Abbott widens gap as preferred PM
Tony Abbott has opened his biggest lead ever over Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister as Labor’s primary vote fell below 30 per cent for the first time in a year. The Aus
Barrick Gold to axe more jobs in WA
Canada's Barrick Gold will announce more job cuts and potential mine closures in Western Australia this week as the falling gold price continues to heap pressure on producers. The Fin
Iron ore boss bullish on sector's future
Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest remains bullish about the future of the iron ore sector and says the current volatility in prices will settle at a sustainable level. The Fin
WA energy plan under fire on two fronts
The state government's energy policy has been dealt a double blow with the economic watchdog undermining claims that the revival of the Muja power station would not result n higher prices and a leading private electricity player, Perth Energy, blasting the move to remerge Verve and Synergy. The West
Windsor may back 457 laws
Key independent MP Tony Windsor has signalled he may vote for Labor laws that tighten the rules on the 457 visa program for temporary skilled workers, but he will try to amend them to ease the regulatory burden the changes impose on business. The Fin
Top Resources Headlines
Barrick Gold to axe more jobs in WA
Canada's Barrick Gold will announce more job cuts and potential mine closures in Western Australia this week as the falling gold price continues to heap pressure on producers. The Fin
Iron ore boss bullish on sector's future
Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest remains bullish about the future of the iron ore sector and says the current volatility in prices will settle at a sustainable level. The Fin
China oil deal puts pressure on WA
A historic $22 billion oil deal between Russia and China will put pressure on WA as an emerging energy supplier to China, according to industry insiders. The West
Turmoil triumphs in world of gold
Global goldminers face a wave of big losses, mine closures and chief executive dismissals as the industry struggles to cope with the falling price of gold after a decade-long bull run. The Aus
Top Politics Headlines
Abbott widens gap as preferred PM
Tony Abbott has opened his biggest lead ever over Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister as Labor’s primary vote fell below 30 per cent for the first time in a year. The Aus
Windsor may back 457 laws
Key independent MP Tony Windsor has signalled he may vote for Labor laws that tighten the rules on the 457 visa program for temporary skilled workers, but he will try to amend them to ease the regulatory burden the changes impose on business. The Fin
WA energy plan under fire on two fronts
The state government's energy policy has been dealt a double blow with the economic watchdog undermining claims that the revival of the Muja power station would not result n higher prices and a leading private electricity player, Perth Energy, blasting the move to remerge Verve and Synergy. The West
Labor loses hold on young
Labor has lost the youth polling advantage it enjoyed under Kevin Rudd, with a percentage of young voters shifting towards the minor parties and potentially up for grabs in this year's election. The Fin
Top Property Headlines
'Concrete city' threat for Perth
City of Vincent mayor Alannah MacTiernan says Perth is at risk of becoming a concrete city after the state government relaxed open space rules in its planning laws. The West
The West Australian
Page 1: Kevin Rudd has the fate of the Labor leadership in his hands, with another poll showing support for the Labor Party under Julia Gillard has slipped below 30 per cent for the first time in a year.
Page 4: The state government's energy policy has been dealt a double blow with the economic watchdog undermining claims that the revival of the Muja power station would not result n higher prices and a leading private electricity player, Perth Energy, blasting the move to remerge Verve and Synergy.
A historic $22 billion oil deal between Russia and China will put pressure on WA as an emerging energy supplier to China, according to industry insiders.
Page 6: Australian parents' desire to send their children to private schools has hit their hip pocket harder than spiralling rents or power bills.
Page 7: Doctors have cast doubt on moves by the Barnett government to forcibly take blood from thugs who spit at or bite police, warning that many medicos will be reluctant to draw a sample against a person's will.
Page 12: Australia's big four banks enjoy some of the biggest profit margins in the developed world, an independent comparison reveals.
Page 13: Road safety experts are alarmed at a dramatic rise in the number of people suffering serious injuries as a result of not wearing seatbelts.
Page 15: Further signs have emerged of a recovery in WA's $200 million western rock lobster fishery with the number of baby lobsters in prime areas rebounding significantly.
Page 18: City of Vincent mayor Alannah MacTiernan says Perth is at risk of becoming a concrete city after the state government relaxed open space rules in its planning laws.
Business: Outgoing Shell Australia chairwoman Ann Pickard will use her last visit to Canberra today to plead for a return to political leadership capable of making “the important and hard decisions required” to keep the country internationally competitive.
Perth subsea engineering firm Velocious says its purchase by British group Proserv provides an opportunity to export WA know-how.
The oil and gas sector has allowed David Watson's CTI Logistics to weather slippage in the courier market, with the group flagging another big lift in earnings.
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Labor's leadership stakes have escalated ahead of the final week of Parliament as senior ministers dig in behind Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and Kevin Rudd's backers warn he must break his promise to never challenge if there is to be any chance of a change.
Incitec Pivot, a perennial demerger candidate, is believed to have had at least one informal approach for its fertiliser business.
