Graham Bradley

Hardie ruling leaves directors in the dark

PRINT: Capital | 04 May 2012

Comment | The High Court’s James Hardie decision provides little insight on the core responsibilities of directors.

Hardie decision a turn-off for directors

03 May 2012 | James Eyers

Company directors have warned the increasing level of risk and personal liability facing directors means they are likely to become more selective about the types of boards they are willing to sit on.

Dow hits 4-year high after upbeat manufacturing data

02 May 2012 | Brendon Lau

Before the Bell | An unexpected surge in US manufacturing activity has renewed investor optimism and driven the Dow to its highest since late 2007 ■ Dow up 0.5pc ■ SPI up 20pts ■ $A steady at $1.0327.

Bradley on board at TRUenergy

02 May 2012 | Kevin Chinnery

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Bradley on board at TRUenergy

Power generator and retailer TRUenergy now looks more likely to start life as a listed company with an independent Australian director at the helm as chairman.

Quinn determined to stay on for three years

24 April 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 44 | Quinn determined to stay on for three years

Stockland’s managing director, Matthew Quinn, has insisted he will remain at the helm for the next three years, quashing rumours the head of the country’s largest developer has been planning his exit.

Big pay cut for Stockland’s Quinn

19 April 2012 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Stockland’s Quinn takes a big pay cut

Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn will take home a lot less pay this year following a restructure of the company’s remuneration policy.

Brows raised as Quinn takes on 3 more years

17 April 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Brows raised as Quinn takes on 3 more years

Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn has committed to another three years at the helm despite mounting dissatisfaction with his performance from a number of institutional investors.

SingTel takes on the techs

14 April 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 64 | SingTel takes on the techs

The world of technology and telecommunications is littered with once great companies that never realised they were doomed until it was too late. Chua Sook Kuong and her executive team at Singapore Telecommunications do not want to join that less-than-elite club.

Qantas’ Virgin protest rejected

22 March 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 31 | Qantas’ Virgin protest rejected

A bid by Qantas to force a “comprehensive public review” of Virgin Australia’s split into two separate companies has fallen flat with the Transport Department giving the restructure the green light.

Qantas challenges Virgin on legality

14 March 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 24 | Qantas challenges Virgin on legality

Qantas has stepped up its challenge to Virgin Australia’s proposed split, calling for a “comprehensive public review” because it could lead to a foreign-owned airline controlling local traffic rights.

CEOs plea for calm

24 February 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | CEOs plead for swift end

Leading business figures have called for a swift end to the current political crisis, warning the showdown is damaging business and risks sparking a flight of investment away from Australia.

Business wrong on IR laws: ministers

22 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Business wrong on IR laws: ministers

Industry Minister Greg Combet has said Australia should not and cannot risk inducing poverty by modelling itself on the United States’ workplace system.

Political mess needs to be resolved

18 February 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 18 February 2012 | PAGE 62 | Political mess needs to be resolved

Editorial | This was the week Australian business publicly rebelled against Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s lacklustre and internally-divided government.

Crucial to lift nation’s productivity

14 February 2012 |

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | Lifting our productivity is crucial

Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly, Wesfarmers CEO Richard Goyder and Origin boss Grant King have joined with six other board members of business heavyhitters from the BCA to put their case for boosting Australia’s flagging productivity.

Business-bashing cited by BCA as concern

14 February 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 11 | Business-bashing cited as concern

Australia is at risk of becoming a European-style, heavily regulated economy, rather than saving jobs and sparking growth by cutting red tape, according to the country’s most prominent business leaders.

Fixing policy is key to fixing manufacturing

14 February 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 11 | Fixing policy is key to helping manufacturing

The best thing policy-makers could do to assist the battling manufacturing industry was improve the functioning of the economy, business leaders said.

Call for overhaul of Queensland’s planning laws

28 January 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 5 | Bid  to overhaul Queensland’s planning laws

Leading company chairman Graham Bradley has called on the Bligh government to streamline approvals for mining projects to ensure Queensland makes the most of the resources boom.

