Sharon Olalia

Almost four out of five Australians say they are concerned about the Federal Government’s proposed tax on the cleaner, greener alternative fuel LPG - a tax that could send the cost of the green transition fuel sky rocketing, see taxi fares rise and cripple Australia’s fragile LPG industry.

Australian department Store Myer Holdings Ltd announced total sales for the 26 weeks to 29 January 2011 were $1.73 billion, down 3.5 percent compared to last year. On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of new stores, refurbishments and Myer Melbourne, sales were down 5.2 percent.

Ross Garnaut’s carbon pricing paper requires Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet to be honest about how high a carbon tax will be set to see renewable energy growth, says Australia's leading free market think tank.

An unsolicited offer has been made by Carlyle Securities L.P to purchase up to one million Contact Energy shares(NXE: CEN), Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) said today. Origin owns 51 per cent of Contact.

A slimming product has been recalled from sale in Australia as it has been found to contain a toxic ingredient.

The Gillard Government would partner with the Aboriginal Mining and Building Association (AMBA) and the Downer Group Coal Mine to employ 30 Indigenous Australians.

Gina Rinehart, the daughter of mining magnate Lang Hancock, is now the richest Australian ever.

Western Australian owned international shipbuilding company Strategic Marine has been contracted to provide high-speed patrol vessels for the Australian Federal Police.

Australia-based uranium production company Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Japan following the tragic events of Friday 11 March 2011.

Murchison Metals Ltd (ASX: MMX) has formally executed its agreement with Resource Capital Fund V L.P. (RCF V) for the US$100 million Bridge Finance Facility that was announced to the ASX on 19 November 2010.

National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) today announced changes to the Group Executive Committee.

Telecom New Zealand (ASX: TEL; NZE TEL) has today announced it will credit all residential customers’ landline calls to Japan. This includes calls made from landline to landline and landline to Japanese mobile phones.

Patterson Cheney Pty Ltd, trading as Patterson Cheney Holden, has paid two infringement notices totaling $13,200 following an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation into its promotional offer of a 'Free Extended Lifetime Mechanical Warranty'.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will attend New Zealand’s National Memorial Service in Christchurch this Friday to commemorate the lives lost in the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February.

The push to return the Budget to surplus by 2012/13 must not come at the cost of jobs or cuts to vital programs, services that working people and their communities rely on.

The Australian government’s carbon tax will permanently scar small business, according to VACC, which represents 5,500 small to medium businesses (SMEs) in the retail, service and repair sector of the automotive industry in Victoria and Tasmania.

The Al Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), in joint venture with Murray and Roberts, has been awarded an AED2.2 billion (US$600 million) contract for the construction of Al Mafraq Hospital for SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.

Murchison Metals Ltd (ASX: MMX) has secured the approval of the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) for the proposed Oakajee Port & Rail (OPR) terrestrial iron ore port development and associated rail infrastructure in the State’s mid-west region.

Woodchipper Gunns (ASX: GNS) says it is continuing to assess the effects of the Japanese earthquake on the business outlook.

Australia had A$1.79 trillion (US$1.82 trillion) in funds under management (FUM) in the December quarter 2010, according to Austrade.

The financial services capability of Australia, particularly the rapidly growing funds management sector, was showcased in Toronto and Montreal during an Austrade-led mission from 28 February – 2 March.

Australia sent a team of 72 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialists to Japan to assist with rescue efforts following Friday afternoon’s devastating earthquake.

At least 70,000 children have been displaced because of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, warns a leading organisation for children.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX:CBA) has achieved excellent progress in a core banking modernisation program that it has been pursuing since April 2008, the bank said today.

Citigroup has appointed Vibha Coburn as Head of Mortgages for Citibank Australia. Ms Coburn was most recently a business director in Secured Finance Solutions at Citibank Singapore.

Renewed safety concerns regarding nuclear generation resulting from the massive Japanese earthquake may benefit the development of new liquefied natural gas projects (LNG) in Australia, according to an international ratings agency.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines says it would increase fares and international fuel surcharges in response to further rises in global fuel prices.

Australians who have lost their passports during Japan’s natural disaster will not have to pay to replace them.

A devastating tsunami is engulfing towns in Japan's northern Pacific coast following a major offshore quake today. Japanese television is broadcasting cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water.