Choice calls for crackdown on mobile service subscriptions
Consumer advocacy group Choice is calling for a tough industry code of conduct to protect consumers from the hidden costs of mobile phone add-ons. ...
Indonesia urges Australia to back global crisis fund
The Indonesian Trade Minister has expressed hopes that Australia will support a key Indonesian proposal at the G20 meeting in April. ...
Indonesia urges Australia to back global crisis fund
The Indonesian Trade Minister has expressed hopes that Australia will support a key Indonesian proposal at the G20 meeting in April. ...
Choice calls for crackdown on mobile service subscriptions
Consumer advocacy group Choice is calling for a tough industry code of conduct to protect consumers from the hidden costs of mobile phone add-ons. ...
Half of stimulus payments will be spent- Stevens
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens expects about half of the Australians who receive Commonwealth bonus payments will follow the Governments advice- and spend it. ...
Half of stimulus payments will be spent- Stevens
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens expects about half of the Australians who receive Commonwealth bonus payments will follow the Governments advice- and spend it. ...
Hopes Tiwi Island mine will generate local jobs
The Tiwi Islands Shire Council has welcomed the purchase of the islands mineral sands mine- saying it is hoped it will lead to more jobs for local people through environmental regeneration projects. ...
Coroner to hand down Beaconsfield findings next week
The Tasmanian Coroner is expected to hand down his findings next week into the death of a miner at the Beaconsfield gold mine in 2006. ...
Coroner to hand down Beaconsfield findings next week
The Tasmanian Coroner is expected to hand down his findings next week into the death of a miner at the Beaconsfield gold mine in 2006. ...
Anglo American plans to cut 19-000 jobs
Mining company Anglo American plans to shed 19-000 jobs this year and suspend dividend payments after reporting a 29 per cent drop in 2008 profits. ...
Coordinator-general needed to protect Qld jobs- AMWU
A major union wants the Queensland Government to appoint a special coordinator-general to protect jobs. ...
Fahour leaves NAB to lead govt project
NAB's former head of Australian operations Ahmed Fahour resigned on Friday- seven months after missing out on the bank's top job to Cameron Clyne last year. ...
ATM fee change to hit small institutions
Smaller financial institutions were expected to be hit hard by the reforms to ATM charges due to come into effect next month. ...
ANZ chief eyes opportunities in Asia
ANZ chief executive Mike Smith is eyeing expansion opportunities in Asia and encourages other Australians to consider such prospects in the financial crisis. ...
Land Council disappointed by McArthur River Mine go-ahead
The Northern Land Council says traditional owners of the Borroloola region are disappointed with the Federal Environment Ministers approval of the McArthur River zinc mine expansion. ...
Don't bank on zero cash rate- RBA chief
Australia's central bank chief has signalled more interest rate cuts are likely and financial markets expect rates to fall another full percentage point. ...
Housing affordability to improve- RBA
Australia's central bank chief says housing affordability is improving and that lower interest rates will spur a revival in the building sector. ...
Moody's lowers Qantas' credit rating
Qantas Airways' credit rating has been downgraded by Moody's Investor Service due the carrier's falling profits amid a decline in demand for travel. ...
FMG terminates Brierty contract
A Fortescue Metals Group contractor says it does not expect the iron ore miner will revive its ambitious port expansion plans in the short term. ...
Prime Media posts loss on poor ad market
Prime Media Group Ltd says the economic crisis is continuing to hurt the advertising market- after the regional broadcaster posted a first half loss. ...
Workers expecting job cuts at Gunns
There is talk of looming job cuts at Tasmanian timber company Gunns- with forest contractors notified the company is temporarily closing its mills at Triabunna- Hampshire and Bell Bay next week. ...
Land Council disappointed by McArthur River Mine go-ahead
The Northern Land Council says traditional owners of the Borroloola region are disappointed with the Federal Environment Ministers approval of the McArthur River zinc mine expansion. ...
Land Council disappointed by McArthur River Mine go-ahead
The Northern Land Council says traditional owners of the Borroloola region are disappointed with the Federal Environment Ministers approval of the McArthur River zinc mine expansion. ...
Billabong shares surf to eight-year low
Shares in Billabong International dropped to an eight-year low on concerns over the quality of its guidance after poor Christmas sales in the US. ...
