There is chaos in Melbourne tonight, with major electricity outages causing severe disruption and depriving nearly 500,000 people of power in the city, northern suburbs, Geelong and western Victoria.
January 30, 2009
Eurozone inflation drops sharply to 1.1%
Inflation in the countries using the euro dropped in January to a near 10-year low, slumping to 1.1 per cent, according to an official EU estimate.
Buswell announces initiative to cut back red tape
Western Australia Treasurer Troy Buswell has announced a range of measures aimed at reducing the level of Government regulation in businesses.
Rising electricity prices ‘to benefit renewable sector’
The Sustainable Energy Association says a significant increase in electricity prices will boost the renewable energy sector.
Fraser rules out troubled MacAir bailout
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser has ruled out helping the financially troubled regional airline MacAir.
Gold, commodities pull shares higher
THE share market managed to claw its way into positive territory at the close of trade, buoyed by the gold miners and oil companies, despite lower base metal prices and falls on overseas markets.
Rio Tinto sells Brazilian mine to reduce debt
RIO Tinto has agreed to sell its undeveloped potash assets and Corumba iron ore mine in Brazil for $1.6 billion in cash to Brazilian miner Vale.
Garrett sparks war of words with Gunns
FEDERAL Environment Minister Peter Garrett has taken the extraordinary step of accusing timber company Gunns of potentially misleading the stock exchange.
Harvey Norman sales up despite gloom
ELECTRONICS and furniture retailer Harvey Norman has reported first half sales in fiscal 2009 up 3.5 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
OZ Minerals sells Nyrstar stake, raises $33m
OZ MINERALS says it will book a small loss in carrying value from the sale of its stake in Nyrstar NV for $33 million.