Policy to test mine plan

THE proposed expansion of Coal & Allied's Carrington West mine could be the first test of the Coalition government's strategic land use policy.

Hot stock

What's new? Occasionally, during market panic, good-quality companies are thrown out with the bad.

Minmetals names project to help plug Century gap

THE Hong Kong-listed Minmetals Resources (MMR) is planning to give the go-ahead in the September quarter for its Dugald River zinc-lead-silver deposit in north-west Queensland, expected to cost more than $US850 million ($828 million).

MMR to move on Dugald River

THE Hong Kong-listed Minmetals Resources (MMR) is planning to give the go-ahead in the September quarter for the development of its Dugald River zinc-lead-silver deposit in north-west Queensland, with an outlay of at least $US850 million.

World's policeman turns in the badge

Obama spelt it out: the US can't afford to go it alone any longer.

STAY IN TOUCH...

WITH HOME GROWN CINEMA

German Greens on Fukushima high

GERMANY'S richest state has ousted Chancellor Angela Merkel's Conservatives from power for the first time in 58 years, embracing the Greens and throwing doubt on Dr Merkel's political future.

ING puts Investa in the big league

INVESTA PROPERTY GROUP is set to emerge as a force in commercial property with a $12 billion portfolio after winning the battle for the management of ING Office Fund.

Fund needed for fair go

NSW Minerals Council boss Nikki Williams said the new state government must deliver on its $350 million infrastructure fund for the Hunter.

Is human brain function largely based on our genes?

A question for Dr Alex Fornito

Voters turn their backs on 'strategic' Merkel

LONDON: Germany's richest state has ousted Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives from power for the first time in 58 years, embracing the Greens and throwing doubt on her political future.

Greenfields are not fulfilling the dream

New estates don't provide affordable housing, write Colin Keane and Bob Birrell.

After 16 years of sniping, Skinner will now be target

JILLIAN SKINNER'S knowledge of public health will be her best advantage as she navigates the treacherous waters of the state's most difficult portfolio.

National security focus needed to boost support for aid program

AUSTRALIA should give foreign aid its own minister and tweak the aid program to better serve national security, according to a report out today.

Military life a shaper for career in politics

HE has pledged to deliver action for Newcastle, and Tim Owen has the background to back up the words.

Gaddafi under relentless attack

�� COALITION forces have kept up pressure on Muammar Gaddafi with a barrage of air strikes, while US officials say the Libyan leader is arming volunteers to stave off the onslaught.

NSW savages Labor in record swing

THE Liberal-National Coalition has seized power in New South Wales with a thumping statewide swing of about 16 per cent, in a massive landslide that ended 16 years of rule by a scandal-ridden Labor Party.

Jury out on teams going nowhere

This grinding match posed more questions than it answered, writes Greg Baum.

Death by strategic planning

Companies should make it their mission to produce relevant plans, writes Kath Lockett.

A parliament hung, drawn and fraught with bitterness

AFTER a week of politics unplugged came the black humour. Maybe Julia Gillard should emulate that US Republican candidate who made the ad declaring "I'm not a witch", quipped one Labor man, as MPs prepared to adjourn until the May 10 budget.

A healthy dose of investment

IN THE coming year, the first batch of baby boomers turns 65. That is tipped to accelerate the pace of change in the real estate industry, especially in the retirement, aged-care and healthcare sectors.

First days of a new war

As the West pursues a battle with no end in Libya, other regimes have been forced into retreat by angry citizens riding the wave of change, writes Paul McGeough.

Mr fix-it of the social network

Working in local government, Glenn Menner has always focused on improving people's quality of life. His latest job - manager of community development at Mount Alexander Shire Council - has improved his own. After working with inner-city municipalities, being based in the country is something of a tree change. Menner and his family already live in Melbourne's outer fringe and now he heads away from town instead of into it, halving the time of his daily commute.

When young guns go to war

The rebels' bravery makes up for a lack of firepower, writes Jason Koutsoukis, in Benghazi.

YOUR SAY

For all the benefits of industry membership listed in last week's cover story (ongoing training, networking, leadership opportunities), it seems most voters in our online poll aren't making the most of what's on offer to them. Only 11 per cent find it useful, while 44 per cent have a membership but don't do much with it. And on the subject of staff "churnover", voters reported an even split between a high and medium movement of staff out of the building. This week's questions are on singles and work-life balance (see story, preceding page) and strategic plans ��� are they relevant? (see story, facing page).

