G20 submits to Trump
Treasurer Scott Morrison has claimed credit for preserving support for global trade among the world’s top finance ministers in a rear-guard action against US President Donald Trump’s successful push to eliminate explicit condemnation of protectionism. The Fin
Lending limits may spark rate rises by banks
The big four banks are likely to be gearing up for further out-of-cycle interest rate rises, as they prepare for a fresh round of lending limits imposed on them by policymakers desperate to curtail debt-fuelled property speculation. The Fin
Lithium giant flags M&A, mine expansion
The world’s biggest lithium producer will consider mergers and acquisitions on top of an expansion of its Australian lithium mine, as it seeks to supply what it believes will be strong growth in lithium-ion batteries over the next five years. The Fin
Integration core to identity
Australia’s national identity will be redefined along fundamental principles of integration, citizenship and unity in a pointed shift away from welfare entitlement, in the first multicultural statement by a federal government to also recognise the impact of terrorism on the nation’s social fabric. The Aus
Coalition looks at chance to lift Medicare freeze
Expectations are growing that the Turnbull government will lift the contentious Medicare freeze in the budget, with Health Minister Greg Hunt promoting the constructive and positive talks he has held with two key lobby groups. The Aus
Ex-Westpac CEO touted as frontrunner to chair BHP Billiton
Former Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly has emerged as a surprise external contender to take control of the BHP Billiton board when chairman Jac Nasser steps down in coming months. The Aus
State MPs grant themselves ‘immunity’ from corruption investigations
State MPs have granted themselves immunity from investigation by the Corruption and Crime Commission to enjoy special status as the only public officers not subject to its extraordinary powers, according to the watchdog’s chief. The West
Nahan tells Barnett he’s got to quit Parliament
Opposition leader-in-waiting Mike Nahan yesterday followed up his criticism of Colin Barnett over the Liberals’ catastrophic election loss with a call for his friend and former boss to leave Parliament sooner rather than later. The West
WA wheat farmers warned on price
An international grain forecasting expert has warned WA’s farmers they should not expect higher global wheat prices any time soon. Australian grain growers should watch the Australian dollar closely, as this would have the biggest bearing on their prices next season and beyond. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Treasurer Scott Morrison has claimed credit for preserving support for global trade among the world’s top finance ministers in a rear-guard action against US President Donald Trump’s successful push to eliminate explicit condemnation of protectionism.
Eight directors and executives of collapsed electronics chain Dick Smith have been hit with a legal action that alleges breaches of their duties and a damages claim that totals tens of millions of dollars.
Page 3: The industry super lobby is launching a television scare campaign against superannuation governance changes in which it likens big banks to foxes descending on a chicken coop.
Page 4: A long-running battle between Attorney-General George Brandis and the opposition over freedom of information came to an underwhelming end after his ministerial diary revealed he had not formally met community legal centres before slashing their funding.
Page 5: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has launched a Trump-like Twitter tirade in response to a report the government will scrap concession cards and welfare payments in the May budget.
Page 9: Beef processors are hopeful of a major breakthrough on access to the booming China market during this week’s visit to Australia by China’s Premier Li Keqiang.
Page 13: The big four banks are likely to be gearing up for further out-of-cycle interest rate rises, as they prepare for a fresh round of lending limits imposed on them by policymakers desperate to curtail debt-fuelled property speculation.
Page 15: Qantas will open its technology platforms, data and anonymised customer information to up to 10 start-up or scale-up businesses when it runs its first ‘‘accelerator’’ from May.
Page 16: Global regulators and politicians are scrambling to understand and respond to new risks that rapid technological advancement is introducing to the financial system, including the potential for cryptocurrencies and blockchain to tempt rogue governments and other hackers to break computer encryption codes designed to protect global e-commerce.
Page 18: The world’s biggest lithium producer will consider mergers and acquisitions on top of an expansion of its Australian lithium mine, as it seeks to supply what it believes will be strong growth in lithium-ion batteries over the next five years.
The Australian
Page 1: Voters have given the Coalition a vital boost in the wake of Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to expand the iconic Snowy Mountains power scheme, shaving Labor’s lead to 52 to 48 per cent in two-party terms and lifting the Prime Minister’s personal ratings.
Australia’s national identity will be redefined along fundamental principles of integration, citizenship and unity in a pointed shift away from welfare entitlement, in the first multicultural statement by a federal government to also recognise the impact of terrorism on the nation’s social fabric.
Page 2: The Turnbull government is set to rebuff the Chinese President’s calls to align Australia’s $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility with a massive Chinese investment program in ports and roads that is being rolled out around the world.
Page 3: A pregnant Perth sales executive was allegedly subject to unwarranted performance management, denied the right to return to work after parental leave, and presented with a pre-written resignation letter after telling her boss she was pregnant with her second child.
Page 5: Expectations are growing that the Turnbull government will lift the contentious Medicare freeze in the budget, with Health Minister Greg Hunt promoting the constructive and positive talks he has held with two key lobby groups.
Page 17: Ex-Westpac CEO touted as frontrunner to chair BHP Billiton Former Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly has emerged as a surprise external contender to take control of the BHP Billiton board when chairman Jac Nasser steps down in coming months.
A new era of senior executive accountability in the nation’s banks is likely to be proclaimed next month, as the federal Treasury and the banking industry work up a package of reforms to help ensure that senior managers suffer the consequences of serious misconduct on their watch.
Page 18: Rio Tinto chief Jean-Sebastien Jacques says meetings with Trump administration officials last week have given the company confidence that the new US President would deliver on his infrastructure policies, which could spur commodities demand.
Page 20: Customers of two of the nation’s largest lenders, Commonwealth Bank and ANZ, are facing mortgage interest rate hikes this week as National Australia Bank’s surprise repricing of its $275 billion home loan book drives various tactical responses across the industry.
Page 21: Charter Hall Group has been snapping up properties and striking new leasing deals as it prepares to raise $300 million for its main unlisted property fund and fills out a $400m specialist fund for smaller investors.
The West Australian
Page 1: State MPs have granted themselves immunity from investigation by the Corruption and Crime Commission to enjoy special status as the only public officers not subject to its extraordinary powers, according to the watchdog’s chief.
Page 3: Chuck Berry has been remembered as the man who invented rock ‘n’ roll.
Page 4: Opposition leader-in-waiting Mike Nahan yesterday followed up his criticism of Colin Barnett over the Liberals’ catastrophic election loss with a call for his friend and former boss to leave Parliament sooner rather than later.
The fate of the Barnett government was sealed as far out as a month before election day, a poll has revealed.
Page 5: The McGowan Government has been warned to be careful in how it uses so-called value capture to fund its keynote Metronet rail plan amid concerns it could be gamed by big developers.
Page 6: Malcolm Turnbull has a battle on his hands to convince West Australians of the merits of cutting penalty rates, with almost half disagreeing with the Fair Work Commission’s decision.
Page 7: Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi took to social media yesterday to launch an extraordinary attack on “my three amigos” who she claims “have a lot to answer for”.
Page 11: The industry superannuation lobby is targeting the nation’s banks in an advertising campaign that likens the big four to foxes out to devour ordinary superannuation accounts.
Page 12: A Perth boss is being prosecuted by the Fair Work Ombudsman for allegedly discriminating against a female employee by telling her to resign when she became pregnant with her second child.
Page 13: A property agency that has been described as “Uber for real estate” will launch in Perth today, disrupting the decades-old commission model used to sell homes in WA.
Page 15: Domain Stadium management will bid for the rights to host the International Rules series in November in an attempt to send the historic venue out on a high.
Page 53: US chemicals company Albemarle is weighing up a takeover of WA lithium hopeful Kidman Resources, a deal which if realised would further tighten the grip of the biggest players over global supply.
An international grain forecasting expert has warned WA’s farmers they should not expect higher global wheat prices any time soon.