Category: Michael West

An effective monopoly over almost all products entering NSW by sea could be broken up if the government supports a bill to “unshackle” the Port of Newcastle. The port in NSW’s second biggest city handles few containers due to compensation provisions established when the state government sold the ports of

A ransomware group has threatened to release Medibank customer data as Australia’s largest health insurer faces a possible class action after the data of 9.7 million current and former customers was hacked. Medibank has confirmed almost 500,000 health claims were accessed and the personal details of former and current customers

It’s a Sports Rorts whitewash. Scott Morrison’s former chief-of-staff and top bureaucrat Philip Gaetjens fortuitously found “no evidence” of pork barrelling by Senator Bridget McKenzie. Rex Patrick on how disappearing documents and political double-speak converged for an artful cover-up.

Crown Resorts has vowed to undergo drastic reform to improve its gambling practices after being put on notice by the industry watchdog. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission on Monday slapped the company’s Melbourne casino with $120 million in fines for systemic breaches, including letting people gamble for up

Time is running out for Victorians to enrol to vote in the state election. Online enrolments will close at 8pm on Tuesday for Australian citizens who have turned 18 or changed their address, while paper forms must be received before the deadline. Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately urged voters to check

Treasury boss Steven Kennedy will be grilled on economic forecasts and the department’s role in the October budget. Dr Kennedy and other senior bureaucrats will face senators at an estimates hearing on Tuesday in the wake of Labor’s first budget in almost a decade. Treasury’s economic forecasts are likely to

Changes to the government’s overhaul of workplace laws will be put up for debate when federal parliament meets on Tuesday. Key amendments to the industrial relations bill will be introduced to the House of Representatives, following talks between the government, businesses and unions. The government wants to pass the laws,

Gas pumps at least $70 billion per year into the Australian economy and is vital to every state and territory, according to new analysis. Research by ACIL Allen Consulting for industry body Gas Energy Australia found gas supports almost a quarter of a million jobs, underpins 3.4 per cent of

It’s integrity, respect, science – and a fair whack of money – for the successful Teal candidates in the federal election.

Risks relating to the robodebt scheme were understated while benefits were oversold, a royal commission has been told.   A senior official also said departments overseeing the scheme were faced with a “demanding and difficult leadership environment” which potentially contributed to a breakdown in communications.  The commission is investigating how the

Petrol prices are sitting just shy of $2 a litre, on average, with the weak Australian dollar boosting prices at the pump. The average fuel price lifted by more than 10 cents last week to $1.96 a litre, the Australian Institute of Petroleum’s weekly report said. In the major cities,

Less than three weeks out from election day and Victoria’s major parties have decided home is where the votes are. On Monday, Labor set about wooing young mums and dads as the coalition continued its pitch to first homebuyers. Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled a $69 million package to help parents with