Record trade surplus adds to recovery
Australia has notched up its biggest trade surplus on record after a surge in exports of iron ore and coal driven by rebounding demand for commodities and defying China’s trade bans. The Fin
China row opens doors for India
India is moving to fill the Chinese vacuum for Australian resources and wine, as a free-trade agreement between Canberra and New Delhi gains momentum under a Morrison government push to unlock new markets. The Aus
Tehan to states: help fill JobKeeper gap
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan will meet with state and territory ministers on March 10 to ask what ‘‘measures and support’’ they can bring to the table for the struggling tourism industry once JobKeeper ends on March 31. The Fin
Aged care tax killed off
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says growing the economy is the best way to fund a multibillion-dollar overhaul of Australia’s broken aged care sector, all but ruling out a new hit on taxpayers as suggested by the royal commission. The Fin
Rare earth miners want plan backed with cash
Rare earth and critical minerals producers have cheered the Morrison government’s ambition to turn Australia into a ‘‘value-add’’ processing powerhouse but warned Canberra needs to step up with real money and support. The Fin
LNP set to oust Palmer cronies
Powerbrokers linked to businessman Clive Palmer are facing a backlash from grassroots members of the Liberal National Party, with local branches backing a campaign to limit the influence of associates of the rival political leader on the party. The Aus
Japan promises hydrogen surge
Hydrogen shipments from Australia to Japan could eventually rival the post-war boom in coal trade between the two countries, according to new Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami. The Aus
Green salvo on Cormann bid
Former WA Senator Mathias Cormann is facing a last-ditch attempt to thwart his chances at leading the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The West
LGBTQI+ inclusion policy appeal
It’s time for WA corporates to stand up for the inclusion of LGBTQI+ staff and outline their company’s internal support, says mining consultant Stephanie Graskoski. The West
DigitalX in capital raising
Perth-based blockchain consultant DigitalX is set to raise $8.8 million from new US investors as it plans to grow its product suite. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says growing the economy is the best way to fund a multibillion-dollar overhaul of Australia’s broken aged care sector, all but ruling out a new hit on taxpayers as suggested by the royal commission.
Australia has notched up its biggest trade surplus on record after a surge in exports of iron ore and coal driven by rebounding demand for commodities and defying China’s trade bans.
Page 3: A report from influential think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute criticising government departments for giving too much business to a dominant provider of cloud computing capacity was paid for by a lobbying firm engaged by three of the market leader’s rivals.
Page 6: A key Reserve Bank official says rising global bond yields could pose a threat to financial stability if the reason for the increase is that investors are less certain about the outlook for inflation and interest rates.
Page 7: Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan will meet with state and territory ministers on March 10 to ask what ‘‘measures and support’’ they can bring to the table for the struggling tourism industry once JobKeeper ends on March 31.
Page 8: Rare earth and critical minerals producers have cheered the Morrison government’s ambition to turn Australia into a ‘‘value-add’’ processing powerhouse but warned Canberra needs to step up with real money and support.
Page 9: Liberal federal and state governments have been the largest contributors to COVID-19 stimulus, ditching their long-held fiscal restraint claims and outspending their Labor counterparts.
Page 10: Business leaders say they are concerned states will continue to shut their borders even beyond this year, warning premiers’ failure to agree on a universal approach on closures was the biggest handbrake on the economic recovery.
Page 16: The speedy unravelling of the Greensill Capital supply-chain financing empire and the potential fallout on billionaire Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance is injecting fresh uncertainty into a planned $1 billion-plus upgrade of the Whyalla steelworks.
Australia’s largest waste management group Cleanaway says it has approached global giant Suez about potentially buying its Australian assets in a $2 billion-plus deal that would attract fierce scrutiny from the competition regulator.
Page 18: The appointment of Stan boss Mike Sneesby as the successor to Nine CEO Hugh Marks offers Nine Entertainment’s board a chance to squash talk of fractures by recruiting new talent, investors say.
Page 21: Cloud accounting software giant Xero may have just made its largest acquisition ever, but it has plenty left in the tank to do more deals, according to chief executive Steve Vamos.
The Australian
Page 1: The global head of AstraZeneca has declared the company’s vaccine is 100 per cent effective against severe disease as the first doses are rolled out in Australia on Friday to about 90 frontline health staff in the South Australian town of Murray Bridge.
Page 4: Australia’s trade surplus jumped to $10.1bn in January, an increase of $3bn in the month as iron ore sales surged again to underpin another record result.
Australia is likely to formally recognise the state of Palestine if Anthony Albanese becomes prime minister, following a change to the ALP’s policy platform.
India is moving to fill the Chinese vacuum for Australian resources and wine, as a free-trade agreement between Canberra and New Delhi gains momentum under a Morrison government push to unlock new markets.
Page 7: Powerbrokers linked to businessman Clive Palmer are facing a backlash from grassroots members of the Liberal National Party, with local branches backing a campaign to limit the influence of associates of the rival political leader on the party.
An attempt by federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese to lend his support to Mark McGowan’s reelection efforts has fallen flat, with the West Australian Premier instead choosing to spend the day campaigning hundreds of kilometres away.
Page 13: Hydrogen shipments from Australia to Japan could eventually rival the post-war boom in coal trade between the two countries, according to new Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami.
Shorter hospital days, funding for services like yoga to appeal to younger Australians and “independent” pricing for medical devices have been put forward by health insurance major Bupa as wishlist for further government reform to rein in spiralling premium costs.
Page 18: Google plans to stop selling ads based on individuals’ browsing across multiple websites, a change that could hasten upheaval in the digital advertising industry.
The West Australian
Page 5: One in three calls to Kids Helpline are going unanswered as the nation is in the grip of a major youth mental health crisis.
Page 9: Scott Morrison has talked up the importance of protecting heavy industry, days after another 12 Australian animals were declared extinct.
The electoral watchdog has launched legal action against five Federal election candidates and a party over non-lodgement of financial disclosures.
Page 11: Former WA Senator Mathias Cormann is facing a last-ditch attempt to thwart his chances at leading the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Page 62: Two teachers who tried to stop students from punching tradesmen and smashing up their ute at SMYL Community College are still on stress leave more than a week after the violent mob attack.
A former children’s boxing coach accused of raping a teenage girl in July last year was back in court yesterday after allegedly working with kids without a valid Working With Children check.
Business: It’s time for WA corporates to stand up for the inclusion of LGBTQI+ staff and outline their company’s internal support, says mining consultant Stephanie Graskoski.
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has backed Qantas boss Alan Joyce’s call for a national framework for virus border closures.
New research has revealed the “tipping point” for starting your own business, with dissatisfaction at work among the biggest triggers.
Australia’s retail trading environment has continued its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest data showing a rise in sales.
Curtin University has cemented its position as a leader in mineral and mining engineering education, again ranking second in an annual compilation of the world’s best universities.
Perth-based blockchain consultant DigitalX is set to raise $8.8 million from new US investors as it plans to grow its product suite.
Myer has blamed reduced foot traffic and the closure of flagship stores during the coronavirus pandemic for its sales slump.
