Politics

EU to prepare for Greek exit: Reuters

24 May 2012 |

Each euro zone country will have to prepare a contingency plan for the eventuality of Greece leaving the single currency, euro zone sources said on Wednesday.

Code won’t keep MPs in line

24 May 2012 | Alex Malley

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Code won’t keep MPs in line

A code of conduct is not a Band-Aid that can cure unethical behaviour, nor does it allow leaders to abdicate their responsibilities for the behaviour of their party or organisation.

Why Australia has to go to war

24 May 2012 | George Friedman

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Why Australia has to go to war

It all comes down to trade and access to sea lanes.

Folly of climate alarmism

24 May 2012 | Mark Latham

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Folly of climate alarmism

Opinion | Fear tactics might work in elections but in the climate debate, apocalyptic scenarios play into the hands of right-wing sceptics.

Afghan mission unaccomplished

24 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Afghan mission

Editorial | The war in Afghanistan, in the words of US President Barack Obama, is being wound down rather than won.

Costello has answer

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 68 | Costello has answer

Former federal treasurer Peter Costello told a breakfast meeting of Melbourne financial advisers yesterday he was in shock and awe of the federal Labor government.

No prize for second

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 68 | No prize for second

If it wasn’t bad enough for Australia to lose the Ashes, now comes the ultimate put-down to sports-loving Melburnians.

Pollies get out more

24 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 68 | Pollies get out more

Arts Minister Simon Crean visited the childcare centre in Parliament House yesterday to join the thousands of schools and libraries registered to read The Very Cranky Bear by author Nick Bland as part of the Simultaneous Storytime initiative.

Joyce’s bridge too far

24 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 68 | Joyce’s bridge too far

Nationals firebrand Barnaby Joyce could not believe his ears. Questioning federal Transport Department officials during a budget estimates committee hearing on Tuesday evening, he discovered they spent $10 million a year leasing office space in Canberra to house 830 bureaucrats.

What happens when the West leaves?

24 May 2012 | John Kerin.

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Spectre of disaster in Afghanistan as the West heads for exit

There are many obstacles in the path of peace after the allies pack up and leave Afghanistan, but Australia’s Defence Force chief does not share the pessimism.

See green future or be left behind

24 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | See a green future or be left in the past

Roberts | Australia’s carbon Canutes are in a minority among global businesses that have already come to terms with schemes such as in Europe.

Burke logic founders on the reef

24 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Burke logic founders on the reef

South of Embley demonstrates the sort of damage that can be done by government rent miserably reactive through habit and failure of foresight.

Reluctant Greece will be hard to evict

24 May 2012 | David Bassanese

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Reluctant Greece will be hard to evict

When push comes to shove, I still doubt that a “Grexit” – or Greece leaving the Euro zone – is the most likely scenario in the next few months..

Nothing is likely to save the day for shares

24 May 2012 | Philip Baker

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Nothing is likely to save the day

Looks like the sharemarket is poised to complete a hat trick. About this time in 2010 shares fell 15 per cent and in 2011 it was 20 per cent. So far this month the major index is down more than 8 per cent from its high.

‘Vital’ envoy quits Afghan post

24 May 2012 | Alissa Rubin

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | ‘Vital’ envoy quits Afghan post

The top US diplomat in Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, will leave his post shortly for health reasons after serving here less than a year, a State Department official says.

Amnesty slams Indonesia’s ‘climate of impunity’

24 May 2012 | Karlis Salna

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Indonesia’s ‘climate of impunity’

Indonesia is facing fresh criticism over its human rights record following a year of continued unrest and the jailing of leading political activists in Papua.

N Korea nuclear tensions mount

24 May 2012 | Sangwon Yoon

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | N Korea nuclear tensions mount

North Korea has denied planning a nuclear weapons test, while a report indicated it was upgrading a rocket launch site – conflicting signs that underscore the challenge of gauging the intentions of new leader Kim Jong Un.

East Asia ‘vulnerable’ to euro crisis

24 May 2012 | Karl Lester Yap

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | East Asia ‘vulnerable’ to euro crisis

The World Bank says policymakers in Asia’s emerging economies must guard against inflation risks and be prepared to reverse policy easing.

Cairo held captive by a ring of violence

24 May 2012 | David Kirkpatrick

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | City held captive by a ring of violence

Crime is growing unchecked as the once-brutal police force takes it easy.

