Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals - March, 2014
The Victorian State Government has issued a warning to its regional councils, telling them to rein-in rate rises that media reports say are out of control.
Repeal voted down leaves carbon price alive for now
The Senate has voted down a bill to axe the carbon tax, depriving the Prime Minister of a much-touted election promise and setting the scene for another fight in July.
Tape cut by the roll, but not all need to be so loose
Tweaks, changes, adjustments and overhauls are on the way, after the Federal Government’s first biannual 'repeal day'.
Charitable bodies call to keep their regulation
The heads of prominent Australian charities have written a letter to the Prime Minister, asking to keep their regulator.
Export fund says $110 million loan to Chile helps Australia
Australian taxpayers will lend $110 million to BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto to expand a mine in Chile.
More figures swirled in whirlpool of corruption
UPDATE: Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos has stood down amid the corruption inquiry, but maintains he will be "vindicated" and has been described by the Prime Minister as "a man of great distinction ... and high competence".
AliBaba chooses pad for multi-billion dollar launch
One of the largest stores on the internet is preparing for its stock market debut.
Future look at foreign slice of Telstra flagged
The Federal Communications minister says Telstra may be the next company allowed take a bigger share of foreign investment.
Independents speak ill of growing distance from Gonski
The Independent Schools Council of Australia has delivered a dim view of Australian education funding, saying all models are far removed from the Gonski recommendations, and national reform is virtually impossible.
Job data jumps in some key places
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its latest job figures, showing a surge in full-time employment but a drop in part-time.
Rio pumps up Pilbara sites despite wobbly iron price
Rio Tinto will expand two of its mines in Western Australia, as the state government signs off on a deal to keep them digging for more than a decade.
Bureaucratic top brass swap-out coming
There will be room at the top, sending some of Canberra’s senior public servants into a spree of jostling and favour-garnering as a number of government executive positions open up.
Draft says all players should roll money into roads
The Productivity Commission say Australian governments need a new system for selecting and funding public infrastructure projects, and that taxpayers should be prepared to contribute.
New drone fleet coming to keep remote eyes on borders, power
The Federal Government is buying a fleet of surveillance drones for border security and other duties, creating around 100 jobs for an estimated cost of $3 billion.
Reporting requires too much, BCA says
The Business Council of Australia appears to be picking a fight with itself over the need to report gender figures.
Spill at the top of super money mound
Heads appear to have rolled at the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) expert superannuation panel, with half its members jumping ship over conflict of interest allegations.
Big names drifting away from Abbot Point plan
The Queensland Government remains optimistic about the plan to expand the Abbot Point coal port terminal, despite very few interested private companies remaining.
Leighton's good run prompts power spill, ASIC look-over
Hochtief has sent a strong message to Leighton; stepping in, removing the company’s CEO and CFO, and replacing them with its own people.
Ok Tedi posts cost of tough times
A long string of troubles has left Papua New Guinea's giant state-owned Ok Tedi gold and copper mine with a dwindling pile of profits.
Media mixing rules up for review
The Federal Government says it is considering changes to cross-media ownership laws to reflect the current state of technology.
ACCC knocks back NSW bid to lose power
The New South Wales government has hit a significant hitch in its bid to sell its biggest power generator.