POLITICS & POLICY

The Australian government’s carbon tax will permanently scar small business, according to VACC, which represents 5,500 small to medium businesses (SMEs) in the retail, service and repair sector of the automotive industry in Victoria and Tasmania.

Australia sent a team of 72 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialists to Japan to assist with rescue efforts following Friday afternoon’s devastating earthquake.

Japan is facing a herculean task to rebuild its economy after a massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit Friday which triggered a tsunami that destroyed most of the country's northern coastal towns. This early, economic analysts are finding it difficult to determine the scale of the human tragedy and physical devastation in the region.

Telecommunications giant Telstra on Tuesday offered free telephone calls and text messages for customers wishing to check on family and friends affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"It's all gone. There is nothing left." That was how Toshio Abe, 70, described the former village of Saito with 70 houses and 250 inhabitants which was literally wiped off after a tsunami obliterated everything in its path following a powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

The office of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has released the itinerary for Prince William’s three day Royal visit to Queensland and Victoria.

Japanese engineers rush to avert radiation leak from damaged nuclear reactor in a battle to avert a looming disastrous meltdown as rescuers frantically search for thousands of missing persons and assist millions without food, water, shelter or heating after a powerful quake and tsunami hit Japan.

The old photos of Adolf Hitler’s girlfriend and wife, Eva Braun has hit the web through Life Magazine and has since caused some stir, with 300% increase in searches for ‘Eva Braun’ in one day.

Smoke emitting from Japan’s quake-hit nuclear plant has been seen continually rising from the No. 3 reactor at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant while some 30 Filipinos seafarers have already been located and were sent on their way to Narita airport early Monday.

Australians who have lost their passports during Japan’s natural disaster will not have to pay to replace them.

Japan-based Australians numbering 1825 were attested to be safe by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Nevertheless, some 900 Australian citizens are still being sought in the earthquake-devastated townships in northeast of Tokyo, Japan.

A diplomat El Salvador has asked newly unemployed “Men” actor, Charlie Sheen to issue an apology for what he regards as a disparaging remark and an insult to El Salvador and its people.

Families living in regional Australia are about to have their hip pocket hit again if the Federal Government goes ahead with a tax on the cleaner and greener alternative fuel LPG.

The Australian Government on Thursday returned Iron Age ornaments looted from graves in Southeast Asia in a ceremony at the Cambodian embassy.

Austrade is giving out assistance to small and medium sized enterprises which have been impacted by Australia’s recent natural disasters.

Forbes magazine has ranked Mexican business mogul, Carlos Slim as 2011 richest man in the world. This is the second year for Slim to top the list with his fortune measured by Forbes at $74 billion.

Integrated forestry company Gunns Limited (ASX: GNS) today announced the Federal Government had granted the final environmental approvals for the proposed Bell Bay Pulp Mills, estimated to require some $2.5 billion in investments.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has told the Australian public broadcaster ABC that Prince William wants his visit to Australia informal, noting that the Prince has expressed wishes to get close to the people.

Australia's jobless rate has been steady and with only the part-time positions getting a nudge down and Queensland floods setting an impact and distorting the data, reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will oppose the proposed acquisition of P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd by Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd.

The Australian government is keeping its target date in implementing a carbon tax in July 2012 in spite a petition from industry sectors to postpone it.

Australia’s Acting Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh have announced the signing of the National Partnership for Natural Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery.

Oscar-winning actor, Ben Affleck has called on to the United States government to step up aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo for failure to do so might result in unfathomable consequences.

First Lady Michelle Obama has beaten even her popular husband, US President Barack Obama, as she topped the latest popularity survey among US politicians.

Prince William will go on official trip from March 17 to 21, a little over a month before his wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29 and intends to make Australia his second stop before heading back to Britain for more preparations to the Royal Wedding.

Gender equity reporting guidelines risk being too heavy-handed says a leading industry association in Australia.

Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson has continued to displease the Royal Family and is now in hot water again after reports came out that she had accepted money from a pedophile.

The Minister for Justice Brendan O'Connor has launched a new report that reveals the types of online scams that are defrauding Australians of their hard earned cash.

Around 150 nude cyclists have participated in the annual bike ride bringing shock to onlookers and residents as they swept inner-city Melbourne in promoting bike activism.