Premier tries to hose down Oakajee fears – The West; Barnett still in health battle – The Aus; Barnett backs Chinese steel mills built locally – The Aus; Mining tax fears linger but Asian outlook upbeat – The Fin; Five-star hotel in mix for Emu Brewery si
Premier tries to hose down Oakajee fears
Premier Colin Barnett was yesterday forced to seek formal assurances from the Japanese backers of the $4.3 billion Oakajee port and rail venture amid continuing market and media speculation the flagship infrastructure project is in trouble. The West
Barnett still in health battle
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett believes several states are prepared to pull out of the national health reform agreement, but last night Queensland, South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania disputed his claim. The Aus
Barnett backs Chinese steel mills built locally
Colin Barnett has backed a federal push for China to build steel mills in Australia, claiming the idea remains ''realistic'' even after four decades of failed attempts at downstream processing of the nation's iron ore resources. The Aus
Mining tax fears linger but Asian outlook upbeat
The federal government is under pressure from two of Australia's largest trading partners over its controversial mining tax, as the Chinese steel industry ruled out paying more for iron ore, and one of Japan's largest companies labelled the impost "disturbing". The Fin
Five-star hotel in mix for Emu Brewery site
Developers are considering a proposal to turn the old Emu Brewery site into a five-star hotel, which would fill a big void in Perth's premium accommodation market. The West
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Authorities fear a major breach of security and criminal intelligence after the discovery of stolen secret files from ASIO, police and anti-corruption agencies during a drug raid in Melbourne.
Page 3: Basic hygiene services at WA's public hospitals are expected to be thrown into disarray from today as thousands of cleaners, orderlies and catering staff escalate industrial action over their stalled pay negotiations with the State Government.
Page 4: The state government is swimming in a surplus of more than half a billion dollars more than it forecast just four months ago as household budgets groan under the weight of higher electricity and water bills.
The nursery and garden industry says it is disappointed that the state government did not consult it when imposing a one-day-a-week spring sprinkler roster, to begin on Friday.
Page 6: The Gillard Government has won the first round in the battle of parliamentary tactics against Tony Abbott's opposition, pulling off a shock upset in the first contested vote of the new Parliament.
Page 9: Burswood Casino's 1,750 gaming machines may evade tough new rules aimed at curbing problem gambling because WA authorities claim they are games more of skill than chance.
Premier Colin Barnett hopes to finalise details of a compensation packaged for uninsured and underinsured victims of December's Toodyay bushfire in time for an announcement on Monday.
Page 10: Premier Colin Barnett was yesterday forced to seek formal assurances from the Japanese backers of the $4.3 billion Oakajee port and rail venture amid continuing market and media speculation the flagship infrastructure project is in trouble.
Page 12: The commercialisation of the Perth Royal Show in recent years is a symptom of tough conditions in the WA agriculture sector, an expert says.
Page 15: The international ban on liquids and gels in carry-on luggage that confuses and frustrates airline passengers is set to be lifted within 18 months as airports worldwide install sophisticated scanning machines.
The Town of Cottesloe has sent controversial changes to its beach by-laws back to the drawing board for a substantial revamp.
Page 16: WA parents have been flocking to shops in search of car seats as they prepare for the new child restraint laws which come into effect on Friday.
Page 18: WA risks being the only state without meaningful shield laws for journalists after the Gillard government said it would back landmark reforms aimed at protecting reporters and their sources.
Page 26: Police have vowed to target "booze cruises" this summer as part of a crackdown on chartered party boats following a number of alcohol-fuelled incidents on the Swan River during the last festive season.
Page 30: WA's newest Federal minister Gary Gray wants to lift the lid on political donations, saying it was not good enough for the identity of big donors to be effectively kept secret for up to 20 months.
Page 32: New figures have revealed a significant decline in passengers on Perth's ferry service between the city and South Perth.
Page 36: A showdown between the world's two fastest men, Australia's premiere music and film awards ceremonies and new golf and beach volleyball tournaments are among suggestions to spruce up WA's events calendar.
Business: The world's third biggest gold miner, AngloGold Ashanti, will push ahead with plans to double the size of its Australian business within five years despite fears the country is "lurching towards" a carbon tax.
This month alone, WA juniors in Africa have raised more than $150 million in equity, riding the surge of investor excitement surrounding the resource-rich continent.
The Australian Securities Exchange has again stoked merger speculation, revealing that it has held talks with several other exchanges about "possible business combinations."
World-renowned corporate culture and leadership expert Carolyn Taylor has warned WA businesses they risk compromising performance if they don't take time out to consider the culture of their organisation.
Cameco Corp and Paladin Energy have suffered a major blow in their ambitions to develop uranium mines in Australia after a surprise about-face by the Northern Territory Government all but ended their hopes for the Angela Pamela project near Alice Springs.
Developers are considering a proposal to turn the old Emu Brewery site into a five-star hotel, which would fill a big void in Perth's premium accommodation market.