Hezbollah appeals for calm after kidnappings

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 21 | Hezbollah appeals for calm after kidnappings

The leader of Lebanon’s Shiite militant group Hezbollah appealed for calm after people blocked roads and burned tyres in Beirut to protest the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese Shiites in neighbouring Syria.

Foreign briefs

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 |

The effective government of Papua New Guinea says it will arrest the three judges who ordered ousted prime minister Michael Somare returned to power, unless they resign.

Greeks in fear of ‘drachmageddon’

24 May 2012 | Liz Alderman

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Greeks in fear of ‘drachmageddon’

These days, talk of “drachmageddon” can be heard in conversations all over Athens. The nation is bracing to meet its fate, but how do you prepare for the Apocalypse?

Greek leftist leader goes on tour

24 May 2012 | Melissa Eddy

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Young Greek tyro goes on tour

With less than a month before new elections in Greece, it might be expected that Alexis Tsipras would be campaigning in his own country. Instead, Tuesday found Greece’s rising young political star in Berlin, the second stop of what appeared to be a decision to effectively launch his pre-election campaign abroad.

Anti-austerity proponents dog Merkel

24 May 2012 | Andrew Trotman London

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Europe markets dive ahead of summit

European Union leaders have begun meeting in Brussels with the shadow of a Greek exit from the euro and a Spanish banking crisis looming over them, as European markets fell heavily on investors’ doubts the summit would lead to a solution of the eurozone’s problems.

IMF tells Britain: cut taxes and increase spending

24 May 2012 | Phillip Inman

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | IMF tells Britain: cut taxes and increase spending

The IMF has urged the Britain to start preparing emergency tax cuts as it called for more interest rate reductions to lift the UK from its double-dip recession.

MPs to probe TV tender confusion

24 May 2012 | Ben Holgate

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | MPs to probe TV tender confusion

Independent federal MP Rob Oakeshott will head a committee inquiry into the government’s controversial tender into the country’s $223 million international television service.

National briefs

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 5 |

The chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott, welcomed the introduction into Parliament of a government bill intended to cut 12,000 unnecessary regulations.

Indonesia a rising power, says Bakrie

24 May 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Indonesia a rising power, says Bakrie

Indonesia’s importance in the Asia-Pacific region will increase as its population and economy grows, according to wealthy Indonesian businessman and possible presidential candidate Aburizal Bakrie.

Macdonald to face further public scrutiny

24 May 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | ICAC probe

The NSW corruption watchdog will hold a public inquiry over allegations that former mineral resources minister Ian Macdonald corruptly used his position to advantage the private interests of others.

WA Labor blasts use of state fund

24 May 2012 | Jonathan Barrett

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | WA Labor blasts fund use

West Australian Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has attacked the centrepiece of the state government budget, a state wealth fund, by saying the money needs to be spent immediately on roads, transport and research.

Pay apprentices more, say unions

24 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Pay apprentices more: unions

The federal government will be forced to reveal its hand on forcing business to pay apprentices higher wages when a report from Fair Work Australia is released.

Emboldened Abbott treads carefully

24 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Emboldened Abbott still being careful

Skulley | There is a strong push for changes to Labor’s Fair Work Act in the Liberal Party’s traditional business-supporter base.

Howes rejects Hawke-Keating era

24 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Union leader rejects Hawke-Keating era

Editorial | In the speech Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes gave to the National Press Club, he called for a return to the bad old days of industry protection.

Gillard’s big July 1 gamble

24 May 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Gillard’s big July 1 gamble

Kitney | It’s Julia Gillard’s self-nominated date with destiny and it’s easy to see why she can’t wait for it to come.

Jackson stands by her man

24 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Jackson stands by her man

Outspoken union leader Kathy Jackson has defended her partner, Fair Work Australia vice-president Michael Lawler, saying that he is being subjected to a “political smear campaign” by her enemies.

Much ado about nothing

24 May 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | House activities much ado about nothing

Tingle | The opposition’s main aim now is not to see Craig Thomson out of the Parliament but to use the affair to keep up the sense of chaos.

NBN struggles to connect

24 May 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | NBN struggles to connect

The man in charge of building the national broadband network is poised to admit the $36 billion project is facing serious challenges as he looks to head off fresh political criticism about delays on its construction.

Qantas gets resourceful

24 May 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Qantas gets resourceful

Hewett | All those fluoro-vested blokes waiting for flights at Perth airport don’t just translate into big money for resources companies.

