News
Concerns laid bare as EPA Bill tabled
The Business Council of Australia has outlined fresh concerns over the remit of a federal Environmental Protection Agency, after a Bill was introduced to parliament today.
Gas producers deny shortage and demand faster approvals
Victoria’s gas companies have declared there is no shortage of local reserves to fill shortfalls… while blaming state and federal governments for lengthy delays in project approvals.
The need for energy investment is obvious and pressing
With the federal government’s recently released Future Gas Strategy making clear the critical, long-term role for gas in this country, the need to encourage investment in the development of Australia’s gas resources is obvious and pressing.
Pipeline Review Puts Gas on Hold
A major gas expansion seen as vital for Australia’s southern states to avoid shortages in the next two years has been put on hold due to a tough regulatory clampdown, with the fresh supply shock landing just days after the Albanese government warned of shortfall risks this decade.
Iron ore price strides beyond $US120 a tonne benchmark as Chinese manufacturing ramps up
Iron ore has once again defied naysayers and crept past $US120 a tonne, unexpectedly injecting billions of dollars into the nation’s economy in the process as budget season fast approaches.
Iron ore royalties to pour $1.3 billion more into Treasury coffers than forecast in December
Iron ore royalties are on track to pour $1.3 billion more into Treasury coffers than forecast in December, handing Treasurer Rita Saffioti a major windfall as she prepares to deliver her first Budget on Thursday.
Miners warn only one in five major projects reaches completion
Australia has been losing $68bn a year in potential investment in major mining projects between 2013 and 2023, with analysis showing only 20 per cent of projects over the decade reached a final investment decision.
Port of Port Hedland grows WA economy
The Port of Port Hedland and the trade it facilitated also contributed $2.01 billion to Port Hedland’s gross regional product in FY23, with $678 million direct economic activity supporting an additional $1.33 billion in indirect economic activity. Local income increased by $1.02 billion and supported 8158 direct and indirect full-time jobs locally. In the Pilbara region, it contributed $63.3 billion in gross product, supported 22,487 direct and indirect full-time jobs, and generated $3.1 billion in incomes.
$25b economic hit built into forecasts for iron ore epicentre Australian Financial Review
Australia is facing a $25 billion-a-year economic hit as iron ore export epicentre Port Hedland enters a new era of softer prices for the steel-making ingredient, according to a report backed by BHP, Fortescue Limited, Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill and others.
DEMIRS approval backlog adds to red tape tangle for energy and mining
Hundreds of mining lease applications have piled up at the State regulator, sparking concerns the logjam could choke WA’s pipeline of investment. About 500 leases were waiting for approval at the end of December, according to recent data from the State Government. The leases are a crucial regulatory step in the $200 billion resources industry as a stamp needed for businesses to dig up minerals and run mines.
Transparent or top secret?
A probe into whether the Environmental Defenders Office breached the terms of its taxpayer-funded contract during the Barossa gas pipeline legal saga is shrouded in secrecy, with the Federal Government refusing to guarantee its findings will be publicly released. The West can reveal the Environment Department has outsourced the review of the EDO to a private legal firm — but is refusing to explain why.
The insights of Nick Jorss
“The REAL horror of the mining/coal/oil/gas sector is the government support and rebates the industries get. Barely any of the profits from Australia’s resources even touch the Australian economy. Instead the money is quickly moved offshore to multinational conglomerates.” Let’s have a look at the facts: