Great news. Last week, Chief Minister Paul Henderson endorsed the features of a Special Economic Zone like lower taxes.
He said it was particularly vital for NT to investigate such policies “particularly now that the north is playing a bigger role in contributing to the nation’s economy”. Here’s the piece ‘Call for new tax zone’ from the NT News.
The head of the Charters Towers Chamber of Commerce and Mines Tom Hogg says that a SEZ could encourage migration and reduce the reliance on fly-in fly-out labour, in this article from the Northern Miner.
Here’s a facinating and interesting interview with Russian deputy foreign minister, Andrey Deniso. Deniso argues that China’s successful economic development is due to the establishment of Special Economic Zones across the country.
Skills shortages continue to be a huge challenge for the North – this article from The Age says major mining companies would most likely have to build an air hub in the Pilbara to deal with the number of fly in / fly out workers.
This 2010 data from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations shows only 45% of skilled vacancies were filled in that sector.
63% of the nation’s advanced minerals and energy projects by capital expenditure are in WA. See this ABARE data. It’s no wonder 70% of Irish emigrants to Australia are moving to WA according to this article from the Irish Examiner.
Australia’s best known geologist, Professor Ian Plimer & IPA Executive Director, John Roskam are visiting Mount Isa and Cloncurry this month to speak at our FREE Information Sessions.
Mount Isa, 19 July 2011
6.30pm
Mt Isa Civic Centre
23 West St
Cloncurry, 20 July 2011
5.30pm
Cloncurry Shire Hall
Scarr St
If you’d like to know more please contact the IPA on (03) 9600 4744 or contact the Director of the project, Hugh Tobin at htobin@ipa.org.au.
Also visit our website: http://anewnorth.ipa.org.au.
As always please feel free to tell me your vision for a new North at jroskam@ipa.org.au.