Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals

The Federal Government is cutting $120 million from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) funding.

Oil boss appointment forms gulf for investors

Some investors are outraged at the decision to appoint Tony Hayward as the new chairman of Glencore Xstrata.

Grant freeze takes great deal from locals

Very few have escaped the cost-cutting blade in the latest federal Budget, and Local Government assistance appears to be another victim.

States caught short, claiming cuts force tax talks

State governments are in virtually open revolt over the hand they were dealt in the latest federal Budget.

Conflict costs companies, but can be used to connect

Public conflict can cost big companies in many ways, and new research shows how great that effect has been for one key economic driver.

Green thinking moves to working after federal fund fix

Australian treasury cost-cutters appear to have scoured legislation for any mention of “clean”, “green” or “renewable” spending, and promptly hacked it down.

Public staff asked to do much more with far fewer

With the axing of 16,500 public servants over the next three years, the Abbott government's first budget has included the biggest staff cut in the federal bureaucracy for decades.

China signing to start huge African rail deal

China has signed a deal to build the first stage of a line that will cross several African nations.

Mega-store soon to make market debut

A giant is about to make its gargantuan presence known on the global market, with the public float of the Chinese tech firm Alibaba.

Deregulation taking shape as opposition grows louder

The Federal Education Minister has given the strongest indication that university fees will be deregulated next week.

Honeymoon over, businesses call for action from Abbott

Company directors have become progressively less confident in the Abbott Government since it came to power, a survey says.

Super fund gouging called-out before big merger

Two colluders at the top of a $700 million industry super fund have been brought down in a corporate expenses scandal.

Asylum closures miss better opportunity

The Federal Government has signalled its intention to shut several onshore asylum seeker centres, a week after the Commission of Audit labelled offshore processing a waste of money.

Broadband blowout blamed on big demand

NBN Co says it will have to spend 33 per cent more for rural broadband, because it did not estimate how many people would want to be connected.

Regions gather as massive economic input is counted

Queensland councils have pooled their knowledge from their role as key factors in the State's economy.

Big fund to help workers grow away from old industry

The Federal Government has given more details of a large funding pool created to help displaced auto-workers find new jobs.

Break taken before new round of corruption queries

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales will take a break to consider new evidence of “serious electoral funding irregularities”.

Debt tax has lack of support, could be smokescreen

It is becoming difficult to find those who believe that the proposed ‘budget debt levy’ is a good idea.

Rural bank set free to nail down more rail

The Victorian Government has pulled a pre-budget, pre-election move that few suspected – selling its Rural Finance Corporation to invest in rail upgrades.