POLITICS & POLICY

Coalition scores initial NBN rollout in Tasmania

Newly-appointed opposition communication spokesman Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday that the federal government’s handling of the National Broadband Network could potentially lead to a huge waste of taxpayers’ money.

Greens are pushing it

The kingmaker Greens are beginning to use their influence on the prime minister and her court.
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Tanner joins Lazard Australia after firm’s selection as NBN advisor

Former finance minister Lindsay Tanner is set to wear his business suit again but this time as a corporate advisor for Lazard Australia, following his bowing out of politics but not before leaving a major imprint in the previous Labor governments headed by Kevin Rudd and now incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Labor minister calls for transparency under new government

The minority government established by the Labor Party should be the least concern of the financial markets since it is bound to operate in a transparent manner, according to Employment Minister Simon Crean when he spoke with reporters on Thursday.

Liberals accuse Tasmania of wasting state resources on FEA deal

The state government of Tasmania is now under fire as the opposition raised questions on Thursday whether the decision in 2007 to allow Forest Enterprises Australia exclusive access to a total of 300,000 tonnes of radiata pine was made under extreme duress.

ACCC rejects anew NAB-AXA merger despite revised undertakings

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced on Thursday that it is still against National Australia Bank’s (NAB) proposed takeover of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, effectively throwing out the suitor’s latest revised undertakings.

Miners retreat on Labor win yet market simply absorbs the hairline triumph

Major mining stocks all retreated in the market as the swing votes of two independent MPs gave the Labor Party the necessary numbers in forming the next government, largely seen by economic and political watchers as a blow to the resource industry’s vehement opposition to the controversial minerals resource rent tax.

Business leaders exert more efforts in pushing for carbon emission tax

Australia’s business leaders need to unite and throw their support on the initiative that would set a price on carbon and establish an emission trading scheme in the country as the head of a giant property company asserted that climate change should be a dominant agenda of both business and political leaders.

WA moves to obtain land in Kimberley

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has said his government will start the process to compulsory take land in the Kimberley for the development of a $30 billion gas precinct.

Victoria supports 59 of Bushfire Royal's Changes

The State government of Victoria supported 59 policy changes suggested by the Bushfires Royal Commission. The final report of last year's devastating bushfires was released last month and carried 67 suggested policy changes.

Ai Group wants talks with Independents

Independents Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor, and Bob Katter hold a very crowded list of interest groups that are wanting to discuss with them. The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has just joined in.

Windsor is optimistic

Independent MP Tony Windsor of New South Wales says the financial markets will continue activities while a new government is being formed.

Queensland homes for sale to recover unpaid charges

Three of the biggest southeast Queensland councils have to recover more than $32 million in unpaid rates and charges. The overdue rates have been outstanding for at least three years and are not the subject of court action.

Telstra stocks on record low amid hung parliament

Investors sent Australian telco giant Telstra (ASX: TLS) shares down more than 6 per cent to a record low as prospects of a hung parliament cast doubts about the future of its broadband plans and the wider telecommunications industry.

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