Insights into the Energy, Resources & Projects sector
June 2011
Welcome to this edition of Down to Earth
The future is looking strong for Australia as the big miners continue to announce billions of dollars worth of capital programs, an indication that they are forecasting demand to remain at the current insatiable levels. As the boom continues, the energy & resources sector is in a period of change as resources companies position themselves to respond to critical strategic issues such as Resources Rent Tax, PPSA reform, a price on carbon and more.
Informed decisions and forward planning around sector developments such as regulatory reform will ensure the forward momentum continues for Australia’s resources companies. Our Energy, Resources & Projects team is busy working with clients across all major reforms impacting the sector, and we explore some of the latest developments within this edition of Down to Earth.
In other articles, Annabel Griffin discusses the viability of a nuclear power fuelled Australia in a post- Fukushima world, and how the industry is likely to move-forward albeit in disaster-recovery mode, Justin McDonnell and Priscilla Lal delve into new laws surrounding bribery and corruption, and outline how you can protect your organisation once new laws are launched on 1 July 2011, and Vishal Ahuja considers the future of the NSW power sector post-privatisation, as the continued participation of the NSW Government in the generation sector means that a key aim of the reform process, being the government exiting the industry, has not been achieved.
We also cover the latest on how Australia is poised to benefit from a change to China’s outbound investment approval process, plus the ever-increasing issues arising from project proponents securing access to private land for rail, port and related infrastructure projects, the rise of the non statutory access regime, and more.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Down to Earth, and please email me with suggestions for future topics, or requests for further information on any of the articles featured.
Best wishes
Scott Gardiner, Head of Energy, Resources & Projects