Carbon tax compensation goes to poker machines, Queensland poker machine revenue increased more than 7% in May when first Clean Energy payments went out and rose almost 12% in June compared to last year. Electronic gaming revenue in lower socio-economic areas of Victoria, such as Bendigo and Ballarat, grew by more than double the state average. [CR: Frustrating fact of reality.]
Ford Australia planning to cut 440 jobs in Victoria and reduce production by about a third from November to a new annual output of 33,000 cars. Has seen a sharp drop in sales of its Falcon down 36% as consumers switch to SUVs and compacts. President and CEO said committed to produce vehicles in Australia until at least 2016. Investment at start of the year of $103 million for locally made Fords to be more fuel efficient, included $34 million federal funding and undisclosed amount from Victoria. Ford Australia posted a loss of $290 million last year, sales down 25% year to date. History of job losses: 2006 – 640 jobs; 2008 – 450 jobs; 2010 – 240 jobs. Gillard on 17 Jan 2012 “As a result of us making $34 million available to join with Ford in new investment to keep car manufacturing here, we’ll actually see the number of jobs grow. There will be an additional 300 jobs as a result.” [CR: History has a way of making bold declarations seem silly in hindsight.]
Australian Communications and Media Authority approved the use of 05 prefix once the 04 numbers are used up. [CR: Glad someone’s thinking about what’s next.]
New Yahoo! CEO announced, 37 year-old Marissa Mayer, ex-Google vice-president of location and local services. [CR: Refer to past article on revolving door of CEOs over the past five years and the prospect of laying off thousands. Will be interesting to see what she does.]
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