Macquarie St Capitol

18 January 2012 |

PRINT: 18 January 2012 | PAGE 52 | Macquarie St Capitol

Hacks and flacks walking the corridors of the NSW Parliament last Friday would be forgiven for thinking they had been mysteriously relocated to the US Capitol.

Annual election ‘too short term’

26 November 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 18 | Annual election ‘too short term’

Leading director David Gonski has rejected calls for the annual election of directors, saying it would exacerbate boards having too much of a focus on short-term results.

Two-strikes rule ‘ridiculous’

25 November 2011 | John McDuling

PRINT: 25 November 2011 | PAGE 17 | Two-strikes rule ‘ridiculous’

Leading business figures have described the government’s two-strikes rule on executive remuneration as destabilising.

IR will be Gillard’s graveyard

14 November 2011 | Michael Baume

PRINT: 14 November 2011 | PAGE 62 | IR is Gillard’s graveyard

Labor’s undoing of Work Choices will prove to be the undoing of the Prime Minister herself.

The business of government

12 November 2011 |

PRINT: 12 November 2011 | PAGE 22 | The business of government

After a few days abroad attracting the attention of European leaders, it was good to see the PM tending to the flock at home.

PM invites business to the reform table

11 November 2011 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 11 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | PM calls business to the table

Prime Minister Julia Gillard moved last night to rebuild Labor’s ties with business by promising to include company leaders in future reforms,

Bosses in a huddle

11 November 2011 | Staff reporters

PRINT: 11 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | Bosses in a huddle

It was a big turnout from the CEO club last night as more than 450 leaders attended the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner.

BCA’s Shepherd to span the divide

10 November 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 10 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | BCA’s Shepherd to span the divide

The Business Council of Australia has signalled its intention to take a central role in the national debate by anointing Tony Shepherd president.

Shepherd to lead BCA

09 November 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 09 November 2011 | PAGE 1 | Shepherd to lead BCA

The Business Council of Australia will elect Tony Shepherd as its new president at a gala dinner tomorrow, in a hardening of the group’s line against the Gillard ­government.

For Rio, IR is a matter of trust

05 November 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 05 November 2011 | PAGE 64 | For Rio, IR is a matter of trust

One of those edgy cameo moments in corporate Australia happened in Sydney on Friday . . . an airline hardliner meets his mining opposite.

BCA ‘pathetic’ on reform – Stockdale

02 November 2011 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 02 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | Stockdale launches BCA broadside

Federal Liberal Party president Alan Stockdale has launched a fierce broadside on the Business Council of Australia, labelling its performance as “pathetic”.

Directors strike out

29 October 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 29 October 2011 | PAGE 44 | No pay rise for you!

When Foster’s chairman David Crawford found himself in the stairwell after the vocal shareholder meeting, he may well have had a good reason.

Sweet music for Stockland ears

26 October 2011 |

PRINT: 26 October 2011 | PAGE 46 | Sweet music for Stockland ears

Stockland chairman Graham Bradley and his board, including MD Matthew Quinn, were expecting to cop some criticism at the group’s AGM in Sydney yesterday.

Shareholders pass Stockland pay report

25 October 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 26 October 2011 | PAGE 55 | Shareholders pass Stockland pay report

Stockland investors have voted in favour of the diversified property group’s remuneration report, following weeks of harsh criticism.

Stockland faces pay gripes

24 October 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 24 October 2011 | PAGE 48 | Stockland faces pay gripes

Stockland’s Matthew Quinn and Graham Bradley will have to answer to disgruntled investors at tomorrow’s AGM about their swelling pay packets.

Abbott’s stand sparks power price anger

18 October 2011 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 18 October 2011 | PAGE 1 | Abbott stand sparks power price anger

The electricity industry has warned that power prices will have to rise if the Coalition carries out its threat to abolish the carbon tax, as business leaders said prolonging uncertainty would hold up new investment.

