The foreign investment review threshold will be lifted to over $1 billion under the South Korea free trade agreement, full details of which were released today.
The deal will see tariffs on primary products that range from around 15 per cent to more than 500 per cent removed.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb says that should grow Australia's agricultural exports to Korea by 75 per cent over the next 15 years.
Business and farmer groups have generally welcomed the deal, but some community groups warn certain provisions could allow Korean companies to sue the Australian Government over various policies.
Financial advice concernsIndustry Super says some of the Federal Government's financial planning changes may be legally invalid.
Shares up on resultsAustralian shares are gaining on positive overseas leads and several positive earnings reports.
Low loan growthRegional lender Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is blaming a low-growth environment for a slide in profit.
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Drought payment cautionAn economist warns that drought assistance risks propping up unproductive farms.
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Finance outlookRN business editor Sheryle Bagwell looks at the week ahead, and back the week just gone, in finance.
Debt aversion
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank boss Mike Hirst says people are using low rates to pay off debt faster.
Mishandled mining
Both sides of politics have played a role in manufacturing's demise and squandered the resources boom.
Network overload
The vast range of new devices is giving many consumers technology overload, and lowering productivity.
Fact file: SPC Ardmona
What has the Government been saying about SPC Ardmona and how do the ministers' claims stack up?
This week's events to watch
Look ahead at the scheduled events the ABC's Business Desk will be covering this week.
No handouts for Abdul
By business editor Peter Ryan
Abdul the kebab maker backs Joe Hockey's comment about small business surviving without handouts.
Job losses continue
Unemployment has already hit 6 per cent, casting doubt on Treasury's forecast of a peak at 6.25 per cent.
Dogecoin rivals Bitcoin
An Australian parody of the electronic currency Bitcoin is taking the world by storm.
| ASX All Ordinaries | 5394.80 | +27.9 | 0.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&P;/ASX 200 | 5382.90 | +26.6 | 0.5% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary | 1815.50 | +8.7 | 0.5% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Energy | 13794.90 | +106.1 | 0.8% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Financials | 5844.00 | +9.1 | 0.2% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Health Care | 14235.70 | +141.9 | 1% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Information Technology | 779.70 | +1.6 | 0.2% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Materials | 10593.10 | +135.1 | 1.3% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Industrials | 3967.70 | +30.7 | 0.8% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 CONSUMER STAPLES | 10064.80 | -7.4 | -0.1% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Telecommunication Services | 1817.40 | +7.5 | 0.4% |
| S&P;/ASX 200 Utilities | 5666.00 | +35.2 | 0.6% |
0.90490
1.08075
0.66000
0.53895
91.93690
Ian Narev defends the $4.2 billion CBA profit, and the fees it charges.
Firms that can't keep up with the rigours of deflation are failing.
PM says farmers the big winners in new trade agreement
Hope Vale bananas moves to full-scale production
Tralee blocks go on sale
Fiji praised for democratic moves
Trucking company Cootes at the centre of major safety concerns
Pacific media freedom