Vanadium processing plant on the cards for Queensland

The Queensland Government has recognised the importance of vanadium as a new economy mineral with plans for a processing plant in Townsville.

The mineral is used in large-scale grid batteries called redox flow batteries. These batteries store the charge in liquid form, enabling larger capacities.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said vanadium would play a significant part in the state’s transition to clean energy.

“We want regional Queensland to be a global leader when it comes to everything that’s part of the renewable energy revolution,” he said.

“Australia has the world’s third largest deposits of vanadium resources, but right now we don’t produce a single kilogram of processed vanadium.

“The mining companies looking to process vanadium at an industrial scale don’t have the capital necessary to make that jump. That’s where our government can step in.”

The government will put at least $10 million towards the common-user facility, sourced from the $520 million Invested in Queensland program.

The Treasurer said it was still in the process of tendering for construction contracts and selecting the location.

“Once producers can see for themselves how processing occurs, they will have the confidence to invest in more manufacturing infrastructure and more jobs,” he said.

“Mining companies will be able to transport ore from their mine site to Townsville, enabling them to begin producing mineral samples at scale.”

Earlier in 2021, the mineral made headlines for Queensland’s mining industry when Multicom Resources announced the go-ahead for the $250 million Saint Elmo vanadium mine, 250 kilometres east of Mount Isa.

This mine and the new Townsville processing facility will ramp up concurrently, as both begin construction in 2022 with first production expected in 2023.

Queensland Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said these developments were only the start of Queensland’s vanadium industry.

“Saint Elmo is just the beginning, with other companies progressing other potential vanadium mines in what could become a world-class vanadium hub in the northwest, so having this processing facility in Townsville will ensure locals reap the benefits,” Stewart said.

To keep up to date with Australian Mining, subscribe to our free email newsletters delivered straight to your inbox. Click here.

SOUTH32 TO ACQUIRE A 45% INTEREST IN THE SIERRA GORDA COPPER MINE

金属矿商South32以15.5亿美元收购Sierra Gorda铜矿45%股权，早盘冲高11%

2021-10-14 13:45:54 (AET) by Edward Zhang 4345

金属矿商 South32（ASX：S32）以15.5亿美元从Sumitomo手中收购智利Sierra Gorda铜矿45%的股权。Sierra Gorda是位于智利矿产丰富的Antofagasta铜矿区的一家正在运营的铜矿。预计2021年将生产18万吨铜、5千吨钼、5.4万盎司金和160万盎司银。

【澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 10月14日讯】金属矿商 South32（ASX：S32）发布公告称，该公司与在东京证券交易所上市的Sumitomo Metal Mining（TYO: 5713）和Sumitomo Corporation（TYO: 8053）签订了两项具有约束力的有条件协议，收购智利Sierra Gorda铜矿45%的股权。

根据公告，双方已同意以15.5亿美元的预付现金对价收购这部分股权。此外，South32还同意向卖方提供高达5亿美元与铜价相关的或有价格挂钩的对价，按2022-25年的最低铜产量和价格支付。

关于Sierra Gorda
Sierra Gorda是位于智利矿产丰富的Antofagasta铜矿区的一家正在运营的铜矿。预计2021年将生产18万吨铜、5千吨钼、5.4万盎司金和160万盎司银。

公司指出，此次收购使South32与在波兰上市的全球矿商KGHM Polska Miedz共同拥有控股权。

截至9月底，South32未经审计的净现金余额为6.6亿美元。而本次交易的资金将通过该公司手头的现金和10亿美元的债务融资来筹集，这将保持其资产负债表的实力和灵活性。

South32首席执行官Graham Kerr表示：“公司正在积极地重塑我们的投资组合，以实现低碳世界的目标。收购Sierra Gorda的权益将增加公司对大宗商品的敞口，这对这一转型至关重要。”

“在全球能源网络的脱碳过程中，铜是一种关键金属，具有强劲的长期市场基本面。加入Sierra Gorda进一步改善了我们的投资组合，预计将立即提高公司的利润率和盈利水平，在保持我们资产负债表实力和灵活性的同时，支持未来向股东回报。”

