Independents could have their day at poll
CANBERRA, AAP – Candidates outside the major parties are hoping for a bigger slice of the political pie at the May 21 federal election. And with a tight race forecast, independents could be a crucial factor in determining who gains power. The coalition holds 76 seats in the House of Representatives, the bare minimum for…
US stocks close lower as bond yields climb
NEW YORK, RAW – The S&P and the Nasdaq have closed lower at the end of a holiday-shortened week as bond yields resumed their uphill climb and investors contended with mixed earnings and economic data. All three major US stock indexes posted weekly losses on Thursday ahead of the Good Friday holiday. “It’s a combination…
Legal experts back public federal ICAC
CANBERRA, AAP – Integrity experts have backed a public model of a federal corruption watchdog as the prime minister ditches his promise to establish one. Scott Morrison said a federal watchdog hosting public hearings would become a “kangaroo court” that would tarnish people’s reputations. But top silks say a federal model would be ineffective without…
Election focus needed on older Australians
CANBERRA, AAP – The peak body for older Australians has urged whoever wins the May 21 election to take a whole of government approach to tackle issues faced by older Australians. The Council of the Ageing Australia says it has never been more important to engage with older people as the population continues to age….
Labour headaches as WA jobless rate falls
PERTH, AAP – Western Australia will ramp up efforts to address labour shortages that have imperilled the construction industry as unemployment hits a near-record low. The state’s jobless rate in March fell to a nation-low 3.4 per cent, the lowest level in 14 years. WA accounted for more than 40 per cent of all jobs…
Aust shares close 0.6 pct higher
SYDNEY, AAP – The Australian share market has notched up solid gains before the Easter long weekend thanks to a continuing rally in commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ended 44.4 points, or 0.59 per cent, higher to 7523.4 on Thursday. It was up 0.6 per cent over the shortened trading week. The index is…
Scorecard out as farmers eye carbon change
CANBERRA, AAP – The first carbon farming scorecard has backed Australia’s “world leading” use of fields and forests to reduce emissions. Corporate commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner have created demand for carbon credits earned from certified projects, both as a way to meet targets and as a financial asset. But…
Labor seeks to relieve rent price pressure
A Labor government will seek to increase the supply of housing to take pressure off rising rents. The Community Housing Industry Association says people are being priced out of the market with rent prices outstripping wages. Even after receiving rent assistance almost half of renters were still in housing stress. Labor leader Anthony Albanese says…
The dynamic in the US rates market is helping equities
MARKETS US Equities rallied back despite the hotter PPI print, a cautious tone on the economy struck by JPM’s Dimon, and the hardline zero-Covid stance taken by China. The dynamic in the rates market is helping equities overnight, with the US 10y yield retreating as investors’ second read on the US CPI details hints that…
Broad gains push ASX higher at noon
SYDNEY, AAP – The Australian share market has traded firmly higher, buoyed by overnight gains on Wall Street and continuing strength in commodity prices that have boosted heavyweight mining and energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 42.1 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 7521.1 by 1200 AEST on Thursday. The All Ordinaries index…
