Insights

The labour market is expected to remain under pressure as the mining sector's shift from investment to production reduces its demand for jobs, and amid further indications Holden is set to leave Australia.

The Victorian government has announced a $500,000 fund to promote technology collaboration between the state and Israel. Local businesses or research organisations that have secured partners in Israel can apply for feasibility and proof-of-concept grants of up to $50,000 each. Applications remain open until all funds are committed. business.vic.gov.au/visits

IT recruitment group Talent International has acquired West Australian IT consultancy Agile Logic. The group plans to transform itself into a leading IT consultancy firm in the Asia-Pacific region within five years. Agile Logic has 14 technology consultants and specialises primarily in Java Enterprise and business intelligence consulting. It will continue to operate under its own brand and management, Talent International managing director Richard Earl said.

The federal government has dished out more than $6 million to technology start-ups in regional Australia, allowing towns such as Bli Bli, Burringbar, and Kurrajong to start to enjoy the entrepreneurial dividend so far monopolised by the major cities.

Cisco plans to train the 400,000 networking professionals that research company IDC says the Asia-Pacific region will need to compete in a knowledge-based economy. The company will provide free online webinars on the Internet of Everything as part of its Networking Academy. IDC found networking professionals represent one-fifth of the additional 2 million technology professionals needed in the region in the next 10 years.

TPG Telecom has provided its strongest indication yet that it is preparing to take on Australia's dominant internet players, finalising a $450 million deal to buy AAPT's business and wholesale divisions from Telecom New Zealand.

The Productivity Commission has recommended fast tracking approval of major development projects in a suite of new reforms it says will help get projects off the ground as the mining boom recedes.

Usually it is the CEO who walks after a disastrous profit downgrade, but things have always been a little different at QBE.

Brambles has launched a thorough review of overheads with the spin-off of its Recall documents handling business as it seeks to drive return on capital to 20 per cent over the next five years.

The stockmarket fell as investors shrugged off strong leads from Wall Street, focusing instead on a profit warning by QBE that saw the insurer's shares dive more than 22 per cent.

Uranium processing at Energy Resources of Australia's Ranger mine will not be allowed to restart until federal agencies are satisfied it is safe, after Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane imposed a formal suspension on the controversial mine.

Two of the biggest stakes in Sandfire Resources are likely to change hands in the next 12 months, according to the copper miner's managing director, Karl Simich.

Childcare company Affinity Education Group and adult education company Vocation both made positive starts on their sharemarket debuts on Monday. Affinity has joined G8 Education to become Australia's second childcare operator listed on the ASX. After raising $75.5 million at $1 a share, mostly to buy childcare centres, Affinity closed the day at $1.04 in a weak market, lifting the company's capitalisation to $93.1 million. Vocation surged 7.41 per cent, or 14¢, to close at $2.03 on its debut. The company, which is a combination of three vocational education and training firms, had raised $253.3 million by selling 75.4 million shares and has a market capitalisation of $406 million.

Lion chief executive Stuart Irvine says the food and beverages giant will use its 10 per cent stake in takeover target Warrnambool Cheese & Butter to protect its cheese business as the three-way takeover battle intensifies.

The labour market is expected to remain under pressure as the mining sector's shift from investment to production reduces its demand for jobs, and amid further indications Holden is set to leave Australia.

Almost two years ago a senior British insurance industry figure likened QBE Insurance Group to a speedboat driven by its then boss Frank O'Halloran: “If you're driving a speedboat fast enough the wave never catches up to you, but if you slow down or stop, the wave could wash over you,” he warned.