PM focus on critical supply chains, push for office return

PM talks up supply chains for technology, critical minerals

Ahead of his European meetings with world leaders, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has underlined the importance of the development of supply chains for critical technologies. Citing the potential benefits of artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing, the PM said the technologies needed to be reliable, affordable, resilient, and importantly, secure. In a speech delivered in Western Australia, Mr Morrison also emphasised the development of secure and diverse supply chains for critical minerals, which were essential for clean energy technologies and military applications. He said that given its endowment in critical minerals, Australia had a responsibility to contribute to greater diversity of critical minerals supply, as far along the value chain as possible.

Productivity chief cautions on sovereign manufacturing push

Productivity Commission head Michael Brennan has warned that the pursuit of sovereign manufacturing capability, post Covid-19, was a potential “dark cloud” on the economic horizon. The Chair of the Federal Government’s economic advisory body said this week that Australia’s experience with the protection of domestic manufacturing was not an “overly happy one.” Mr Brennan said the PC’s research on vulnerable supply chains showed that only about two per cent of imports into Australia came from a concentrated source, for which there were few substitutes and which flowed into essential industries. He added that the death of free trade was “much exaggerated.”

Get back to the office, says PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged employees to return to the office following more than a year of Covid-19 restrictions. Speaking after a meeting of National Cabinet, which included a presentation on behalf of capital city mayors, Mr Morrison said that the relevant national health authority would review density guidelines to assist office return (Victoria presently excepted). He noted that many companies headquartered overseas were using the office accommodation rules of their US, European or UK parent, rather than a standard more appropriate to Australia.

NT leads growth on jobs, wages

The Northern Territory has led Australia in increasing both the number of jobs and total wages paid since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that the number of jobs increased by six per cent in the NT from mid-March 2020 until 22 May 2021, followed by WA with a five per cent increase. Total wages in the NT rose 6.6 per cent, followed by Victoria, with a five per cent rise. Over the same period, job numbers in Australia rose 2.6 per cent, and total wages 3.1 per cent.

Coal dominates electricity generation

Coal continues to be the major source of Australia’s total electricity generation, according to figures released by the Federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. According to the Australian Energy Statistics estimated for 2018-19 and calendar year 2020, thermal sources comprised 76 per cent of total electricity generation, of which coal contributed 54 per cent. Renewable energy made up 24 per cent of electricity generation, led by solar and wind (both nine per cent) and hydro, six per cent. Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said Australians had the world’s highest uptake of solar energy, with one in four homes having solar power.

NSW moves to welcome back international students

New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has announced that the state would move to admit international students under a pilot program to operate from mid-year. Under the plan, 250 students would be allowed entry into Sydney every two weeks, in addition to the current allocation of returning Australians allowed into NSW. Mr Perrottet said that 250,000 international students studied in NSW in 2019.

Emily Minson11 June 2021Lunik