Voters in Berkley California have backed a 1-cent-an-ounce tax on soft drinks (known as Measure D), making Berkeley the first US city to pass a law taxing sugary drinks. While the measure only needed a majority of “yes” votes to pass, it received support from over 75% of voters. Dr Vicki Alexander, Co-Chair of the […]
Sugary Drinks Taxed in US first Read More »
Competition regulator the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was told by a judge it may have to step back and re-consider what its cases against Coles were and what allegations they were trying to prove, according to newspaper reports. In a directions hearing on the second case against Coles held the Federal Court in
Setback for ACCCs unconscionable conduct cases against Coles Read More »
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Monday that the GST was “a matter for the states” but should be looked at as part of the federation reform process and the tax reform process. Mr Abbott’s push for a mature debate on raising the GST has stumbled at the first hurdle after the states rejected any
States reject GST rate lift as Abbott pushes tax debate Read More »
While Australia has some of the lowest petrol tax rates in the world, the federal government’s move to make twice-yearly adjustments to petrol tax will add half a cent per litre at the bowser. The Government has announced that it will increase fuel excise from November 1 and spend the next 12 months seeking parliamentary
Fuel tax rises to hit petrol stations, new businesses Read More »
Investment company Re:Capital Australia, Hilco Capital’s Australian business, announced in October it had acquired the Broadmeadows-based confectionery manufacturer Betta Foods and formed a new holding company, The Confectionery Innovation Group Pty Ltd. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The Confectionery Innovation Group will take 100% ownership of Betta Foods. Established in 1954,
Re:Capital adds Betta Foods to confectionery portfolio Read More »
A new car servicing code being agreed to between major automotive industry bodies threatens to hit independent workshops, many of which operate from existing service stations, out of the business of repairing new cars and could force new car owners back to the new car dealers. Car maker body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry
New car service code to squeeze workshops, AMIF calls for unity Read More »
The game is set to change for operators engaging in serious breaches of the Franchising Code of Conduct with proposed enforcement powers increasing the stakes on 1 January 2015. Based on the exposure draft of the new Code released in April 2014, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will be able to issue infringement
Proposed franchising powers set to boost code compliance Read More »
The September quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows inflation rose 0.5% in the September quarter and 2.3% in the year to September 2014. Commenting on yesterday’s CPI figures Australian National Retailers’ Association (ANRA) CEO, Anna McPhee, said the “middle of the road inflation number in the year to September 2014 demonstrates inflation is well contained.
Inflation remains low in lead up to Christmas Read More »
The Coca-Cola Company third quarter and year to-date operating results announced this week provided some interesting insights into beverage trends. Among its performance highlights The Coca-Cola Company reported: Global volume growth of 1% in the third quarter and 2% year to date and gained volume and value share in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages in the
The Coca Cola Company reports reveal beverage trends Read More »
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched additional legal proceedings against Coles Supermarkets and alleged that Coles took advantage of its superior bargaining position by demanding money from suppliers that it was not lawfully entitled to, and was, in all the circumstances, unconscionable. “The ACCC has commenced these proceedings because it considers the alleged
Regulator takes Coles to court over supplier payments for profit, stock losses Read More »
With some dairy suppliers signing on to supply Coles and Woolworths private label $1.00 milk, despite growing Asia export demand for milk products, Saputo International chief executive Lino Saputo Jnr has slammed Australia’s supermarket duopoly for selling milk cheaper than water. At a Rabobank leadership dinner in Sydney, Mr Saputo said that he found the
Saputo chief slams chains for “cheaper than water” milk Read More »
Caltex Australia acknowledged last week the EPA proceedings regarding the 2013 incident at its Banksmeadow terminal and said that it undertook an extensive investigation following a leak from a petrol tank at its Banksmeadow (NSW) terminal in July 2013 into secondary containment. Caltex Australia said that although there was no harm to the environment, Caltex
Caltex responds to NSW EPA proceedings, faces $2 million fine Read More »
The popularity of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s self-help online pay tool, PayCheck Plus, has hit an all-time high, with almost 900,000 visits so far this year. The use of PayCheck Plus increased by almost 23% in the nine months to the end of September, compared to the same time last year. PayCheck Plus is available
Self help option on wages proves popular Read More »
