journalism

journalism

The Bulletin: Whose restaurant rules?

My story about the egos and clashes behind the restaurant awards season appears in The Bulletin (that’s our local version of Newsweek) today. More background to this story over at Tomato. Flaming egos and acerbic critics. Why, it must be the annual restaurant awards. Ed Charles reports. Melbourne chef Shannon Bennett won’t be banning the critics. But he might ban you. Especially if you don’t keep a reservation or are rude or shove his staff. Bennett is the hottest chef […]

journalism

The Sheet: Adelaide Bank delegates credit process to Great Southern

Assuming Great Southern sustains its growth rate of 50 per cent, the plantation company will be seeking funding from Adelaide Bank of in excess of $300 million in the 2005/2006 year.Most of the people becoming “growers” with Great Southern are referred by their accountants or financial advisers and are hoping to minimise tax while investing. For example, a person in the top tax bracket who invested the minimum $3000 (plus GST) in a plantation would be able to finance it […]

journalism

The Sheet: Great Southern Bank

Great Southern Plantations is one of the fastest growing banks that you’ve never heard of.For the most part of the “noughties” Great Southern has been writing loans to plantation growers as part of an attractive tax-based investment scheme, which has a product ruling from the Australian Taxation Office.The company is not actually a bank, but rather a forestry company. Great Southern also does a lot of lending, and takes decisions about which loans are funded by its partner in this […]

journalism

The Australian: High dollar yields tough times

High dollar heralds tough times ahead – AGRIBUSINESS – SPECIAL REPORT By Ed Charles Currency A HIGH Australian dollar means a healthy economy and a resources boom, but it signals tough times ahead for farmers. BIS Shrapnel senior economist Matthew Hassan says the high dollar is bad for most exporters, aside from resources. Most Australian businesses would be competitive at exchange rates of US65-66c rather than the high 70s, he says. The problem is that the high currency is being […]

journalism

In The Black: On the (high) rise

Only a short time ago the Australian commercial property sector was looking rather off-colour, but now for the first time in four years demand for office space is on the up. From In The Black October 2005.

journalism

The Australian: Healthy returns

RUNNING a day spa is a bit like selling ice-cream. You need to sell a dream and you have to learn how to deal with the peaks and troughs of demand. From The Australian Entrepreneur September 30 2005.