Greg Combet

Dairies fear a carbon tax milking

21 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Dairies fear a milking

Major dairy companies are counting the extra costs that will fall on their shoulders as well as on those of dairy farming families under the carbon tax regime.

Abbott rejects Combet's climate ‘egging’

18 May 2012 |

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has rejected claims he's "over-egged the pudding" with his warnings on the climate tax.

Energy head’s policy warning

17 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Energy head’s policy warning

The federal government’s key adviser on the national energy market says the renewable energy target and carbon price uncertainty could delay investment in lower-emission generation.

Combet plan to motivate innovators

16 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Motivating innovators

Industry Minister Greg Combet wants a new innovation centre to help ensure publicly funded research is more closely linked to industrial results.

Meat in the tax sandwich

16 May 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Meat in the tax sandwich

Meat companies are weighing up whether to wear the multi-million-dollar cost of the carbon tax from July 1 or commit even larger investments to cut emissions from their feed lots and meat works.

All clear for AstraZeneca, for now

15 May 2012 | Emma Connors

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | All clear for AstraZeneca, for now

AstraZeneca’s Australian operations dodged a bullet two years ago when its parent reversed a decision to shut down manufacturing and it had another reprieve in last week’s budget, but there are minefields ahead.

Climate Commission appoints new member

14 May 2012 |

Award-winning scientist and engineer Professor Veena Sahajwalla has been appointed to the federal government's Climate Commission.

New climate change ambassador to UN

14 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 11 | New climate ambassador

Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Justin Lee, has been named the new Australian climate change ambassador to the United Nations by Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet.

Small-scale energy scheme to stay, says Combet

14 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Small-scale plan stays:

The federal government has rejected talk that it plans to discontinue the small-scale renewable energy scheme, which subsidises household installation of solar panels, a year earlier than planned.

Latham’s blind chip at Combet

11 May 2012 | Vic Carroll

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 55 | Latham’s blind chip at Combet

Mark Latham’s censure of Minister for Climate Change Greg Combet (“Far too hot to handle”, Opinion, May 10) reminded me of a passage in Gideon Haigh’s book, Asbestos House.

Climate change far too hot to handle

10 May 2012 | Mark Latham

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Far too hot to handle

Latham | Climate change dare not speak its name in Labor circles, even in the Treasurer’s biggest speech of the year.

Kyoto: Australia holds off on signing up

10 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 17 | Australia holds off on signing up

The federal government is delaying renewing its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol saying it wants to take advantage of surplus international emissions units worth up to $700 million.

Oakeshott inconsistency

09 May 2012 | M G Kile

For Independent MP Rob Oakeshott, “one way to meet community concerns” about the government’s carbon (dioxide) tax would be to remove the proposed $15 price floor when (or if) an emissions trading scheme starts after 2015 (“Oakeshott threat on carbon price”, May 4). This is a curious statement from a member of the climate change committee that signed off on its design; a structure some claim was inspired by William Heath Robinson. (Perhaps his machine for “resuscitating stale railway scones for redistribution at station buffets”?)

Struggling sectors dodge scalpel but benefits are few

09 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

The significance of the budget for industry support lies more in what was not done than what will actually be spent on the sector.

Carbon floor price rethink a revenue threat

08 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Floor price rethink a revenue threat

The federal government has been warned there is a risk to its budget revenue estimates if moves to overturn regulations for a carbon scheme floor price prove successful.

MPs back plan to block carbon floor price

07 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | MPs plan to block carbon floor price

A price floor on carbon of $15 under a future emissions trading scheme is under a cloud with key MPs backing a plan to block regulations to introduce it.

Carbon tax to hit fewer than expected

04 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Tax hits fewer than expected

Just over 330 companies, including BHP, Adelaide Brighton, Anglo Coal and Boral, are likely to be covered by the carbon price scheme, far fewer than the 500 previously predicted by the government.

Oakeshott threat to block carbon price floor

03 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Oakeshott threat on carbon price

Independent Rob Oakeshott has threatened to block regulations in Parliament to introduce a price floor on carbon after 2015.

PM: I’m getting on with the job

03 May 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | PM: I’m getting on with the job

Updated | Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed reports Labor MPs have set a June deadline on her leadership, but acknowledged the political pressure on her backbenchers

Gillard hangs on, by hook or by Crook

02 May 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Gillard safe, by hook or Crook

Nationals crossbencher Tony Crook says the Coalition cannot count on succeeding with a no-confidence motion despite the uncertainty in parliamentary numbers since Speaker Peter Slipper stood down.

