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Australia Wins China LNG Contract

Australia’s Northwest Shelf Venture is to be the sole supplier of liquefied natural gas to Guandong province in China.

The announcement was made today by Prime Minister John Howard.

Text of statement released by Prime Minister John Howard.

I am delighted to announce that today I have been advised by the Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji that Australia’s Northwest Shelf Venture has been chosen by China to be the sole supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to its first LNG project in Guangdong province.

The contract will be worth between $20 – $25 billion in export income for Australia. This is Australia’s largest single export deal. [Read more…]


Petrol Price Rises Begin To Bite As Political Issue

Petrol prices are becoming a worrying political issue for the federal government, following a series of increases in recent weeks.

As unleaded petrol steadily climbs to the politically potent and symbolic one dollar mark, the pressure on the Howard government will grow.

The main reason for petrol price increases is the Middle East cartel, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which has been limiting oil production during this year. This has increased the price of a barrel of oil from $42 to $54 (Australian dollars). [Read more…]