Light rail back on Federal agenda
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Government will likely help fund the Perth MAX light rail project under a “non-discriminatory” approach to infrastructure funding that overturns Tony Abbott’s aversion to public transport. The West
PM calls back reform summit
Malcolm Turnbull has called a snap summit of business, community and union leaders in Canberra for Thursday to seek consensus for economic reform, which now includes a preparedness to scale back generous tax concessions on superannuation. The Fin
Vocus and M2 merger to create $3b titan
Melbourne-based M2, which owns Dodo and Commander, on Monday announced its board had accepted a merger offer from corporate telco service provider Vocus. The Fin
NBN fibre tech mix ‘not set in stone’
New Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield has signalled that the Turnbull government is open to including more fibre-to-the-premise in the national broadband network as the $56 billion project rolls out. The Fin
BHP slashes 17,000 jobs as cost cuts take centre stage
BHP Billiton slashed 16,924 employee and contractor jobs in the past financial year, or 14 per cent of the workforce, as it focused on productivity and reined in spending in an organisation that rapidly expanded during the China boom. The Aus
Bonus on offer for Atlas boss
Atlas Iron shareholders will be asked to approve a bonus equivalent to managing director David Flanagan’s annual salary if he can find a way to pay off or refinance its debt, or finds a buyer for the company. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Malcolm Turnbull has called a snap summit of business, community and union leaders in Canberra for Thursday to seek consensus for economic reform, which now includes a preparedness to scale back generous tax concessions on superannuation.
Page 4: Australians might have to get used to slower growth rates as commodity price weakness persists and investment outside mining struggles to pick up the slack, says the International Monetary Fund.
Page 11: Australia is one of the world leaders in the uptake of roof-top solar systems, but it is falling behind when it comes to the rollout of large-scale solar farms, a new study has found.
Page 15: Melbourne-based M2, which owns Dodo and Commander, on Monday announced its board had accepted a merger offer from corporate telco service provider Vocus.
Page 17: Japanese beer giant Asahi has scooped up its second Australian boutique brewer in as many years buying Melbourne-based brewer Mountain Goat.
The nation’s top health funds have dismissed the doctors’ lobby’s objections to a review of Medicare, saying the healthcare system is plagued by ineffective and unnecessary medical procedures and desperately needs reform.
Page 18: Free-to-air network Nine Entertainment Co and John Hartigan, chairman of regional network Prime, are both willing to have the so-called anti-siphoning list of sports trimmed, creating a new split in the media sector over relaxing cross-ownership rules.
Page 23: New Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield has signalled that the Turnbull government is open to including more fibre-to-the-premise in the national broadband network as the $56 billion project rolls out.
The Australian
Page 1: China will tonight issue its strongest statement yet about the political impasse blocking Australia’s ratification of a free-trade agreement between the two nations, with ambassador Ma Zhaoxu warning the deal on offer “should not be allowed to slip through our fingers”.
Page 2: The Greens and key health funds have backed the Turnbull government’s review of almost 6000 Medicare rebates that has drawn fire from doctors and Labor.
Page 4: The Institute of Public Affairs has hit out at claims by environmentalists that the fossil fuel industry is subsidised in Australia, declaring it is provided the same tax and accounting treatment as all other industries.
Page 6: Malcolm Turnbull is being urged to seize a “rare consensus” among states to speed up reform of the federation, as a panel cautions against a loss of momentum under the new Prime Minister.
Page 19: Corporates are on track to cement this year as one of the biggest for acquisitions since the global financial crisis, brushing off volatile markets as organic growth proves hard to come by and the weaker currency amplifies activity in Australia.
Page 20: BHP Billiton slashed 16,924 employee and contractor jobs in the past financial year, or 14 per cent of the workforce, as it focused on productivity and reined in spending in an organisation that rapidly expanded during the China boom.
Page 21: Metcash chief executive Ian Morrice will talk up the grocery, liquor and hardware wholesaler’s new business strategy today as it comes under increasing pressure from the supermarket heavyweights and discounter Aldi, as well as investors holding record short positions on the stock.
The West Australian
Page 1: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Government will likely help fund the Perth MAX light rail project under a “non-discriminatory” approach to infrastructure funding that overturns Tony Abbott’s aversion to public transport.
Page 16: Treasurer Scott Morrison says he is open to any tax changes, including to superannuation concessions, that would make for a more efficient tax system.
Page 18: A Federal Government review of the $20-billion-a-year Medicare system has won support from the nation’s biggest health fund, a leading patient group and the Greens.
Business: New Federal Resources and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has warned the oil and gas industry he is in favour of his predecessors’ ‘use it or lose’ approach to retention leases as he ponders whether to renew ExxonMobil and BHP Billiton’s ownership of the big Scarborough gas field.
The percentage of female workers in WA’s resources industry is falling despite companies doing more to attract and retain women.
Atlas Iron shareholders will be asked to approve a bonus equivalent to managing director David Flanagan’s annual salary if he can find a way to pay off or refinance its debt, or finds a buyer for the company.
Newcrest Mining has boosted its chief executive’s remuneration packet to $5.7 million despite last year coming under fire from shareholders for excessive pay.