Renewables investment surge but expectations are low
Even before the war in the Middle East broke out investment in renewable energy projects across Australia and New Zealand surged 52 per cent year-on-year, reaching $US21.2 ($29.97 billion) in 2025, up from $US13.5 billion ($19.08 billion) in 2024.
A report by software company Ansarada also surveyed 150 senior executives across APAC, EMEA and the Americas, where only 7 per cent of respondents thought Australia and New Zealand would be a top region for growth.
Managing director Justin Smith said the disparity was likely because the market was in transition, especially as the Renewable Energy Zone model changes how risks in the market are allocated, shifting risk away from private financiers.
The report also found supply chain issues were a challenge with some large-scale equipment orders for major infrastructure taking up to 36 months to arrive, and turbine blades that often need to travel over 500 kilometres.
Australia is also emerging as a testbed for renewable energy growth with the approval of a $US3.1 billion ($4.38 billion) data centre campus by CDC at Marsden Park by the NSW government last year, which is designed to operate on nearly 99 per cent renewable energy by 2030 – hopefully inspiring other APAC players.
Amazon to build giant robotics centre
Retail behemoth Amazon Australia is investing more than $750 million into building its first robotics fulfilment centre in North Maclean, in south-east Queensland. The centre will cover 150,000 square metres across four levels, with each floor equivalent to 18 rugby league fields or 2 Suncorp stadiums.
It said the construction and fit out of the centre will create 2000 jobs, and once fully functional, the warehouse will employ more than 1000 local employees.
Perhaps to distance itself from its past image, the company said the jobs will be permanent roles with competitive pay and benefits such as subsidised health insurance and 20 weeks of paid parental leave. It also said the innovative robotics will handle the heavy lifting of up to 500 kilograms and repetitive tasks, so employees can focus on tasks that require human judgment and skill.
Allegra Spender takes tax in new white paper
When Allegra Spender announced at her first news conference after being elected as the teal member for Wentworth that she fully supported housing reform she was asked would she support it through taxation reform? Oh no was the answer.
It’s exciting to see now that she’s changed her mind. And in fact, significantly changed her mind.
The release on Wednesday of her detailed white paper to lower taxes on wages and increase them on assets is directed squarely at helping young people find hope and energy again. The kind that could be a massive productivity win for the nation.
Delivered at the National Press Club, the white paper proposes a staged lessening of the capital gains tax discount currently enjoyed, along with negative gearing, to effectively push young homeowners out of the market.
See the article earlier this week by Alan Morris, where he reveals the evidence:
“In 2025, there were 548,006 new loan commitments for residential dwellings: investors accounted for a staggering 214,352 (39 per cent) of new loan commitments, first home buyers accounted for 118,664 (21.6 per cent)”. Read the whole story here; it’s worth it!
Check out Spender’s white paper here.
Jobs
Treasury has appointed Grattan Institute economist Brendan Coates to lead its housing delivery team as the assistant secretary of the housing industry capacity branch. Coates will leave behind his 11 year stint at the Institute at the end of April to commence his new role in May.
A vocal advocate for cutting the capital gains tax discount in half and reforming negative gearing, which federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said is under review ahead of the May budget. He appeared before the Greens led committee reviewing the discount last month saying it needed to be gradually reduced from 50 to 25 per cent.
