David Olsen

Confusion among retailers is at an all time high with first phase of the modern award wages for retailers starting yesterday.

Clive Peeters, the beleaguered whitegoods and electrical retailer has been bought by Harvey Norman Holdings Limited through liquidator PPB for $55 million.

With BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata forcing Julia Gillard to bend to their RSPT demands, the Government will halve proposed Company Tax for business.

BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata as well as the Australian Workers Union (AWU) are pleased with plans to replace the Resource Super Profits Tax with a Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT).

The Resource Super Profits Tax will now be known as the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, in a compromise between Julia Gillard’s, Federal Government and the miners.

Apple growers in Australia are outraged at the potential for Chinese imported apples entering the Australian market over biosecurity fears.

Metcash, owner of IGA supermarkets and Australia’s largest independent grocery and liquor wholesaler, will acquire the Franklins supermarket chain for $215 million.

Standard Business Reporting (SBR) is open for business today, offering an easy electronic way lodge forms and reports to participating government agencies.

Dairy products company National Foods has announced plans to shut down manufacturing operations at both its Wetherill Park (NSW) and Cobden (VIC) sites.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive John Borghetti has signaled his intention to bring V Australia under Virgin Blue’s management and operations structure in a memo to staff yesterday.