EDITORS' PICKS
In this week's round-up, Kohler gives his latest take on synthetic CDOs and the US banking crisis, Gottliebsen calls for an urgent review of government policy on bushfire prevention and Bartholomeusz analyses the motives behind Chinalco's move on Rio.
The terror beneath the TARP
Alan Kohler
Three months ago there was still hope that a chain reaction of exploding synthetic CDOs would, miraculously, recapitalise the banks. That hope is gone, which is why Timothy Geithner's new version of the TARP plan is so urgent.
Let's get tough on fire
Robert Gottliebsen
Australia faces a repeat dose of this fire tragedy next year if urgent action is not taken to rectify state and local government errors. By the time the Royal Commission into the Victorian fires reports, it will be too late.
Rio names its price
Stephen Bartholomeusz
The $19.5 billion deal with Chinalco has been presented by Rio Tinto as just a series of conventional joint ventures. But it's much more than that. Over time Rio is going to be tied very tightly, probably inescapably, to China.
Too generous by far
Tony Boyd
The disproportionately high remuneration for Babcock & Brown Power's new CEO shows the company has learned nothing from the corporate governance failings of the past year.
Facts over fiction
Q&A by Isabelle Oderberg
Stockland CEO Matthew Quinn hits out at rumourtrage, saying he would support regulatory efforts to track down the culprits, and suggests that investment banks should be consistent about recording communication.
