Bring on TPP-11 or lose $15bn a year, says Minerals Council

Original article by Adam Creighton
The Australian – Page: 17 & 20 : 14-May-18

The Minerals Council of Australia has released the results of modelling which suggests that the Trans-Pacific Partnership will boost Australia’s GDP by about 0.54 per cent a year, which equates to $A15bn. CEO David Byers says the 11-nation trade deal will bolster jobs, wages, economic growth and consumer choice in Australia. Byers has downplayed the ACTU’s concerns that the TPP will prompt a surge in temporary skilled migrant numbers, and called on federal parliament to endorse it.

CORPORATES
MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP, ACTU, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION LIMITED, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Falling profits hit economy

Original article by Jacob Greber, Vesna Poljak
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 : 1-Sep-15

Company profits fell 1.9 per cent in the three months to June 2015, the fifth straight quarter of profit declines, prompting analysts to conclude the Australian economy is shrinking for the first time since the election of the Abbott Government. Despite fears new concerns about the economy could weigh heavily on investor sentiment, Treasurer Joe Hockey insisted there were positive signs and that the prospect of tax reform and the China free-trade agreement would lift spirits.

CORPORATES
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS, BLOOMBERG FINANCIAL SERVICES, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX

Stakes high as China FTA cut-off looms

Original article by Lisa Murray
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 28-Aug-15

Trade Minister Andrew Robb says he and his Chinese counterpart are racing to ratify the free trade agreement (FTA) by December 2015. Robb said he was reassuring Beijing following opposition to the FTA from Australian trade unions and the Australian Labor Party. The starting point is crucial, according to the National Farmers Federation, because the first year of tariff cuts is worth $A300 million to the agriculture industry.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, CHINA. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE. DEPT OF FOREIGN TRADE, NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, FERGUSON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD