The Hidden Math That Makes Some Australians Poorer for Working Harder
It may seem counterintuitive, but working longer hours can make you less money, the e61 Institute says. A pile of bills in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 30, 2013. AAP Image/Dan Peled 8/13/2025 | Updated: 8/13/2025
Not so long ago, working harder was thought to guarantee you were better off. Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio. Author's Selected Articles
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26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Accenture to Acquire CyberCX, Expanding Cybersecurity Capabilities in Asia Pacific
Accenture will accelerate business growth and client cyber resilience with CyberCX's approximately 1,400 skilled cybersecurity professionals and AI-powered security platforms NEW YORK & MELBOURNE, Australia, August 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire CyberCX, a leading privately-owned cybersecurity services provider serving both private and public sector organizations across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. The move represents Accenture's largest cybersecurity acquisition to date and will significantly bolster Accenture's cybersecurity services in Asia Pacific. It will further expand Accenture's leading position in the region, enhancing its ability to build business resilience, protect critical infrastructure and drive secure enterprise reinvention amidst an increasingly complex regulatory and threat landscape. Established in Melbourne, Australia in 2019, CyberCX is one of the largest and most prominent cybersecurity firms in the Asia Pacific region with a highly skilled workforce of approximately 1,400 professionals. The company's end-to-end services extend across consulting, transformation and managed security services and include advanced capabilities in offensive security and cyber physical security, crisis management, threat intelligence, managed detection and response, as well as strategic advisory, identity, cloud and network security. CyberCX operates a network of advanced security operations centers across Australia and New Zealand, with additional offices in London and New York, combining deep local insight with international reach. Additionally, CyberCX brings innovative AI-powered platforms that deliver cybersecurity services including detection and response, sovereign secure cloud, CyberCX Academy for training and learning as well as proprietary tools for security testing and cyber intelligence. This strategic move is timely given Accenture's recent State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report, which found that 97% of Australian organizations are not adequately prepared to secure their AI-driven future, with 80% lacking the critical data and AI cybersecurity practices needed to protect models, data pipelines and cloud infrastructure. "CyberCX and Accenture share a mission to harness the power of cyber to help our clients securely navigate change, accelerate business reinvention and build resilience against evolving threats," said Paolo Dal Cin, global lead, Accenture Cybersecurity. "By combining Accenture's agentic AI capabilities with CyberCX's strong market leadership, innovative offerings and trusted C-suite and government relationships, we will enable clients across Asia Pacific to transform cybersecurity into a strategic advantage." CyberCX has established strong ecosystem partnerships across major cybersecurity players such as Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike, consistently winning awards as one of the top managed service and system integrators in the region. This success is underpinned by extensive expertise, showcased through over 2,600 certifications. "Client demand for cybersecurity services is accelerating as data and digital environments become increasingly connected and heightened threats are exposed across operational value chains, supply chains and the enterprise. The need for responsible governance is also rising as AI and Quantum technologies advance," said Peter Burns, who leads Accenture's business in Australia and New Zealand. "CyberCX's breadth of capabilities, trusted relationships with government and critical infrastructure organizations, and exceptional talent in the region, combined with Accenture's local and global scale and innovation, will help us meet this ever-increasing client need." John Paitaridis, CEO of CyberCX, said, "We are immensely proud of the business we have built, becoming one of the leading providers of cybersecurity services in the region. Joining Accenture's global cybersecurity organization enables our exceptional people to combine forces with global capabilities and provide world-leading cybersecurity services to an even greater number of clients across Asia Pacific as we accelerate our growth in the region. Our shared mission for helping clients stay ahead of emerging threats and build resilience makes this a force multiplier." The acquisition of CyberCX will be the latest in a series of strategic moves by Accenture to expand its cybersecurity capabilities and solutions. Since 2015, Accenture has completed 20 security acquisitions, including most recently acquiring Morphus, MNEMO Mexico and Innotec Security. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Forward-Looking StatementsExcept for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture and CyberCX will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties' ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect its business and financial condition; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. About AccentureAccenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at Accenture is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including strategy, protection, resilience and industry-specific cyber services. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Cyber Fusion Centers. Helped by our team of 29,000 highly skilled specialists, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Visit us at Copyright © 2025 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture. View source version on Contacts Alison GeibAccenture+1 703 947 Kate MaherAccenture Australia+61 405 778