公司股价今日早盘冲高至4.07澳元（涨幅11.5%）回落后，高位震荡。截止发稿，股价上涨5.75%至3.86澳元。

【更多S32公告和股价走势请点击S32个股页面】

消息来源：

公司公告SOUTH32 TO ACQUIRE A 45% INTEREST IN THE SIERRA GORDA COPPER MINE

Agreement to divest Mt Carlton gold mine for up to A$90M

金矿公司Evolution Mining以9000万出售Mt Carlton项目，股价走强

2021-10-05 13:44:38 (AET) by Edward Zhang 3367

金矿公司 Evolution Mining（ASX：EVN）已经与Navarre Minerals Limited（ASX: NML）达成具有约束力的协议，以高达9000万澳元的总价出售昆士兰州的Mt Carlton金矿。此外，Evolution还更新了指导方针，其22财年的产量将略微减少到67万至72.5万盎司的区间，以反映本次出售。

澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 10月5日讯，金矿公司 Evolution Mining（ASX：EVN）发布公告称，公司已经与Navarre Minerals Limited（ASX: NML）达成具有约束力的协议，以高达9000万澳元的总价出售昆士兰州的Mt Carlton金矿（包括Crush Creek项目）。

公司指出，对价总额将包括交易完成时支付的4000万澳元，达到累计的黄金生产里程碑时支付的2500万澳元，还有以5%与黄金价格挂钩（当该季度黄金现货平均价格高于每盎司2250澳元的情况时适用）的特许权使用费形式支付的2500万澳元。特许权使用费将自2023年7月1日开始收取，期限不超过15年。

此外，Evolution还更新了指导方针，以反映本次出售。根据最新的指引，该公司22财年的产量将略微减少到67万至72.5万盎司的区间。

Evolution还透露，公司同意参与NML的股权融资，将其在NML的持股比例最高或提升至19.9%（约2000万澳元），最终持股的份额将在其股权融资结束后确定。

公司执行董事长Jake Klein表示：“Mt Carlton是Evolution的第一个开发项目，自2013年投产以来为股东带来了出色的回报。鉴于公司专注于投资组合中增长型项目的主要资产，我们认为现在是将Mt Carlton交给一家新兴黄金生产商的时候。”

“NML可以专注于延长该业务的矿山寿命，公司保留的风险敞口也将使Evolution的股东受益于未来的成功运营。”

Evolution股价今日盘中涨至3.735澳元。截止发稿，股价上涨1.80%至3.685澳元。

text 【更多EVN公告和股价走势请点击EVN个股页面】

公司公告 Agreement to divest Mt Carlton gold mine for up to A$90M Download

Debt Ceiling

当机会来敲门——美国债务危机一触即发！

2021-10-01 15:24:23 (AET) by AETOS 218

美国债务危机是否会成为2021年最后一只黑天鹅？交易者应该如何把握契机进行短线操作？美国股市在美联储缩表和恐慌指数骤增的同时，是否可能出现大幅回调，机会又该如何利用？

去年的这个时候，两位古稀之年的老同志为了争夺美国总统宝座而掐得天昏地暗，虽然时年75岁的特朗普最终败给年长自己3岁的拜登，但是特朗普的大量拥护者依然通过暴力占领国会山，为自己心目中的偶像挽回些颜面。

巧合的是，今年的这个时候，两位年龄相当的重量级女性政客再次展开角逐——75岁的财政部长耶伦（前美联储主席）和81岁的众议院议长佩罗西就财政预算问题开始针锋相对。

text 美国财政部长珍妮特·耶伦（Janet Yellen）曾任美联储主席

这场从8月就开始酝酿的危机终于在9月下旬进入了公众和金融市场的视线——美国政府将面临再次停摆（Government Shutdown）。

经济学家出身的耶伦于华盛顿时间9月28日致信以强悍著称的佩罗西，并在信中公开表示：“在我9月8日写给您的信里已经阐明，财政部的现金和特殊周转方式（extraordinary measures）大约将在10月耗尽……基于目前最新信息，我可以更加确认，10月份（耗尽）的预测是准确的。”

