Yesterday
Productivity problem empowers populist right
We had better get our act together in Australia or we may court the kind of poisonous politics wreaking havoc in the United States and across Europe.
This Month
Transgrid seeks government support for vital $700m grid investment
Transgrid CEO Brett Redman says the company needs NSW government and regulatory support to proceed with investments without blowing-up its credit rating.
Dexus Airport Fund raising to bid for 9.7pc of Melbourne, Launceston airports
Should DWAF’s bid be successful, it would be helping four investors – including two other Dexus-run funds – take money off the table.
Forrest’s Squadron takes swing at APA in secret ministerial submission
In a secret ministerial submission, Squadron complained that APA is creating a false sense of security amid plans for LNG gas to be imported to the south-east.
How this Melbourne engineer became a boss at a $24b global giant
The global president of engineering firm Jacobs is based in Melbourne and is the first member of the executive team to live outside the US.
Rio Tinto solar, battery deal in Queensland to spur $2b investment
Edify Energy will build two large integrated solar and battery systems to supply Rio Tinto’s aluminium operations in the Gladstone region.
Future Fund set to buy into Transgrid amid hefty energy transition bill
Future Fund is preparing to invest in TransGrid at a time when it has faced pressure from the Labor government to consider three national priorities – housing, renewable energy and infrastructure.
How Brisbane Olympics can avoid Suncorp Stadium’s mistakes
The Olympic host city is about to announce new venues. They’ll saddle the city with long-term costs long after 2032 if not done right.
Feds clash with Queensland on ‘priority’ renewables projects
The list of projects includes the CopperString transmission line that is being reviewed by the state’s Crisafulli government after a huge cost blowout.
Renewables logjam hits NSW transmission grid
A disconnect between federal and NSW tender processes for new renewable energy projects has left a wind project controlled by billionaire Andrew Forrest stranded.
Private credit heavyweights in exclusivity to save Gupta’s InfraBuild
Boston-headquartered Gordon Brothers and private markets investor Alpha Wave Global have been in negotiations to provide an asset-backed lending facility to InfraBuild.
Quinbrook plots $3.5b investment in giant batteries
Managing partner David Scaysbrook says cutting the cost of round-the-clock renewable power was key to Australia delivering on its “green superpower” ambition.
GIC global real estate boss touches down as Aveo auction gathers steam
The Singaporean sovereign wealth giant is running hard at the up-for-sale, Brookfield-owned retirement village operator. And its bigwigs are taking an interest.
‘Not for sale’: Landbridge disputes Labor’s Darwin Port claim
Luke Gosling, the Labor MP for Solomon, which covers greater Darwin, this week claimed discussions were under way between the Northern Territory and Albanese governments to buy back the port.
February
Snowy 2.0 dig shut down after shrapnel flies from fan
The incident could cause further delays to the project, which has been plagued by overruns including when the tunnel boring machine was bogged for over a year.
‘Big water battery’ wins backing in NSW storage tender
The success of a $1.8 billion project near Mudgee in a NSW underwriting tender for clean energy comes amid mounting evidence that pumped hydro can be difficult and costly.
PM heaps praise on SRL East but promises money elsewhere
Anthony Albanese has called the controversial Suburban Rail Loop Melbourne’s “missing link” amid tensions between the state and federal governments over the project.
Albanese to pledge billions to sandbag votes in Melbourne’s west
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will spend Wednesday campaigning in Melbourne where polls show Labor is under threat from the Coalition in several key electorates.
APA eyes $2b gas grid expansion to avoid ‘disastrous’ LNG imports
The five-year plan will allow a 24 per cent increase in the gas piped south from Queensland and comes as the company posts a slump in bottom-line earnings.
Qld may shrink $18.4b hydro project to save venture
The Crisafulli government is considering scaling down the Borumba storage project after a blowout in costs in latest setback to Queensland’s energy transition.