Steel exempt from BHP’s net zero target
BHP will require suppliers to have net zero emissions by 2050 but will not impose the target on customers who buy its commodities, as the miner declared half of its revenue would come from ‘‘future-facing’’ commodities such as copper, nickel and potash by 2030. The Fin
Qantas accused of ripping off customers at Perth Airport
Qantas has been accused of charging passengers more for airport services than what the airline was paying Perth Airport, in a court hearing over $11m in unpaid fees. The Aus
OECD urges genuine tax reform
The Morrison government is being urged by the OECD to reduce its reliance on income taxes, overhaul the GST, lower tax concessions and develop a clear plan to pay down debt coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The Fin
Bunnings tool stores ready for WA launch
Bunnings’ new tools chain will be rolled out as Tool Kit Depot, with the first of up to 75 stores planned for Australasia over the next five years to open in Belmont next month. The West
FWC blocks CFMEU union demerger
The mining union’s bid to split from the CFMEU over a fallout with controversial unionist John Setka has been thrown into disarray after the workplace tribunal found the law does not permit it to divorce the militant union. The Fin
Zip unveils plan to jump on bitcoin payments bandwagon
Zip Co will add cryptocurrency trading functionality and allow its merchants to accept bitcoin as a form of payment as it moves beyond the heated buy now, pay later market into broader financial services. The Fin
$50m plan not enough
WA’s timber industry warns the $50 million transition package for the sector is inadequate and more is needed, after the bombshell announcement to end native forestry logging. The West
RBA rebuffs interest rate speculation
The Reserve Bank has pushed back against speculation of interest rate hikes as NAB’s monthly business survey backed the central bank’s view that the economy will quickly recover once the Covid-19 lockdowns end and vaccination rates rise. The Aus
Alzheimer’s secret found
Perth scientists believe they have made a “revolutionary” breakthrough in finding the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, which could lead to treatment and prevention of the most common form of dementia. The West
Fund fuels bull run in uranium
A new uranium fund that’s snapping up supplies signals the start of a lasting bull run for the commodity used to power nuclear plants. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 1: The Morrison government is being urged by the OECD to reduce its reliance on income taxes, overhaul the GST, lower tax concessions and develop a clear plan to pay down debt coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Page 3: The mining union’s bid to split from the CFMEU over a fallout with controversial unionist John Setka has been thrown into disarray after the workplace tribunal found the law does not permit it to divorce the militant union.
Page 7: Australian farmers are on track to deliver more than $70 billion of value for the first time, with bumper harvests and higher prices for most commodities outweighing challenges posed by mice plagues and labour shortages.
Reports of cyber crime have jumped by more than 13 per cent – or one incident every eight minutes – and businesses’ losses from email scams have surged past $50,000 on average, according to the federal government’s cyber security agency.
Page 10: Australia’s fast-rising housing prices are a consequence of lower interest rates and people’s ability to spend more on homes, and not even the recent boost to supply from apartments and HomeBuilder-driven dwellings will change that, Reserve Bank officials said yesterday.
Page 14: BHP will require suppliers to have net zero emissions by 2050 but will not impose the target on customers who buy its commodities, as the miner declared half of its revenue would come from ‘‘future-facing’’ commodities such as copper, nickel and potash by 2030.
US investment giant Blackstone is betting big on a global housing boom, investing in everything from mortgage lenders and garage door makers to family homes as it predicts a shortage of housing stock worldwide will keep pushing up prices and eventually force a supply response.
Zip Co will add cryptocurrency trading functionality and allow its merchants to accept bitcoin as a form of payment as it moves beyond the heated buy now, pay later market into broader financial services.
Page 16: BHP has signalled the cost of remediation at its oil and gas fields is $US3.9 billion, easing worries among investors at Woodside Petroleum about the liabilities to be assumed in the proposed $41 billion merger with BHP Petroleum.
The Australian
Page 1: China’s most famous defector to America warned US intelligence agencies a coronavirus was spreading in Wuhan in November 2019 – six weeks before China admitted there was an outbreak.
Page 2: A blind trust of secret benefactors will help to pay for Industry Minister Christian Porter’s legal fees after his costly defamation battle with the ABC over the airing of rape allegations.
Page 4: Labor Party national president Wayne Swan has put out a desperate call for donors to help combat the advertising campaign launched by billionaire Clive Palmer.
Page 6: Australia is close to finalising initial bilateral agreements with South-East Asian countries as part of a long-awaited agriculture visa, but a lack of quarantine capacity and facilities remains a barrier to allowing in foreign workers to fill critical labour shortages.
Page 8: Vaccines are so effective enough at preventing severe cases of Covid-19 that scientists say there is no need for the general population to be given third doses.
Page 13: HESTA is giving the ASX’s largest 200 companies “advance warning” that it expects them to act on managing climate change and setting gender diversity targets, or risk the industry fund imposing consequences.
The Reserve Bank has pushed back against speculation of interest rate hikes as NAB’s monthly business survey backed the central bank’s view that the economy will quickly recover once the Covid-19 lockdowns end and vaccination rates rise.
Page 14: Offshore reports of a $US4.3bn ($A5.85bn) buyout proposal by Apollo Global Management for pigment manufacturer Tronox Holdings has lifted the spirits of some investors in Iluka Resources.
Page 15: Qantas has been accused of charging passengers more for airport services than what the airline was paying Perth Airport, in a court hearing over $11m in unpaid fees.
Page 16: BHP has confirmed it holds $US3.9bn ($5.3bn) of remediation costs for its oil and gas fields, easing concerns that Woodside Petroleum might face a bigger strain on its balance sheet from hefty rehabilitation provisions if the merger deal proceeds.
Page 17: Small businesses are tapping into the federal government’s SME recovery scheme to build cash piles to combat stop/start lockdowns or join the mass migration to online shopping, according to Australia’s biggest bank.
The West Australian
Page 1: West Australians aged 60 and over who have shunned the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will have access to the Pfizer jab at State-run clinics from Monday.
Page 9: Perth scientists believe they have made a “revolutionary” breakthrough in finding the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, which could lead to treatment and prevention of the most common form of dementia.
Page 14: More employment opportunities will be provided to people with disabilities within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Page 21: The self-proclaimed Hutt River Province micro-nation at Northampton has been consigned to the history books after being bought by a local farming family who are unlikely to re-open the landmark to tourists.
Business: A Perth startup has developed a digital ticketing system for the Royal Show as the annual event prepares to return after having to cancel amid COVID-19 restrictions last year.
Bunnings’ new tools chain will be rolled out as Tool Kit Depot, with the first of up to 75 stores planned for Australasia over the next five years to open in Belmont next month.
WA’s timber industry warns the $50 million transition package for the sector is inadequate and more is needed, after the bombshell announcement to end native forestry logging.
Former Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Greg Medcraft is joining the board of WA mortgage wholesaler Australian Finance Group — his first company directorship since leaving a Paris-based role with the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development.
A new uranium fund that’s snapping up supplies signals the start of a lasting bull run for the commodity used to power nuclear plants.