Leaders shun Rio+20

24 May 2012 |

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Leaders shun Rio+20

Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, for which Julia Gillard is skipping the traditional Prime Minister’s ­Olympic dinner, is shaping as an embarrassing flop as the Kyoto agreement on climate change nears expiry.

Call to end China trade deal talks

24 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Call to ditch China trade deal talks

One of Australia’s former top trade negotiators has called for an end to the long-running free-trade agreement talks with China amid new tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

Trade pacts prey to tangling

24 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Trade pacts prey to tangling

A confusing web of bilateral deals means understanding the trade agreement landscape can be a bit like wrestling an octopus.

What ails nation’s consumers

24 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 72 | What ails nation’s consumers

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes yesterday summed up the weight of woes keeping wallets and purses shut in Australia.

China slowdown threatens Aus: World Bank

23 May 2012 |

Australia's dependence on resource exports could come back to bite it as a slowdown in Chinese growth causes commodity prices to fall, the World Bank warns.

Fundamentals and price point to ‘cast iron future’

23 May 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Fundamentals, price point to ‘cast iron future’

Iron ore stocks have taken the brunt of the latest sell-off as the commodity’s price tumbled following the European debt crisis and Chinese slowdown. But experts believe there is too much pessimism priced into shares.

Boom blinding us to worrying trends, warns Costello

23 May 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Boom blinds us to ‘worrying trends’

Consumer sentiment is weak and productivity falling despite boom economic conditions and the strongest terms of trade since the Victorian gold rush, Peter Costello has warned.

Time for some Latin flair, says Carr

23 May 2012 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Time for Latin flair

Australia must build stronger ties with the burgeoning resource-heavy economies of Latin America, but not at the expense of relationships in the Asia-Pacific, Foreign Minister Bob Carr says.

Macdonald to face further public scrutiny

23 May 2012 | Dan Hall

The NSW corruption watchdog will hold a public inquiry over allegations that former mineral resources minister Ian Macdonald corruptly used his position to advantage the private interests of others.

Rio’s $1.5bn bauxite project clears Queensland hurdle

23 May 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 8 | Weipa project held up

The Queensland coordinator-general has given the green light to Rio Tinto’s $US1.5 billion South of Embley bauxite development which has been struggling to receive the necessary federal environmental approvals in a timely manner.

Future Fund tobacco stocks rise to $225m

23 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Tobacco lift for Fund

The Future Fund’s tobacco stocks have surged in value by more than 53 per cent since the start of last year, prompting Greens senator Richard Di Natale to fume that the government is “profiteering” from lung cancer sufferers.

Dell chief defends transfer pricing

23 May 2012 | Brian Corrigan

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

One of the country’s most senior technology executives has broken the industry’s silence as pressure mounts over the level of tax paid locally by global companies.

World Bank cuts China forecast

23 May 2012 |

The World Bank cut its economic growth forecast for China this year to 8.2 per cent on Wednesday and urged the country to rely on easier fiscal policy that boosts consumption rather than state investment.

Public energy agency won’t have private values

23 May 2012 |

The federal government’s proposed $10 billion agency to invest in clean energy may take higher risks and accept relatively low financial returns.

China’s sovereign fund gives Europe a blasting

23 May 2012 | Peter Wells

In no uncertain terms, China has told Europe to get its act together. Jin Liqun of China Investment Corporation gave Europe a bit of a blasting over its dealing with Greece.

Smeltdown for aluminium

23 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Aluminium smeltdown

Almost 30 per cent of Australia’s aluminium capacity could be mothballed by the end of the year, hit by high power prices and cheap Chinese imports, and the prospect of the ­carbon tax.

Carbon price divides Labor and Greens

23 May 2012 | The GreensMarcus Priest

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 9 | Carbon price delay reveals brown tinge, says Labor MP

A new split has emerged between Labor and its coalition partner, the Greens, ahead of the introduction today of a key element of the carbon price package agreed to last year.

Shorten throws down IR gauntlet

23 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn,

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Shorten throws down IR gauntlet

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has challenged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to a debate on industrial relations, accusing the Coalition of hiding its policy intentions, while Mr Abbott said yesterday he was merely sticking to his plans to rein in union militancy and tackle lagging productivity.

Private meeting begins process

23 May 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 24 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Private talks begin process

Updated | The House of Representatives Privileges Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and is expected to discuss a referral on embattled Labor MP Craig Thomson.

Greek euro zone exit ‘catastrophic’: ex-PM

23 May 2012 | Ben Woodhead

Former Greek prime minister Lucas Papademos has reportedly described “catastrophic” consequences of a Greek exit from the euro and suggested some countries are already considering contingency plans.

