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Australian executives who have retired from demanding jobs are taking on roles in consultancy, farming and lecturing at university, rather than spending all their time on leisure activities such as golf.

Issues concerning one of Australia's biggest foreign-owned company, Mitsui and Co (Australia), are presented. Its main business is exporting energy and minerals to Japan, reference is made to its management, recent achievements and priorities over the next year.

Issues concerning the aims and organisation of the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), based in Washington DC are presented. The CEB is a commercially run industry association encouraging improved corporate practices for its members around the world with provision of research and education.

The economic policies of Australian prime minister John Howard are fully supported by chief executives, according to a quarterly survey.

Toll Holdings, the Australian transport company, spent 50 million Australian dollars creating a new section to deal with electronic commerce. Combined with the main business, the aim is to improve distribution to customers.

A review of Australia's 500 largest private companies is presented.

The results of a survey of the opinions of chief executives of Australia's largest companies on business conditions in 2000 are presented, with most participants expecting difficulties in the future.

The Rich 200 of Australia reveals that the country has eight billionaires and about 240,000 millionaires, and that the wealth of these 200 people has increased by 7.4% on 1999's 200,000. The Australian economy is booming which is reflected in the fortunes of those who own businesses and the number of millionaires could double by 2001.

Research has found high earners in the electronic commerce industry are investing their money in houses and cars, increasing property prices in Australia.

The use of the Internet to advertise job vacancies is discussed. The possibility of the Internet being a threat to the advertising base of large publishing firms is considered.

A survey of Australian executives found that while over 40% of the executives in the finance sector have had their businesses affected by the Internet, other business executives are not concerned about competition from electronic commerce. The survey also found that most executives take a very narrow view of the facets of business that can utilize the Internet.

Macquaire Bank Ltd. has developed an investment package that provides wealthy investors with an opportunity to make high-return investments once offered only to institutions. The Private Investment Selection Masterfund (Prism) offers clients with a minimum of $500,000 a diversified portfolio of investment choices. Managers who normally see only institutions are available to meet with Prism clients.

The Australian federal government's Corporate Law Economic Reform Program is expected to change Australian corporate board regulations. Corporate director duties, fund raising, takeovers and accounting standards regulations are expected to change. Director liability is a major issue for board decision making and many directors do not understand their liability.

The concept of private banking in Australia has been largely misunderstood, but the industry is maturing, as the number of wealthy Australians increase. In January 1999, Australia had 206,000 millionaires, up from 169,000 in January 1998. Private banking services have progressed beyond preferential treatment to a wide variety of services and products including investment strategies and risk management. Most private bankers transact business with those who have at least $1 million to invest, though more than $5 million is often preferred.

Business tax reform may be implemented in Australia despite other tax and economic measures before the federal government. The review of the goods and services tax will not have an effect on the review of the business tax. If changes are not implemented there will be an effect on federal politics.

Despite a current budget surplus of $5.4 billion and relatively optimistic forecasts of economic growth, Australians are split about whether or not to implement a goods and services tax (GST). Various experts have forecast the economy's growth to be between 2.5 and 3%. However, given a current-account deficit of $32 billion and possible overstimulation of the economy, the $2 billion needed to pass the GST might leave little in reserve to handle an unforseen economic or political issue. Further, the current-account deficit could mean an increase in bond spreads, making Australia a risky investment.

Tax reform in Australia may result in changes to trusts. The government's intention to lower corporate tax rates may results in changes to the tax consequences of trusts. It is acknowledged, however, that should trust status be affected, there could be some political fallout as many beneficiaries are Liberal and National Party voters.

The role of Australia's Department of the Treasury is changing. The department has increasing influence on the country's economic policy, but some critics of the department believe that the Treasury is less able to take on initiatives that could bring benefits to Australia. Treasurer Peter Costello and his department will have to take care not to lose credibility while working in an increasingly political environment.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is in charge during a time of economic turmoil. His coalition has presented Australian citizens with a total economic reform package which includes tax reform, low interest rates and sound fiscal management. Expenditures must continue to be minimal in the grim economic climate so issues of health and education may not be broached.

The outlook for positive growth in the Australian economy has been diminished by the government's failure to complete the sale of the telecommunications giant Telstra. The Treasury Dept is expected to lower its 3% growth forecast to 2.75%. Unemployment is not expected to dip below 8%, and it may increase to 8.5%. The concern over possible One Nation party gains in the Australian Senate is rooted in how its economic policies could stagnate growth. The current National-Liberal party coalition in government feels secure despite increasing disapproval of government economic policies.

Telstra is put in a difficult position by its need to bring in revenue in conflict with its duty as a public servant. The bill which would have mandated the sale of the government-controlled two-thirds of Telestra's stock was voted down. Telestra's universal service obligation is valued at $200 million in July 1998. Since the government is the largest shareholder, politics often influence Telestra's management.

The Corporate Law Economic Reform Bill was introduced in Australia's Parliament by Treasurer Peter Costello on Jul 2, 1998. The bill proposes changes in laws governing takeovers, raising funds, accounting standards and board directors' operations. The aim of the bill is to ensure that Australia becomes the major business force in the Asia/Pacific area.