Business leaders tell it their way

14 October 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 64 | Business leaders tell it their way

Who better to peel back the layers of complexity clouding the issues facing Australia than five leading business men and women?

Don’t blame Labor’s IR policy, says ACTU

14 October 2011 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 5 | Productivity not Labor’s fault: ACTU

Unions have blasted claims by business groups that the industrial relations system is to blame for the nation’s low productivity, saying productivity began to fall before the implementation of Work Choices.

Decision shakes CEOs solidarity

13 October 2011 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 13 October 2011 | PAGE 15 | Decision shakes CEOs’ solidarity

Business is preparing for the biggest transformation of the economy in decades under the Gillard government’s carbon scheme.

New men define path to productive economy

13 October 2011 | Narelle Hooper

PRINT: 13 October 2011 | PAGE 10 | New men define path to productive economy

Women’s participation is fundamental to all conversations about economic growth and productivity and it’s time to fix the gender gap at work.

We’re not the enemy: Bradley

13 October 2011 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 13 October 2011 | PAGE 5 | We’re not the enemy: Bradley

Big business has blasted federal and state governments for branding it the enemy, calling for an extension of the Tax Forum model to engage the private sector in resuscitating other areas like productivity.

Henry ties super to major projects

12 October 2011 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 12 October 2011 | PAGE 1 | Henry ties super to major projects

Ken Henry, the former Treasury secretary, has called for an overhaul of Australian infrastructure projects to make them less risky and more attractive to local funds.

On the wrong path

12 October 2011 | Louise dodson

PRINT: 12 October 2011 | PAGE 6 | ON The wrong path

Australia risks losing thousands of higher value-added jobs unless the federal government acts to boost productivity, says the Business Council president.

Stockland caves in on executive pay

06 October 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 06 October 2011 | PAGE 49 | Stockland caves in on pay policies

Stockland Group has bowed to investor pressure and fast-tracked a number of changes to its executive remuneration policies.

Minerals tax discriminates, says business council

01 October 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 01 October 2011 | PAGE 4 | Minerals levy discriminates, says business council

Business Council of Australia president Graham Bradley has admitted the Gillard government’s proposed mining tax is flawed.

Business wants tax fix to fill $70bn budget black hole

01 October 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 01 October 2011 | PAGE 3 | Business wants tax fix to

Federal and state governments may dig themselves a $70 billion annual budget hole in coming decades unless they address problems in the tax system, big business has warned.

PM shuns Rudd in Asia push

29 September 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 29 September 2011 | PAGE 10 | PM shuns Rudd in Asia push

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has put her stamp on foreign and strategic policy by commissioning a white paper on the implications of the Asian century for Australia.

Top Chinese economist soothes local fears

23 September 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 23 September 2011 | PAGE 13 | Top Chinese economist soothes local fears

Senior Australian business leaders curious about the outlook for the Chinese economy have received a reassuring message from a top private sector economist.

Stockland to address pay criticism

19 September 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 20 September 2011 | PAGE 51 | Stockland to address pay criticism

Stockland, where managing director Matthew Quinn was paid $5.7 million in 2010-11, has promised to address its executive remuneration at its annual general meeting.

The drive to get women to the top

07 September 2011 | Paulina Duran

Hiring, promotion and retention are key to achieve greater executive and board diversity levels, according to a Deutsche Bank's forum.

Talent walking’s the talk at CEW

02 September 2011 |

PRINT: 02 September 2011 | PAGE 42 | Talent walking is the talk at CEW

There was a “sold out” sign on the annual Chief Executive Women’s dinner in Sydney last night.

Inside the deal: Why GI Dynamics chose Australia

27 August 2011 | Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 26 August 2011 | PAGE 18 | How and why GI Dynamics chose Australia

Australian fund managers need a giant-sized hook before backing a company which has lost $60 million and has a head office 16,000 kilometres away.

CEOs urge Gillard to greater action

23 June 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 23 June 2011 | PAGE 8 | CEOs urge Gillard to greater action

Some of the nation’s top chief executives have warned PM Julia Gillard about the softness of key industries outside the booming resources sector.