Australian interest rates wont hit zero- central bank
SYDNEY AFP - Australias central bank is prepared to cut interest rates further but they are unlikely to drop to near zero as they have in some other countries- according to the governor. ...
SKorean bankers dismiss fears of credit crisis
SEOUL AFP - South Korean bank chiefs dismissed fears of a fresh credit crisis as jitters over their liquidity conditions shook financial markets. ...
ANZ chief eyes opportunities in Asia
ANZ chief executive Mike Smith is eyeing expansion opportunities in Asia and encourages other Australians to consider such prospects in the financial crisis. ...
Toowoomba job squad to help in economic downturn
A permanent jobs squad will be based in Toowoomba to help workers made redundant by the global financial crisis. ...
Union officials to probe BMA mine death
Mining union officials are heading out to a site in central Queensland where a worker was killed today. ...
Aussie slips as Asian angst grows bonds mixed
SYDNEY- Feb 20 - The Australian dollar fell on Friday as deepening worries about Asian economies sent shares across the region sliding- hitting both risk appetite and the outlook for global growth. ...
Housing affordability to improve- RBA
Australia's central bank chief says housing affordability is improving and that lower interest rates will spur a revival in the building sector. ...
RBA warns banks on ATM charges
The nation's central bank chief has warned retail banks against imposing fees on their customers who use a competitor's ATM. ...
Don't bank on zero cash rate- RBA chief
Australia's central bank chief has signalled more interest rate cuts are likely and financial markets expect rates to fall another full percentage point. ...
Aristocrat case gives IMF a profit boost
More than $35 million in income from a high-profile class action against Aristocrat Leisure has helped litigation funder IMF Australia to a 466 per cent rise. ...
Iron ore price talks may resume in May
Rio Tinto says price negotiations for the steel making commodity are continuing despite a contradictory report out of China. ...
Australia shares drop 1.4 pct banks pace decline
SYDNEY- Feb 20 - Australian stocks fell 1.4 percent on Friday- pressured by losses in banks such as Westpac WBC and Macquarie MQG after U.S. lenders dropped sharply on fears they would have to be nationalised. ...
$2m facility to give winemakers an edge
A $2 million science facility in Adelaide will give Australian winemakers an edge over their global competitors- the South Australian government says. ...
Asian Markets Overview of February 20
Sydney- Australia- Feb 20- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Asian markets mostly ended higher Thursday. Japans Nikkei 225 ended up 0.3- as exporters cheered for a recent weakness in the yen. Shanghai Composite rose 0.8 and Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index was also slightly higher in a choppy trade session. But South Korea stocks ended down the fourth day this week. ...
ANZ shrugs off high business loan rates claim
ANZs chief executive has dismissed a claim that banks are keeping business lending rates high because there is little public pressure to reduce them. ...
ACT Greens back Causeway community
The ACT Greens have called for efforts to be made to keep residents of the Causeway together if the new Eastlake development goes ahead. ...
Australia shares drop 1.4 pct- banks lower
SYDNEY- Feb 20 - Australian stocks fell 1.4 percent on Friday- pressured by losses in banks after U.S. lenders dropped sharply on fears they would have to be nationalised. ...
Fast-food award will 'take away' jobs
Australians are eating out less in the slowing economy and the big fast-food companies say they can't afford to comply with upcoming employment standards. ...
Rio halts negotiations with China mills
Rio Tinto has suspended annual price negotiations for the steel making commodity with Chinese mills until market conditions improve. ...
Prime Media hit by flagging ad market
Regional broadcaster Prime Media's first half net profit has fallen and it says the economic crisis is continuing to hurt the advertising market. ...
RBA warns banks on ATM charges
The nation's central bank chief has warned retail banks against imposing fees on their customers who use a competitor's ATM. ...
When going gets tough- Aussies save
Australians are becoming savers again because of the economic slowdown and fears of a possible recession- an economist says. ...
Blackwater mine worker killed
A mine worker has been killed at Blackwater in central Queensland. ...
$2m facility to give winemakers an edge
A $2 million science facility in Adelaide will give Australian winemakers an edge over their global competitors- the South Australian government says. ...
Stimulus package- rates cuts will help in late 09- Stevens
The Reserve Bank governor says interest rate cuts and the Governments economic stimulus packages will improve Australias prospects later in 2009. ...
Bligh opens Gladstone Santos office
The Premier has officially opened a new office for the gas exploration company Santos in Gladstone in central Queensland. ...
