Telstra lines up for big NBN role
Telstra is shaping up to play a major role in the construction of the national broadband network, with negotiations on a major fibre-to-the-node pilot due to be completed within a month. If successful, Telstra’s pilot could become one of Australia’s biggest fibre-to-the-node rollouts and a blueprint for any increased partnership.
Investors await China economic boost
Before the Bell | Anticipation continues to rise that the Chinese government will initiate fresh measures to bolster the world’s second largest economy ■ Wall St edged higher ahead of weekend.
Warnings multiply as house prices continue on their roll
Rollicking price growth has sparked warnings and caution from property commentators, which is showing in the prestige property market, but sentiment at the more affordable end of the market is strong.
Investors hit back at ATO over share trading threat
Investors have hit back at the Australian Tax Office’s threat to claw back million of dollars in franking credits, claiming it is a fishing exercise that extends beyond the agency’s authority.
Qantas launches Aquire points plan
Qantas Loyalty has launched its new Aquire loyalty program allowing small-to-medium enterprises to accumulate points, just days after changes to its Frequent Flyer program led to a backlash.
Grads with generalist degrees facing tight labour market
Next year’s university graduates are likely to face a tight labour market with poorer job prospects than in the past, according to the Group of Eight universities.
Tough bank rules may hit growth
Tougher banking capital rules designed for Europe and the United States could be hurting economic growth in Australia and Asia, financial system inquiry head David Murray says.
The voice behind precedent-setting coal seam gas veto
A deal giving NSW farmers a veto over drilling for coal seam gas on their properties was written in the office of NSW Resources Minister Anthony Roberts, who used to liaise with gas industry opponent Alan Jones.
Budget policy changes vital, says Hockey
The average wage earner will have to pay 22 per cent more in income tax by 2023-24 if nothing is done to rein in spending, new figures from the government show.
Farmers struggling to keep staff: survey
Difficulty retaining and attracting workers is weighing on confidence among the nation’s farmers as prolonged drought cripples sentiment in Australia’s north, Rabobank’s rural confidence survey has found.
Lucky? Australia is pre-Thatcher Britain
Steen Jakobsen has had more than 25 years of experience in proprietary trading and alternative investments, but the Saxo Bank chief economist readily admits he’s never had a real job.
Horror stories could undo Airbnb
Anne Hyland | Imagine renting your apartment or house out on Airbnb and later learning it’s been used for an orgy. Imagine the cleaning bill.
Picking a good emerging market stock
Mondrian Investment Partners still likes select emerging market stocks as much of the bad news is already “baked in” to prices.
Palmerbet to take bets from winning punters
Three brothers who left promising careers in finance are on track to take $100 million in bets in their first year of business.
Wildcats: a slam dunk for Jack Bendat at 89
The Perth Wildcats are on the brink of another upset: returning a handsome profit for their 89-year-old owner in a struggling basketball league.
Canberra’s new giant-killer
Cathy McGowan ousted Liberal Sophie Mirabella from the seat of Indi and now she’s in Canberra loving every minute of it.
Eight ways to decode Gen Y
What the Millennials mean can be a mystery. This is what’s really going on.
Dancing for the ladies
Evolutionary biologists says quick legs and bobbing heads will catch a woman’s eye.
Peter Cosgrove sworn in as 26th GG
A 21-gun salute outside Parliament House has heralded the swearing-in of Peter Cosgrove as Australia's 26th governor-general.
Rare colonial gift could fetch $500,000
The re-emergence of a highly significant and presumed lost colonial artefact is causing excitement among collectors.
Buffett pockets $US123m on banks bet
Warren Buffett’s bet on US banks will generate $US123 million more a year after companies including Wells Fargo and American Express passed the Fed’s stress tests.
Just don’t call me ‘Madam Speaker’
Bronwyn Bishop chose the last day of Parliament before the May budget to deliver a “shock and awe” lesson.
Engineered adrenaline
On the right day the Lotus Elise is the most enjoyable four-wheeler on the road. This just wasn’t the right day.
National
Tough bank rules may hit growth
Tougher banking capital rules designed for Europe and the United States could be hurting economic growth in Australia and Asia, financial system inquiry head David Murray says.
- AWH staff knew of Obeid family stake
- Warnings multiply as house prices continue on their roll
- Grads with generalist degrees facing tight labour market
- Budget policy changes vital, says Hockey
- Telstra lines up for big NBN role
- G20 nations meet to vet proposals
- Renewables target must be realistic, says fund
- Miners reject Rinehart’s plan for northern Australia
- Farmers struggling to keep staff: survey
Not a credit-worthy situation
Jennifer Hewett | I am applying for my personal credit report from Veda Advantage. The website promises me it will arrive within 10 business days – supposedly a free service.
Opinion
Feminine side to universal taste for sugar hit
“Oy! Show us yer tits!” is the single-minded proposition frequently heard from the lads on a construction site as a woman walks past.
Hard questions Christopher Pyne must get right
Crunch time is coming for federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne with a decision needed on how to fund university student places.
