Gillard takes unions' side – The Fin; Abetz may drop franchise Bill – The West; Buckeridge pushes port with ad blitz – The Fin; Triple threat tipped to keep iron ore prices flat – The Aus; Dairy propels Harvey Fresh – The West
Gillard takes unions' side
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has unapologetically asserted workers' right to bargain on job security, in the face of employer arguments that management must be free to manage without interference. The Fin
Abetz may drop franchise Bill
WA's small business commissioner would be given extra powers to protect people who run franchised businesses, under a new deal to head off a revolt by Liberal Party backbenchers. The West
Buckeridge pushes port with ad blitz
One of Australia's richest men, Len Buckeridge, will help fund an advertising blitz aimed at getting approval for a consortium he leads to build a port south of Perth. The Fin
Triple threat tipped to keep iron ore prices flat
Iron ore prices could extend their recent falls as Chinese steel mills de-stock, distressed cargoes not being taken in Europe are sent to Asia and Chinese traders find it hard to get credit, Morgan Stanley analysts say. The Aus
Dairy propels Harvey Fresh
WA dairy and juice processor Harvey Fresh has topped off a stellar year by more than doubling its annual profit, attributing much of the result to a bumper performance from its dairy division despite the Coles-led crunch on milk prices. The West
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Qantas flights are expected to be back to normal tomorrow as the airline tries to clear the backlog of 70,000 angry passengers left stranded by its shock decision to ground its fleet.
Page 6: Qantas and the three unions involved in the airline's industrial dispute have until November 22 to settle their differences and thrash out a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
Page 11: Beaches at Rottnest Island are set to reopen this morning after no further shark sightings yesterday afternoon.
Page 12: The Reserve Bank is set to give Australian mortgage holders a boost today with an interest rate cut.
Page 18: New state government figures reveal the Department of Transport continues to charge some fees above its costs.
Page 19: The Public Transport Authority is yet to investigate the Perth foreshore redevelopment's effect on rail and bus services despite planners raising concerns about traffic congestion.
Page 20: Compulsory voting for council elections, the ideal number of municipalities for Perth and the role and responsibilities of local government are among key questions in a new discussion paper.
Business: Investors are prepared to wear a hit of at least $110 million to Qantas's earnings this financial year, following the airline's high-risk efforts to curb the power of sections of its heavily unionised workforce.
WA's small business commissioner would be given extra powers to protect people who run franchised businesses, under a new deal to head off a revolt by Liberal Party backbenchers.
Paladin Energy managing director John Borshoff has forfeited 25 per cent, or $500,000, of his salary for this year as part of a cost-cutting program initiated by the struggling Perth uranium miner.
Page 44: Minmetals Resources' $C1.3 billion bid for Anvil Mining could become the first casualty of the Democratic Republic of Congo's so-called “mining audit”, with the Chinese bidder threatening to walk after the intervention of the country's state-owned mining company.
St George Bank is owed $96 million on the Port Geographe residential estate near Busselton, according the the latest update on the administration of the site's developers.
The Economic Regulation Authority appears to have struck a blow to the owners of the Dampier-to-Bunbury gas pipeline, demanding future tariffs for access to WA's most strategic infrastructure at lower than the existing rate.
WA dairy and juice processor Harvey Fresh has topped off a stellar year by more than doubling its annual profit, attributing much of the result to a bumper performance from its dairy division despite the Coles-led crunch on milk prices.
Kerry Stokes' Seven Group Holdings has bought shares in Seven West Media for the first time since the West Australian Newspapers merger in April, increasing its stake beyond 32 per cent.
Woolworths boss Grant O'Brien will unveil an ambitious plan to double the supermarket group's sale of private label products at his strategy day tomorrow, bringing it closer to supermarkets in Britain and the US where the category dominates shelves and generates premium earnings.
A year after launching a friendly $22 million scrip offer for Perth-based gold explorer Laguna Resources, Kingsgate Consolidated has returned with a follow-up bid to mop up minority shareholders holding 30 per cent of the target.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW:
Page 1: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has unapologetically asserted workers' right to bargain on job security, in the face of employer arguments that management must be free to manage without interference.
Qantas will cut prices across its international and domestic network, offer grounded passengers special promotional deals, and take out one of the biggest national advertising campaigns in its 90-year history in a bid to win back disenchanted travellers.
Thousands of retail investors have been hit with surprise margin calls as one of the world's largest broking houses faces bankruptcy.
Page 3: Independent Tony Windsor says he will only support the government's mining tax if it tightens the rules for coal seam gas mining on farmland.
Page 5: Qantas expects to run a normal domestic schedule from Tuesday morning after getting approval from the safety regulator to resume services.
