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☆ Qantas charter unit's pilots vote in favour of protected industrial action
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Three pilot groups, including pilots from aircraft charter company Network Aviation, have been negotiating with Qantas management over wage policy revisions. A spokesperson for QantasLink, an airline brand of Qantas, termed the step towards industrial action by the AFAP as "disappointing". "We have already reached in-principle agreement with the two other unions representing Network Aviation pilots, and we're continuing to negotiate in good faith to secure new agreements with our turboprop pilots." There are contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions to customers if the union proceeds with the industrial action, the spokesperson told Reuters. The AFAP also flagged the potential industrial action might impact certain charter flight operations to large mines and oil gas projects in Western Australia.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Rishav Chatterjee, Lewis Jackson, Aishwarya Nair, Rashmi Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Pilots, Network Aviation, Qantas Airways, Australian Federation of Air Pilots, Reuters, Network Aviation's, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Western Australia

☆ Exclusive: Some Evergrande creditors plan to join winding-up petition if no new debt plan by Oct 30
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

An aerial view shows the 39 buildings developed by China Evergrande Group that authorities have issued demolition order on, on the man-made Ocean Flower Island in Danzhou, Hainan province, China January 6, 2022. Evergrande has been in the process of seeking creditors' approval for its proposals to restructure offshore debt worth $31.7 billion, which includes bonds, collateral, and repurchase obligations. In July, the hearing for that winding-up petition against Evergrande was adjourned to Oct. 30, in order to wait for the result from the developer's meeting with creditors to vote on its debt restructuring plan. Evergrande needs approval from more than 75% of the holders of each debt class to approve the plan. Many of the defaulted developers have been scrambling to get their offshore creditors' approval for debt restructuring plans to avoid collapse or being forced into liquidation proceedings.

Persons: Aly, Evergrande's, Evergrande, homebuyers, Scott Murdoch, Donny Kwok, Sumeet Chatterjee, Kim Coghill Organizations: China Evergrande Group, Rights, China Evergrande, Group, Thomson Locations: Danzhou, Hainan province, China, HK, Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Adding to its woes, last month the antitrust regulator sued Qantas accusing it of selling fares on thousands of already-cancelled flights in 2022. The so-called "flying kangaroo" said it would now spend A$80 million ($52 million) on "customer improvements" on top of the A$150 million previously flagged. "The group will continue to absorb these higher costs, but will monitor fuel prices in the weeks ahead and, if current levels are sustained, will look to adjust its settings," Qantas said. "Any changes would look to balance the recovery of higher costs with the importance of affordable travel in an environment where fares are already elevated." RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell said the company would likely absorb the higher fuel costs "until its target margins come under pressure and then would seek to claw back those costs through capacity cuts and higher fares.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Owen Birrell, Byron Kaye, Himanshi, Kim Coghill, Subhranshu Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Australia's, Qantas Airways, RBC Capital, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, SYDNEY, Bengaluru

Ahead of a White House welcome for the leaders, Biden announced U.S. diplomatic recognition of two more Pacific islands nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. The White House said this year it would focus on priorities including climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and countering illegal fishing. In Baltimore on Sunday, Pacific island leaders visited a Coast Guard cutter in the harbor and were briefed on combating illegal fishing by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, an official said. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization."

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Manasseh Sogavare, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Pacific, NFL, White, U.S ., Niue, Sunday, Coast Guard, Sunday's National Football League, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Cook Islands, Niue, The U.S, Papua New Guinea, U.S, Asia, Cook, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall, Sydney

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party, speaks at the New Zealand National Party’s election campaign launch in Auckland, New Zealand, September 3, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Support fell further for New Zealand's incumbent Labour party in an opinion poll released on Monday, with the populist New Zealand First party emerging as a potential kingmaker in next month's general election. In the Oct. 14 vote, the centre-right National led by Christopher Luxon is expected to emerge as the largest party in a coalition government. The biggest winner from Monday's poll was Winston Peters and his populist New Zealand First party, which crossed the 5% threshold required to elect lawmakers from the centralised list. New Zealand First's six projected seats in the 120-member parliament would make the party the kingmaker in a coalition led by National and potential partners ACT New Zealand, another right-wing party.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Chris Hipkins, Reid, Winston Peters, Alasdair Pal, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: National Party, New Zealand National, REUTERS, Rights, New, Labour, New Zealand First, National, Reid Research, Zealand, ACT New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealand, Sydney