Fitch downgrades Japan’s sovereign rating

23 May 2012 |

Fitch has lowered its assessment of Japan’s sovereign credit to A-plus, an investment grade just above Spain and Italy, and criticised Tokyo for not doing more to pare its growing debt.

‘Fiscal cliff’ could trigger US recession

23 May 2012 |

A stalemate over how to tackle a series of fiscal deadlines at year’s end would likely push the United States economy into recession in the first half of next year, the Congressional Budget Office warned.

UN nuclear monitor sees progress in Tehran

23 May 2012 |

On the eve of international talks in Baghdad over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, the leader of the UN nuclear monitoring arm announced what appeared to be a significant concession from Tehran.

Hollande on collision course with Merkel over bonds

23 May 2012 |

Germany has dismissed a French-led call for EU governments to issue common bonds, a day before a summit which investors are looking to for new measures to counter the bloc’s debt crisis.

Inside advice to foster start-ups

23 May 2012 | Gary Fitton

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 55 | Inside advice to foster start-ups

I agree with the comments of Michael Malone, chief executive of listed broadband provider iiNet, that a “cash-strapped, early stage tech company” is best served by preserving its cash resources and giving its staff options and/or shares in the company (“Tax reforms can foster start-ups”, Enterprise, May 22).

World briefs

23 May 2012 |

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 |

Japan’s foreign investments and assets grew to the second-highest level on record as companies used the high yen to make acquisitions abroad.

Anwar faces yet another charge

23 May 2012 |

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Anwar faces yet another charge

Malaysia’s government filed has criminal charges against the country’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and two senior allies for alleged involvement in an illegal demonstration in Kuala Lumpur last month.

Euro zone crisis can go global: OECD

23 May 2012 | David Jolly

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 46 | Euro zone crisis can go global: OECD

Global stocks rose on Tuesday even as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development cut its growth forecast for the euro zone.

Greek Right and liberals unite to fight Left

23 May 2012 | Niki Kitsantonis

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 46 | Right finds ally on left

Less than a month before new general elections that could determine Greece’s future in the euro zone, the conservative New Democracy Party secured co-operation with a small liberal grouping on Monday in an effort to beat to first place an ascendant leftist political force that has rejected the country’s debt deal with foreigners.

US still furious with Pakistan

23 May 2012 | Ewen MacAskill

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 45 | US still furious with Pakistan

The rift between the US and Pakistan deepened as the NATO summit in Chicago broke up without a deal on Afghanistan supply routes.

NATO calls end to Afghan war

23 May 2012 | Helene Cooper

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 45 | NATO calls end to Afghan war

President Barack Obama and leaders of the US’s NATO allies have agreed to end their lead role in the decade-long war in Afghanistan by the middle of next year.

Iran nuclear inspection deal close, UN monitor says

23 May 2012 | Alan Cowell, Thomas Erdbrink and Jodi Rudoren

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 45 | Iran nuclear inspection deal close, UN monitor says

In an apparent breakthrough, the leader of the United Nations nuclear monitoring arm said that despite differences, he expected to sign a deal with Iran “quite soon” on the arrangements for an investigation into potential military applications of its nuclear program.

Baird may cut NSW spending

23 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Baird may cut NSW spending

NSW may be forced to reduce government spending after Treasurer Mike Baird pledged to take “whatever action” is needed to retain his state’s AAA credit rating.

Local companies get inside run on green jobs

23 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Local companies get inside run on green jobs

Australian companies will be given a greater opportunity to participate in projects that win funding from the federal government’s $10 billion clean energy fund.

Reluctant Wilkie backs pokies reform package

23 May 2012 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Reluctant Wilkie backs pokies reform package

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie will support the government’s poker machine package after a pragmatic acknowledgement that the current policy was the best offer available.

News briefs

23 May 2012 |

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 |

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has used her final address to a summit in Chicago on Afghanistan to urge other countries to follow Australia’s example and provide more cash to sustain Afghan security forces.

Lib doctor worried about Thomson's health

23 May 2012 |

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 7 | Concern for Thomson

A Liberal backbencher who is a qualified doctor is concerned for MP Craig Thomson’s mental health.

Tunnel vision a danger with debt

23 May 2012 | Paulina Duran

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Tunnel vision a danger with debt

Australian banks and governments have learnt the hard way that pricing debt too cheaply and failing to assess risks to win mandates to finance infrastructure only leads to dramatic losses.