$1bn green building tax breaks in doubt

02 May 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | $1bn green building tax breaks in doubt

Tax breaks worth $1bn to encourage property developers to improve the energy efficiency of older buildings, promised by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2010, could be scrapped in the budget next week.

CMI deal clears way for Ford restart

27 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | CMI deal clears way for Ford restart

Updated | Eighty workers locked out of a car parts factory can return to work after the landlord reached an eleventh-hour deal with the company’s receivers.

China goes softly on carbon price

24 April 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | China goes softly on carbon price

Energy companies won’t be directly taxed under China’s delayed carbon trading scheme, undercutting Gillard government claims that the world’s second-largest economy is taking tough action on climate change.

Jillian Broadbent in the hot seat of clean energy

21 April 2012 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 46 | Jillian Broadbent will need energy

As all sides in the green debate raise doubts about the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, its chief speaks out to defend the government fund.

Supply issue stalls Ford

21 April 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 6 | Supply issue stalls Ford

Ford Australia faces disruption again due to difficulties in its supply chain after a component factory, CMI Industrial’s Campbellfield plant, was closed down following a dispute over unpaid rent.

Misplaced faith in lower rates

20 April 2012 | THE Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 50 | Misplaced faith

Editorial | The federal government’s top minister should be careful not to be seen to be pressuring the RBA into putting its short-term political interests ahead of the longer-run goal of economic stability.

Wozniak not alone in fearing patent wars

17 April 2012 | Brian Corrigan

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 33 | Portfolio wars patently preposterous

Technology heavyweights and ‘patent trolls’ stand accused of using intellectual property laws to stifle innovation and take down competitors who have stolen a march with clever new ideas.

China to get Australia’s Holden know-how

17 April 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | China to get Holden know-how

GM Holden has struck a major engineering and design export deal to China after the Gillard government last month earmarked $275 million in taxpayer funding to guarantee future manufacture of cars in Adelaide.

Row over 16pc power rise

12 April 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 13 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Row over 16pc power rise

The NSW and federal governments have blamed each other for a proposed 16 per cent rise in power costs in the state that the pricing regulator said was due to the carbon tax and ­spiralling network costs.

Manufacturing goes under the scalpel

12 April 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 12 | Manufacturing goes under the scalpel

Improving productivity and skills, a greater emphasis on research and innovation and a more global outlook will help manufacturing companies, according to the federal government’s hand-picked advisers on the sector

Combet ‘troubled’ by HSU conduct

12 April 2012 |

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 6 | Combet ‘troubled’ by HSU conduct

Former union leader and now federal minister Greg Combet has spoken out with the fiercest criticism from a government official about the fraud allegations at the Health Services Union.

Small fry riled by steel ‘favouritism’

12 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Small fry riled by

Local manufacturers have attacked the federal government for pursuing policies that subsidise and support big steel companies such as BlueScope Steel and OneSteel at the expense of smaller operations.

New rules to spread mining wealth: Combet

11 April 2012 |

New rules making it easier for Australian firms to tender for contracts offered by resource and construction companies will help share the benefits of the mining boom, the federal government says.

HSU behaviour not acceptable: Combet

11 April 2012 |

Industry Minister Greg Combet says the behaviour of some Health Services Union (HSU) officials is unacceptable and not in line with Labor or union values.

Shop stewards crash car company

10 April 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 6 | Shop stewards crash car company

The management of a failed car parts maker that received $5 million in ­taxpayer handouts has accused union organisers of sabotaging a restructuring plan aimed at keeping the company afloat.

Labor’s loss is Katter Party’s gain

10 April 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Labor’s loss is Katter Party’s gain

Bob Katter’s Australian Party could command a majority with the Coalition in the Senate if the results of the catastrophic Queensland state election were repeated federally.

Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

10 April 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 53 | Demographics point to Labor bloodbath

If the result of the Queensland state election is any guide, the first week or so after the next federal election should provide some interesting lessons in life for Labor’s caucus members.

NSW to close carbon dioxide trade scheme

05 April 2012 |

The NSW government is calling on the federal government to provide compensation when the state closes its failed Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (GGAS) after the carbon tax comes into force later this year.

Compensation, too much too soon

05 April 2012 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 51 | Carbon compo: too much too soon

The government has locked itself into spending more on compensation than the carbon tax will raise at $23 a tonne.

