Latest news with #Australian
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Business
- Mint
Australia's Gas Sector Scores Win in Wider Push to Ease Red Tape
(Bloomberg) -- Australia's natural gas sector secured a long-awaited regulatory victory with permission to extend the life of the nation's biggest export plant, but the industry is still grappling with policy uncertainty that it says hampers investment. The Woodside Energy Group Ltd.-operated North West Shelf project received provisional clearance on Wednesday to run to 2070 after a process that lasted more than six years. However, many other multibillion-dollar gas projects planned over the next decade are still waiting for approvals from state or federal government agencies. 'It's an encouraging early sign, but the industry wants to see more action on approval reform before their appetite returns to Australia,' said Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at MST Marquee. 'Things that used to take months still take years.' Stricter policies and legal challenges from environmental and indigenous groups have held up Australian gas developments, which are a major contributor to the nation's status as one of the biggest per-capita polluters. Investment in gas exploration in Australia has grown by just 15% in the past five years, compared with almost 30% globally, industry consultant Wood Mackenzie said in a report this week. The nation's share in the investment portfolio of major international oil companies has fallen to 15% from more than 40% just over a decade ago, it said. ExxonMobil Corp. has paused investments in recent years due to the regulatory instability, Australia Chair Simon Younger said in Brisbane this week. Meanwhile, Chevron Corp.'s Australia President Balaji Krishnamurthy stressed the importance of consistent policies that can endure over time at the industry gathering. 'There is a bit of alphabet soup in the energy space, and if the government is wanting to simplify that and have sharper delineation of roles and responsibilities, I think that would be welcomed by the industry,' Woodside Chief Executive Officer Meg O'Neill said at the Australian Energy Producers Conference conference. The extension of North West Shelf will allow Woodside to seek sign-offs on Browse, an ambitious plan to send gas from massive offshore reserves to the liquefied natural gas plant. The company has amended that project, which is being assessed by Western Australia's Environmental Protection Agency, to limit its impact on a major reef system. The approval of the extension also comes in the same month Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party was resoundingly reelected, defying some forecasts that he would need support from the Greens or climate-focused independents to form government. Albanese has said the nation will need more gas to support renewables and to help the country meet its net zero commitments. 'I think I can speak for all my colleagues in the industry, we're all ready to invest,' Kevin Gallagher, the CEO of gas producer Santos Ltd., said at the conference. 'If we get the policy certainty, the regulatory clarity and stability that we need, we're all ready to invest.' More stories like this are available on
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- Business
- The Sun
Fabrik Etc Celebrates 40 Years Of Curtains & Blinds Expertise
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - Fabrik Etc marks its 40th anniversary in the soft furnishings industry, reaffirming its longstanding presence as a specialist in curtains and blinds in Singapore. Over four decades, the company has built a reputation for reliability and quality, serving a broad clientele ranging from residential homeowners to developers, architects, hoteliers, and commercial spaces. Fabrik Etc distinguishes itself through its wide range of offerings, which include wallpaper services, the original Australian Ziptrak® blinds, reupholstery services, roller shades, and Korean combi blinds, among others. All products are customisable to meet diverse budgets and aesthetic needs, from cost-effective options to bespoke solutions. Unlike mass-market providers, Fabrik Etc provides end-to-end services, including site measurement, product consultation, installation, and after-sales support, managed by its own in-house factory and installation team. The company also practices transparent pricing, with detailed quotation breakdowns offered to every customer. As one of the early entrants in Singapore's curtains and blinds industry, Fabrik Etc has received multiple industry recognitions, including being a top sales performer for Hunter Douglas and one of the largest local partners for the original Australian Ziptrak®. Its portfolio includes a range of established brands such as TOSO, Acacia Fabrics, Jotex, Camoor, and Goodrich, offering a breadth of options beyond the limited selections available at typical soft furnishing retailers. They also provide add-on motorization and smart home integration for their curtain and blinds, boasting big name brands like Somfy, AOK and DOOYA. While the company celebrates its legacy as a second-generation business, it also acknowledges the need to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. In conjunction with its 40th anniversary, Fabrik Etc is strengthening its digital presence and expanding outreach to the renovation market, while also engaging younger clients who value customisation and established industry experience. Looking ahead, Fabrik Etc plans to introduce new services such as curtain and blind cleaning, expand its selection of sustainable and smart products, and grow its collaborations with interior designers and developers on large-scale projects.
