India’s not joining the latest free-trade deal which limits Australia’s market access

By Pat Ranald, Research fellow, University of Sydney Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and other leaders involved in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) announced late yesterday that 15 of the 16 countries have finalised the text, and are prepared to sign the trade deal in early 2020. India is the only one not to…

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Officeworks to introduce pen and battery recycling scheme “by the end of 2020”

Officeworks has announced that it plans to introduce battery recycling at all stores and pen recycling “in most stores” by the end of next year. Federal assistant minister for waste reduction, Trevor Evans – who attended the announcement at the Wesfarmers-owned office supplier’s Osborne Park store – said that Officeworks would partner with BIC on…

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Now NSW sources ferries from overseas, ignores local builder

Comment by Peter Roberts The New South Wales government has confirmed its love affair with importing expensive transport equipment with the purchase of 13 Sydney harbour ferries for a reported $1.3 billion. Writing in MichaelWest.com, maritime commentator Neil Baird said Northern NSW company, Birdon had contracted to build the ferries in China and Indonesia. The…

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Development capital sector invests in manufacturing through Levett

Development capital interests have agreed to buy leading South Australian supplier of precision components and assemblies for defence and aerospace industries, Levett Engineering.. CPE Capital subsidiary ASDAM will add Levett to a growing portfolio of manufacturing interests, focused on high tecnology suppliers to defence prime contractors. Levett provides complex parts for naval and air force…

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2020 WorldSkills tradie competition to be held August 13 – 15 in Perth

More than 500 competitors and 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, which have been announced for August 13 – 15 at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre next year.   The national vocational and educational training (VET) competition will feature as many as 60 skills categories. It is held in conjunction…

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