Page 12: Slowing inflation and strengthening credit demand are complicating the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate strategy before Tuesday's crucial board meeting.
Australia's soft housing market may be in for a turnaround after the pace of decline slowed in September, data suggests.
Page 13: One of Australia's richest men, Len Buckeridge, will help fund an advertising blitz aimed at getting approval for a consortium he leads to build a port south of Perth.
Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, and her youngest daughter Ginia, have won the right to keep their public spat out of the public eye for the time being.
Page 17: Racehorse enthusiast and retail king Gerry Harvey will be hoping for an interest rate cut while keeping an eye on racing's biggest event, the Melbourne Cup.
Page 18: Kerry Stokes has used one of his favourite corporate devices - the creep provision of the Corporations Act – to increase his stake in Seven West Media.
Page 19: Big miners have enjoyed low gas costs for the past decade while enjoying surging commodity prices, but the days may be numbered for cheap energy deals.
Page 20: Lynas Corp has again pushed back the date for completion of its rare earths processing plant in Malaysia and is yet to receive a critical government approval.
Paladin boss John Borshoff's salary will fall by 25 per cent as part of a cost reduction program as the uranium miner struggles with low prices and plant shutdowns.
Fresh doubt has been cast over Minmetals Resources' $C1.33 billion takeover bid for copper miner Anvil Mining following consultations with Gecamines.
THE AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Julia Gillard faces growing pressure to toughen her industrial relations laws to allow earlier government intervention in disputes that threaten the economy, as the nation counts the costs of Saturday’s dramatic grounding of the Qantas airline fleet.
Julia Gillard and some of her most senior ministers have denied that Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce repeatedly warned the government the industrial dispute at the airline was reaching a tipping point that could force it to ground its entire fleet through a lockout.
Qantas says it could be back up to full operational strength by tomorrow and expects to quickly clear the backlog of customers stranded by the shock weekend decision to ground its fleet.
Page 2: Frustrated members of the Health Services Union are calling for their fees to be reimbursed after their alleged misuse by top officials, only to be told by the industrial umpire it is powerless to make this happen.
Page 4: The government is bracing for a fight with the banks over the passing on of any rate cut from the Reserve Bank today to their mortgage customers.
Opposition frontbenchers, who since Federation have sacrificed fortune for ambition, are set for the first time be paid for their extra responsibilities.
The NBN Co faces a bill of up to $600 million for the launch of two high-speed broadband satellites, which are scheduled to be up and orbiting in 2015.
Home prices could finally be bottoming out, having recorded their smallest price decline in seven months in September.
Page 6: Unions are considering launching a legal challenge in the Federal Court, saying they fear big companies will be emboldened by Qantas’s radical response and use the same tactics to stop other industrial action.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon has targeted Qantas and its chief executive Alan Joyce in an ALP national presidency campaign pitch to rank-and-file members.
Page 8: Legal experts have endorsed Julia Gillard’s decision to refer the industrial showdown at Qantas to Fair Work Australia instead of making a direct executive declaration to terminate the dispute as demanded by Tony Abbott.
Business: Qantas's credit rating is under threat as the industrial strife engulfing the company is expected to increase the cost at which it can borrow money on debt markets and as some business analysts tip that up to $110 million could be stripped from the national carrier’s bottom line.
The Australian dollar was under pressure last night after the Bank of Japan intervened in the global foreign exchange markets to weaken the yen and ease pressures on the nation’s fragile economy.
Chi-X put in what seemed like four years’ work to earn around $138 in brokerage yesterday.
Iron ore prices could extend their recent falls as Chinese steel mills de-stock, distressed cargoes not being taken in Europe are sent to Asia and Chinese traders find it hard to get credit, Morgan Stanley analysts say.
Shares in Africa-focused miner Paladin were punished after it reported a fall in uranium production amid weak market prices, despite record sales for the September quarter.
Retailers need to distinguish themselves on service and unique products to compete with the surge of online competitors, rather than simply trying to match them on price, according to a sector report from business adviser Pricewaterhousecoopers.
Furniture and electrical retailer Harvey Norman has warned the market to expect a poor first-half result by reporting a fall of almost 20 per cent in pre-tax earnings for the first quarter, as currency movements and price deflation continue to erode revenue.
After 18 months of watching international student numbers slip, Navitas co-founder and chief executive Rod Jones is relieved that the government has eased visa barriers for foreign students seeking tertiary education in Australia.
Asian investment dollars once put into Australian mines are increasingly being diverted to Africa, leading to a significant jump in local companies focused on the region attracting Chinese funds.
