While counting continues, the thrust of the Australian election is clear – the Labor government is re-elected with an increased majority, at least in the House of Representatives. The composition of the Senate is unknown at this stage, but the government will be able to pass laws and dare the upper house to refuse them. The outright majority in the lower house means that much of Labor’s agenda will become law.
The are many implicati...

Insolvencies rose to the highest in almost a decade, as rising borrowing costs, weaker consumer spending and a more aggressive Tax Office took its toll, with the most business failures in construction, hospitality and retail. 967 companies entered administration in February, up 40% on the same time last year, according to ASIC.
And...