Gina Rinehart regains top spot as richest Australian … World’s best airline revealed … Atlassian hits out at 457 changes

Gina Rinehart has doubled her wealth to $US16.6 billion ($21.6 billion) over the past year, according to the Forbes Australia Rich List for 2017. 

The mining mogul has returned to the number one spot on the list, making her Australia’s richest person after a $20 jump in the iron ore price saw Rinehart’s wealth skyrocket.

She is followed by property giant Harry Triguboff, with as estimated worth of $US9.9 billion, and Anthony Pratt, coming in at third spot with $US5.5 billion.

Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes rounds out the top 10, with an estimated $US3.4 billion in wealth.

Air New Zealand on top

Airlinesratings.com has named Air New Zealand as the world’s best carrier for the fifth year in a row, with the business being praised for in-flight innovation and “environmental leadership”.

Airlines are ranked on performance across a range of categories, including the age of their fleets, passenger reviews, staff relations and product offerings.

This year saw Qantas take out prizes for the best airline lounge, best catering and best domestic airline service, while Virgin Australia won best business class.

For those with an eye on the best cattle class offering, Korean Air took out best economy product.

Atlassian says visa changes send “wrong signal” for growth

The co-founder of tech giant Atlassian Scott Farquhar has hit out at the implementation of changes to 457 skilled worker visa rules that came into effect this year, saying the government is sending the wrong signal to the business world.

Speaking to The Australian, Farquhar said Atlassian’s Australian headquarters was losing high-quality candidates because of uncertainty and changed eligibility for visas, with the restrictions having a significant impact on the business.

In April the government axed its 457 skilled worker program in favour of two new visa models for temporary skills shortages in Australia. It also put new requirements for employers to show market testing before bringing in employees from offshore.

A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told The Australian more than 1000 IT visas had been granted since the changes, but Farquhar says the restrictions could see Atlassian move more roles to the US.

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