Opportunity knocks: PM

22 June 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 22 June 2011 | PAGE 5 | Opportunity knocks: PM

Julia Gillard has urged chief executives to back her reform plans, promising an “opportunity boom” that would continue the growth of the past two decades.

China will provide climate change solution

02 June 2011 | Greg Earl

PRINT: 02 June 2011 | PAGE 16 | The sun shines in the north

The Garnaut climate change report has put China at the centre of Australia’s policymaking system for the first time.

Packing a lot into an hour

27 May 2011 |

PRINT: 27 May 2011 | PAGE 50 | packing a LOT

It was good to see yesterday that brokers still know how to have a good time.

Push for clean energy fund

27 May 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 27 May 2011 | PAGE 9 | Push for clean energy fund

Pressure for a new clean energy technology fund attached to a new carbon price scheme is growing ahead of negotiations in Canberra this weekend.

BCA hits Labor over carbon consultation

26 May 2011 | John Kehoe

Business Council of Australia president Graham Bradley has criticised the consultation process over the proposed carbon tax, complaining that it is “less than an open dialogue”, especially for the coal sector.

Julia’s carbon convivialities

07 May 2011 |

PRINT: 07 May 2011 | PAGE 10 | Julia’s carbon convivialities

Whether it was meant or not – and let’s face it, the federal government rarely manages to cause something to happen on purpose – it was a very nice touch.

Companies favour early move to ETS

06 May 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 06 May 2011 | PAGE 12 | Companies favour early move to ETS

Business leaders who support putting a price on carbon are urging the government to ensure a quick transition to an emissions trading scheme amid uncertainty about how long the fixed carbon price will last.

Gillard feeds business split on carbon

05 May 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 05 May 2011 | PAGE 68 | Gillard feeds business split on carbon

Senior business figures expressed anger yesterday at the dominance of anti-carbon tax advocates in the sector’s dealings with the government, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard hosted a dinner to hear “directly for herself” the views of select business people.

Focus on investor protection, small business

04 May 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 04 May 2011 | PAGE 7 | Focus on investor protection, small business

The new head of ASIC is expected to bring a more high-profile approach to investor protection, with greater scrutiny on financial gatekeepers.

Taking nothing for granted

04 May 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 04 May 2011 | PAGE 6 | Taking nothing for granted

The nation’s next competition regulator is making no assumptions about his future despite being named to the job yesterday by Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Spending, productivity key

02 May 2011 | John Kerin

PRINT: 02 May 2011 | PAGE 4 | Spending, productivity key

Business groups have called on the federal government to keep a tight rein on short-term spending in the federal budget but to embark on a longer-term strategy to lift productivity.

Business backs Labor’s carbon tax basics

21 April 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 21 April 2011 | PAGE 3 | Business backs Labor’s

The nation’s peak business group has accepted the fundamental objective of the Gillard government’s carbon tax but refused to give ground on its concerns about the design of the scheme.

Business Council in sights as PM mounts carbon attack

20 April 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 20 April 2011 | PAGE 1 | PM challenges business on carbon

Julia Gillard and senior ministers have attacked the Business Council of Australia over its criticism of the carbon tax, and told industry leaders they could have the same compensation package agreed to in 2009.

Revolt over carbon price intensifies

18 April 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 18 April 2011 | PAGE 1 | Revolt over carbon price intensifies

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is facing new pressure from big business to dump the current approach to negotiations with big emitters over a carbon price and agree to fully offset its impact on their operations.

Business pleads for light touch

07 April 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 07 April 2011 | PAGE 1 | Business pleads for light touch

Business leaders have warned Australia’s reputation as an investment-friendly economy is under threat and the government should only intervene in commercial transactions in exceptional circumstances.

Big business has Barry’s ear

23 March 2011 | Lisa Murray

PRINT: 23 March 2011 | PAGE 9 | Big business has Barry’s ear

NSW opposition leader Barry O’Farrell has spent much of the election campaign distancing himself from big business.

