POLITICS & POLICY

Charity group raises US$24.4m to reduce maternal death in Zimbabwe, Zambia

International charity group ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) announced it has raised US$24.4m to finance two new programmes aimed at reducing maternal death in Zimbabwe and infant death in Zambia, and develop new South African education programme with Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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Lawsuit against banks may backfire - Unions

Several unions in the Finance sector raised concerns regarding a planned class action against banks for allegedly charging Australians for more than $5 million in bank fees for more than 6 years.

Spain announces deep budget cuts to fend off Greece’s debt issue effects

The Spanish government said today that budget cut measures will take effect soon in order to cushion the anticipated spill over of Greece’s debt issues across the eurozone as Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero revealed that public sector wages will be slashed by five percent and frozen by next year.

An 11% on mining tax should do - Fraser

Treasurer Andrew Fraser of Queensland told media on Thursday he sent several department officials to deal with the super profits tax with the Federal Government representatives today.

NSW gets new levy on property tax

Home buyers of New South Wales will face the burden of paying more than $90 million of property tax under the provisions of the Federal Budget.

Super profit tax to hurt WA economy

Several West Australian businesses will unite along with the premier and other politicians to pressure the federal government to revise its proposed mining tax law from the budget which was released late on Tuesday.

Samsung reveals plan of billion dollar investments in healthcare and green sectors

Samsung Group announced Tuesday that it is set to invest a total of $US20 billion in healthcare and green energy sectors by 2020, which would create thousands of new jobs as company chairman Lee Kun-Hee hinted that governments around the world are channelling billions to sustainable energy over concerns on the planets dwindling resources.

Mining tax has defects: Foley

South Australian Treasurer Kevin Foley said the strategy behind the federal government's proposed mining tax showed some defects.

Abbot welcomes mining fund assistance

The opposition leader also criticized Rudd's plan, stating that the budget, which should be released on Tuesday, is based on a $9 billion-a-year new tax on mining companies.

Opposition dissent with Swan's budget

A member of the federal opposition criticized Treasury Wayne Swan's statements regarding the budget which is due on Tuesday night. Mr. Swan promised a “no frills” budget, where it will be steady and predicts a long-term reform.

ACTU pressures Swan to deliver a fair budget

Members of the Australian Council of Trade Unions call on the federal government to provide a cautious budget with reasonable tax cuts and extra funds for education, health, and skills.

Rudd is a “racist” - Macfarlene

Controversies still loom over Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as a Federal opposition slams him as a “racist” for wanting to stem the flow of mining profits leading to foreign investors.

Burka armed robbery sparks row

An opposition lawmaker has proposed a ban on burka or full-face Islamic veil after a man carried out an armed robbery using the burka to hide his identity.

Gov’t filing of securities class action on record high in 2009

A survey made by NERA Economic Consulting firm has shows that the number of securities class action filings in Australia reached record high in 2009 and broke the previous record set in 2008. At least six securities class actions were filed in 2009, which brings the total for 2007-2009 to 14 - exactly half of total number of filings since the first securities class action case was filed in Australia in the early 1990s.

Chinese consultancy group urges Beijing for a flexible Yuan

The State Information Centre, a powerful government think-tank, has called on the Chinese government to consider a more flexible exchange rate in order to eliminate worldwide pressure for a stable currency and discourage the entry of speculative funds on China’s economy, which could encounter a slow down by the year’s second quarter.

Bligh wants revisions on resource tax

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on Friday suggested to make some changes on the federal government's proposed mining tax to protect the growing Liquefied Natural gas industry.

Rudd cautious on international market

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Friday that there will be no last-minute changes on the national budget after witnessing a disturbance on Wall Street and in European market last night.

Conroy to release NBN study

A further study on the implementation of the national broadband network (NBN) will be revealed on Thursday by Communications, Broadband and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy after promising to publish it before the federal budget.

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