The privatization of Telstra, the Australian telephone company, must balance sound fiscal policy and the desires of voters. Voters want less expensive and more extensive telecommunications services especially in the local call market. A decrease in Telstra revenue could decrease the attractiveness of the privatization.

The One Nation party's effect on the Jun 13, 1998, Queensland, Australia, elections demonstrated that voters do not believe mainstream politics or career politicians can provide solutions. The party's candidates did well against National Party candidates in sugar-growing regions. The popularity of this party is due to issues that caused voters to question who the Government represents.

The Australian budget for 1998-1999 shows a $2.7 billion surplus, and a prosperous year is predicted. However, the economic disasters in Asia caused a fall in orders, and the business confidence index fell about 9%. To maintain the rising surplus, government costs should be cut, with measures such as requiring copayments for health care by the middle-class and wealthy.

The process of preparing submissions for business group budgets has been made more difficult because of changes that have been made. The Treasury now handles pre-budget submissions directly. Before, the Economic Planning and Advisory Committee collected pre-budget submissions. The more formal process has been made more informal because of several factors, including the fact that the parties are more concerned with other matters, such as tax reform.

The dispute between Australia's stevedore workers and the stevedoring firm Patrick has yet to levy its full impact. October to January are the busiest months for trade, so the effects of the strike will not be felt until later in 1998. The beef and wool industries are expected to suffer the most from the strike, and many companies have shifted from Patrick to other stevedores.

Australia's business are pressing the government to eliminate the payroll tax as part of the nation's proposed tax reform policy. Nearly 40 industries have joined the Business Coalition on Tax Reform, a lobbying organization, in support. Payroll tax constitutes around 20% of total state revenue, but companies view it as an impost on hiring employees.

Australian exporters tend to have a 'micro' focus, while the government, concerned with international agreements, has a 'macro' focus. Both levels of focus are important, but a mutual understanding of each sector's position is important, if the country is to benefit. Since Australia's last federal election, Minister Fischer's performance in the trade arena has surprised observers.

The resignation by ministers in the Australian federal government due to the uproar over travel expense claims likely will have the effect of delaying the implementation of economic reforms planned by the Howard government. The scandal likely will lead to the office of the Prime Minister acquiring more power over decision making, thus curtailing the power of ministers and delaying the progress and effectiveness of governance.

The Cole inquiry into the food-for-oil scandal will result in implementing single desk in near future and chief executive of Australian Wheat Board (AWB), Andrew Lindberg to lose his job. The Centre for International Economics (CIE) points out that greater competition would achieve cost savings of at least $5 a tonne in wheat. Some farmers are willing to adopt single desk where as well off farmers fear they have to shell out dollars from their pockets.

The 800 companies, which increased their revenue and more than half companies, which increased their net profit as per the list for 2005, is discussed. The study reveals that all the companies have achieved success by cost-cutting in business, and through discipline and innovation.

The details on growth of Australian economy for 2005-06 are forecasted.

The amazing stories of the successful people on the BRW Young Rich list are discussed. The characteristics and their contribution towards the country's future wealth is presented.

A profile of chief executive and president Trevor O'Hoy of Foster's Group, whose success lies in management strategies, is presented.

The issues surrounding Australian Fair Pay Commission, which proposes minimum wage rates, are examined.

The recent efforts of Australian federal government relating to the companies abilities to sue for defamation are discussed. Information market continues to be highly regulated despite deregulation in product, capita and labor markets. Australian states have removed the rights of companies to sue for defamation. The implications of such deprivation of rights are discussed.

The viability of the Future Fund, which is being introduced by Treasurer Peter Costello, is examined. The Fund finances superannuation liability of public servants.

The significance of innovation of entrepreneurs in wealth creation is examined.

While the domestic and global demand for products manufactured in Australia have risen marginally, the slow down in productivity has resulted in widening the gap that will drive the prices to the roof. The repercussions would be that demand would have to come down bringing economic downturn along with it. Other factors like lack of infrastructure, rising trade deficit, consumer spending, inflation, interest rates, etc., that are likely to affect the economy and consequently politics in Australia are also analyzed.

Chief Executive of advertising agency Smart, Ben Lilly talks about challenges of handling a small and dynamic group of young and talented staff.

The results from the BRW Young Rich list show that formal education is not a prerequisite for entrepreneual success and only 40% on the Young Rich list have a university degree.

Traditional sources of economic boom, housing investments are expected to fall in states like NSW by 16 to 25 %. A possible reason for this could be lack of infrastructure investment by the government.

The lives of the Rich 200 of Australia have been studied and eight factors primarily responsible for their being wealthy have been discussed.

SDI, a dental restorative material company, has taken 30 years to be successful as its sales were 36.7 million dollars in 2002-03 and the net profit was 5.45 million dollars. But with a successful export campaign and the popularity of cosmetic industry, SDI is one of the biggest manufacturers of silver alloy and plastics in Australia that makes about half a million tooth fillings a day and is a large exporter with 70 offices worldwide.

To find out who would become the moneymakers in 2004, one needs to go to the source that is those that manage money. It is reported that as the property market is declining and interest in equities is rising, funds managers might be in a position to benefit.