PUP senators block carbon tax repeal
10 July, 2014 by Lauren DavisThe Abbott government was dealt a massive blow today as senators from the Palmer United Party (PUP) withdrew their support for the repeal of the carbon tax.
Government policies bolstering China's renewable energy capacity
27 June, 2014Research and consulting firm GlobalData has revealed that China's renewable energy capacity increased from 27.8 GW in 2001 to 183 GW in 2013, and looks set to continue rising.
CEFC saved by the Senate
19 June, 2014The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) was saved yesterday after the Senate, led by the Labor Party and Greens, rejected legislation to abolish the scheme for a second time.
AWA welcomes investment in water
18 June, 2014NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance has handed down the 2014-15 Budget for NSW. The state government's investment in the water industry has been welcomed by the Australian Water Association (AWA).
Green paper on Developing Northern Australia
11 June, 2014Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has released the green paper on Developing Northern Australia. The development of the region is a priority for the Australian Government, the minister said.
Murray-Darling Water Recovery Strategy released
02 June, 2014The Australian Government has released the Water Recovery Strategy - its proposal to deliver on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on time and in full, with priority given to water-saving infrastructure investments.
VEET scheme to close
22 May, 2014The Victorian Government has announced the closure of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme. The scheme had been under review since July 2013, to determine whether it should continue for a third phase from 2015 to 2017.
Sustainability sector hits back at Budget
14 May, 2014 by Lauren DavisIn last night's announcement of the 2014-15 Federal Budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey attracted ire from several sections of the sustainability sector.
CSIRO cuts opposed by Greens and Labor
16 April, 2014 by Lauren DavisFairfax Media has revealed that science body CSIRO is bracing for a May budget cut of up $150 million, or more than 20% of its total government funding, with the organisation’s top executive team modelling a range of scenarios based around this outcome.
Emissions Reduction Fund faces challenges, says pitt&sherry
18 March, 2014Carbon and energy specialist pitt&sherry has submitted its comments on the proposed Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The consultancy claims the fund faces significant design challenges, and to fail these would risk budget outcomes, national emission targets and Australia's standing in international climate change negotiations.
Quarterly BAS lodgement due by 28 February
25 February, 2014Businesses who lodge their business activity statement (BAS) each quarter are required to do so by 28 February 2014 for the October-December 2013 period.
Report on the failure of electricity privatisation
20 February, 2014Economist Professor John Quiggin has released the report 'Electricity Privatisation in Australia: A Record of Failure'. The report examines 20 years of pro-privatisation reform, including a detailed economic examination of the outcomes of power sales in Victoria and South Australia.
NZ Green Party launches Solar Homes policy
17 February, 2014New Zealand's Green Party yesterday announced a policy intended to make it easier for households to afford solar power, thus removing a key barrier to the uptake of the technology.
Melbourne sustainability strategies endorsed
14 February, 2014The City of Melbourne has announced that two key council documents, which lay out Melbourne's path to a more resilient and self-sufficient future, were this week endorsed at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting.
Axing Renewable Energy Target will axe jobs, says RAA
29 January, 2014The REC Agents Association (RAA), an industry body for companies trading in renewable energy certificates, has commissioned an analysis into the potential abolition of the Renewable Energy Target (RET), which found that it could result in the loss of up to 6750 jobs.
