Defence core of PM's push to seal China ties – The Aus; WA Treasury boss attacks mining tax – The West; China monitors Karara – The Fin; Land plan to cut house prices – The West; Abbott's NBN to cost $17bn less – The Fin
Defence core of PM's push to seal China ties
Julia Gillard today will unveil a 10-year plan to tighten Australia’s embrace of China, flagging three-nation military exercises to include the US and more Chinese investment in Australia. The Aus
WA Treasury boss attacks mining tax
WA's most senior Treasury official says the federal government's mining tax has led to “heightened sovereign risk” and describes Canberra's rhetoric on the issue as akin to financial bullying. The West
China monitors Karara
China is closely monitoring progress at Gindalbie Metals' Karara iron ore joint venture with state-owned steel maker Anshan Iron and Steel, the future of the fledgling Australian magnetite industry riding on its success. The Fin
Land plan to cut house prices
New Housing Minister Bill Marmion wants to flood the land market to drive down house prices for those struggling to buy a home. The West
Abbott's NBN to cost $17bn less
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will unveil plans to build a scaled-down version of the national broadband network for $20.4 billion amid a fresh political stoush over the cost of the biggest public infrastructure project in Australia's history. The Fin
Top Resources Headlines
Sundance kills off Hanlong courtship
Sundance Resources has finally bowed to what most market watchers had seen as inevitable, telling shareholders last night it had killed off its $1.37 billion takeover deal with China's Hanlong Mining. The West
China monitors Karara
China is closely monitoring progress at Gindalbie Metals' Karara iron ore joint venture with state-owned steel maker Anshan Iron and Steel, the future of the fledgling Australian magnetite industry riding on its success. The Fin
Companies dispute $3 pay claim at trial
Three companies accused of paying Filipino workers less than $3 an hour to work on oil rigs off the West Australian coast have disputed the claims on the first day of a federal court trial. The Fin
US a happy hunting ground for our juniors
The US is fast becoming a resources frontier Australia’s junior miners are keen to explore as they chase early production projects to counter the waning investor appetite hurting the smaller end of the sector. The Aus
Port Hedland iron ore exports rise sharply after cyclonic lull
Iron ore exports from Port Hedland rose 25 per cent last month, rebounding from the previous month when cyclones disrupted shipments, according to data from the local port authority. The Aus
Top Politics Headlines
Defence core of PM's push to seal China ties
Julia Gillard today will unveil a 10-year plan to tighten Australia’s embrace of China, flagging three-nation military exercises to include the US and more Chinese investment in Australia. The Aus
Abbott's NBN to cost $17bn less
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will unveil plans to build a scaled-down version of the national broadband network for $20.4 billion amid a fresh political stoush over the cost of the biggest public infrastructure project in Australia's history. The Fin
WA Treasury boss attacks mining tax
WA's most senior Treasury official says the federal government's mining tax has led to “heightened sovereign risk” and describes Canberra's rhetoric on the issue as akin to financial bullying. The West
WA rejects Gillard's plan for schools
Julia Gillard's election year crusade to reform education funding is on life support after conservative states, including WA, rejected key planks of her schools proposal. The West
Hames cheers hospital shift
Health Minister Kim Hames is pleased Mandurah hospital's private operator wants to offload the business after it was enmeshed in corruption allegations last year. The West
Top Property Headlines
Land plan to cut house prices
New Housing Minister Bill Marmion wants to flood the land market to drive down house prices for those struggling to buy a home. The West
Councils hit out at Perth's 'bid for power'
A number of metropolitan mayors have lashed out at the City of Perth's bid to expand its borders, calling it a blatant grab for money and power. The West
Metropolitan office market on the move
Australia's metropolitan office markets – the suburban centres outside the CBDs – wil lsee more investment in 2013, Colliers International says. The Fin
The West Australian
Page 3: A WA child health expert says too many “normal” children are being diagnosed as at risk of educational failure and getting access to services they do not need because of inadequate screening.
Page 4: New Housing Minister Bill Marmion wants to flood the land market to drive down house prices for those struggling to buy a home.
Page 5: WA's most senior Treasury official says the federal government's mining tax has led to “heightened sovereign risk” and describes Canberra's rhetoric on the issue as akin to financial bullying.
Page 10: A number of metropolitan mayors have lashed out at the City of Perth's bid to expand its borders, calling it a blatant grab for money and power.
Page 11: WA's peak farming bodies have hit back at criticism from Premier Colin Barnett, accusing him of taking cheap shots and talking rubbish to cover up the state government's inaction on key agricultural issues.
Page 13: Julia Gillard's election year crusade to reform education funding is on life support after conservative states, including WA, rejected key planks of her schools proposal.
Page 15: Health Minister Kim Hames is pleased Mandurah hospital's private operator wants to offload the business after it was enmeshed in corruption allegations last year.
