Author: roymorgansocial

xLoner’s ideology of death

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Original article by Deborah Cornwall, Sascha O’Sullivan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 14-Aug-19

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says the man alleged to have murdered one woman and stabbed another during a bloody rampage in Sydney on 13 August had no apparent connections to terror groups. Mert Ney, who was carrying a butcher’s knife and shouting "Allahu akbar!" , was tackled by onlookers until police and emergency services could arrive. Fuller said information found in Ney’s possession suggested he had "ideologies relating to terrorism but he has no links to terrorism". Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the attack was "deeply concerning", while NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who is currently in London, said her thoughts were with all the victims and witnesses of "this horrific incident".

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence virtually unchanged at 115.5

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 14-Aug-19

ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence eased 0.3% to 115.5 in the week ending 11 August, consolidating at an above average level. Current finances were up by 2.6% for the week, while future finances gained 2.4%. The economic conditions sub-indices were down, with current economic conditions falling 4.3%, closing below its long-term average, while future economic conditions lost 0.3%. The ‘time to buy a major household item’ index fell 2.6%, while the four-week moving average for inflation expectations was stable at 4.0%.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Second NSW gas terminal critical

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Original article by Perry Williams
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 14-Aug-19

The New South Wales government is to give ‘critical status’ to a second proposed LNG import terminal for that state on 14 August. The $590 million gas plant on Newcastle’s Kooragang Island is being developed by South Korean company EPIK, and was proposed in December 2018. The first NSW LNG import terminal to be awarded ‘critical status’ is the Andrew Forrest-backed project at Port Kembla, which is due to become operational in late 2020. The EPIK terminal could be operational by 2022-23, and has the potential to supply up to 80 per cent of NSW’s gas needs.

CORPORATES
EPIK, AGL ENERGY LIMITED – ASX AGL

Banks rule OK on loan repayments as Westpac beats ASIC

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Original article by Andrew White
The Australian – Page: Online : 14-Aug-19

The Federal Court has dismissed claims by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission that Westpac had breached the responsible lending rules. ASIC’s case against Westpac had been closely observed by lenders, with the responsible lending rules being used by banks to determine a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. In rejecting ASIC’s case against Westpac, Justice Federal Court judge Nye Perram stated Westpac should not be automatically compelled to consider a borrower’s declared living expenses, and should be free to make use of spending benchmarks.

CORPORATES
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC

SUVs speed past passenger vehicles as the top choice of next new car purchase

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 14-Aug-19

New data from Roy Morgan shows that 825,000 (40%) Australians aged 14+ who are intending to purchase a new vehicle in the next four years plan on buying an SUV, making Sports Utility Vehicles the number one choice for Australians on the lookout for a new car. SUVs have enjoyed a persistent rise in popularity, especially over the past decade. In 2009, 19.3% of those intending on buying a new car indicated they would purchase an SUV. This figure has more than doubled to 40% of buyers as of May 2019. The increase in SUV popularity has come at the expense of passenger vehicles, which have declined from 59.8% in 2009 to 36% as of May 2019 – a drop of 23.8%. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says the increasing popularity of SUVs has been evident for many years, both in terms of the data and what we are seeing on our roads. She says it was only a matter of time before SUVs overtook passenger vehicles as the number one option among those intending to purchase a new car.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Morrison pledges $500m climate funds for Pacific

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Original article by Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 2 : 13-Aug-19

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is to announce a climate change package when he meets with leaders at the upcoming Pacific Island Forum. The package will provide $500 million over five years from 2020, with the money to be used on climate and disaster resilience and on renewable energy investment. The package announcement comes amid growing criticism of Australia’s domestic emission policies by Pacific leaders, with Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama saying on 12 August that Australia needs to quickly end its reliance on coal.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

It’s time to admit we are in an addictive relationship with technology

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Original article by Michael Tanner
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 12-Aug-19

There is increased awareness about the addictive nature of social media and technology, along with the emotional and psychological harm it can cause. Roy Morgan data indicates females aged 14 to 24 spend an average of 14 hours a week on social media, while the average for males in the same age bracket is nine hours. Australia is the middle of a significant mental health crisis, with depression and anxiety at "sky-high" levels and suicide being the biggest cause of death in Australians aged 15-44. Although all this cannot be blamed on social media and technology, there is no doubt it is a significant contributing factor.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Billions for big projects must roll on

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Original article by Michael Roddan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 13-Aug-19

Infrastructure Australia’s latest audit has stated that the current boom in infrastructure spending needs to be maintained over the next 15 years if living standards are to be maintained. Infrastructure Australia states the annual cost of road congestion is tipped to grow by $18.9 billion to $38.8 billion in just over a decade without additional investment, while it states energy prices have risen 50 per cent since its last audit, which was undertaken in 2015. Australia’s population is expected to increase to 31.4 million over the next 15 years, but Infrastructure Australia says spending in major cities like Sydney and Brisbane is not keeping pace with population growth, particularly in outer suburbs.

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INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

Unionist in bogus safety campaign

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 2 : 13-Aug-19

A CFMEU official has been found to have engaged in unorganised unlawful industrial action, coercion and adverse action against crane company Red Cranes. Federal Circuit Court judge Robert Cameron has found that Tony Sloane orchestrated a sham safety campaign against the company after it terminated the employment of a union delegate after he suffered a series of knee injuries that Red Cranes felt posed a safety risk. Cameron’s findings against Sloane followed legal action by the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MARITIME, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT OF AUSTRALIA, RED CRANES, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION

JB Hi-Fi bucks trend, lifts sales and profit

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Original article by Sue Mitchell
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 16 : 13-Aug-19

JB Hi-Fi released its results for the 12 months ending June on 12 August, with Australia’s largest consumer electronics retailer reporting a net profit of $249.8 million, up 7.1 per cent. Sales rose by 3.5 per cent to $7.09 billion, while JB Hi-Fi declared a final dividend of $0.51 per share, bringing its total dividends for the year to $1.42. CEO Richard Murray says he is "cautiously optimistic" about the coming year, while he is forecasting sales of around $7.25 billion for 2019-20.

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JB HI-FI LIMITED – ASX JBH