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The vast Pilbara region in WA’s north has an annual economic output of more than $100 billion but in the coastal town of Port Hedland locals complain it’s a struggle to find a decent venue for dinner. Mr Carter said the lack of amenities was “absurd” given how much Port Hedland contributed to WA and the national economy. It’s an irony that has led many, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, to ask why such a lucrative region is home to so few people and so few amenities.”We believe it’s untenable that in the 4,000 kilometres between Perth and Darwin don’t have a city of 100,000 people,” Barnaby Joyce told parliament this year.”We are investing in Port Hedland which, by tonnage is the biggest export port in the world … Port Hedland, though, has a population of merely 15,000 people. “We need areas such as this to become the Gladstones and the Newcastles of our north-west.”

WA’s massive contribution to the nation thanks to booming resources sector. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s pre-Budget publicity blitz this month was an interview with The Sunday Times in which he praised WA’s contribution to an improved fiscal balance sheet via higher iron ore prices.Nearly $11b was contributed in State Government payments, up from $7b the previous year, with more than $24b contributed to the Federal Government, up from $18b in 2020-21.
“Our sector supports close to one in four full-time jobs in WA and at least one in 16 WA businesses have resource sector companies within their customer bases.

“If the government exempted work income from the income test for those with limited savings it would boost their income and savings in retirement, and boost the productivity of the nation,” Mr Henschke said. “We will nudge millions of Australians into, not out of, work.” The idea has support from business groups and figures. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart said the change would help ease the nation’s skills crisis. “We are a supporter of the government changing its policy where pension arrangements are concerned, so that pensioners can work should they so choose, without onerous tax resulting from their decision to work,” Ms Rinehart said.

A TECHNOLOGY that uses renewable energy-powered electrolysis at low temperature to convert carbon dioxide into reusable carbon and oxygen has been backed by Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting. Called Carbelec, the technology is being developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne. Those researchers claim the technology could be a game changer for steel makers.

The federal government has ­relocated four F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to RAAF Base Tindal, southeast of Darwin, putting the nation’s most advanced combat jets on the frontline of Australia’s northern approaches. The fifth-generation multi-role fighters will take over from now-retired F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets, with 16 of the aircraft due to be based at Tindal by ­December 2023. Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the RAAF’s 75 Squadron would operate the jets from the strategically important location, which has become a defence and US engagement hub. “The Tindal-based F-35As will assure the ADF’s ability to deter or defeat threats to Australia’s interests and strengthen our ability to project potent air power into Australia’s immediate region,” Mr Dutton said.