News
Economic storm clouds warrant a policy rethink
Too many aspects of economic policy, unfortunately, are heading in the wrong direction. The government should look at foundations set in the Hawke-Keating and Howard years and attend to basics, optimising conditions to encourage private sector investment, profit, employment, productivity gains and growth. Policies that limit the footprint of government by reducing regulation, holding down company tax and payroll tax at state levels, and giving employers and workers greater autonomy to negotiate work practices, pay and benefits to suit their industries would be a basis for reviving growth.
Call to reform Mabo’s $1bn native title dividend
Native title groups hosting Australia’s iron ore industry are holding more than $1 billion of net assets in trusts, but after 30 years of the native title regime, there is little to show for the vast majority of Indigenous Australians.
Plibersek’s new environment laws friendless
Tanya Plibersek’s bill to create a new environmental watchdog has fallen flat with business, conservationists and the Greens, and looks set to face opposition from key crossbenchers in the Senate.
Tanya Plibersek unveils Labor’s new nature cop as doubts surround future of Nature Positive plan
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has unveiled Labor’s new nature cop to a storm of criticism, as doubts surround the future of the third and most contentious piece of her Nature Positive plan.
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.