Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals - December, 2015
A Parliamentary report into credit card use has suggested banks should take better care of customers struggling to meet repayments.
Credit rating wavers at policy deadlock
Auditors have warned that Australia’s AAA credit rating could be put at risk by the Federal Government’s failure to pass its policies.
$10 billion for contractors in procurement stats
Australian Public Service procurement spending soared by $10 billion in the past financial year, new figures show.
WA council figures collated for critique
The Western Australian government says it will soon put council financial information online, so that ratepayers can see how their council stacks up.
Lobbyist lashes out at Paris
The head of a major European coal lobby says the industry will be “hated and vilified” like “slave-traders” after the Paris climate deal.
Payback ordered from former union figure
Former federal MP Craig Thomson has been ordered to pay $458,000 for breaching the Fair Work Act.
Chemical merger catalyst for new firms
Chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont have announced they will merge, before splitting into three separate companies.
Fuel pumps fail to follow drop
The ACCC says petrol margins are at their highest on record, letting retailers harvest the benefits from falling oil prices.
Palmer's plays keep hundreds at risk
The Queensland Government and the French territory of New Caledonia are avoiding Clive Palmer's attempts to keep his refinery afloat.
Paris deal tries to get real on climate
The Federal Government signed an international climate change deal in Paris on Saturday night, which seeks to limit the future increase in global temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius.
Volkswagen plays down dodgy software
Embattled car-maker Volkswagen is working hard to minimise its emissions-test scandal.
Wind farm money re-jigged
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has given the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) a mandate that allows it to invest in wind projects.
East West report slams both sides
Victoria’s auditor-general has slammed both sides of Victorian politics and the public service in his report on Melbourne’s failed $23 billion East West Link (EWL) project.
Social and economic hits plotted in Tassie
A landmark report says Tasmanians cannot blame social disadvantage or low government spending for being behind on social and economic indicators.
Tech launch lands locals on rich list
Two local tech gurus have shot up Australia’s rich list after the public offering of software company Atlassian.
New PM&C chief says current taxes look historic
Australia's next top public servant says living standards are slipping, the tax system looks like it is from the 1950s, and the nation needs to have an “adult” debate on tax reform.
Pay ruling breaks two-year inaction
Federal politicians, judges and top bureaucrats will receive a 2 per cent pay rise at the end of an Abbott government-era wage freeze next month.
Iron decline still going
Iron ore is down again, continuing its slow decline to land at US$39.40 per tonne on the Steel Index.
Business links boosted for "ideas boom"
The Federal Government has put up almost $1.1 billion to promote business-based research, development and innovation over the next four years.
NBN sale claims surface
Reports say the Turnbull government is looking to sell large chunks of the government-owned National Broadband Network.
Housing help falls flat in NT
The Northern Territory Government has responded to repeated complaints that its home buyers’ insurance scheme is not working.