Author: Ben Westcott
Are Australian businesses missing out on Southeast Asia’s economic boom? According to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, it seems that way. Despite the region’s potential for growth, there has been a struggle to attract more private investment from Australia’s near neighbors. In 2022, foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia was lower compared to 2014 when Wong’s Labor Party took office. Surprisingly, not a single Southeast Asian nation is listed in Australia’s top 20 destinations for foreign investment, as per government data. This worrying trend highlights the missed opportunities for Australian businesses in a rapidly expanding market. With Southeast Asia’s economy on…
Australia sets new limits on foreign student intake as a part of migration control measures. Education Minister Jason Clare announced that starting in 2025, the number of international students will be capped at 270,000, with 145,000 allocated for universities and 95,000 for the skills training sector. This decision comes in response to a surge in student visas granted in fiscal year 2023, totaling nearly 600,000. The government aims to regulate the flow of overseas students to better manage migration and prioritize the needs of domestic institutions. While Australia remains an attractive destination for international students, the new restrictions will ensure…
Australia is considering a shift towards nuclear power, breaking its long-standing resistance to the energy source. With upcoming elections, the Liberal National Coalition is pushing nuclear power as a solution to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The plan includes building nuclear reactors in seven locations by 2050, despite challenges like current laws banning nuclear power and cost considerations. While the shift towards nuclear power aligns with global trends, experts question the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy in Australia, especially with the increasing use of renewables in the country’s energy mix. The debate intertwines with Australia’s historical struggles with…
Australia is on the verge of a major shift in its energy policy, considering ending its long-standing resistance to nuclear power. The Liberal National Coalition parties are pushing for this pivot as a key part of their platform to win the upcoming elections. Their stance is driven by a historical opposition to renewables and a growing acceptance of nuclear energy among the Australian public. If the Coalition wins the election next year, they plan to build nuclear reactors in seven locations across Australia by 2050. This move would mark a significant departure from Australia’s current energy mix, which heavily relies…
Welcome to an exclusive update on Premier Li Qiang’s historic visit to Australia. Premier Li Qiang will become the highest-ranking Chinese leader to visit Australia in seven years, marking a significant diplomatic moment. Despite potential tensions over investment and military matters, Li’s four-day tour of Adelaide, Canberra, and Perth signifies a warming in Beijing-Canberra relations since the election of a center-left Labor government in 2022. This visit is a chance for Australia to showcase its national values, people’s qualities, and economic strengths to the world. Recent improvements in trade relations, including the lifting of trade curbs on Australian imports by…