Trust in the trust is the key

Once lost, trust in a fiduciary can be hard to regain. As a consequence of A-REIT managements' value-destroying strategic mistakes over the past decade, most investors no longer consider A-REIT a stand-alone real estate solution. This has left many A-REIT survivors facing a crisis of confidence - how else to explain recent A-REIT takeovers effected at discounts to NTA and that several continue to trade at significant discounts to comparable unlisted wholesale vehicles? Put simply, the issue isn't about the underlying property or being listed, it's about investors recognising the limited depth of talent in a relatively small domestic market and, most importantly, confidence in A-REIT stewardship.

THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK

Colin Kruger and Danny John

FFA reshuffle to build on elite development, grassroots support

FOOTBALL Federation Australia has acknowledged that it has lost ground with the sport's traditional constituency by appointing a man steeped in media, broadcasting and "old soccer" as its new head of Corporate Affairs and Communications in the hope that he can drive greater community engagement and build bridges with fans who have yet to buy into the A-League and "new football".

ALP polling shows Lib set for win

THE Liberal Party could claim an historic victory in the seat of Newcastle at tomorrow's state election, leaked Labor polling reveals.

FFA sacks more staff as tough outlook and $5.8m loss bite deep

CASH-STRAPPED Football Federation Australia yesterday retrenched nine staff members, after three other managers left voluntarily as chief executive Ben Buckley implements a restructure he maintains will "set us up for the next four years".

PLAYSEAT EVOLUTION

IF YOU'RE the type of person who loves the driver's seat, even when you're in your living room, this could be for you. The Playseat Evolution (white) allows you to slip into something more comfortable and tackle your favourite race track from the comfort of your lounge room. The seat combines a white leather racing seat with strategically positioned plates to mount your existing pedals and steering wheel. Shorter drivers can add a seat slider and there's also an adaptable gear-shift plate (for right- or left-hand drive). It's priced at $639. See thegamingcollection.com.au.

Desert 'rat' fuels suspicion on the front line

THE unwieldy mob of 100 or so Libyan rebels laid down their guns for a moment to greedily help themselves to the region's staple lunch snack: bread rolls stuffed with baked beans.

COVER PROPERTY

COOGEE 18/120 BEACH STREET About $1.8 million

Fatigue and mistrust grow as rebels run out of steam

THE unwieldy mob of 100 or so Libyan rebels laid down their guns for a moment to greedily help themselves to the region's staple lunch snack: bread rolls stuffed with baked beans.

Language centre more than just talk

A $2.4 million language centre launched at the University of Wollongong yesterday will bolster the university's five-star rating, its director says.

Dream of Jeannie

AN INTRIGUING powerplay has emerged at the Carlton Football Club that has thwarted club patron and arts benefactor Jeanne Pratt in her bid to become the Blues' president.

'Flood danger plain to see'

FLOOD devastation in the Illawarra should sound alarm bells over the construction of homes on the region's flood plains, opposition parties claim.

Dream of Jeanne

Pratt wanted to share Carlton presidency with Kernahan

Truth on charity comes home to roost

THE popular theory that birds' collaborative behaviour is driven by altruism doesn't always play out in practice.

See through the fees

The government's shake-up of the financial services sector has widespread implications, writes Annette Sampson.

Rebellion euphoria fades as Gaddafi digs in

WHAT happened to the euphoria that infused Benghazi at the beginning of the Libyan uprising?

US stresses its limited part in operation

THE US played down its involvement in the coalition that struck Libyan targets, citing the international nature of the effort against Muammar Gaddafi and suggesting its frontline role would last days and not weeks.

When art becomes a thought bubble

Educational and arts institutions are using philosophical inquiry to enhance students' ability to learn, writes Elisabeth Tarica.

Letters & Emails

THE BIG ISSUE CHEAP MILK Milk is perishable, so are farmers

Does foreign aid do more harm than good?

Do developing countries benefit from our help, or does it prevent them from using their own resources to get ahead? Four experts debate the best approach.

Greens and leaks leave sour taste in Gillard's mouth

JULIA Gillard and Kevin Rudd were quick out of the blocks after the United Nations Security Council made its historic decision to begin air strikes against the Gaddafi forces in Libya yesterday morning.

Salary cuts could deliver big savings

THE TAFE system in NSW could be overhauled, generating big savings in government spending, by handing more power to the directors of individual centres.

Radiation to reach US today but risk considered minimal

DILUTED radiation from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is expected to reach parts of the United States, including southern California, this afternoon, as Japanese authorities continue their battle to stabilise the plant.

Genocide fears if UN stalls on no-fly zone

THE Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd, says the United Nations Security Council represents the last hope for the people of Libya and must impose a no-fly zone as a matter of urgency.

The West practises selective dudgeon

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain grease our wheels, so they're all right, writes Eric Ellis in Dubai.

Flight ban a perilous gamble for the West

If an exclusion zone over Libya fails, as is probable, we will be drawn in deeper.

