The Front

A drama surrounding the Brethren Christian Church has just accelerated, with the church’s global leader to appear before an Australian parliamentary inquiry into what church members got up to in the leadup to the 2025 federal election. Plus, new hearings from the antisemitism royal commission.
Read more:
Bruce Hales says ‘truth will prevail’ in his appearance before inquiry
Plymouth Brethren leader Bruce Hales to appear before parliamentary inquiry despite backlash
Antisemitism royal commission orders extra closed hearings into Bondi terror attack

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Australia’s missed a big opportunity - that’s the accusation from a disappointed impresario Olvier Curtis, who in a decade went from convicted insider trading criminal to data centre billionaire. A public float of his company, Firmus, has fallen flat and Curtis has retreated to Singapore. Today, a wild few days in the life of Firmus.
Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Firmus boss Oliver Curtis crisscrosses globe in $20m jet as ASX float fails
Oliver Curtis risks losing billionaire status after Firmus aborts ASX listing for Nasdaq pivot
Firmus spending $14bn building AI factory where locals struggle for clean water
This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.
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The world’s richest man, Elon Musk has a new documentary. It got a five minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, and critics are unanimous in their praise. But Musk hates it. He’s labelled director Alex Gibney a “douche” and a “horrible human”. And now he’s threatening to sue.
Max Aitchison joins Claire Harvey to discuss all the shades of Musk.
Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.
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Small business owners will be able to pay their tax bills using credit cards, after the Australian Taxation Office paused its ban on plastic until 2027. Plus, Firmus multibillion-dollar IPO is scrapped and ‘The Bachelor’ star Sam Wood refused bail in Queensland.
Read more:
Labor caves in on ATO’s controversial credit card payment ban
Firmus pulls $44bn ASX float and looks to pursue US listing after investor revolt
Inside story: How the $44bn Firmus dream unravelled for Oliver Curtis
From DataRoom: Blame game begins after Oliver Curtis-led Firmus pulls massive ASX listing at final hour
Firmus valuation slashed by billions as Oliver Curtis mega float stumbles before debut
Commentary by Eric Johnston: Forget Curtis and Rosenfield: Firmus’ IPO stall hits Australia’s global AI reputation
Sam Wood refused bail after being charged with strangling wife Snezana in Noosa
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He was premier for nine years, a buddy to the billionaires and still a household name today - but Dan Andrews is toxic for his Victorian Labor party and living in a giant house he doesn’t own on the Mornington Peninsula. Today, the mystery of what’s going on with Daniel Andrews.
Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Daniel Andrews living in luxury Mornington Peninsula home owned by Labor donor
Dan a nowhere man for Labor election campaign
This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.