Morning Headlines

Uber legal under taxi industry overhaul

Uber will become legal in WA under the biggest reforms to the taxi industry in 20 years. Transport Minister Dean Nalder will today announce plans to increase competition and innovation within the taxi and the so-called “on-demand transport” industries. The West

Packer confirms privatisation talks

James Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings is pushing for a full privatisation of casino operator Crown Resorts, with several partners in talks with the billionaire about executing a deal before the end of the year. The Fin

Video game prices set to fall

Prices will fall for imported high-tech goods including video games, loudspeakers and ink-jet printers valued at about $26 billion under the first tariff-cutting deal pulled off by the World Trade Organisation in 18 years. The Fin

Public servants leading pay rates

Public servants take home an average $134 a week more than private-sector workers and benefit from “generous” perks worth thousands more, an analysis of wages across the service has claimed. The Aus

Roy Hill’s second load due

Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill is expected to begin loading its second cargo of iron ore today, more than a week after the $10 billion project’s first shipment left Port Hedland. The West

Junior gold miner keen to tap into Pilbara gas

Fledgling miner Gold Road Resources looks set to lead the next push to extend the piping of natural gas from the Pilbara to remote parts of the Goldfields. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Page 1: The first US interest hike in almost a decade triggered a rally on the Australian stock exchange and buoyed other markets around the world, but investors are betting on the US Federal Reserve not carrying through on a plan to raise rates another four times next year.

Page 3: Prices will fall for imported high-tech goods including video games, loudspeakers and ink-jet printers valued at about $26 billion under the first tariff-cutting deal pulled off by the World Trade Organisation in 18 years.

Page 7: The historic release of individual tax data for 1539 of Australia’s largest public companies on Thursday revealed the country’s biggest and smallest taxpayers, providing surprises with the struggles of foreign-owned companies.

Page 9: Nine Entertainment Co has struck a deal with SBS under which the public broadcaster will screen Nine’s cricket coverage in regional Australia if Nine’s regional affiliate WIN Corp is forced off air on News Year’s Day.

Page 13: Former Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane says the decision by the US Federal Reserve to lift interest rates for the first time in nine years is a positive move for the world economy and the Australian economy.

Page 15: James Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings is pushing for a full privatisation of casino operator Crown Resorts, with several partners in talks with the billionaire about executing a deal before the end of the year.

Caltex Australia is poised for a record full-year earnings thanks to higher returns on both refining and marketing, fanning accusations the fuel supply industry is profiting at the expense of motorists.

Page 24: The Australian Rugby Union’s $285 million broadcast deal marks the third major football code to secure television rights in 2015, with Fox Sports to air the trifecta of sports.

The Australian

Page 2: Public servants take home an average $134 a week more than private-sector workers and benefit from “generous” perks worth thousands more, an analysis of wages across the service has claimed.

Page 4: France has ramped up the battle for the $20 billion submarine contract by claiming its submarine is more deadly than Japan’s.

The Prime Minister will reveal at a lunch in Tokyo that the first figures to emerge since the free trade agreement with Japan came into effect in January show that Australian exporters have been quick off the mark to take advantage of the reduced barriers.

Page 17: Some of Australia’s biggest media companies are considering entering the fantasy wagering sector and have been in talks with a range of operators about launching products next year.

Page 18: An update by Moody’s on the depth of the oil price crash has prompted the ratings agency to revise the outlook for both Origin Energy and Woodside from stable to negative.

Page 19: It’s only seven shopping days to Christmas and Australians are expected to swipe, touch and mouse-click more than 71 million transactions on credit and debit cards, with the present buying frenzy expected to peak Thursday night.

Page 22: the law firms where women do well The managing partners of the nation’s largest law firms will be encouraged to sign up to key performance indicators over the coming year to ensure they are personally responsible for shifting the stubbornly low level of female partners in their firms.

The West Australian

Page 1: Uber will become legal in WA under the biggest reforms to the taxi industry in 20 years. Transport Minister Dean Nalder will today announce plans to increase competition and innovation within the taxi and the so-called “on-demand transport” industries.

Page 3: The State Government wants to move the live animal export industry out of Fremantle’s streets and inner harbour when it sells the port to private operators.

Page 11: Participation and volunteering will decline if an Australian Sports Commission plan to move towards centralised administration of the nation’s sports succeeds, WA’s Department of Sport and Recreation and State sporting bodies say.

Page 17: More WA men take advantage of flexible work hours to look after their children than ever before.

Business: Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill is expected to begin loading its second cargo of iron ore today, more than a week after the $10 billion project’s first shipment left Port Hedland.

WA’s biggest meat processor is celebrating after being granted unprecedented access to the Chinese market.

A US Government move to slash future orders for a warship program has put a question mark over shipbuilder Austal’s long term prospects in that market.

Fledgling miner Gold Road Resources looks set to lead the next push to extend the piping of natural gas from the Pilbara to remote parts of the Goldfields.