Skills crisis? BCA seeks more migrants

01 March 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 01 March 2011 | PAGE 10 | Skills crisis? BCA seeks more migrants

Business has urged the Gillard government to lift its migration program and reject the “low growth” path on population policy, warning that a smaller nation would be less resilient to external shocks and more dependent on the resources boom.

Govt urged to set up budget watchdog

14 February 2011 | Adrian Rollins

PRINT: 14 February 2011 | PAGE 8 | BCA wants independent budget scrutiny

The government should establish a commission to vet the budget and spending initiatives to help safeguard Commonwealth finances, says the BCA.

Premiers cool on economy reforms

14 February 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 14 February 2011 | PAGE 7 | Premiers cool on economy reforms

State premiers appear to have given a lukewarm response to Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s plan to develop another wave of regulatory and competition reforms for business.

Telstra seals $11bn NBN deal

11 February 2011 | Dominic White

PRINT: 11 February 2011 | PAGE 1 | Telstra seals $11bn NBN deal

Telstra has set an “aggressive and ambitious” July 1 deadline for a shareholder vote on an $11 billion deal to hand its fixed-line phone monopoly to NBN Co in a bid to end months of uncertainty for the telco’s 1.3 million shareholders.

National briefs

08 February 2011 |

PRINT: 08 February 2011 | PAGE 11 |

KPMG partner Jennifer Westacott has been appointed chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, replacing Katie Lahey, who left the chief executives’ organisation last week after a decade in the role.

Streamlined COAG to beat delays

08 February 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 08 February 2011 | PAGE 9 | Streamlined COAG to beat delays

State premiers will be asked at the COAG meeting next Monday to back a federal plan to focus on four big ambitions.

Don’t move, says Gillard, with a gun to her head

05 February 2011 | Peter Ruehl

PRINT: 05 February 2011 | PAGE 64 | Don’t move, says Gillard, with a gun to her head

The main question now seems to be whether Julia Gillard can survive another election and the conventional wisdom seems to be she can’t.

Executive pay laws ‘deeply flawed’: Origin

01 February 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 01 February 2011 | PAGE 8 | Executive pay laws deeply flawed: Origin

Origin energy director Trevor Bourne has joined other business heavyweights to criticise the government’s legislation on executive pay, claiming that it is deeply flawed and goes further than recommended by the Productivity Commission.

Directors’ executive pay plea

31 January 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 31 January 2011 | PAGE 3 | Directors’ executive pay plea

Some of the most senior figures in the business world have personally asked David Bradbury, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, to drop a plan designed to give shareholders a lot more power over how much corporate executives are paid.

Employers in skilled visas call

28 January 2011 | John Kerin

PRINT: 28 January 2011 | PAGE 13 | Employers

Employer groups have endorsed the federal government’s fast-track scheme to get skilled migrants to work on the Queensland flood reconstruction.

Wong must make surplus her goal

20 January 2011 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 20 January 2011 | PAGE 46 | Wong must make

Rather than a temporary floods levy, Finance Minister Penny Wong could start saving money to pay for flood relief.

Eddington defends list of infrastructure priorities

14 December 2010 | Anne Hyland

PRINT: 14 December 2010 | PAGE 5 | Eddington defends list of infrastructure priorities

Infrastructure Australia chair Rod Eddington has rejected criticisms that the government advisory body had not identified a list of priority infrastructure projects for the nation.

National negotiations now at grinding halt

13 December 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 13 December 2010 | PAGE 52 | National negotiations come to a grinding halt

Negotiations between the federal and state governments on key policy reforms have stalled, leading company executives warn.

A make-or-break year for Julia Gillard

13 December 2010 | Anne Hyland

PRINT: 13 December 2010 | PAGE 51 | A make-or-break year for Julia Gillard

Ralph Norris is under no illusion about the challenges facing Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Labour force mobility the crucial issue

13 December 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 13 December 2010 | PAGE 51 | Labour force mobility the crucial issue

Business leaders have demanded federal and state governments work together on policy that encourages more labour mobility between Australian states as the skills shortage worsens.