Bloomberg
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- Bloomberg
New Zealand Sees Most Citizens Leave Since 2012 as Economy Cools
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Business Journals
an hour ago
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Five things you need to know today, and your personal favorites
Happy Wednesday, Cincinnati! Here are five business news stories you need to know to get your day underway. 1) CVG hires construction firm for $6M project Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has hired Hebron-based Harper Co. to reconstruct one of its major taxiways. The project will cost nearly $6 million and will include pavement reconstruction and electrical system upgrades. Harper was the only company that bid on the work, Chris Wetterich reports. The airport expects the project to wrap up by the end of the year. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events 2) First Financial acquiring out-of-state bank to triple branches there First Financial will acquire BankFinancial for $148 million, which will triple its Chicago branches to 26 total. Steve Watkins reports the deal will add $1.4 billion in assets to First Financial, which has $18.6 billion in assets and 128 banking centers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. Prior to the acquisition, First Financial had seven branches in the Chicago area but has been interested in expanding in the market for years. 3) Historic former restaurant, beer garden to be redeveloped Corryville Community Development Corp. plans to purchase the historic Mecklenburg Gardens building with $1.2 million in tax increment financing funds. The restaurant and beer garden closed in 2023 after 158 years. It has since sat vacant and deteriorating, Brian Planalp reports. Cincinnati City Council will have to approve the use of TIF funds. Upon approval, the Corryville CDC plans to bring an operating restaurant and brewery back to the space after renovations. Do you like Five Things? Make sure to subscribe to our Morning Edition emails so you have it in your inbox each day. 4) Health system to offshore administrative jobs Bon Secours Mercy Health is planning to build a support center in the Philippines, expanding its existing presence in the country, but cutting jobs in the U.S. as a part of a new global strategy. The offshored roles will include human resources, finance, supply chain and other administrative functions. The number of jobs impacted is unclear, according to the health system's chief administrative officer, who said it will be a small percentage of its domestic workforce. Mercy Health hopes the move will maximize operational efficiencies. 5) Growth fund with Cincinnati ties raises $238M O.H.I.O Fund raised $238 million while making 19 investments across the state, two in Greater Cincinnati companies, Watkins reports. Headed by Mike Venerable and Jill Meyer, the fund raised money from more than 106 investors including high-net-worth individuals, institutions and family offices of wealthy individuals, financial institutions, foundations and other corporations. This day in history 1942: The Manhattan Project commences, marking the start of the large-scale effort to develop an atomic bomb. What I'm reading "The Uptown Local" by Cory Leadbeater What I'm listening to Chappell Roan's new single "The Subway" "August" by Flipturn What I'm watching "The Summer I Turned Pretty" on Amazon Prime Video I've also been watching a lot of movies, including newer releases like "Jurassic World: Rebirth," "Freakier Friday," "Happy Gilmore 2," "Final Destination Bloodlines," "Sinners," the live action "Lilo & Stitch" and "Nonnas." I saw most in theaters with only two Netflix exceptions. My AMC Stubs A-List has been put to good use over the last few months. Your favorite of all time For the past year, I've felt like I was in the worst music drought ever. I find myself recycling the same playlists, same albums, same artists over and over again. I think I know the words to every song I have ever heard at this point. We've had a few music conversations in the Courier newsroom, notably around the time when "A Complete Unknown," the Bob Dylan biopic came out and a few editors and reporters declared their dislike for Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and other similar artists. I won't name names to save my colleagues the grief. I'd say I consume more music than the average listener. I listen to everything. From pop, rock, indie and rap to country, metal, folk, jazz and every sub-genre in between. Looking at my most recent Spotify plays, artists include Lorde, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, St. Vincent, Norah Jones, Mac DeMarco, Doechii, Modern Baseball, Taylor Swift, Turnstile, Steely Dan and Third Eye Blind. While all of these artists are fabulous, I need new stuff. So my question to you, Business Courier readers, is what is your favorite album of all time? Or, is there an artist or song you have on repeat right now? I'm open to any and all genres from any decade. Email me at lschwartz@
