BHP tips Pilbara rail access unchanged by merger plan » Good times keep rolling for Australia's top executives » Most farmers 'care little' for single desk » Orica welcomes merger deal » JBWere talks the talk after exodus.
BHP tips Pilbara rail access unchanged by merger plan
BHP Billiton is confident Australia's competition regulator will not demand an opening up of its Pilbara iron ore infrastructure to third-party users in return for approval of $400 billion merger with Rio Tinto. The West
Good times keep rolling for Australia's top executives
A fifth straight year of double-digit earnings growth underpinned by the resources boom and the strong domestic economy has driven an average 28 per cent pay rise for the chief executives of the 300 largest sharemarket-listed companies during 2007. The Fin Review
Most farmers 'care little' for single desk
Critics of Australia's wheat export monopoly system are about to release an independent farmer poll which they claim show most care little in practice if it is dumped by the Federal Government next year. The West
Orica welcomes merger deal
Explosives giant Orica won't be intimidated by any merger of mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, believing a match-up would give it scope to press for a global supply deal. The Australian
JBWere talks the talk after exodus
Blue Ribbon stockbroker Goldman Sach JBWere confirmed yesterday it was calling and meeting clients in a bid to keep their business after the departure of most of its Perth broking desk to rival Citi Smith Barney. The West
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Page 1: John Howard has sought to trump Kevin Rudd's pitch to working families with a $6.3 billion education rebate scheme and a $2.2 billion program to encourage young Australians to start saving for their home while still at school.
The main WA shareholder of the world's biggest organic olive oil business has urged the State Government not to embrace genetically modified crops, warning that to do so could devastate WA's $40 million-a-year certified organic industry.
Business: BHP Billiton is confident Australia's competition regulator will not demand an opening up of its Pilbara iron ore infrastructure to third-party users in return for approval of $400 billion merger with Rio Tinto.
Critics of Australia's wheat export monopoly system are about to release an independent farmer poll which they claim show most care little in practice if it is dumped by the Federal Government next year.
ERG shares plunged more than 20 per cent yesterday on fears the ticketing group could lose its Sydney contract and much of the 80 million-plus spent on the massive NSW Government outsourcing deal.
Blue Ribbon stockbroker Goldman Sach JBWere confirmed yesterday it was calling and meeting clients in a bid to keep their business after the departure of most of its Perth broking desk to rival Citi Smith Barney.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
Wraparound on executive salaries: a fifth straight year of double digit earnings growth underpinned by the resources boom and the strong domestic economy has driven an average 28 per cent pay rise for chief executives of the 300 largest sharemarket-listed companies.
Inside page 1: Prime Minister John Howard has placed housing and education at the heart of the coalition's $9.4-billion campaign launch. BHP said it will undertake a $US30 billion share buyback if it succeeds in merging with Rio Tinto.
Page 3: The NSW government is overhauling the rules governing the supply of natural gas after an inquiry found gas wholesalers were to blame for a shortage that cut supplies to hundreds of businesses in June.
World: China posted a record trade surplus for October, but the total was smaller than expected. (New York)
Market: Rio Tinto jumped to a record yesterday but a weak lead from Wall Street caused investors to ditch energy and resource stocks.
THE AUSTRALIAN
Page 1: Prime Minister John Howard has targeted families with $8.5 billion in new election promises, including tax breaks for first home buyers and subsidies for private school fee. Residents in Australia's fastest growing region will be forced to truck in water from outside south-east Queensland under tough water restrictions. A senior counter-terrorism officer with the Australian Federal Police has testified that police were directed to charge as many suspects as possible to test new anti-terrorism laws. The Reserve Bank of Australia fears public spending will farther increase inflation rates.
Business: BHP describes their new merger pitch to Rio Tinto for merger as having "irresistible logic".
Explosives giant Orica won't be intimidated by any merger of mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, believing a match-up would give it scope to press for a global supply deal.
