Abbott's 10-year agenda
Tony Abbott has abandoned his intention to return the budget to surplus in the first term of a Coalition government, saying instead voters would know before the 2016 election when the economy would be back in the black. The Fin
ALP vote recovers, but defeat looming
Voter support for Labor is back to its highest level since the start of the election campaign, with Kevin Rudd steadying his declining satisfaction as undecided voters move to the government. The Aus
Change needs a conservative: Pearson
Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has intervened in the election campaign to laud Toby Abbott’s pledge to put indigenous recognition at the centre of his first-term agenda, claiming that only a highly conservative leader can deliver the change. The Aus
Minister, Barnett at odds over split: mayor
The saga surrounding the future of the City of Vincent has taken another twist, with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson contradicting Colin Barnett's public assurance that it would not be split in two. The West
Middle East row a boon for Woodside
Political tension between Israel and Turkey may help Woodside Petroleum’s potential $1.3 billion entry into the giant Leviathan gasfield off the coast of Israel, by limiting the prospect of pipeline exports. The Aus
BHP in hunt for potash partner
BHP Billiton chief Andrew Mackenzie is looking for a strategic partner for his $US15 billion Jansen Canadian potash project that “will add value”, much like the company's partnership with Rio Tinto on their copper joint venture. The Fin
Yeeda abattoir to ease live exports
Kimberley cattle king Jack Burton says he is on target to begin processing at his abattoir between Broome and Derby in time for next year's muster despite cash flow problems created by a lean year for live exports. The West
Kidnap, ransom demands rise
An international security expert has warned Australian companies operating in Africa to pay close attention to their security arrangements, saying kidnapping and ransom incidents are on the rise across the continent. The West
The West Australian
Page 1: Tony Abbott dispensed with new big promises at his campaign launch yesterday, instead calling on Australians to “choose change” to restore trust and competence in government.
Page 3: One third of WA schools rely on free breakfast programs to feed the nearly 16,000 children who arrive at school hungry every week.
Page 6: Business groups want both sides of federal politics to address issues with supermarket fuel dockets, which they claim “lock shoppers in” and damage smaller retailers.
Page 7: Labour hire company Skilled Group, which asks female job applicants and workers about menstrual problems and whether they are pregnant, is being taken to the Equal Opportunity Commission for alleged discrimination.
Page 13: One of Perth's top schools has recognised the tough times farmers face through a new scholarship program for teenage girls from rural communities.
The saga surrounding the future of the City of Vincent has taken another twist, with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson contradicting Colin Barnett's public assurance that it would not be split in two.
Page 14: MPs hope a parliamentary inquiry starting today will begin Parliament's fightback against the collective power of integrity agencies, which WA's top judge has branded a threat to traditional government.
Hay Street Mall veteran Tony Barlow has threatened to quit the strip if the state government runs a dual-track railway through it, as retailers set up a fund to oppose the plan.
Page 16: After one of their strongest years on record, superannuation funds have started the financial year with a bang.
Page 17: A taskforce is to investigate way to reduce the growing number of whale entanglements along the WA coast, with measures being tested by the commercial rock lobster industry.
Business: Kimberley cattle king Jack Burton says he is on target to begin processing at his abattoir between Broome and Derby in time for next year's muster despite cash flow problems created by a lean year for live exports.
Eight weeks after it was launched, the state government's new Mining Rehabilitation Fund has freed up $84.5 million in environmental bonds to WA mining and exploration companies.
An international security expert has warned Australian companies operating in Africa to pay close attention to their security arrangements, saying kidnapping and ransom incidents are on the rise across the continent.
BHP Billiton has declared it will push ahead with plans for its Canadian potash project, despite sme shareholder misgivings, because of the prospect of strong returns on its investment.
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Tony Abbott has abandoned his intention to return the budget to surplus in the first term of a Coalition government, saying instead voters would know before the 2016 election when the economy would be back in the black.
