CBH digs for evidence about Brookfield’s Asciano takeover
CBH Group, the nation’s biggest grains exporter, is preparing evidence that it claims will support the regulator’s concerns that Brookfield Infrastructure’s $8.9 billion takeover of ports and rail group Asciano will reduce competition in Western Australia. The Fin
Push to roll over royalty relief
Junior iron ore miners Atlas Iron and BC Iron will push for the Western Australian government to extend its royalty relief program amid ongoing tough conditions in the sector. The Aus
Barnett pulls the brake on rail cars
Colin Barnett has backed away from his Government’s $1.2 billion promise to deliver 300 new rail cars by 2019, confirming they will be bought at a slower rate. The West
Bank ‘power’ to protect $30b profits
Bank investors are not bracing for lower returns because they expect the big four to use their market power to protect profitability by pushing costs on to customers. The Fin
$20m plan to boost Mid West tourism
Colin Barnett wants WA’s central coast to be known as the Indian Ocean Coast, yesterday revealing a $20 million boost for tourism in the region. The West
Mackenzie backs London listing
BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has warned that collapsing the resources giant’s London listing would prevent it from being a truly global company. The Fin
NDIS to open door to innovation
The $22 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme will lead to a boom in science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs as people spend about $1bn a year on devices and applications for accessibility. The Aus
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Bank investors are not bracing for lower returns because they expect the big four to use their market power to protect profitability by pushing costs on to customers.
High-income earners would be targeted with extra taxes on superannuation and capital gains under a plan that could raise more than $8 billion a year, more than enough to cut the company tax rate to 26 per cent.
Page 5: Former Rabobank money market trader Paul Thompson has spent the weekend in a Perth jail cell after being arrested over allegations he was part of a global Libor-rigging scandal.
Page 6: That’s the message from NBN as it spends $40 million to recruit the next generation of telecommunications tradies to meet its ambitious goal of connecting 11.9 million homes and businesses to high-speed broadband by 2020.
Page 13: BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has warned that collapsing the resources giant’s London listing would prevent it from being a truly global company.
Page 17: Bitcoin’s much-lauded transaction record, blockchain, is being seriously considered as a replacement for the Australian Securities Exchange’s clearing and settlement system.
Page 18: CBH Group, the nation’s biggest grains exporter, is preparing evidence that it claims will support the regulator’s concerns that Brookfield Infrastructure’s $8.9 billion takeover of ports and rail group Asciano will reduce competition in Western Australia.
Page 28: Nine Entertainment Co this week will unveil plans to stream its three television channels live over the internet in a move that will increase calls by regional MPs and TV networks to abolish outdated media laws.
The Australian
Page 1: Competition tsar Ian Harper is urging Malcolm Turnbull to act swiftly to prevent Australia’s productivity growth stagnating, warning that the government needs to recapture the reforming mentality of the 1990s in order to head off a long-term decline in living standards.
Page 2: Australia’s largest food and liquor wholesaler is looking to Chinese middle-class shoppers to boost its fortunes, setting up space in one of China’s largest online shopping malls as part of a broader push into a huge market that is increasingly infatuated with Australia brands and produce.
Australia risks losing the global race to develop new technologies and applications because the country’s research funding model is broken at all levels, a technology entrepreneur says.
Page 4: The militant national construction union is poised with a deal to drive thousands of textile workers to it just weeks after unveiling a merger with the maritime union.
Page 6: The $22 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme will lead to a boom in science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs as people spend about $1bn a year on devices and applications for accessibility.
Page 17: China has launched a major financial system reform by removing the cap that banks set on deposits rates, an important move to free up the nation’s interest rates, while cutting the official interest rate for the sixth time in a year.
The government’s plan to implement its data retention regime is placing small-scale internet providers at risk of collapse as they struggle with the costs and time needed to comply with the new scheme.
Page 18: Junior iron ore miners Atlas Iron and BC Iron will push for the Western Australian government to extend its royalty relief program amid ongoing tough conditions in the sector.
Page 21: Discovery Holiday Parks, backed by superannuation giant Sun-Super, will today launch a full takeover bid for the Aspen Parks Property Fund, two weeks after testing institutional investor interest.
The West Australian
Page 3: A patient who almost suffocated at Fiona Stanley Hospital was given a counter bell to get nurses’ attention when her initial request for help went unanswered.
Page 6: The State Government has lost track of the whereabouts of more than 1000 school-age children.
Page 7: Colin Barnett has backed away from his Government’s $1.2 billion promise to deliver 300 new rail cars by 2019, confirming they will be bought at a slower rate.
Page 9: Colin Barnett wants WA’s central coast to be known as the Indian Ocean Coast, yesterday revealing a $20 million boost for tourism in the region.
Page 10: Slowing population growth is dragging down WA’s economic performance and threatens to make life even tougher for the State’s businesses, a new report out today suggests.
Page 11: WA councillors could have their pay withheld or be forced to recontest their seats if they shirk compulsory training under proposals put to councils.
Page 14: Woolworths is swapping frequent flyer points for discounted groceries in a major overhaul of its loyalty program designed to regain ground on rival Coles.
Business: BHP Billiton has moved to protect its ownership of the Thebe gas field ahead of January’s permit expiry by applying for a retention lease.
Atlas Iron this week faces shareholders for the first time since its death-defying rescue to kick off what is shaping as the biggest annual meeting season since the global financial crisis.
Like other major Federal Government-backed infrastructure projects before it, the NBN is attempting to do its part to kick-start the job market, announcing plans to employ as many as 850 Western Australians.