BCA lashes Labor on incoherent projects plan

13 December 2010 | Anne Hyland

PRINT: 13 December 2010 | PAGE 1 | Business lashes Labor on incoherent projects plan

Business leaders have criticised the Gillard government for lacking a coherent plan on infrastructure reform, and cast doubt on whether the government has the political will to set down a strong policy agenda.

Ditch power sale, business tells NSW

08 December 2010 | Lisa Murray

PRINT: 08 December 2010 | PAGE 5 | Ditch power sale,

Business groups want the NSW government to scrap its $8 billion electricity privatisation because they are worried it will set up an uncompetitive industry that will lead to higher power prices.

Hockey puts case for top tax rate cut

03 December 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 03 December 2010 | PAGE 1 | Hockey puts case for top tax rate cut

The top income tax rate for individuals and companies would be aligned under an economic policy shake-up being considered within the federal opposition, which could also take the first steps towards liberalising small-business workplace laws.

Weak exports wind back growth

02 December 2010 | Michael Dwyer

PRINT: PAGE 8 | Weak exports wind back growth

Treasurer Wayne Swan is confident the looming mining investment pipeline will drive the economy into 2011 after growth almost stalled in the September quarter as higher interest rates cooled spending and exports temporarily weakened.

COAG chair warns Gillard on reform

02 December 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 02 December 2010 | PAGE 6 | COAG chair warns Gillard on reform

Prime Minister Julia Gillard must reinvigorate reforms promised by ­federal and state governments, including cuts to business red tape and improving competition in key infrastructure markets, the body charged with evaluating federal-state reforms has warned.

MRRT will not go to new fund: Swan

01 December 2010 |

Labor will proceed with legislation for its mining tax next year as planned, but it won't consider putting the proceeds in a new fund.

Carbon price is all emission, little action

25 November 2010 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 25 November 2010 | PAGE 1 | Carbon price is all emission, little action

Labour and the Greens still can’t agree on a fair carbon price. It is high time for compromise.

Who to blame for pay profligacy

20 November 2010 | Patrick Durkin with John Kehoe and John Stensholt

PRINT: 20 November 2010 | PAGE 28 | Who to blame for pay profligacy

Chief executives may be feeling the public’s wrath over the size of their pay cheques, but who is really responsible for the big numbers, writes Patrick Durkin?

ACCI chief wary of carbon price

29 October 2010 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 29 October 2010 | PAGE 17 | ACCI chief wary on carbon price

He is on the government’s climate change round table but does not believe the starting point should be acceptance of a carbon price, says Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Peter Anderson.

Negativity blocks the chance for change

27 October 2010 | CommentLaura Tingle

PRINT: 27 October 2010 | PAGE 7 | Negativity blocks the chance for change

The pressure is on Julia Gillard to mount a persuasive case for change and, in the process, diminish an opposition which stands in its way.

Labor upbeat on economy as reform row rages

27 October 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 27 October 2010 | PAGE 1 | Labor upbeat about economy as reform row rages

The federal government plans to upgrade its economic forecasts, as Labor and the Coalition spar over which is the party of economic reform.

Dining off the menu for parliamentary pairs

27 October 2010 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 27 October 2010 | PAGE 5 | DINNER OFF THE MENU FOR PARLIAMENTARY PAIRS

The theme of the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner was common ground, but it was thin on the ground yesterday: pairing restrictions prevented Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her team attending.

Infrastructure bonds enthusiastically endorsed

15 October 2010 | David Crowe

PRINT: 15 October 2010 | PAGE 16 | Building bonds backed

The $1.1 trillion superannuation sector has backed the use of infrastructure bonds to pay for major projects.

PM urged to tackle business taxes

04 October 2010 | Lisa Murray

PRINT: PAGE 6 | PM urged to tackle business taxes

The Gillard government is under growing pressure to consider a national tax regime for businesses and to force the states to abolish taxes such as payroll tax and stamp duties on insurance and commercial property.

