After topping Mercer's survey, fund names next ASX winners
The Chester Opportunities Fund beat 119 rival equity strategies tracked by Mercer for the top spot with a 25.4 per cent return before fees for the 12 months through to June.
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Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Trump administration faces mounting pressure to release AUKUS probe details as a senior Democrat demands answers
The Trump administration is facing mounting pressure to release more information about the review into the AUKUS submarine deal. US Democratic congressman Joe Courtney has taken aim at the US Department of Defence for a 'dearth of communication' and a lack of transparency. Mr Courtney, who is also the co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Australia Caucus, said there was a 'systemic issue' with the Pentagon with supplying information requested by Congress. The Trump administration's review of AUKUS — originally due to conclude by June — has been delayed, with uncertainty hanging over the timeline. Speaking to The Australian, Mr Courtney said US Navy leadership had briefed the Pentagon on the ongoing AUKUS review, but was unable to ascertain the questions and answers involved. The Pentagon's review of the $350 billion AUKUS arrangement, led by US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, has not stopped Australian investments into the security partnership, which has so far amounted to $1.6 billion. Mr Courney, who is the Democrats' ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, said it was 'really problematic' for work to continue without further guidance being provided to AUKUS members. The senior Democrat said it was hard to know how seriously President Donald Trump would take the review once it was completed and that it was not Mr Colby's responsibility to disclose his findings. 'The buck stops at the White House,' he said. 'We were told initially it was a 30-day review which obviously had people really sceptical that something that has been worked on for four years and had so much effort with the optimal pathway could get a fair analysis in 30 days. 'It does seem like the Department (of Defence) pumped the brakes in terms of the framework.' Mr Courtney said while there was still work going on, it could be assumed AUKUS was 'here to stay'. He said the Trump administration's approach was 'very frustrating' and a 'head scratcher'. Last week, the Democrats' ranking member of the House armed services committee Adam Smith warned the Department of Defence and Congress was going to 'have to work together' and claimed the Department had shunned Congress 'more than any other DoD or administration' he had seen. 'I have not personally had a one-on-one conversation with the Secretary of Defence. I've sought out meetings with the Under Secretary for Policy. I've basically been told to p**s off … Which is unbelievable to me,' he said. Earlier this month, shadow defence minister Angus Taylor said the Albanese government must now give clear assurances to the US that Australia will be a reliable security partner. 'We should be working closely with them to make sure that we have peace through deterrence and strength in our region,' Mr Taylor said. 'We should have a joint commitment with them to the security of Taiwan and peace in the Taiwan Strait. 'These are incredibly important things to be focusing on right now — and it's why AUKUS is so important.'
AU Financial Review
4 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Santos CEO mixes business and pleasure at the Wallabies
The last-minute try that saw the British and Irish Lions beat the Wallabies on Saturday will leave rugby fans with sore necks. It wasn't just the dubious nature of it, but the fact the locals put up such a good performance in front of more than 90,000 spectators at the MCG. More than half were Brits on tour, sure. But Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh must have whiplash that they can draw a crowd like that on non-union turf. One who was spotted among VIPs and junketeers was Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher. His presence is entirely expected, considering that his oil and gas company is a major sponsor of Australian rugby. But still, it was a nice distraction for him given he has so much on his mind.
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Michaelia Cash urges government to launch independent review into repeal of US beef ban as Albanese and Farrell remain at odds
Shadow foreign affairs minister Michaelia Cash has called for an immediate review into the Albanese government's decision to lift the long-standing ban on US beef imports after Trade Minister Don Farrell's "extraordinary" Sky News interview. It was revealed on Thursday Australian officials had notified their US counterparts that restrictions on the importation of US beef would be lifted following a ten-year scientific review of the biosecurity risks. The Albanese government was urged by the Coalition to explain its sudden backflip after the Prime Minister previously insisted Labor would not 'compromise' on biosecurity. In a major development to the ongoing saga, Mr Farrell revealed on Sky News' Sunday Agenda that Donald Trump had raised the issue with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following claims the decision was made to appease the President. Ms Cash said Mr Farrell's responses showed there were "even more questions to answer". 'We now urgently need an independent review into this decision, it is very clear now we did not know about this phone call that Minister Farrell has referred to," Ms Cash told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. Mr Farrell was later caught out after Mr Albanese told ABC Insiders the US President had not directly raised the matter of Australian biosecurity rules on US beef during their phone conversations. "Did Donald Trump raise this with you directly?' Mr Albanese was asked by host David Speers, to which he responded, 'no.' 'Donald Trump did raise it at the so-called Liberation Day, of course, he raised it publicly,' Mr Albanese said. Ms Cash said the fresh revelations reinforced the need to investigate whether the Labor government had 'traded away our strict biosecurity standards' to secure a meeting between the Prime Minister and the US President which has still not occurred. 'The question all Australians need answered from Minister Farrell when he was telling us that 'everything is going to be ok' is why hasn't the Albanese government released the strict protocols, because the protocols need to be released so that the Australian public can satisfy themselves," Ms Cash said. Meanwhile, Mr Farrell swatted away assertions the move was made to satisfy the US administration while also stating he had no hand in the call and that rather the decision was made by Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. Ms Cash said she was 'astounded' by Mr Farrell's interview and that it was "incredibly important that we get the department in front of us very, very quickly". 'It became quite confusing; who made this decision, who was involved in the decision, was it the Agriculture Minister, the Trade Minister, the Prime Minister, who we now know held a phone call with President Trump, which Mr Albanese has since denied," she said. 'It is now incredibly urgent that if a Senate inquiry was put forward Labor should agree to that, and we bring the department and relevant ministers in front of us as quickly as possible.' Senator Cash also rejected Mr Farrell's claims that Nationals Leader David Littleproud was politicising the issue, and that he was raising concerns in relation to the lifting of the ban due to leadership tensions with Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce. 'I completely disagree and the responses you just got show that even Minister Farrell doesn't know what has happened in relation to this announcement, David Littleproud is right to pose these questions,' Ms Cash said. Responding to the reports on Thursday, Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie said the decision could pose a risk to Australia's beef industry while Mr Littleproud said he was 'gobsmacked' by the move.