Petty politics clouds Sydney’s horizon

23 May 2012 | Ben Hurley

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Petty politics continues to cloud Sydney’s horizon

Congested roads, strained public transport networks and where to put Sydney’s growing population are some of the questions Infrastructure NSW chairman Nick Greiner will grapple when he releases his 20-year infrastructure strategy in September.

Backtracking: a thankless political task

23 May 2012 | Rebecca Thistleton

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Funding-starved Melbourne off track

The first extension to Melbourne’s metropolitan train network in more than 30 years opened last month. But it has been overshadowed by calls for more.

PNG police send Somare packing

23 May 2012 | Eoin Blackwell

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | PNG police send Somare packing

Papua New Guinea’s court-appointed Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has failed in his bid to have the nation’s Governor-General swear in his cabinet, after police refused to let him enter Government House.

Decision time for BHP

23 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | SA making up some lost ground

As South Australians await BHP Billiton’s decision later this year on whether to spend $30 billion expanding the Olympic Dam copper, gold and uranium mine it is also awaiting proof of a decades-long experiment in providing timely infrastructure.

Why NBN Co may already be too big to stop

23 May 2012 | David Braue

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Why the NBN Co may already have grown too big to stop

Political broadsides, not logistical challenges, are shaping up as the major challenges confronting the company tasked with rolling out the national broadband network..

Putin rearranges power structure

23 May 2012 | Ellen Barry

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Putin reshapes power structure

President Vladimir Putin has replaced all but a handful of Russia’s cabinet of ministers in a long-awaited step that nonetheless held out little chance the new government would push through major political or economic change.

Financial flaws clog the pipeline of progress

23 May 2012 | Gayle Bryant

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Finance flaws clog pipeline of progress

While the recent federal budget contained both winners and losers in the infrastructure space, the bottom line is that as a nation Australia is losing any global competitive advantage it has through its infrastructure deficit.

UK nuclear reactors get longer life

23 May 2012 | Juliette Jowit

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | UK nuclear reactors get longer life

Britain’s ageing nuclear reactors, which were due to close in the next decade, are set to be kept open under a plan approved by the industry’s regulator.

Greece will have to abandon the euro

23 May 2012 | Boris Johnson

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Better to bite drachma bullet

Boris Johnson | It is unbelievable that we should be urging fiscal union. It is like seeing a driver heading for a brick wall, and then telling them to hit the accelerator rather than the brake.

PPPs need to be more transparent

23 May 2012 | Jason Murphy

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | PPPs need to be more transparent

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chairman Mark Birrell has criticised the secrecy surrounding projects in public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Baillieu pressured to toughen coal seam gas laws

23 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 15 | Baillieu pressured on CSG

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu is under pressure from within his party to toughen rules on coal seam gas drilling, a sign of the growing backlash against the industry from rural communities.

Call for new dawn for industrial relations

23 May 2012 | Geoff Winestock.

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Us and them stoushes benefit no one

Graeme Watson, a vice-president of Fair Work Australia, has called for a new age of peace and love in industrial relations, saying: “The conflict model is not the path for the future.”

Bakrie visit lifts political profile

23 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Bakrie visit lifts

Indonesian businessman Aburizal Bakrie has met senior government and opposition figures in Canberra as an indication he is stepping up presidential bid in two years.

IR prefers conflict to productivity

23 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Traditional IR prefers conflict to productivity

Editorial | When the ACTU conference ended last week with a cheerful looking former prime minister, Bob Hawke, leading delegates in singing Solidarity Forever, it was an echo of a long-gone age.

Jobless need help and motivation

23 May 2012 | Alan Mitchell

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Jobless need help, motivation

With the welfare lobby still complaining that Newstart Allowance recipients are on the poverty line, the issue is far from closed.

Action on code now seems certain

23 May 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Code seems more necessary than ever

Kitney | For an all too brief moment, some clear light shone in Federal Parliament on the murky mess that is the Thomson affair.

Protectionism not the answer

23 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Protectionism not the answer

Roberts | Paul Howes’ call for Australia to get into the business of picking winners takes us back to the 1980s and the long-gone era of protectionism.

Labor’s image is bad for business

23 May 2012 | Nassim Khadem

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Labor’s image takes a heavy

Business leaders say consumer and business confidence is being hurt under the current political climate.

