Power mess still needs to be fixed
Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman has challenged other energy agencies to deliver AEMO the tools it needs to build a ‘‘strategic reserve’’ to protect the power system from blackouts this year and next summer. The Fin
Resources export bonanza at peak
Buoyant iron ore and coal prices have lifted the forecast for Australia’s resources and energy export earnings this financial year to a record $214 billion, but the country’s chief commodities forecaster is now anticipating a slightly steeper decline next year despite surging LNG exports. The Fin
Unis failing to deliver for business
More than a quarter of the nation’s graduates say the degrees are close to useless for their jobs and more than half of employers say management and commerce degrees, the most popular field of study, are not important, raising questions about the value of $17 billion in taxpayer support for universities. The Aus
WA pollies get perks to tune of $30,000
Tickets to the Wiggles, Bruce Springsteen, the AFL grand final and the Rio Olympics are included in tens of thousands of dollars-worth of corporate hospitality lavished on WA's Federal politicians. The West
Giants could benefit from media fund
A taxpayer-funded ‘‘innovation’’ scheme for small and regional publishers could be extended to include foreign publishers in defiance of Malcolm Turnbull’s insistence grants be restricted to Australian headquartered media outlets. The Fin
Trump: I’m a very stable genius
Donald Trump has praised himself as “a very stable genius” following the release of a bombshell book that raises doubts over his mental health. The Aus
Farmers hit out at education cuts
Pastoralists have decried the McGowan Government’s decision to axe WA’s Schools of the Air as “punitive”, saying the move would disadvantage regional students. The West
Big losses for futures in bitcoin
One-month bitcoin futures, which traded at close to $US20,000 ($25,440) several weeks ago, have slumped in recent weeks as the cryptocurrency gold rush appears to fade. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman has challenged other energy agencies to deliver AEMO the tools it needs to build a ‘‘strategic reserve’’ to protect the power system from blackouts this year and next summer.
Page 3: A taxpayer-funded ‘‘innovation’’ scheme for small and regional publishers could be extended to include foreign publishers in defiance of Malcolm Turnbull’s insistence grants be restricted to Australian headquartered media outlets.
Page 5: Buoyant iron ore and coal prices have lifted the forecast for Australia’s resources and energy export earnings this financial year to a record $214 billion, but the country’s chief commodities forecaster is now anticipating a slightly steeper decline next year despite surging LNG exports.
Page 8: In its pre-budget submission, the Australian Food and Grocery Council has warned manufacturers are under ‘‘relentless pressure’’ and with inflation remaining low or even going backwards, unable to pass on costs to customers.
Page 11: Philippe Coutinho is joining Barcelona after Liverpool agreed to sell the Brazilian in a deal that makes him the second-most expensive player in soccer history.
Page 12: Caltex Australia has its eye on more Asian investments and supply contracts as it looks to take advantage of the skills in its Ampol fuel sourcing and trading business and prepares for an expected peaking of local demand for petrol and diesel in 10 to 15 years.
Page 17: China’s banking regulator has introduced new measures to increase scrutiny on investments in commercial lenders and tighten regulation on the entrusted loans market, a rapidly growing segment of the country’s shadow banking.
The Australian
Page 1: More than a quarter of the nation’s graduates say the degrees are close to useless for their jobs and more than half of employers say management and commerce degrees, the most popular field of study, are not important, raising questions about the value of $17 billion in taxpayer support for universities.
Page 4: Debts across the country have hit a record high of double household incomes and are still climbing, making it difficult for the Reserve Bank to raise rates and increasing the risk to the economy from any downturn in housing prices.
Page 5: An “expert” in the controversial field of behavioural economics was paid $88,000 for four months’ work by the agency running the National Disability Insurance Scheme because its regular employees needed help with communication.
Page 6: Donald Trump has praised himself as “a very stable genius” following the release of a bombshell book that raises doubts over his mental health.
Page 13: The corporate watchdog put a four-year investigation into a billion-dollar term deposit scam allegedly perpetrated by Commonwealth Bank and other banks “on hold” awaiting a decision by then chairman Tony D’Aloisio before killing it completely, internal Australian Securities & Investments Commission documents show.
The life insurance industry is undergoing a generational change driven by technological change and price competition, leading to the commoditisation of policies, a move that could have worrying consequences.
The West Australian
Page 1: Tickets to the Wiggles, Bruce Springsteen, the AFL grand final and the Rio Olympics are included in tens of thousands of dollars-worth of corporate hospitality lavished on WA's Federal politicians.
Page 3: Corruption in Australia’s law enforcement agencies is booming, with the Federal Government’s independent watchdog reporting a record high number of investigations last year and warning that more undercover agents are needed to detect officers breaking the law.
Page 4: A brawl between the States over animal welfare standards for egg-laying chickens could derail a proposed national plan for the industry, with WA and Victoria saying it did not reflect “modern” practice.
Page 6: Power supplies from WA’s rapidly growing number of solar panels risk overwhelming the State’s biggest grid within years unless measures are taken to better handle uptake of the technology, a leading energy expert says.
Page 9: Australia’s peak medical body has reignited its plea for a tax on sugary drinks, saying they are a leading cause of the Australian obesity crisis.
Page 21: Pastoralists have decried the McGowan Government’s decision to axe WA’s Schools of the Air as “punitive”, saying the move would disadvantage regional students.
Business: Australia is “losing touch with reality”, according to a WA fund manager with almost $2 billion invested offshore in some of the world’s biggest companies.
Amazon.com is said to be planning a bid for the rights to stream English Premier League matches in the upcoming auction in Britain as part of a broader strategy to bring more sports content to its global customers.
One-month bitcoin futures, which traded at close to $US20,000 ($25,440) several weeks ago, have slumped in recent weeks as the cryptocurrency gold rush appears to fade.
