Post-poll carbon tax showdown looms
Labor has threatened to call Tony Abbott’s bluff over the carbon tax and force him to call a double dissolution election as he has vowed to do if blocked by the Senate.
Global markets rise, $A edges lower
Before the Bell | Global markets were lifted by signs of more economic strength and the $A slipped in thin trading ■ FTSE up 1.5pc ■ Wall St closed ■ SPI futures up 24 pts ■ $A at US89.76¢.
Ex-Macquarie Bank power trio see value in Bunnings
Exclusive | Ex-Macquarie Bank power trio Allan Moss, Michael Carapiet and John Prendiville have used their connections and banking skills to buy into an unconventional Wesfarmers $300 million capital raising.
Investors benefit as Asian markets feel the squeeze
Australia is getting a free kick as investors take capital out of Asia and look for a safer home, now the US Federal Reserve has made clear its tapering intentions.
GPT in doomed tilt for $600 million Lend Lease fund
Property outfit GPT Group has failed in yet another buyout attempt after a covert attack on Lend Lease’s APPF industrial fund ended in defeat despite rumoured support from several large investors.
Nine’s management kicks off US roadshow ahead of IPO
Nine Entertainment Co’s management and advisers will fly to the US this week to meet with existing creditors and potential new equity investors in the media company’s upcoming $3 billion IPO float.
No NBN effect on house prices – yet
The $5000 price tag Anthony Albanese has put on NBN connection to individual homes is not likely to have an impact on house pricing until the service is more mainstream, say property experts.
Vodafone plots $84bn reward for investors after Verizon deal
Vodafone said its shareholders would receive about $US84 billion in cash and shares after the company completes the sale of its 45 per cent stake in Verizon Wireless.
Health.com.au’s Andy Sheats eyes health insurance shake-up
Andy Sheats thinks there is plenty of room for his modern health insurance company, health.com.au, in the $16 billion private health insurance sector.
A Google tablet feature so brilliant it beats any other device
Damn you, Google! The Nexus 7 multi-user feature means I can barely stand to look at my Apple iPad any more.
Could Clive Palmer really be a force in the Senate?
Exclusive | Former rugby league player Glenn Lazarus is an outside chance of winning a Queensland Senate spot for Clive Palmer’s Palmer United Party.
Verizon’s Vodafone deal gives M&A money-makers a boost
Few corporate M&A few deals rival the size of Vodafone’s sale of its Verizon Wireless stake for $US130 billion. Here’s who wins.
GPT in doomed tilt for $600 million Lend Lease fund
Property outfit GPT Group has failed in yet another buyout attempt after a covert attack on Lend Lease’s APPF industrial fund ended in defeat despite rumoured support from several large investors.
Business travellers unwind in the air
Yes to wine, no to wi-fi – a new survey has found only 16 per cent of Australian business travellers work on long-haul flights.
Blue Sky VC fund won’t shy from start-ups
A new six-year, $10 million fund held by Blue Sky Alternative Investments is prepared to invest in businesses in their infancy.
Flexible work drives innovation for BankWest
BankWest says the introduction of activity-based working at the bank is a driving force behind its ability to make more innovative decisions.
Traders neutral during election build-up
Australian federal elections rarely make much of an impression on financial markets, and the current market action is no exception.
Twitter to open Australian HQ in Sydney
Twitter will unveil its first Australian headquarters this week with former Google Asia-Pacific executive Karen Stocks as its head.
Etihad ‘flying nannies’ to ease the long haul
Etihad Airways is introducing a “flying nanny” service on flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Abu Dhabi to relieve pressure on parents.
Bishopscourt sale set to earn Anglican Church $25m
The Anglican Church is to sell one of Sydney’s grand historic homes, Bishopscourt, in Darling Point, and agent, Ray White Double Bay, will sell it by expressions of interest.
Mandela heads home, condition remains critical
Former South African president Nelson Mandela was discharged on Sunday after 12 weeks in hospital, but he remains in poor health.
Signal fuzzy on phone payments
The world-leading take-up of contactless card payments in Australia has led to some naive speculation that smartphone payments will follow suit.
National
Post-poll carbon tax showdown looms
Labor has threatened to call Tony Abbott’s bluff over the carbon tax and force him to call a double dissolution election as he has vowed to do if blocked by the Senate.
- Storm warning over climate change policies
- ABCC back within 100 days, says Coalition
- Tenting more refugees could cost billions extra
- Abbott slams ‘left-leaning’ curriculum
- Film sector calls for 457 changes, location rebate increase
- Business travellers unwind in the air
- Great Southern promises ‘not true’
- NuCoal urges O’Farrell not to tear up licence
Hot debate over Townsville’s plan
Townsville’s council aims to contain the city’s development. But billions of dollars in investment are at stake from groups such as Lend Lease, Defence Housing Australia, Devine and Stockland.
Opinion
Needed: a new culture of work
Editorial | The Coalition’s industrial relations policy has some useful reforms, but at heart it is timid.
China’s President Xi launches ‘petro purge’
With the help of a compliant state media, Xi Jinping is attempting to bring down a loose grouping of Communist Party cadres who rose up through the state-owned China National Petroleum Company.
Incentives needed to spur carbon emissions reduction
Opinion | The Coalition approach to carbon emission reduction is still a market mechanism but it takes away the dead-weight cost on the economy.
