BUSINESS

BHP Super Profit Calls for Urgent Resource Rent Tax

BHP Billiton’s annoucement of the biggest profit in Australian corporate history demonstrates the urgent need for a resource rent tax, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said today. The world's largest miner produced a net profit of $22.5 billion for the 12 months to June 30.

Union Urges Qantas to Reveal Job Cut Figures

It is time for Qantas to come clean on how many jobs in the Qantas group will be offshored, a union said today after the Flying Kangaroo has announced a profit for the 18th consecutive year since its merger with Australian Airlines.

Lenovo ThinkPad now Available for Pre-Order

Just days after the iPad knocked out one of its competitors in the tablet market another arises to take its place. Lenovo has announced that its ThinkPad is now available online for pre-orders.
More news

Survey: iPhone Makes You Look Sexy

New research has revealed your phone can actually make you sexier. A survey by social dating community Zoosk.com shows 46 per cent of males and 63 per cent of females rate the Apple iPhone the sexiest model.

Floods Submerge Suncorp Profits

Suncorp has seen its profits hit hard by the impact of natural disasters, but has claimed bad debts as a result of the disasters have not caused significant losses.

Qantas: We Are Doing Fine Despite Stock Slide

Despite its falling stock price, national carrier Qantas Airways posted Wednesday a full-year net income of $250 million, and executives said it is a natural target for acquisition.

BIS Shrapnel Sees Solid Oz Retail Property Returns

- Slowest rate of retail turnover growth will not remain in place forever, argues BIS Shrapnel- New report suggests solid returns should be achieved despite touch conditions- Improvement in consumer spending to help boost returnsBy Chris ShawThe current economic environment has resulted in the slowe...

Global Markets Overview 08/24/2011

U.S. stocks surged Tuesday as another dose of bleak economic data raised hopes that the Federal Reserve will take additional measures to stimulate the economy.

New Look of TheHomepage.com.au Sets New Record Views

TheHomepage.com.au is reporting a jump in customer engagement since launching a new feature in July that positions video as the ‘hero’ in all listings — replacing still photography as the first thing a visitor sees.

Aliens, iPhone 5 and HP TouchPad: A Race for World Domination

Even before E.T. and his friends return, some entities already here on earth are set for world domination. After Hewlett-Packard announced that it will be giving up the tablet business (notwithstanding that it has yet to recover anything from the $1.2 billion it paid to buy Palm Inc's WebOS last year), HP TouchPad's prices were slashed from $399 to $99 per unit. Immediately, demand for the tablet skyrocketed.

Web Site Offers $1,500 for a HP TouchPad Android Port

With the HP TouchPad selling for only $100 this weekend enterprising modders are looking to import Google's Android OS to replace the TouchPad's less than stellar WebOS. HacknMod is holding a contest that offers $1500 for any techie who can get Android on the HP Tablet.

Companies still Liable for Workers from Home

A recent landmark legal case in which a Telstra employee successfully claimed compensation for injuries suffered while working from home has raised some serious concerns for employers who offer similar flexible working arrangements.

Australia's Banks: Switching Widespread; Reforms Needed

The Australian Bankers' Association has claimed there are already high levels of switching between financial institutions, but has committed the banking industry to working with the government to ease switching following the release of proposed legislative reforms.

Horrible Bosses not just in Hollywood

It may be the title of the latest Hollywood-blockbuster comedy, but having a horrible boss is the norm for many people in reality - and a real threat to employee retention, according to a recent survey.

BlueScope Bonuses Outrage Steel Workers, Senator

BlueScope Steel's decision to grant executive bonuses of up to $3.05 million while at the same time axing 1,400 jobs from steelworks around the country has outraged the Australian Workers' Union and independent senator Nick Xenophon.

Property developers blast COAG 'nonsense'

Non-profit property developer group the Urban Taskforce has blasted the Council of Australian Governments, saying it has failed to take any action on housing affordability.

Fortescue Upside Linked To Targets, Iron Ore Prices

- Fortescue result meets consensus expectations- Cost guidance increased, earnings forecasts trimmed- Production guidance maintained, brokers factor in some slippage- Buy ratings continue to dominateBy Chris ShawFull year underlying earnings for iron ore play Fortescue Metals ((FMG)) came in at US$1...

Steel: BlueScope Cuts, OneSteel Builds

It was a telling contrast, the day BlueScope Steel cuts 1,000 jobs, closes two steel plants and reveals a loss, including write-downs totalling $1.05 billion, its smaller competitor, OneSteel reveals plans to spend another half a billion dollars expanding its iron ore export business.

Uranium Drops Below US$50

By Greg PeelInterest in the spot uranium market has been quietly drying up week by week confirming earlier feedback provided by industry consultant TradeTech.

Super Cheap Retail A True Standout

- Super Retail delivers standout result- FY12 trading has also started solidly- Improved value implies upside, ratings upgradedBy Chris ShawSuper Retail Group ((SUL)) has managed to buck the weak retail trend in Australia, delivering a 46% increase in FY11 net profit to $55.

Pages