Press Room

Columns for Fairfax's business section


December 31, 2018

Here are broken links to 29 columns Stephen Mayne has written for The Sunday Age and Fairfax Media's www.businessday.com.au, which used to be Australia's most popular business news website before it was shut down. Apologies the articles are no longer available.




We shouldn't cop miners' grab for Fairfax
The Sunday Age, February 5, 2012

James Packer and those claims about problem gambling
The Sunday Age, October 30, 2011

Why Rupert prefers the American say on pay system
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Inside the News Corp governance campaign
Thursday, September 15, 2011

Time is up for Lowy and Murdoch pay deals
Monday, January 31, 2011

Changes afoot for Murdoch's minions
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

No perfect Ten for James Packer
October 25, 2010

Where are all the women?
September 30, 2010

BHP: the big (semi-)Australian
November 11, 2009
Out-going BHP-Billiton chairman Don Argus has had a big couple of weeks.


Waking the sleeping giant
November 11, 2009
Our super system needs to emerge from its cave and expose itself to scrutiny.

How AWB shafted its grower shareholders
November 2, 2009
Discounted placements and retail shortfalls have severely disadvanted retail shareholders at AWB

Huge Bendigo Bank pay revolt with Transurban to come
October 27, 2009
Who would have thought the community bankers would lead the way on executive pay protest votes?

Around the grounds on capital raisings
September 15, 2009
An update on all the latest capital raisings, many of which continue to shaft retail investors.

Elders caps worst earnings year on record
September 9, 2009
The red in was flowing like never before in August 2009

The good, the bad and the bizarre
August 28, 2009
Figures can't lie but this earnings season shows companies have a lot of leeway when it comes to interpreting their accounts.

Why the banks are always bastards
August 17, 2009
Australia's big bank cartel is bigger and uglier than ever and now they've perfected the art of ripping off their own small shareholders, along with long-suffering bank consumers.

How to cash in
August 7, 2009
The unprecedented run of capital-raising windfalls is continuing for the vigilant investor and if the markets keep recovering the next wave will no doubt be a flood of new floats.

Profiting at Leisure
June 29, 2009
There's still time to make some money off Macquarie Leisure - but you have to move today.

Easy money on the table
June 23, 2009
The odds are stacked against small investors as companies rush to raise billions. Here's how to get a fairer roll of the dice.

How small investors miss out
June 16, 2009
Ripping into MacMahon, Asciano and the whole dodgy system of placements and scale backs

Get rich quick - Part II
June 2, 2009
More advice for retail shareholders in capital raising deluge.

How to make $75,000 in three months
May 19, 2009
A comprehensive look at the system of capital raisings in Australia.

Biggest pay cuts in history
May 1, 2009
The Macquarie Group net profit is down 52% to $871 million, but the headline news today is the biggest pay cuts in Australian corporate history.

Paris Hilton's $1m party tab for ANZ
April 28, 2009
Party excesses send warnings about company collapses. Pity the ANZ missed Paris Hilton's New Year frolic.

New Rio chairman is a dud
April 21, 2009
The Rio Tinto board needs a comprehensive clean out and they should start with a few more Australians.

In defence of greenmailer Nicholas Bolton
April 15, 2009
A defence of maverick BrisConnections greenmailer Nicholas Bolton for humbling another Nicholas almost twice his age - Macquarie CEO Nicholas Moore.

Truth and fiction on executive pay
April 6, 2009
A comprehensive scene-setter ahead of the SBS program Insight which has assembled an interesting panel for a one hour debate on executive pay in Australia.

AGM season of revolt
March 30, 2009
Stuck the neck out predicting the Westfield remuneration report will be defeated at next month's AGM, along with AMP director David Clarke who will be punished for his role as chief executive of Allco Finance Group.

Sir Rod in need of a rescue
March 24, 2009
Predicted that only the Chinese Government voting Chinalco's 9% stake in Rio Tinto will save the teflon knight from defeat at this month's Rio Tinto AGMs in London and Sydney.