Qld turns its back on world’s best Treasurer

03 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 61 | Qld turns its back on world’s best Treasurer

When Anna Bligh emerged to deliver her concession speech to Labour faithful on election insight on March 24, fellow Queenslander, deputy premier and federal Treasurer Wayne Swan was nowhere to be seen.

Carbon fears fuel Labor unrest

02 April 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | Carbon fears fuel Labor unrest

Updated | PM Julia Gillard has rejected criticism by disgruntled supporters of Kevin Rudd who questioned her mandate for a carbon tax and use of spin, even as her backers admitted Labor faced electoral defeat.

Harder sell needed on carbon tax: Combet

02 April 2012 | Gemma Daley

Updated | Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has acknowledged the federal government needs to do more to convince Australians to support the carbon pricing scheme that begins on July 1.

Carbon tax war has begun

31 March 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carbon tax war erupts

The federal-state war over the impact of a carbon price on households has begun with the Queensland price regulator claiming a typical household’s electricity bill will rise $192.35 a year as a result.

Super showdown looms

27 March 2012 | Michael Baume

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 62 | Super showdown looms

Industry funds will be the new frontline for the Coalition’s industrial relations battles.

Chance missed for change on work floor

23 March 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Chance lost for change on work floor

Yesterday’s $1.3 billion public-private investment in GM Holden marks a new and worrying stage in the long-running battle between those who believe the sector deserves special support and those who do not.

Football, meat pies, kangaroos and subsidies

23 March 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 57 | Football, meat pies, kangaroos and subsidies

It has been a long journey from 1984 when Australia first began to “transition” its car industry from the era of high tariff protection in confidence there would be a day when it could stand on its own two feet.

No job guarantees in Holden handout

22 March 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | No job guarantees in Holden handout

Federal Labor faces intense scrutiny over the flow-on benefits in local ­innovation and technology from the $275 million deal to lock in GM Holden as a car maker until 2022.

Commodore to go in Holden deal

22 March 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Commodore to go in Holden deal

Updated | The federal government will detail on Thursday how it will lock in the manufacturing operations of GM Holden for at least a decade in a deal that will include about $200 million in extra taxpayer funding.

Reality check for car makers

21 March 2012 | Alan Mitchell

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 62 | Reality check for car makers

Australian governments have for decades poured public money down the throats of car manufacturers with barely a squeak of protest from other industries. But something has changed.

Combet stands by R&D tax scheme

21 March 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 13 | Combet stands by R&D tax changes

Industry minister Greg Combet has hit back at criticism of the new research and development tax credit, calling the scheme the “biggest reform to business innovation support in more than a decade”.

Greens see red over Victorian brown coal

20 March 2012 |

The Australian Greens have labelled Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu an “environmental vandal” after it was revealed the state was looking to massively expand brown coal mining operations in the Latrobe Valley.

Energy sector slates carbon tax revenue grab

20 March 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 20 March 2012 | PAGE 4 | Energy sector slates carbon cash grab

The energy sector has accused the Gillard Government of rigging the design of the carbon price to ensure it can deliver a budget surplus this year, amid growing concern about the immediate financial hit imposed on generators by the scheme.

Small business in the dark on R&D scheme

19 March 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 19 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Small business in the dark on R&D scheme

Nine months after Australia’s new research and development (R&D) tax credit became law, the federal government has still not made it clear to business how the scheme will work.

Palmer courts tax dissent

16 March 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 16 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Call for tax validity detail

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is calling on the federal government to release “at the very least” a detailed summary of the legal advice it is relying on to say the carbon tax is constitutionally sound.

PM confident on carbon tax advice

15 March 2012 | Mark Lawson, Gemma Daley and AAP

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 11 | Palmer to sue over tax

Updated | PM Julia Gillard says the government took “very careful” legal advice when designing its carbon legislation and any court challenge would be part of a “hysterical campaign” against the tax.

Carbon price budget blow

14 March 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 4 | Carbon price budget blow

Lower international carbon prices could wipe up to $16.5 billion in revenue from the carbon price up until 2018, according to modelling done for Macquarie Generation and the NSW Government.

How to win friends and bury hatchets

09 March 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 09 March 2012 | PAGE 51 | How to win friends and bury hatchets

Not only has Labor put aside its divisions to endorse Bob Carr, it has determinedly set about wooing the small business sector.

