Heather Ridout
News and interviews on Heather Ridout including trends, features, blogs and community conversations from an Australian business perspective.
Coalition considers introducing six months of parental leaveTuesday, 09 February 2010
The Coalition will consider introducing six months' paid parental leave if it wins the next Federal election later this year, according to reports. ...
Key business group slams new R&D tax concession proposals
Monday, 08 February 2010
The Australian Industry Group has hit out at the Government's proposed changes to the research and development tax concession, saying they would stifle innovation and place the country further behind other developed nations. ...
Industry groups, Government to intervene in Wooloworths Fair Work fight
Thursday, 04 February 2010
The Federal Government, the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will intervene and support Woolworths in its appeal against a Fair Work Australia decision to reject a workplace agreement between the supermarket giant ...
Services sector contracts in January, Kraft shareholders approve Cadbury deal: Economy Roundup
Wednesday, 03 February 2010
The Australian services sector has contracted during January for the first time in four months, according to a private index, with activity down in all states except Western Australia. ...
Interest rate confusion as shock fall in job ads overshadows rise in inflation gauge: Economy Roundup
Monday, 01 February 2010
Mixed economic signals have put doubt on whether the RBA will go ahead with tomorrow's widely anticipated interest rate rise. While a private gauge of inflation rose in January to levels that would worry the RBA, a shock fall in jobs advertisements will give ...
NAB prepares Northern Rock takeover, Manufacturing sector slides: Economy Roundup
Monday, 04 January 2010
National Australia Bank is reportedly preparing to takeover nationalised British lender Northern Rock, according to The Observer. ...
Productivity Commission backs down on “two strikes and you’re out” rules on executive pay
Monday, 04 January 2010
The Productivity Commission has backed down on its controversial recommendation that companies would automatically be forced to hold a spill of all board positions following two successive protest votes against a company's executive pay policies. ...
Nathan Rees set to face leadership challenge, retail sales up 0.3%: Economy roundup
Thursday, 03 December 2009
New South Wales premier Nathan Rees has said he may not hold his position by the end of the day, but intends to improve his performance despite the challenge. ...
Economists tip another rate rise in February as Westpac jacks up mortgage rates by 0.45%
Wednesday, 02 December 2009
Economists are tipping up to five interest rate rises in 2010 as Westpac has been heavily criticised by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan after it increased mortgage rates by 45 basis points, despite the Reserve Bank only increasing the official cash rate by 25 ...
Dubai debt fears continue, Building approvals fall: Economy Roundup
Tuesday, 01 December 2009
Investors' fears over mounting debt in Dubai have been exacerbated by an announcement from the state's government which says it is not responsible for the debts of Dubai World. ...
Retail sales down, building approvals up: Economy Roundup
Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Retail sales fell 0.2% in seasonally adjusted terms during September, but the first home buyers grant continues to help the housing market, with building approvals up 2.7%. ...
Government forecasts 1.5% GDP growth in 2010: Economy Roundup
Monday, 02 November 2009
The Australian economy will grow by 1.5% during 2010 and 2.75% during 2011, with unemployment set to peak at 6.75%, according to the Federal Government's mid-year budget outlook. ...
Business cuts back on training and hours in bid to hang onto staff
Thursday, 29 October 2009
A new survey by the Australian Industry Group has revealed that a third of companies are planning to cut their training budgets in the next 12 months, as entrepreneurs fight to hang onto staff ahead of a new skills crisis. ...
Australian dollar disaster: Kohler
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
The strong Australian dollar is a disaster for Australian manufacturing, and persistent credit restrictions are likely to depress engineering and construction for years. ...
Australian dollar disaster: Kohler
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
The strong Australian dollar is a disaster for Australian manufacturing, and persistent credit restrictions are likely to depress engineering and construction for years. ...
Business slams rate rise, but there are more on the way
Wednesday, 07 October 2009
Business groups have strongly criticised the Reserve Bank's decision to increase the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.25%, saying Australia's economic recovery remains fragile. ...
Services sector improves, Babcock & Brown to launch capital raising, Shares open flat: Economy Roundup
Monday, 05 October 2009
Activity in the Australian services sector has contracted at its slowest pace in a quarter during September, according to the latest Australian Industry Group/Commonwealth Bank Performance of Service Index. ...
Australians hit most by financial crisis, US Fed to raise rates in fear of inflation: Economy Roundup
Thursday, 01 October 2009
Australian manufacturing activity has rebounded to a 21-month high in September bringing hope for unemployment figures, a private index has revealed. ...
Union set to step up industrial action over flexibility clauses
Monday, 21 September 2009
The Victorian manufacturing sector looms as a flashpoint in the latest battles between employers and workers under the Rudd Government's new Fair Work industrial relations regime. ...
Services sector continues to improve, Shares slip: Economy Roundup
Thursday, 03 September 2009
The rate of contraction in the services sector slowed during August, according to the latest results from the Australian Industry Group-Commonwealth Bank performance of services index. ...
