Immigration debate looms as flashpoint in election
After a hotly-contested debate surrounding immigration in the US, Australia is being urged to discuss the issue with facts during its upcoming election.
energy and resource
Trucks, trains and dozers drive Fortescue’s ‘real zero’
Iron ore billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest says he intends to silence the naysayers with profitable patented green technology to save the planet - and mining.
Boon for critical minerals, education in trade pact
Australian pacts with a Gulf state are set to open up investment from its massive sovereign wealth fund and opportunities in critical minerals and education.
Electric prime movers finally rolling into Australia
More companies are swapping heavy-duty diesel trucks for electric prime movers, but industry experts say regulations still need to change to get more on roads.
‘Con job’: government flushes hydro energy project
A report says a scrapped pumped hydro scheme proposed by the former Queensland government had no value for money, with costs blowing out to almost $37 billion.
Made or assembled in Australia? Solar policy under fire
Questions have emerged over whether solar panels will be manufactured or merely assembled in Australia at a senate hearing into energy agencies.
Santos rejects attack on ‘speculative’ net-zero roadmap
Santos says public statements it could reach net-zero emissions by 2040 were not misleading because its roadmap contained targets and not promises.
Clean energy talk cheap, flight upgrades pricey for PM
Anthony Albanese has made a whistlestop tour as he ratchets up election campaign efforts, but one expert says he must do more to change public opinion.
Political dogfight erupts over PM’s plane promotions
Australia's major party leaders are embroiled in an increasingly personal stoush after revelations the prime minister accepted a stack of flight upgrades.
Why packing waste could be the secret to a cool summer
Packing material and static electricity could take the edge off future electricity bills, according to Australian researchers.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
Roll out the solar: $6.8m facility to print solar cells
Thousands of flexible solar cells are expected to be printed by the ream in a $6.8 million facility established by Australia's leading science organisation.
Peru proposes investment ahead of major mining forum
A Peru trade delegation led by its prime minister will attend a major mining conference in Australia as Canberra works to diversify its international trade.
‘Delay-mongers’: climate boss lashes nuclear supporters
Nuclear proponents are simply delaying the move towards clean and cheap energy as Australia's environment runs out of time, a climate leader says.
Union slams ‘false hope’: jobs at risk in nuclear push
Nuclear energy is a dangerous distraction from the real decisions facing Australia, the Electrical Trades Union warns members ahead of the Queensland election.
No nukes till late 2030s: energy switch may take years
Establishing nuclear power plants in Australia may take more than a decade, an inquiry has heard, and dealing with radioactive waste might be longer.
Generators chase peaks as wholesale energy prices spike
Batteries are setting the price in the electricity market more often than a year ago but gas is the dominant price-setter as generators chase lucrative spikes.
Solar panel pioneer in the spotlight at tech awards
Batteries made from waste, earthquake-proof buildings and solar panel technology that keeps lights on around the world have been recognised at an awards gala.
Grey area: questions over Sunshine State’s green future
Queensland could revert to coal central as calls grow for a power plan from the energised LNP, days out from voters heading to the polls in the Sunshine State.
Premier touts nuclear plebiscite as PM joins campaign
Queenslanders could vote twice at the next federal election with nuclear in the mix, after Premier Steven Miles vowed to hold a plebiscite if re-elected.
Trial to test if electric vehicles can power homes
Australia's national science agency will team with an electricity retailer to find out whether electric cars can be used to power homes and back up the grid.
‘Climate action pays’: call to rev up clean investment
There can be winners in the clean energy race, a group of super funds says, rolling out a campaign to quell community fears and accelerate development.
‘Get on with it’: renewables rollout too slow out west
The renewables rollout is not happening quickly enough in WA, a summit has been warned, with leading proponents of clean energy exports calling for targets.
Green ideals meet hip-pocket pain as power prices surge
Young Australians are most likely to pay a premium to access renewable energy at home, a study has found, but high energy prices are turning off others.
Park your car to power your home: study probes EV tech
Electric cars could become energy storage solutions as part of a two-year project launched by the NRMA and university researchers.
Coal town to battery base: firm keen to make power move
Renewable energy companies are eyeing opportunities in traditional coal-mining towns as part of Australia's electricity transition.
Aussie researchers turn wine into green battery tech
Australian university researchers have won a patent for using food acids to create a major component of battery technology.
Minister ‘unaware’ of risk before power plant explosion
Queensland's energy minister has testified in court that power plant executives did not tell him about risks of serious incidents before an explosion.
Calls for sweeping review after another mining death
The death of another mine worker in Australia's largest coal-producing state has sparked calls for an industry-wide review of safety practices.
Australia may miss billions in green Chinese investment
Chinese investment in Australia has fallen, despite the nation's growing budget for renewable energy projects in the transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
$14m funding boost to make sustainable jet fuel fly
Environmentally friendly plane fuel could be closer to being produced in Australia after two governments made a record investment in its potential.