text 财长耶伦（Janet Yellen）致佩罗西（Nancy Pelosi）的信件内容，信息来源：美国国会

换句话说，目前正在美国国会争执的两党，如果无法在资金耗尽之前通过预算提案，那么美国联邦政府不仅要面对政府停摆，还将面临更严重的后果——全球债务违约。

除此之外，一向严谨的耶伦还明确表示，美国联邦政府在过去一年里，每日所需平均现金流大约为500亿美元，最高时也达到过3,000亿美元，如果国会无法就提高（或废除）债务上限（Debt Ceiling）达成共识，那么资源耗尽之时，也就是美国政府违约之时。

要知道，美国政府从来没有在国债上出现过违约。

从抽象的理想主义角度来看，这可以理解为“合约精神”。

但是，在只认可硬实力的国际竞争角度来看，美国政府从不违约的原因非常简单——极高的信誉造就了极低的借贷成本，极低的借贷成本又赋予了美国源源不断的资金，这些资金恰好就是美国维护军事和金融霸权的关键一环。

价值超过28万亿美元（折合39.5万亿澳元）的美国国债持有者，不仅仅是个体投资者和金融机构（对冲基金、信托基金等），还包括主权基金（国家持有），比如日本（1.27万亿美元）、中国（1.062万亿美元）、英国（4,530亿美元）以及爱尔兰（3,229亿美元）等。

text 2020年美国债务总额已经高达26.5万亿美元，相当于每个家庭分担20.7万美元

也就说，如果美国政府出现债务违约，那么这根稻草压垮的将不只是一匹骆驼，而是一群骆驼。

对此，国际三大分析机构之一的穆迪（Moody’s Analytics）首席分析师表示，如果债务危机被触发，那么美国经济将面临巨大的创伤——高达600万个工作岗位流失、15万亿美元的家庭财富蒸发、失业率再次蹿回9%（目前为5%）。

与此同时，华尔街同样出现异动，三大股指纷纷出现大幅下滑，其中道琼斯平均工业指数（DJIA/US30）在9月28日盘间大跌逾500点。市场恐慌指数（VIX）也于同期出现跳涨，从9月28日下午的18点跳涨至傍晚时的24.2点，涨幅高达34.4%。

text 道琼斯平均工业指数（US30）单日跌幅超过500点，数据来源：Trading view.com

text CBOE恐慌指数（VIX）意外跳涨34.4%，数据来源：yahoo!finance.com

除此之外，债市和汇市同样出现了明显变化，其中美元指数创下一年新高（94.28），自然，美元兑7大货币同时明显走高。而影响美元走势的不仅是这场潜在的债务危机，还有已经进入倒计时的美联储缩表，两种变量之间的碰撞也让强势复苏的美元带来了变数。

text 美元指数（DXY，深蓝色曲线）与其他主要货币对走势对比，数据来源：Tradingview.com

由此可见，金融市场已经开始提前布局提前计价。

如果这还不够热闹，那么北半球多国正在经历的“能源慌”对原油和天然气等大宗商品价格带来的大幅抬升，也可以成为交易者对冲风险或者中短线操作的良机。

text 天然气（LNG）价格自从2021年初至今已经翻倍，数据来源：Tradingview

所以，美国债务危机是否会成为2021年最后一只黑天鹅？如果黑天鹅真的起飞，那么交易者应该如何把握契机进行短线操作？充满泡沫的美国股市在美联储缩表和恐慌指数骤增的同时，是否可能出现大幅回调，而这样的机会又该如何利用？

10月6日（周三），AETOS特邀分析师带您深度剖析美国债务危机，前瞻预测澳美股市、汇市、债市、贵金属以及强势复苏的能源市场走势，分享短线做空技巧以及技术要领。

直播时间：

2021年10月6日周三 6:30 – 7:30 PM（AEST）

直播嘉宾：

Glenn Yin
text AETOS特邀分析师，英国富时（FTSE）上市金融公司交易员、澳大利亚证券及投资委员会（ASIC）认证股票经纪人、澳大利亚股票经纪人及理财顾问协会（SAFAA）成员，持有RG146、ADA1、ADA2等金融衍生产品交易资格，身兼金融市场评论员及多家媒体撰稿人。

