Money

Telstra becomes first Aussie telco to mandate COVID jab

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

Anthony Lucas

Australia’s biggest telco, Telstra has announced it plans to mandate the COVID vaccine amongst its workforce

The telco giant plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for 8,300 frontline staff.

The mandate though, is in defiance of the Business Council of Australia’s stance that employers should only take this step with the backing of government health orders.

The telco giant stated that it would require about a third of its workforce to be vaccinated, and had commenced a one-week consultation period with staff, unions and partners ahead of what will be one of corporate Australia’s largest mandatory vaccination drives.

We need to focus on rebuilding #hope and the sooner we do the better. That’s a role for everyone. #letsvaxx https://t.co/Ur3F4Obswt
— Andrew Penn (@andy_penn) September 1, 2021

Telstra now faces a showdown with unions over the proposal

Telstra boss Andy Penn says that the vaccine requirement would apply to about 8300 workers but not those who could work from home or were outside Australia.

The telco is facing potential legal challenges, however, after chief executive Andy Penn said in a letter to employees that those who refuse the vaccine may be forced into ‘‘medical retirement’’.

“This policy would make getting vaccinated a requirement for roles where they are in regular contact with customers, the public or other employees, such as our frontline and business-critical teams, and those who need to visit customer premises at times,”

Telstra is now the fourth company to mandate Covid-19 vaccinations, joining SPC – which was the first business to force employees to get the jab, as well as major airline Qantas and Australia’s second-biggest private hospital operator, Healthscope.

Virgin Australia, the second largest airline in Australia is still to confirm its vaccine mandate.

Money

How to position investments for 2026: Expert advice on market cycles

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

Published

8 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

As 2026 begins, investors are navigating an evolving market landscape. Experts stress that positioning your investments strategically is far more important than trying to predict market movements.

Key factors include focusing on quality companies, maintaining strong cash flow, and diversifying intelligently.

Dale Gillham from Wealth Within Group joins us to break down what defines a major market cycle and why understanding it can shape your investment approach. From identifying inflation-resilient businesses to selectively tapping into growth themes like AI, this discussion covers essential strategies for the year ahead.

We also explore the role of risk management, the importance of an exit strategy, and how emotional decision-making can impact your portfolio. For anyone looking to strengthen their investing education and skills, this episode offers actionable insights to gain an edge in 2026.

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#Investing2026 #MarketCycles #WealthManagement #AIInvesting #FinancialStrategy #RiskManagement #InvestmentTips #TickerNews

Money

Markets in 2026: Fed rates, gold surge, oil tensions & AUD strength

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

Published

1 day ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

As 2026 begins, global markets face a mix of economic shifts and geopolitical tensions shaping currencies, commodities, and interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s next moves are under the microscope, and Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets says understanding these changes is key for investors navigating the year ahead.

Gold and silver are hitting all-time highs, driven by market volatility and economic uncertainty. Kresovic notes that both metals are likely to continue climbing, remaining essential safe-haven assets amid inflation concerns.

Energy markets are also volatile, with crude oil prices rising amid geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is showing strength against the U.S. dollar. Kresovic highlights that these trends in energy and currency markets can ripple across the global economy, making them critical for investors to watch.

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#MarketUpdate #FedRates2026 #GoldPrices #SilverSurge #CrudeOil #AUDUSD #InvestingInsights #TickerNews

Money

Stocks hit record high as Powell faces investigation and Trump proposes credit cap

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

Published

1 day ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high, with the Nasdaq climbing 0.5% while the Dow Jones held steady. This comes amid news of a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Despite the scrutiny, analysts believe short-term interest rates and inflation are unlikely to be impacted.

Meanwhile, Trump’s proposal to cap credit card rates at 10% for a year sparked concern among investors about potential effects on lending and bank profitability. Major bank stocks reacted sharply, with Citigroup down 3% and Capital One falling 6%.

In commodities, gold futures rose 2%, reflecting fears that political pressure on the Fed could challenge its ability to manage inflation effectively.

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#StockMarket #SP500 #Nasdaq #FederalReserve #JeromePowell #TrumpNews #BankStocks #GoldFutures