Australia’s climate policies could push NSW into a debt spiral – report

Australia’s failure to commit to net zero targets or any credible climate policy is a growing economic threat to New South Wales and other states, argues a new report by the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The Reserve Bank of Australia’s deputy governor Guy Debelle last week urged Australia to begin planning…

Orbital to raise cash to fund engine development

Perth unmanned aerial vehicle engine manufacturer Orbital UAV is to raise $6.5 million from investors to support the development of new engines for global drone manufacturers. The company yesterday announced it would upgrade the engines on United States-based Textron Systems’ existing fleet of Aerosonde tactical UAV’s, with the company also developing completely new engines for…

Apprentice and trainee numbers grow, completions fall

The most recent data on apprentice and trainee training activity show a strong increase in commencements in the March quarter 2021, an increase which is in line with the growth in manufacturing activity and employment reported elsewhere. The figures, from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show that compared with the March quarter…

VSPC produces lithium ion battery anode powders

Lithium ion battery cathode manufacturer VSPC today announced it had begun production of commercial-quality lithium titanium oxide (LTO) battery anode powders. The company, which previously manufactured lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese ferro phosphate (LMFP) cathode powders, has produced the anode materials at its electro-chemistry laboratory and pilot production facility in Brisbane (pictured). VSPC,…