Conservative states will launch a fresh assault on the GST after the election in a challenge to the Coalition's pledge not to touch the tax should it win office.
Page 4: Pumping an extra 3 per cent of workers' wages into compulsory superannuation will not lead to a commensurate increase in the national savings rate, meaning incentives for investing outside of super products might be needed.
Page 10: A Coalition government could take up to twice as long as Labor to return to surplus under the budget recovery plan outlined by Tony Abbott, as he seeks to make room for spending promises if he wins government.
Trade apprentices will be able to take out a loan of up to $20,000 to help with living expenses under a Coalition policy to help stem the slide in apprenticeship numbers.
Page 11: The Prime Minister hit turbulence over the weekend as a poll showed he would struggle to retain his seat and he was forced to defend claims he suspended campaigning for a cooking show.
Page 13: BHP Billiton chief Andrew Mackenzie is looking for a strategic partner for his $US15 billion Jansen Canadian potash project that “will add value”, much like the company's partnership with Rio Tinto on their copper joint venture.
Australian corporate profit growth could return to double-digits next year, but doubts linger as to whether the market's optimism will be vulnerable to fresh downgrades.
Page 15: Global fertiliser and explosives manufacturer Incitec Pivot has slammed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's claim that the resources boom is over, and warned the economy's inflated cost base could dash hopes for other industries such as agriculture.
Page 17: David Jones is anticipating another step-up in online sales in the pre-Christmas trading period after rolling out the second phase of its omni-channel strategy.
The Australian
Page 1: Tony Abbott has given the Coalition a decade to cut the size of government and deliver a significant budget surplus if it wins government next week, as he called on Australians to put their trust in his team and end the “aberration’’ of Labor rule.
Voter support for Labor is back to its highest level since the start of the election campaign, with Kevin Rudd steadying his declining satisfaction as undecided voters move to the government.
Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has intervened in the election campaign to laud Toby Abbott’s pledge to put indigenous recognition at the centre of his first-term agenda, claiming that only a highly conservative leader can deliver the change.
Page 2: Western Australia’s Corrective Services Minister has escalated his fight with guards in the state’s juvenile detention system, claiming a cohort is ‘‘ taking the taxpayer for a ride’’.
Page 4: The Coalition has set out ambitious aspirations for the budget with huge commitments in defence and health requiring an additional $40 billion in outlays, while promising lower government spending overall.
Page 6: Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott are vulnerable to a late change of support from volatile young voters if a shock event such as a political scandal, natural disaster or policy mishap occurs, according to a study of Newspoll.
Page 9: Papua New Guinea’s most senior immigration official, Mataio Rabura, has rejected claims Labor’s PNG Solution is on the brink of failure, saying tensions over the operation of the Manus Island centre had been ‘‘resolved’’.
Kevin Rudd has admitted Labor’s mistake in legislating a carbon tax without a mandate from voters but lashed out at Tony Abbott for vowing to repeal the regime, signalling Labor could use its numbers in the Senate to block any changes.
Business: One of the most powerful executives in the nation’s biggest dairy company has accused t he big banks of funding agriculture the same way they did more than half a century ago, and says the group will ramp up plans to bypass traditional bank lending by forging alliances with international investors to help support Australian dairy farms.
Political tension between Israel and Turkey may help Woodside Petroleum’s potential $1.3 billion entry into the giant Leviathan gasfield off the coast of Israel, by limiting the prospect of pipeline exports.
Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant PetroChina has revealed it paid just over $US371 million ($ 410m) for its stake in Karoon Gas Australia’s Poseidon discovery, with the price tag well ahead of market valuations for the project.
Reporting season shifts towards the nation’s media and airline companies this week as Seven Group Holdings, Qantas and Virgin Australia deliver full-year results amid expectations of a dip in earnings growth.
Newcrest Mining’s internal investigation into the continuous disclosure controversy that engulfed the gold producer in June is set to extend beyond the completion date originally advised by chairman Don Mercer.