Bondi Beach has long stood as a symbol of Australia’s easygoing spirit—a multicultural meeting place of sunlight, surf and community. But the recent terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration shattered that image, leaving a nation in mourning and reflection. In this episode, host Rebecca Jones is joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist David Fickling to explore why this attack cuts so deeply, not just for those directly affected, but for the Australian identity itself.

They unpack the cultural significance of Bondi, the global ripple effects of local violence, and how public figures and everyday Australians are responding.

You can read David’s column on the terror here: Bondi, and Australia, Get Swept Into a Violent World - Bloomberg

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s hopes for rate cuts in 2026 have dimmed after RBA Governor Michele Bullock signaled they’re no longer on the table – and that a rate hike is now a real possibility. With inflation proving stickier than expected and price pressures broadening on everything from housing to everyday essentials, markets are beginning to reprice the path for interest rates.

In this episode, Bloomberg’s Swati Pandey breaks down why the RBA is shifting toward a potential tightening bias, how upcoming inflation data could shape the next move, and what it all means for mortgages, the housing market and Australia’s economic outlook.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From next week, Australia’s under 16s will be prevented from accessing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, as the Labor government pushes to curb harms caused by social media.
In our latest podcast, Rebecca Jones asks Bloomberg’s Angus Whitley to unpack the origins of the ban, what both parents and children can expect when it comes into force next week – and what the controversial move means for Big Tech.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has suffered a major climate setback, losing its bid to host next year’s COP summit in Adelaide. At the same time, the Coalition has reignited Australia’s climate wars by abandoning its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 – a reversal that resets the political debate just as the world pushes for faster decarbonisation.

In this episode, Rebecca Jones asks Bloomberg’s David Stringer to unpack what the failed COP bid means for Australia’s international standing, how the Coalition’s shift could shape the next election and what renewed climate volatility means for investment, energy transition plans and ultimately your power bill.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The softer New Zealand dollar means more Australian tourists are flocking across the ditch for holidays and long weekends. Meanwhile, Kiwis are increasingly migrating to Australia to escape their country’s economic weakness.

On this week’s Bloomberg Australia Podcast, Chris Bourke talks with Ainsley Thomson in Wellington about why New Zealand’s currency has weakened, the impact on its tourism industry and why Kiwis are leaving in droves.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macquarie’s reputation as Australia’s “millionaires factory” is under strain. The investment giant’s latest profit fell short of expectations, sending its shares sliding and investors questioning whether its golden era is fading. Commodities trading – once the powerhouse of the bank – is losing steam amid regulatory pressure and a calmer market, while leadership faces scrutiny over pay and performance.

Bloomberg’s finance editor Adam Haigh joins Rebecca Jones to unpack what’s gone wrong, where the bright spots remain, and whether CEO Shemara Wikramanayake can steady the ship. Plus, how Macquarie stacks up against Australia’s big four banks in an increasingly competitive lending and investment landscape.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person, has seen her fortune grow even larger in the last few years, thanks to astute early investing in rare earths. In this episode, we look how the Rinehart-owned Hancock Prospecting Pty almost doubled its stake in Arafura Rare Earths Ltd. and the broader global landscape of the tussle for rare earths.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac shares have gained 21% this year, outperforming the broader S&P/ASX 200 Financials index. This week on the podcast, CEO Anthony Miller talks to host Rebecca Jones and finance editor Adam Haigh after delivering his first full-year earnings report. They discuss those results, Miller’s outlook for the Australian economy, AI and hybrid work arrangements.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.