Today's Business News & Views

Melbourne's economy grew by 4.4 per cent while that of regional Victoria shrank by 1 per cent.

Melbourne rides high while rest of state goes backwards

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Victoria has become Australia's most divided state as the economic fortunes of Melbourne soar while those in the rest of the state crumble faster than anywhere else in the nation.

Hundreds of thousands are likely to see an increase in their interest costs.

Westpac and NAB raise some interest rates, targeting investors

Westpac and National Australia Bank have both raised interest rates for key groups of home loan customers, as banks look to protect their profit margins by passing on higher funding costs.

The Commonwealth officials who have scored a 5-per-cent pay rise

Acusations of 'hypocrisy' and 'unfairness as more federal high-earners get pay rises of up to $26,000.

The referendum result is not the best outcome for Italy's banks.

Italy's banks face another hit, but it needn't be fatal

For once, the pollsters were right - and it's bad news for financial markets.

The burnt Samsung washing machine fire in the Ambarvale home.

Family flees home after washing machine catches alight

Another Samsung washing machine has caught on fire in Sydney, triggering the residents - including three children - to flee.

Since 2010 Australia is the only region to show an increasing trend in female CEO appointments.

Australia stagnates, just 10 female CEOs in the ASX 200

The number of incoming female chief executives in Australia remains low and has stagnated over the past year, according to a report examining tenure and makeup of CEOs by PwC.

'Minimal supervision' for students during industrial action

All public schools around the state will provide minimal supervision for students when teachers take industrial action on Thursday morning over pay and conditions.

Li Ka-shing, chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa, is one of the richest men in the world.

UniSuper could be key to $7.3 billion bid for DUET Group

Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure may need an Australian partner to win federal government approval for its $7.3 billion tilt for energy network and gas pipeline owner and operator DUET Group.

Governor Philip Lowe's cool hand can be expected to remain steady upon the monetary instrument.

RBA won’t mind this week’s GDP number – the March quarter will be worse

COMMENT

There could be an interesting moment during Tuesday's Reserve Bank board meeting: when the members consider that the bank's forecast of year-to gross domestic product growth dropping to about 2.5 per cent has arrived nine months early.

Bellamy's has seen profits triple this year on the back of selling baby formula to China.

Bellamy's Organic bosses picked the peak

As our befuddling year comes to a close, it pays to remember which companies can rely on the magic pudding formula.

RBA staying cool as the heat rises

The final Reserve Bank board meeting of the year takes place at a magical time in Sydney, where the city gives itself over to sundry before Christmas. Michael Pascoe comments.

CBA was forced to reopen its compensation scheme two years ago after ASIC slapped it with new licence conditions.

CBA's compensation bill rises as new victims emerge

The Commonwealth Bank has been forced to pay a further $4.96 million in compensation to victims of bad financial advice as a result of being slapped with licence conditions by the corporate regulator.

Robyn Denholm, who has been based in the US since 2001, has been appointed Telstra's new chief operations officer.

Telstra hires Tesla director as new COO

Telstra has appointed Robyn Denholm as its new chief operations officer, a role vacated by Kate McKenzie in July.

Outgoing Italian PM Matteo Renzi pictured on Friday.

Italy 'no' vote spooks ASX

The ASX started the week on the back foot as the resignation of Italy's PM increased fears of emboldened nationalist movements around the world.

Chip, a 1.7m tall, 100kg social humanoid robot, was developed by Spanish company PAL Robotics.

Robots to make shopping easier

Robots are the latest retail "disrupter" as they head to a shopping centre near you to offer advice, assistance and some entertainment.

Retailers are feeling decidedly upbeat as they had into the critical Christmas holiday season.

Retailers expect bountiful Christmas, new year

The housing boom, a local currency that is just right, and strong employment figures have buoyed retailers this year, and now they are feeling more upbeat ahead of Christmas than they have in years.

Five Star Movement founder Beppe Grillo is expected to benefit should Italian PM Matteo Renzi step down.

Markets Live: Italy 'no' vote spooks investors

In a day of resignations, the ASX and the euro drop after Italian PM Matteo Renzi steps down, while the kiwi slips on John Key's surprise exit.

Mallaby argues central bankers should instead lean on bubbles with higher interest rates.

Why central banks should lean on housing bubbles

COMMENT

An age-old debate was re-ignited last week, when the OECD called for higher interest rates to rein in Australia's resurgent housing market.

The interest rate party is over, now it's time to sober up with rate rises.

The interest rate party is over, and the only way is up

COMMENT

Australian banks are drawing a line in the sand. Interest rates on mortgages are going up – by stealth. And there will be flow on effect to the residential property market and temper the rate of growth in Sydney and Melbourne.

Bellamy's shares have opened more than 4 per cent lower on Monday.

Bellamy's slides again as analysts slash forecasts

As investors continue to flee Bellamy's, brokers are hurriedly re-rating the company.

Asia's second-richest man's bid for Aussie infrastructure

Cheung Kong Infrastructure has made a $7.3 billion bid for Duet Group, after losing a bid for Ausgrid only four months ago.

Airbnb is one of the biggest players in the growing sharing economy.

How criminals are scamming Airbnb users

Don't get too excited by a cut-price deal to rent a cool holiday house on Airbnb. Here are ways to avoid the scammers.

Former NAB planner Graeme Cowper took action against Fairfax Media and the national broadcaster last year.

Fairfax, ABC win defamation case brought by ex-NAB planner

Fairfax Media and the ABC have won a defamation case brought against them by a former National Australia Bank financial planner.

The Register of Members' Interests reveals which Queensland ministers received gifts - and who misses out.

The no-nonsense guide to Secret Santa gifts

We've got you covered with these top Kris Kringle gift ideas for all age groups.

Cheung Kong Infrastructure makes $7.3b offer for Duet Group

A company led by Asia's second richest man Li Ka-Shing has made a $7.3 billion bid for infrastructure owner Duet Group, just four months after the Turnbull government blocked the purchase of NSW's poles and wires business by the same group.

The single currency slid against all of its 16 major peers as investors gauged whether the vote could upset the nation's ...

Euro slides as exit polls suggest Italy voted 'No' in referendum

The euro fell as exit polls showed a lead for the "No" campaign in Italy's constitutional referendum.

The Abbot Point coal terminal is located near Bowen in North Queensland.

Adani rail line approved amid talk of $1b loan from Canberra

Indian coal mine company Adani has secured the final state and federal government approval for its $21.7 billion Carmichael coal mine project.

For men, the highest paid job is a neurosurgeon on $577,674, but for women it's a judge on $355,844.

Australia's top 50 highest paying jobs

A look at Australia's 50 highest paid jobs highlights a huge gender pay gap.

Wall Street dropped on firming prospects for a December rate hike.

8@eight: All eyes on Italy as referendum threatens banks

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The local share market is set to open up on Monday morning, with ASX futures 21 points higher on Saturday morning as Wall Street limped to a flat close.