The Australian
Amendments to Queensland’s Vegetation Management Act have been introduced in the Queensland parliament, which will allow Cape York to be opened up for large-scale farming for the first time. The relaxation of land clearing laws will allow citrus plantations, broadacre grain growing and the construction of dams as part of a strategy to “normalise the economy” as well as increase employment opportunities in the region. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the changes would [...]
It is pleasing to hear the vision new Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles’ has expressed for Northern Australia. Speaking soon after his accession to the leadership of the NT Country Liberal Party, Chief Minister Giles outlined his desire to see Northern Australia become a trade centre, saying a key priority of his government would be to encourage business ties with Asia. The Chief Minister also outlined his intention to grow the Territory’s infrastructure, stating [...]
The Australian
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced this week that it plans to use ground-breaking technology to potentially unlock vast new gas sources after successfully extracting gas from a methane hydrates deposit. The breakthrough could help Japan reduce its reliance on imports of LNG, and hence threaten the viability of projects in Australia’s $175 billion LNG development pipeline given Japan currently buys 70 per cent of Australia’s entire LNG exports – [...]
The Australian
Company directors and industry groups have accused the government of caving in to union pressures following its announcement to crackdown on skilled migrant workers. Business leaders have warned that turning away temporary skilled workers would damage employers and cut growth at a time of skills shortages and low unemployment. “I just wonder if anybody in Canberra understands the damage this does to confidence, to investment, and ultimately economic growth and job creation [...]
