle, at a cost Proper process, good policy and taxpayers’ money were among the casualties of this week’s rush to legislate the budget. Finally, the teals discover that the Senate is where it’s at By forming a new party – Community Strong Australia – lower house independents are finally…
S5 · E23 · 24 Jun 2026 · 30 min
Sizzle or fizzle: Will investors make money from SpaceX?
Chanticleer columnist Anthony Macdonald and technology editor Paul Smith on the investment case for SpaceX, whether there’s enough money for the other AI mega floats and why Australian investors are all in. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband . Further reading: SpaceX is the first of three sci-fi IPOs with truly insane maths Elon Musk has shot for the stars with the first of three huge AI-based floats that ask investors to believe the companies can boldly go where no one has gone before. Fears of ‘AI Strait of Hormuz’ as Trump’s Anthropic ban shocks business…
S5 · E22 · 17 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Did KPMG learn nothing from the PwC tax leaks scandal?
On The Fin podcast this week, professional services editor Edmund Tadros on the KPMG allegations, and why they might be more damaging than the PwC tax leaks scandal. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband . Further reading: Move over PwC: Why KPMG audit leaks are the ultimate betrayal Why the big four firm’s misconduct could be worse than the tax leaks scandal, and a blockbuster hearing date is set for June 19. Plus, are you in talent debt? KPMG audit leaks scandal – everything you need to know KPMG Australia faces a crisis following a whistleblower’s allegations…
S5 · E21 · 10 Jun 2026 · 30 min
Will Macquarie burst Australia’s banking bubble?
Associate editor Joyce Moullakis and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on how Macquarie crashed the big four bank’s mortgage party, why deposits are next and whether the banking bubble is about to pop. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband . Further reading: Macquarie banks on tech nerds to smash big four’s mortgage oligopoly When it came to building up its retail banking business, the Silver Doughnut has taken inspiration from America’s tech giants – not its banking rivals at home. The bank bubble is popping. An AI winter may be coming next Bank stocks have…
S5 · E20 · 3 Jun 2026 · 30 min
Beer, gas and the viral tax fight gripping Australia
Senior writer Myriam Robin and energy and climate reporter Ryan Cropp on the gas tax campaign, who’s behind it, why it took Australia by storm and whether it’s a good idea. This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband Further reading: Inside the online army fighting the gas tax war (and it’s not over) How a teacher-turned-podcaster, a heterodox economist and a rugby player sparked a groundswell of discontent. One Nation backs gas tax and new state-owned projects Party leader Pauline Hanson will unveil a plan to hit oil and gas companies with a new royalty regime while…
S5 · E19 · 27 May 2026 · 32 min
The AI questions Atlassian and Canva can no longer ignore
Financial Review tech reporter Paul Smith and business reporter Amelia McGuire on what happens next for Australia’s two tech titans and their billionaire founders, and which company is best placed to weather the SaaSpocalypse. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: ‘A certificate for burnout?’ Inside Canva’s confetti-filled AI pivot In the midst of the AI-fuelled wipeout of tech firms, Canva and Atlassian spruik similar talking points to very different receptions. How Mike Cannon-Brookes’ divorce may affect the control of Atlassian The division of…
S5 · E18 · 20 May 2026 · 27 min
What the budget means for your wealth (and did Boomers win?)
Financial Review wealth editor Joanna Mather and reporter Andrew Hobbs on how Labor’s new tax rules reshape investment strategies and what that means for you. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Albanese says CGT is going back to 1999. That’s not quite true Labor’s proposed capital gains tax inflation model is different from Paul Keating’s in two ways that mean investors will typically pay more tax. The game has changed – what investors need to know The budget measures have jolted many wealth plans. We ask the professionals about tips for first…
S5 · E17 · 13 May 2026 · 32 min
How much is the Iran war costing Donald Trump?
Jessica Gardner on why Xi Jinping is the quiet winner from the war, how much the conflict has cost Donald Trump and what it means for the midterm elections and the rest of his presidency. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: MAGA still supports war strongman Trump. But that’s not enough On the streets of Miami and Palm Beach, havens for Donald Trump supporters, the president’s war in Iran gets unswerving trust – or at least the benefit of the doubt. Off the reins: Xi, Trump set for summit with a difference Neither leader needs any more drama than they…
S5 · E16 · 6 May 2026 · 34 min
Generation X? The federal budget is coming for you
Phillip Coorey on the first year of the Albanese’s government’s second term, what’s happening with property taxes and how the biggest loser in the budget will be Gen X. This podcast is sponsored by Westpac Further reading: Prime minister arrests popularity decline, One Nation plateaus: poll Anthony Albanese’s handling of the petrol crisis has improved his personal ratings and is helping to prop up Labor’s vote. Anthony Albanese sees the populist writing on the wall As Labor prepares for a Hastie-led opposition, the PM is ready to break promises so Labor can…
S5 · E15 · 29 Apr 2026 · 29 min
The fight over Gina Rinehart's fortune
This week, Jesinta Burton and Tom Rabe on the landmark ruling, who won, who lost and why this is just one part of a complex web of legal battles over Gina Rinehart’s fortune. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: The sins of the father: Gina Rinehart’s bitter victory The legal war between the billionaire and her children mirrors the secrecy and power struggles she once faced with the late Lang Hancock. Battle of the titans gives Pilbara’s quiet achiever his due Don Rhodes was the man to whom Lang Hancock turned to identify a rich iron ore deposit.…
S5 · E14 · 22 Apr 2026 · 33 min
The unravelling of a media empire: Antony Catalano’s darkest chapter
This week, editor-in-chief James Chessell and media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on the rise and spectacular fall of Antony Catalano. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Catalano’s big play to take on REA and Domain to be mothballed Staff at the businessman’s regional media empire were told on Friday that the View.com.au platform, only recently bound for the ASX, would instead close down. The cult of Antony Catalano is coming crashing down Accused of assaulting his wife Stefanie, the businessman – once dubbed Mr Property – has gone into rehab. The survival…
S5 · E13 · 15 Apr 2026 · 26 min
How One Nation went from fringe to mainstream in six months
This week, political editor Phil Coorey and Redbridge pollster Kos Samaras on the sudden rise of One Nation. What's driving it? How far it could go, and what it says about how Australia is changing. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: ‘For too long, we’ve turned a blind eye’: Liberals vow hardline immigration approach Liberal leader Angus Taylor has flagged an end to a non-discriminatory Australian migration policy, promising to use social media to weed out undesirables and to “boot out” visa holders who fail to adhere to a legally…
S5 · E12 · 8 Apr 2026 · 28 min
Is now (finally) the time to buy an electric vehicle?
This week, motoring writer Tony Davis and reporter Sam Irvine on why Australia is closer than ever to the EV tipping point and whether charging infrastructure and policy settings are keeping pace. This podcast is sponsored by Woodside Energy Further reading: Now’s the time to buy a used EV: What you need to know Electric cars are smoother, quieter, cleaner, cheaper to run and cheaper to service. And the data shows people are rushing to make the switch. Australians can’t get enough of this Chinese EV as fuel prices soar The sales spike came as the Middle East conflict sent fuel…
2 Apr 2026 · 15 min
Inside Edge Episode 2: The Platinum Asset Management Insider
Over a special two-part podcast series, Financial Review journalists Peter Ker and Alex Gow examine the makeup of the archetypal insider trader, scrutinise the trend of non-custodial sentences, and ask ASIC chair Joe Longo if the regulator's recent focus on investigation will lead to more prison time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About The Fin

The Fin is a English news podcast from Australian Financial Review. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Australian Financial Review
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 28 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1649633861

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