参与方式

报名成功后，工作人员将会联系您，并发送直播链接

扫码二维码报名：
报名链接：https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/70-tickets-165383605817?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
微信报名：AETOS_AU26
电话报名：02 9929 2100

AETOS艾拓思优势

外汇、贵金属、能源、指数、澳股、美股和港股等多元化CFD产品，满足投资人不同产品投资需求；
STP直通市场模式，极具市场竞争力的低点差账户类型，为客户提供快速、稳定且低成本交易环境；
具有经验的中文分析师团队，为澳洲中文投资人提供一对一服务；
每周精品投资课程，从外汇到股票，分析师实盘讲解，帮助投资人快速学习并建立完善的投资知识体系；
5天24小时客户服务保障客户随时随地能得到交易支持；
无开户费用，快速出入金，澳洲本地老牌券商，安全稳定。

AETOS Capital Group艾拓思资本集团是业界领先的老牌经纪商。总部位于悉尼，于2007年取得澳大利亚金融服务牌照并受澳大利亚法律法规严格监管（AFSL: 313016, ACN: 125113117），向客户提供多元化的金融衍生产品交易服务。

在AETOS艾拓思，我们以创新的金融科技打造全新的环球投资生态圈，冲破专业以及地域壁垒，让投资者足不出户即可对多层次的世界市场随时随地在线投资。新的投资领域将带给您更多的投资机遇，外汇、环球股市、环球股指、大宗商品、贵金属及数字货币等全球最热投资风向标，尽在AETOS艾拓思。

自成立以来，AETOS已成功累积了全球100多个国家和地区的忠实交易者，并一直致力于为客户提供安全快速稳定的交易环境，通过在全球四大洲设立12个数据中心，并与国际顶级大型银行机构合作为客户提供深度流动性和低点差交易。

即刻预约您的专属分析师，请联系：02 9929 2100，或微信：AETOS_SYD

网址：www.aetoscg.com.au
电话：（02）9929 2100
地址：Level 15, 122 Arthur Street, North Sydney, NSW

风险声明：所有信息仅为一般属性。AETOS艾拓思资本集团（AFSL: 313016, ACN: 125 113 117）是所有金融产品的发行商。交易外汇保证金和差价合约产品涉及高风险，损失可能超过本金。本公司强烈建议阁下在做出投资决定前寻求独立财务顾问建议。更多请参阅本公司《产品披露声明》。

WA Govt outlines resources priorities with strategic report

The Western Australian Government has released its mineral and petroleum resources development strategy, prioritising six points including regional areas, exploration and streamlined approvals.

The first strategic priority is to cement the state as a leading global destination for exploration investment.

The report stated this will be achieved through the Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) which has generated $31 million in benefits to the State for every $1 million invested in the scheme.

Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston said the Government must tend to several issues to encourage further investment.

“Central to this strategy is promoting our comparative advantages and investment opportunities, catering for current and future skills gaps, facilitating access to infrastructure, and investing in research and development,” Johnston said.

Research and development are discussed in the report’s fourth strategic priority: an evolving industry.

The report acknowledges the industry’s shift towards different commodities and parts of the supply chain, such as precious metals refinery.

The report uses Alcoa and South32’s alumina operations, IGO/Tianqi Lithium’s Kwinana facility, and BHP’s Nickel West battery metal supply as examples of the state’s ability to facilitate future-focussed mining and minerals operations.

“We expect demand for WA’s minerals to continue to grow, driven by the global transition to a low-carbon future and an increasing demand for electric vehicles,” Johnston said.

A major push to effectively regulate the industry was also a feature of the report, with multiple strategic priorities relying on the state doing so.

“The State Government recognises that an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for providing industry with the certainty required to make investment decisions, and is committed to support measures to streamline regulation while not compromising on environmental and social standards,” the report stated.