ING Real Estate has lodged a formal request with the WA Planning Commission for permission to extend the company's development application for the troubled Victoria Quay development on the Fremantle waterfront.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia says it supports lease transparency but has rejected calls made in a state government discussion paper for shopping centre owners to maintain a register of leases.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW:
Page 1: The competition and consumer regulator has warned telecommunications companies, airlines and especially car rental firms to quickly revise their customer contracts after a surge in complaints and attempts to sidestep consumer protection reforms.
The federal government is under pressure from two of Australia's largest trading partners over its controversial mining tax, as the Chinese steel industry ruled out paying more for iron ore, and one of Japan's largest companies labelled the impost "disturbing".
Gas and alternative fuel producers are demanding Prime Minister Julia Gillard give them the same tax treatment as the freshly energised ethanol industry, which won $140 million of concession as part of Labor's deal with the independent MPs.
Page 3: West Australian Premier Colin Barnett's pledge to never preside over a budget deficit looks safe so far, after the state posted a $831 million operating surplus last financial year.
Page 5: Employer groups have welcomed the government's decision to appoint a new Australian Building and Construction Commissioner for three years and hope Labor might back away from plans to abolish the office.
Page 10: Tax reform will be debated in Parliament next year in another step by the Gillard government to respond to the Henry tax review amid calls from business for stronger action to overhaul the tax and transfer system.
Page 11: The federal government has gained a chance to secure a crucial extra vote on tight decisions in Parliament after a Liberal backbencher dismayed his colleagues by accepting a Labor nomination to help preside over the House of Representatives.
Page 12: Natural gas, biofuel and petrol producers are frustrated by the government's energy policy process, which involves at least nine government departments and agencies looking at different aspects of how transport fuels should be taxed or subsidised.
Page 13: The federal government is under pressure to introduce a carbon price during the term of this parliament, with unions, power generators and green groups all saying there is the political will and opportunity to act before a 2013 election.
Page 14: Treasury has warned the federal government of "significant issues" needing early attention in relation to the extension of the petroleum resource rent tax to all oil and gas projects.,
Page 16: Legislation to determine tax breaks for businesses undertaking research and development has been amended before its reintroduction to Parliament today.
Page 49: Nufarm managing director Doug Rathbone has admitted the positions of its entire senior executive and board and under review as part of a strategic overhaul of the herbicide producer that yesterday delivered its first full-year loss in more than a decade.
Page 52: Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund has named Steve Loxton its new chief executive.
Arrow Energy offshoot Dart Energy will fast-track plans towards its first commercial gas sales in Australia in 2012 after agreeing to takeover smaller rival and partner Apollo Gas for about $145 million in stock.
Page 54: A recovery in business credit is imminent and growth could reach double-digit levels by 2012 as companies take advantage of the strengthening economy by adding more debt to their balance sheets, according to broker RBS.
Page 56: Perth's contentious former Emu Brewery site has once again changed hands, selling to AAIG, a company with directors based in Australia and Malaysia, for $55 million.
THE AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: The delicate balance of power in parliament is the biggest risk to the budget's return to surplus, as leading economists warn that the government must cut spending and relieve the pressure on interest rates.
Page 2: West Australian Premier Colin Barnett believes several states are prepared to pull out of the national health reform agreement, but last night Queensland, South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania disputed his claim.
The opposition will try to beat the government and independents to the post and introduce its own bill to protect journalists' confidential sources today.
Page 4: Julia Gillard has been forced to keep two cabinet ministers she wanted to dump because they threatened to force by-elections and risk losing her government, according to Labor insider Graham Richardson.
Page 5: The Gillard government has vowed to lift productivity, skills and job participation levels, push ahead with the controversial mining tax and crack down on asylum seekers.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith has advised federal parliament of a potential conflict of interest over his brother-in-law's work with prime defence communications contractor Unisys.
Page 6: The productivity gains of the 1990s have all been lost as the economy battles with capacity constraints and the lack of economic reform.
Colin Barnett has backed a federal push for China to build steel mills in Australia, claiming the idea remains ''realistic'' even after four decades of failed attempts at downstream processing of the nation's iron ore resources.
The West Australian government is again awash with cash, as it rides the resources boom towards a new era of stunning billion dollar surpluses.
Premier Colin Barnett has moved to hose down market tensions over the future of Western Australia's $4.4 billion Oakajee port and rail project after speculation that Mitsubishi is starting to waver.
Independent MP Tony Windsor says he remains openminded about putting a price on carbon despite Julia Gillard's requirement that membership of the government's multi-party climate change committee be limited to those who acknowledge that cutting carbon pollution will require a carbon price.
Page 8: Virgin Blue chief executive John Borghetti has apologised to customers for the chaos caused by the airline's computer meltdown and will meet the IT suppliers tomorrow to interrogate them on what went wrong.
Business: The Australian Securities Exchange is exploring an alliance with a global rival to combat growing competitive pressures in its own backyard.
China steel industry chief Shan Shanghua has attacked the Gillard government's proposed mining tax, and says the new quarterly iron ore pricing system is unreasonable and unfair.
