News
Online credit card fraud is on the rise, increasing by 50 percent in the last year, according to the Reserve Bank. The figures come after the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce reported a 60 percent increase in fraud earlier this month warning consumers to take extra precautions to ensure their safety. According to Phillip Lowe of […]
Global trade will fall by nine percent this year, according to World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts, the biggest decline since World War II. Considering that in 2007 trade grew by six percent, the 2009 figures represent a significant fall and have sparked fears of protectionism, initially brought on by the possibility that the US stimulus […]
In an ironic twist, those workers who are paid to help the unemployed find a job, may soon find themselves out of work, as the Federal Government recasts Australia’s job network and looks to overseas companies to aid jobless Australians. As a result many job centres in regional Australia may be shut down leading to […]
We now have yet another thing to blame on the global financial crisis – crime. According to the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre (AHSRC), we will see an increase in violence, property crime, burglary, robbery and theft as the economic outlook deteriorates. AHSRC executive director, Athol Yates said there is a natural progression between a […]
The Greens are urging everyday Australians to ‘have their say’ about the Government’s planned emissions trading scheme. In strong opposition to the “deeply flawed” emissions trading plans, the Greens want you to submit your views on the plan directly to the Senate. According to the Greens in a statement on their website, The Government’s plan […]
The Rudd Government has taken swift steps to bail out the underperforming states, with a federal government guarantee of up to $150 billion, ensuring the states will be able to raise cash more easily on international credit markets and road and building works. Following a meeting with state treasurers in Canberra yesterday, federal Treasurer Wayne […]
YouTube has come under fire after audio tracks posted by users on its video sharing site suddenly disappeared. Upon request from Warner Bros, YouTube has removed a number of personal audio clips from users claiming “copyrighted music”, cutting audio from videos showing users singing their renditions of owned material. A high school student in the […]
“Avoiding recession will be difficult,” says Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen. A recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth; Australia’s first occurred in the last quarter of 2008 and this quarter is set to follow suit, he believes. “We haven’t gone there but… we are seeing, a slowdown,” Bowen admitted. “We have said all along […]
I’m not sure I agree with Honda’s latest media release to sell mowers. When I opened the email this morning I thought it was some kind of bad joke, but it was in fact straight from Honda Australia’s PR. ‘Honda mower survives Kinglake Bushfires,’ it is titled. Well, a lot of people didn’t survive the […]
As the financial crisis grips the nation, an increasing number of home owners are seeking to “recession proof” their mortgages, by getting ahead of monthly repayments. The countries biggest lenders, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank have noticed a growing trend with home owners choosing to maintain their repayments at previous high interest rates, as the number […]
Leaders of the ex-service community gathered at Customs House in Sydney today for the launch of the Raise A Glass Appeal – a new national initiative to raise vital funds for the welfare programs of the Returned and Services League Australia (RSL) and Legacy. Developed by the RSL National Executive and the Legacy Coordinating Council […]
Telstra shares have fallen dramatically, with investors punishing the company for the way it handled its bid to build the Government’s $10 billion-plus national broadband network. Telstra shares fell 7 to points $3.37, their lowest level in 12 years. Almost $9.5 billion has been wiped from Telstra’s market value since the Government dumped it from […]
Bankruptcy rates have increased by a staggering 261 percent over the past 20 years, according to a study conducted by the Melbourne Law School. According to the study’s author, Professor Ian Ramsay, bankruptcy is now hitting the nation’s middle class, and the insolvency rate in NSW alone is now 50 percent. Professor Ramsay attributed the […]
From a small kebab shop in 1979, to the largest Australian franchise of it’s kind boasting 60 outlets, Ali Baba has come a long way in 30 years. Ali Baba now serves over 4 million customers per year and has increased profits two-fold. In 30 years Ali Baba has sold over 30 million K’Babs and […]
The other week I made a trip to Melbourne to touch base with my Victorian PR contacts, of which there are many. The Melbourne PR peeps are some of my favourites. These guys make my life easier on a regular basis so I thought I’d go and put faces to names and voices (It had […]
The Rudd Government’s bid to limit wage rises for low paid workers has been met with fierce opposition by union officials, claiming the measure is “unacceptable” and showed the government is out of touch with Australian workers. The ACTU commissioned for a $21 per week pay increase for low-paid workers to help them cope with […]
Research released by digital agency Bullseye has shown that many Australian small and medium businesses are prepared to take more risks to save their business in the dowturn, with almost half expecting to be negatively impacted by the financial crisis. The survey polled the outlook of small businesses across Australia, the UK and the US, […]
Figures released by accounting and finance recruitment practice, Aequalis Consulting have shown that recession fears are forcing employees to stay in jobs they dislike, work longer hours and take steps to prepare for redundancy. The survey of over 315 workers, suggests that 72.8 percent of respondents will stay in their current job due to the […]
In tough times, employers are looking to motivate their employees, and boost staff morale. The latest Newspoll survey has revealed an unlikely source of employee happiness – footy tipping. According to the survey of over 480 full-time workers, 75 percent believe office tipping improves workplace morale, while 69 percent think office tipping is a good […]
Last week I was in Malaysia speaking at the Asian Traders and Investors Convention and I have to say I was I surprised that many of the attendees had little or no knowledge yet they were attempting to trade highly leveraged markets such as futures and currencies. Now it would seem logical to me, given […]
