Who pays tax in an automated workforce?
With investment in AI on the rise, Alan Kohler poses the question: who pays tax in an automated workforce?
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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
World Gold Council's latest short film shines spotlight on WA Goldfields
The World Gold Council's latest short film to premiere on Thursday focuses on activities in WA's Goldfields, with particular emphasis on an Indigenous company's partnership with a global mining giant. Gold: The Journey Continues — Australia demonstrates how the local gold industry, First Nations communities and businesses were collaborating to deepen Indigenous participation in WA's gold mining sector. The film is the third in a global series from the council that tell 'real stories of those who live and work in responsible gold mining operations', and follows the global success of Gold: A Journey, in 2023, starring British film star Idris Elba. Representatives from the World Gold Council, Minerals Council of Australia, and Gold Industry Group visited Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Wednesday ahead of the film's premiere at WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth on Thursday night. The three groups are presenting the film in partnership. The gold council's chief strategy officer Terry Heymann said the film series aimed to highlight the social and community value being generated through 'responsible' gold mining, a sector more known for its economic contribution. 'Given Australia is the world's third-largest gold producer and home to what is widely regarded as the oldest Indigenous culture, we've long wanted to explore the wisdom, experiences and learnings embedded in Australia's gold mining sector,' he said. 'A sustainable gold mining industry is contingent on championing ways for Indigenous people to preserve their deep connections to land and nature while benefit as active participants. 'Exploring partnerships that are achieving this through courage, trust, patience and resilience to overcome what can be exciting but complex challenges has been an immensely insightful and rewarding experience.' Central to the film is mining services company Carey Group, which employs First Nations people and is anchored by its 30-year partnership with global gold mining group AngloGold Ashanti at the Sunrise Dam mine in the northern Goldfields. Carey Group founder and managing director Daniel Tucker has played a key role forging new pathways for Indigenous people, fusing traditional knowledge with a business mindset and skills. Rowena Leslie, co-founder of mining services firm Kai Rho Contracting, who is also featured in the film, was mentored by Mr Tucker. Similarly, Gohar Rind, owner of technology firm Yira Yarkiny Group, benefited from a Carey Group scholarship. AngloGold's contractual arrangements have been augmented with business coaching and mentoring. AngloGold vice-president investor relations, communication and ESG Andrea Maxey said the company was focused on supporting local economics and communities. 'Our purchasing and supply chain team works closely with our community team to ensure mechanisms that build trust (and) cultural awareness, (with) hands-on support built into contracts,' she said. Mr Tucker said Aboriginal-owned business participation in mining was evolving, with Carey Group starting 30 years ago with a blank canvas but a strong vision to work and thrive in industries 'that had long left us out'. 'Our breakthrough came in 1996 when AngloGold Ashanti — then Acacia Resources — saw more opportunity than risk in creating Australia's first Indigenous partnership with Carey Group,' he said. 'Fast forward to today, and our journey is inspiring First Nations people across Australia and in regions as far afield as Canada to consider similar models. 'We are proud and grateful to share our story in this documentary.' Mr Tucker said the role of Indigenous businesses in mining was still in its infancy. 'There is still so much opportunity for First Nations-owned businesses to grow, diversify and achieve major milestones into the future,' he said.

ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Australia and the European Union determined to seal trade deal as talks revived
Australia and the European Union have revived talks for a sweeping free trade agreement as the Albanese government aims to respond to a "rapidly changing global environment" on tariffs. Australia's trade minister Don Farrell met with the European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič met on the sidelines of a summit hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on Wednesday, local time. "Both Australia and the EU recognise that now is the time to strengthen our economic partnership, and we're working through the remaining issues to try and finalise the deal," Mr Farrell said. A pact with the region was "about building economic resilience in a rapidly changing global environment," he added. It came as US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, leaving America's trading partners reeling from the fresh uncertainty. Mr Sefcovic told journalists "we believe we can achieve substantial progress this year" on an EU-Australia free trade deal, after negotiations have been on ice since 2023. Australian officials could not put a solid timeline on when a pact would be signed, but agriculture is believed to be one of the sticking points. Australia has previously offered to put the removal of its luxury car tax on the table but wants greater access to European markets for lamb and beef exports. However, some big meat-producing EU member countries like France have reservations about opening the bloc's markets to potential major competitors like Australia. Such concerns are also holding up talks with South American countries. The advantages of an EU deal include increased investment, stronger supply chain links, education ties and export opportunities, Mr Farrell said. Earlier on Wednesday, the United States set a deadline for countries to send their best offer in trade negotiations. In February, Mr Trump raised steel and aluminium tariffs to a flat 25 per cent "without exceptions or exemptions", in one of his first moves to aid the struggling domestic industries. The tariffs would apply to millions of tonnes of steel and aluminium imports from Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and other countries that had previously been able to enter the US duty-free. On Saturday, Mr Farrell, said that Australia's messaging throughout the upheaval has been consistent and clear. "These tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend," he said. Asked what leverage Australia might have to pressure Mr Trump into changing course, Mr Farrell reiterated the government's position that it would not be in Australia's best interests to retaliate. "We're going to coolly and calmly argue our case for the removal of these tariffs," he said. "They don't do what President Trump claims they will do, and we believe that free and fair trade requires [their] removal." ABC/Reuters

News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Aldi sued for stocking ‘confusingly similar packaging' to famous snacks
The supermarket of choice for those on tight budgets is being slugged by a potentially devastating legal case. We've all walked past a couple of dubiously named brands that look very much like the original in Aldi's snack isle. But now those cheaper options are being put under the microscope as multinational corporations put the foot down. Snack maker Mondelez, the company behind Oreos and Ritz crackers, has launched legal action against Aldi's US arm, accusing the discount retailer of stocking 'blatant copies' of its iconic biscuit brands. The case claims Aldi's private-label products bear 'confusingly similar packaging' that could mislead shoppers and damage Mondelez's reputation. The company has requested a court order to block Aldi from selling the products in question, alongside a claim for monetary damages. Side-by-side comparisons submitted in the lawsuit show visual similarities between Aldi's chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos, both featuring blue packaging with near-identical cookie arrangements. Similar comparisons were made between Aldi's Golden Round crackers and Ritz, both wrapped in red boxes with blue and yellow accents. Mondelez alleges it repeatedly warned Aldi about the likenesses. While the retailer reportedly adjusted or withdrew some packaging, others remain on shelves. Aldi, which operates more than 2500 stores in 39 US states and 600 in Australia, has not commented publicly on the case. Known for keeping prices low by selling mostly in-house brands, the German-founded chain has faced similar legal challenges over its private-label packaging in several countries in the past. In Australia, Aldi was found to have infringed copyright in a 2023 case involving children's snack brand Baby Bellies. The court found some of Aldi's Mamia puff products too closely resembled the benchmark design provided by the brand's licensor, Hampden Holdings. Evidence included internal correspondence acknowledging the resemblance. However, Aldi prevailed in other claims involving rice cakes and has appealed the ruling. Elsewhere, Aldi won a 2018 appeal in Australia against Moroccanoil Israel over similar packaging claims related to haircare products, while in the UK, a court sided with cider brand Thatchers in a dispute over bottle design.