HSU scandal emboldens Abbott on IR

23 May 2012 | James Massola

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | HSU scandal emboldens Abbott on IR

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told his MPs that a Coalition government’s industrial relations policy would “reflect a return of the pendulum back to the middle’’, suggesting the opposition has been emboldened on workplace reform by the Health Services Union scandal.

More Greek muddle

23 May 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | More Greek muddle

Hewett | Berlin and Paris are in furious agreement that they’ll “do everything to keep Greece in the euro club’’, if not on how to achieve this.

French join push for euro bonds

23 May 2012 | Nicholas Kulish

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | French join the drive for euro bonds

When European leaders meet on Wednesday to discuss euro zone woes, French President François Hollande will press the issue of euro bonds.

Services win from trade deal

23 May 2012 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Services win from trade deal

Services businesses have won potentially valuable new access to Malaysia under a trade agreement sealed on Tuesday that locks Australia further into South-East Asia.

Industrial tribunal run mostly by ex-unionists

23 May 2012 | Rachel Nickless

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Industrial tribunal run mostly by ex-unionists

Just over half of Fair Work Australia’s members come from a union background, despite critics calling for greater representation by employers and small business on the national employment tribunal.

Rate cut tips get ‘too extreme’

23 May 2012 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Rate cut tips get ‘too extreme’

Market predictions of further monetary easing measures from the Reserve Bank of Australia have become too extreme, strategists say, leaving some room for recovery for the Australian dollar.

Rebel with a very different cause

23 May 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Rebel with a very different cause

Kevin Rudd yesterday faced the media for the first time in Parliament House in Canberra since his failed leadership bid in February – but it was a face of a different kind that the media saw.

FWA will have to explain itself

23 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | FWA will have to explain itself

Fair Work Australia president Justice Iain Ross, general manager Bernadette O’Neil and other senior members will face five hours of grilling by the Opposition on Monday on their report which found 156 legal and rule breaches by embattled MP Craig Thomson.

House votes on Thomson

23 May 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Thomson to face new test

Parliament has voted to refer embattled MP Craig Thomson to its powerful Privileges Committee to consider whether he misled Parliament in his hour-long defence on Monday.

Thomson’s tears help, in theory

23 May 2012 | Alan Stokes

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Shed tears for fears: big boys do cry

Stokes | If Craig Thomson’s crying helped him find his humanity in the glare of publicity, it may also have helped him appear genuine, thus attracting empathisers.

Call for stricter CSG rules in Victoria

22 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu is under pressure from within his own party to ramp up obligations on miners when dealing with landholders and to conduct an immediate review of the coal seam gas industry.

Uptick in 2013 – but not for property

22 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | An uptick in 2013 but not for property

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has upgraded its forecast for economic growth in Australia next year but warns the negative effects of the mining boom may hurt the property market.

PM to deliver national security statement

22 May 2012 |

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will deliver her first national security statement to Australia before the end of the year.

Queensland to streamline major project regulation

22 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Queensland streamlines regulation

Queensland has declared big mining projects that help kick-start the state’s economy will get the regulatory assistance they need.

NSW govt takes over 13 St Hilliers projects

22 May 2012 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | NSW government takes on St Hilliers projects

The NSW government has taken over the 13 social housing projects being built by St Hilliers Construction before the company appointed a voluntary administrator.

Video | Potter in America

22 May 2012 |

The world leaders who met at Camp David promised to focus on short-term growth over budget repair, but the discussions highlighted how much their opinions differ.

Abbott promises IR reforms

22 May 2012 | James Massola

Updated | Tony Abbott has promised his MPs a future Coalition government would deliver industrial relations reform that addressed the twin problems of union militancy and falling productivity.

Tax Google like Twiggy, says Conroy

22 May 2012 | David Ramli

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Tax Google like Twiggy, says Conroy

Stephen Conroy says tech giants such as Google will be hit by tax laws designed to stop them transferring profits out of Australia, a step he compared with the government’s policy on wealthy mining entrepreneurs.

ASIC to take on liquidators

22 May 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | ASIC to take on liquidators

The corporate regulator has launched 10 investigations into liquidators this year, as it pledges to step up its scrutiny of the industry in its annual review.

White House still a magnet for lobbyists: report

22 May 2012 | Will Willitts

Despite President Obama’s pledge to keep lobbyists away from his administration, a check of White House logs shows a steady stream of corporate and Democratic lobbyists through the front gate.

BoM defends website advertising trial

22 May 2012 |

The Bureau of Meteorology will run advertising on its website to supplement its government funding, not to compete with The Weather Channel, a parliamentary committee has heard.

NBN ‘cutting through’ despite Thomson affair

22 May 2012 | David Ramli

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Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has admitted the Craig Thomson affair is overshadowing the government’s political message but says the $36 billion national broadband network is still finding traction.

Labor tit-for-tat puts Mirabella in its sights

22 May 2012 | James Massola

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Labor tit-for-tat puts Mirabella in its sights

Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella made a personal statement to federal Parliament about the way she declared her interests in a former lover’s estate after Labor revealed she was the second Coalition MP in their sights..

Miners should engage with Latin America: Ferguson

22 May 2012 |

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson is hoping more Australian mining companies set up operations in Latin America.

Wilkie backs pokies package

22 May 2012 | Fleur Anderson

Updated | Independent MP Andrew Wilkie will support the government’s poker machine package after acknowledging that the current policy was the best offer available.

Youth joblessness near GFC peak: ILO

22 May 2012 |

Youth joblessness is almost back at its peak following the outbreak of the global economic crisis and is unlikely to ease until at least 2016, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned.

Putin’s new cabinet signals no major changes

22 May 2012 |

President Vladimir Putin replaced all but a handful of Russia’s Cabinet of ministers, in a long-awaited step that nonetheless held out little chance of major political or economic change.

France’s Hollande focuses on EU growth

22 May 2012 |

French President Francois Hollande said he wanted all options discussed to stimulate growth in Europe when EU leaders meet later this week.

US nuclear regulatory chairman hands in resignation

22 May 2012 |

Gregory Jaczko, chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said on Monday that he would resign, following a year of intense criticism over his abrasive management style.

Thomson misled parliament: Liberals

22 May 2012 | James Massola

Updated | The Coalition has accused Craig Thomson of misleading the parliament on Monday and asked sidelined Speaker Peter Slipper to rule on whether he will face the privileges committee.

PM urges nations to dig deep for Afghanistan

22 May 2012 | John Kerin

Updated | PM Julia Gillard has used her final address to a Chicago summit on Afghanistan to urge other countries to follow Australia’s example and stump up cash to sustain Afghan security forces.

US Catholics sue over Obama contraception plan

22 May 2012 |

Forty-three Roman Catholic dioceses and other US institutions filed lawsuits challenging the Obama administration’s rule that their employees receive coverage for contraception in health insurance policies.

Co-operation, not conflict

22 May 2012 | Graeme Watson

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Co-operation, not conflict

The industrial relations system is overly focused on disputes at the expense of fostering fair and productive workplaces.

Sovereign wealth fund not a priority

22 May 2012 | Graham Bradley

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Sovereign wealth fund not a priority

It does not make sense to lock away funds when the nation is underinvested in infrastructure.

Australia’s Afghan aid under cloud

22 May 2012 | Jason Thomas

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Australia’s

The announcement by Afghanistan’s President, Hamid Karzai, that Afghan security forces will take the lead in a third of all provinces coincides with Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s opinion that Australian troops can withdraw by 2013, a year earlier than expected. This means AusAid must deliver programs without the protection of Australian forces.

Notebook: wealthy French flee to London

22 May 2012 | Der Spiegel

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 66 | NOTEBOOK Wealthy French flee to London

It began in 2010 when wealthy Greeks started coming to London to buy up expensive townhouses in upmarket neighbourhoods.

Qantas crunch time

22 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 64 | Qantas crunch time

It is well known that Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is a fan of good timing. Well an avid collector of old airline timetables, anyway.

Tanya late for chapel

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 64 | Tanya late for chapel

Plenty of Sydney luminaries showed up for the grand reopening of the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross last weekend, even if some were a little late to the party.

Defend or extend school tests

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 61 | Defend or extend tests

There were many good points in “Testing the NAPLAN divide” (May 19-20), but if we didn’t have NAPLAN tests how would ministers, parents, students know the literacy and numeracy levels of students?

World’s best treasurer passes buck

22 May 2012 | Zac Kerr

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 61 | World’s best treasurer passes buck

Katie Walsh’s “Push for corporate tax cut intensifies” (May 16) neatly highlights the unprecedented level of buck passing being undertaken by the federal government. Despite the world’s best Treasurer being ultimately in charge of our economy and particularly our system of taxation, his focus and energies appear to have been so severely depleted in delivering his recent “battling budget” that he has now offloaded responsibility for delivering his own promised business tax cuts.