Business: Federal authorities yesterday emerged with just one conviction from 43 insider trading charges laid as the result of an investigation into takeover talk ahead of a bid for medical technology company Vision Systems.
Sundance Resources has finally bowed to what most market watchers had seen as inevitable, telling shareholders last night it had killed off its $1.37 billion takeover deal with China's Hanlong Mining. Bob Hawke has delivered a stinging attack on the world's political leaders, including Julia Gillard, lamenting that there is not one prime minister or president who is “outstanding”.China's Agriculture Minister has described food security as a “grave challenge” and said it was “top of the agenda” for his government.
Australian businesses and tourists will save money as a result of a new agreement to allow dollars to be converted directly to Chinese yuan.
Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder insists a Kmart-style turnaround can be replicated at Target after making a sudden change of leadership at the struggling retail chain.
China's Hanlong Mining is set to embroil itself in more controversy on the Australian market, as rumours grow the company is set to spill the independent directors of cashed-up miner Moly Mines.
Car maker Holden will axe 500 jobs, casting doubts over the future of its manufacturing operations in Australia and its chances of keeping millions of dollars in government assistance.
A small bump in its share price following a resource upgrade has managed to stop the rot for former market darling Gold Road Resources, with its shares bouncing back after hitting 2 ½ year lows last week.
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: A furious South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, is reassessing $50 million that his government promised to General Motors Holden a year ago after the car maker said it would shed another 500 jobs and reignited the debate over industry subsidies.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will unveil plans to build a scaled-down version of the national broadband network for $20.4 billion amid a fresh political stoush over the cost of the biggest public infrastructure project in Australia's history.
Page 3: The Coalition is considering giving employers the power to unilaterally determine workplace agreements for new projects if negotiations with unions fall under a policy designed to partially reverse what business believes is a pro-union shift in the industrial relations system.
Hold -ups caused by congestion at Sydney Airport spread like a virus throughout the rest of the country, stifling productivity and inconveniencing people's lives, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Page 4: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has secured an annual strategic partnership with China, although concerns remain that Beijing's participation will be at a lower level than Australia had been seeking.
Page 5: Australia is the third country to be granted direct currency trading rights with China in a deal that will start on Wednesday with Westpac and ANZ.
Page 7: The federal government wants the states to agree to provide more data on improved school performance as part of its multi billion-dollar Gonski funding proposal, but only three states have signed up for the deal so far.
Page 8: The federal budget will receive little benefit from the mining tax for years to come, says Fortescue Metals Group, which adds it is unlikely to pay the tax over the next half decade.
Page 10: Three companies accused of paying Filipino workers less than $3 an hour to work on oil rigs off the West Australian coast have disputed the claims on the first day of a federal court trial.
Page 15: Iconic Australian surfwear business Billabong International is poised to fall into foreign hands, after a long-running takeover saga that will see the company sold for $287 million – a fraction of its value at its peak.
China is closely monitoring progress at Gindalbie Metals' Karara iron ore joint venture with state-owned steel maker Anshan Iron and Steel, the future of the fledgling Australian magnetite industry riding on its success.
Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder has rejected calls to sell Target after appointing former Coles operations director Stuart Machin its third chief executive in five years.
Page 17: Orica, the world's biggest explosives maker, has completed the turnover of its leadership team, replacing chairman Peter Duncan with Russel Caplan – a year after hiring Ian Smith as chief.
Page 22: Sundance Resources will resume trading on Tuesday after finally terminating a scheme of arrangement that would have seen privately held Chinese company Sichuan Hanlong Group acquire it in a $1.3 billion deal.
Standard & Poor's has cut its credit rating for goldminer Newcrest Mining from BBB+ to BBB after the company lowered its gold production guidance by 10 per cent for the fiscal year.
Page 23: NBN Co's attempts to string fibre optic cables from power poles in some areas of the national broadband network's rollout are being rejected by utilities, causing lengthy delays and increasing costs.
Page 39: Australia's metropolitan office markets – the suburban centres outside the CBDs – wil lsee more investment in 2013, Colliers International says.
The Australian
Page 1: Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the ‘‘Iron Lady’’ who shaped a generation of politics, died following a stroke last night at the age of 87.
All students will sit national science tests in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 under an expansion of the literacy and numeracy testing program that bolsters the federal government’s reforms linking school improvement to increased funding.
The brief advantage handed to Tony Abbott and the Coalition by the government’s leadership divisions has faded.
Page 4: Julia Gillard today will unveil a 10-year plan to tighten Australia’s embrace of China, flagging three-nation military exercises to include the US and more Chinese investment in Australia.
Workers will be offered a ‘‘better’’ way to add to their retirement savings under a Coalition policy that will match some of Labor’s superannuation plans while rejecting its latest tax hikes.
A Labor plan to allow the big three television networks to merge with regional affiliates appears destined to fail as the government concedes it is not proceeding with its media reforms.
Page 5: The Coalition’s super-fast national broadband network will cost $20.4 billion and be finished by 2019 — two years ahead of Labor’s project at a little more than half the cost.
