Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals

The Queensland Government claims early childhood education is a big priority - leading school authorities across the state to ask why $100 million less was spent on pre-schools and kindergartens than had been budgeted.

'Public' hospital, privately run

In a bold offer to the private sector the Queensland Government says it will entirely outsource the daily operation of a Sunshine Coast hospital.

Darwin leads nation's inflation

Official figures out this week have shown Australia's annual rate of inflation has slowed to 2.4 per cent, and Darwin’s inflation rate growth remains the highest among the nation's capital cities.

Alarm over FBT adjustment

A group of companies is looking to meet with the Federal Government over its planned changes to the fringe benefits tax, after they were announced to offset the cost of shifting carbon price plans.

Billabong surfs past buy-out

Billabong has rejected a buy-out offer from hedge fund investors, saying the proposal was unacceptable.

Breakdown of Motor City finance

The US city of Detroit has taken the dubious honour of being the largest city in the country’s history to file for bankruptcy, drowning in a debt of $US18.5 billion.

Farmers firing on grain sale

Farmers are calling for the Government to intercede and block the sale of Australian grain company GrainCorp to Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a major group in global agribusiness.

G20 summit to quell sea of protests

The world's economic crisis response team will look at the prospect of more market volatility today, as finance ministers and central bankers gather in Moscow to chart a course towards global economic recovery.

Hammer to fall on fashion fortress

The American mansion of Italian designer Gianni Versace is going up for auction, and is expected to top $US125 million when it does.

Swan says homes can form support

The former treasurer says Australia’s housing market could prop up the economy during a downturn in mining profits.

Unfair pay across ages

It seems the gap of inequality in pay rates between genders extends right down to children, with recent reports Australian boys earn more weekly pocket money than girls.

A word worth millions from US Fed CEO

It seems a misplaced word is all it takes to upset the balance of the global financial market, if you are the Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve.

Farm funds secured at critical time

The Federal Agricultural Minister has signed off on a new emergency loans system for Queensland farmers, ending months of squabble and debate about funds for floods and fires.

Greek progress praised, more funds promised

Greece has been thrown another financial lifeline, with the EU and the International Monetary Fund agreeing to a $9.5 billion deal to spare the country from defaulting on debts.

QLD MP's angle for exec. pay

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has announced an independent committee will be set up to deal with State MP's salaries, after outrage over a planned 42 per cent increase to politicians' pay.

Troy forges golden friendship

Troy Resources executives may not be all smiles after a friendly takeover of Azimuth Resources.

Watchdog chairman let off chain

A former investigator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the National Australia Bank may be looking to return to this side of the Tasman, after completing his contract with New Zealand’s financial watchdog.

ANZ opines mines drive decline

Western Australia may be feeling the effects of a shrivelling resources market with job ads in the state declining for the fourth consecutive month.

Helping pays off in ABS stats

The latest ABS salary statistics have been released and it seems medicine is the industry to go for to get the highest pay cheque.

ASIC recommends more moves on deposit rollovers

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has released a report claiming that consumers have saved billions since banks stepped up their disclosure on deposit rollovers.