Markets will calm down once they know the extent of Japan's disaster

THE markets will be volatile and vulnerable in the wake of Japan's disaster until they are sure the situation is "contained and quantified", to borrow from the words Evans & Partners used in a note to clients yesterday.

Forge agreement

LYNAS shares jumped more than 7 per cent after the company struck a $20.7 million deal with fellow explorer Forge Resources to develop two of Forge's assets.

Nuclear campaign is going to water

The atomic power dilemma: it��s a water guzzler, yet vulnerable to water, writes Brahma Chellaney.

When the police are the wrong people to investigate

The Tyler case should be a catalyst for independent oversight in police shootings.

US official quits over treatment of Bradley Manning

A SENIOR State Department official who quit after describing as "ridiculous and counterproductive" the Pentagon's treatment of a soldier accused of leaking top secret cables to WikiLeaks, stood by his remarks despite it costing him his job.

Artists need a long-term commitment from the state

This is a state blessed with topographical beauty. NSW has natural and built assets that have come to define our nation, and our international identity. It is home to some of Australia's most imaginative, creative and innovative individuals and to a number of our country's most precious collections and historic places. Our galleries, parks, stages and screens have told the bloody, brave and banal stories of our country's past and present - but how equipped are we for the stories and interpretation of our future?

LETTERS

FOLLOWING Julia's performance before Congress all we have to do is replace the Union Flag with the Stars and Stripes and voila. It is done. Michael Terry, Viewbank

Loss of contract leaves Strategic under pressure

AUSTRALIA'S newest international and domestic airline, Strategic - which has been trying to turn a buck flying tourists to Bali and troops to the Middle East - is under financial pressure after its charter arm lost a $30 million-a-year Defence Force contract amid a police investigation.

Strategic feeling the pressure

AUSTRALIA'S newest international and domestic airline Strategic ��� which has been trying to turn a buck flying tourists to Bali and troops to the Middle East ��� is under financial pressure after its charter arm lost a $30 million-a-year Defence Force contract amid a police investigation.

Green movement outguns Gunns

It was left to the new chief executive, Greg L'Estrange, to concede defeat.

Which domino would fall next after the Mad Dog?

A FRIGHTENING question is seeping into every level of strategic thinking about the democracy revolution in the Middle East - what if Gaddafi hangs on?

The felling of Gunns

THE first time Alec Marr was arrested in front of a Gunns bulldozer was in 1987, as he protested against the logging of Tasmania's Lemonthyme forest. Gunns was then, in his words, a small company with a bad attitude.

LETTERS

Script stays same

Allegations of fear and favours persist

Leaked US embassy cables further damage the Indonesian President's standing, writes Philip Dorling.

Claims of fear and favours persist in Indonesia

Leaked US embassy cables further damage Yudhoyono's standing, writes Philip Dorling.

PM flubs her lines: not even US puts China in a corner

Australia's relationship with the US works on two levels. On the surface we see the warmth and emotion displayed so vividly by Julia Gillard and her hosts this week in Washington. Underneath is the cold calculus of national interest - the critical accounting of what the US does for Australia, and what we do for them.

PM goes all the way with USA

The Americans loved it, but Gillard's performance is likely to leave many at home further confused about the "real Julia".

West after Libya's oil, says Gaddafi Military sets refinery sites ablaze

MUAMMAR Gaddafi accused the West of wanting to seize Libya's oil and warned that a flight-exclusion zone would backfire as his forces pounded rebel lines, setting a string of oil facilities ablaze.

Treasury sees no harm in milk war

THE Treasury has dismissed calls to change competition laws in response to the "milk war" triggered by Coles, and warned that doing so could hit the hip pockets of consumers.

Fragile fulcrum on which global stability rests

More turmoil could bring down the whole deck of cards, writes Ambrose Evans-Pritchard.

LETTERS

Preserving parks

Final eight could become final 10 in expanded fixture

WITH 18 teams in the competition next year, the AFL is considering a 10-team finals series to be played over five weeks.

Sydney's arts scene a pale imitation of its vibrant, go-get-it neighbours

SYDNEY had lost its cultural vibrancy through a lack of strategic planning and investment, apathy towards artists and a failure to engage diverse communities.

US must be at centre of new world order: PM

JULIA GILLARD has stressed the importance of the United States remaining a military and economic power in the Asia-Pacific, saying just as it was indispensable during the Cold War, so, too, would it be indispensable in the new world.

Obama thanks PM for Afghanistan role

JULIA Gillard will tell the United States Congress that America's strong engagement in the Asia Pacific region remains important and that it is vital to keep the Australian-US alliance relevant to contemporary strategic challenges.

