POLITICS & POLICY

The federal government's plan to ban exit fees, although designed to help consumers, will have the opposite effect as it stifles bank competition, according to the mortgage and finance industry in Australia.

Vodafone has been cleared by the Privacy Commissioner of accusations that the company had permitted the data leakage of its four million subscribers but it was ruled that the telco failed to institute appropriate safeguards that would shield its clients’ information from the public eye.

The ripples spawned by the $10 billion profit achieved by BHP Billiton for only a half-year operation reached and thrilled the South Australian government, host of the resource giant’s Olympics dam expansion plan in the outback part of the state.

The United States has expressed concern about recent violence in Bahrain, where thousands of protesters are calling for democratic change similar to the process taking place in Egypt.

Two people were killed and several wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces in central Tehran, officials said.

The successive record profits posted by giant mining firms BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd should further sway the government to pursue its proposed mineral resources rent tax despite the numerous recalibrations that it has undergone.

The first national strategy to provide a long term road map for improving the lives of Australians with disability, their families and carers has been endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

The federal government is happy to see that major Australian banks are starting to actually compete with each other by bringing on to the table service offerings that intend to lure more customers and in the process deliver considerable benefits to their banking clients.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will make his first speaking appearance in Australasia since leaving office in July 2011, sharing his unique insights and experiences in leadership, negotiation and innovation.

The federal government is looking to lift Australia’s compulsory employer superannuation contributions from its current level of nine percent to 12 percent by year 2020, with part of the funds to be culled from the revenues set to be delivered by the planned minerals resource rent tax.

A commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the proposal of putting out people from the disability pension and deploying them back to the country’s workforce.

Giant telco Telstra Corporation unveiled on Tuesday its plan to boost the capability of its wireless services by upgrading to the new 4G technology, which the company said would adequately meet Australia’s growing demands for mobile data.

Australian banks have rejected criticism of bank profits as unfounded, in response to a media statement, today issued by Greens MP Adam Bandt, which noted the first-half profit announcement by the Commonwealth Bank reinforced the need for action “to rein in excessive profiteering by the banking sector.”

The milk controversy sparked by the price war between Australia’s major supermarkets has reached the halls of the parliament, prompting Independent Senator Nick Xenophon to call for a probe on the matter.

The newly-established climate change commission now counts an Australian of the Year recipient as its new head following its initial gathering on Thursday.

The Queensland government is eyeing the possibility of using to its advantage the media mileage gained by the state, owing much to the devastations wrought by the back-to-back disasters of flood and cyclone in January.

Giant telecommunication firm Telstra Corporation and National Broadband Network Company finally agreed on the details that would facilitate for the actual roll out of the federal-sponsored National Broadband Network project.

Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O'Connor today welcomed the passage of tougher laws against aviation crimes such as bomb hoaxes and endangering an aircraft in flight.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator the Hon David Feeney, today announced that the government will relax the policy on replacement of Australian Defence Force (ADF) medals so that medals lost during the Queensland and Victorian floods, the impact of Cyclone Yasi and the fires in Western Australia can be replaced.

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell’s speech to the National Press Club today makes a reasoned case for reforms to drive better infrastructure and productivity outcomes, says Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, the nation’s peak infrastructure industry group.

Australia’s current credit rating of AAA would not be harmed at all even in the event that the federal budget surplus target needs to be pushed back to provide the necessary leeway for the government’s rehabilitation program.

Queensland authorities have granted permission for banana growers to sell their produce from plantations flattened by cyclone Yasi, which hit the coastal areas of the state last week.

Barely three months afters its privatization, QR National announced on Wednesday that an estimated 3000 workers would be given options for voluntary redundancies, which the company said would be initiated in April.

Cigarette lighters that look like children's toys and 'sky lanterns' are among the first 10 permanent product bans made under the new Australian Consumer Law, said Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury.

Drew Brees of New Orleans, 2010’s Super Bowl winning quarterback, says he is strongly considering entering politics, when he stops throwing the ball.

Fair Work Australia issued a ruling on Tuesday that favours a dismissed employee, who was reportedly fired for alleged gossiping against fellow workers and staff.

Brisbane Airport has been lauded by the country’s corporate watchdog for the period covering 2009/10 while Sydney and Melbourne airports are grappling with services and car parking issues for the same period.

Former Philippines army chief and defence minister Angelo Reyes reportedly committed suicide on Tuesday by shooting himself in front of his mother’s grave at a sprawling memorial park near the capital Manila.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan confirmed earlier projections by economists that a slow down would characterise the first three months of the Australian economy as it starts to absorb the impacts of the twin disasters that ravaged the northern states of the country from December last year through the last week of January.