Steel industry sources and analysts are sceptical of the Australian government's call for China to build steel mills in Australia to process iron ore, saying high costs and a potential carbon tax mean they are unlikely to stack up.
Colin Barnett has sought an assurance from Japan's Mitsubishi that it will not walk away from the planned $4.4 billion Oakajee infrastructure joint venture in Western Australia.
Australia's mining industry remains united in its fight against Julia Gillard's mining tax, with renewed fears her alliance with the Greens could see it expanded across the sector.
Australia is experiencing its lightest year of equity capital markets activity in 10 years as initial public offerings and follow on issuance dries up, but bankers remain hopeful for a return to the bumper days of 2009.
Telstra chief executive David Thodey will move to reassure investors that its dividend payout is sustainable, even as he reaffirms gloomy earnings guidance and faces mounting pressure to investigate a buyback of the telco's languishing stock.
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Page 1: Tony Abbott has warned his angry charges not to drive Peter Slipper out of the Liberal Party.
The federal parliament is in shock at the new reality of a minority government.
Angry publicans have accused City of Sydney Council of declaring war by red tape with its latest moves to reduce the number of late-night drinking spots.
Authorities fear a dangerous breach of national security and criminal intelligence after the discovery of stolen secret files from ASIO.
The Australian swimming team flies to India on Tuesday.
Page 2: Geoffrey Robertson will be the headline act at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.
Page 3: The NSW Department of Education has refused to release figures that show how much each comprehensive high school improves the performance of its students.
World: (Beijing) North Korea has for the first time published the name of its likely next dictator.
Business: The rapid urbanisation and increasing wealth of Asia's emerging economic superpowers are likely to cause food prices to soar.
Sport: Controversial South African runner Caster Semenya is likely to buck the trend of high-profile withdrawals and compete at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Page 1: Paul Kent bet $250,000 on the Sydney Roosters on behalf of an anonymous businessman.
Page 2: A jury will resume its deliberations in the trial of Brett Stewart.
Page 3: Paul Keating has defended a charge of driving through a red light.
World: (London) The owner of the company that makes the two-wheeled Segway transporter has died.
Business: The United States' rule as the world's dominant power is over, the head of a top US investment houses has declared.
Sport: Ben Hornby has declared that Sunday's NRL grand final would be the proudest moment of his career.
THE HERALD SUN:
Page 1: James Hird is new Essendon coach, Geelong coach Mark Thompson says he is burnt out.
Page 3: The youngest son of slain crime patriarch Macchour Chaouk has declared a ceasefire with rival family the Haddaras.
Page 5: Geelong, which has been bracing itself for the loss of Gary Ablett, now looks certain to lose dual premiership coach, Mark Thompson.
World: Actor Gloria Stuart, who played the elderly Rose Calvert in the film Titanic, has died in Los Angeles aged 100.
Business: ANZ has all but admitted that it and other banks will slug home loan borrowers with an extra rate hike if the Reserve Bank lifts its official interest rate next week.
Sport: St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo on Tuesday declared himself fit and ready to respond to coach Ross Lyon's challenge to improve in Saturday's Grand Final replay.
THE AGE:
Page 1: A cache of secret files stolen from ASIO, police and anti-corruption agencies has been discovered during a drugs raid in Melbourne, raising fears of a major breach of national security and crime intelligence.
Page 3: A report to be released in Canberra on Wednesday says no one takes responsibility for the coordination of Melbourne's public transport services.
Page 5: Four charities will each receive a $100,000 slice of the AFL's surprise multi-million dollar windfall from this weekend's grand final rematch.
World: A Taliban commander has offered to exchange a kidnapped British aid worker for a Pakistani scientist who was jailed for 86 years for attempting to murder US troops.
Business: After a two-year probe into the $250 million collapse of Bill Express and its parent company, OnQ Group, former chief financial officer Peter Couper is facing criminal charges and a maximum penalty of 31 years imprisonment.
Sport: Mark Thompson says he's burnt out and needs time to consider his options, creating a stir at both Geelong and Essendon.
THE CANBERRA TIMES:
Page 1: Labor climate change committee just another delaying tactic.
Canberra couple describe terrifying home invasion.
ACT patients wait too long to see specialists.
Page 2: Government rejects Access Economics claim of only brief return to surplus.
Australian National Gallery acquires replica of famous British statue.
Page 3: Robber told to go to rehab or face jail.
Driver dies after head-on collision with log truck.
Former PM Paul Keating cleared of running red light.
World: Young son of North Korea leader designated as successor.
Israeli warship intercepts boatload of Jewish activists heading for Gaza.
US commander in Afghanistan says Taliban prepared to quit fight.
Five US soldiers charged for killing Afghan civilians.
Business: Nufarm boss denies claims he's paid too much. Fisher Investments says current economic conditions akin to 1990s downturn.
Sport: Canberra hockey star Nicole Arrold says Delhi games village just fine, Dragons prop Michael Weyman battles injuries in leadup to grand final.
