Sony’s Vita faces smartphone battle
Technology giant Sony will today launch its handheld video game device, the PlayStation Vita. But analysts warn the device will struggle against popular smartphones games such as Angry Birds.
Gillard puts leadership on line
Updated | Prime Minister Julia Gillard has put her leadership on the line by calling a ballot for 10am Monday morning to decide who will lead the Labor Party following Kevin Rudd’s dramatic resignation as foreign minister.
- Rudd makes pitch for power
- Labor tears itself apart
- Policy uncertainty a worry
- Opinion | Revenge-fuelled and clinging to Kevin ’07
- Tingle | The People’s Prince rides once again
- Opinion | You want Rudd back? Why?
- Editorial | Time to end the uncertainty
- Treasurer attacks ‘selfish’ Rudd
- Kitney | Electoral reality hits Gillard hard
Fitting stage for Rudd manoeuvres
The Willard Hotel two blocks east of the White House has been an institution in Washington since Thomas Jefferson handed the presidency to James Madison in 1809, though the current spectacular beaux arts building on the site went up only in 1901.
Our future’s on the line: mining towns
Business owners and medical professionals have warned that mining companies relying solely on fly in, fly out workers could risk the future of mining towns such as Moranbah in central Queensland.
Mission into Asia: Emerson’s trade crusade
It was no surprise to anyone that one of the first cabinet ministers to come out fighting in defence of Julia Gillard’s leadership was Trade Minister Craig Emerson.
China sends positive signal on free trade
China has signalled for the first time that it could be willing to open its markets to Australian farm products, a move which could clear the way for a long-delayed Free Trade Agreement.
Virginia class expands Australia’s options
The US has in the past been keen for Australia to operate diesel-electric submarines, particularly as it refused to export its nuclear-powered subs, but Australia now has a chance to review its options.
Libs would look at nuclear subs option
A US admission it would be willing to sell or lease nuclear submarines to Australia has prompted a pledge from the Coalition that an Abbott government would consider going nuclear to replace the Collins class fleet.
PM rejects Barnett’s attack on schools reforms
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed West Australian Premier Colin Barnett’s claims the Gonski review of school funding is a federal attempt to take over state-run schools.
Clusters of consultants – and more to come
Sometimes it takes a 175-page report containing a John F. Kennedy quote to tell a government it is drowning in reports.
NSW may adopt WA’s future fund plan
The NSW government may consider setting up a future fund to better manage the state’s finances.
NSW rejects tax reform call
The NSW government has rejected recommendations for tax reforms and asset sales in an audit it commissioned from former Treasury head Michael Lambert.
Cartoon gallery | Rod Clement
News, business and politics through the eyes of Financial Review cartoonist Rod Clement.
Mission into Asia: Emerson’s trade crusade
It was no surprise to anyone that one of the first cabinet ministers to come out fighting in defence of Julia Gillard’s leadership was Trade Minister Craig Emerson.
Do or die: Labor sets surplus in stone
Treasurer Wayne Swan went into the House of Reps at 10am yesterday to give Parliament an update on the global economy.
Gonski: beyond the spin
Christopher Pyne is right when he says the highest priorities in education are teaching, curriculums and more independent school management.
Hard lessons in quality teaching
The education challenge has shifted to quality of teaching, not quantity of funding, just days before the Gonski report is due.
Economy
Mission into Asia: Emerson’s trade crusade
It was no surprise to anyone that one of the first cabinet ministers to come out fighting in defence of Julia Gillard’s leadership was Trade Minister Craig Emerson.
China sends positive signal on free trade
China has signalled for the first time that it could be willing to open its markets to Australian farm products, a move which could clear the way for a long-delayed Free Trade Agreement.
Politics
Rudd makes pitch for power
Kevin Rudd has stopped just short of declaring himself a contender for the prime ministership, saying in Washington that he doesn’t think Julia Gillard can lead Labor to victory over Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in the next election.
Gillard puts leadership on line
Updated | Prime Minister Julia Gillard has put her leadership on the line by calling a ballot for 10am Monday morning to decide who will lead the Labor Party following Kevin Rudd’s dramatic resignation as foreign minister.
Education
End the reform inertia
The hardest thing to achieve in politics is system-wide change. Too often legislative measures presented as significant reforms achieve little.
Gonski disappoints on funding argument
The Gonski report on the Review of School Funding suggests a school resource standard be set by using the performance of high performing schools to determine future government funding levels.
Legal Affairs
Lawyers cash in on Canberra
A quick look at federal government tenders won by law firms in the past six months gives a window into the sorts of plum contracts national firms can win.
Floated firms cast lawyers adrift
For a senior lawyer at a firm which had floated, the prospect of ultimate ownership will have been extinguished, replaced by a salary, forever.
Workspace
Special touches help a workplace snap, crackle and pop
Whether it’s unchaining workers from their desks of creating offices staff never want to leave, different organisations have different priorities when it comes to creating workplaces of the future.
The problem with personality tests
The workplace search for consistent personality traits has been strikingly unsuccessful.
Arts & Saleroom
Rural fair medals are prized buys
The National Museum of Australia has been a big buyer of medals – those given as prizes at rural fairs.
Arts briefs
Thirty investors ploughed $3.75 million into the Art and Investment Trust before its trustee was put into voluntary administration in December. But according to the administrators, the book value of the artworks in the trust is only $2.55 million.
Government Business
PPPs can still be a perfect infrastructure match
The shrill response of some commentators to PPPs has revived a debate about the proper role of the private sector in delivering Australia’s infrastructure backlog.
PPP model needs better approach to risk sharing
Editorial | A major factor in failures in infrastructure involving private sector parties, including Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel, and Brisbane’s Rivercity Motorway, remains government greed.
Professional Services
Day’s work isn’t what it used to be
Greater workplace flexibility was not only about improving company performance, it was also about giving employees what they wanted, says Westpac boss Gail Kelly.
LinkedIn has ‘aggressive’ growth plan
Professional networking site LinkedIn plans a big push in 2012 to expand the tools it is offering business searching for the right employment candidate.
