For a budget claiming to be about jobs and growth, the overall balance between revenue raising measures and spending cuts feels heavily weighted toward tax measures.
The results announcements of Australia’s major banks show a solid $13.4 billion in cash earnings generated for the first half of the year, as they continue to adapt to lower revenue growth, subdued confidence and stricter regulatory requirements.
Mining and metals companies are more confident in the global economic outlook than six months ago but remain cautious when it comes to pursuing acquisitions, according to Ernst & Young’s latest six-monthly Capital Confidence Barometer – Mining & Metals.
Australian workers say they could be 21% more productive at work every day if they could change just one or two things at work – representing more than $305 billion in productivity or $26,300 per worker.