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Page 1: Barry O'Farrell will announce his plans for the remaining electricity assets before Christmas. The federal government's mining tax has hit a snag with two key independents demanding curbs on coal seam gas exploration. Qantas returned to the skies but left behind a bitter propaganda war.
Page 2: Gun theft is on the rise in Australia and particularly NSW, according to a new report.
Page 3: Banks are flush with funds before an expected cut in the Reserve Bank's cash rate.
World: British government ministers have been forced to seek permission from Prince Charles to pass more than a dozen bills.
Business: Investors are prepared to wear a hit of at least $110 million to Qantas's earnings this financial year.
Sport: Aussie battler Niwot is set to turn back the tide of international raiders to win the Melbourne Cup.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Page 1: Senior ministers have admitted the government should have acted sooner to avert the Qantas crisis. Lance Corporal Luke Gavin talked of missing his wife and children.
Page 2: Former Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett was sorting out "private issues" with his wife when police swarmed to his apartment at the weekend.
Page 3: Cheers from relieved passengers have echoed through the Qantas terminal at Sydney airport.
World: The multi-national toll in one of the bloodiest attacks in the decade-long Afghan insurgency has emerged.
Business: Moody's Investor Services was an isolated dissenter from overwhelming market approval of Qantas's audacious industrial strategy.
Sport: English trainer Luca Cumani declared the Melbourne Cup victory speech will be made in French again at Flemington.
THE AGE:
Page 1: Melbourne Cup now reverberates around the world. Recriminations fly as Gillard ministers take aim at Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
Page 2: Deluded rapist who wanted to date his victim jailed for 14 years. Teenage girl dies in road crash after arguing with the driver over whether he should be behind the wheel. Parks Victoria staff warned to accept basic 2.5 per cent pay rise or risk getting nothing until well into next year.
Page 3: DHS staff failed to recognise drug use of couple whose autistic four-year-old son died after ingesting his parents' medication. Bodyguards to guide 14-year-old into Bali court. Fallen Diggers gave their all in "freedom fight". Police search for 43 year-old man after burned body found.
World: Imran Khan back on the political trail in Pakistan.
Business: The airline dispute is just the first battleground as fight looms between business and government over workplace relations.
Sport: Craig Williams backs French jockey who will take his place on Cup chance Dunaden.
THE HERALD SUN:
Page 1: Smart meters will add $60 to household energy bills. Fallen Digger Luke Gavin loved his kids and his mates.
Page 2: Reserve Bank likely to cut interest rates by 0.25 basis points.
Page 3: Police called to apartment of Olympic gold medal swimmer Grant Hackett as he and his wife dealt with "private issues". Shane Warne and Liz Hurley go masked on Halloween hunt.
World: US climate change sceptic says he was wrong.
Business: Moody's warning on Qantas credit rating.
Sport: Jockey Craig Williams, who lost his bid to ride in the Melbourne Cup, says Frenchman Christophe Lemaire can win on Dunaden.
THE CANBERRA TIMES:
Page 1: Qantas boss Alan Joyce confident his job is safe despite criticism from the federal government for the airline's `extreme' action to suspend flights on the weekend.
Page 2: Most problem gamblers in the ACT are not accessing help for their addiction.
Page 3: Seriously injured accident victims in the ACT will not receive compensation for pain under planned reforms by the territory's government to compulsory insurance.
World: Four Afghanis killed following a suicide attack on a US charity in Kandahar.
Business: Qantas shares soar 4.4 per cent while local stock market drops 1.2 per cent.
Sport: Frenchman Christophe Lemaire replaces suspended Craig Williams as jockey for second favourite Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup.
THE COURIER MAIL:
Page 1: Qantas chief Alan Joyce has vowed to push ahead with plans for an operation based in Asia.
Page 2: Three weeks before he was killed by a rogue soldier in Afghanistan, Lance-Corporal Luke Gavin said working with the Afghan National Army was "frustrating" and "rewarding".
Page 3: October rainfall records have been smashed in the state's far north.
World: China's president Hu Jintao has arrived in Vienna for a state visit ahead of a crucial G20 meeting in France, amid hopes Beijing may lend a hand to the debt-stricken EU.
Business: Qantas will recover market share despite incurring more than $100 million in lost earnings, airline boss Alan Joyce says.
Sport: Five-time Melbourne cup winning trainer Lee Freedman warns Americain faces a herculean task to win the race again.
THE ADELAIDE ADVERTISER:
Page 1: Pic of Americain and Melbourne Cup race ambassador Ashley Hart.
Page 3: The printer cartridge for gifts scandal has spread to TAFE.
World: Eleven people have died in a freak storm in the US.
Business: The share market ended with its biggest one month gain in two years.
Sport: Craig Williams says Christophe Lemaire could win the Melbourne Cup on Dunaden.