☆ Australia's Qantas flags hit from higher fuel prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - Australia's Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) said on Monday higher fuel prices were expected to drive its fuel bill higher by about A$200 million ($128.80 million) in the first half of financial year 2024. "Fuel prices have increased by around 30% since May 2023, including a 10% spike since August. This is driven by a combination of higher oil prices, higher refiner margins and a lower Australian dollar," the carrier said in a statement. The company expects a further A$50 million impact due to non-fuel-related foreign exchange changes in the first half of the current fiscal year. Qantas said the customer-improvement initiative would be funded from its profit.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Himanshi, Kim Coghill, Subhranshu Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Australia's Qantas Airways, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Bottles of Australian wine are seen at a store selling imported wine in Beijing, China November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Australia wants a separate dialogue with China on their dispute over wine, the agriculture minister said on Sunday, rejecting Beijing's proposal to link wine with other trade issues as the two nations slowly seek to improve battered relations. China's removal of tariffs last month on Australian barley has raised hopes for an easing of wine tariffs, in place since 2021, which have hammered the country's wine exports. China on Thursday proposed a "packaged solution" that would tie the wine dispute to those about duties on Australian imports of Chinese railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks, state news agency Xinhua reported. China was Australia's top wine export market before COVID, peaking at A$1.2 billion ($770 million) for the 12 months to January 2020 when the pandemic hit.

Persons: Florence, Murray Watt, Watt, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Xinhua, Agriculture, Australian Broadcasting Corp, World Trade Organization, COVID, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Australia, COVID, Sydney

☆ Polls Show Australia Indigenous Referendum Support Slipping, Likely to Fail
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Renju JoseSYDNEY (Reuters) - Support for a referendum to constitutionally recognise Australia's Indigenous people slipped further, with the landmark proposal set to fail in a national vote roughly three weeks away, two opinion polls showed on Monday. Altering the constitution requires a national referendum in Australia and only eight have passed since 1901 when the country was formed. Australia, which will hold the referendum vote on Oct. 14, has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.2% of its 26 million population. The referendum debate has divided opinions with supporters arguing the Voice will bring progress for the Aboriginal community, while opponents say it would be divisive. It also showed the approval ratings for Albanese, who has staked significant political capital on the referendum, fell 5 points to 46%.

Persons: Renju Jose SYDNEY, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Renju Jose, Lincoln Organizations: Australian Financial, Labor, The Australian, Voters Locations: Torres, Australia, Sydney

☆ Polls show Australia Indigenous referendum support slipping, likely to fail
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Support for a referendum to constitutionally recognise Australia's Indigenous people slipped further, with the landmark proposal set to fail in a national vote roughly three weeks away, two opinion polls showed on Monday. Altering the constitution requires a national referendum in Australia and only eight have passed since 1901 when the country was formed. Australia, which will hold the referendum vote on Oct. 14, has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.2% of its 26 million population. The referendum debate has divided opinions with supporters arguing the Voice will bring progress for the Aboriginal community, while opponents say it would be divisive. It also showed the approval ratings for Albanese, who has staked significant political capital on the referendum, fell 5 points to 46%.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Renju Jose, Lincoln Organizations: Australian Financial, Labor, The Australian, Voters, Thomson Locations: Torres, Australia, Sydney

☆ US 'disappointed' Solomon Islands leader Sogavare to miss White House summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY/WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. is disappointed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not attend a Pacific Islands summit with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, the White House said on Saturday. "We are disappointed that PM Sogavare of the Solomons does not plan to attend," a Biden Administration official said. The Australian broadcaster ABC reported Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele will attend the summit instead. The Solomon Islands Prime Ministers Office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, Eduardo Munoz, Solomon, Joe Biden, Biden, Jeremiah Manele, Sogavare, Xi Jinping, Sato Kilman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Josie Kao Organizations: Islands, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights SYDNEY, Solomon Islands, Pacific, White, Biden Administration, ABC, Solomon, Solomon Islands Prime Ministers, United Nations General Assembly, Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Vanuatu, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, China, Washington, Australian, Solomon Islands, New York, Beijing, Solomon, Sydney