The most recent of the Government’s efforts in this area came in the form of Streamline WA which was launched in 2018 to enable easier business across the state.

The report also gave examples of major operations given the go-ahead in recent years.

“The ability of Western Australia’s regulatory system to allow for the expeditious approval of new mining operations has been demonstrated in recent years through the development of mines including IGO Limited’s Nova nickel-copper-cobalt project and Beacon Minerals Limited’s Jaurdi gold project,” the report stated.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the opportunities were significant for the State’s resources sector and wider economy.

“The opportunity to continue to grow and diversify our resources sector as a significant contributor to global advancements in the digital age, and the shift to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are immense, and are expected to continue to provide outstanding economic and social benefits to the community well into the future,” McGowan said.

To read the report and learn more about WA’s resources strategy, click here.

To keep up to date with Australian Mining, subscribe to our free email newsletters delivered straight to your inbox. Click here.

Mineral Resources offloads $328 million Pilbara Minerals interest

Mineral Resources has sold its 5.4 per cent stake of Pilbara Minerals in an effort to focus on its hard-rock lithium and iron ore assets.

Mineral Resources has been a shareholder in Pilbara Minerals since October 2016 as part of its offtake rights and a royalty held of the Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project in Western Australia.

Its 8 per cent stake in Pilbara Minerals at the time was valued at $50 million, with the $328 million divestment representing strong value.

(“Mineral Resources) is delighted with the share price value delivered by Pilbara Minerals’ development of Pilgangoora but believes it is time to redirect this investment into the company’s own growth projects, including in the hard-rock lithium and iron ore sectors,” Mineral Resources stated.

The $328 million divestment was completed through an underwritten accelerated block trade to institutional investors.

Pilbara Minerals share price on the ASX is $2.26 at the time of writing.

The transaction will support Mineral Resources’ $650 million capital expenditure program for the 2021-22 financial year.

Mineral Resources expects costs to increase by 5 to 10 per cent at its Yilgarn Hub in Western Australia, with exports of 10.5 million to 11 million tonnes of iron ore.

This includes the Koolyanobbing iron ore mine and Carina mine, which is currently under care and maintenance.

The company also operates the Utah Point hub, which is expected to ship 10.5 million to 11 million tonnes of iron ore.

Mineral Resources hard-rock lithium projects include the Mt Marion and Wodgina spodumene projects, owning 50 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.

The company is expecting to ship 450,000 to 475,000 tonnes of spodumene from Mt Marion in the 2022-23 financial year, while Wodgina remains on care and maintenance.

Wodgina is one of the largest hard rock lithium deposits globally, and is operated under a joint venture with Albemarle who owns the remaining 60 per cent interest.

Mineral Resources is also constructing the Kemerton lithium hydrogxide project in Western Australia with Albermarle, owning a 40 per cent interest.

FLSmidth splashes out for thyssenkrupp mining business

FLSmidth has agreed to purchase thyssenkrupp’s Mining Technologies business (TK Mining) for €325 million ($522.28 million) to create a pit-to-plant technology solution with a sustainable focus.

The deal was highly amenable as both companies had complementary interests in transforming their businesses.

FLSmidth is a Danish company which serves over 60 countries with engineering, equipment and service solutions for minerals, metals, concrete, electronics and more.

FLSmidth chief executive officer Thomas Schulz said the addition of TK Mining’s prowess in mining systems, materials handling and processing would complement his business.

“TK Mining and FLSmidth are a perfect match and I am proud to announce this agreement to join forces,” Schulz said.

“This is a truly transformational deal allowing us to accelerate our growth ambitions in mining by creating a stronger talent pool, and one of the world’s largest and strongest suppliers to the mining industry.”

The deal will welcome 3400 TK Mining employees to FLSmidth, once regulatory requirements are completed within the next 12 months.

As a multinational group of industrial and technology businesses, thyssenkrupp saw the deal not as a loss, but a shedding, to allow it to strengthen other business areas, according to the company’s chief executive officer Martina Merz.

