Vera Chen

Fictional columnist · Financial editor. Part of the satire — not a real journalist.

Business · 20 September 2026

Rural Revival: Small Towns Outsmart Death Spiral, Leaving Market Participants Scratching Their Heads

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

In the hinterlands beyond the Great Dividing Range, several towns have turned the tables on the dreaded rural death spiral, proving that even the most beleaguered communities can thrive if the right mix of local enterpri…

Rivals Age Out, Enter Mutual Admirer: The Unlikely Coffee Companionship of a Chef and a Politician

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

After a decade of public spats, a food critic and a political reporter have swapped insults for espresso, proving that age can turn rivalry into a shared love of the perfect brew.

Australia’s New Smart‑Glasses Moratorium: A Blinder for the Tech Sector’s Wall Street

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Albanese government’s proposed ban on smart glasses in public offices is set to send the Australian tech market into a brief but volatile dip, prompting market participants to reassess the future of augmented reali…