During the three-day meeting, the U.S. will announce diplomatic recognition for two Pacific islands, promise new money for infrastructure, including to improve Internet connectivity via undersea cables, and honor regional leaders at an NFL game. SOME SKIP SUMMITSolomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who has deepened his country's ties with China, will skip the summit. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization. "Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman will also not attend the summit, his office told Reuters.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, James Marape, David Kabua, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, Joe Biden, Biden, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Solomon Islands, Guinea's, Samoa's, U.S ., NFL, White, Coast Guard, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Pacific, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Solomon, Papua, Marshall, U.S, WASHINGTON, Washington, Papua New Guinea, Asia, United States, Cook, Niue, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, The U.S, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Sydney

☆ US 'Disappointed' Solomon Islands Leader Sogavare to Miss White House Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is disappointed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not attend a Pacific Islands summit with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, the White House said on Saturday. Biden will host a second summit with leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum at the White House on Monday as part of his efforts to step up engagement with a region where the U.S. is in a battle for influence with China. "We are disappointed that PM Sogavare of the Solomons does not plan to attend," a Biden Administration official said. The Australian broadcaster ABC reported Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele will attend the summit instead. The Solomon Islands Prime Ministers Office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Persons: Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare, Joe Biden, Biden, Jeremiah Manele, Sogavare, Xi Jinping, Sato Kilman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Josie Kao Organizations: SYDNEY, Solomon Islands, Pacific, White, Biden Administration, ABC, Solomon, Solomon Islands Prime Ministers, United Nations General Assembly, Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Vanuatu Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, China, Washington, Australian, Solomon Islands, New York, Beijing, Solomon, Sydney

Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Strikes end at Gorgon, Wheatstone LNG operationsUnions, Chevron accept proposals from industrial umpireUnions pushed Chevron to match Woodside pay dealSYDNEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - An Australian union alliance on Friday called off strikes at Chevron's (CVX.N) two major local liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, agreeing to resolve disputes that had threatened to disrupt around 7% of global LNG supplies. The union alliance and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions from the country's industrial arbitrator for the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities, and workers suspended strikes that began two weeks ago. "The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the agreement and members will soon cease current industrial action," Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement. YEARS-LONG CAMPAIGNThe deal caps a years-long campaign by the Offshore Alliance for higher pay and better conditions at major Western Australian LNG sites. A 2022 agreement with Japan's Inpex at its Ichthys LNG operation set a benchmark for subsequent talks with Shell, Woodside and Chevron.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Japan's, Saul Kavonic, Yin, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Florence Tan, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Unions, Woodside, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Shell, Energy, North West Shelf, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Woodside, Chevron, Australia, Sydney, Singapore

☆ Australia posts first budget surplus in 15 years as tax revenues soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jason Reed Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Australia on Friday recorded a final budget surplus of A$22.1 billion ($14.2 billion) for the year to June 2023, five times earlier estimates, as strong jobs growth and bumper mining profits helped the country post the first surplus in 15 years. In its May budget, the Labor government had projected a surplus of A$4.2 billion, a huge turnaround from the pandemic-driven deficits of the two previous years. However, the budget is projected to return to deficit this year amid intensifying spending pressures on healthcare, energy and defence. By banking revenue upgrades, the government lowered gross debt by A$87.2 billion and will avoid around A$12 billion in interest payments over the five years to 2026-27. Chalmers said in July the budget surplus was likely to be a little over A$20 billion for the past financial year.

Persons: Jason Reed, Jim Chalmers, Chalmers, Stella Qiu, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, Labor, ABC News, Thomson Locations: Australia's, Australia

[1/2] A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. The union alliance and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions from the country's industrial arbitrator for the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities, and workers were set to end strikes that began two weeks ago. "The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the agreement and members will soon cease current industrial action," Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement. No LNG shipments were disrupted by the industrial action, even after a fault at the Wheatstone plant. Energy analyst Saul Kavonic said the deal should see an end to most industrial action offshore Western Australia with union agreements, which last for around four years, now in place for most offshore LNG sites.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Saul Kavonic, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Florence Tan, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Unions, Woodside, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Energy, North West Shelf, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, Sydney, Singapore