Financial sector ‘has all the say’

21 September 2010 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 21 September 2010 | PAGE 6 | Financial sector ‘has all the say’

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has criticised the BCA’s approach to the climate change debate as being too driven by the financial sector.

Kloppers fires up carbon debate

17 September 2010 | CommentLaura Tingle

PRINT: 17 September 2010 | PAGE 13 | Kloppers fires up debate

An election campaign in which neither side of politics wanted to go near a carbon price has managed to set the re-set button on the carbon debate in Australia.

BHP call for climate action

16 September 2010 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 16 September 2010 | PAGE 6 | BHP call for climate action

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has called for the early introduction of a price on carbon, in a boost to the Gillard government’s hopes of establishing a consensus on climate change policy.

Business calls for more immigration

16 September 2010 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 16 September 2010 | PAGE 5 | Business calls for more immigration

Business leaders were disappointed with the quality of debate on many policy issues during the election campaign and none more so than the spat over population growth and immigration levels.

BCA names five key areas for action

16 September 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 16 September 2010 | PAGE 5 | BCA names five key areas for action

The Gillard government should act on five priority areas in its first 100 days, including preparing a national infrastructure plan, releasing the Henry tax review modelling and committing to an energy security policy.

Stockland ups Aevum bid to $1.80

14 September 2010 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 14 September 2010 | PAGE 49 | Stockland ups Aevum bid to $1.80

Aevum has told shareholders to hold off on taking up a sweetened “final and unconditional” offer from Stockland Group.

Time for Quinn to deliver

13 September 2010 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 13 September 2010 | PAGE 64 | Time for Quinn to deliver

Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn should have won his retirement­-living takeover target, Aevum, with ease. Yet so far Quinn has been completely outpointed.

Shortfall in research workforce should sound alarms

30 August 2010 | Vicki Thomson

PRINT: PAGE 29 | Shortfall in research workforce

When the three Independents presented the Prime Minister with a list of the eight portfolio areas they wished to receive high level briefings on to assist them in determining who should form government – industry, innovation, science and research did not feature.

Stockland finds Aevum is no bargain buy

25 August 2010 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 25 August 2010 | PAGE 68 | STOCKLAND FINDS AEVUM IS NO BARGAIN BUY

Once a year Stockland Group chief executive Matthew Quinn’s wife, Julie, has a sale at her gift shop in the Sydney suburb of Lindfield, offering bargains almost as good as the one Quinn is trying to grab from the shareholders of retirement group Aevum.

Bold reforms still needed, whoever’s in charge

23 August 2010 | Graham Bradley

PRINT: 21 August 2010 | PAGE 71 | Bold vision still needed, whoever’s in charge

Reform remains a priority for our economy despite a hung parliament, argues the Business Council of Australia.

Stockland lodges Aevum bidder’s statement

05 August 2010 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 05 August 2010 | PAGE 54 | Stockland makes bid for Aevum control formal

Stockland Group lodged its formal bidder’s statement to gain control of retirement living operator Aevum.

Downer chief has work cut out

03 August 2010 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 03 August 2010 | PAGE 68 | Downer chief has work cut out

The Qantas management school has produced its third CEO in a year with Grant Fenn’s appointment as Downer EDI boss.

Big producers face lion’s share of tax

24 June 2010 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 24 June 2010 | PAGE 6 | Big producers face lion’s share of tax

Mining tax showdown l The federal government has warned that the big coal and iron ore producers will carry the burden of a major revamp of the controversial resource super profits tax.

BCA says start all over again on RSPT

21 June 2010 |

The Business Council of Australia has called on the Rudd government to ditch its planned super profits tax on the mining industry and start all over again with a comprehensive public consultation.

Swan lashes mining ‘bullies’

21 June 2010 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 21 June 2010 | PAGE 1 | Government’s war with miners

Mining tax showdown | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan have sparked mining industry fury by accusing some companies of using “strong arm” tactics to secure opposition to the RSPT.

