Result Page 290 for Latest Politics & Policy News & Archive

RBA Gov Stevens defends Australian banks

The Reserve Bank of Australia does not believe the banks are over-charging mortgage borrowers.

Queensland govt shifts gears, retains control and awards QML instead to its investment arm

Queensland Motorways Ltd (QML) would not go private after all as the state government had opted to allow its investment body, the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to purchase the company and takeover its operations.

WA government balks at the idea of a federal body regulating Australia’s energy sector

Western Australian authorities appear lukewarm on suggestions that the federal government needs to nationalise the regulation of the oil and gas industry across Australian states and territories in light of the deemed failure of a regional regulatory body in preventing the Montara oil spill incident.

Gillard racks up NBN numbers as another senator throws support to ensure its approval

The national broadband network jigsaw puzzle appears to be finally forming as another piece has been added to complete the picture with independent Senator Steve Fielding providing maybe the final link, announcing on late Wednesday that he would support the NBN bill.

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Hollywood actor Matt Bomer pushes for religious tolerance in new PSA

Hollywood actor Matt Bomer pushes for religious tolerance in a new PSA.

Feds mull GST on goods acquired through online shopping

Buoyed by the solid value of the Australian dollar and a relatively liberal GST regulation on online commerce, many shoppers appear to be turning on internet shopping which prompted the federal treasury to mull the imposition of goods purchased through retail websites.

R&D Tax incentive plan should be referred to Board of Taxation, says Ridout

The Government's proposals to reshape the business research and development tax incentive remain of serious concern to industry and need further consideration before being passed by the Senate, according to the Australian Industry Group.

Ai Group puts the case to FWA to avoid Christmas holiday chaos

The Australian Industry Group today lodged a submission in support of its application to Fair Work Australia (FWA) to clarify public holiday penalties over the Christmas/ New Year period and to avoid unnecessary cost and confusion.

Hogan eludes criminal case as ACC drops its inquiry

Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan would be free from any criminal liabilities after all following the Australian Crime Commission’s (ACC) announcement on Tuesday that the investigation against the Australian actor would be ceased.

Abbott urges Gillard to clarify NBN deal with Greens as Turnbull speaks up on shares allegations

Opposition leader Tony Abbott called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday’s parliamentary session to clarify if the deal she forged with the Australian Green Party would still ensure the planned privatisation of the national broadband network following its full implementation.

Surge in Aussie dollar has bigger impact on economy than carbon price

Australia's economy has felt a bigger shock from the recent flight of the local dollar than it would have from the introduction of a carbon price, according to a report released today.

Henry says Aussie economy would do well with less intervention from Feds

Too much government intervention on hobbling parts of the Australian economy could backfire and weigh down the country’s interest rates, according to treasury secretary Ken Henry.

ACTU: No Christmas holiday for many Aussie workers on Dec 25

While Christmas day has been officially declared as public holidays in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, many shift workers are poised to miss out their own family celebrations on that Saturday as some states and territories have yet to follow suit.

Feds open to the idea of a five-pillar banking system in Australia

The federal government has admitted that the present times are ripe for the introduction of changes in the Australian banking industry and one significant factor that could shake the power-balance of the sector is the entry of a fifth major player.

Swan: Turnbull set to benefit on NBN roll out despite his official posturing

The leading opposition figure tasked to shot down the $43 billion national broadband network may be barking up the wrong tree as revelations came out that he also maintains considerable interest in an IT firm set to benefit from the project’s roll out.

Australian businesses still tangled in red tape

Australian businesses are continuing to be shackled by costly red tape, a new scorecard by the Business Council of Australia has found.

Australia's employers warn of low workers' productivity

Employers' organisations in Australia have warned the government and the public of the fast rise in wages in all territories that are not well supported by an increase in labour productivity.

Independent MPs join clamour by Greens and the Coalition for immediate release of NBN plan

The federal government is now feeling the heat of a growing cross-party demand that details of the national broadband network business plan be made public this week as independent MPs added their voice on the snowballing clamour.

NSW's power asset sale targets $8B windfall for state

The planned asset sale of New South Wales of its electric power assets will easily fetch some A$8 billion in investments for the state, the Citigroup Inc. said in a report.

Gillard believes that carbon price means better market opportunities for Australia

Prime Minister Julia Gillard made known her deep intents to include carbon price as a hallmark of her governance, underscoring the pressing importance of the measure not only for the whole duration of her leadership but also for the immediate future of Australia.

Australian Greens' solution to limit bank interest rates poses problems, says Datamonitor

The Australian Greens' proposal to restrict bank interest rates poses problems, according to a leading market research agency.

Coalition lauds Rudd’s call for a revisit of AusAID’s foreign funding activities

Australia must recheck the way it handles foreign aid funds and if necessary, identify the proper channel for appropriate funnelling of money to recipient countries to ensure that the dollars were put into good use.

Australian Greens ask feds to release NBN business plan this week

The federal government is now battling a two-pronged war in defending the $43 billion National Broadband Network as the Australian Greens aired its demand to pore over on the project’s business plan right before the parliament rises for the summer break.

RBA anticipated higher rates from Aussie banks, decision linked to global moves

The board of the Reserve Bank of Australia had anticipated that bank lending rates could increase by more than the cash rate, according to the minutes of the Nov 2 meeting released on Tuesday.

Conroy maintains faith on NBN’s viability amidst criticism from OECD report

Despite concerns aired by the latest report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which stated that the national broadband network may prove too costly and could lead to significant financial limbo, the federal government maintained its faith on the project’s viability.

Sarah Palin accused of violating environmental guidelines in home state Alaska

Sarah Palin may have violated environmental guidelines in a new television show featuring her family and her home state Alaska.

Santos chief says emerging LNG sector could be the link in reducing carbon emissions

The emerging industry of liquefied natural gas (LNG) could potentially boost the carbon emissions reduction efforts in Australia yet existing government policies continue to dwarf that possibility.

More retailers impose credit card surcharges, govt to take action

The number of merchants charging fees for credit card transactions has risen steeply over the past few years, according to a report commissioned by the NSW government.

Swan says OECD report points to endorsement of Aussie govt economic policies

Stubbornly confident on its present form and its perceived economic benefits, the federal government remains firm on its commitment to win a parliamentary go ahead for its proposed minerals resource rent tax, notwithstanding an international study suggesting some tweaks on the tax measures.

Treasurer Swan: Rate caps can lead to credit shortage

Australia's Treasurer Wayne Swan is not in favor of restricting banks from raising interest rates as this may lead to loan rationing that could peril the growth of local businesses.

OECD urges Australia to raise mining, food taxes

The Australian government is urged to consider raising its current tax levels, which at present are below the international levels, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said.

Shell obtains tentative yes for floating LNG station in Western Australia

Energy giant Shell was given the green light by the federal government to construct a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) station off the northwest coast of Western Australia, which is poised to be as the world’s first floating LNG project.

Fraser upbeat on success of QR National float, cites solid international demand

Prevented by law from dipping his own fingers on the upcoming QR National Ltd asset sale, Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said on Friday that he is investing instead his full confidence on the biggest float in the state since the 1997 share sale of Telstra.

Sarah Palin promotes new book 'American by Heart'

Sarah Palin will have a book tour from Nov. 23 to Dec. 3 to promote American by Heart, Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag.

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