Now bosses face triple pay slug

07 March 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 07 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Now bosses

Employers struggling with higher penalty rates face a three-pronged pay push in coming months as unions target a substantial increase in minimum wages covering about 1.4 million workers.

Bob Carr: what Labor leaders need

02 March 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carr: what Labor leaders need

Former NSW premier Bob Carr has called for the Labor Party to embrace the bold economic reforms of the Hawke-Keating era so it can position itself as the party best at economics.

Carbon tax will cost more, says McKibbin

01 March 2012 | Geoff Winestock

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 14 | Carbon tax threatens bigger price hit

Former Reserve Bank of Australia board member Warwick McKibbin predicts the carbon tax will push up prices more than Treasury predicts – but the silver lining will be a weaker Australian dollar.

Carbon tax hit threatens price blowout

29 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carbon tax hit threatens price blowout

The head of Australia’s largest power generator has warned electricity prices will rise under a plan being considered to ration output in order to stay profitable under a carbon price scheme.

Ruddites to be spared axe

28 February 2012 | John Kerin

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Ruddites to be spared axe

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has given her strongest hint yet she may spare some ministers who supported Kevin Rudd in the leadership ballot.

Up to ACCC to act on supermarkets: Combet

27 February 2012 |

Industry Minister Greg Combet has told parliament it is up to the competition watchdog to act against the power of big supermarket chains.

Trapped in a nightmare

27 February 2012 | Geoffrey Barker

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 54 | Trapped in a nightmare

Today’s leadership vote, whatever the result, will not rescue Labor from its state of nature.

Loyalty not to be counted on

27 February 2012 | John Black

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 55 | Loyalty not to be counted on

There’s an old joke about how behavioural psychologists sometimes prefer to work with lawyers instead of rats, because there are some things rats just won’t do.

Labor on the brink of oblivion

25 February 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 63 | A party on the brink of oblivion

Criminologists will tell you that the place where victims are most likely to be subjected to the worst violence is within families.

Rudd win could slash carbon tax

25 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Resurrection

Kevin Rudd has raised the prospect of rapidly moving to a lower carbon price after Julia Gillard’s $23-a-tonne tax begins on July 1, in a pitch to industry concerns that Australian companies will pay a high cost on emissions while being crunched by a high dollar.

AGL calls for repeal of carbon tax

25 February 2012 | Marcus Priest and Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 10 | AGL calls for law’s repeal

Energy company AGL has cited upside from the repeal of carbon legislation from a change in government in announcing a conditional deal to acquire full ownership of one of Australia’s dirtiest power stations.

Gillard seeks to bury Rudd

24 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Gillard seeks to bury Rudd

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and outgoing foreign minister Kevin Rudd have deployed markedly different tactics as they barrel towards a leadership challenge on Monday that threatens to further shake business confidence and undermine Labor’s standing with voters.

Abbott needs to be ready

24 February 2012 | John Roskam

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 58 | Abbott needs to be ready

While the ALP is busy redefining ‘self-interest’, the Opposition Leader should be drafting a plan for alternative government.

Labor wants guarantees for Holden cash

23 February 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 12 | ALP wants Holden guarantees for cash

The Gillard government wants to tie taxpayer funding to secure GM Holden’s Australian manufacturing operations to retaining local research and design work.

National briefs

23 February 2012 |

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 12 |

Atlas Iron chief David Flanagan said he was being demonised after Labor senator Doug Cameron accused him of whingeing about paying tax in a heated exchange during a Senate committee inquiry into the mining tax.

A bird’s-eye view from the backbench

23 February 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 7 | A bird’s-eye view from the sidelines

It was a day of high farce and much confusion. The first many Labor backbenchers heard of Kevin Rudd’s decision to resign as foreign minister and go to the backbench was from journalists calling for their reaction.

Move will have domino effect on frontbench

23 February 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Move will have big effect on frontbench

There could be an avalanche of changes on Labor’s front bench after Kevin Rudd’s resignation, with clear winners and losers with or without a leadership challenge next week.

Electoral reality hits Gillard hard

22 February 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 22 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Electoral reality hits Gillard hard

Kevin Rudd has proved one thing that his opponents doubted about him: He does have the guts.

Business wrong on IR laws: ministers

22 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 6 | Business wrong on IR laws: ministers

Industry Minister Greg Combet has said Australia should not and cannot risk inducing poverty by modelling itself on the United States’ workplace system.