Gillard keen for closer military ties with the US

JULIA GILLARD has left the door open for an expanded American military presence in Australia as the US completes a review of its forces in the Asia-Pacific region in response to the rise of China.

Sobering advice for new regulators

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has offered a very sobering piece of advice on how regulators should go about preventing any future financial crises.

South-east gathers pace

STRONG land sales at Dandenong South point to a recovery in the industrial market and the positive impact of infrastructure upgrades in the south-east.

Parks may open to developers

VICTORIA'S national parks would be opened up to hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities under a plan to boost visitor arrivals from China and India.

How is the resources boom affecting Melbourne?

A question for Dr Bruce Rasmussen

With 20 per cent of Australia's wealth management, AMP will be the fifth pillar

The "please consider" strategy deployed by AMP and its adviser, UBS, in the pursuit of AXA Asia Pacific finally delivered the goods yesterday when the Supreme Court of Victoria approved AMP's $14 billion scheme-of-arrangement takeover of its long-time rival, and the subsequent $10 billion sale of AXA AP's Asian franchise to AXA of France.

With AXA a Dunn deal, AMP's chief must now lock in the gains

THE "please consider" strategy deployed by AMP and its adviser, UBS, in the pursuit of AXA Asia Pacific finally delivered the goods yesterday when the Supreme Court of Victoria approved AMP's $14 billion scheme-of-arrangement takeover of its long-time rival, and the subsequent $10 billion sale of AXA AP's Asian franchise to AXA of France.

Corrigan sails high on the winds of growth initiatives

CHRIS Corrigan's Qube Logistics hit a record high as investors piled into the stock before a massive corporate restructure, a new strategic investor and a plan to buy the remaining 50 per cent in the country's biggest port-logistics provider P&O Trans from DP World.

Corrigan is back in the game

CHRIS CORRIGAN'S Qube Logistics is riding a wave of heightened investor interest before a huge corporate restructure, a new strategic shareholder, and a plan to buy the remaining 50 per cent in the country's biggest port logistics provider, P&O Trans, from DP World.

PM to stress the ties that bind

JULIA Gillard is set to tug hard on the bilateral strings of friendship when this week she becomes the fourth Australian prime minister to address the United States Congress.

Ombudsman's name and shame list a bold step forward

Hooray for the name-and-shame list released by the Financial Ombudsman Service! Please forgive the exclamation mark; I don't get to be jubilant very often in this column.

Change of plan

The Baillieu government has scrapped Labor's high-density apartment policy but its own planning vision is at least two years away, writes Marc Pallisco.

Keeping the world's wheels oiled

With the price of oil climbing amid Middle East instability, some believe another energy crisis is on the way, writes Simon Mann from Washington.

Eddington goes to ground on Rio exit

RIO Tinto might be back on top of its game but the fallout from its disastrous $US38 billion acquisition of Canadian aluminium group Alcan in 2007 is still claiming victims, this time

BRIEFS

NEW CENTRE PRAISED

Fury's demise should spark fresh thinking

It's time for a review involving everyone in the game, writes Michael Lynch.

Key Brumby adviser joins Gillard

THE man who oversaw the defeat of the Brumby government has been appointed to a senior strategic position in the private office of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Short-term thinking puts brakes on infrastructure

You only have to visit Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore or Beijing to appreciate how desperately far behind the times Australia has fallen, write Matt O'Sullivan and Philip Wen.

Libyan rebels mobilise for long battle

AS DENTIST Sami Nous belted along the highway from Benghazi to Brega on Thursday, struggling to keep a promise not to speed above 180km/h, he tried to explain the surge of adrenalin he was feeling.

Nature beats nurture in the brain

SCIENTISTS say they have been able to prove for the first time that brain wiring is influenced more by nature than by nurture.

Ragtag revolutionaries find zeal a match for guns and money

AJDABIYA: If rule by fear helped Muammar Gaddafi to entrench power for 42 years, it is now an equally potent weapon in the hands of those fighting to topple him.

WAN shareholders will need to be switched on to free-to-air's future

HAS free-to-air television lost its lustre, or is it a financial diamond, shiny and tough enough to last forever? That's the question shareholders in West Australian Newspapers must answer before April 11, when they vote on WAN's plan to buy Seven Media Group for $4.1 billion.

Stokes deal depends on free-to-air future

Has free-to-air television lost its lustre or is it a financial diamond, shiny and tough enough to last forever? That's the question shareholders in West Australian Newspapers must answer before April 11, when they vote on WAN's plan to buy Seven Media Group for $4.1 billion.

Rebels repel Gaddafi strike

IF RULE by fear helped Muammar Gaddafi entrench himself in power for 42 years, it is now an equally potent weapon in the hands of those fighting to topple him.