“The successful sale of the mining business shows that we are pressing ahead at full speed with the transformation of thyssenkrupp and achieving important results step by step,” Merz said.

“But we have not yet reached our goal. The principle ‘performance first’ continues to apply. We need to return to positive cash flow as quickly as possible. The sale of Mining Technologies makes an important contribution to this,”

Merz added how FLSmidth was the perfect partner, with similar ideals and goals for TK Mining.

“At the same time, I am pleased that we have found a very good new owner in FLSmidth. FLSmidth presented a convincing business strategy and a clear vision for the mining business,” she said.

“It will give our employees attractive prospects. That was extremely important to us when negotiating the sale.

“The merged new company will be able to drive innovation and digitalisation even faster and will increasingly focus on sustainability and ways to reduce environmental footprint.”

FLSmidth saw the deal as an opportunity to advance its MissionZero targets, which look to eliminate company carbon emissions by 2030.

“TK Mining’s extensive active installed base, together with FLSmidth’s strong existing service setup, will provide additional aftermarket opportunities, while the joint R&D (research and development) capabilities and combined portfolio will enable accelerated innovation in digitalisation and MissionZero solutions,” FLSmidth stated.

To keep up to date with Australian Mining, subscribe to our free email newsletters delivered straight to your inbox. Click here.

Monadelphous

工程集团Monadelphous与多家矿业龙头公司共签订2.15亿澳元合同

2021-06-22 14:27:04 (AET) by Edward Zhang 3338

工程集团 Monadelphous（ASX：MND）赢得了一系列的新合同，这些合同预计带来2.15亿澳元的收入。这些合同包括与多家澳交所上市的矿业龙头公司：必和必拓（ASX：BHP），Rio Tinto（ASX：RIO）以及Fortescue Metals Group（ASX：FMG）的合作。

澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 6月22日讯，工程集团 Monadelphous（ASX：MND）早盘发布公告，公司赢得了一系列的新合同，这些合同预计带来2.15亿澳元的收入。

公司表示，这些合同包括与必和必拓（ASX：BHP）旗下在南澳大利亚Roxby Downs的Olympic Dam铜矿项目的冶炼厂维护工作。该维护将立即开始，并定于12月结束。除此之外，Monadelphous还获得了一份延长两年的现有Olympic Dam维护服务合同，涵盖土木、结构和机械工程、建筑维护和电气服务以及地下轨道维护。

Monadelphous还与Rio Tinto（ASX：RIO）和必和必拓签订了西澳大利亚Pilbara地区的合同，重点包括Rio Tinto的Gudai-Darri铁矿石项目的建设和支持服务。

公司其它交易包括在智利各地与Codelco和必和必拓签订新合同，以及与Fortescue Metals Group（ASX：FMG）和重型起重公司Fagioli合作达成新协议。Monadelphous表示，与Fagioli的战略合作，使公司的专业重型起重业务能够增加产能，扩大澳大利亚资源和能源市场的能力。

Monadelphous是总部位于西澳珀斯的澳大利亚工程集团，为资源、能源和基础设施领域提供建筑、维修、和工业服务。其工程建设部门负责提供大型多学科项目管理和建设服务。其维护及工业服务部门专门负责机械和电气维护服务，固定工厂维护服务，脱水服务，专业涂层和可持续基建工程的规划，管理和执行。该部门通过与主要客户的长期合同为公司的重复性收入提供重要来源。

在截至2020年6月的财年中，公司收入为14.9亿澳元，较2019财年小幅度上升0.06%；运营收益为5509万澳元，较去年8343万澳元下降33.9%；净利润为3648万澳元，较去年同期5056万澳元下降27.8%。

截止发稿，公司股价上涨1.42%至10.00澳元。

text 【更多MND公告和股价走势请点击MND个股页面】

消息来源：

公司公告Monadelphous Contracts Update

Commonwealth, Victorian Governments commit more funds to infrastructure projects

Amid growing concerns over Victoria’s COVID-19 situation, the Federal and State Governments have announced a $525 million joint investment for further infrastructure.

