Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Prime Minister Albanese saying there would be no delay for the Indigenous Voice referendum, Australian power costs up as the cost of living pressures increase, China finally lifts tariffs on barley, and Australia Seeks 24GWh of Battery Storage in $10 billion through the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Nation
No delay for Indigenous Voice referendum
The referendum that will ask Australians to vote yes or no on altering the nation’s constitution to establish the voice will go on the vote as scheduled, the Daily Thanthi has reported. “Today I can promise all of you – and all Australians – there will be no delaying or deferring this referendum,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “In the months ahead, just as we will continue to make it clear what voting Yes will achieve. Australians should be equally clear about what voting No means: it is more of the same. Not only rejecting the opportunity to do better but accepting that what we have is somehow good enough.” The statement comes despite support for the “yes” campaign trending downwards in recent months according to some polls.
Economy
Power prices increase as cost of living pressures increase
Australians are also paying some of the world’s highest power rates, the Voice of America has reported. Sharp increases in power prices are making a cost-of-living crisis even worse. In some parts of the country, prices have risen by up to 25 per cent. Power prices in Australia have been fueled by various factors, including high inflation. There have also been expensive upgrades to aging transmission lines and distribution networks. Then there’s volatility in global energy markets caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Food prices in Australia have increased by more than 7 per cent in the past year. The cost of insurance has soared. So have mortgages.
International trade
China lifts tariffs on barley
China will remove extra tariffs on Australian barley, Kuwait Times reported. Beijing imposed hefty levies on key Australian exports such as barley, beef and wine in 2020, leveraging its economic muscle at the height of a bitter dispute with the then-conservative government. It also stopped imports of some of Australia’s most significant commodities, including coal, which curbed billions of dollars in trade. China’s commerce ministry said it was “no longer necessary to continue to impose anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on imports of barley originating in Australia because of changes in the Chinese barley market”. Barley exports to China were worth $916 million in the 2018-19 season.”
https://www.kuwaittimes.com/china-to-lift-tariffs-on-australian-barley/
Energy
Australia seeks 24GWh of battery storage in $10 billion CIS
The Australian government plans to seek at least 24 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of storage as part of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) across the country, EnergyPortal.eu has reported. Big batteries are seen to play a major role in the $10 billion targeted investment. The CIS will begin in New South Wales, where the closure of the Eraring coal generator in August 2025 presents a significant capacity crunch. The next tender will kick off in October, focusing on Victoria and South Australia. While the capacity sought is undisclosed, it is stated that one-third will be allocated to Victoria projects, one-third to South Australia, and the remaining third to either state depending on bids. The target of 6GW/24GWh is based on the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan, which models an 82 per cent renewable energy share by 2030, now adopted by the federal government as its target. https://www.energyportal.eu/news/australia-seeks-24-gigawatt-hours-of-storage-and-batteries-have-the-front-seat/127155/
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