Rio halts negotiations with China mills
Rio Tinto has suspended annual price negotiations for the steel making commodity with Chinese mills until market conditions improve. ...
Moody's lowers Qantas' rating status
Ratings agency Moody's Investor Service has downgraded its outlook for Qantas Airways due the carrier's high debt and strained profitability. ...
Australian Market Report of February 20- Refreshed Sign of Deeper Recession
Sydney- Australia- Feb 20- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Overnight US market closed at six-year lows after the Labor Department said that the continuing claims for unemployment benefits rose to a record high at almost 5 million- a refreshed sign the recession is deepening. Worries over the fate of major banks also weighed down the market. The Australian shares ended higher yesterday on the back of some better-than-expected earnings reports. ...
FMG cutbacks to lead to significant job losses
A mining services company says a decision by Fortescue Metals Group FMG to terminate its contract at the Cloudbreak iron ore mine in the Pilbara will result in signficant job losses. ...
Work starts on Entertainment Centre
It is hoped that work to upgrade Adelaides Entertainment Centre will be finished in time for next years festival season. ...
Carnegie to get $12.5m project boost
Shares in Carnegie Corporation rose after the wave power developer said it would receive $12.5 million from WA's Low Emissions Energy Development fund. ...
McArthur River Mine expansion gets the green light
The Federal Environment Minister has formally approved the expansion of Xstratas McArthur River zinc mine near Borroloola in the Northern Territory. ...
Bartlett accuses business of mixed messages
The Premier has accused the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of putting out mixed messages about the governments response to the economic crisis. ...
Delayed Environmental report of McArthur River Mine released
An independent environmental report into the McArthur River Mine has been presented to the community at Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria. ...
Indigenous employment plan on track- Forrest
The head of the iron ore mining company Fortescue Metals Group- Andrew Forrest- says a plan to employ 100 indigenous people in Perth is a sign that his plan to create thousands of jobs for Aboriginal people is going well- despite the global financial downturn. ...
McArthur River Mine expansion gets the green light
The Federal Environment Minister has formally approved the expansion of Xstratas McArthur River zinc mine near Borroloola in the Northern Territory. ...
Gloucester Coal to merge with Whitehaven
Coal miner Gloucester Coal has agreed to a $545 million corporate marriage with Whitehaven Coal in a bid to better position the merged group for growth. ...
Fahour leaves NAB board- exec committee
National Australia Bank has announced that former head of Australian operations Ahmed Fahour will cease to be a member of the board and executive committee. ...
Billabong bad debt in US 'contained'
Despite retailers struggling- especially in the US- Billabong said the quality of its receivables book remained high. ...
Brierty down on Fortescue termination
Shares in Brierty Ltd fell after Fortescue Metals Group Ltd terminated its contract to provide mining services at the iron ore producer's WA Cloudbreak mine. ...
Moody's lowers Qantas' rating status
Ratings agency Moody's Investor Service has downgraded its outlook for Qantas Airways due the carrier's high debt and strained profitability. ...
McArthur River Mine expansion gets the green light
The Federal Environment Minister has formally approved the expansion of Xstratas McArthur River zinc mine near Borroloola in the Northern Territory. ...
Westpac raises $500m to boost balance
Another bank has moved to bolster its financial position to protect itself against the tough market conditions. ...
Govt trying to encourage Indonesian language studies
The Federal Government is looking at ways to increase the number of Australian students learning Indonesian. ...
Australia shares down 1.8 banks- Rio Tinto lower
MELBOURNE- Feb 20 - Australian stocks fell 1.8 percent on Friday- pressured by losses in bank stocks after U.S. lenders dropped sharply again on fears they would have to be nationalised. ...
Delayed Environmental report of McArthur River Mine released
An independent environmental report into the McArthur River Mine has been presented to the community at Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria. ...
Market falls after Wall Street losses
The Australian share market remains lower after stocks closed lower in New York overnight. ...
Former NAB boss to head Govt property venture
The National Australia Banks executive director Ahmed Fahour is leaving the bank to head up the Federal Governments moves to shore up the commercial property sector. ...
Aussie hamstrung as more rate cuts eyed bonds mixed
AUSTRALIAN CREDIT-FOREXSNAPSHOT FOREIGN EXCHANGE AT 0037 GMTagainst previous Sydney close AUD 0.6438-430.6419-24 AUDNZDR1.2651-861.2545-70 AUDJPYR 60.57-62 59 ...