The package will deliver “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects and road safety upgrades across Victoria. A total $320 million investment has been provided by the Federal Government under the package, and the Victorian Government will spend $205.5 million.

The Federal Government recently announced infrastructure joint investments with other states across the country.

“Partnering with State and Territory Governments to invest in more infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. “This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $830 million to Victoria in the past eight months.

“This package builds on the fast tracking of $514 million for infrastructure in Victoria which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said the projects will help fortify the state’s construction industry.

“This partnership with the Commonwealth will build the projects regional communities need and help keep our construction industry strong – which is more important than ever right now as we rebuild from the pandemic,” he said.

“This package is on top of our $2.7 billion we’re investing in new projects across the state to get shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – to kickstart our economy.”

Projects to lift Australia’s economy

The Federal Government has also announced it will fast-track 15 critical infrastructure projects across the country in response to the economic turmoil wreaked by COVID-19.

Projects such as Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane, the Marinus Link between Tasmania and Victoria, the Olympic Dam extension in South Australia, numerous road, rail and iron ore projects in Western Australia, and emergency town water projects in New South Wales and Snowy 2.0 have all been included on the Federal Government’s “priority list”.

The priority projects will form a five-year package worth $1.5 billion.

“Joint assessment teams will work on accelerating these projects worth more than $72 billion in public and private investment,” Morrison said last month. “These are projects that will support over 66,000 direct and indirect jobs.”

Second stimulus to pump $66B into Australian economy

A $17.6 billion stimulus package has been announced for businesses and households to deal with challenges posed by the spread of the coronavirus.

The Federal Government has released its second stimulus package, which will see a total of $189 billion injected into the economy to keep businesses in business.

This funding figure includes $66.1 billion of new funding from the latest economic support package.

The package will include assistance for businesses to keep people in a job, regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business, and support for households including casuals, sole-traders, retirees and people on income support.

Up to $100,000 is available for eligible small and medium sized businesses that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000, to help them keep operating, pay the rent and bills, and retain staff.

Under the enhanced scheme from the first package, employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld, up from 50 per cent, with the maximum payment increased from $25,000 to $50,000. Additionally, the minimum payment has been increased from $2000 to $10,000. It will be available from 28 April 2020.

Related stories:

The Federal Government aims to incentivise businesses to hold on to more of their workers by linking the payments to staff wage tax withholdings. The payments are tax free and will flow automatically through the Australian Taxation Office.

It expects to benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people.

Small and medium business entities with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers are eligible.

An additional payment is also expected to be made from 28 July 2020. Eligible entities will receive an additional payment equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received.

This measure is estimated to cost $31.9 billion over the forward estimates period, including the value of the measure around the first package.

In addition, the Federal Government will establish the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, which will support small and medium enterprises (SME) to access the working capital needed to get through the impact of the coronavirus.

Under the scheme, the Federal Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs. It aims to do so by enhancing lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit to SMES, with the scheme able to provide up to $40 billion of lending to SMEs.

It aims to complement the reduction in red tape to help SMEs get access to credit faster and the announcement made by Australian banks to support small businesses with existing loans.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Federal Government was acting to cushion the blow from the coronavirus for businesses and households to help them get through to the other side of the crisis.

“We want to help businesses keep going as best they can and for as long as they can, or to pause instead of winding up their business. We want to ensure that when this crisis has passed Australian businesses can bounce back,” Morrison said.

“Our focus is on cushioning the blow and providing hope to every Australian that we will get through this and come out the other side together.

“We know this will be temporary. That’s why all our actions are geared towards building a bridge, keeping more people in work, enhancing the safety net for those that aren’t and keeping businesses alive so they can get to the other side and stand up their workforce as quickly as possible.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the $189 billion economic support package was the equivalent of 9.7 per cent of GDP.

“The Government is taking unprecedented action to strengthen the safety net available to Australians that are stood down or lose their jobs and increasing support for small businesses that do it tough over the next six months,” Frydenberg said.

“These measures build significantly on what we have already announced.

“These extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.”