Archived News for Finance Sector Professionals - December, 2013
The Federal Government has released a report on the financial situation of the country’s universities.
Rich officials told to hold back on big send-offs
As millions of Chinese starve and suffer in a toxic atmosphere, the government has told its high-ranked officials to tone down increasingly extravagant funerals for the sake of austerity.
Sex doesn't sell in matters of the heart
The advertising game is often one of subtlety, suggestion and subliminal messaging – other times the formula is just to place a scantily-clad person next to the thing you want to sell, but research at the University of Queensland is investigating whether sex really is the best way to make a sale.
Slight bump to welfare to catch CPI
Over a million Australian students, young jobseekers, carers and young people with a disability will see a small increase to their Centrelink payments from next year.
Talks planned to ease axing in NT
Discussions are planned which may yield a deal for the future of the town of Nhulunbuy, which will have its economy decimated when a nearby Rio Tinto refinery is closed.
Uranium miner fined for lacklustre lodging
An Australian uranium exploration and mining firm has been fined for lodging virtually no financial documents, and not even holding an AGM.
Hearing calls NBN Co to come clean, Ziggy plays quiet card
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has accused NBN Co. of little more than “brazen guesswork” in its estimates of key financial data for the re-booted network.
Known faces switch in big wig re-jig
There has been some executive musical chairs among prominent government-linked advisors this week.
Unions says billion worth of goodbyes just the start
The redundancy payments for planned public sector job cuts will hit $1 billion before 2017, and could be higher if the federal axe swings deeper, reports say.
Budget brings grey future for green farmers
This week’s Federal Government Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) indicates changes on the way for several agricultural schemes and funds but not a lot of detail on what, if anything, will replace them.
Train stops could see rail giant take impairments
Aurizon has opened itself to nearly $200 million worth of asset impairments after a decision to slash the number of trains, wagons and workers at the company.
Oxford says changing tide in mining could leave Australia stuck
Global shifts are underway which could lead foreign investors to pull up stumps from Australia, stranding a number of projects and leading to the possibility of “mothballed or abandoned” local coal mines.
Case claims shops awash with high-priced powder
Federal Court action has been launched against Australia’s washing powder barons.
Fiddly internet language found out for $2 million fine
The tricky wording of one internet company’s advertisements has come back to bite them, and will take a bigger chunk than originally thought.
New money named for inflating the language
‘Bitcoin’ has been named word of the year by the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANDC), marking the mainstream landing of the decentralised digital currency.
Papers show ANZ wouldn't kill faux-golden goose
Court documents have shown the bank now embroiled in the largest class action in Australian history could have seen it coming.
Women's pay gap cause for early warnings to youth
Figures out this week show that the average Australian woman would have to work 25 years longer to retire on the same amount as a man.
Amendment hopes to give public say on pokies reform
Australia may get to vote on which measures, if any, should be applied to stem the flow of money pouring into poker-machines around the country.
DHS cuts require clear view from at least three offices
A local report has accused Centrelink’s national boss of racking up excess costs, while the department sacks hundreds of workers.
State to swap green plants for concrete funds
The New South Wales Government is looking to drum up cash by letting go of some goods, starting with all the state’s renewable energy assets.
Billions in fines show shadowy hands at work
Anti-trust regulators have fined six big banks A$2.5 billion for their role in rigging international interest rates, with an ongoing investigation to shine a sliver of light on the unknown mechanisms underlying global economies.