Penalty rate ploy could bring 'chaos'

Reversal of the Fair Work Commission's decision to reduce Sunday penalty rates in industries including the hospitality and retail sectors could lead to industrial "chaos" and reduce wages to a political "plaything" experts warn.

The important questions the census didn't ask

• COMMENT

Some of the census questions are next to useless.

Leaked FIFA report damages Sir Frank

• COMMENT

Only a few weeks back the Queen bestowed upon Frank Lowy a knighthood.

ASIC raids aren't a surprise, they should be

The corporate cop would no longer need to tip off targets of its investigations before obtaining a search warrant, something it must sometimes do today, under draft recommendations from a key government taskforce.

Aveo my goodness - retirement company resists temptation

• CBD

Pop diva Mariah Carey may claim she doesn't know where her former fiance is, but it seems the Israeli police do.

ATO public servants vote yes in a landslide

Another public service agency lays down its arms.

Macquarie launches investigation into Cleveland advice

• EXCLUSIVE

Macquarie has announced an internal investigation into the advice it gave clients who invested in Cleveland Mining Group.

Thousands of new public service jobs

March of public service casualisation reversed. In one department at least.

RBA could raise rates eight times in next two years

The Reserve Bank could increase interest rates eight times in the next two years, former board member John Edwards said.

Broadcasters' shares surge on $127m government gift

Shares in Australia's free-to-air TV and radio networks have jumped after the federal government regulated a cut in broadcasting licence fees in a bid to ease pressure from foreign tech companies and online streaming services.

Staff cuts, write-offs spark Sirtex surge

Cancer treatment specialist Sirtex Medical has begun to clear the decks following a steady flow of bad news over the past year

Low wages drive IAG surge to new record

Insurance Australia Group shares struck a record high on Wednesday after the insurer unveiled a hefty profit upgrade, thanks to much lower claim costs than it had expected.

The central bank tide turns

Monetary policymakers around the world are prepping markets for a gradual removal of central bank stimulus - but are investors ready? We ask three experts.

Domain breaking into the mortgage broking game

Fairfax Media's Domain is entering the mortgage broking business in a joint venture with online broker Lendi.

Hong Kong's small cap plunge

A string of Hong Kong small cap stocks suddenly plunged Tuesday, losing a combined $US6.1 billion in market value.

Are US treasuries still as safe as you think?

For decades, investors have flocked to US treasuries as the global safe, virtual risk-free asset class. But some bond managers are reconsidering that thesis.

Markets Live: Miners lead ASX rebound

• Live

Shares push higher, led by gains in the miners after commodity prices rose overnight, despite Fed and ECB officials rattling global investors.

Iron ore surge sparks miner rally on ASX

The ASX shook off early wobbles to push higher on Wednesday, led by strong gains in the miners.

ASX winners and losers - a snapshot

The stand out listings traded on the ASX captured at key moments through the day, as indicated by the time stamp in the video.

Upon seeing the deserted office Samuel knew 'something was up'

A court has found Get Qualified Australia misled consumers, but for former clients it won't change the fact they are still out of pocket.

`Enigma Network' rocks Hong Kong with sudden 90% losses

It sounds straight out of Le Carre: "The Enigma Network." But suddenly that phrase is sending shock waves across Hong Kong equities, in an unexpected culmination of one man's campaign to train a spotlight on the darkest corners of the market.

Men need less experience to join boards than women

Men join company boards with less experience than women do, who often face the old Catch-22: To get chosen to be on a board, they already have to be on a board.

Israeli police to question Packer over Netanyahu gifts

According to reports from Israel, James Packer has agreed to be questioned by the investigators over a corruption probe into the affairs of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Inside Melbourne's secret suburban hydro power system

From the outside, it looks like a green shipping container on an industrial block in the suburbs. But on the inside, there's plenty going on.

US insurers eye Aussie bonds

Australian companies hunting for bespoke debt deals are finding willing lenders in the US, where low interest rates have prompted investors to venture further abroad for yield.

Pair charged over barbecue, gym equipment sale scam

• UPDATED

Two Latvian nationals accused of running fake trader websites that scammed more than 200 people out of $250,000 have been charged.

Probe into how ATO responds to staff's 'inappropriate behaviours'

The Australian Taxation Office's high-profile area targeting high-wealth individuals that former deputy commissioner Michael Cranston headed will be a key focus in a wide-ranging review of the agency.

'America's most hated man' loses mistrial bid

Martin Shkreli's criminal fraud trial jury hasn't been selected yet and already the brash pharma executive tried to get the case thrown out of court and lashed out at reporters covering his case.

The company where client surveys help decide size of employee bonuses

Kirralee Brisbane was always paid a commission for her work fitting hearing aids, but her clients will soon have a say over the size of her pay packet.