Former MP Daryl Maguire tells ICAC he sought Gladys Berejiklian’s guidance on his debts

Original article by Michael McGowan
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 16-Oct-20

Disgraced former New South Wales Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has appeared before an Independent Commission Against Commission inquiry for a second day. Maguire told the inquiry that he had discussed a deal for the sale of land at Badgerys Creek in western Sydney with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, including the fact that his commission of about $1.5m would be sufficient to clear his debts. However, Maguire said he could not recall how much he had told Berejiklian about his debts. Maguire also admitted that he had assisted property developers to gain access to government ministers and public servants.

CORPORATES
NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, NEW SOUTH WALES. INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Qantas lodges JobKeeper appeal

Original article by David Marin-Guzman
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 15-Oct-20

Qantas will appeal the Federal Court’s recent ruling that the airline has misused the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. Lawyers have warned that the court’s ruling has implications for all businesses that pay employees in arrears. The Business Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business Organisations are among the employers’ groups that will lobby the federal government to fix the anomaly, which arises if a business has a different pay cycle to that of JobKeeper’s fortnightly pay cycle.

CORPORATES
QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, COUNCIL OF SMALL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

ABC indulged ‘activist agenda’, says V’landys

Original article by Kieran Gair
The Australian – Page: 7 : 15-Oct-20

Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys has given evidence in his defamation lawsuit against the ABC and one of its journalists. The case centres on a story that appeared on the ‘7.30’ current affairs program in October 2019; it featured an interview with V’landys that was spliced with graphic footage of retired racehorses being killed at a Queensland abattoir. V’landys claimed that the story "pandered to an activist agenda" and alleges that the ABC failed to make it clear that he has no jurisdiction over racehorses in Queensland. V’landys is seeking aggravated damages.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, RACING NSW

Future of refinery hangs in balance

Original article by Angela Macdonald-Smith
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 : 15-Oct-20

Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery in Victoria has posted a loss of $30m for the September quarter, following a loss of nearly $50m in the first half of 2020. Viva will seek to boost cash flow at the refinery by reducing or deferring non-essential spending at the plant. The federal government’s $2.5 billion fuel security package may be crucial to the future of the refinery. Viva will provide an update on the outlook for the plant in December.

CORPORATES
VIVA ENERGY GROUP LIMITED – ASX VEA

Berejiklian under pressure as former lover admits to cash for visas

Original article by Josh Butler
The New Daily – Page: Online : 15-Oct-20

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian is under growing pressure following the latest revelations at an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry. Disgraced former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has told the inquiry that he had used his office in Parliament House for private business dealings. This included receiving large cash payments as part of a ‘cash for visas’ scheme that was operated by G8way International. Maguire was not questioned about his relationship with Berejiklian on his first day of evidence; Berejiklian has reiterated that she had no knowledge of his business dealings.

CORPORATES
NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, NEW SOUTH WALES. INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Older workers face unemployment crisis exacerbated by JobMaker, experts warn

Original article by Stephen Long
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 15-Oct-20

Professor Marian Baird from the University of Sydney warns that the federal government’s JobMaker hiring credit scheme will encourage employers to ‘cherrypick’ younger unemployed people when recruiting new staff. She is also concerned that some employers will seek to replace older workers with people under the age of 35 in order to receive the subsidy. Professor Baird adds that the scheme could result in greater casualisation of the workforce, given that there is no obligation for people hired via the scheme to work for the same number of hours each week.

CORPORATES
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Give people their freedom back, Andrews told

Original article by Greg Brown, Richard Ferguson
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 15-Oct-20

Victoria recorded seven new coronavirus cases on 14 October, while the state’s death toll from the respiratory illness rose by five to 816. However, Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average of new cases has fallen to 9.6, and Premier Daniel Andrews has reiterated that there will be ‘significant’ changes to the state’s lockdown restrictions on 19 October, although they will not be as extensive as had been hoped. Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox has called for the restrictions to be eased, as have federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

We’ll give you more of Pilbara spoils: Rio

Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 7 : 15-Oct-20

Rio Tinto has committed to ensuring that indigenous peoples get a better deal under its revised land use agreements in the Pilbara. Rio Tinto has responded to the global condemnation over its destruction of ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge by vowing to ensure that traditional owners receive a greater share of the economic benefits arising from its iron ore projects in the region. Rio Tinto has also advised that it will reassess all of its activities that could potentially have an impact on indigenous heritage sites.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Nearly 2.5 million Australians using TikTok – up over 850,000 (+52.4%) during first half of 2020

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 15-Oct-20

The latest Roy Morgan data shows that nearly 2.5 million Australians are using TikTok in an average four weeks – equivalent to 10.5% of the population aged 6 years and older. TikTok has grown its user base by over 850,000 (+52.4%) during the first half of 2020 to be easily the fastest growing social media company in Australia this year in terms of user growth. TikTok has a predominantly female user base, with 1.5 million women and girls now using the popular site, up over 380,000 (+34.3%) since the second half of 2019. In comparison, 985,000 men and boys now use TikTok, up more than 470,000 (+91.6%), and with male use of the service now growing faster. TikTok is also far more popular among younger Australians. Over a quarter of Australians in the youngest Generation Alpha (28%) are now using TikTok – a total of 746,000 Young Australians. Generation Alpha comprises those born from 2006 until today. There is also a significant TikTok user base among the slightly older Generation Z (born 1991-2005) with over 1,040,000 Australians (20%) in this age group now using the new short video service.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, TIKTOK

Brisbane Roar is the most widely supported A-League club

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 15-Oct-20

The Brisbane Roar has topped the Roy Morgan A-League supporters’ ladder with 508,000 fans. Support for the Roar is up 32,000 (+6.7%) on a year ago. 2019-20 champions Sydney FC are second in fan support, on 495,000 supporters, which is unchanged on last year. Clubs along with Brisbane Roar to experience an increase in support include Perth Glory with 355,000 supporters (up 8.6%), Adelaide United with 337,000 (up 3.4%) and Melbourne City with 187,000 (up 8.7%). Newcomers Western United have attracted 25,000 supporters during their first season. Melbourne Victory is once again Victoria’s leading club, and ranks third nationally in terms of support, with 443,000 fans. This represents a decrease of 15,000 people year on year (down -3.3%), as the Victory experienced their worst season on record to finish in second-last position.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, THE A LEAGUE PTY LTD, BRISBANE ROAR FOOTBALL CLUB PTY LTD, PERTH GLORY SOCCER CLUB PTY LTD, ADELAIDE CITY SOCCER CLUB, MELBOURNE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB, WESTERN UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, MELBOURNE VICTORY FOOTBALL CLUB PTY LTD