BUSINESS

The NSW Government would punish all NSW households with a solar levy power price hike, while power companies continue to get cheap and often free solar power, the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) warned today.

If the federal government's succeeds in blocking the $39 billion AT&T merger with T-Mobile the biggest winner could be Overland Park-based Sprint Nextel Group.

The NSW Government’s move to hike mining royalties would immediately hit Commonwealth infrastructure spending as well as plans to boost superannuation and cut company tax, the CFMEU Miners Union said today.

The Australian dollar was dragged down by a fresh wave of uncertainty from comments made by Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens.

Bent on chipping away at Qantas' dominance in Australian business travel, Virgin Australia said Tuesday it will provide media streaming as well as wireless Internet access.

The headline rise in housing finance in July is no cause for the Reserve Bank to raise rates, according to peak building and construction organisation Master Builders Australia.

Much more is needed to stimulate an under-performing housing sector, the Housing Industry Association says.

Property developers have welcomed the NSW government's move to scrap stamp duty exemptions for existing homes, arguing it will help improve affordability and boost construction

A recent survey of rural confidence by agricultural lender Rabobank revealed that farmers are feeling less confident for the year ahead.

The Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) has reduced interest rates for one and three-year fixed interest rate home loans by 0.16 percent.

By Greg Peel"Beyond the near term, growth is still likely to be at trend or higher, unless the world economic outlook continues to deteriorate.

Australia's oil and gas firms have launched an information campaign to convince the public of the benefits of CSG and erase negative public perception of the industry.

Mining firms Rio Tinto and Anglo American Plc will divest their combined 74.5 equities in Palabora Mining Company Limited, whose principal asset is a copper mine in South Africa.

NASA is set to change the way cargoes are transported by air. Soon, there will be airships. In terms of gas emissions, NASA's airships could be the most eco-friendly freight carrier.

National Australia Bank (NAB) is in merger discussions with NBNK, a UK group that plans to bid for Lloyds Banking Group's 632 branches.

Local carmakers are bearing the brunt of the continued onslaught of imported vehicles that flood the domestic market, according to the latest statistics released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) on Monday.

Macarthur Coal board has told shareholders to accept the takeover bid by ArcelorMittal and Peabody Energy (PEAMCoal), but has again hinted that a better alternative bid might happen.

As we once again approach a monthly Reserve Bank board meeting, the Australian economy is not providing any guidance for the central bank, or individuals.

Shares in Cash Converters, the Australian pawnshop and short term lending business, fell 3% yesterday after a deal by its largest shareholder to take control collapsed.

Google and Facebook have urged people to sign up using only their real names while those who use aliases are banned. Although internet analysts see only commercial goals, such as users-advertisers matching, as a reason behind this move, dissuading the use of aliases might prove some good points to consider.

An online survey released Monday found that 46 percent of Australians favor the government planned 30 per cent minerals resource rent tax (MMRT). The survey by Essential Research said 34 per cent are against the MMRT, reported the Herald Sun.

By Greg PeelThe week before last saw industry consultant TradeTech's spot price indicator for uranium fall to US$48.

The Australian dollar suffered at early morning trade treading the range of 105.52 to 105.60 cents path against the U.S. dollar but is expected to trade higher by mid-day in anticipation of the RBA meeting to deliberate on the cash rate on Tuesday afternoon.

Auto dealership Rick Damelian Group has been put on receivership after raking in $80 million worth of debts.

By Greg PeelThe German coalition government lost another regional election over the weekend in Angela Merkel's home province of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

US financial markets were closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. On Friday the Dow Jones fell by 253pts or 2.2pct with the S&P 500 down by 2.5pct and the Nasdaq lost 65.7pts or 2.6pct. Over the week the Dow fell by 0.4pct and the S&P 500 lost 0.2pct while the Nasdaq was largely flat.

Australia's retail sector continues to suffer from the economic downturn, with high-end clothing store Satch as the latest victim. Satch Clothing was placed under administration on Thursday.

Samsung was forced to pull out the Galaxy Tab 7.7 from the world's largest consumer electronics show after a court in Germany promptly granted Apple's request for an injunction. This was the same court that gave a ban of the sale and promotion of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in 26 of the 27 European Union member countries, although the ruling was scaled back only to Germany on jurisdictional issues.

Toyota was Australia's best selling brand in August as the industry's vehicle sales went up 7.3% month-on-month. On a year-to-date basis however, auto sales in Australia is still down 4.4 %