Author: roymorgansocial

We did as we were asked, says PM on Voice

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 15-Oct-24

Speaking a year to the day that the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum was soundly defeated, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the result as a "disappointing result" but a collective loss. Albanese said that in bringing on the referendum that he was simply honouring an invitation by Indigenous Australians in 2017 to "walk with them in the Uluru Statement from the Heart". Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had promised prior to the Voice referendum that he would hold a referendum next year to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution if he wins the federal election. He dumped his promise after the Voice referendum, and Albanese on Monday dared Dutton to make good on his promise if he is elected.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

ALP under fire over small business review

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 4 : 15-Oct-24

Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry CEO Andrew McKellar has defended its call for the federal government to change the legal definition of a small business. He contends that the push to change this from 15 employees to 25 is not aimed at undermining the rights of workers. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia supports the ACCI’s push, says CEO Luke Achterstraat. He adds that the government’s refusal to consider the proposal has undermined the Fair Work Ombudsman’s own review of the definition of a small business; Labor had commissioned this to secure the support of independent senator David Pocock for its workplace reforms.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, COUNCIL OF SMALL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Roy Morgan Poll: Federal voting intention remains tied in mid-October: Coalition 50% cf. ALP 50%

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 15-Oct-24

If a Federal Election were held now the result would be ‘too close to call’ with the ALP 50% (unchanged) tied with the Coalition 50% (unchanged) on a two-party preferred basis, the latest Roy Morgan survey finds. This week’s result continues a run of close results stretching back over four months since mid-June. ALP primary vote support dropped 1.5% points to 30% while the Coalition was unchanged on 37.5%. Support for the Greens increased 1.5% to 14% while One Nation increased 0.5% to 5.5%. Support for Other Parties dropped 0.5% to 3.5% and support for Independents was unchanged at 9%.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, MORGAN POLL, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, ONE NATION PARTY

Labor to ban debit card surcharges

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Original article by James Eyers, Lucas Baird, John Kehoe
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 18 : 15-Oct-24

The Reserve Bank of Australia will launch a review of payment costs for retailers, with the announcement of its review coming as the federal government flags its intention to ban debit card surcharges. A ban on these surcharges would impact many retailers, who currently pass them on to consumers; it is estimated that consumers are paying $1.5 billion annually on debit and credit card surcharges. The ban could be implemented from the start of January 2026, subject to consulation with the RBA, while the government will give the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission an additional $2.1 million to crack down on excessive surcharge fees.

CORPORATES
RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION

Burke to sign off on every Gazan refugee granted new humanitarian visa

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Original article by Natassia Chrysanthos
Brisbane Times – Page: Online : 15-Oct-24

The federal government’s pathway for Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza does not yet offer the chance of permanent residency, with Gazan refugees to be personally invited by Immigration Minister Tony Burke to apply for a temporary three-year humanitarian visa. The government’s approach to Gazan refugees is not as generous as the one adopted by the former Coalition government to Ukrainian refugees, while there could be the opportunity for Gazan refugees to apply for permanent residency as their temporary humanitarian visa comes to its end.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HOME AFFAIRS

Bat with bite puts end to ore plan

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Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 6 : 15-Oct-24

Rio Tinto has advised that it will not proceed with the Giles Mini iron ore mine, which was to be part of the broader Rhodes Ridge project in the Pilbara. Rio Tinto and its partners in Giles Mini have withdrawn their application to develop the deposit due to concerns about its impact on the habitat of the ghost bat, which is classified as a vulnerable species. However, the Rhodes Ridge project will still go ahead, despite also being home to a sub-population of the carnivorous ghost bat.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Farmers turn towards Indian trade as an antidote to China

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Original article by Charlie Peel
The Australian – Page: 5 : 15-Oct-24

It has been revealed that Australian agricultural exports to India have risen from $1.08 billion to $1.77 billion since the Australia-India Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement came into effect in 2023. The 50 per cent increase has encouraged Australian farmers to look at India as a long-term alternative market to China, with exporters mindful of the punishing trade restrictions that China imposed on commodities such as lobsters and beef in 2020, while products like chickpeas and lentils, oils and fruits are seen as the best opportunity for Australian farmers when it comes to exporting to India

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The half trillion-dollar stimulus we didn’t know about

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Original article by Shane Wright
The Age – Page: Online : 15-Oct-24

A series of reviews by the Reserve Bank of Australia into its policies during the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed details of a half trillion-dollar stimulus that many were not aware of. It has prompted the question of whether the stimulus, in combination with record low interest rates and government assistance, help cause the inflation problem that prompted the RBA to instigate a series of interest rate increases. A further question prompted by the RBA’s reviews is why Australians governments are yet to examine the merits of their pandemic policies.

CORPORATES
RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Nine exec quits before cultural review hits

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Original article by Sophie Elsworth
The Australian – Page: 3 : 15-Oct-24

Nine Entertainment has lost another executive, with the departure of its director of communications and public relations, Victoria Buchan. Interim CEO Matt Stanton has indicated that her exit was by mutual agreement as part of a restructuring of the media group’s leadership team. Buchan’s departure is not believed to be linked to the upcoming release of the findings of an independent review of Nine’s workplace culture. The review was sparked by the exit of Darren Wick, the former director of news and current affairs; Buchan is said to have been close to Wick, who had been accused of inappropriate conduct.

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NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC

Australia falling behind as global LNG producer

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Original article by Colin Packham
The Australian – Page: 13 & 16 : 15-Oct-24

ConocoPhillips Australia’s president Jan-Arne Johansen has warned that the nation’s status as one of the world’s biggest exports of LNG is under threat. He notes that both the US and Qatar are ramping up their LNG exports, while Australia’s investment in the sector is falling behind. Johansen adds that the nation’s fiscal, regulatory and project approval regimes must be internationally competitive if it is to attract the investment capital that is needed for the LNG sector. He notes that Australia has sufficient gas resources to supply the domestic and export markets.

CORPORATES
CONOCOPHILLIPS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD