Labor dodges blowout in debt ceiling - The Fin; Tampa row on LNG visas - The Fin; Leave-for-pay trade wins support - The Aus; PM refuses to cover WA land title bill - The West; WA fears backlash - The Fin
Labor dodges blowout in debt ceiling
The Gillard government may avoid breaching the $250 billion borrowing cap set by Parliament, thanks to decisions by the Treasury agency that borrows for the government. The Fin
Tampa row on LNG visas
Changes to the immigration system introduced after the Tampa asylum-seeker standoff 10 years ago are being used by a contractor to employ foreign labour on the huge Chevron Gorgon gas project in Western Australia. The Fin
Leave-for-pay trade wins support
Business has backed the spread of contentious workplace agreements allowing workers to receive a higher hourly rate in exchange for holiday and sick leave, as the Greens joined left-wing unions in demanding Julia Gillard change the law to kill off the deals. The Aus
PM refuses to cover WA land title bill
The Barnett Government has accused Julia Gillard of reneging on a long-standing, bipartisan Commonwealth offer to compensate the states for the bulk of native title compensation costs in a move Treasurer Christian Porter claimed could cost WA “billions and billions of dollars”. The West
WA fears backlash
West Australian Training Minister Peter Collier said he was disappointed with the lack of consultation about the increase in skilled visa fees announced by the federal government, which he said would damage Australia's competitiveness. The Fin
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN:
Page 7: Former Wanneroo deputy mayor Sam Salpietro yesterday made allegations of bribery and corruption at the council, claiming two elected officials accepted five-figure donations “under the table” from developers with proposals before the city.
Page 8: After one of its bleakest weeks, Margaret River has been recognised as the best tourist town in the nation.
Page 13: Artists have spruced up Fremantle's derelict Woolstores building as the port puts on its best face to say “hello sailor” to yachties from around the world.
Fremantle's buildings are being caught up in the nautical fever engulfing the city for the ISAF Sailing World Championships with their own light show over the next four nights.
Page 15: House prices across Perth have fallen for the 11th consecutive month as the nation's property market continues to struggle.
Page 16: The Opposition appears unlikely to put up a fight to Wayne Swan's proposed budget cuts, despite expressing particular dislike for shrinking the baby bonus.
Page 17: WA taxpayers will fork out $90,000 for Sports Minister Terry Waldron, his chief of staff, South Perth MP John McGrath and two senior Sport and Recreation bureaucrats to go on a nine-day stadium tour of England, Wales and the US.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has declined a request from the State Government to intervene in a strike at Fremantle Port which it claims would harm the economy.
Page 19: The Barnett Government has accused Julia Gillard of reneging on a long-standing, bipartisan Commonwealth offer to compensate the states for the bulk of native title compensation costs in a move Treasurer Christian Porter claimed could cost WA “billions and billions of dollars”.
Business: Aquila Resources executive chairman Tony Poli has conceded the miner cannot secure $2 billion in crucial Chinese funding for one of WA's biggest greenfield mines until Premier Colin Barnett makes a call on the future of a new Pilbara port.
Today's ceremony near Onslow to mark the start of construction of the Chevron-led $29 billion Wheatstone LNG project threatens to be overshadowed by a rift between the US giant and traditional owners.
Rottnest Lodge will be relaunched under a new brand of “lifestyle” resorts within John Spence's Karma Royal Group, after the UK-born entrepreneur inked a deal to take over the historic island venue.
Perth's office market will need 50 per cent more office space by 2020 to accommodate the office-based services that will support investment in WA's resources projects, according to a report.
The state government's plan to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars from the cashed-up coffers of the Insurance Commission of WA into its private piggy bank have been slammed by Federal and State Labor, who are claiming the proposed move was “a breach of trust”.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW:
Page 1: The Gillard government may avoid breaching the $250 billion borrowing cap set by Parliament, thanks to decisions by the Treasury agency that borrows for the government.
Changes to the immigration system introduced after the Tampa asylum-seeker standoff 10 years ago are being used by a contractor to employ foreign labour on the huge Chevron Gorgon gas project in Western Australia.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be forced to overhaul how it assesses mergers after the Federal Court unanimously dismissed its appeal against grocery wholesaler Metcash's $215 million acquisition of Franklins.
