Morning Headlines

Barnett calls for fair royalties

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett will today urge African governments to ensure that mining companies — including hundreds from Australia — pay fair rates of royalties and taxation for the right to operate on the resource-rich continent. The Aus

Tangiers’ Jacka bid strained after revolt

Tangiers Petroleum’s $37 million agreed bid for Jacka Resources is under strain in the wake of the shareholder revolt that has decimated Tangiers’ board. The West

Coalition sets sights on awards

The government has urged the Fair Work Commission to consider sweeping changes to the nation’s award system, opening the way for the Coalition to back fresh attempts by employers to cut penalty rates and other award conditions. The Aus

Farmers in GM-free food fight

A landmark Supreme Court case involving neighbouring Kojonup farmers could determine whether consumers continue to have access to GM-free food grown in Australia, according to lawyers acting pro bono for organic grower Steve Marsh. The West

Plan ‘robs’ ratepayers of vote

Residents in all metropolitan council areas, except in the western suburbs, will not be allowed to veto planned mergers under the State Government’s latest plans. The West

Dollar’s rise turns heat on RBA

Financial markets have put a squeeze on the Reserve Bank, sending the Australian dollar soaring after governor Glenn Stevens appeared to rule out further interest rate cuts. The Aus

Emails hurt bid to block farm deal

A complex deal involving Elders, the Caratti family and a famous WA farm took a bizarre twist yesterday when claims of compromising relationships were lodged with the Australian Securities Exchange. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Business News apologises that content from the Australian Financial Review is unavailable this morning due to AFR website upgrades and maintenance.

The Australian

Page 1: The government has urged the Fair Work Commission to consider sweeping changes to the nation’s award system, opening the way for the Coalition to back fresh attempts by employers to cut penalty rates and other award conditions.

Greenhouse gas emissions declined only marginally in the first 15 months of the carbon tax’s operation, new figures reveal.

Page 2: Financial markets have put a squeeze on the Reserve Bank, sending the Australian dollar soaring after governor Glenn Stevens appeared to rule out further interest rate cuts.

Page 4: Tony Abbott has been accused of misleading voters on the ‘‘extremely generous’’ wage deal at fruit processor SPC Ardmona as the company refutes his claims and a key Liberal backbencher accuses him of lying.

Page 5: Single parents and their children have experienced a decline in nutrition and mental health, and incurred large levels of debt since being moved off the sole parent payment in January last year, according to a survey conducted by a new national parent advocacy group.

Page 6: Safety monitors ensuring workers on the National Broadband Network rollout are not exposed to asbestos are being retrenched, despite breaches continuing, unions claim.

Page 17: Local investors endured their biggest one-day losses since August yesterday as concerns the US recovery was stalling spooked markets and prompted a rout in the Asia-Pacific.

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes says a merger proposal with rival department store David Jones is ‘‘dead and buried’’ — but the company is still ready to negotiate if the DJs board wants to engage.

Page 18: Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett will today urge African governments to ensure that mining companies — including hundreds from Australia — pay fair rates of royalties and taxation for the right to operate on the resource-rich continent.

Real Estate Company REA Group has consolidated its position as the leading property listings company with a 37 per cent jump in profits.

The West Australian

Page 1: People smugglers are struggling to fill vessels despite offering big discounts to asylum seekers as the Federal Government’s policy on boats appears to be working as it intended.

Page 3: The Abbott Government could reclaim the millions paid to the ABC’s Australia Network and use the cash to promote Australia to the world on Twitter and Facebook.

Page 4: Veteran Perth deal-maker John Poynton was yesterday elevated to the board of the Future Fund as former Federal treasurer Peter Costello was confirmed as its new chairman.

Page 17: Farmers, painters and plumbers face the highest risk of skin cancer from their work, Perth researchers have found.

Page 19: Residents in all metropolitan council areas, except in the western suburbs, will not be allowed to veto planned mergers under the State Government’s latest plans.

The Abbott Government has urged the industrial umpire to protect jobs ahead of granting pay rises when approving new workplace deals.

Business: Tangiers Petroleum’s $37 million agreed bid for Jacka Resources is under strain in the wake of the shareholder revolt that has decimated Tangiers’ board.

A landmark Supreme Court case involving neighbouring Kojonup farmers could determine whether consumers continue to have access to GM-free food grown in Australia, according to lawyers acting pro bono for organic grower Steve Marsh.

With the market still grimly bearish on mining services stocks ahead of the looming February earnings season, Calibre Group yesterday again moved to diversify its business away from the troubled sector with the $NZ1.9 million ($1.73 million) acquisition of New Zealand engineering firm Spiire from Downer EDI.

A complex deal involving Elders, the Caratti family and a famous WA farm took a bizarre twist yesterday when claims of compromising relationships were lodged with the Australian Securities Exchange.

WA agribusinesses have a lot on their plate as they react to unprecedented interest from overseas investors.

Slim yields and unpredictable markets over the past five years have prompted investors to seek out cheaper investment products to conserve returns.

Upbeat earnings forecasts and high yields did little to spare most stocks from the scramble to safe haven assets yesterday.