Abbott vows to get back to business
Exclusive | With the latest opinion poll pointing to a landslide Coalition win at Saturday’s federal election, Tony Abbott is promising a low-profile government that will consult formally with business as part of a return to a traditional style of rule.
Low interest rates drive housing market boom
Cuts in interest rates last year triggered a resurgence in the housing market and the spring homes season is now shaping up to reach the lofty benchmarks set in the 2009-2010 property peak.
Budget crisis raises downgrade fears
An economist has warned that ratings agencies may place Australia’s AAA credit rating on notice for downgrade from mid-way through the next parliamentary term unless the economy rebounds and debt is reduced.
Perth, the home of haute couture
Perth has shrugged off its title as the home of bogans and beachwear, and its growing affluence has brought in fashion-forward consumers and world-famous brands.
Close to voting but still unsure
Some voters, including in marginal seats, were still undecided on Friday about how to cast their ballot.
Smartwatch market pushed by Sony and Samsung
Sales of smartphones are expected to top 1 billion this year, while smartwatches lag far behind. Nevertheless, Sony launched its SmartWatch 2 alongside its Xperia Z1 smartphone this week.
Tech giants fight Coalition’s e-safety plan
Global technology companies including Google and Facebook are protesting the Coalition’s plan to introduce an e-Safety Commissioner with powers to strike down material considered ‘harmful’ from the internet.
TV falls off its electioneering perch
Television advertising is still the most potent weapon in political parties’ armoury but its days may fast becoming numbered.
‘Ragtag’ party mix for Senate
Voters hoping an Abbott victory will bring about a stable parliament could be disappointed by the election of a potential ragtag group of senators from tiny political parties as a result of complicated preference deals.
Marginal Brisbane seat gets most leader visits
Based on visits by Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott, inner-city Brisbane and outer western Sydney have been the real battlegrounds in this election.
Sex, lies and power stations: the court case hurting EngeryAustralia
There is much at stake in the unfair dismissal claim launched by former corporate affairs and government relations director Kate Shea, who claims her job at Energy Australia – then TRUenergy – was terminated after she made claims of sexual harassment.
Treasury island: One young gun vs. the budget of the smallest republic
When Jason Murphy was sent to Nauru to oversee its eccentric budget, the 26-year-old was up against non-stop crises, bingo tax evaders and one quietly spoken rebel.
The stakes are high for Infrastructure Abbott
Australia badly needs a process for independent and transparent analysis of proposed infrastructure investment.
Abbott should scrap compulsory super
Abbott’s options if sluggish growth rate slows further: simply let the budget slide further into deficit or scrap compulsory super, which would boost take-home pay, have a positive impact on the deficit, make life easier for employers and revive the spirit of the 1980s reform agenda.
Economy
Budget crisis raises downgrade fears
An economist has warned that ratings agencies may place Australia’s AAA credit rating on notice for downgrade from mid-way through the next parliamentary term unless the economy rebounds and debt is reduced.
The stakes are high for Infrastructure Abbott
Australia badly needs a process for independent and transparent analysis of proposed infrastructure investment.
Politics
Lady Catholics reign
The tricky part about being head of state is that under a very old English law your wife can’t be a Catholic – like for instance Kate Middleton, wife of our head of state to be, Prince William.
Coalition support barely changed
Support for the Coalition has barely changed as the campaign to convince voters Tony Abbott was not up to the job of prime minister failed to get traction.
Legal Affairs
Strong Australian legal team for Cricket World Cup
Australia will field two teams in the International Lawyers’ Cricket World Cup in October to be played in India, with its top side features Western Australia fast bowler Andrew James.
Digital disruption may cause deep structural changes in the legal market
Opinion | A new quantitative legal prediction model is being developed, which may lead to a wave of digital disruption similar to which has already disrupted the media, retail, and finance sectors.
Education
Coalition to review $900m in ‘ridiculous’ research grants
The Coalition will cut back on “increasingly ridiculous research grants” awarded to universities in a move Labor has attacked as philistinism.
Melbourne Uni wins plaudits for being top CEO factory
Where do you go to become a Fortune 500 CEO? First choice would be to graduate from Harvard University. Next best would be to have a degree from the University of Tokyo or Stanford.
Arts & Saleroom
Down a notch
Just when Billabong International’s performance looks as bad as it can get, it lowers the bar in its 2013 annual report.
Lady Catholics reign
The tricky part about being head of state is that under a very old English law your wife can’t be a Catholic – like for instance Kate Middleton, wife of our head of state to be, Prince William.
Workspace
Melbourne Uni wins plaudits for being top CEO factory
Where do you go to become a Fortune 500 CEO? First choice would be to graduate from Harvard University. Next best would be to have a degree from the University of Tokyo or Stanford.
Why power hungry bosses are weaker than you think
Among the pantheon of bad bosses, the ones that really offend us are those who don’t share leadership with their employees.
Professional Services
Red tape drives up costs for agents, consumers
Reforms to safeguard consumers against shoddy bookkeepers have increased costs, which consumers will ultimately pay.
Tax reform requires a fresh debate
The gaping budget deficit means the case for tax reform will have to be built from the ground up again, experts say.