Stockland gets new board member

19 June 2010 | Scott Elliott

PRINT: 19 June 2010 | PAGE 21 | Stockland gets new board member

Listed developer Stockland has appointed Melbourne property identity Carol Schwartz to its board.

Corporate crusader is a street fighter

12 June 2010 |

PRINT: 12 June 2010 | PAGE 12 | Corporate crusader a street fighter

Perennial crusader against corporate excesses and largess and head of Australia’s RiskMetrics operations, Dean Paatsch is taking his battles to the street.

Optus primed for IPO, battle

14 May 2010 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 14 May 2010 | PAGE 68 | Optus primed for IPO, battle

The stars are just about aligned for a $10 billion-plus float of Optus, the Australian arm of Singapore Telecommunications.

Boart boss displeased by advisers

12 May 2010 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 12 May 2010 | PAGE 44 | Boart pay voted down

Boart Longyear chairman Graeme Bradley has taken aim at proxy advisers in the wake of shareholders voting down the drilling services and products supplier’s remuneration report.

Dining, and dancing on the ceiling

30 April 2010 |

PRINT: 30 April 2010 | PAGE 40 | Dining . . . and dancing on the ceiling

Lots of insight into the working lives and fabulous careers of some high-flying female executives came out of the Women to Watch lunch, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and organised by The Australian Financial Review and Boss.

Executive pay verdict a taxing point

19 April 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 17 April 2010 | PAGE 5 | Pay verdict a taxing point

Corporate governance and executive pay advisers have criticised the federal government for rejecting a recommendation to defer the taxing point on employee shares when executives leave the company.

Directors baulk at ‘two strikes’ rule

17 April 2010 | Report Annabel Hepworth

PRINT: 17 April 2010 | PAGE 8 | Directors baulk at ‘two strikes’ rule

Company directors slammed the Rudd government’s executive pay plans, arguing it could disrupt companies and subject them to unnecessary red-tape.

No easy fix with reform

14 April 2010 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 13 April 2010 | PAGE 61 | No easy fix with reform

Good intentions and a broad agenda won’t cut it unless there is a serious attempt to implement electorally unpopular reforms.

Business wants a big population

10 April 2010 | Andrew Clark

PRINT: 10 April 2010 | PAGE 27 | 36m people: the debate that divides

The population debate is escalating in Australia, with solid arguments for and against how big we should become.

Odds stacked against women from the start

23 March 2010 | Catherine Fox

PRINT: 23 March 2010 | PAGE 58 | Odds stacked against women even at entry level

it is often assumed that the low level of women in senior roles is more about a lack of female drive or ability to handle the pressure than discrimination. But this belief about equal treatment in the early stages of careers is yet another myth.

Odds stacked against women from the start

23 March 2010 | Catherine Fox

It is often assumed that the low level of women in senior roles is more about a lack of female drive or ability to handle the pressure than discrimination. But this belief about equal treatment in the early stages of careers is yet another myth.

DJs scales profit margin peak

18 March 2010 |

PRINT: 18 March 2010 | PAGE 64 | DJs scales profit margin peak

The David Jones tag team of Mark McInnes and Stephen Goddard have emphatically demonstrated that the economic downturn has not disrupted its record profit run.

Women on boards: ‘time for bold steps’

18 March 2010 | Narelle Hooper

PRINT: 18 March 2010 | PAGE 3 | Women on boards: ‘time for bold steps’

Business Council of Australia president Graham Bradley has warned that those who expected to see far more new women directors over the next five years will be disappointed.

All talk, little action

11 March 2010 | Katja Buhrer

PRINT: 11 March 2010 | PAGE 28 | All talk, but very little action

For years, bankers and fund managers have been stressing the importance of a bond market in weaning companies off the banking system and creating a richer fixed income culture.

Australia must learn from the crisis

27 January 2010 | Graham Bradley

We came out of the global economic crisis well, but must not rest on our laurels, writes Graham Bradley.