PORTFOLIO NEWS

Significant progress towards ban on deepwater gillnet fishing in South Pacific Ocean

The Australian Government has made significant progress towards an agreement to introduce a ban of deepwater gillnet fishing in the high seas of the South Pacific Ocean from February 2010. The issue was on the agenda at the eighth international consultation on the establishment of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation held recently in Auckland. Delegates from some 20 countries showed overwhelming support for the ban and have a short time to consider their participation. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/significant_progress_towards_ban_on_deepwater_gillnet_fishing_in_south_pacific_ocean

Tony Burke visits Rome for UN World Food Security Summit

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke is in Rome this week to participate in discussions on the key global challenge of food security. Minister Burke has addressed the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations’ World Food Summit on Food Security. Read the transcript at http://www.maff.gov.au/transcripts/transcripts/2009/november/tony_burke_-_country_statement_at_the_fao_of_the_united_nations_world_food_summit_on_food_security

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Record capital expenditure on advanced minerals and energy development projects

As at October 2009, the value of advanced minerals and energy projects was a record $112.5 billion, an increase of 40 per cent from April 2009. “The increase in planned capital expenditure reflects expectations of growing demand for minerals and energy commodities in the medium term,” said ABARE’s Deputy Executive Director, Dr Terry Sheales on releasing ABARE’s Minerals and energy: major development projects – October 2009 listing. Read the report on the ABARE website (www.abare.gov.au) by following the latest releases menu.

Gas and wind energy projects driving investment in electricity generation

An additional 1582 megawatts of capacity was added to the Australian electricity grid in the six months to October 2009, with the completion of seven electricity generation projects, including one coal, one coal seam gas, two natural gas and three wind powered projects. This was revealed in the ABARE report Electricity generation: major development projects – October 2009 listing released by Dr Terry Sheales, Deputy Executive Director, ABARE. The report details electricity generation projects at various stages of development. Read the report on the ABARE website (www.abare.gov.au) by following the latest releases menu.