Caltex holds dividend payment
Caltex Australia- the nation's only listed oil refiner and marketer- will not pay a final dividend after delivering a significant drop in profit for the year. ...
Defence housing boost for Adelaides north
The federal stimulus package will provide funding for 90 new houses for defence families based at the Edinburgh base in Adelaides northern suburbs. ...
Economy weaker without stimulus- Stevens
Reserve Bank of Australia RBA governor Glenn Stevens has backed the federal government's stimulus packages- saying the economy would be weaker without them. ...
Australian shares down 1.1- top four banks drag
MELBOURNE- Feb 20 - Australian stocks fell 1.1 percent on Friday- led down by the top banks after their U.S. peers dropped sharply again on fears they would have to be nationalised. ...
Albury Drivetrain workers await jobs news
The 400 workers at an Albury gearbox manufacturer will find out more about the future of their jobs today. ...
Albury Drivetrain workers await jobs news
The 400 workers at an Albury gearbox manufacturer will find out more about the future of their jobs today. ...
Newmont Mining posts $US120m profit
Gold producer Newmont Mining Corp returned to profitability in the fourth quarter as rising gold prices offset a sharp drop in copper demand. ...
Crisis hit inevitable- tough 6 months to come- Stevens
Nothing could have been done to protect Australias short-term economic prospects from the rapid global economic downturn in the latter part of last year- Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has told a parliamentary inquiry. ...
Market falls after Wall Street losses
Falls in banking stocks have dragged the Australian sharemarket lower this morning- after falls on Wall Street overnight. ...
Aussies smashing Madoff toy makes waves in US
It may be only a small toy but its making appearances on live television and the front pages of newspapers around the world. ...
Crisis hit inevitable- more to come- Stevens
Nothing could have been done to protect Australias short term economic prospects from the rapid global economic downturn in the latter part of last year- Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has told a parliamentary inquiry. ...
Litigation firm IMF in 466 profit rise
Litigation funder IMF Australia Ltd has posted a 466 per cent first half profit increase after six major cases were settled in the period. ...
Don't bank on zero cash rate- RBA chief
Australia's central bank chief says the nation's official interest rate is unlikely to fall to zero. ...
Fahour leaves NAB board
National Australia Bank said former head of Australian operations Ahmed Fahour would cease to be a member of the board and executive committee. ...
Unions urge employers to talk up the economy
The union movement has criticised Tasmanias peak employer body for suggesting the state could lose thousands of jobs because of the global economic downturn. ...
Gold miners creditors to get payout
The creditors of a central Victorian gold mining company will get the $1 million they are owed. ...
Don't bank on zero cash rate- RBA chief
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says it is unlikely the nation's cash interest rate will drop to zero per cent. ...
RBA governor says near-term outlook weak
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens says the near-term outlook for the nation's economy is weak but he does not expect the downturn to be a deep one. ...
Aussie dollar rises on RBA speech bonds slip
SYDNEY- Feb 20 - The Australian dollar firmed on Friday after the market pared back expectations of an aggressive interest rate cut next month following comments from the central bank governor. ...
Billabong 'on track for growth'
Surfwear maker Billabong International Ltd has reported a 7.1 per cent decline in first half profit to $82.4 million. ...
Australia shares fall 0.75 pct banks- Caltex down
MELBOURNE- Feb 20 - Australian stocks fell 0.75 percent on Friday as banking shares declined after sharp drops in their U.S. peers on nationalisation fears raised concerns about the future health of the sector. ...
RBA governor says near-term outlook weak
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens says the near-term outlook for the nation's economy is weak but he does not expect the downturn to be a deep one. ...
Australia- Indonesia to start talks on free trade
Bilateral government talks between Australia and Indonesia are continuing for a second day in Sydney. ...
Mount Isa to be declared safe community
Mount Isa- in north-west Queensland- is set to become Australias first mining town recognised as a safe community. ...
US stocks slump to six-year low after grim jobless data
NEW YORK AFP - US stocks closed at six-year lows Thursday after data showed five million people were collecting unemployment benefits- a record high number that underlined the growing depths of the recession. ...
