POLITICS & POLICY

Small- and medium-sized Australian businesses stand to gain a hold in the country's future fiscal policies and regulations with the launch of a non-profit organization governing body.

Australia’s economy is stable enough, as compared to the rest of the world, but former Treasurer Peter Costello is all reluctant to credit the Labor government, insisting that the country benefited from efforts of previous governments.

The Age talked to surgeons at Box Hill Hospital, where elective surgery load will reportedly be reduced by 8 per cent this financial year despite a very high demand. The Box Hill plan was brought up after The Age revealed the complaints of an emergency doctor at the Austin Hospital, who said the department was overwhelmed and that he feared being sued for inadequate care.

In what seems to be a sudden change of minds, the government of Mongolia had abandoned its plan to acquire a larger stake allocation in the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project, ultimately boosting the share prices of its developers, global miners Rio Tinto PLC and Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australian workers, not migrants, should be prioritized in filling employment requirements. For his part, Jobs Minister Chris Evans warned against reducing skilled migration numbers as this could affect pace of work at the industry, noting jobs are "moving north and west" and there are some areas which are "doing it tough".

Transsexuals who are seeking official gender reassignment need not go through expensive and painful reproductive organ surgery to be recognised as a male or female.

Lack of appropriate funding from Melbourne state has forced the Box Hill Hospital to reduce the volume of its elective surgery by 8 percent this year, forcing the closure of an operating theatre and a 32-bed ward.

Housing affordability emerged as one of the key issues facing Australian cities in today’s meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.

India launched what it calls the "computer for the masses" a tablet that costs $35 and designed so that students will be able to afford the device.

In light of the gathering currency tiff between the United States and China, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan hinted on Thursday that global foreign exchange issues could be resolved by worldwide initiatives that will encourage fluid currency floating.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard insisted on Thursday that Ken Henry’s scheduled entry to the National Australia Bank (NAB) board will not run in conflict with the former Treasury secretary’s present role as government economic adviser.

Australia better get its mining regulation and investment policies in perfect shape and order as well as skilled manpower to the double as global coal demand is seen to be bolstered not only by China, but coal hungers from India as well.

The average Australian has ceased being productive compared to a decade ago, in spite of longer lifespan, better education and higher income.

A website targeting to attract workers to Australia's mining industry has been launched as the promise of making at least 750,000 new jobs in the next 20 years will follow Australia's metals and minerals boom.

Lady Gaga or famously called by her fans as “Mother Monster” can seem very intimidating – even for President Barack Obama.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard joined the list of Chiefs of nations condoling with the world on the demise of Steve Jobs, honoring the latter as an "incredible global innovator."

At least 22 safety issues were uncovered in a forced safety audit being conducted at the $5.6 billion worth Brisbane Airport Tunnel Link.

A plot by university students and professors to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been discovered and the plotters, including one of his bodyguards, have been arrested by intelligence agents.

A man tried to jump off NZ Parliament's gallery viewing balcony Wednesday afternoon, causing quite a stir at the House. Auckland solicitor Matthew Piper lauded the guards for the quick preventive action, but there was little damage control on the effects of the PM's words.

British researchers have found in a new study that culling Tasmanian Devils will not stop the spread of the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) affecting the animals.

Kristen Stewart may have not been planning to make pronouncements on her relationship status with Twilight leading man Robert Pattinson, but she did tell a GQ writer she hopes to explore more of the UK "because my boyfriend is English."

A container ship carrying around 1700 tonnes of fuel has crashed into a reef off the coast of Tauranga. New Zealand Dive and Salvage general manager Howard Saunders says Rena looks to be "well stuck."

MORNING REPORT (7am AEDT)The US ISM services index eased slightly from 53.3 to 53.0 in September but remained over the 50 line indicating expansion of the services sector. New orders rose from 52.8 to 56.5. The ADP employment index showed that private sector jobs rose by 91,000 in September, above forecasts for a 75,000 gain. But planned job layoffs stood at 115,730 in September - a 2-year high.

International investors wanting to study possible metals and minerals investment projects in Australia but don't know where to find ample information may now turn to the Australia Metals & Minerals Industry Wall Map - 1st Edition.

The recent observations made by an environmental watchdog that the Canadian government is throwing away a hug sum of money on inadequately planned climate change programs indicates lack of political determination on the part of the ruling Conservative Party.

Residents at Queensland State are outraged on the improper handling and management of the Queensland government after it failed to inform residents of the toxic gas coming out from explosive blasts in Queensland's giant open-cut coalmines.

The Humane Society International called Wednesday for halting China's fur trade to Australia after learning that furs were coming from the raccoon dog, ABC Radio Australia reports.

To battle Australia's rising obesity rates, American psychologist Kelly Brownell suggested a tax on soft drinks at the 46th Australian Psychological Association's yearly conference on Wednesday.

The ongoing two-day tax forum in Canberra has attracted a lot of media attention because of the number of prominent people who are participating. However, one person is conspicuously absent from the media event - opposition leader Tony Abbott.