Smart leadership moves will turn defeat in to rout

22 May 2012 | Bob Muirhead

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 61 | Smart leadership moves will turn defeat in to rout

If former senator John Black is actuallly serious “Revive Rudd or die on the vine” (Opinion, May 21) he demonstrates the backroom plotting and arrogant contempt for the electorate that has got Labor into its present mess. Labor seems destined for defeat at the election. Smart manoeuvres to change leaders for respectable defeat will simply turn that defeat into rout.

What Greece needs

22 May 2012 | J J Pincus

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 61 | What Greece needs

Alan Mitchell’s Economic Outlook (“German generosity required”, May 21) unfavourably compares Germany’s insistence on Greek austerity, with America’s unconditional Marshall Aid after World War II: “Where American politicians were prepared to use their taxpayers’ money to rebuild Germany, regardless of fault, Germany was not prepared to be so forgiving of the Greeks for their errors.”

Rebound a tribute to wishful thinking

22 May 2012 | Glenn Mumford

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Bounce a tribute to wishful thinking

It’s always tempting to play for the bounce. So after three weeks of selling, investors again seem willing to buy risk.

Wen gives higher priority to growth

22 May 2012 | Victoria Ruan

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Wen gives higher priority to growth

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the government would focus more on bolstering economic growth, indicating policies may be loosened further as inflation moderates.

How to deepen ties with Indonesia

22 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | How to deepen ties with Indonesia

Editorial | Relations between Australia and Indonesia will always be challenging given that no two neighbours are more dissimilar in so many ways.

eHealth to save $11bn for budget

22 May 2012 | David Ramli

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | eHealth to save $11 billion

The Federal Government has claimed its troubled electronic health programs will save more than $11 billion over the next 15 years as its guns for a budget surplus.

Strategists warn against $A optimism

22 May 2012 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 29 | Strategists warn on $A optimism

The Australian dollar managed to snap a six-day losing streak on Monday following the weekend’s Group of Eight summit, but strategists say the bump may be short-lived.

Pakistan restores Twitter after outcry

22 May 2012 | Salman Masood

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Pakistan restores Twitter after outcry

The Pakistani government blocked access to the social networking service Twitter for much of Sunday, after publicly holding Twitter responsible for promoting what it described as a blasphemous cartoon contest taking place on Facebook.

Former Chinese police chief faces treason charges

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 19 | Former police chief faces treason charges

The Chinese provincial police chief at the centre of the biggest political scandal to engulf the communist leadership in decades will be tried for treason.

Vietnam factories close as credit squeeze bites

22 May 2012 | Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Vietnam factories close as credit squeeze bites

Vietnamese businesses are dying by the thousands as the government tries to find a sustainable path to growth after years of easy credit funded makers of cheap goods and triggered Asia’s highest inflation.

Obama seeks commitments on Afghanistan

22 May 2012 | Margaret Talev

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Obama seeks commitments

President Barack Obama closed the NATO summit short of key commitments the US is seeking on Afghanistan, from Pakistan’s reopening of supply lines to guarantees by allies to keep combat troops there through 2014 and fund Afghan security forces for a decade after.

Supply lines deal with Pakistan falls through

22 May 2012 | Helene Cooper

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Supply lines deal with Pakistan falls through

President Obama was struggling to balance the United States’ relationship with two crucial but difficult allies on Sunday, after a deal to reopen supply lines through Pakistan to Afghanistan fell apart just as Mr. Obama began talks on ending the NATO alliance’s combat role in the Afghan war.

Serbs’ EU hopes dive as nationalist elected

22 May 2012 | Ian Traynor

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Serbs’ EU hopes dive

Serbia’s hopes of fast-track integration into Europe suffered a severe setback when Boris Tadic was voted out of the presidency in a victory for a more nationalist rival.

Merkel walks the tightrope to Brussels

22 May 2012 | Andrew McCathie

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Merkel walks the tightrope to Brussels

German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Brussels for a meeting with European leaders with her political authority facing one of its biggest tests since she emerged as leader of the region’s biggest economy.

Cameron tells Greeks it’s time to choose

22 May 2012 | Patrick Wintour

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Cameron to Greeks: time to choose

A second Greek election result next month backing parties opposed to the European Union’s bailout package would be a decisive vote to leave the euro for which contingency plans have to be made now, David Cameron warned in a dramatic raising of the stakes.

National briefs

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 |

A pathological gambling addict has lost his appeal to recover more than $20 million which he gambled away at Melbourne’s Crown Casino after alleging the casino deliberately encouraged him to indulge in his addiction.