Record exodus to Australia

Last updated 12:03 21/06/2011
Article: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/5171563/Record-exodus-to-Australia

The exodus to Australia hit record levels in May, partly due to Christchurch residents fleeing the city following February's fatal earthquake.

The net loss of 3300 people in the month was higher than the previous record of 2900 set in 1979.

Nationally, net migration has been negative since March this year with more people leaving the country permanently than arriving, after the quake.

Departures of Christchurch people remained high in May, at 800, up from 500 departures in May last year.

Aussies return to 'buy what you can afford' attitude

By Karen Collier, From: Herald Sun, June 10, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/money/were-boozing-less-and-saving-more/story-e6frfmci-1226072706782#ixzz1PIQRya5I 

• Aussies are boozing less and saving more
• Beer consumption dropped to 62-year lows
• "Consumers more likely to spend cautiously"

AUSSIES are taking the healthy, wealthy and wise message to heart. We're drinking and smoking less, trimming fat from our budgets and snubbing credit cards.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard warms to carbon tax help

By Simon Benson, From: The Daily Telegraph, June 10, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/national/julia-gillard-warms-to-carbon-tax-help/story-e6frfkvr-1226072697104#ixzz1PO0YMwMq

• Upper limit of the compensation package could be raised
• Families on up to $170,000 a year in line to get payments
• "There will be generous assistance for households"

THE upper limit of the government's carbon tax compensation package could be raised, with some families on incomes of up to $170,000 a year in line to receive some form of financial respite.

Australia's migrant intake set to become more 'English'

By John Masanauskas, From: Herald Sun, June 10, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/national/tougher-test-to-change-migrant-intake/story-e6frfkvr-1226072719564#ixzz1PIN0EHet

AUSTRALIA'S skilled migrant intake is set to become more "English" and less Asian because of a tougher language test and an employer push to recruit more suitable workers.

An Immigration Department report says fewer than one in five skilled migrants comes from major English background nations such as Britain, the United States, South Africa and Canada.

Discover Australia's best walks

By Andrew Bain, From: Lonely Planet, June 09, 2011 10:09AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/travel/australia/australias-best-walks/story-e6frfq89-1226072215326#ixzz1PINxoNku

AUSTRALIA is home to some of the best scenic drives in the world, but sometimes it's when you step out of the car that the real excitement begins.

Across the country, walking tracks head onto mountains, along coasts and even through desert areas that vehicles simply can't reach. But with thousands of walking choices out there, which tracks are the best? Walk this way...

Business banking war hots up

By Alex Tilbury, From: The Courier-Mail, June 10, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/money/banks-slash-fees-to-lure-business/story-e6frfmci-1226072772234#ixzz1PCOn0P3K

• Banks chase business sector
• Slash fees to lure customers
• Banks tapping into sentiment

THE business banking war is hotting up, with banks increasing the stakes in an attempt to take customers away from their competition.

Banks and lenders in race to the bottom as mortgage demand slides

By Peter Taylor, From: Herald Sun, June 07, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/money/banking/banks-and-lenders-in-race-to-the-bottom/story-e6frfmcr-1226070652292#ixzz1PILkhp4r

• Lenders cutting standards
• Higher loan-to-value ratios
• "Banks keen to kick-start growth"

FRESH evidence is emerging of a "race to the bottom" among banks and other lenders as demand for mortgages slides and competition boils over.

From Sydney to Melbourne in three hours on 400km/h Australian High Speed Vehicle

By Kate Schneider, From: news.com.au, June 10, 2011 12:00AM
Article: http://www.news.com.au/travel/australia/kmh-australian-high-speed-vehicle-coming-down-under/story-e6frfq89-1226072336508#ixzz1Op5aFGgn

• Concept images for high-speed train
• Melbourne to Sydney trip to take 3 hours

TRAVELLERS may soon be speeding between Australian landmarks at up to 400km/h if a company's bullet train design takes off.