Sharon Olalia

Westpac (ASX: WBC), one of Australia’s largest banks, has received final approval to open a branch in Beijing from the China Banking Regulatory Commission.

Australia envisions becoming a world-leading digital economy by the end of the decade by fully realising the benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Australian consumer watchdog Choice says the pricing disparities between many goods sold in Australian stores and those purchased online from overseas are significant and often economically unjustifiable.

Australia’s peak body for the building and construction industry says it could not support the introduction of a carbon tax from 1 July 2012 unless the government properly addresses the cost impact and uncertainty in relation to the increased cost to housing and to the building industry.

Appearing in “We Say Yes” campaign commercials as a carbon tax ambassador, Cate Blanchett seemed unaffected by expected criticisms from those who do not support putting a price on carbon.

Qantas’ new Australia-Dallas, Texas route is under further evaluation after a jumbo jet unexpectedly ran low on fuel trying to make the non-stop leg to Brisbane yesterday.

An Australian Army soldier, a member of the Mentoring Task Force was shot by an Afghan National Army soldier yesterday while undertaking guard duty at a patrol base north of Tarin Kot.

One out of four Australians will likely retire without homes given the present attitude toward superannuation, according to Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST).

The significant interest rate hike in November last year has bitten, with Australian capital city dwelling values down 1.2 per cent in the three months to end April. Expensive suburbs have been the poorest performers in line with the share market.

Today’s market conditions favour property investors who are looking to benefit from ongoing seller discounting, healthy rental income growth and longer term capital gains. For those considering investing, here are hints and tips from Australia’s largest independently-owned mortgage broker Mortgage Choice:

Suncorp Group, Australia's biggest general insurer, aims to increase its insurance margin by three percentage points next in the next financial year and double its profit in New Zealand over the next three years.

A recent survey discloses that the Australian new home sales show indication of falling to levels during the global financial crisis as it currently appears flat.

ING Direct is reducing the variable interest rate on its 100 per cent offset home loan product, Orange Advantage, by 0.10 per cent p.a. from today 30 May 2011 amid toughening competition among Australian lenders.

Plans to establish a regional processing center in Malaysia for asylum seeker will be carried out by the federal government despite condemnations from the Greens, conveys Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

CPA Australia is encouraging individuals and businesses to be vigilant in identifying what they are able to claim so as to avoid missing out on the cash they are entitled to receive for the current financial year.

Australian actor Michael Caton described Cate Blanchett a “passionate person” as he defends her role in an ad promotion supporting carbon tax.

UK-based navigation and positioning solutions company Veripos will open a branch office in Perth to provide sales and support for both Australia and New Zealand.

Australia’s largest and most representative business group has reaffirmed its opposition to a carbon tax or trading scheme prior to the operation of a global mitigation agreement.

The Australian Government has welcomed the news that Ratko Mladic was arrested in Serbia and congratulated the Serbian authorities on this development.

Work on the $16 billion Santos (ASX: STO) Liquefied Natural Gas Project near Gladstone is underway, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh officially launching the project on Saturday.

Engineering conglomerate Ausenco Ltd (ASX Code: AAX) had secured another contract with Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) to manage the $75 million processing plant delivery at the Tucano gold project in Brazil.

The rules on foreign ownership in ASX Ltd, according to Australian Financial Services Minister Bill Shorten, did not drop Singapore Exchange Ltd’s bid and they do not need any correction. This after the government decided to uphold a tax office ruling that gains from asset sales by private equity firms.

Golden Circle, a subsidiary of US-based Heinz Corporation, based in Brisbane, Queensland, has sacked 350 workers, causing a major blow to food production and food processing in Australia.

Westpac (ASX: WBC) has now assured there had been no compromise of its security or systems.

As the 30 days of public hearing in eight locations ended today, Premier Anna Bligh argued that investing $15 million in an implementation to review and extract any lessons from the disaster that ravaged over Queensland is one of the best ways to honor the 35 victims.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers, the country’s largest manufacturing union, has released a costed plan that aims to safeguard existing jobs and create a long-term base for renewable energy manufacturing in the country.

A number of credit card numbers were cancelled by the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac in fear that they might have been compromised and opened to fraudulent activities.

Australia’s financial advice and wealth management industry accounts a friendly merger between the Snowball Group and the Shadforth Financial Group.

Alice Springs Airport or ASA is delegated to be the first aircraft "boneyard" outside the United States after a deal for the construction and operation of the facility was concluded with a storage company this week.