Industry News

The Northern Territory’s debt stands to explode to $6.2 billion from $2.7 billion over the forward estimates period unless there is a significant change in financial direction, according to the latest findings posted by the Territory Government.

The Federal Government has backed a plan by the Northern Territory Government to construct a gas pipeline to Gove.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has bucked the trend of a Melbourne Cup interest rate cut by keeping the official cash rate unchanged at 3.25 per cent.

The Western Australian Government has signed the Natural Gas (Canning Basin Joint Venture) Agreement with JV partners Buru Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation.

The Victorian Government has announced it is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIS) in delivering Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) technologies to expand access to natural gas throughout the state.

The jointly funded $30 million upgrade and expansion of Southern Water’s Huon Valley water supply infrastructure has been given the go ahead.

The Federal Government has announced the launch of BoardLinks, a new initative aimed at supporting more Australian women into leadership positions, including increasing female participation in private and public sector boards.

The Western Australian Government has tabled a progress report on the Royalties for Regions program for the 2011/12 period.

The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has bemoaned the lost opportunities to pass key legislation as the Parliament enters its last sitting week for the year.

The Western Australian Government has released the Stage 3 Local Government Accounting Manual to assist local government finance professionals with the preparation for financial reports.

The Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce has handed down its final report, identifying key strategies to be used to improve the match between training and job outcomes for individuals and employers.

The Queensland Competition Authority (ACA) has released research that suggests that rooftop solar costs are projected to add over $240, or 12 per cent, to the average electricity bills within five years.

The Queensland Office of Best Practice has handed down its Interim Report on ways the best ways to cut onerous red tape and regulation by 20 per cent.

The Queensland Government and Gold Coast Council have announced they are planning to call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to develop an international cruise ship terminal and associated development on the Gold Coast.

International arrivals to Australia have continued to surge after recent data have shown a 9,6 per cent increase growth in September on the back of a surge from the US and Asia.

Housing prices have only risen modestly in the September quarter, according to the latest ABS Index of Established House Prices.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has commenced the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey which will improve our knowledge of the health issues affecting this group of Australians.

The Federal Government has announced the opening of the $8.9 million Tamworth and Districts Trade Training Centre (TTC).

300 fresh faces will join 331 re-elected councillors after the final results of Victoria’s 78 elections have been published.

The South Australian Government has officially opened the new $7.3 million Anangr Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjtjara (APY) Trade Training Centre at Umuwa, aimed at providing opportunities for skills training and career pathways for young people living in remote Aboriginal communities in the State’s north-west.