The time is ripe to change leaders: nation's newspapers; Oz Brewing turns to sheds as ale fizzles; Kloppers calms Chinese merger fears; Howarth attacks State over North-West housing shortage; Commonwealth Bank to lift home rates regardless of poll result
Nation's newspapers say the time is ripe to change leaders
The nation's leading newspapers are split today on whether voters should back John Howard or Kevin Rudd. Five of the seven News Limited newspapers of Rupert Murdoch have backed Mr Rudd, with Fairfax's Sydney Morning Herald also encouraging voters to opt for Labor. But Melbourne's The Age, has taken the unusual step of not making a recommendation. The Herald Sun, the Adelaide Advertiser , and the West Australian have backed Mr Howard. The West
Oz Brewing turns to sheds as ale fizzles
After less than a year as a listed company and just weeks after pouring the first beer at its Fremantle outlet Mad Monk, micro brewer Oz Brewing has conceded the craft beer business has gone flat and bought a shed and transportable home company in an effort to bolster its share price. The West
Kloppers calms Chinese merger fears
BHP Billiton has promised Chinese steelmakers it will not use its planned takeover of Rio Tinto to control prices, a Chinese executive says. The Australian
Howarth attacks State over North-West housing shortage
Leading Perth company director Tony Howarth has lambasted the WA Government for its slow reactions to the North West housing crisis which he claimed had forced junior companies such as Mermaid Marine to spend millions of dollars buying up real estate to house its workforce. The West
Commonwealth Bank to lift home rates regardless of poll results
Australia's biggest home lender, the Commonwealth Bank, has confirmed that interest rates will rise after tomorrow's Federal election no matter who wins and even if the Reserve Bank does not lift official rates. The West
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Page 1: The exclusive Cape Lodge boutique hotel in Yallingup has quietly changed hands for $13 million, but the new owner is acting a little like his new business, very discreet.
Australia's biggest home lender, the Commonwealth Bank, has confirmed that interest rates will rise after tomorrow's Federal election no matter who wins and even if the Reserve Bank does not lift official rates.
The nation's leading newspapers are split today on whether voters should back John Howard or Kevin Rudd.
Business:
After less than a year as a listed company and just weeks after pouring the first beer at its Fremantle outlet Mad Monk, micro brewer Oz Brewing has conceded the craft beer business has gone flat and bought a shed and transportable home company in an effort to bolster its share price.
Leading Perth company director Tony Howarth has lambasted the WA Government for its slow reactions to the North West housing crisis which he claimed had forced junior companies such as Mermaid Marine to spend millions of dollars buying up real estate to house its workforce.
Wild rumours were the order of the day as the market began to secondguess what Rio Tinto might have up its sleeve to kill off BHP Billiton's $400 billion scrip merger proposal.
The renegade shareholder group on Tap Oil's register has sharply reduced its holding but denied its mission to turn around the perennial underperformer was over.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Page 1: John Howard says the coalition can still win the election and urges voters not to risk voting for Labor. The chairman and major shareholder of the Prime Media Group says he has never sold a share of Prime. The coalition has pledged an extra $7.3 billion for roads funding in a late election spending plunge. The CBA warns of an interest rate rise.
Page 3: James Hardie has made a payment of an undisclosed amount to asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton. It is no longer fashionable to wear short sleeved shirts to the office.
World: Fears of a recession in the US are real as investors look at the sub prime losses and credit market unease. The NZ government will allow its budget surpluses to shrink even at the risk of inflation.
Market: The Bourse has had its worst month since 9/11 due to the fallout of the sub prime mortgage crisis.
THE AUSTRALIAN
Page 1: Labor leader Kevin Rudd has taken a tough line on border security, warning boats will be turned back. Labor leader Kevin Rudd has declared the survival or death of unions is not an issue for Labor if it wins the election. Prime Minister John Howard's final campaign address was overshadowed by the bogus election leaflets scandal.
Business: BHP Billiton has promised Chinese steelmakers it will not use its planned takeover of Rio Tinto to control prices, a Chinese executive says.
