Gas companies making plans to drill offshore from Newcastle. Opponents fear the PEP 11 gas exploration permit off the coasts of Sydney and Newcastle will be renewed today by Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt. The joint venture companies currently holding
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Incentives for electric vehicles make sense to Biden, Boris, and OECD – but Taylor apparently knows better. By Behyad Jafari, Electric Vehicle Council chief executive. The goverment’s discussion paper was acutely disappointing. Angus Taylor’s ‘Future Fuels’ discussion paper is “yet
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Minister Robert’s comments are a smokescreen for NDIS “power grab.” By Senator Jordon Steele-John Australian Greens DIsability spokesman. Comments by Minister Robert about the NDIS as cynical, misleading and offensive. Minister Robert’s comments about our NDIS are deeply concerning and
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Data reveals 2020 was a shocker for gas. Gas generation in Australia’s largest electricity grid fell by 19 percent in 2020 while solar and wind had a record year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “This latest data clearly shows that gas
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The Maritime Union of Australia has welcomed a backflip by the NSW Government, with two of the four internationally-recognised doubled-ended Manly ferries to be saved from the scrap-heap, but pledged to continue fighting to have all four vessels remain in
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Law Council rejects corruption claims in Family Court Dr Jacoba Brasch QC The Law Council of Australia rejects an assertion reported by Fairfax Media on 12 and 13 January 2021 that “the Family Court of Australia has many corruption issues”
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Millions face a bleak New Year as Coronavirus payments are cut again. By Dr Cassandra Goldie CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) The Federal Government is on a course to undo the remarkable achievement of alleviating poverty for 2.3
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Dear Editor, From Major Bruce Harmer. This year has brought with it some of the greatest challenges we have faced in Australia. From drought, to devastating bushfires and a global pandemic, it would be fair to say that we are
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Incorrect report in Newcastle Herald regarding contract for Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade. By Michelle Meehan, City of Newcastle A report in today’s Newcastle Herald incorrectly claims that the architecture firm that in 2017 developed widely criticised concept designs for the
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Law Council says PJCIS recommendations on media freedom “a positive beginning.” By Pauline Wright, President, Law Council of Australia. The Law Council has long called for meaningful reforms to the legal framework for media freedoms in Australia. The government’s acceptance
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Almost $900 billion in super assets could be exempt from crucial performance tests. Almost half of the super system may could be exempt from a crucial government performance test that would reveal to workers if their fund is a dud,
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By Robert Hill [Article referenced is here] CAPTAIN COOK’S SECRET ORDERS AND THE CONSENT OF NATIVES There are often incorrectly cited references to Captain Cook’s claim to Australia for the King of England as being in breach of his orders
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Community organisations slam decision to continue discriminatory and punitive Cashless Debit Card. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, legal services, and human rights organisations have slammed the decision of the Morrison Government and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party, with
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Law Council raises grave concerns about lack of safeguards in new ASIO powers. The Law Council of Australia is deeply concerned that the compulsory questioning powers of ASIO are set to be significantly expanded, without crucial safeguards and out of
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NSW Farmers do not approve Narrabri Gas Project. James Jackson, President, NSW Farmers Federal government approval of the Narrabri Gas Project has failed to allay the concerns of farmers about the consequences of any potential groundwater loss due to contamination
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Retirement Review highlights growing divide. Dr Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO The Retirement Incomes Review released today (20 November 2020) finds that the annual cost to taxpayers of superannuation tax concessions is an eye-watering $41.5 billion. People on the highest incomes
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NSW Budget missed opportunity to address increasing homelessness by investing in social housing construction and jobs. Katherine McKernan, CEO of Homelessness NSW Homelessness NSW welcomes ongoing funding for homelessness services and additional investment to provide housing and support for people
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By Ian Bray Maritime Union of Australia The Federal Government should examine purchasing BP’s Kwinana oil refinery, rather than allowing it to be closed. This would not only save 600 jobs but drastically improve Australia’s fuel security. By nationalising the
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By Greg Cameron Public Affairs consultant Did Port of Newcastle Investments Pty Ltd (PoN) testify to the Federal Court in closed session last week that it is unlikely to develop a container terminal at Newcastle due to paying the NSW
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Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, says the Australia Post debacle is symptomatic of corporatisation, a problem that would only be made worse by full privatisation, as the Greens call instead for executive salary caps and a winding-back of privatisation. At the
Read more...Tackling market power in the COVID-19 era. Mr Rod Sims, Chair National Press Club, 21 October 2020 Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on ‘Market power in the COVID-19 era’, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said it was crucial
Read more...By Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, ACOSS. The Budget leaves millions of people stranded, giving the least to people who already have the least, and giving the most to those who have more. We should have given the most to people
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Abetz questions Wesa Chau’s allegiance to Australia. By Wesa Chau¹ Like any Australian, I fulfilled my democratic rights and obligations by volunteering and participating in a Senate inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities in Australia. Image CofA Senate Inquiry (generic)
Read more...Opportunity Lost: Covid-19 and the Budget. The many problems in our society exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the response to it have been largely ignored by the Federal Government’s budget. Residential Aged Care has been ignored. Aging in the
Read more...NSW Farmers welcomes simplified rules for landholders in managing fire risk on their properties. They include greater and clearer powers for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner to ensure appropriate vegetation clearing on public lands. NSW Farmers members have
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It seems to be everyone’s fault – maybe we should start over. NSW Ports Pty Ltd agrees with the ACCC that the Port of Newcastle container penalty is illegal under the “Competition and Consumer Act 2010” (CCA). NSW Ports is
Read more...While the Budget provides some glimmer for hope on jobs for young people, it comes as a crushing let-down for many others without paid work. The Federal Budget has missed key opportunities for job creation initiatives that would have delivered
Read more...Editor, The state’s peak farming body is dismayed by the Independent Planning Commissions (IPC) decision to approve the Narrabri Gas Project despite a raft of concerns voiced by farmers and the community. NSW Farmers says its members believe the project
Read more...Grant Australia the opportunity to innovate. By Jo-Ann Suchard The current economic crisis has exposed the decay in Australia’s manufacturing capability and highlighted the need for increased investment in innovation. Innovation is crucial for enhancing competitiveness, productivity, employment and economic
Read more...Consumer groups slam move to remove responsible lending laws. Removing credit protections will cause harm to people and the economy. CHOICE, Consumer Action Law Centre, Financial Counselling Australia, and Financial Rights Legal Centre have responded to the Government’s announcement that
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