Latest news with #Liberal-Nationals
Herald Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
VNI West powerline deal: TCV offers farmers $460,000 a km
A slowdown in the rollout of Victoria's 500kV VNI West transmission line, has prompted its proponent to offer landholders an extra $460,000 to sign easement deals. Transmission Company Victotria has already offered up to $50,000 in sign-on bonuses, which comes on top of an annual state government contribution of $8000 per kilometre of the line built across landholders properties for the next 25 years. TCV confirmed this week it had not signed any easement agreements with the 220 landholders along the proposed VNI West route. Most landholders have refused to budge, prompting the government to draft legislation imposing penalties of up $12,210 for anyone landholder who tries to block transmission The Weekly Times understands TCV is desperate to avoid seeing footage of farmers being arrested on the evening news and has come up with a plan to boost landholder payments. Sutherland farmer Barry Batters, who has about 4kms of the proposed VNI West line crossing his property, said landholders were 'willing to be arrested' in their bid to stop TCV accessing their land. Such resistance has pushed TCV into upping its offer, recently briefing the VNI West Community Reference Group on a new '$46,000 per hectare landholder benefit payment', which it developed in response to feedback that 'compensation alone was not a benefit'. The payment equates to $460,000/km on a 100m-wide transmission easement traversing a farm and comes on top of the government's $200,000 over 25 years, plus statutory payments made under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act. Of the $46,000/ha, 20 per cent is paid upfront when the establishment and access deed are signed, then another 20 per cent when the option for easement is signed. However TCV has failed to brief farmers on the tax treatment of the payments, which if defined as off-farm income could be taxed at 45 cents in the dollar. Farmers are still sceptical as to how successful the new payment will be in getting landholders to sign up to easement agreements. Dooboobetic grain grower and harvest contractor James Burke, who faces 9km of the proposed VNI West line being built across the family's 3600ha property, said the additional $46,000/ha payment would make 'zero difference' to those opposing the project. 'I don't believe people understand what it's going to do,' Mr Burke said. 'We can't operate the latest John Deere harvesters under it, and they're getting bigger every year.' 'It'll ruin some of the best dirt in Victoria - the Gooroc Plain.' The slowdown has forced TCV to extend the VNI West completion date from 2028 to 2030 for VNI West. The progress of the massive Western Renewables Link is also under a cloud, after porponent AusNet extended the transmission lines completion dat sfrom mid-2027 to late 2029, due to landholder resistance and a slowdown in the pace of construction. Both projects also face the uncertainty of what happens if a Liberal-Nationals government is elected in November next year, given the coalition is considering a Plan B alternative that would end the need for VNI West. Australian Energy Market Operator Victorian group manager Claire Cass, who is overseeing the VNI West, notified landholders last week that the 2028 completion date for the project had been delayed until 2030, to 'account for time needed to progress land access arrangements' and other planning and environmental assessments. WRL general manager Gerard Carew said 'we recognise that hosting infrastructure like the Western Renewables Link can be challenging and in response to landholder feedback, we have recently introduced a range of new compensation and benefit sharing initiatives for landholders. 'We are currently positively engaging with the majority of landholders.' However AusNet has admitted its lack of access to properties along the 190km WRL route hampered its ability to prepare an Environmental Effects Statement for the project, which it finally released this week after months of delays. 'As we have not been able to access all sections of the proposed route, the data included in the EES takes a conservative approach to ensure all potential environmental impacts,' AusNet stated. The EES states that while 'construction of the (WRL) project may temporarily disrupt routine activities and restrict land use', the longer-term residual impacts were assessed as minor for construction. However the EES also states 'potential impacts from restrictions and disruptions to routine activities, and the temporary isolation and redundancy of productive land may vary property to property and in some cases could be greater. 'Impacts will be managed through the development and implementation of property-specific management plans and strategies.' Meanwhile AusNet is also trying to gain wider community support for the project by offering payments to the neighbours of affected landholders. The WRL Near Neighbour Benefit program offers payments of $20,000 to anyone within 400m to 1km of the transmission line and $40,000 for those closer than 400m. Victorian Nationals leader Danny O'Brien said the Coalition was considering the Plan B 'cheaper, less disruptive option, as we finalise a position ahead of next year's election'. Plan B involves using 1321kms of existing powerline easements to lift the state's transmission capacity by 16,675 megawatts, allowing more wind and solar farms to connect to the grid and eliminating the need to construct the VNI West project. Originally published as Farmers offered $460,000/km in latest VNI West deal
Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Sussan Ley to initiate talks with David Littleproud on new Coalition deal
Newly elected Liberal Leader Sussan Ley is initiating talks on a new Coalition deal with Nationals Leader David Littleproud. Ms Ley is hosting Mr Littleproud in Albury today, which will be the pair's first meeting since this week's leadership ballots. The Nationals are hoping for a greater share of shadow ministries and more influential portfolios. Ms Ley believes a Liberal-Nationals unity is what is best for Australians.
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First Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
PM Albanese vs Peter Dutton: Who Australia will vote for tomorrow? A look at poll promises
Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. read more A voter walks past election posters for the Australian Labor Party outside a pre-polling centre in Sydney on May 2, 2025, ahead of Australia's federal election scheduled for May 3. (Photo: AFP) Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut 'red and green tape' for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. ($1 = 1.5635 Australian dollars) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Factbox-Policies of Australia's political parties at a glance
FILE PHOTO: A sign points towards ballot boxes at a pre-polling place in Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo (Reuters) -Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut "red and green tape" for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. ($1 = 1.5635 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sam McKeith and Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Policies of Australia's political parties at a glance
FILE PHOTO: A sign points towards ballot boxes at a pre-polling place in Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut "red and green tape" for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
