POLITICS & POLICY

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 2/17/2012

Today marks the end of an eventful week for the Australian sharemarket. Shares rose on three occasions, had its worst daily performance in 2012 yesterday and there were 36,000 more jobs created in January than expected. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) edged higher by 0.4 pct or 16.1 pts to 4273.3.

China's Q4 Gold Imports Overtake that of India

Gold imports by China in the last quarter of 2011 have overtaken those by India, recognized top global importer of the precious safe haven yellow metal, during the same quarter, and it is most possible that China will snatch that title from its neighbor and fellow Asian emerging economic leader this 2012.

Billabong, Pacific Brands Axe Jobs

In the same way that summer outfits such as board shorts and bikini tops and bottoms are easy to take off after a romp in the beach, jobs in clothing companies such as Pacific Brand and Billabong are easily being shed.

Rinehart Calls for Transfer of Australian Capital to Alice Springs

Australia and Asia's richest woman is making her voice heard again in national affairs. She proposed in article in the Australian Resources and Investment Magazine slated to be published March 1 that the Canberra no longer be considered the capital city, but to move major government offices to Alice Springs.
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Prescription Drug Use by Australian Police Detainees Findings

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) recently conducted their third quarter DUMA survey for the year 2011. In this survey, AIC included new set of questions that covers the illegal use of prescription medications as well as the extent of these medications in the black market.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 02/17/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has risen almost a full US cent overnight to open at USD1.0750 this morning, up from USD1.0668 late Thursday.

New Australian Bill Entitles More People to Vote

A new bill was introduced in Parliament today which aims to help more Australians to vote even if they are not enroled. This new bill entitled the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector Participation) Bill 2012 would enable at least 1.6 million eligible Australian voters to practice their right to vote. Through this bill, the Electoral Commission will be given the authority to enrol eligible voters. Currently, only individuals have the power to enrol themselves.

Recent Legislation Proposes to Help Workers Access their Entitlements

David Bradbury, the Parliament Secretary to the Treasurer announced that a new legislation has been introduced in the Parliament which is focused on helping employees get their entitlements. This new legislation is called the Corporations Amendment (Phoenixing and Other Measures) Bill 2012. Through this legislation, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) are given the authority to communicate and demand from abandoned companies the entitlements that their previous employees ...

New Australian Bill Supports People with Disability

A new legislation passed into Parliament focuses on supporting Australians with disability in terms of finding work. This new legislation entitled The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Disability Support Pension Participation Reforms) Bill 2012 introduces new participation requirements for Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients who are capable to be employed. The bill also highlighted a much flexible law that allows DSP recipients to work for at least 30 hours a week and stil...

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 2/16/2012

The Australian sharemarket had its worst day of 2012 today, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slumping by 1.6 pct or 70.2 pts to 4257.2. It was also one of the busiest days on the local market this month with around $5.8 billion worth of shares exchanging hands throughout the session.

Chile’s Copper Mines Threatened by Drought

The raging two-year drought that continues to affect Chile has made copper producers concerned as to how to source electricity generation to adequately support their operational requirements.

Chile’s Copper Mines Threatened by Drought

The raging two-year drought brought by La Niňa that continues to affect Chile has made copper producers concerned as to how to source power generation to adequately support their operational requirements.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 2/16/2012

The Australian share market lost ground from the open of trade today, in line with falls on the U.S. markets overnight. All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 1.5 pct or 64.4pts to 4263 at lunchtime. All market sectors were in the red with the biggest slides occurring in the S&P/ASX 200 Materials sector off 2.17 pct and the best performing sector of the day being the S&P/ASX 200 Telecom Services sector helped by market heavy weight, Telstra Corporation Limited (TLS) up $0.02 to $3.43 cents a share a...

Australian Stock Market Leads 02/16/2012

Tuning out the uncertainty cast by the Greek debt default and further quantitative easing in the U.S. will be difficult for the local Aussie markets to overcome on Thursday as profit-taking dominates in the early hours of trade and signalling a sluggish start.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 02/16/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar edged its way towards USD1.0800 during yesterday's local session but is back down under USD1.0700 this morning.

Global Markets Overview - 02/16/2012

U.S. stocks were on pace for their steepest fall of the year, as questions about the latest Greek bailout added to concerns about industrial stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 111 points, or 0.9%, to 12768, in late Wednesday afternoon, after rising for five out of the past six days.

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 2/15/2012

The Australian sharemarket was trading in the red until some upbeat comments from the head of China's central bank gave the market a boost. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.2 pct or 8.5 pts to 4327.4. Most sectors gained some ground, however the miners and health care stocks held the market back.

Australian Stock Market Leads - 02/15/2012

The Australian stock market on Wednesday will try to put away the lacklustre sentiments generated by the U.S. and European indices overnight with a focus on a few earnings reports due to be released today.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 02/15/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar traded in a choppy fashion overnight, in sync with its European counterpart, after yesterday's sovereign ratings downgrades by Moodys.

Global Markets Overview - 02/15/2012

From MORRISON SECURITIES PTY. LTD: U.S. stocks fell Tuesday as investors considered weaker-than-expected retail sales data and watched for progress in Europe over Greece's debt.

Australian Stock Market Report - Afternoon 2/14/2012

The Australian market wiped out yesterday's gains and fell 0.9 pct or 40.5 pts to 4318.9. Yesterday, global markets performed well following the Greek parliament's decision to pass tough new austerity measures.

Wellington Basin Reserve Grandstand Marked Earthquake Prone

The 88-year-old grandstand at the only historic cricket ground in Wellington has been marked with an 'earthquake prone' warning by the city council. The Basin Reserve grandstand is now being assessed to find out the extent of work needed to make it safer in the event of an earthquake.

South Korea’s KOGAS Needs Total 36 mln tonnes LNG in 2012

Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS), South Korea's state-run gas company, announced on Monday it would be importing in 2012 a total of 36.46 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), or 1.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, presumably to ensure a steady and constant supply of the commodity for domestic purposes.

Brisbane Aims to Double City Economy Within 20 Years

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced on Tuesday an ambitious 20-year plan that aims to double the city's economy to $217 billion by 2031. The growth, which includes boosting job creation, would ride on the back of the state's resources boom.

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