Billabong 'on track for growth'
Surfwear maker Billabong International Ltd has reported a 7.1 per cent decline in first half profit to $82.4 million. ...
STW Communications profit falls 60
STW Communications Group Ltd's full-year net profit fell by 60 per cent as the advertising company wrote down the value of investment assets. ...
Brazils Embraer cuts more than 4-000 jobs
SAO PAULO- Brazil AFP - Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said Thursday it is to slash more than 4-000 jobs- or 20 percent of its workforce- because of the -amp quotunprecedented crisis hitting the world economy. -amp quot ...
Brazil to supply crude oil to China
Brazil says it has agreed to supply up to 100 million barrels of crude oil a day to China in a deal that involves a loan of up to $US10 billion $A15.65b. ...
A-G expects more Toowoomba job losses
A State Cabinet Minister says he expects there will be more job losses in the southern Queensland Darling Downs city of Toowoomba as the global financial crisis unfolds. ...
Gloucester Coal to merge with Whitehaven
Gloucester Coal Ltd and Whitehaven Coal Ltd have agreed to merge the two companies in a bid to better position the merged group for future growth. ...
Oceanagold posts $A85 million loss
Australian-based mining company Oceana Gold- which has three gold mines in NZ's South Island- has reported a loss of $US54.7 million $A85.59 million in 2008. ...
Aussie shares seen down after Dow hits 6-year low
Australias March share price index SPI futures YAPcm1 fell 13 points to settle at 3-387.0- a 61.9-point discount to Thursdays 3-448.9 close in the underlying benchmark S -amp ampP-ASX 200 index JO. ...
Rees backs down over office refurbishment plans
The New South Wales Premier has been forced into a backdown over a costly refurbishment planned for new minister John Robertson. ...
Brazil to supply crude oil to China
Brazil says it has agreed to supply up to 100 million barrels of crude oil a day to China in a deal that involves a loan of up to $US10 billion $A15.65b. ...
Santos moves ahead with LNG plant
Oil and gas company Santos is opening an office at Gladstone in central Queensland today as it prepares to build its liquefied natural gas LNG processing plant. ...
Santos moves ahead with LNG plant
Oil and gas company Santos is opening an office at Gladstone in Queensland today as it prepares to build its liquefied natural gas LNG processing plant. ...
US stocks slump to six-year low after grim jobless data
NEW YORK AFP - US stocks closed at six-year lows Thursday after data showed five million people were collecting unemployment benefits- a record high number that underlined the growing depths of the recession. ...
Santos moves ahead with LNG plant
Oil and gas company Santos is opening an office at Gladstone in Queensland today as it prepares to build its liquefied natural gas LNG processing plant. ...
Development in play at Tea Gardens
The coastal village of Tea Gardens- north of Newcastle- could soon be transformed with a thousand new homes proposed for the area. ...
Territorial fire crews hampered bushfire effort
Territorialism within Victorias firefighting services has been blamed for blocking urgent resources needed to properly combat the deadly bushfires that have raged across the state. ...
Territorial fire crews hampered bushfire effort
Territorialism within Victorias firefighting services has been blamed for blocking urgent resources needed to properly combat the deadly bushfires that have raged across the state. ...
V Australia handed final approval
International start-up airline V Australia has cleared a final hurdle as it prepares to launch flights to the US. ...
EU sweetens energy plan for France- Italy
BRUSSELS AFP - The European Commission on Thursday proposed extra funding for France and Italy in a controversial multi-billion-euro energy project package- which Germany slammed as -amp quota jumble of national wish lists. -amp quot ...
US prices snap five-month drop- jobless number climbs
WASHINGTON AFP - The United States broke a five-month streak of falling wholesale prices but jobless numbers remained at elevated levels in the worlds largest economy mired in deep recession- government data showed Thursday. ...
Dollar retreats from high against euro
LONDON AFP - The dollar retreated Thursday from a multi-month peak against the euro as investors took profits from the greenbacks recent rise- dealers said. ...
Almost 20 financially 'stressed-' study
Almost 20 per cent of Australians feel some financial -amp quotstress -amp quot- according to a survey that was undertaken before the worst of the economic crisis unfolded. ...
European stocks rise at start of trade
LONDON AFP - Europes main stock markets moved higher when trading began on Thursday- with Londons FTSE 100 index of leading shares adding 0.29 percent to reach 4-018.46 points. ...
Last 7 days news: