This weeks issues

Rate rise upsets housing, retail groups

 Housing and retail industry groups have voiced concerns with this week's interest rate rise, suggesting it was counterproductive to a housing recovery, damaging to household budgets and devastating news for retailers. The Reserve Bank of Australia this week lifted the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.5 per cent.

BHP angry at government tax grab

 Miners and lobby groups have responded furiously to the federal government's intention to introduce a new resource super tax with BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers saying it will impact the future wealth of all Australians. The government is estimating to rake in about $9 billion a year from the new tax when it is introduced in 2012.

Voelte maps out Woodside growth plan

 Woodside Petroleum chief Don Voelte is feeling like the "cat that ate the canary" over the company's progress with its suite of upcoming projects and has laid out his wish list of operations he wants to tick off before his time is up.

$100m cost blowout for Northbridge Link

 The cost for sinking the railway line for the Northbridge Link has blown out by $100 million, months before a contractor is nominated to begin the project. Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said a contract could be tendered to a preferred contractor as early as February.

Buswell denies misusing taxpayers money

 Premier Colin Barnett has stood by his decision to force the resignation of Troy Buswell after the former treasurer reversed his position, claiming he had not abused parliamentary entitlements during his affair with Greens MP Adele Carles.