Brandt shows season spirit with a welcome $500,000 in Community Donations

The season of goodwill just got a lot more festive for 14 charities, thanks to $500,000 in donations from the Brandt Group of Companies’ Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund. Brandt employees arranged the funds to support 14 organisations across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. “We are very grateful to our customers, employees, […]

RBA Governor shows true grit to raise rates by a further 0.25% to hit 4.35%

With the distraction of the general public, taking time out to watch the running of the 163rd Melbourne Cup the Reserve Bank of Australia Board (RBA) has taken a swipe at lingering inflation by raising the base cash rate by 0.25% to a 12-year high of 4.35%. The biggest takeaway from the rate rise is […]

RIC Act offering $4.075 billion loans to farm and farm-related small businesses under review

Farmers and agribusinesses will have the chance to provide feedback on the products and service delivery of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) and the effectiveness of concessional loans through an upcoming independent statutory review. Assistant Secretary Andrew O’Sullivan said the review of the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018 (RIC Act) would be a chance to […]

Victoria is now the best performing economy in the CommSec State of the States report

It will surprise many Victorians to learn they live in the best performing economy, but that’s the word according to figures released in the theCommSec State of the States report where for the first time in over a year, Victoria is the country’s number one. Strong economic activity, solid retail spending and business investment catapulted […]

Inflation rate gives the RBA a slam dunk to increase rates on Melbourne Cup Day 2023

According to Moody’s Analytics report on Australia Consumer Price Index the uptick in quarterly price growth will put pressure on the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) to hike rates further when they meet next on 7 November, Melbourne Cup Day. Aussie inflation isn’t playing ball, the Moody’s Analytics report outlines. Across the September quarter, underlying inflation rose […]

Grants of $50,000 are up for grabs to help build resilient regional communities

Applications are now open for grants from $20,000 or up to $50,000 for events and initiatives to strengthen communities and capability for drought preparedness. But get in now as the first round is already open and closes on 14 November, while the second round will open for applications in February 2024 and will close in […]

Fire ants in the spotlight with Federal Senate inquiry viewing funding failures

The Invasive Species Council welcomes a Senate inquiry into fire ants. The inquiry will assess the cost of a fire ant invasion of Australia and the impact of delays to federal and state funding on the eradication program in south-east Queensland. “Fire ants are a super pest which will devastate Australia’s environment and agriculture if they […]