Morning Headlines

Rinehart bets on new gold project

Gina Rinehart is hoping to replicate her iron ore riches in bullion by bankrolling the search for a gold rush-sized orebody in a new exploration jointly with ASX-listed Catalyst and self-declared gold “bug’’ Tom Burrowes. The Aus

Spin-off set to get board tick

BHP Billiton’s board is today expected to sign off on its biggest corporate move since sanctioning a world-record takeover bid for Rio Tinto eight years ago. The West

Rutila on track for rail works

Rutila Resources’ ambitious central Pilbara iron ore project has cleared another hurdle, with the Environmental Protection Authority endorsing the construction of 200km of new rail and conveyor lines. The West

Site unblocks way for locals to get US Netflix

Local audiences may be able to access the US version of TV and movie streaming service Netflix despite it launching an Australian version next week that is more expensive but which could offer as little as one-tenth of the content. The Aus

Rampant rig knocks out Pluto

Woodside Petroleum has been forced to shut down its biggest producing venture after a massive drilling rig was torn from its moorings in a cyclone and drifted dangerously close to pipelines at its $15 billion Pluto LNG project in Western Australia. The Fin

‘Locked out’ for defying CFMEU

A building contractor targeted by the militant construction union after he refused to give in to high pay demands has pleaded for the return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. The Fin

McCusker to lead GM appeal

Former governor Malcolm McCusker will make a high-profile return to the courtroom to represent organic farmer Steve Marsh in a legal battle over the use of genetically modified crops in WA. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Page 1: A building contractor targeted by the militant construction union after he refused to give in to high pay demands has pleaded for the return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The right to watch top sporting events on free-to-air television is a ‘‘very Australian arrangement’’ that should be protected, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declared.

Page 4: Government plans to deregulate universities appear doomed despite a last-ditch compromise that includes shelving legislation to slash university funding by 20 per cent, and dumping plans to sack 1700 scientists by denying the research sector ongoing funding.

Page 9: The Australian Industry Group has urged the government to push ahead with joining China’s specialist infrastructure bank, declaring it would make Australia an active participant in the changing economic landscape of the region rather than just a bystander.

Page 15: Stephen Porges, who was removed as chief executive of SAI Global last year, has re-emerged in financial services as executive chairman of DirectMoney, a website that allows people to borrow directly from investors.

The new owners of GE Capital’s consumer finance business are expected to use their vast capital reserves to accelerate growth rather than cutting costs, potentially reviving auto and mortgage lending and tapping new distribution channels for personal lending.

Page 17: Woodside Petroleum has been forced to shut down its biggest producing venture after a massive drilling rig was torn from its moorings in a cyclone and drifted dangerously close to pipelines at its $15 billion Pluto LNG project in Western Australia.

Large BHP Billiton shareholders say the $US13 billion ($17.1 billion) spin-off South32 should start life with modest debt of less than $US1.5 billion, giving it the flexibility to make acquisitions to grow and fund dividends.

Video streaming service Stan is striking up a deal with Telstra in a bid to boost its subscriber numbers by tapping the customer base of Australia’s largest telecommunications provider.

Page 21: Embattled education group Vocation is poised to sell its prized Endeavour College of Natural Health for close to $84 million, the price it paid for the asset in mid-2014, in a move which is likely to end an asset sale program and extinguish its debts by late March or early April.

Page 23: Woolworths is weeks away from completing a $100 million push to consolidate and upgrade its merchandising software systems, which will make it cheaper and easier to source products and market to customers across all its brands.

TPG Telecom’s $1.4 billion acquisition of iiNet could backfire if cost-cutting drives by the potential new owner override its customer services and workplace culture, according to experts.

The Australian

Page 1: A last-ditch compromise aimed at winning support for university fee deregulation will be voted down by the Senate tomorrow, leaving the future of tertiary funding in doubt.

Page 2: Indigenous businesses will receive more than $1 billion over the next five years under new rules aimed at boosting employment of first Australians.

Page 3: More than 2.5 million health insurance policies have been dumped or downgraded over the past three years as Australians cut costs amid premium rises and erosion of the government rebate.

Page 6: The key figure in the Liberal Party dispute over financial secrecy has escalated his calls for action on a “conflict of interest” at the top of the party amid damaging leaks of his private criticism of Tony Abbott’s chief of staff, Peta Credlin.

Page 19: Owners of Victoria and South Australia’s privatised electricity networks have forfeited $1.1 billion in tax losses as part of ongoing disputes with the Australian Taxation Office over profit shifting and tax minimisation.

Gina Rinehart is hoping to replicate her iron ore riches in bullion by bankrolling the search for a gold rush-sized orebody in a new exploration jointly with ASX-listed Catalyst and self-declared gold “bug’’ Tom Burrowes.

Page 20: Atlas Iron has drafted in boutique investment bank Lazard to advise the board while US advisory house Houlihan Lokey provides counsel to the miner’s bond holders.

Page 22: Local audiences may be able to access the US version of TV and movie streaming service Netflix despite it launching an Australian version next week that is more expensive but which could offer as little as one-tenth of the content.

The West Australian

Page 1: The City of Mandurah is facing questions about why a fallen street light pole blamed for nearly killing a teenager yesterday had been left unrepaired for five months.

Page 9: Journalists would not be exempt from the Government’s proposed metadata laws but Tony Abbott has offered to force agencies to get a warrant before they attempt to identify journalists’ sources.

Page 11: Former governor Malcolm McCusker will make a high-profile return to the courtroom to represent organic farmer Steve Marsh in a legal battle over the use of genetically modified crops in WA.

Page 12: The death of a 25-year-old cyclist as he rode to work last month has renewed calls for safe passing distance laws in WA.

Page 16: Troy Buswell’s former chief of staff should have reported her knowledge about the circumstances surrounding the traffic incidents that ended his ministerial career, an initial review conducted by a senior Department of Premier and Cabinet director found.

Business: BHP Billiton’s board is today expected to sign off on its biggest corporate move since sanctioning a world-record takeover bid for Rio Tinto eight years ago.

Rutila Resources’ ambitious central Pilbara iron ore project has cleared another hurdle, with the Environmental Protection Authority endorsing the construction of 200km of new rail and conveyor lines.

Investors associated with Coogee Chemicals’ Martin family will underwrite a $3.1 million capital raising by Atlas Pearls and Perfumes aimed at getting the pearl producer through a bad patch.\

Toxfree Solutions has engaged Bonnie Rock Transport to move waste from Karratha to Perth for at least two years.

Empire Oil and Gas shares soared 40 per cent to 0.7¢ yesterday as the Perth Basin producer flagged a significant lift in revenue from August when Alcoa resumes paying for its gas supplies.