Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals
China has given its local governments a small power boost, letting them sell and repay their own bonds for the first time.
Hope held for turnaround on states' missing billions
The architect of Australia’s significant education funding reforms has lamented their deterioration, just a few years after being put in place.
Value found in good government buying
As the tough federal budget continues to take a bashing, a new report may show how government businesses can find some more room to move.
Big fund risks missing goal from limited view
Some leading figures in the Australian research community say the $20 billion “medical research future fund” is a good idea, but will not work unless the policy-makers start listening to scientists.
Confused figures widen concern over NBN
The Communications Minister has been caught contradicting his own department’s figures in his attempt to spruik the Coalition’s NBN model.
Leighton leaks millions over misleading and management
An expensive few days at Leighton Holdings, as the engineering and construction giant pays out a $70 million class action and gives a $23 million golden handshake to two departing executives.
Uncertainty could keep green power dollars down
Analysts say the future of renewable energy investment in Australia is looking rough.
Federal fee shift to see reduced students paying more
Higher education changes mean students will now have to pay interest on their HELP loans, start repayments at a lower wage, and universities have had their cap on tuition fees lifted.
Finance watchdog diminished, could have valuable functions sold
The Federal Government is cutting $120 million from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) funding.
Oil boss appointment forms gulf for investors
Some investors are outraged at the decision to appoint Tony Hayward as the new chairman of Glencore Xstrata.
Grant freeze takes great deal from locals
Very few have escaped the cost-cutting blade in the latest federal Budget, and Local Government assistance appears to be another victim.
States caught short, claiming cuts force tax talks
State governments are in virtually open revolt over the hand they were dealt in the latest federal Budget.
Conflict costs companies, but can be used to connect
Public conflict can cost big companies in many ways, and new research shows how great that effect has been for one key economic driver.
Green thinking moves to working after federal fund fix
Australian treasury cost-cutters appear to have scoured legislation for any mention of “clean”, “green” or “renewable” spending, and promptly hacked it down.
Public staff asked to do much more with far fewer
With the axing of 16,500 public servants over the next three years, the Abbott government's first budget has included the biggest staff cut in the federal bureaucracy for decades.
China signing to start huge African rail deal
China has signed a deal to build the first stage of a line that will cross several African nations.
Mega-store soon to make market debut
A giant is about to make its gargantuan presence known on the global market, with the public float of the Chinese tech firm Alibaba.
Deregulation taking shape as opposition grows louder
The Federal Education Minister has given the strongest indication that university fees will be deregulated next week.
Honeymoon over, businesses call for action from Abbott
Company directors have become progressively less confident in the Abbott Government since it came to power, a survey says.
Super fund gouging called-out before big merger
Two colluders at the top of a $700 million industry super fund have been brought down in a corporate expenses scandal.
Asylum closures miss better opportunity
The Federal Government has signalled its intention to shut several onshore asylum seeker centres, a week after the Commission of Audit labelled offshore processing a waste of money.