Today's headlines

The West Australian (Business section)

E&T suitor to cut Blom tie

The backers of a bid for beleaguered Wembley-based winemaker Evans & Tate Ltd has claimed it has raised $110 million in debt and equity to fund its takeover and says it will cut its ties with banned director Gary Blom.

Iron Ore passes gold in exploration stakes

Iron ore overtakes gold as the number one exploration target in WA, as reported by WA Business News yesterday: http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story.php?/1/47496/Iron-ore-exploration-boost-masks-drift-from-WA

Forecasts see bullion above $US700/oz, but cooler markets

The price of gold hit monthly highs amid predictions of the precious metal passing the $US700 an ounce mark.

Mid-West miners seek ore access guarantees

Iron ore players seeking to mine near Geraldton have sought guarantees of access from the state government.

Euroz chief cautious after a record first half

Peter Diamond expresses reservations after recording a 27 per cent half year net profit growth. You can see the results from our report yesterday on: http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story.php?/1/47504/Euroz-half-year-profit-leaps-27-

The West Australian (General news)

WA boom 'will get even stronger'

The state's economy is set to grow even stronger as resources and population growth push it according to CCIWA. The story is tagged 'exclusive' but the CCIWA release was published by WA Business News yesterday: http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story.php?/1/47501/Economic-growth-to-remain-strong-CCIWA

Curbs on fishing to protect stocks

Hundreds of commercial fishermen could lose their licences under a state government plan.

Commercial, industrial property strong: experts

Industry experts believe non-residential property is set to see gains like homes did last year.

City's 'holy grail' plan to spark $1.5bn spend-up

A follow-up on the government announcement regarding its development plans over the rail yards between the CBD and Northbridge.

Revolt grows over Ripper shop hours

More Labor backbenchers flag discontent about their deputy premiers efforts to reignite debate over retail trading hours.

THE AUSTRALIAN

Page 1: The federal government has put a squeeze on spending, dumping billions of dollars in budget measures such as a costly schools and science package. The federal opposition has vowed to protect the 38 hour week in a move which could enforce employers to restore penalty rates.

Page 2: The Murray River had less water flow last month than at any time in the past century.

Business: Shares in Goldsearch fell yesterday after its share price nearly doubled on Tuesday.

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Page 1: NSW clubs will be able to sell land without having to consult members under a series of proposed changes by the NSW state government before the March election. A third young man has come forward alleging he was supplied with drugs by sacked NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Milton Orkopoulos.

Page 2: Ousted Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has rejected allegations he was involved in rigging last year's election and labelled conman Peter Foster "a master of deception".

Business: The Australian dollar reached its highest level against the US currency since March 2005, peaking at 79.8c.

THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

Page 1: Origin Energy and AGL Energy are planning a $14 billion merger to create Australia's largest gas and electricity supplier. Exporters are bracing for a fall in earnings with the prospect of the Australian dollar breaking through the 80c mark. Chris Corrigan will lead a consortium that has agreed to a deal with Dubai Ports World, the new owner of P&O Australia, to operate logistics business for the group's local ports.

Page 3: The federal government has agreed to delete a range of transactions that threatened to add to tax and administrative costs in the financial services sector.

Page 5: The federal opposition's industrial relations spokeswoman Julia Gillard has promised to deliver a complete set of industrial relations policies before the next election.

World: China ends two decades of tax concessions to foreign firms. Alternative energy stocks move out of the wilderness.

Market: Importers the big $A winners as Aussie dollar surges, with manufacturing, health and property set to be the big losers.

ADELAIDE ADVERTISER

Finance: Austin Exploration to drill four four oil wells in the US. Australian share market closes in negative territory. Holden to deliver a slide in its financial performance with figures to be released later this year.

COURIER-MAIL

Page 1: Grocery prices have risen by twice the rate of inflation in a year and consumers have been warned worse is yet to come. Residents of South-east Queensland will have to live with chaos for the next few years as an unprecedented wave of infrastructure projects causes major disruptions.

Page 2: Meat prices expected to rise within months as an oversupply of cattle for sale turns into a shortage.

Page 3: Some Brisbane households may soon not have enough water pressure to run taps after Brisbane City Council admitted to progressively turning down the mains pressure to save water.

Business: New Year's first new stock exchange listings hit the boards and promise a bumper start to 2007's float season. Australian dollar continued to edge up towards US80cents, a level it hasn't breached except briefly in intraday trading since 1996.