POLITICS & POLICY

Feds may be open for some changes on RSPT

The federal government may be ready after all to adjust some elements of the mining tax to accommodate the needs of the various parts of the resources industry as Resources Minister Martin Ferguson gave hints that even Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gets some pressure from the Labour party to forge a compromise with the mining sector.

Senate passes new tobacco excise tax

A pack of 25-stick cigarettes would soon cost smokers $14 and they have the Senate to thank for as the chamber passed and formalised on Tuesday the Rudd government’s earlier decision to raise cigarette excise tax.

Richardson bats for lower mining tax

A lower mining tax should enable Australia to fiercely compete with other mining countries and any planned taxes on the industry should not be compared with the petroleum industry, that according to Access Economic director Chris Richardson.

Rudd ready for a compromise with miners

After drawing much public flak from his proposed 40 percent tax on super profits, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is reported to be ready for a compromise agreement with the mining sector, in the hope of taking out some of the pressure over the controversial new resource tax.
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WA business group hit for its RSPT stand

The parliamentary secretary for Western and Northern Australia has scored the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its two-faced approach on the resources super profits tax, stressing that the business lobby group needs to assume a clear stand for the economic future of the state.

ISPs to restore web surfing history under new proposal

The Australian government is reported to be planning to introduce a new law that requires internet service providers to keep a record of their client's web surfing history, as part of the government's fight against terrorism and phaedophilia.

Cost of teen sailor rescue to be shouldered by Australia

The Australian government will shoulder the cost in the rescue of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland, who was forced to send off a distress call after drifting for three days more than 2,000 miles southwest of Perth, while trying to circumnavigate the world solo.

BHP suggests scrapping the RSPT

BHP Billiton said on Friday that a proposed resources super profit tax by the Federal Government should be scrapped altogether or make some revisions to address “fundamental failings.”

ASIC to monitor trading tools

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Thursday disclosed that it will closely observe trading tools when it takes over the supervision of financial markets later this year.

Feds score mining executives for exaggerated claims on RSPT

The federal government said on Tuesday that mining executives has exaggerated claims of financial crisis once the proposed super profits tax is implemented, with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy blaming the executives for taking down Australia in the eyes of the international community.

Honda unrest spurs Japanese firms’ China trade policy realignments

The recent workers’ strike in Honda’s Chinese facilities has brought into light two-edged realities for Japanese firms operating in China: increasingly confident local workers would now demand for better pays as China’s economy continues to expand and other industry sectors that anticipate rising incomes to fuel further demands for premium goods.

US calls on China to allow the appreciation of Yuan

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has called on China to allow its currency to appreciate and take its true form, integrating the policy to a much wider economic reform that would free up Beijing from too much dependence on exports and encourage domestic demands for its products.

Swan against global bank levy

Treasurer Wayne Swan continues to oppose against a global bank levy that aims to modify institutions against future credit crises and fund bailouts of financially-challenged nations.

Queensland declares Wenlock River as ‘wild’, miners score the move

The Queensland government has declared Friday that the Wenlock River would be regarded as a ‘wild river’ and ordered the state’s Natural Resources ministry to set up a 500 metre protection area around Coolibah Springs, with an extended one kilometre exclusion area surrounding the river realm.

Upward movements on global equities spur oil price hikes

Encouraged by positive indicators coming from the US market and other major worldwide markets, oil prices surged yesterday with New York’s light sweet crude delivery for July hitting $US73.28 per barrel and London’s Brent North Sea steadying at $US74.18 per barrel.

GHG accumulating hastily

Cape Grim is a cold, windy and isolated place located at the end north west of Tasmania. It is home to some of the cleanest air on the planet and is considered the most significant air measuring station in the southern hemisphere.

India opens new plant assembling the world’s cheapest car

Tata Motors of India has announced on Wednesday that the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, would again started rolling out from its new western India plant following the company’s forced desertion of its near-completed factory in Singur, West Bengal which was marred by violent land ownership dispute in 2008.

RBA may resume rate hikes anytime

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced on Tuesday it keep key interest rates 4.5 percent, but analysts said the central bank may resume the most aggressive series of rate increases in the Group of 20 in the third quarter.

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