With the federal government and opposition vowing to reduce migration numbers in recent weeks, Australia’s ongoing skills shortages is likely to force businesses to increasingly seek overseas suppliers and put another nail in the coffin for local manufacturing, according to Scott Rawson. A reduction in the number of skilled migrants will place added pressure on…
Details
The federal government has announced $91 million in grants for emissions reduction projects through the Powering the Regions Fund to companies including Incitec Pivot, Viva Energy Australia and the owners of the Boyne Aluminium Smelter. In a statement on Friday from ministers Ed Husic and Chris Bowen, it was said that the projects would lead…
Details
In the latest of our series of webinars on important topics, we will be looking at the unavoidable rise in artificial intelligence and what enterprises are doing to ensure they aren’t left behind. @AuManufacturing and Softlabs are proud to present Mfg and AI – the how and why, to air on Aug 14 at 11:00…
Details
The private sector owner of the Mt Piper coal fired power station in NSW, EnergyAustralia has confirmed it is pursuing construction of a big battery and pumped hydro power plant at the site. Earmarked by the Coalition as the site for nuclear power stations, Mt Piper’s coal boilers are not planned for retirement until 2040,…
Details
Renewables have surged to become the fastest growing source of electricity globally, however the world risks missing the tripling renewables target pledged at COP28 according to a new report. The Renewable Energy Statistics 2024 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today shows that to stay the course, the world will now have to…
Details
BHP has taken what it calls ‘the difficult but necessary decision’ to temporarily suspend its Western Australian Nickel operation, Nickel West. The company operates open-cut and underground mines, concentrators, a smelter and refinery all located in Western Australia. The company blamed ‘significant and sustained challenges to the Australian nickel industry’, which includes a period of…
Details
Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced that Australia will join the Drone Coalition which includes Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Poland and Latvia.. The coalition aims is to provide one million drones to Ukraine – here is the joint statement of coalition defence ministers in full. “We, nations of…
Details
The federal government has announced Australia’s largest single military assistance package to Ukraine worth nearly $250 million. At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, met with Ukraine’s President Volodomyr Zelenskyy alongside Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) partners. Marles ‘reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to standing…
Details
Lithium Australia’s lithium ion battery (LIB) recycling subsidiary Envirostream Australia has achieved a significant milestone, delivering its first positive operating profit during Q4 FY24. The achievement was driven by the company’s transition towards an upstream service model, which has increased revenues with a higher proportion of revenues now received upfront through recycling fees. Lithium Australia…
Details
Following their completion of the Officers Nuclear Operator Course and Engineering Administration Course, the first three Royal Australian Navy officers have graduated from the Royal Navy’s Nuclear Reactor Course in the United Kingdom. Lieutenant Commander James, Lieutenant Stephen and Lieutenant Isabella have come to the end of their shore-based requirements as part of the Royal…
Details