Morning Headlines

Libs deny Barnett faces coup

Prominent businessman Nigel Satterley has fuelled Liberal leadership speculation by airing rumours that Treasurer Mike Nahan planned to move a leadership spill tomorrow to install Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis as premier. The West

Greens put high price on power

Bill Shorten would face demands to abandon Labor's asylum seeker policy, ban new coalmines and increase taxes on miners by at least $2 billion a year under Greens conditions for power sharing negotiations if the election produces a hung parliament. The Aus

Business urged to stand up and sell reform package

Business leaders are ramping up the case for $48.2 billion in company tax cuts in a powerful move to shape the election fight on economic management, calling on all employers to “stand up and be counted” on the controversial changes. The Aus

Big plane fare war

A revolution in low-cost air travel to be announced today in Singapore is expected to spark an unprecedented airfare war and bring seamless travel in Australia and Asia for budget-conscious passengers. The West

Rate rigging 'could hurt' customers

Traders at Westpac openly discussed how “f------ with the rate set” could hurt some customers and ultimately and “deservedly” harm the bank's reputation if an inquiry into the bank bill market was ever conducted. The Fin

'All downhill without infrastructure'

Ramping up government spending on infrastructure may be the only policy option left to drive up living standards, says KPMG, which forecasts another $25 billion budget blowout if productivity growth continues to languish. The Fin

Woodside investors seek answers on growth

Woodside Petroleum investors are looking to Friday's annual briefing for answers on what will drive production expansion at the company and some clarity on M&A strategy after last year's rejected $11.6 billion tilt at Oil Search. The Fin

Programmed payment claim

The former owner of a fleet of oil and gas support vessels is pursuing a payment claim against Programmed of more than $10 million. The West

Australia urged to open doors to agricultural investment

Australia has been told to open its doors to foreign investment in agriculture, as a new report urges a “second green revolution” in the region that will allow technological advances to meet the forecast doubling of Asian food consumption in coming decades. The Aus

Ausgroup explores its funding options

Troubled resources contractor AusGroup says it is considering all funding alternatives available after amassing more losses and breaching loan requirements. The West

The West Australian

Page 1: A revolution in low-cost air travel to be announced today in Singapore is expected to spark an unprecedented airfare war and bring seamless travel in Australia and Asia for budget-conscious passengers.

Page 3: Prominent businessman Nigel Satterley has fuelled Liberal leadership speculation by airing rumours that Treasurer Mike Nahan planned to move a leadership spill tomorrow to install Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis as premier.

Page 4: The Liberal candidate for Fremantle misdescribed his work background in his original application for pre-selection.

Page 5: Malcolm Turnbull flew into Perth overnight on a mission to save WA from a rising Labor tide amid signs the unpopular Barnett government has become a major drag on the Federal coalition vote.

Page 7: The number of West Australians seeking mediation for neighbourhood disputes over fences, trees, noisy air-conditioners and barking dogs has almost doubled in the past five years.

Page 14: Up to 25,000 people sat through gridlocked traffic, a two-hour plane delay and early showers yesterday to watch the giant of the skies – the Antonov An-225 Mriya – thunder into Perth Airport just before noon.

Business: The former owner of a fleet of oil and gas support vessels is pursuing a payment claim against Programmed of more than $10 million.

The developer of a $400 million to $500 million waste-to-energy plant in Kwinana has been given extra time to nail down a construction contract.

Troubled resources contractor AusGroup says it is considering all funding alternatives available after amassing more losses and breaching loan requirements.

The Australian Financial Review

Page 1: Traders at Westpac openly discussed how “f------ with the rate set” could hurt some customers and ultimately and “deservedly” harm the bank's reputation if an inquiry into the bank bill market was ever conducted.

The rally in China's old economy is fading just a month after it began, leading to speculation of policy disagreement at the highest levels in Beijing.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce suggested he will pressure retailers and processors to increase raw milk prices for farmers, labelling their current lows as “an anathema”.

Page 3: Ramping up government spending on infrastructure may be the only policy option left to drive up living standards, says KPMG, which forecasts another $25 billion budget blowout if productivity growth continues to languish.

Page 5: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has criticised the Medicare rebate freeze with such ferocity that reversing it appears likely to form part of Labor's health policy.

Page 6: Labor Leader Bill Shorten is under growing pressure from unions to act to protect the take-home pay of workers if their penalty rates are cut by the Fair Work Commission.

Page 8: Older Australians are the major target of investment and dating scams which swindled more than $229 million out of unsuspecting consumers, the competition watchdog warns.

Page 15: Slashing duplication costs and clamping down on expensive claims number among Suncorp Group chief executive Michael Cameron's top priorities as he puts his stamp on the $16.4 billion insurer.

Page 17: Woodside Petroleum investors are looking to Friday's annual briefing for answers on what will drive production expansion at the company and some clarity on M&A strategy after last year's rejected $11.6 billion tilt at Oil Search.

Mining companies need to better prepare assets they intend to sell to ensure they deliver shareholder value ahead of expectations of a much-anticipated foray by private capital into the industry, says a report by accounting and advisory firm EY.

Page 18: Despite rapid growth in digital banking, the bank branch does not appear to be heading the way of CD retailers or video shops just yet.

Page 32: Australia's cattle station sector is set to reach more than $1 billion worth of deals in less than a year, with the two biggest sources of investment the controversial areas of foreign investment and superannuation.

The Australian

Page 1: Bill Shorten would face demands to abandon Labor's asylum seeker policy, ban new coalmines and increase taxes on miners by at least $2 billion a year under Greens conditions for power sharing negotiations if the election produces a hung parliament.

Page 2: Deputy Premier Liza Harvey says she does not believe moves are under way to oust Colin Barnett from the state's top job, but has not ruled out offering herself as an alternate leader.

Page 6: Business leaders are ramping up the case for $48.2 billion in company tax cuts in a powerful move to shape the election fight on economic management, calling on all employers to “stand up and be counted” on the controversial changes.

Page 8: There are no paying customers on the National Broadband Network's fastest service, undermining Labor's rhetoric about the need for a “first-rate fibre” rollout.

Page 9: Bill Shorten would extend the reach of government if elected prime minister by creating at least 10 bureaucratic bodies and office-holders.

Business: Former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile has urged the captains of industry to show more support for reforms – including company tax cuts – during the election campaign, declaring the “main game is on”.

Australia has been told to open its doors to foreign investment in agriculture, as a new report urges a “second green revolution” in the region that will allow technological advances to meet the forecast doubling of Asian food consumption in coming decades.

The junior resources sector is preparing a revolt against the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, with the industry preparing to appeal directly to federal resources Minister Josh Frydenberg for intervention over the regulator's latest rule changes.

The latest fall in acquisition activity in the mining sector may well be the last, with increasing signs that deal flow might be about to rebound.

The Western Australia government's Pilbara Port Authority has been accused of “gouging” the junior miners that use its Utah Point port and misrepresenting the port's profitability, amid growing tensions that would complicate the state's efforts to sell the facility.