Morning Headlines

Mature-age university applications on the slide

Demand from mature-age students for places at WA’s four public universities continues to fall, defying a trend in past economic downturns of rising enrolments among older students. The West

Writ twist in $31m broker sale

Former West Coast Eagles footballer Andrew Donnelly’s payday from the $31 million sale of his Reliance insurance broking business is under threat, with his boardroom colleagues suing over the alleged misuse of trust funds. The West

Woolies sees growth after Masters disaster

Woolworths will receive a $200 million profit fillip and free up more than $300 million cash from winding up Masters, but its exit from the $45 billion home improvement market will leave the retailer with limited growth options, investors say. The Fin

Boom fades, not high prices

The mining construction boom is all but over, yet it has left Perth as one of the priciest cities on the planet. The West

Palmer willing to walk away

Resources owner turned politician Clive Palmer says he will be willing to walk away from his embattled company Queensland Nickel if administrators decide to liquidate it because he is ‘‘not running a charity’’. The Fin

Fortescue tackles analyst

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Nev Power has attacked a research report from investment bank Goldman Sachs, dismissing the group’s latest findings as “complete rubbish”. The Aus

Resort, airstrip on wish list for Lancelin

A Chinese conglomerate bidding for beachfront land in Lancelin wants to build a luxury resort and an airstrip so it can fly tourists in and fresh produce out, according to a part-owner of the property. The West

The Australian Financial Review

Page 1: The strong growth of China’s services sector helped lift regional financial markets even as investors remain concerned about the prospects for Chinese manufacturing and construction.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said China’s integration into the global economy paired with strong American involvement in the Asia-Pacific will reduce the risk of military conflict between the US and China.

Page 2: The Australian Taxation Office is looking closer into the tax affairs of rich people who may have bought fancy boats, planes, cars, art and thoroughbred horses.

Page 3: Nationals Leader Warren Truss says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has indicated he will give the Nationals another cabinet position in a planned reshuffle sparked by the resignation of Jamie Briggs and the sidelining of Special Minister of State Mal Brough after Christmas.

Page 5: Resources owner turned politician Clive Palmer says he will be willing to walk away from his embattled company Queensland Nickel if administrators decide to liquidate it because he is ‘‘not running a charity’’.

Page 6: The country’s leading chief executives are warning of doom and gloom ahead with widespread job cuts, falling confidence and a prediction that global economic growth will stall.

Page 8: Waterfront workers are seeking $1000 for working a single eight-hour shift on a Sunday under a union claim being resisted by stevedore Patrick.

Page 13: Woolworths will receive a $200 million profit fillip and free up more than $300 million cash from winding up Masters, but its exit from the $45 billion home improvement market will leave the retailer with limited growth options, investors say.

Page 15: Broadspectrum’s board is expected to meet this week to make a final decision on whether or not to recommend a $715 million hostile takeover bid from Spanish infrastructure group Ferrovial.

Investors in $1.16 billion of ASX-hybrid securities issued by Crown Resorts are nursing unexpected losses as a result of majority owner James Packer’s touted move to take the company private.

The Australian

Page 1: Malcolm Turnbull’s authority over the Liberal Party is being undermined by factional powerbrokers, who are defying the Prime Minister’s call for stability and pushing ahead with plans to remove sitting members.

A cashless welfare card aimed at stemming alcohol abuse would be rolled out across the country under a welfare reform the Turnbull government is considering taking to the election.

Page 4: Australia and the US are preparing a wider front in the fight against terrorism as they negotiate ways to implement “cyber warfare” campaigns to disrupt Islamic State’s propaganda machine and stymie its efforts to recruit jihadists.

Page 6: Clive Palmer could be investigated for potential breaches of federal law over the collapse of his nickel refinery after the Australian Workers Union called in the corporate watchdog.

Page 17: Frank Lowy has no intention of retiring as chairman of Westfield Corporation any time soon and is back at full speed, according to his son Steven Lowy, the retail landlord’s co-chief executive.

Page 18: Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Nev Power has attacked a research report from investment bank Goldman Sachs, dismissing the group’s latest findings as “complete rubbish”.

Page 19: The past year was a good one for those affiliated with the Cooper family and their beer business started by Thomas Cooper in 1862, with the tight-knit grouping of Coopers Brewery shareholders reaping over $13 million in dividends.

Page 28: Regional universities need to improve their relations with local industry and ensure the term “regional” refers to geography, not standards, according to Charles Sturt University’s Mary Kelly.

The West Australian

Page 1: Government backbencher Murray Cowper has described “mounting dysfunction” in WA’s emergency services system, arguing the local knowledge from those with most to lose in a fire emergency — experienced volunteer bushfire fighters and farmers — is being ignored by those in charge.

Page 3: The mining construction boom is all but over, yet it has left Perth as one of the priciest cities on the planet.

Page 4: Damage to Western Power assets from the Waroona fire disaster has reached $26 million — the biggest single loss from a bushfire in the utility’s history.

Page 11: Demand from mature-age students for places at WA’s four public universities continues to fall, defying a trend in past economic downturns of rising enrolments among older students.

Page 13: More than 40 per cent of nursing graduates who applied for jobs in WA public hospitals this year have missed out.

Page 20: The State Government hopes to replace the old Shenton Park hospital site with more than 1100 new dwellings under plans for an “urban village”.

Page 24: The next Federal election will be fought on new boundaries for WA seats after the Australian Electoral Commission finalised its redistribution.

Page 26: St John Ambulance says violence and alcohol-related incidents at the Australia Day Skyworks have continued to fall, meaning a safer environment for staff, volunteers and the public.

Business: Former West Coast Eagles footballer Andrew Donnelly’s payday from the $31 million sale of his Reliance insurance broking business is under threat, with his boardroom colleagues suing over the alleged misuse of trust funds.

The price Rio Tinto received for its Pilbara ore plunged more than 42 per cent last year, highlighting the impact that surging supply had on the region’s major miners.

A Chinese conglomerate bidding for beachfront land in Lancelin wants to build a luxury resort and an airstrip so it can fly tourists in and fresh produce out, according to a part-owner of the property.

In a case of the hunter becoming the hunted, Applabs, the company which kicked off Perth’s backdoor takeover trend, is set to be gobbled up by Sydney human resources firm The Search Party.

Mobile operator Vodafone Hutchison Australia's $1 billion deal to use TPG Telecom's telecommunications infrastructure is moving ahead of schedule.

Dairy processor Lion will spend $40 million over the next three years to upgrade its Bentley plant and streamline distribution of Masters, Pura and other milk products.