The NBN remains on track to make a profit and the government will continue to treat its $37.4 billion cost as an off-budget investment, two federal ministers said yesterday.
Page 6: Holden has cut 500 staff in the face of plunging sales and its managing director says he cannot guarantee the job security of remaining employees, despite continuing government aid.
Business: Wesfarmers retail subsidiary Target has a new managing director after just 18 months in yet another attempt to turn around the discount department store.
Surf and skatewear brand Billabong is close to being sold to a private equity buyer headed by its former US chief, Paul Naude, for a price said to be 60c a share.
The currency convertibility deal between Australia and China will cut the cost of doing business and reduce hedging risks as trade between the two nations strengthens.
Sundance Resources will accelerate talks with new suitors after officially terminating its troubled $1.3 billion takeover deal with China’s Hanlong Group.
Royal Dutch Shell may sell extra assets along with the Geelong refinery in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers.
The US is fast becoming a resources frontier Australia’s junior miners are keen to explore as they chase early production projects to counter the waning investor appetite hurting the smaller end of the sector.
Iron ore exports from Port Hedland rose 25 per cent last month, rebounding from the previous month when cyclones disrupted shipments, according to data from the local port authority.
The protected status of a central Queensland nature reserve within Clive Palmer’s proposed $6.5 billion Galilee Coal Project would probably be revoked because the coal mine-and-rail project would destroy much of the habitat.
Vodafone Australia chief executive Bill Morrow has stepped up calls for the competition regulator to trigger a regulatory review of Telstra’s dominance of the mobile and fixed-line telecommunications markets.
Travellers to Britain appear to be already benefiting from the Qantas-Emirates deal, with competing airlines slashing fares on the highly contested route.
The Daily Telegraph
Page 1: A 15-year-old rugby league prodigy, Jake Kedzlie, has died in a weekend game. The coalition aims to deliver a national broadband network that will be built at nearly half the price of Labor's offering and cost consumers less.
Page 2: (NBN story, above, continues.)
Page 3: Models preparing to take to the catwalk at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia are being encouraged to drink smoothies.
World: North Korea appears to be readying itself for a fourth nuclear test, South Korea says.
Business: The federal government's proposed changes to superannuation will grossly inflate property prices, analysts warn.
Sport: Willie Mason says Bulldogs fans probably hate Sonny Bill William more than him.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Page 1: Car manufacturer Holden says it is being driven out of Australia despite $2 billion in government handouts over the past 10 years. The death certificate for hotel matriarch Eve Veronica Schwartz was signed by her son, who attendants say seemed anxious for his mother's body to be taken away.
Page 2: An Australian singer popular in the 1960s, Russell Morris, has launched a comeback album featuring songs about pre-war Sydney and Melbourne characters.
Page 3: Australia Post has faced a backlash over increased parcel delivery prices.
World: US Secretary of State John Kerry has travelled to Israel to try to revive Middle East peace negotiations.
Business: Manufacturers say the Australian government should not turn its back on country's car industry.
Sport: Sports scientist Stephen Dank says he never administered products or substances to athletes without the prior consent of anti-doping bodies.
The Age
Page 1: Holden to axe 100 Melbourne jobs as the company struggles to cope with the high dollar and fierce competition from foreign rivals. Bob Carr was talking with American diplomats about internal Labor politics nearly 40 years ago.
Page 2: Napthine government quietly dumps controversial proposed changes to the state's timber code allowing loggers to seek exemptions from laws protecting endangered species. Spate of near misses on inner-city building sites leading up to the deadly wall collapse on Swanston Street sparks calls for new building regulations.
Page 3: PM Julia Gillard's hopes of securing a landmark deal to overhaul school funding suffer setback, after Australia's biggest states baulk at a demand to sign up to reforms.
World: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Israel to try to revive Middle East peace talks by floating a 2002 Saudi-inspired plan to Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Business: Manufacturers say the Australian government should not turn its back on the nation's car industry, but stop short of calling for the Reserve Bank to intervene to deflate the currency.
Sport: Melbourne Football Club chief executive Cameron Schwab's head is on the chopping block, Caroline Wilson says.
The Herald Sun
Page 1: Serial killer Paul Denyer flouting prison rules by wearing women's underwear and make-up behind bars.
Page 2: Two billion dollars over the past 12 years was not enough to save the jobs of 500 Holden workers now facing the axe.
Page 3: Federal opposition vows to deliver National Broadband Network at half the cost, up to six years earlier.
World: NATO air attack in eastern Afghanistan kills 11 children, officials say, in the latest case of civilian casualties provoking great anger in the war-torn country.
Business: New Target managing director Stuart Machin told to hit the ground running as owner Wesfarmers steps in to revive the ailing department store chain.
Sport: Melbourne president Don McLardy concedes the club's woeful start to the season and $500,000 tanking fine have the Demons on track for a $1 million loss this year.
