policy
How do Australian executives feel about the current business climate? [PODCAST]
Barry Westhorpe is Chief Executive of The CEO Institute – Victoria, a leading networking group for senior executives. In this podcast, Westhorpe explains the results of a recent report released by the institute on CEO confidence levels in Australia. While news has been good for the financial and service sectors, business sentiment is turning pessimistic due to uncertainty in overseas markets and in Government policy on SMEs.
The politics of the carbon tax: will compensation make a difference?
In this podcast, Sinclair Davidson presents his take on how the carbon tax could impact the economy. He characterises the tax as a ploy designed to change behaviour rather than generate revenue and questions the Government’s proposed compensation to offset cost of living increases.
Wayne Swan’s banking reforms: a look at what’s on the agenda
In this podcast, Leon and Garry talk about Treasurer Wayne Swan’s raft of bank reforms while the Senate economics committee has hearings into the banking business, Australia’s super system is to be manipulated, new figures show that despite the mining boom, the real economy is struggling with vehicle sales down, personal credit shrinking, dwelling commencements falling, low business confidence and more businesses expected to call in corporate undertakers and consumer confidence edges up.
Assistant Treasurer Shorten: “We are committed to banking competition”
In this interview, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten reaffirms the Government’s vision for encouraging greater banking competition. He explains the plan for supporting a so-called ‘fifth pillar’ of non-bank lenders and addresses the role of superannuation funds in achieving a budget surplus.
Your chance to tell the NSW Government what you really think.
This question was presented with an offer to voice my views and suggestions at the next SBDC board meeting on Thursday 21 September. Now, as many Anthill readers probably know, I’m not based in NSW. So, I don’t feel qualified to answer. But I do know that close to 40% of Anthill readers do live in NSW. As such, I’m turning the question to you. If you have a suggestion for the SBDC, this is your chance to tell the PTBs (powers-that-be) what you think.
World’s economic malaise gut-punches Australian R&D as new bill gets tabled
Australian companies continue to increase their investment in research and development, but the growth rate has dropped dramatically, according to figures from the national Bureau of Statistics. This coincides with amendments to the Governments R&D tax credit bill.
Being the world’s quary is not enough, says Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr
There has been much misguided speculation recently about Australia’s mining boom and what it means for the broader national economy and manufacturing. Some have portrayed the mining sector as an insatiable beast. A beast whose demand for resources, labour and capital must be fed – whatever the consequences for the rest of the economy.
Gov 2.0: What the next Government means for IT innovators
While the future shape of Government in Australia is still undecided, sufficient trends are emerging to enable IT managers to undertake some reasonable scenario planning. This is certainly not a time to sit around waiting for an answer, as the news is not all bad for government IT.
One billion investment in Queensland innovation
In an effort to inject new life into Queensland’s economy, the Queensland State Government has partnered with Zernike Group to create the Brisbane Technology Park, part of the state government’s Smart State Strategy.
IT and the Australian election: heads you lose, tails you don’t win
Even though Australia enjoys an excellent budgetary position by world standards, fiscal policy has been a big issue for the current federal election. In a tight election, each party argued hard that their policies would deliver the biggest budget surplus over the next three years. However, when this year’s historic post-election dramas are over, the winner will be faced with the challenge of some serious belt-tightening if it is to deliver on promises. Whichever party wins, the next three years will herald another period of efficiency drives and cuts.
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