Vic workers not facing relocation: Alcoa

21 February 2012 |

Updated | Alcoa says it is not seeking to relocate staff en masse to a new plant in Saudi Arabia as it reviews the viability of 600 jobs at its Geelong smelter.

Libs may be better off facing a spent Gillard

21 February 2012 | Rowan Dean

PRINT: 21 February 2012 | PAGE 49 | Libs may be better off facing a spent Gillard

Should the Coalition go in for the kill or let Julia Gillard limp on through to the next election and finish her off then?

The myth of Rudd’s non-campaign

20 February 2012 | David Crowe

PRINT: 18 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | The myth of Rudd’s non-campaign

Early on in his quest to regain the Labor leadership, Kevin Rudd would turn to fellow caucus members and dismiss the idea of an outright challenge for the job.

Rudd makes pitch to business

20 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | Rudd makes pitch to business

Kevin Rudd has quietly met with key business leaders, rebuilding bridges and promising a new policy dialogue in moves that confirm the foreign minister has been working behind the scenes for a leadership change.

Energy grants widened for smaller manufacturers

17 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 8 | Energy grants widened

The Gillard government has made it cheaper for struggling manufacturers to access $1 billion in energy-efficiency handouts under its emissions trading scheme.

Industry welcomes $1bn grants program

16 February 2012 |

An industry lobby group has welcomed the Gillard government's changes to a $1 billion grants program to help manufacturers prepare for Labor's carbon tax.

CSC takeover dream fights for investors

16 February 2012 | David Ramli

PRINT: 16 February 2012 | PAGE 21 | IT takeover dream fights to find investors

An ambitious Australian takeover attempt of troubled US technology giant Computer Sciences Corporation is struggling to get off the ground due to lack of funding.

Rules skirted in car payments, say Libs

16 February 2012 | David Crowe

PRINT: 16 February 2012 | PAGE 7 | Rules skirted in car handouts, say Libs

The Gilllard government has been accused of skirting its own rules in handing out unspent funds from a $3.4 billion car assistance scheme in order to fast-track payments to Ford and Holden.

Alcoa sought extra aid under carbon price

15 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 15 February 2012 | PAGE 3 | Alcoa sought

Alcoa asked the federal government to bolster industry assistance until China has a comparable carbon price, warning current arrangements “will impact the future economic viability” of its Victorian smelters.

Labor’s policy confusion

14 February 2012 | Luke Malpass.

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 54 | Labor’s policy confusion

It doesn’t make sense to subsidise an industry you’re trying to constrain with a carbon tax.

Glaring absence of vision for industry

13 February 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 13 February 2012 | PAGE 51 | Glaring absence of vision for industry

The thing I find hard to understand about this government is how little it seems to think about industry outcomes when changing policy.

Company levy breaks mulled

13 February 2012 | Adrian Rollins

PRINT: 13 February 2012 | PAGE 5 | Breaks for companies mulled

Updated | Labor’s business working group is considering reforms to allow companies to cash in losses as the Federal Government tries to head off pressure to extend special assistance for the car industry to other manufacturers.

All Spinne and light on the cold, hard facts

10 February 2012 | Rowan Dean

PRINT: 10 February 2012 | PAGE 59 | All Spinne and light on the cold, hard facts

News from the auditor-general on government’s carbon tax ad campaign has sent a resounding shockwave throughout the ad and PR industries.

Carbon tax to crush aluminium

09 February 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 09 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Carbon tax to crush aluminium

Updated | The government has flagged an all-out effort to save aluminium jobs even though Treasury modelling shows Labor’s emissions-reduction policy plans to slice the industry in half by 2050.

Emissons data will be reliable: Combet

08 February 2012 |

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet says the federal government will fix the scheme that collects data on corporate carbon emissions before Labor’s carbon tax comes into effect.

Labor MPs line up to praise leader

07 February 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 07 February 2012 | PAGE 8 | Labor MPs

Labor MPs emerged yesterday to pay tribute to Julia Gillard’s fighting qualities as Greens leader Bob Brown argued she had been subjected to sexism in attacks made on her.

PM’s camp weighs up leadership showdown

03 February 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 03 February 2012 | PAGE 5 | PM’s side weighs up showdown

A showdown over the Labor leadership is being pondered by supporters of Julia Gillard as they seek to end the speculation which threatens to overshadow the government.

Union cover up for grabs

01 February 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 01 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Union cover up for grabs

The industrial umpire has ruled that the National Union of Workers can recruit members at a Woolworths distribution centre, a landmark decision that rejects the traditional rules on union coverage.

