September
‘Beautiful chaos’: Iconic Melbourne power diner owner calls time
Simon Hartley has hosted every prime minister since Gough Whitlam at his CBD restaurant Becco. But on Friday, he held the last supper.
- Gus McCubbing
August
Slow approvals are risking the next mining boom: report
State and federal environmental approval processes are jeopardising tens of billions of dollars of investment in green steel and renewable energy infrastructure, experts warn.
- Tom Rabe
December 2023
- Opinion
- Schools
Australia’s science curriculum is not broken
The performance of science students has stopped declining as resources from private publishers became available to teachers. Investing more in what is working will be far more productive than starting from scratch.
- Alan Finkel
October 2023
- Exclusive
- Victorian Parliament
Victoria registered SEC less than 24 hours before rollout
Victoria’s SEC now has a press release, a tote bag and – just in the nick of time – registration with ASIC.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
After slow start, EV sales pick up speed
The recent jump in sales of electric vehicles comes before the full effects of new lower-cost Chinese models for less than $40,000 are felt.
- Tony Davis
June 2023
- Exclusive
- Carbon challenge
‘Profound slowdown’: Alan Finkel quits Victoria’s SEC
Former chief scientist Alan Finkel has quit his role advising Victoria’s SEC amid criticism by energy experts that it lacks clarity and capital.
- Patrick Durkin
Victoria’s SEC could end up with offshore profits
Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio says the SEC will only produce one-fifth of the state’s new energy generation by 2035.
- Gus McCubbing
May 2023
Andrews’ $1b SEC ‘stunt’ left in budget dark
Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has defended limited funding being committed to bringing back the State Electricity Commission.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
February 2023
- Exclusive
- Renewables
Finkel warns on big renewable challenge
The former chief scientist has joined former Telstra CEO Andy Penn and former energy tsar Audrey Zibelman on the board of Victoria’s government-owned energy operator.
- Patrick Durkin and Angela Macdonald-Smith
January 2023
- Opinion
- Gas crisis
How gas price caps blow up investment
Labor’s intervention tells investors in hydrogen that policy can change on a whim if the politics suit it.
- Amanda Stoker
November 2022
Energy security is at stake unless ‘assertive’ action is taken
In the global competition for clean-energy components, Australia is losing out because it lacks a whole-of-country approach.
- Agnes King
Former chief scientist Alan Finkel moved into renewables role
Chris Bowen has redirected Alan Finkel’s efforts toward Biden’s clean energy revolution.
- Jacob Greber
- Exclusive
- Energy
Saul Griffith attacks ex-chief scientist’s hydrogen start-up
Alan Finkel’s new business won’t be able to overcome the economic barriers to using renewable energy to make hydrogen, the electricity advocate said.
- Aaron Patrick
October 2022
Finkel says ‘binary truth arguments’ not helpful for hydrogen
Australia’s former chief scientist says electrification and hydrogen will both have a big role to play in decarbonising the global economy.
- Peter Ker and Colin Packham
March 2022
- Opinion
- Satire
New green careers for all those young extinction rebels
Once they have got the superglue off, a raft of new opportunities will await the workers of the future.
- Rowan Dean
January 2022
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Net zero electricity sector will be five times bigger than today
A system that can charge electric cars and replace household gas will be far bigger than anything we have now. Is Australia ready for that kind of investment?
- Blair Comley
Gina Rinehart, Alan Finkel, Rod Sims lead Australia Day honours
Investment banker John Wylie, Sonic Healthcare and Transurban director Jane Wilson and former Coca-Cola Amatil CEO Alison Watkins also received honours.
- Michael Read
This ship is carrying Australia’s energy future - at minus 253C
The world-first shipment of liquid hydrogen opens up a new horizon in Australia’s trade with its important partner Japan.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
December 2021
Can hydrogen cars get a footing amid the battery blitz?
Battery electric vehicles have stolen a march on cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, but there might be room for both on Australian roads.
- Peter Ker
November 2021
Carbon capture and storage ‘has to work’ to reach net zero
Carbon capture and storage has a rubbish track record after more than 15 years of disappointments. But it is considered crucial for industries such as cement to reach net zero.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith