Could one remote Australian mine be a warning sign for the world? This week, Bloomberg Opinion columnist David Fickling talks to Chris Bourke about the revival of King Island's century-old tungsten mine, and how it reflects a new era of geopolitical competition as countries race to secure supplies of the little-known metal for weapons and munitions.

The conversation explores China's dominance of the tungsten market, Australia's untapped reserves and why decades of globalization left Western economies exposed to critical mineral supply risks. Fickling explains how one obscure mine offers a window into the race for critical minerals, the changing nature of war and the global scramble to secure strategic supply chains.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's housing downturn is accelerating, with national prices recording their biggest monthly fall since late 2022 as higher interest rates, tighter investor lending rules and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on demand. In this episode, Chris Bourke talks to Bloomberg economist James McIntyre about why the weakness has spread beyond Sydney and Melbourne.

The episode also explores what falling house prices mean for the broader economy. McIntyre says the decline is likely to hit consumer spending through the "wealth effect," slow housing construction and eventually shift the Reserve Bank's focus from stubborn inflation toward supporting growth with rate cuts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KPMG Australia is facing its biggest crisis in years after allegations that confidential client information was misused to help win lucrative audit contracts. In this episode, Amy Bainbridge talks to finance reporter Richard Henderson about what emerged from an explosive parliamentary hearing, and why more senior executives are stepping down.

We also examine the scandal’s broader implications for the consulting industry, investors and corporate Australia. Why has so little changed since PwC's own confidentiality scandal – and are the industry's rules fit for purpose?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian mortgage holders got some relief this week after the Reserve Bank left interest rates unchanged, pausing after three consecutive hikes. But has the central bank finished tightening? And what does the outlook for inflation, growth and global risks mean for investors?

On this week's podcast, Chris Bourke speaks with Adam Bowe, Australian head of portfolio management at global investment giant Pimco. Bowe explains why Pimco believes the RBA has likely done enough, why the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up, and why Australian bonds are among the most attractive opportunities in global fixed income markets today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SpaceX is finally heading to the stock market in what could become the biggest IPO in history. The Elon Musk-founded company is seeking a valuation of around $1.75 trillion, a debut that could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire and test investor appetite for one of the most ambitious businesses ever brought to public markets.

On this episode, host Chris Bourke speaks with New York-based IPO reporter Bailey Lipschultz about the excitement gripping Wall Street, the risks behind SpaceX’s eye-watering valuation, and what the deal could mean for the next wave of AI listings from OpenAI and Anthropic. Is this the start of a new era for markets – or the ultimate test of the Musk premium?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh polling has delivered one of the biggest political shocks in decades: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is now Australia’s most popular party, overtaking Labor and the Coalition on primary vote. The surge comes amid growing voter frustration over cost-of-living pressures, higher interest rates and a budget that many Australians feel has done little to ease household strain.

On this episode, Rebecca Jones speaks with Bloomberg Economy and Government Editor Michael Heath about what’s driving One Nation’s rise, whether it reflects a broader shift in Australian politics, and what it means for Labor and the Coalition. Is this a temporary protest vote, or the beginning of a fundamental political realignment?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s housing boom once looked unstoppable. Now prices are falling sharply, construction firms are collapsing and younger buyers are questioning whether property is still the safest path to wealth. On this week’s podcast, Chris Bourke speaks with Wellington Bureau Chief Ainsley Thomson about the economic fallout from one of the world’s biggest housing reversals — and what lessons it could hold for Australia as its own market begins to wobble.

They discuss the painful reality of falling house prices, why governments fear housing downturns even when affordability is a political priority, and how New Zealand’s property slump is reshaping the way younger generations think about investing. Plus: are there actually bargains to be found across the Tasman for cashed-up Australians?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s supermarket giants are facing a growing backlash as shoppers battle rising grocery bills and fresh scrutiny lands on the industry. After a federal court found Coles misled customers over its “Down Down” discount campaign, questions are mounting over whether Australians have really been getting the bargains they were promised.

On this episode of the Bloomberg Australia Podcast, host Chris Bourke speaks with global business editor Karen Leigh about the court ruling, the cost-of-living crisis and why Coles and Woolworths have become targets of consumer frustration. They unpack the power of the supermarket duopoly, the erosion of trust among shoppers and whether growing competition from Aldi and Costco could finally reshape how Australians buy their groceries.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pitched his latest budget as one of the most ambitious in decades — but does it live up to the hype? With deficits stretching into the future and spending still strong, economists warn the plan could add to inflation rather than ease it, setting up a growing clash with the Reserve Bank. As interest rates rise and global uncertainty deepens, the stakes for Australia’s economic path are only getting higher.

In this episode, Bloomberg’s Swati Pandey breaks down what’s really in the budget — from housing reforms and tax changes to the bigger questions around productivity and growth. What does it mean for households already under pressure? And could this budget force the RBA to hike again as soon as June?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

War-driven energy shocks, persistent inflation and rapid advances in AI are colliding to reshape global markets in 2026. In this special episode, we bring you highlights from a live Bloomberg panel in Sydney, where leading voices in economics, investing and dealmaking unpack how they’re navigating one of the most uncertain environments in years.

Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis, Ten Cap founder Jun Bei Liu and Goldman Sachs’ Marissa Freund discuss what’s driving volatility, where investors are finding opportunity, and why dealmaking hasn’t ground to a halt.

To find out more about Bloomberg New Voices head to https://www.bloomberg.com/newvoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.