Townsville speech
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Bush Summit: Regions put living costs top of their concerns list
Cost-of-living pressure is the most universal issue among regional Australians, who say reducing price increases for household bills and other essential expenses should be a government priority.
Read moreNew climate reporting requirements will make exports uncompetitive, says National Farmers Federation
Farmers say their exports will become less competitive if Labor refuses to carve agriculture out of a key plank of its climate policy, raising pressure on Jim Chalmers to overhaul a mandatory requirement for companies to disclose climate risks.
Read moreWorld Free Zones Organization | Latest News
9 February 2024.
Read moreWorld Free Zones Organization | Latest News
25 January 2024.
Read moreWorld Free Zones Organization | Latest News
4 January 2024.
Read moreCritical moment in the region’s history
Western Australia’s Kimberley is regional Australia at its most extreme, whether it is in scale, beauty, challenges or opportunity. And it is a region at a crucial moment in its history. When record-breaking floodwaters swept through much of the region earlier this year, following well-publicised social unrest and crime last year, the region’s immediate prospects looked difficult. Yet it is a region that has continued to capture imaginations, with the area now emerging as a prospective new renewable energy hotspot and drawing a new generation of investment that could take it closer to finally capitalising on its potential.
Read moreRinehart in $16m boost to Flying Doctor
Health care for Australians living in rural and remote areas will be given a $16m lift thanks to donations to the Royal Flying Doctor from Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart. The Rinehart Medical Foundation and Hancock Prospecting will give major cash boosts to the Queensland, NSW and WA sectors of the 95-year-old organisation, which relies on donations to fund a third of the health care it provides. “The multimillion-dollar gift will help ensure that all Queenslanders – no matter where they live, work and play across the state – can feel safe in knowing that they are connected to the best medical care available.” The RFDS said that Mrs Rinehart’s family association with the organisation went back to the 1950s when her mother, Hope Hancock, used to host fundraisers at her home.
Read moreOpinion | Autonomous cities are the next big thing for SEZs
Farsighted government leaders see the opportunity for more than just billions of dollars’ worth of immediate foreign direct investment. They see the importance of attracting young talent, such as creators, entrepreneurs and artists, who are seeking communities they are inspired by and choose to live in. These are the people who will shape and move the world of tomorrow. They are the ones creating economic and social opportunities. Judging by the amount of excitement, and by the projects currently under early development, the time is right. Autonomous cities are the next big thing. They are the next generation of SEZs, and so much more.
Read moreNews Australians are ready, willing, and able to work – let them!
Currently, only 3 per cent of pensioners work in Australia, compared to 25 per cent in New Zealand. This is not because pensioners in Australia do not want to work. Research has shown that around one in five want to work, but do not, because of unfair tax and red tape barriers.The solution is to follow New Zealand’s approach by removing all red tape on pensioners, students, and veterans. This would mean that these Australians could earn as much income as they would want, without losing their pension payments or welfare benefits. Of course, they would still pay income tax like every other Australian worker. Removing all red-tape and barriers for Australian pensioners, veterans, and students to get back into the workforce, without suffering significant financial penalties, is a simple and effective policy measure that is good for them and good for our nation. More Australians working means higher government revenue through income tax, GST, and payroll tax, which can be reinvested into infrastructure and used to pay down our debt.
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