World
McCain, Graham urge Congress to vote 'yes'
Two top Republicans have warned of catastrophic consequences if Congress votes against striking Syria after meeting President Barack Obama as part of his efforts to sell US politicians on military action.
- Vodafone plots $84bn reward for investors after Verizon deal
- Euro zone factories up pace in August as orders flood in
- Strongest rise in UK orders since 1994
- Indonesia’s trade deficit hits record, inflation spikes
- Beijing issues new measures to curb air pollution
- Belarus issues arrest warrant for Uralkali co-owner
- Aquino cancels China trip over demand on territorial dispute
- Musharraf facing fresh murder charges
- Abe vows ‘all necessary measures’ on Fukushima
Shanghai Exchange moves to ensure transparency
What China’s papers are saying | The Shanghai Stock Exchange announced steps to ensure transparency, in response to a government appeal to fight against official corruption.
Business
Foxtel leads video-on-demand push
Exclusive | Pay television group Foxtel has approached the commercial free-to-air TV networks about forming an online video-on-demand platform in a bid to stymie potential competition from foreign interlopers such as Netflix.
- Etihad lifts stake in Virgin
- Retail Adventures stays afloat
- Scurrah to steer DP World Australia
- Blue Sky venture capital fund won’t shy from investing in start-ups
- Great Southern promises ‘not true’
- Ex-Rio boss Albanese tipped to head Vedanta
- Billabong shareholder looks to oust board except Merchant, Paull
- Transfield appoints Smith-Gander as chairman
- Duet in $100m share sale for pipeline project
AMP takes long-term view with China
China is top of mind for most chief executives of Australian financial institutions but it is hard to find evidence of significant progress being made in terms of direct connections to Chinese customers.
Technology
Gadgetry, guesswork needed to pip rivals
As many of the larger organisations in the country overhaul their technological infrastructures, they are also focusing on the way they work and the analytical utilisation of data in a move to become more competitive and gain an edge over their rivals.
- Flexible work drives innovation for BankWest
- Tech firms told to brush up on customer service skills
- Apps to maximise your mind power
- Turnbull plays down broadband differences in Coalition digital policy launch
- Lundy slams Coalition’s digital economy policy
- Twitter to open Australian HQ in Sydney
- Telstra, Motorola win $453.7m government contract
- NBN Co deputy chair Diane Smith-Gander leaves
- Snapchat, MYO, a new class of interesting start-ups to watch
A Google tablet feature so brilliant it beats any other device
Damn you, Google! The Nexus 7 multi-user feature means I can barely stand to look at my Apple iPad any more.
Markets
Global markets rise, $A edges lower
Before the Bell | Global markets were lifted by signs of more economic strength and the $A slipped in thin trading ■ FTSE up 1.5pc ■ Wall St closed ■ SPI futures up 24 pts ■ $A at US89.76¢.
- European stocks rally as factory data fuels recovery hopes
- Investors benefit as Asian markets feel the squeeze
- Oil ekes gain, reversing rout as Syria risk eases
- Continued rise in gold prices not sustainable: analysts
- Blue Sky venture capital fund won’t shy from investing in start-ups
- ASX rallies 1pc on firm economic data
- ASX calm in face of possible Chinese listings blitz
- Banks could be up for a post-election sell-off: Macquarie
- China PMI survey confirms economic pick-up
Traders neutral during election build-up
Australian federal elections rarely make much of an impression on financial markets, and the current market action is no exception.
Personal finance
Tax changes will lead to cheaper loans
The Coalition has been urged to reconsider its plan to scrap tax cuts for foreign-owned financial institutions amid concerns it will stymie further competition in the home-loan market.
- Macquarie ramps up mortgage grab
- DIY Super lures defectors from retail, industry managed funds
- Fight tactics to protect hearth and home
- Bet on horse massage pays off
- Take control for a well-off future
- If reporting season was lacklustre, blame resources
- Joye | Regulatory risks property investors need to understand
- Oil another blow to consumer spending
- Perpetual more than doubles net profit as it cuts costs
ASFA backs Hockey’s super inquiry
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia has backed calls for the $1.6 trillion savings pool to form part of a system-wide examination of Australia’s financial sector, saying due to societal, technological and global economic changes that had occurred since the 1997 Howard government-led Wallis inquiry, the time had come for a fresh examination.
Lifestyle
Great drives | Audi RS6 has racing in its genes
Audi means business with its new RS6 Avant, which is spacious and sporty with a racing car feel.
Great drives | A test drive of four Ferraris
It’s not every day you can drive four different kinds of rosso corsa Ferrari.
Jungle fresh from top Brazilian chef
Ants feature on the menu at Alex Atala’s Sao Paulo restaurant D.O.M. – consistently voted the best in South America.
Philanthropy brings its artistic rewards
Art investors and connoisseurs who pitch in to revive a stagnant local market will benefit in the long run.
Latest TV
Chanticleer: AMP’s China push
AMP has stuck its foot in the door of China’s burgeoning mutual funds management industry, with a joint venture with the country’s biggest life insurer. More AFR TV
Markets Outlook | RBA rates call
Associate Editor Phil Baker says the Reserve Bank of Australia will be closely watching economic data to decide on whether rates should change this month. More AFR TV
Women of Influence | Skipp Williamson
Skipp Williamson says “mateship” culture is holding many corporations back. More AFR TV
Results: steady as she goes
Profit reporting season has ended with a whimper rather than a bang, though it’s good news for Harvey Norman and Austal. More AFR TV
