Albanese targets project delays, fuel security in pre-Budget pitch

BHP takes ‘same job, same pay’ fight to High Court BHP (ASX: BHP) is escalating its ‘same job, same pay’ case against the Mining and Energy Union to the High Court after the Federal Court dismissed the case in December.In July last year, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled that BHP’s operations services fell under the Federal Government’s Same Job, Same Pay legislation, ensuring labour-hire workers are paid the same wages and conditions as directly employed staff.The law, implemented by the Federal Government in 2024, was designed to address the wage disparity seen across the Australian resources sector, which sees labour hire staff earning substantially less than directly employed workers in identical roles.BHP sought to challenge the ruling — which would affect workers at its Goonyella Riverside, Peak Downs and Saraji coal operations in Queensland — with the Federal Court, but the FWC’s decision was upheld and the case dismissed.Following the dismissal, Mining and Energy Union Queensland President Mitch Hughes said BHP has spent millions on lawyers to avoid paying coal miners fairly.“Today the Court has once again made it clear — time’s up, pay up,” he said.“From Sunday, labour hire mineworkers at BHP’s Queensland mines will finally start earning the pay they deserve — the same as the person working next to them, doing the same job.”This case has the potential to reshape the foundation of the employment landscape across the Australian resources sector — requiring companies across the industry using similar labour hire models to reassess and prepare for potential wage adjustments across the board.Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King says workers that stand alongside one another and do the same job in the same conditions with the same qualifications should be paid the same.“The FWC decision demonstrates that the legislation ensures fairness in workplaces right across the country,” she said.The wage increase may improve the financial position of an extensive number of mining families across the state, with a potential ripple effect for local economies.However, many were concerned the ruling would be a catalyst to substantial changes in workforce structure across the resources sector, potentially negatively effecting regional employment.Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) chief executive Tania Constable said the ruling was an incredibly disappointing decision that would directly threaten thousands of specialised contractors who play a vital role in mining operations across the country.“These businesses exist to provide a specialised service, not just workers, and should never have been covered by these laws,” she said.“It is now incumbent on the Government to find a legislative fix to address the ‘unintended consequence’ of all service contractors being captured.”A prominent point of contention between key players is how these changes would impact Australia’s industrial relations framework and international competitiveness.Minister King said the ruling would not undermine the nation’s competitive position in the global coal market.“What this will do is improve morale in the workplace, it is what Australians expect,” she said.

Rare earth spat simmers as China targets Japan’s military Ties between China and Japan have further deteriorated this month after Beijing imposed export bans on dual-use items headed for Tokyo.Dual-use items are goods, software or technologies that have applications across both civilian and military industries — most notably, including rare earth magnets that power motors in cars and play a major role in EVs.Japan Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Funakoshi Takehiro strongly protested the measures in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, demanding their withdrawal.The restrictions came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, in November, that an attack on Taiwan from China could trigger a Japanese military response.Prime Minister Takaichi then proceeded to approve a record spending package for the fiscal year that included a 3.8% increase in the country's annual military budget to ¥9t ($85b).China’s commerce ministry claimed the export ban would only affect military firms. However, having civilian and military applications is what gives an item dual-use status and, despite Beijing’s confidence, the repercussions throughout Japan’s industries are yet to be determined.This is not the first time China has manipulated critical raw mineral exports to Japan.In 2010, China reportedly blocked exports to Japan after an incident in the East China Sea. Whether or not shipments were actually blocked was not determined.Though the threat may have been nothing more than political posturing, Japan was incentivised to secure supply chains and, alongside stockpiling and recycling efforts, invested heavily into rare earth project outside of China to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earths.Continuing to spearhead this shift, a mining ship departed Japanese shores this week to investigate rare earth rich mud on a world first journey to attempt to continuously lift rare-earth seabed material from 6km deep onto a ship.Due to its proximal location to Asian markets, Australian rare earth producers have been an attractive investment opportunity for countries, like Japan, working to diversify supply chains.Victory Metals chief executive Brendan Clark says rare earths are not merely commodities, they are strategic enablers.“Rare earths have become a frontline supply-chain issue, and governments are racing to address over-reliance on China, both for supply of materials and for processing,” he said.“China’s expanding use of export controls is heightening concern and we expect increasing interest in Australian rare earth offerings as a strategic hedge.”Despite the global shift for alternate supply sources, China’s dominance is bolstered significantly by its processing capability — an area the rest of the world is severely lacking.According to the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security, China leads the world in reserves and production of these minerals, controlling more than 90% of global refining capacity.“Chinese authorities will fiercely protect the processing knowhow held by their local experts, making it more important than ever to invest in expertise in jurisdictions such as Australia,” Mr Clark said.Rare earth processing outside of China is rapidly expanding, led by Lynas Rare Earths’ (ASX: LYC) facilities in Australia, Malaysia and the US as well as Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) Eneabba refinery in WA.Victory Metals (ASX: VTM) is also leading the development of onshore processing capability for several rare earth elements currently under Chinese export restriction at its North Stanmore project in WA — making it one of the few western aligned sources of these defence critical materials.“The real value lies in processing capacity and industrial capability outside China, and Victory Metals is well-positioned to take advantage of this,” Mr Clark said.China’s recent moves are a fresh reminder to both governments and manufacturers that critical mineral supply chains can be leveraged for strategic advantage.

The Victorian Government has issued Victory Minerals an infringement notice for failing to report a fire for more than two days at its Ballarat gold mine located in Mount Clear.

The Federal Government has struck a deal with the Greens to pass the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, delivering on a five-year mission to reform Australia’s environmental laws.