Georgia Wilkins

Taxation

Apple's tax minimisation laid bare

Georgia Wilkins A US Senate inquiry into Apple's use of tax havens reveals products sold in Australia are handled by a number of offshore subsidiaries, bolstering Apple's offshore profits.

Agribusiness

Lower demand its Ruralco

Georgia Wilkins Dry weather and heavy debts continue to plague the farming sector, with Australia's largest rural services company, Ruralco, sinking to a loss during the first half.

Markets

Super funds on track for bumper returns

Georgia Wilkins Australian shares flirted with five-year highs on Monday, spurred on by signs of US strength.

Retail

China the new competitor in Australia's online sales

Georgia Wilkins As Australia's major retailers increase their online sales channels, they could face competition from China's booming e-commerce industry.

Online

Chinese websites a new challenge to retailers

Georgia Wilkins As retailers ramp up their online sales channels, new competition from China's booming e-commerce industry looms.

Pay TV

Foxtel stung after failing to deliver 'free TVs'

Georgia Wilkins Foxtel will compensate some customers to avoid going to court after the consumer watchdog alleged its "free TV" subscription offer broke the law.

Economy

Dollar tumbles as US revival gains traction

Georgia Wilkins Economists are expecting signs of continued improvement in the US to push the sagging $A even lower.

Currency

Budget adds to pressure on dollar

Georgia Wilkins Sliding commodity prices, a US economic revival and now a gloomy budget are all weighing on the dollar.

Drugs

Bitter pill for GSK profits

Georgia Wilkins Decline in local pharmaceutical industry to blame for an 8 per cent dip in GSK's local profits.

Philantropy

Healthcare founder donates millions to charities

Georgia Wilkins The founder of one of Australia's biggest healthcare companies, Primary Health Care, is giving away almost half his shares in the firm, valued at $76 million, to family and a charitable trust.

Taxation

Global tax investigation casts net over havens

Georgia Wilkins The Australian Tax Office's probe will work in tandem with those announced by US and British governments.

ATO

Australia joins US, UK in tax haven probe

Georgia Wilkins An investigation into the tax avoidance schemes of hundreds of wealthy Australians is part of a multinational inquiry into offshore data believed to include 2.5 million leaked tax records.

Mining services

Orica's chief confident despite gloom

Georgia Wilkins Orica chief executive Ian Smith remains defiant in the face of a slowing mining cycle.

Media

News Ltd director takes APN top job

Georgia Wilkins Media group APN has appointed Michael Miller as its new chief executive officer.

Economy

Manufacturing tops productivity, but more gains to be made

Georgia Wilkins A survey by Ernst & Young shows manufacturing is second behind health and social services.

Legal

Court bid to wind up fund

Georgia Wilkins ASIC is seeking to wind up a $400m investment fund run by a failed Gold Coast group.

Loopholes

Treasury says tax system misses digital

Georgia Wilkins Treasury paper warns the shift towards knowledge-based goods had left Australia's tax system unsustainable.

Need a tax deduction? Just Google it

Georgia Wilkins Technology giant's Australian arm has received a tax deduction of $12.7 million.

Tech

Google Australia claims first profit in four years

Georgia Wilkins Tech giant Google has made a profit in Australia for the first time in at least four years, despite estimates of $2 billion in local advertising revenue.