Komfie Manalo

The Australian government on Monday unveiled several measures aimed at restructuring the countries financial services sector to provide more protection to small-time investors and avoid the lingering conflicts of interests among their consultants.

Tourism New South Wales has unveiled its "extraordinary Sydney" campaign on Monday aimed at attracting tourists to visit the city and experience its "extraordinary aspects."

The markets are awaiting for crucial data and profit numbers from Australia's two major banks when the bourse reopen after the long weekend Anzac Day.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said that the ongoing Henry Review of the country's tax system would definitely ease the burden to taxpayers when filing their income tax returns, but said the review cannot be expected to provide any quick fix.

The Australian parliament on Monday junked moved to allow gambling applications to become readily available for download using smart phones, particularly iPhone. Lawmaker Nick Xenophon said Australians already have too much exposure to gambling and the risk of over exposure is ever present, especially among children.

The decision of the Federal Government to conduct an audit into the controversial Green Loans scheme will cost taxpayers at least $4 million.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Friday issued regulatory guidelines to assist with compliance with new legal requirements under the Corporations Act 2001 and Corporations Regulations 2001 in relation to short selling.

The Australian dollar closed a record high against the euro but fell against the U.S. greenbuck as investors shied away from high yielding assets on the back the Greece sovereign debt issue woes and the comment issued by Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Steven that interest rates would stay at the moment.

A Full Court Appeal on Friday told Australia's biggest sugar milling company CSR that it can proceed with its planned separation of its sugar business from its building materials arm.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens said the government might suspend any interest rates hike at the moment, saying that the current rates are "pretty close" to their average over the past 10 to 12 years.

The Australian retail chain Wesfarmers reported lower-than-expected revenues in the last quarter, and is forecasted to continue with its downslide returns in the next three months.

A day after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ordered for the push of the country's health care reform program, opinion polls quickly showed public approval towards his administration gained momentum after a two-year low.

The global financial crisis has not stopped Australians from trying to look beautiful. Data released by the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia (CPSA) showed that Australians spent some $448.5 million on non-surgical cosmetic procedures over the past year.

Facing legal actions from Australia, Japan on Thursday agreed to reduce the number of its whaling quota for its annual research hunt on condition it is allowed to resume commercial whaling along its coasts.

The Australian government has not lifted its travel advisory on India, but instead issued fresh warnings to Australian travelers to avoid shopping areas and markets in some cities, including the Indian capital of New Delhi.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has filed charges against three former directors of Australian Capital Reserve Limited (ACR) before the Downing Centre Local Court for allegedly making false statement to obtain a financial advantage for ACR.

Australia's superannuation fund is on the roll with news of growth flooding the industry. Profits are returning and shares are on the upward trend.

Drug manufacturer and distributor Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd stands to face an estimated $200 million in damage claims from shareholders over its yearly loss and allegations of violation of continuous disclosure obligations.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday took an offensive stance as he announced that his Labor government would push with the planned health-care system without the backing of the Liberal lawmakers from Western Australia.

Australian mining giant BHP Billiton is trying to dodge from the backlash the befell world's largest investment bank Goldman Sachs after it was revealed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating the firm over alleged violations of anti-corruption laws.

Oil prices continued its advance for a second straight day as an industry-funded report showed the U.S. crude and fuel product supplies are declining, boosting forecast that the world's largest energy consumer would start buying and stockpiling again.

Flights from Sydney to Europe resumed Wednesday after almost five days of grounding which stranded millions of passengers and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues after a massive eruption of a volcano in Iceland prevented flights from and into Europe.

Securities watchdog Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on Wednesday banned a former client adviser with Tricom Futures Services Pty Ltd, now known as Stonebridge Futures Services Pty Ltd (Stonebridge), Mr Roy Ho of Brisbane, from providing financial services.

Government maritime authorities on Tuesday intercepted a small boat carrying alleged asylum seekers off Western Australia, it was reported.

The anticipated growth in the iron ore and coal sectors are pushing the Reserve Bank of Australia to increase interest rates, according to the minutes of the central bank's board meeting in April showed.

Government regulators announced on Tuesday it would initiate an independent probe into the telecommunications industry following an upsurge of customer complaints submitted before the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) over the last few years.

Shareholders of Seven Network media group on Tuesday approved the planned merge with privately-owned earthmoving giant WesTrac after deliberating on the move for two-and-a-half hours.