Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 26-Aug-15
Former Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson has criticised politicians for failing to warn Australians about tough times ahead. The lack of leadership is evident as politics is dominated by slogans. The short-term opportunism and complacency of the political elite make Australia ill prepared for future challenges.
CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Morgan Poll Update – Page: Online : 25-Aug-15
A Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention, which was carried out on 15-16 and 22-23 August 2015, has found that support for Australia’s ruling Liberal-National Coalition jumped to 45.5 per cent (up 2.5 per cent), compared with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) 54.5 per cent (down 2.5 per cent) following extensive union attacks on the credibility of Trade Union Royal Commission head Justice Dyson Heydon and following key Government announcements on policies involving climate change and same-sex marriage. However, if a Federal Election were held now the ALP would still win easily. Primary support for the Coalition has increased to 38.5 per cent (up two per cent) while ALP support is down one per cent to 36 per cent. Support for the Greens has fallen to 14 per cent (down 1.5 per cent), Palmer United Party 1.5 per cent (up 0.5 per cent), Katter’s Australian Party 1.5 per cent (unchanged), while Independents/ Others were 8.5 per cent (unchanged). Gary Morgan, executive chairman of Roy Morgan Research, says the Morgan Poll shows the attacks by the unions on the credibility of Heydon have had little impact on Australian electors.
CORPORATES
MORGAN POLL, ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, PALMER UNITED PARTY, KATTER’S AUSTRALIAN PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TRADE UNION GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION
Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1&8 : 17-Aug-15
The latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll shows that the Australian Opposition is ahead of the Coalition by 54 per cent to 46 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. The poll was conducted on 13-15 August 2015. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s approval rating increased four points to 39 per cent. Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s approval rating declined a point to 35 per cent.
CORPORATES
FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, IPSOS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TRADE UNION GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION, AUSTRALIA. ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPT, AUSTRALIAN GREENS
Original article by Ben Potter, Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 17-Aug-15
The latest Fairfax/Ipsos poll suggests that voters would like the Australian Government to be bolder in its emissions policy. The poll shows that the Government’s new target of reducing greenhouse emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 is considered as too low. Only seven per cent of voters believe the government displays excessive zeal in its response to climate change, while 58 per cent of voters believe the government is not doing enough.
CORPORATES
FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, IPSOS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY
Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 12-Aug-15
Boral CEO Mike Kane has met with Senate crossbenchers to persuade them to support the legislation that reinstates the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC). The Senate will vote on the ABCC bill in mid-August 2015. Australian Mines & Metals Association CEO Steve Knott urged crossbenchers to support the bill.
CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, BORAL LIMITED – ASX BLD, AUSTRALIAN MINES AND METALS ASSOCIATION (INCORPORATED), AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Original article by Phillip Coorey, Laura Tingle
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1&8 : 12-Aug-15
A special meeting of Coalition MPs and senators, held on 11 August 2015, was devoted to the divisive issue of gay marriage. The proposal to introduce same-sex marriage through legislative changes was defeated by 66 votes to 33. Prime Minster Tony Abbott said the issue will be considered again in the next term of Parliament. His preferred option is a referendum which would allow the public to decide on gay marriage.
CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA
Original article by Laura Tingle
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 10-Aug-15
The Australian federal cabinet will meet on 10 August 2015 to discuss the emissions target. The cabinet is likely to endorse a reduction in Australian carbon emissions by between 15 and 25 per cent by 2030. The Climate Change Authority recommended a much higher target, but Prime Minister Tony Abbott argued that a "practical approach" was more appropriate.
CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, CLIMATE INSTITUTE (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Original article by Ewin Hannan, Patrick Durkin
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1&7 : 7-Aug-15
Former ACTU assistant secretary Tim Lyons dismisses comparisons between the WorkChoices regime and the Productivity Commission’s recommendations on industrial relations reform. The proposed reforms have been criticised by unions and the Australian Labor Party, but Lyons warns that younger workers in particular are unlikely to be swayed by any campaign linking the recommendations to WorkChoices. The proposed reforms have been welcomed by business leader Tony Shepherd.
CORPORATES
ACTU, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, 3AW SOUTHERN CROSS RADIO PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, PER CAPITA AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Original article by Mark Ludlow
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 6-Aug-15
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has accused environmental activists of using litigation as often as possible to obstruct the approval process for mining projects. On 5 August 2015, the Federal Court of Australia set aside environmental approval for the Carmichael coal mine project in Queensland, to be developed by Indian company Adani. The litigant, the Mackay Conservation Group, is confident that the mine will not be built, but Hunt has vowed to issue a new approval as quickly as possible.
CORPORATES
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, ADANI MINING PTY LTD, MACKAY CONSERVATION GROUP INCORPORATED, QUEENSLAND. DEPT OF MINES AND ENERGY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 5-Aug-15
The Australian Government’s cabinet ministers have endorsed a proposal to add a so-called "effects test" to the Competition and Consumer Act. The reform was one of 56 recommendations made by the Harper review of competition laws, and is supported by the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. However, the Business Council of Australia maintains that an effects test would adversely affect competition and make companies more vulnerable to litigation.
CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, THE AVALON, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