Page 3: The value of houses and apartments fell for the 10th consecutive month in October due to weak demand from consumers reluctant to take on new debt, and a glut of unsold properties.
Page 8: Falling coal and iron ore prices are set to drag on national income and tax revenue, fuelling doubts over whether the government will be able to achieve its target of a surplus in 2012-13.
Page 9: A record boost to business capital spending has buttressed federal government forecasts that the nation's huge investment pipeline will sustain solid growth amid fears Europe could slide into a deep recession.
West Australian Training Minister Peter Collier said he was disappointed with the lack of consultation about the increase in skilled visa fees announced by the federal government, which he said would damage Australia's competitiveness.
Page 12: Australia will have to do much less to meet its international pledge to cut emissions as a result of slower global economic growth and proposed international carbon accounting rule changes being backed by Canberra's negotiators at climate change talks in South Africa.
Page 13: Manufacturers will be surveyed as part of a federal policy blueprint to boost the sector's competitiveness over the next 10 or 20 years, following a high-level meeting Prime Minister Julia Gillard hosted yesterday.
Page 19: BHP Billiton has flagged a potential exit from the diamond business after failing in its attempts to grow through exploration.
Page 20: High-profile Lynas Corporation director Ziggy Switkowski has defended the company's project management skills in the wake of delays to the completion of its rare earths processing facility in Malaysia.
Page 21: Aquila Resources is close to locking in a $2 billion debt facility with China Development Bank for its West Pilbara iron ore project.
Indian conglomerate GVK plans to fund the $US10 billion development of the Alpha coal project in the Galilee Basin it recently bought from Hancock Prospecting by selling minority stakes in the mine to coal customers.
THE AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Australia's $60 billion coal seam gas industry is a ‘‘relatively short-term prospect’’ and may not be worth the cost to agriculture and the environment, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
The economic turmoil in Europe and the US is nearing ‘‘catastrophic’’ proportions, one of the nation’s leading banks warned yesterday, as it predicted a plunge in the dollar to less than US80C and three interest rate cuts next year.
Page 4: Business has backed the spread of contentious workplace agreements allowing workers to receive a higher hourly rate in exchange for holiday and sick leave, as the Greens joined left-wing unions in demanding Julia Gillard change the law to kill off the deals.
Craft breweries are preparing to fight the might of global beer barons as Foster’s shareholders get ready to vote to send ownership of the iconic brewer overseas.
The legal feud over whether electronics manufacturer Samsung can sell its new tablet computer in Australia this Christmas may be heading to the High Court after the full bench of the Federal Court overturned an injunction on its sale.
Business: The major Australian banks could have their credit ratings downgraded within a week, pushing their funding costs even higher, after sweeping changes to the ratings of the world’s largest banks by Standard & Poor’s following changes to its methodology.
Aquila Resources has ticked off another important approval for its $5.8 billion West Pilbara iron ore project, giving the miner’s shares a boost.
Murchison Metals will cease operations at its Jack Hills mine by the end of the year.
Asia's rapid economic growth will bring big opportunities for Australian manufacturers of everything from fashion to military equipment, Julia Gillard has told corporate leaders.
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Page 1: Bureau of Meteorology predicts a wet and mild summer. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is set to propose a huge rise to Australia's refugee intake.
The Reserve Bank bribery scandal has spread to the Australian government's trade agency, with documents reportedly revealing Austrade met an Indian arms dealer.
Page 2: The NSW Crime Commission has possibly been in breach of the law for more than two decades, an inquiry has found. Two convicted murderers have applied for bail, despite their papers being marked "never to be released".
Page 3: A shortage of housing keeps Sydney values steady, despite a national slump. A study has found that teachers are holding back children who would benefit from being pushed forward a year at school because of a concern for their welfare.
World: Former treasurer of Indonesia's ruling party appears in court on corruption charges and strikes a defiant note.
Business: The Murray-Darling Basin draft plan has profound implications for Australia's food bowl. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission relied too much on economic theory, a Federal Court has found when dismissing its appeal over Metcash's acquisition of Franklins.
Sport: Michael Starc has the opportunity to establish himself as Mitchell Johnson's long-term replacement in his Test debut.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Page 1: Prime Minister Julia Gillard's salary is set to increase by $90,000, with new Speaker Peter Slipper set to get an extra $70,000 as part of a pay rise for federal MPs. Sydney cricketers Dave Warner and Mitchell Starc will debut in the first Test against New Zealand.
Page 2: Warning of fierce storms sweeping across Sydney. Seventy submissions received by Privacy Minister Brendan O'Connor who earlier said many Australians were suffering serious intrusions.
Page 3: Police are investigating whether Shannan Taylor was the mistaken victim of an attempted gangland hit. Jeff Sheppeard finds himself surrounded by up to eight adult humpbacks while fishing from his sea kayak.
World: Conrad Murray given maximum four years in jail for the involuntary manslaughter of pop legend Michael Jackson.
Business: Outgoing Commonwealth Bank CEO Ralph Norris says having a minority government sparks concerns in overseas investors.
Sport: Mitchell Starc part of a new breed chosen to breathe life into Australian cricket, with Dave Warner and James Patinson also making their Test debuts.
THE AGE:
Page 1: RBA bribery scandal spreads with Austrade officials knowing of payments to Vietnamese spy chief to secure contracts for printing banknotes. OPI resignations weaken Victoria's anti-corruption system.
Coalition's economic credentials hurt with ruling that two accountants who costed its 2010 election policies had breached professional standards. Homeless youth makes it big in the opera as a tenor. Two prominent gay Labor members to push for marriage equality.
Page 2: Immigration Minister Chris Bowen to push for doubling of refugee intake at ALP national conference. Right wing Senator Stephen Conroy to vote against uranium sales to India.
Page 3: House prices tumble 5.8 per cent in Australia in 2011. ABC gardening host Stephen Ryan weeded out of the program. Gold Coast "dating agency" fleeces doctor of more than $3 million, court told. Novice kayakers died in misadventure on Port Phillip fishing trip.
World: Former News of the World reporter says editors including "criminal-in-chief" Rebekah Brooks knew of phone hacking.
Business: Sharemarket to deliver second worst performance in two decades.
Sport: Mitchell Starc expected to be named in Australian side as Mitchell Johnson out with foot injury.
THE HERALD SUN:
Page 1: Government braces for public backlash after MPs get big pay rises.
Page 2: The two accused killers of good samaritan Luke Mitchell may not be extradited for two years despite a Thai court ordering them to Australia. Police have spoken to more than 1000 people in their hunt for missing schoolgirl Siriyakorn Siriboon.
Page 3: Supermodels Jennifer Hawkins and Jessica Hart do it tough modelling in rural Australia. Power and gas bills ready to blow out before Christmas.
Business: Metcash wins Federal Court backing for its takeover of Franklins.
Sport: Chris Judd to have his injured shoulder examined by a surgeon.
THE CANBERRA TIMES:
Page 1: The ACT government considers building a new stadium near CBD to replace the ageing Canberra Stadium. Officials at Australia's overseas trade agency linked with Reserve Bank bribery scandal.
Page 2: Canberra CBD group introducing security forces to combat graffiti.
Page 3: ACT Liberal senator Gary Humphries has called on the government to rule out involuntary redundancies in the public service following new tough measures in the mid-year budget update.
World: Eurozone ministers have sent Greece an 8 billion euro ($A10.7 billion) rescue package to stem an immediate cash crisis in the Mediterranean nation.
Business: A manufacturing lobby group has called on the federal coalition to find common ground with the Labor minority government to head off "retrograde Greens policies" on industrial relations.
Sport: NSW's Mitchell Starc has the opportunity to replace Mitchell Johnson as a long-term fast bowler when Australia's first Test against New Zealand begins in Brisbane on Thursday.
THE ADELAIDE ADVERTISER:
Page 1: Julia Gillard's pay is set to soar.
Page 3: Australians are confused about cancer prevention.
World: A Russian who had an affair with a British MP has been cleared of spying for Moscow.
Business: A senate committee has recommended a moratorium on all future coal seam gas projects.
Sport: Michael Clarke believes Nathan Lyon will play a pinnacle role at the Gabba on Thursday.
