Treasury backs intervention to cut energy prices Treasury has taken the unusual step of backing ‘temporary and regularly reviewed’ market intervention to rein in high coal and gas prices. A statement from Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy read to a Senate estimates committee said price shocks “bring into scope government intervention”, though the government should not…
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By Peter Roberts Perth minerals producer Iluka Resources is pressing ahead with its plans to process rare earths on Australian shores, capturing more value-adding of these critical metals for the local economy. The company’s latest update shows that all primary environmental approvals have been secured for its project at Eneabba north of Perth. The company…
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A rise in sales during Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns has not lasted into Q1 FY22 for prestige food manufacturer Maggie Beer Holdings. The Barossa Valley company reported that Q1 FY22 sales were down 22.1 percent compared to the previous corresponding period which were boosted as consumers remained at home where they spent more time cooking. However…
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Medicinal cannabis producer Cann Group and global pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline are progressing negotiations relating to the commercialisation of Cann’s Satipharm CBD capsules. Cann Group, which operates a major cannabis growing and processing centre at Mildura, Victoria (pictured) announced it was in negotiation with GlaxoSmithKline’s Australian arm Haleon. The negotiations involve an exclusive agreement covering distribution…
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The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced $947,000 in funding to Calix, supporting an investigation into the feasibility of a hydrogen direct reduced iron (DRI) plant using the Australian company’s Zero Emissions Steel Technology (ZESTY) process. According to a statement from ARENA, the funding would assist a pre-FEED and FEED (Front End Engineering and Design)…
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Gilmour Space Technologies has announced the successful qualification test of its Sirius hybrid rocket engine, ahead of a planned orbital launch in the first half of 2023. The Gold Coast-based company issued a short statement on Tuesday morning – accompanied by a video of the test (reproduced below) – saying that “All engines are now…
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Grants totalling $18 million have been awarded to 12 projects under round one of the federal Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program. The program commits $32.6 million to June 2024, with the remaining funding to be allocated in its second round. Projects supported in round one include drone deliveries for health centres, integrating a hydrogen…
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Urban transport operator Transit Systems has celebrated three years of running Australia’s largest battery electric bus network and depot, with over two million customers in New South Wales stepping on board. Battery electric buses operated by Transit Systems are in service across Sydney’s Inner West routes and school services, while the company also operates battery…
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Australian boiling water appliance manufacturer Zip Water has emerged as a key unit in a major international water business following the merger of water products groups Culligan and Waterlogic. The Sydney manufacturer pioneered the development of hot, cold and sparkling underbench water units before being taken over by Culligan, which has now merged with Waterlogic.…
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By Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Australia’s top economists have overwhelmingly endorsed intervention to restrain gas and electricity prices, with only three of the 47 leading economists surveyed believing the best thing the government can do is to leave things to the market. The 47 economists surveyed are members of…
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