Nat Rothschild’s Twitter vendetta is bad business
Jonathan Ford | It is not uncommon for business relationships to dissolve in acrimony. Most do so discreetly. Very few end up in a public slanging-match on Twitter with each side openly berating the other.
World
US consumer spending points to growth
US consumers stepped up spending a bit in February as incomes increased for a second straight month, offering hope the economy was regaining its footing after being slammed by an unusually cold winter.
- Taxpayers underwrite big bank risk
- Crimea fails to derail Franco-Russian shale oil deal
- Ukraine’s pro-West figures unite
- Plane tragedy spurs stricter airport checks
- BMW’s South Carolina plant to get $US1bn boost
- Facebook bets on drone guru from English farm
- Senegal closes border with Guinea as Ebola death toll rises
- Pimco’s key fund lags 87pc of its peers: Morningstar
Bollywood and corruption fire up India’s poll
With its tree-lined boulevards and Modernist architecture, Chandigarh was built as an alternative vision of post-independence India.
Business
Telstra lines up for big NBN role
Telstra is shaping up to play a major role in the construction of the national broadband network, with negotiations on a major fibre-to-the-node pilot due to be completed within a month.
- Don’t tell super where to invest, says Brogden
- Local bankers cautious on 2014 deals
- Rio wins US power battle at troubled Utah copper mine
- Qantas launches Aquire points plan
- Aldi moves to dual management model
- Drier China sends shockwaves through wine industry
- From backyard to indoors: Hills lines up Lively hi-tech monitors
- Aurizon has more to give on yields: fund manager
- Booking.com signs up more local hotels
Ex-CEO’s painful price for Fincorp debacle
The former chief executive of a disgraced finance group has blamed “over-zealous” regulators and “unconscionable” colleagues for destroying his company and driving him to the point of insanity and destitution.
Technology
Microsoft unveils Office for iPad
Any gadget, any time. That was the mantra from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella as the software behemoth lifted the lid on a long-awaited version of its Office suite for iPad.
- Submissions split over e-safety commissioner
- Facebook to spread web with solar-powered drones, lasers
- All Android phones to become Visa cards with new payments app
- US music charts to include tweets
- Amazon expected to debut video device
- Coalition, Labor feud over NBN reports
- Optus CEO search heads overseas
- Sour Candy: King Digital dethroned as investors crush IPO
- Optus gets ACMA warning after overcharging customers
A dedicated GPS in your car is a fine thing
Something I often ponder when I get into a taxi is why does anyone use a dedicated GPS navigation device in a car?
Markets
Investors await China economic boost
Before the Bell | Anticipation continues to rise that the Chinese government will initiate fresh measures to bolster the world’s second largest economy ■ Wall St edged higher ahead of weekend.
- Shares poised to rise on better US data
- Investors hit back at ATO over share trading threat
- OTC derivatives rules usher in new risks: experts
- Gold tumbles to six-week low as China’s appetite slips
- Taxpayers underwrite big bank risk
- US shale gas play American Patriot in $12 million IPO
- Qube scores with Quattro Grain deal
- Stepping stones to financial security
- Aluminium up on Alcoa cuts, copper up on China hopes
RBA finds no need to follow RBNZ
Philip Baker | Broader economic drivers are taking over from resources-led growth so the Reserve Bank is charting its own course.
Personal finance
Protecting your family’s money
Sharing the family assets by giving adult offspring an early inheritance may seem like a good idea. But what happens if they split from their partner, and those hard-won assets walk out the door?
- Equity crowd-funding for start-ups just a tweak away
- Why Trevor Loewensohn plans to keep his ‘post-GFC’ mezzanine fund small
- The murky waters of MySuper lifecycle funds
- Why you can’t do without equities
- Wake up to super fees
- How to get reimbursed for repairs to your SMSF property
- Falling commodity prices rattle investors
Property prices headed for record high
Christopher Joye | Australia’ $4 trillion housing market is months away from being the most expensive residential property market in history.
Lifestyle
Executive property
Some stunning options for house hunters around Australia this week. How about this waterfront in Mosman, Sydney?
The top shelf
The ways people display their libraries are as diverse as what’s in them. Bookcase design is limited only by your imagination.
Culinary career changes
The allure of the kitchen can lead to life-altering and ultimately rewarding decisions.
Engineered adrenaline
On the right day the Lotus Elise is the most enjoyable four-wheeler on the road. This just wasn’t the right day.
Latest TV
IPOs alive despite Mantra, Sterling flops
The IPOs for Mantra and Sterling Education have spooked investors, but Burson's success shows floats can still succeed - if done right.
Which way for the Aussie dollar?
The Reserve Bank's stance, a cold US winter and resilience to bad Chinese data have helped push the Aussie dollar into less bearish territory - for now.
RBA stops 'jawboning' campaign
The RBA’s fear of inflation has stopped its jawboning of the dollar, which has also been suppressed by the improving US economy.
Murdoch brothers bring baggage as Rupert heirs
New News Corp co-chair Lachlan Murdoch may soon be managing his brother James, and both bring baggage as heirs to Rupert.
