News

Troubled Waters Around Cape of Good Hope

The conflict in the Middle East has changed international trade routes at sea. In the aftermath of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, containerships have been opting to bypass the Suez Canal and navigate around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. This shift has disrupted a crucial global shipping route, adding another 15 days to […]

Putting Nuclear Powered Ships into the Mix

Australia’s opposition leader Peter Dutton plans to build Australia’s first nuclear energy power stations should his Liberal and National Party coalition win next year’s federal election. Opinions on the pros and cons of nuclear energy have appeared in the media today (09 July 2024) with reports from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the […]

Will the New UK Government Affect Our FTA?

Labour leader Keir Starmer looks set to become the UK’s next prime minister and made a victory speech at midday (Australian time) as he addressed the media after arriving for the count for his seat of Holborn and St Pancras in North London. On Wednesday 03 July 2024 DFAT released a Statement on the A-UKFTA […]

Paper and Cardboard Exports

With effect from 01 October 2024, the export of mixed or unsorted paper and cardboard will be prohibited unless an export licence has been granted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This has been formally announced by the Australian Border Force (ABF) by Australian Customs Notice No. 2024/25: “Commencement […]

Khapra Beetle Update

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued industry update 141-2024 today (01 July 2024): “Update to BICON case and importer declaration template for khapra beetle sea container measures.” The pest which has the technical name of Trogoderma granarium is a small but serious threat found mainly in stored grains, but also in […]

Air Conditioning Import Prohibition

From 01 July 2024, restrictions on the import and manufacture of certain small air conditioning equipment will come into force. The Australian Border Force (ABF) has issued Australian Customs Notice No. 2024/24: “Import prohibition on certain small air conditioning equipment.” The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 have been amended to implement […]

DAFF 2024-25 Prices for Biosecurity

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will embed the annual review and apply indexation to regulatory fees and charges. Today (28 June 2024) they have issued industry advice notice 139-2024: “2024-25 prices for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities.” This action follows their industry consultation, as we reported in our April […]

Our Trade and Shipping with Singapore

Australia’s leading institutional investors and fund managers gained a deeper understanding of investment opportunities on the Australian Government’s first outbound investment mission to Singapore, as part of the Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams initiative. The delegation was led by Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell, and representatives from Austrade, the Department of Foreign […]

Wand Detector for Hitchhiker Pests

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has tested advanced detector technology to identify biosecurity risk material and hitchhiker pests. The Cyclops-2 prototype is a new wand-like camera-pole device being trialled in Melbourne to determine if it is fit-for-purpose for wider biosecurity operations. It has been produced by Christchurch-based Techmatics NZ, who are manufacturers of […]

Promoting Wine & Agricultural Exports to Asia

With the visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Australia this week, there has been increased optimism in several sectors of our export industry. An official “Statement on joint outcomes of the Australia-China Annual Leaders’ Meeting” was posted on the Australian Prime Minister’s website on Monday (17 June 2024). According to the statement, the two […]