CBD
While it's probably no great surprise to anybody that the BCA's position is far closer to the Coalition's than to Labor's, Shepherd was careful not to put things in party political terms.
No such inhibitions for opposition industry spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella, who immediately pumped out a cheeky press release boldly headlined "Business Council backs Coalition". The move appears to have frightened the BCA back towards its more usual uncomfortable position atop the fence - a spokesman for the organisation declined to comment on Sunday.
TV board names
Meanwhile, in TV land they're looking forward to the return of John Howard. It was reported last week that the cricket tragic former PM and former National Party leader John Anderson were among names tossed around as people who might be approached to join the board of free-to-air industry body Free TV. The body will need new faces: Nine boss Jeff Browne last week announced he will step down as chairman after the election, a victim of infighting in the industry that has seen networks turn on each other like starving dogs tussling over the last bone in the world. It seems Howard and Anderson have now been approached and are interested. CBD wants to know if Howard will bring in a 24-hour cricket channel if he gets the gig.
Angel protests
He may be an arsonist, a blackmailer, a molester of teenage girls and a drug dealer, but don't you dare accuse former Hells Angel Terrence Tognolini of fraud.
That's the message sent in a letter last week from criminal lawyers Galbally Rolfe to BusinessDay's Chris Vedelago.
Vedelago had written a story pointing out that Tognolini's fortress-like Melbourne home, which was seized by authorities after his arrest in 2007, is on the market.
In addition to the "defamatory" mention of fraud, the law firm objected to publication of "the fact that Mr Tognolini is a suspect in three murders".
While it's true that fraud wasn't among the offences for which Tognolini is currently serving eight years' jail, it is also true that he's been linked by police to three Adelaide murders stretching back to the 1990s.
Business subtly courts new PM
His lawyers want all references to the murders scrubbed from the online version of the story. Which won't be happening.
And which of Galbally Rolfe's noble defenders of the rights of their innocent client wrote this thunderous missive? CBD has no idea. Bravely, none of the firm's lawyers put their name to it.
Timely topic
The Australand faithful will gather at the Four Seasons Hotel on Monday in Sydney for the company's annual meeting.
The residential and office developer has been the subject of a takeover talk since December 10 last year when Singapore-owned GPT lobbed a low ball "indicative, non-binding" offer. That's code for we want to take you out but we aren't sure when and to where.
So far nothing has emerged, despite rumours of other potential suitors having a squiz at the books in an online "data room".
But fuelling market chatter is the move by the major shareholder, Singapore's CapitaLand, to seek "options" for its stake, which could include selling it on the open market or into a takeover.
Shareholders will no doubt ask CEO Bob Johnston about the machinations, to which he will no doubt reply it's not up to him. It's likely the only urgency on Monday will be to get to the tea and bickies after the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Australand has been the subject of takeover chatter since Singapore-owned GPT lodged an "indicative, non-binding" offer on December 10. Rumours of other potential suitors viewing the books in an online data room have circulated, and major shareholder CapitaLand is reported to be seeking "options" for its stake. So far no definitive bid has emerged, but the uncertainty is fuelling market discussion.
The article describes GPT's approach as an "indicative, non-binding" offer — in plain terms, it signals an interest in taking Australand over but doesn't commit to a firm deal or timing. It's essentially a low-ball, preliminary proposal that can prompt further talks without locking either party into a transaction.
CapitaLand’s move to explore "options" for its stake could mean it might sell on the open market or push for a takeover. That prospect can increase speculation, affect the share price and create short-term uncertainty for investors until CapitaLand announces a clear plan.
Shareholders are expected to ask management about the takeover rumours, GPT’s indicative offer and CapitaLand’s stated options. The article suggests CEO Bob Johnston will likely stress that such decisions aren’t solely up to him — and that the meeting’s tone may be more about addressing these machinations than urgent operational change.
The free-to-air industry body Free TV needs new board faces after Nine chairman Jeff Browne announced he will step down following industry infighting. Former PM John Howard and ex-National Party leader John Anderson were reported as possible recruits. Investors in media companies may watch this closely because board appointments and industry governance can influence strategy, programming and competitive dynamics.
BCA president Tony Shepherd reportedly set out what business wants from the incoming government, with a stance the article says is closer to the Coalition than Labor, although Shepherd avoided party labels. Opposition spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella even issued a release saying "Business Council backs Coalition." For investors, this kind of public business lobbying can hint at the policy priorities likely to be pushed after the election, which may affect market sentiment.
Terrence Tognolini, a former Hells Angel serving an eight-year sentence, had his Melbourne home — seized by authorities after his 2007 arrest — put on the market. Criminal lawyers Galbally Rolfe objected to parts of a BusinessDay story, asking that references to alleged fraud and to him being a suspect in three murders be removed from the online version. The article notes the lawyers’ request won’t result in the reported details being scrubbed.
No definitive takeover bid is confirmed in the article. GPT’s approach is described as a preliminary, low-ball, non-binding offer and while other potential suitors have reportedly reviewed Australand’s books, nothing concrete has emerged and CapitaLand is still said to be exploring options for its stake.
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