Medicinal marijuana stocks soared after the Federal Government pledged to loosen importation laws in a bid to boost supply for patients.

Low wage growth is what the Coalition wanted. Within weeks of being sworn in as employment minister in 2013 Eric Abetz warned "weak-kneed employers" not to cave in to unreasonable demands.

Ballarat and Bendigo faced losing electricity during the recent great eastern Australian heatwave so NSW could avoid power cuts, underscoring the parlous state of the country's grid.

Coca-Cola Amatil announced the investment in its Queensland facilities as part of a supply chain restructure, but it was unclear whether the investment would create more jobs at the Richlands plant.

Stockland, one of the country's largest home developers, said the strong residential markets along the eastern seaboard, stable retail sales from its tenants and higher office rents going forward, will underpin its growth in the full year.