Car makers seek certainty as poll backs aid

31 January 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 31 January 2012 | PAGE 4 | Car makers seek certainty on assistance

The car industry wants long-term certainty for existing subsidies rather than increased financial support, but the public strongly backs lifting aid for the sector.

Union asks for more car cash

30 January 2012 | Jason Murphy

PRINT: 31 January 2012 | PAGE 5 | Union asks for more

Members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union met outside the Toyota plant in Melbourne’s west on Monday to kick off a campaign for continued government assistance for car manufacturing.

OneSteel gets $64m ahead of carbon tax

30 January 2012 |

Manufacturer OneSteel will receive $64 million to help it prepare for the introduction of federal government's carbon tax in July. Labor finalised a similar $100 million advance to BlueScope Steel in December.

Carbon plan floors emitters

28 January 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 7 | Carbon plan floors emitters

Carbon emitters will have to pay a top-up charge once the local clean energy market moves to floating prices, if they plan to buy international units any cheaper than the floor price set as part of the government’s reform deal.

Kyoto boon for developing countries

25 January 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 25 January 2012 | PAGE 10 | Kyoto boon for developing economies

Emission cuts by developed economies have led to a relocation of production to developing economies, German researchers say.

As easy as ABC, says minister

25 January 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 25 January 2012 | PAGE 6 | As easy as ABC, says minister

Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr’s public campaign to protect car subsidies has led him to compare them to the ABC and call them equivalent to a theatre ticket.

Aftershocks rattle public service

24 January 2012 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 45 | Aftershocks of reshuffle rattle public service

Federal departments are struggling to detail which staff, programs and other resources are being transferred or what the moves will cost.

Car subsidies: meet back-seat drivers

17 January 2012 | Aaron Patrick

PRINT: 17 January 2012 | PAGE 45 | Car subsidies: meet the back-seat drivers

Demoted and angry, Kim Carr arrived in Detroit on a mission to portray himself as the saviour of Australia car manufacturing.

On the nose in downtown Canberra

12 January 2012 | Rowan Dean

PRINT: 12 January 2012 | PAGE 41 | On the nose in downtown Canberra

New arrivals to Parliament need to be better taught how to fit in, particularly as regards such issues as personal hygiene and joining the queue.

Pressure on to release carbon tax advice

10 January 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 10 January 2012 | PAGE 3 | Pressure on to release carbon tax advice

The federal government has sought legal advice on whether the repeal of its carbon price legislation would enable companies to claim millions of dollars in compensation, but has refused to release the advice.

True believers in a world long departed

07 January 2012 | Rowan Dean

PRINT: 07 January 2012 | PAGE 59 | True believers in a world long departed

Cabinet documents released yesterday have reignited the bitter feud between Julia Gillard and her former colleagues as to who can lay claim to the many policy decisions taken during the turbulent Rudd/Gillard/Rudd/Shorten/Combet government 30 years ago.

Gillard’s shotgun wedding

07 January 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 07 January 2012 | PAGE 43 | shotgun wedding

Julia Gillard’s embrace of the trade unions has nothing to do with a natural affinity and everything to do with her political survival, even if business is the casualty.

Car makers line up for 2020 handouts

07 January 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 07 January 2012 | PAGE 6 | Car makers line up for 2020 handouts

Embattled Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano joined GM Holden’s Mike Devereux on Friday in calling for the retention of government handouts that are slated to expire with the new car plan in 2020.

Brown fumes over BlueScope emissions

06 January 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 06 January 2012 | PAGE 4 | Brown fumes over BlueScope emissions

BlueScope has revealed its carbon emissions reached record highs in 2010-11, after it received an advance payment of $100 million from the federal government under the steel assistance package.

Caucus resigned to early Rudd challenge

05 January 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 05 January 2012 | PAGE 5 | Caucus resigned to early Rudd challenge

Federal Labor MPs fear that internal differences over the party leadership will not be settled without a public showdown between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former leader Kevin Rudd.

Report wants carbon assistance clarified

04 January 2012 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 04 January 2012 | PAGE 3 | Call for clarity on carbon assistance

The Productivity Commission has challenged the federal government to provide clearer guidelines on how it wants to compensate Australian companies disadvantaged under the carbon price scheme.

Reshuffle shows blurred vision

03 January 2012 | Andrew Podger

PRINT: 03 January 2012 | PAGE 47 | Reshuffle shows blurred vision

The federal ministerial restructure is big on overlap and sadly lacking in structure and vision.

Former top public servant censures reshuffle

03 January 2012 | John Kerin

PRINT: 03 January 2012 | PAGE 3 | Former top public servant censures reshuffle

A former public service chief has criticised Julia Gillard’s frontbench reshuffle, warning it has done little for public administration or government accountability.

Warning on ‘picking winners’ in electricity market

20 December 2011 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 20 December 2011 | PAGE 3 | Warning on ‘picking winners’

Australia’s largest electricity generators have warned the federal government the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation could expose taxpayers to significant project risks.

Industry spruiker Combet cleans up along the way

19 December 2011 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 19 December 2011 | PAGE 5 | Spruiker Combet cleans up along the way

A key federal minister, Greg Combet, has rejected suggestions of any conflict in him overseeing both the industry and climate change portfolios.

No rollback of Fair Work, say unions

19 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 19 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | No rollback of Fair Work, say unions

The union movement is fighting back against a business campaign to reform Labor’s industrial laws, warning new  Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten it will not accept any ­rollback of the regime.

Under one umbrella but watch for leaks

17 December 2011 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 17 December 2011 | PAGE 53 | Under one umbrella but watch for leaks

Julia Gillard’s reshuffle confirmed Bill Shorten as her anointed successor but his new job will surely be a measure of the man, for better or worse.

A ministerial Carr crash

16 December 2011 | Peter Roberts

Kim Carr’s demotion from the Cabinet, leaving him with the rump job of Minister for Manufacturing, was the result of crucial political decisions and personal failings.

Carbon price a big concern

16 December 2011 | Brian Toohey

PRINT: 16 December 2011 | PAGE 8 |

The collapse in international carbon prices has increased the risk that the government’s clean energy program will be underfunded by about $3 billion a year.

Smoke, mirrors and renewable energy

15 December 2011 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 53 | Smoke, mirrors and renewable energy

The government is gung-ho about its carbon reduction targets, but business has some big ifs about the modelling for the renewables sector.

Warburton hits out at Carr demotion

15 December 2011 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | Carr move regrettable: Warburton

The head of new business lobby group Manufacturing Australia has hit out at the demotion from cabinet of former Industry Minister Kim Carr.

The MoG that stole Canberra’s Christmas

15 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | The MoG that stole Christmas

Spare a thought as you wind down to Christmas for the federal public service. It has just been MoG’d, thanks to Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Monday cabinet reshuffle.

Swearing-in an act hard to watch

14 December 2011 | Angus Grigg

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | Swearing-in an act hard to watch

Australia's first female governor-general has praised Nicola Roxon for becoming the first female attorney-general at the swearing-in ceremony of the new-look Labor ministry.

Canada ditches Kyoto commitments

14 December 2011 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 8 | Canada ditches Kyoto commitments

Canada has become the first original Kyoto Protocol signatory to withdraw from the agreement.

Inherited headaches to test ministers

14 December 2011 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Inherited headaches to test ministers

The winners and losers from Julia Gillard’s ministerial reshuffle will inherit a range of portfolio headaches that have the potential to escalate before the next election.

Senior federal ministers break ranks

14 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Senior ministers break ranks

Prime Minister Julia Gillard came under fire from two of her senior ministers yesterday amid growing concern over her cabinet reshuffle.

Carbon tax ‘leaves Australia exposed’

13 December 2011 | John Kerin.

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 11 | Carbon tax ‘leaves Australia exposed’

Business groups have expressed concern the Gillard government will leave industry exposed in introducing a carbon tax years ahead of the big global emitters.

Unwieldy ministry changes don’t impress

13 December 2011 |

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 54 | Complex moves

Editorial | The unwieldy ministerial jobs and departmental changes merely reflect trying to make the best of a bad hand rather than a new vision about how to run the country.

Reshuffle: the long and Shorten of it

13 December 2011 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 53 | Reshuffle: the long and Shorten of it

As the former union official takes on Workplace Relations during a time of industrial unrest, the Financial Review looks at the rise of the member for Maribyrnong.

Payback for Labor’s warlords

13 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Payback for the warlords

Far from stamping her authority on the government, Julia Gillard’s reshuffle has only created more leadership headaches.

Patchwork job, overlapping roles raise concerns

12 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 8 | Patchwork job, overlapping roles raise concerns

Updated | Julia Gillard’s response to the patchwork economy seems to be a patchwork reshuffle – a patchwork for the short term rather than a lasting fix.