[1/2] A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. The agreement would resolve a wage fight that has roiled global gas markets since early August, amid fears strikes would disrupt output from Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects that produce around 7% of the world's LNG supply. On Thursday, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which has the power to impose a settlement, said it "strongly recommended" parties accept its proposals to end work stoppages. Chevron accepted arbitration terms late on Thursday to resolve all outstanding issues and finalise the agreements with the unions. No LNG shipments were disrupted by the industrial action, even after a fault at the Wheatstone plant.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, Sydney

☆ Late penalty gives embattled Spain 3-2 win over Sweden
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The team's long-running conflict with their association was exacerbated when former Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jennie Hermoso after the World Cup final in Sydney. The contention of Rubiales, who subsequently resigned, that the kiss was consensual was strongly refuted by Hermoso and the incident is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation in Spain. However, Caldentey's penalty silenced the fans as she snatched victory for the visitors. Very proud of our team and how we delivered this win with heart and grit." With the Nations League doubling as a qualifying tournament for next year's Olympic Games in Paris, Spain meet Switzerland in Cordoba on Tuesday, while Sweden are away to Italy.

Persons: Adam Ihse, Mariona Caldentey, Luis Rubiales, Jennie Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Magda Eriksson, Athenea del Castillo, Musovic, Eva Navarro, Lina Hurtig, Castillo, Philip O'Connor, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA Women's Nations League, TT, Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Spain, Sweden, Nations League Group, World, Spanish FA, Nations League, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: Sweden, Spain, Ullevi, Gothenburg, Rights GOTHENBURG, Sydney, Paris, Cordoba, Italy

☆ Not much exciting about Aussie banks as high costs pressure earnings, Macquarie says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's "Big Four" banks - among the top seven listed companies in the country - control 75% of the country's A$2 trillion mortgage market. That euphoria is now largely over as high living costs impact borrowers' capacity to repay loans. Macquarie, an investment bank with a small retail banking operation, said banks' cost bases are likely to remain under pressure as more than 70% of their expenses related to personnel. Macquarie added that it expects banks' expenses to grow by around 1% to 7% in fiscal 2023 through to fiscal 2025, with third-biggest lender Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) seen being impacted more than its peers. The regional banks will remain disadvantaged in the current environment as they will have to continue to invest to keep up, Macquarie said, estimating up to 4% higher expenses than consensus.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Macquarie, Sameer Manekar, Janane Organizations: Central Business, REUTERS, Macquarie, Westpac Banking Corp, ANZ Group Holdings, CBA, NAB, Adelaide Bank, Bank of Queensland, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bendigo, Bengaluru

SYDNEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Vietnamese internet company VNG Ltd has delayed a $150 million U.S. initial public offering (IPO) due to volatile market conditions, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public. Founded in 2004, VNG was Vietnam's first unicorn, or a startup valued at $1 billion or more. VNG still aims to carry out a New York listing, likely in the first half of 2024, they added. Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: VNG, Scott Murdoch, Yantoultra, Himani Sarkar, Rashmi Organizations: VNG, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York, Sydney, Singapore

☆ Record numbers of Australians enrol for referendum on Indigenous recognition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The proposal has been struggling to get majority support with recent opinion polls showing voters are will reject it. A record 97.7% of eligible Australians have enrolled to vote in the referendum, the Australian Election Commission (AEC) said in a statement late on Thursday. More than 8.4 million people, 47% of the roll, were not enrolled when the last referendum was held in 1999, the commission added. Indigenous Australians, who account for 3.8% of the population, face disadvantages including discrimination, poor health and education outcomes and high incarceration rates. Some Indigenous Australians want stronger action, including a treaty with the government.

Persons: Rita Wright, Loren Elliott, Tom Rogers, Anthony Albanese's, Albanese, we’ll, Praveen Menon, Lincoln Organizations: Australian, REUTERS, Rights, Torres Strait, Commission, Nations, Anthony Albanese's Labor, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Rupert Murdoch's exit ends chapter for polarising figure in his native Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Even at a time when media consumption is splintering from traditional routes, particularly among younger people, Murdoch's influence is embedded in the country's information ecosystem because of its massive reach, media experts said. His local properties include Sky News Australia, a cable TV channel fashioned on the partisan style of U.S. network Fox News. "The Murdoch papers still have that key reach with working-class demographics that can still be influential," he said. "He has been in lots of ways a controversial figure, but an influential figure too, and this is an end of an era at News." Murdoch's exit cuts a native tie between News Corp and Fox Corp and Australia, where Murdoch was born.

