February 3, 2011
In the eye of the storm
essay
The collapse of storm financial
Paul Barry
By this author
August 5, 2010
China’s quarry
Politics
It’s a beautiful sunny day in the middle of winter and we’re looking down on a wide, scrubby plain that stretches some 200 kilometres west across the wheat belt to Geraldton, on the western Australian coast. In front of us runs a cavalcade of colours: …
September 3, 2010
The cult of green
Society
If there’s one word that sums up the shocking story of Babcock & Brown (bbl), the investment bank that lost billions of dollars for investors in 2009, it’s ingenuity. Not arrogance, avarice, greed or hubris, though all played a major part, but …
June 30, 2010
Fire walk with me
Society
It’s the best Sydney story in living memory – even better than Underbelly – but no scriptwriter would ever let it end like this. After nearly two decades trying to crack the secret of who made millions of dollars from the famous fire at …
June 2, 2010
Life of Brian
Politics
When it comes to Brian Burke, I can’t get past that panama hat. What sort of person wears headgear like that to face corruption charges? Surely only someone who has tickets on himself, who thinks he’s special and who wants to show he doesn’t care …
April 29, 2010
Coe & Co.
Society
David Coe is one of the smartest financiers in Australia. And by most accounts he’s a lovely guy. He’s friendly and charming, fun to be with, and an all-round top bloke, or so they say. He’s also a benefactor of the arts and has given generously …
January 28, 2010
The biggest loser
Society
Harry Kakavas and problem gamblers