Australia’s business media and investigative reporters are failing to understand the dynamics of mining, metals and commodity flows across world markets. These are the markets on which Australia depends for its survival in competition with the interests of Russia, several African states, China and India. If these market dynamics don’t make the level playing-field which Australian governments say they expect and demand from the global trading system; if corruption is pervasive in deciding who wins, what then are the scenarios for Australia’s future as a resource exporter. What do Australian policymakers need to know and do to stay in the game? If corruption is one of the rules of the game, does investigative reporting kill deals, and undermine Australia’s trade interests?