Page 5: Key independent MP Tony Windsor has signalled he may vote for Labor laws that tighten the rules on the 457 visa program for temporary skilled workers, but he will try to amend them to ease the regulatory burden the changes impose on business.
Julia Gillard will on Monday lash out at media coverage of the Australian economy, slamming what she calls “unreasonable pessimism” that threatens to undermine confidence, and hurt jobs and growth.
Page 8: Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest remains bullish about the future of the iron ore sector and says the current volatility in prices will settle at a sustainable level.
Page 12: Labor has lost the youth polling advantage it enjoyed under Kevin Rudd, with a percentage of young voters shifting towards the minor parties and potentially up for grabs in this year's election.
Page 13: Electronics retailers have hit back at claims products will cost consumers more as the Australian dollar falls – citing the fact that the price of televisions dropped last week as evidence.
Page 15: One of the world's best known Chinese bank analysts has warned increased lending may blunt the impact of future stimulus measures after China narrowly avoided a mini credit crunch last week amid a downgrade of its growth expectations.
Page 17: Canada's Barrick Gold will announce more job cuts and potential mine closures in Western Australia this week as the falling gold price continues to heap pressure on producers.
The Australian
Page 1: Tony Abbott has opened his biggest lead ever over Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister as Labor’s primary vote fell below 30 per cent for the first time in a year.
Kevin Rudd’s supporters have declared they will not be provoked into an early strike against Julia Gillard by repeated calls from her supporters to challenge, as the leadership crisis looks set to come to a head late this week.
Former competition tsar Graeme Samuel is calling on both major parties to commit to a new era of ambitious national reform, including taking aim at corporate and middle-class welfare.
Page 2: A Coalition government would ‘‘rebuild’’ frontline national security agencies, saying that ASIO, Customs, the Australian Federal Police and other bodies have been gutted by the asylum problem.
ACTU secretary Dave Oliver has attacked Holden over its threat to cut the pay of its employees, accusing the carmaker of setting a dangerous precedent in workplace relations.
Page 5: Labor is considering taking a revamped package of media laws to the election, with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy warning any further concentration of the Australian media would be unhealthy.
Julia Gillard will today hit out at ‘‘unreasonable pessimism’’ surrounding the reporting of the economy, which she says remains solid and world-leading.
Julia Gillard still has more than 30 pieces of legislation to push through a frantic final sitting week of her minority government, including the Gonski education reforms, superannuation changes and the bill for Labor’s crackdown on temporary skilled workers.
Business: Echo Entertainment has no intention of raising new equity or selling assets to fund its ambitious $1.1 billion plan to expand The Star casino in Sydney into the ‘‘world’s first connected, integrated resort’’.
Banks have launched a rearguard action against proposed new laws that would compel companies to notify their customers when they have been victims of a cyber-hacker attack or their privacy has been inadvertently breached as federal parliament grapples with a huge legislative agenda in the final sitting week before the election.
Global goldminers face a wave of big losses, mine closures and chief executive dismissals as the industry struggles to cope with the falling price of gold after a decade-long bull run.
Already badly bruised and battered, the Australian dollar is expected to continue falling in the coming weeks.
Tighter regulation is forcing consolidation on the fragmented payday lending industry, with not even listed-sector leader Cash Converters immune from the fallout.
The Herald Sun
Page 1: Police have been caught ignoring their own rules by hiding mobile speed cameras behind bushes and road signs.
Page 2: Some of Kevin Rudd's closest supporters say they have no idea if he will challenge Julia Gillard in a bid to win back the job of prime minister, a position snatched from him three years ago on Monday.
Page 3: Community organisations must invite ministers to launch their projects or services if they get state government grants, funding guidelines show.
World: World powers supporting Syria's rebels have decided to take secret steps to change the balance on the battlefield after the US and others called for an increase in military aid to insurgents.
Business: Australian investors have been warned to brace for more pain this week as jitters over the US and China continue to pull down local stocks.
Sport: Ash McGrath's 55m goal after the siren sunk Geelong by five points at the Gabba on Sunday night may have saved his coach's career.
The Age
Page 1: Australia's big four banks have been ranked the most profitable in the developed world for the third straight year, reigniting criticism over their market dominance.
Page 2: Kevin Rudd's three-stage siege on the Labor leadership has cost the party direct political support and could destroy it for a generation, according to a review of opinion polls before and after his two previous leadership tilts by supporters of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Page 3: The town of Ararat could be the site of Australia's first prison for geriatrics, as the number of elderly inmates in Victoria soars because of tough law and order policies and the ageing population.
World: Bangladesh's poorest garment workers have pleaded with Australian companies to remain in the country, as retailers consider pulling orders from the beleaguered garment industry in the wake of the country's worst-ever industrial accident.
Business: More than $1.7 billion in foreign investment, including funding for crucial government infrastructure projects, remains in limbo due to a slow visa approval process by federal authorities.
Sport: The Brisbane Lions pulled off one of the upsets of the season and the eighth-biggest comeback in AFL history storming home to beat Geelong by five points at the Gabba on Sunday.
