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How small business can protect themselves against cyber attacks

Three Australian businesses have been affected by the global ransomware attacks that hit 200,000 victims in 150 countries on the weekend. What can you do to protect yourself and your business?

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

Newly built inner-Brisbane home hits the market

A new and modern Queensland home built for family and entertainment, with open-plan living and a wine cellar, is for sale by Ben Wakely and Victor Du Bois of Urban Property Agents.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

The Economy

As Perth market stabilises, where are the most affordable suburbs?

As Perth's property market stabilises after some tough years in the wake of the downturn in the mining sector, we take a look at where the best value lies in the nation's western capital.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

The Economy

Ray White highlights Brisbane's affordability with smashed avo offer

Ray White is offering free smashed avo on toast for a year to the buyer of a $595,000 Sherwood townhouse, in a campaign that highlights just how affordable Brisbane is compared to other eastern state cities.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

People

Di Jones appoints specialist luxury agent, Chantal Hooper

Di Jones has appointed Chantal Hooper to join its Eastern Suburb’s team as a specialist luxury agent.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

Contemporary waterfront Surfers Paradise mansion for sale

This Gold Coast home has water, mountain and city views, and is for sale through Elie Fakhri and Paula Fakhri of Joseph Douglas.

National

Construction

Can a lender stop my funding mid construction?

The short answer is yes, which can be disastrous for all concerned, says Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL.

National

Politics

Should you invest in the First Home Super Savers scheme?

The question for first-home buyers today is should you be investing in the government's new First Home Super Savers Scheme?

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Sydney will spend $8m on trees to cool the city

The City of Sydney will spend $8 million planting trees over 10 years to improve air quality, provide habitat for birds and wildlife, and beautify the city.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

Warehouse conversion in South Melbourne for sale

This 1885 converted warehouse retains its original brick façade and is for sale through Oliver Bruce and Sarah Wood of Marshall White Albert Park.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/two-australian-property-groups-are-merging-to-create-a-massive-11-billion-real-estate-investment-trust-2015-2

$11 billion REIT

Two Australian property groups, Novion Property Group and Federation Centres, are merging to create Australia’s third-largest listed real estate investment trust. It would be one of the largest retail landlords in Australia.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.afr.com/p/construction_hiring_survey_builders_LBaXqSXw1UvEF4Op9HR1UL

More buildings and construction jobs

The latest Master Builders of Australia survey for the December 2014 quarter shows builders' hiring expectations rose in December to their highest level in seven years to pre-GFC levels. The construction industry is particularly benefiting from rising demand for housing in New South Wales, with an additional 65,400 jobs created in the state's building and construction sector in the 12 months to November 2014.

The Australian Financial Review

http://qz.com/337973/australias-inflated-housing-market-just-got-a-extra-burst-of-hot-air/

Oz housing market 'too hot'

Australia’s booming housing market is exhibiting some classic signs of a real estate bubble, says a Deakin University researcher.

Quartz

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8131-asic-targets-first-lender-in-mortgage-market-probe?utm_source=MB&utm_campaign=MBNewsflash03_02_2015&utm_medium=email

ASIC targets QLD lender

A Queensland-based lender, Wide Bay Australia Limited (Wide Bay), will improve its responsible lending practices following ASIC concerns with the way the group was assessing its customers’ suitability for home loans. The firm has been targeted as part of ASIC's wider focus on the lending industry’s compliance with responsible lending laws.

Mortgage Business

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8126-rba-losing-interest-in-house-prices-deloitte?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter03_02_2015&utm_medium=email

RBA not worried about housing, says Deloitte

In a business outlook note released yesterday, Deloitte Access Economics claimed that housing prices are becoming less of a concern for the Reserve Bank because of below-trend growth and larger forces at play in the global economy. The group is confident interest rates will remain on hold today.

Mortgage Business

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/property-powerhouses-sydney-and-melbourne-set-pace-on-price-rises/story-fniz9vg9-1227205558531

Sydney and Melbourne prices soar

The gap in Australia’s housing market widened in January with Melbourne and Sydney fuelling a 1.3 per cent rise in capital city prices while values fell in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The Australian

http://www.afr.com/p/national/labor_pose_risk_to_real_estate_development_8t3S9vBUlRqSiWpZs1ZVnO

Property industry worried about Queensland

A Labor-led minority government in Queensland could spell trouble for property development in the state, warns Stephen Conry, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle. “The lack of result and the potential for a minority government is disappointing,” said Conry. “Lack of clarity brings lack of business confidence.”

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/frank-gehrys-most-beautiful-squashed-brown-paper-bag-opens/story-e6frgcjx-1227205620191

Gehry's first Oz building opens

The first Australian building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, a $180 million business school at the University of Technology, Sydney, was officially opened on Monday.

The Australian