Persons: Rupert Murdoch, Jonathan Ernst, Rupert Murdoch's, Stephen Mayne, Murdoch, Mayne, Shane Homan, Honan, Jim Chalmers, Chalmers, Penny Wong, Malcolm Turnbull, it's, Turnbull, Lachlan Murdoch, James Murdoch, Byron Kaye, Jamie Freed Organizations: USS, Air, Space Museum, REUTERS, Rights, Fox Corp, News Corp, Sky News Australia, Fox, Sky, Monash, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Labor, Labor Party, News, America, ABC, Google, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Adelaide, Australia, Britain, Australian, Sydney, Canada

☆ Australia to hold independent inquiry into handling of COVID pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Loren Elliott/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Australia's centre-left Labor government on Thursday said it would hold an independent inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare for future health crises. Australia closed its international borders and locked down cities among other pandemic restrictions that helped keep infections and deaths far below levels in other comparable developed economies such as the United States and Britain. A three-member panel, which includes an epidemiologist, public service expert and economist, will conduct the inquiry, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a media conference. "We need to examine what went right, what could be done better with a focus on the future," Albanese said. "Because the health experts and the science tells us that this pandemic may ... not likely to be the last one that occurs."

Persons: Loren Elliott, Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Albanese's, Peter Dutton, Renju Jose, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Labor, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, United States, Britain, Victoria, Melbourne

☆ Beijing Fourth Paradigm to price Hong Kong IPO at low end of range -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Chinese artificial intelligence startup Beijing Fourth Paradigm is set to price its shares at HK$55.6 each, the low end of the price range, to raise HK$1.023 billion ($131 million), a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. Fourth Paradigm is selling 18.4 million shares in the IPO and had flagged a price range to investors of HK$55.60 to HK$61.16 each, according to its regulatory filings. It is the second IPO this week to price at the bottom end of the range with Tuhu Car raising $145 million with the final price at the low point. Three cornerstone investors, headed by New China Capital Management, subscribed for about $96.8 million worth of Fourth Paradigm stock, which equates to 70.6% of the IPO, the filings showed. Fourth Paradigm counts Goldman Sachs (GS.N), Sinovation, Haitong International Investment and a number of state-backed funds as pre-IPO investors, according to filings.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Scott Murdoch, Himani Sarkar, Alexander Smith Organizations: HK, Commerce Department, New China Capital Management, Paradigm, International Investment, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Sydney

☆ Australia tribunal pushes Chevron, LNG unions to resolve wage fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A 3D printed natural gas pipeline is placed in front of displayed Chevron logo in this illustration taken Feb. 8, 2022. The commission's recommendations came a day after talks between Chevron and a union alliance over strikes at the Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities ended without a deal. "I strongly recommend that the parties adopt the recommendations ... which will hopefully resolve these disputes," FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan said. The tribunal has the power to halt the strikes, which escalated to two 24-hour work stoppages over the weekend. Riordan said both Chevron and the unions "spent countless hours at the negotiating table" and the talks resulted in an agreement on the majority of provisions.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Bernie Riordan, Riordan, Saul Kavonic, Renju Jose, Alasdair Pal, Sonali Paul Organizations: Chevron, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney, Western Australia

☆ Qantas ex-CEO takes 900% pay rise, but bonus cut amid scandals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alan Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, speaks with members of the media at an event celebrating Qantas' 100th birthday at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, November 16, 2020. Most of the amount was share-based incentives that Joyce was allowed to cash in after they vested, according to the report. It could also "claw back" unvested stock bonuses for Joyce, currently worth A$6 million, it said. Joyce's final pay packet encapsulates his decade and a half of running the company, which dominates Australian air travel. Qantas must return to the Federal Court to determine what it must pay in penalties and compensation to affected workers.

Persons: Alan Joyce, Loren Elliott, Joyce, Richard Goyder, disquiet, Alan, Goyder, Byron Kaye, Sameer Manekar, Rashmi Aich, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, Australia's Qantas Airways, Consumer Commission, High Court, Federal, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

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