PM shores up shaky power base

12 December 2011 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | PM shores up shaky power base

PM Julia Gillard has unveiled a new ministry that she says will equip the government to focus on her priorities for 2012, but which has revealed a leader unable to impose her will on her colleagues.

Climate deal clings to life

12 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Climate deal clings to life

Negotiations on a new, legally binding international climate change agreement will commence immediately after India was forced to drop its objections to the process in chaotic last ditch talks in South Africa.

Modest deal light on detail

12 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 7 | Modest accord light on detail

Delegates went into the Durban climate change talks with low expectations but they nearly failed to live up to even those meagre standards.

Durban provides fuel for carbon tax

12 December 2011 | Perry WIlliams

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 18 | Durban provides some fuel for carbon tax

Australia may yet walk away from the latest round of climate change talks in South Africa claiming vindication for its carbon tax agenda.

Too much hot air deflates optimism

10 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 10 | Too much hot air deflates optimism

Hopes were still being held out for a “Durban roadmap”, but those used to tough negotiations found the pace of the talks at the climate conference excruciating.

EU turns up pressure on US

09 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 10 | Outlook uncertain: EU turns up pressure

The prospects for a new global climate deal by 2015 were hanging by a thread in negotiations in South Africa after the EU increased pressure on the US to sign up.

Stalemate a likely outcome for Durban talks

09 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 15 | Stalemate a likely outcome

High-level ministerial climate change negotiations in South Africa have all but ground to a halt two days out from their conclusion with a larger than expected range of issues now being contested.

Regulator wants more Australian involvement

09 December 2011 | Marcus Priest Durban

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 15 | Regulator wants more Australian involvement

High-level ministerial climate change negotiations  in South Africa have all but ground to a halt two days out from their conclusion.

Combet announces climate cash for Africa

08 December 2011 |

Australia has fast tracked money to help African countries adapt to climate change, the federal government announced at climate talks in Durban.

Shipping tax plan makes waves in Durban

08 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 08 December 2011 | PAGE 14 | Shipping tax makes waves

A green climate fund to help developing countries tackle global warming funded by an international shipping tax has emerged as a key sticking point in Durban talks.

Deal hostage to Kyoto impasse

07 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 07 December 2011 | PAGE 11 | Deal hostage to Kyoto impasse

The government is facing pressure from environment groups, the global union movement and the Greens to sign a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol.

Silver lining sought as clouds gather in Durban

06 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

Australia and the US have talked up the progress of discussions to establish new transparency measures on countries’ efforts to cut emissions, as parallel negotiations over a new climate deal falter.

Moves afoot to link carbon trade

06 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 06 December 2011 | PAGE 10 | Moves afoot to link carbon trade

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said there had been progress in linking Australia’s carbon trading schemes to those of the EU and New Zealand by 2015.

Durban menace: global emissions rising

05 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 05 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Durban despair: global emissions rising

Prospects of a breakthrough at global climate talks in Durban this week are dwindling as new research shows more carbon emissions than ever were emitted last year.

Mates desert union boss over mine deal

03 December 2011 | Exclusive

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 1 | Mates desert union boss over mine deal

Union leader John Maitland enlisted senior labour figures, including Greg Combet, to get clearance for a facility to train miners in the NSW Hunter Valley, a project that generated $15 million for himself.

Make or break for climate

03 December 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 48 | Make or break for climate

Even those with experience of international climate change negotiations admit it is hard to follow what goes on at them.

When time is precious, money talks

03 December 2011 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 03 December 2011 | PAGE 6 | With limited time, money talks

Speed dating with federal Labor ministers is how one corporate executive described the business observers’ program at the National Labor Conference.

Wheels falling off climate change bus

26 November 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 48 | The global climate is now cooling

The road that started in sunnier times in Bali in 2007 looks set to finish at a messy dead end on the beaches of Durban.

Gloom over Durban climate summit

26 November 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 3 | Gloom on climate summit

A former top UN climate change official has warned talks to start next Monday are likely to fail as those attending have no idea what they are trying to achieve.

Kyoto still a stumbling block

21 November 2011 | Marcus Priest

PRINT: 21 November 2011 | PAGE 11 | Kyoto still a stumbling block

Disagreement about the future of the Kyoto Protocol at a meeting of Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in the US threatens to derail negotiations.