POLITICS & POLICY

Japanese Minister Quits Just 8 Days on the Job

New Japanese Industry Minister Yoshio Huchiro resigned on Saturday after only eight days on the job . He quit because of a controversial remark that he mde regading the areas near the Fukushina Daiichi nuclear plant, which he referred to as ghost town

Former Virgin Boss Gets Tiger Airways Top Post

Singapore-based Tiger Airways is quickly picking up from the close to six-week ban on its Australian operations as it tapped former Virgin Blue CEO Andrew David to run the airline following the scheduled departure of chief executive Tony Davis on Nov. 1.

Rupert Murdoch’s Australian Newspapers Bombard PM Gillard’s Camp with Criticisms

Rupert Murdoch is involved in another controversy, this time in his native Australia. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told Bloomberg that Murdoch’s Daily Telegraph is “running a campaign on regime change.” Mudoch’s spokesman Greg Baxter said there is no campaign against the government by News Ltd., News Corp’s Australian unit.
More news

Poll Says Labor Will Win If Rudd Returns as Party Leader

Support for incumbent Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is at a record low, according to a survey by Fairfax/Nielsen released Monday. But the Australian Labor Party still has hopes of winning if it brings back Kevin Rudd.

Obama Faces Tough Slog to Sell Pivotal Jobs Plan

President Barack Obama, seeking to rescue the troubled U.S. economy and his own prospects for re-election, embarks on an uphill battle on Friday to win Republican support for a make-or-break $447 billion jobs plan.

Japan’s Economy Contracts Further; More Fiscal Intervention Seen

Japan's economy shrank further and exceeded more than the government's initial estimates in the second quarter as the stronger currency diminished efforts for the country to fully bounce back since the March earthquake. The G-7 member-countries will likely be asked for fiscal intervention to weaken the appreciating yen, that so far did more bad than good to the entire economy.

Expanded Pilot Scheme to Ease Labour Shortages

Australia’s accommodation industry is planning to encourage member businesses in Broome to participate in the expanded Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, which has been announced today.

Carbon and Tax: Separate Issues?

‘Carbon’ and ‘Tax’ seem inextricably linked in political debate but they are separate issues and should be viewed as such, a group of Melbourne’s leading industry CEOs was told on Friday.

Japan Requests Australia For More Coal

In a meeting held in Tokyo on Wednesday, Sep 7, Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoshio Hachiro has asked assistance from Australia's Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson in acquiring coal and other resources for power-generation needs, NHK World report says

Japan’s New PM Noda Visits Fukushima Plant

With still no reprise from a harm's way, Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda set foot on the devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to personally see the extent of the damage and massive efforts in decontaminating the areas plagued with high radiation.

Beijing Vows Stiff Penalties for Bohai Bay Oil Spills

Amidst the public apology issued on Wednesday by U.S. energy giant ConocoPhillips, over oil spills in Bohai Bay, Beijing has ordered a thorough investigation of the affected area to know the exact damage to the environment, reports said.

Takeover Panel Affirms Foster’s Financial Results

There is no solid ground to launch a deeper look on Foster’s Group’s financial report, according to a decision handed down on Thursday by the Takeover Panel, which rebuffed a plea by global beverage firm SABMiller to probe the Australian brewer’s financial standing.

Legal Experts: Following the Boss' Instructions - HR Managers Beware

In our December 2010 article (see issue 8.12), we discussed the activities of the Fair Work Ombudsman, the independent regulatory agency that investigates complaints involving suspected contraventions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and its predecessor, the Workplace Relations Act 1996, as well as breaches of awards and agreements.

China Reviews Arms Sales Policies

China plans to adjust its procedures for selling weapons to other countries after news came last week that state-owned arms manufacturers were selling arms to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's government in July.

U.N. Peacekeepers Accused of Raping 18-year-old Male in Haiti

The alleged victim, Johnny Jean, and his mother, Rose Marie Jean, told Haitian radio stations he had been raped by Uruguayan marines and provided testimony to a judge in the southern town of Port-Salut, where the incident allegedly took place on July 28.

Australia Recovers, Posts GDP Gains in June Quarter

Australia had a barrelling finish on the second quarter, thanks much on soaring economic activities fuelled by the mining sector, according to the latest report issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday.

Pages