Our latest insights

The recent Court decision in the Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd v FC of T 2023 (the Bechtel case) ruling that fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) employees’ travel is deductible, has created a shift in the treatment of travel expenses for workers in mining, gas, transport and other industries. This ruling contrasts with the John Holland Group Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCAFC82 (the John Holland case), causing notable effects.

To ensure effective integration and outputs, alongside financial viability of new renewable projects, developers, owners, asset managers, energy retailers and investors need to understand the impacts for new and existing projects caused by grid congestion and supply and demand fluctuations.

The 2022-23 Federal Budget committed over $20b towards renewable energy projects and initiatives in its push to cut carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. Is it enough to aid the energy supply and demand challenge forecasted by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in its recent 2022 Electricity Statement of Opportunities Report?

Australia needs a strong innovation and R&D led agenda to grow our current economic standing and develop new competitive industries to drive productivity into the future. With the Government due to hand down the 2022-2023 Federal Budget on 25 October, our experts have provided their insights about what innovation measures we can expect to see from the new Government.

Australia has relied heavily on businesses and consumers to lead the way on emissions reduction to tackle climate change. Several Australian states have had to develop their own policies and roadmaps to progress the clean energy transition and enable private sector investment outside the national framework. This presents risks and challenges if not managed carefully.

A deep dive into the accounting, tax and finance implications as you transition from exploration through development and ultimately, production.

In consultation with patent attorneys from Griffith Hack, we have applied our expertise across patent law, R&D tax, corporate tax and industry specific knowledge to consider the challenges and opportunities for patent box here in Australia.

It was clear from the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum last week that post-COVID recovery, and driving more sustainable practices and supply chains, including producing carbon reduced or neutral energy, were front of mind.

Australia has the second largest reserve volumes of lithium in the world, yet only 4% of it is refined or processed in Australia – we send it all offshore.

Energy is critical to achieve our vision for modern manufacturing and a future digital economy. Both will be energy intensive. At the same time, Australia aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We are reaching a critical point where a solution to affordable, sustainable and clean energy generation must be found or all the best laid plans will come to nought. What’s in the Federal Budget 2021-22 for the sector?

The resources sector is an Australian workhorse. Past booms have propelled the country forward into prosperity. It’s provided a buffer during downturns. It has cushioned the COVID blow on our national accounts. And it has a vital role to play in Australia’s economic future as part of the evolving demand for global resources. What’s in the Federal Budget 2021-22 for the sector?

The Australian Government announced it will invest an additional $100 million into extending the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI) over the next four years, to the end of June 2025.