Business - Top Stories
Investors launch class action on Fincorp collapse
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Investors who lost more than $200-million in the collapse of Fincorp are taking legal action against a company set up to protect their funds.
Coal prices forecast to fall
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The Queensland Resources Council says it is not surprised by forecasts of lower coal prices next year.
Babcock and Brown to resume trading
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Troubled investment bank Babcock and Brown says it will resume trading on the Australian share market today after its bankers agreed to loan the company extra money.
Qantas told not to forget 'birthplace'
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A western Queensland Mayor says it is important Qantas does not forget its outback origins if a merger with British Airways goes ahead.
Warning on wool price
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The Tasmanian pastoral company Roberts is warning farmers will move away from wool production, unless prices improve.
NZ's Reserve Bank slashes rates
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The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has made a record cut to its benchmark interest rate, slashing the official cash rate by 1.5 percentage points.
Gov't to set up 'independent' inquiry into gas explosion
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The West Australian Government says it will conduct a third, independent, inquiry into an explosion at Apache Energy's gas processing plant on Varanus Island.
No takers for Super pay packet
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The New South Wales Government has removed the salary cap for the chief executive of State Super after failing to find any takers for the $428,000-a-year position.
Minister says wait and see on new transport plan
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The Transport Minister Tim Pallas is refusing to confirm details of the plan but says it will bigger than any investment the state has seen.
Business confidence slumps in Qld
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A survey has found business confidence in Queensland has plummeted over the past three months to less than half the level recorded at the same time last year.
Forestry defends price for pulp mill wood
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Forestry Tasmania insists it's getting a fair price for the wood promised to Gunns' proposed pulp mill, despite the supply deal never going to tender.
Landlords urged to drop 'no pets' policy
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Animal welfare groups say owners are being forced to abandon their pets in increasing numbers because of housing trends.
No final decision on 'infrastructure bank': Swan
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Wayne Swan keeps options open on "infrastructure bank" for the states and territories.
Macfarlane praises banks for crisis handling
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Former Reserve Bank governor Ian Macfarlane says Australia is coping well with the global credit crisis.
Small, medium business confidence hits new low
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A survey shows confidence among small and medium businesses has hit a new low.
US market stages late rally
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Wall Street endured another topsy-survy session overnight, with the market rising then falling on more bad economic news and corporate outlooks.
Business confidence lowest in 11 years: survey
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A new survey released today shows business confidence in Canberra has plummeted in the last three months.
Fewer visits to GPs as economy slows
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Economists say there is evidence that Australians are cutting back on trips to the doctor as the economy slows.
Queen addresses Britain's financial crisis
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The Queen has unveiled the British Government's legislative program for the next year under the shadow of a looming recession.
Protestors deny intimidation
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Forestry Tasmania has accused anti-logging protesters of intimidating a staff member at its Hobart office.
Oil prices slide under $US45 per barrel
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Oil prices tumbled under $US45 to reach their lowest level since February 2005 after more weak US economic data sparked concern about slowing global energy demand.
Oppn demands answers on infrastructure funding
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The Opposition is demanding answers about the Federal Government's plans to fund infrastructure projects.
'Wafer thin' economic growth staving off recession
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Economists say there is little margin for error in preventing the economy from heading backwards.
Russian state bank asks for $50b handout
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Russian state bank VEB has asked the Government for an additional 950 billion rubles ($53 billion) to shore up its cash reserves, Vedomosti business daily reported.
$48m train upgrade to benefit disabled passengers
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The Queensland Government says upgrades to south-east Queensland's trains will make public transport easier for people with disabilities.