West Australian
44 minutes ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid: Long-range PHEV priced from $52,990 drive-away
MG Motor Australia has confirmed pricing for its two-variant MG HS Super Hybrid PHEV range, ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in September. 'Tuned specifically for Australia driving habits,' the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the second-generation MG HS launched in September 2024 will compete with existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUVs, as well the next-generation Toyota RAV4 , the replacement for Australia's top-selling SUV that will arrive here next year with PHEV power for the first time. MG will also release the conventional MG HS Hybrid+ to compete with the popular RAV4 Hybrid. The front-wheel drive MG HS Super Hybrid will be offered in Excite and Essence trims in Australia – with prices starting from $52,990 drive-away for the former and $55,990 drive-away for the latter. That marks a $16,000 premium over the equivalent HS 1.5T FWD. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . For reference, the BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 plus on-road costs (~$45,524 D/A), while the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV currently kicks off from $57,290 plus on-roads (or $57,990 D/A as currently promoted), but will soon be updated. While more expensive than the BYD's base pricing, the MG Super Hybrid offers a longer electric driving range from its 24.7kWh LFP battery – rated at 135km NEDC, or 120km WLTP. Combined with a full 55-litre fuel tank, MG Australia says owners can expect 1000km or more of combined driving range. The MG HS Super Hybrid runs the same 220kW/350Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV system as the model offered in the UK market, though the Chinese brand's local division has tuned the drivetrain to act more like a conventional hybrid with a big battery, rather than prioritising EV driving like its overseas equivalent. As we detailed in our recent pre-production drive , the MG HS Super Hybrid will default to 'HEV' mode, and when its battery is charged it will drive as an EV up to speeds of 80km/h, then as an HEV above that. It will also turn on the petrol engine when maximum acceleration is demanded via a throttle kickdown. MG quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 'under 5.0L/100km in real-world driving conditions' when its useable EV range is depleted. Full pricing and specifications for the Australian range are still to be confirmed ahead of the PHEV's September launch, though CarExpert understands it will largely be aligned with Excite and Essence versions of the HS 1.5T petrol model – you can read our full price and specs story here . MG Motor Australia has also confirmed the Super Hybrid will be backed by the Chinese brand's 10-year/250,000km new vehicle warranty, and near-100-strong national dealership network. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest. MORE: 2025 MG HS Super Hybrid review – Quick drive MORE: Everything MG HS
7NEWS
an hour ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid: Long-range PHEV priced from $52,990 drive-away
MG Motor Australia has confirmed pricing for its two-variant MG HS Super Hybrid PHEV range, ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in September. 'Tuned specifically for Australia driving habits,' the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the second-generation MG HS launched in September 2024 will compete with existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUVs, as well the next-generation Toyota RAV4, the replacement for Australia's top-selling SUV that will arrive here next year with PHEV power for the first time. MG will also release the conventional MG HS Hybrid+ to compete with the popular RAV4 Hybrid. The front-wheel drive MG HS Super Hybrid will be offered in Excite and Essence trims in Australia – with prices starting from $52,990 drive-away for the former and $55,990 drive-away for the latter. That marks a $16,000 premium over the equivalent HS 1.5T FWD. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. For reference, the BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 plus on-road costs (~$45,524 D/A), while the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV currently kicks off from $57,290 plus on-roads (or $57,990 D/A as currently promoted), but will soon be updated. While more expensive than the BYD's base pricing, the MG Super Hybrid offers a longer electric driving range from its 24.7kWh LFP battery – rated at 135km NEDC, or 120km WLTP. Combined with a full 55-litre fuel tank, MG Australia says owners can expect 1000km or more of combined driving range. The MG HS Super Hybrid runs the same 220kW/350Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV system as the model offered in the UK market, though the Chinese brand's local division has tuned the drivetrain to act more like a conventional hybrid with a big battery, rather than prioritising EV driving like its overseas equivalent. As we detailed in our recent pre-production drive, the MG HS Super Hybrid will default to 'HEV' mode, and when its battery is charged it will drive as an EV up to speeds of 80km/h, then as an HEV above that. It will also turn on the petrol engine when maximum acceleration is demanded via a throttle kickdown. MG quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 'under 5.0L/100km in real-world driving conditions' when its useable EV range is depleted. Full pricing and specifications for the Australian range are still to be confirmed ahead of the PHEV's September launch, though CarExpert understands it will largely be aligned with Excite and Essence versions of the HS 1.5T petrol model – you can read our full price and specs story here. MG Motor Australia has also confirmed the Super Hybrid will be backed by the Chinese brand's 10-year/250,000km new vehicle warranty, and near-100-strong national dealership network. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest. Pricing
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid: Long-range PHEV priced from $52,990 drive-away
MG Motor Australia has confirmed pricing for its two-variant MG HS Super Hybrid PHEV range, ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in September. 'Tuned specifically for Australia driving habits,' the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the second-generation MG HS launched in September 2024 will compete with existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUVs, as well the next-generation Toyota RAV4, the replacement for Australia's top-selling SUV that will arrive here next year with PHEV power for the first time. MG will also release the conventional MG HS Hybrid+ to compete with the popular RAV4 Hybrid. The front-wheel drive MG HS Super Hybrid will be offered in Excite and Essence trims in Australia – with prices starting from $52,990 drive-away for the former and $55,990 drive-away for the latter. That marks a $16,000 premium over the equivalent HS 1.5T FWD. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert For reference, the BYD Sealion 6 starts from $42,990 plus on-road costs (~$45,524 D/A), while the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV currently kicks off from $57,290 plus on-roads (or $57,990 D/A as currently promoted), but will soon be updated. While more expensive than the BYD's base pricing, the MG Super Hybrid offers a longer electric driving range from its 24.7kWh LFP battery – rated at 135km NEDC, or 120km WLTP. Combined with a full 55-litre fuel tank, MG Australia says owners can expect 1000km or more of combined driving range. The MG HS Super Hybrid runs the same 220kW/350Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV system as the model offered in the UK market, though the Chinese brand's local division has tuned the drivetrain to act more like a conventional hybrid with a big battery, rather than prioritising EV driving like its overseas equivalent. As we detailed in our recent pre-production drive, the MG HS Super Hybrid will default to 'HEV' mode, and when its battery is charged it will drive as an EV up to speeds of 80km/h, then as an HEV above that. It will also turn on the petrol engine when maximum acceleration is demanded via a throttle kickdown. HS Super Hybrid Excite Credit: CarExpert MG quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 'under 5.0L/100km in real-world driving conditions' when its useable EV range is depleted. Full pricing and specifications for the Australian range are still to be confirmed ahead of the PHEV's September launch, though CarExpert understands it will largely be aligned with Excite and Essence versions of the HS 1.5T petrol model – you can read our full price and specs story here. MG Motor Australia has also confirmed the Super Hybrid will be backed by the Chinese brand's 10-year/250,000km new vehicle warranty, and near-100-strong national dealership network. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest. HS 1.5T Credit: CarExpert MORE: 2025 MG HS Super Hybrid review – Quick driveMORE: Everything MG HS
