Clint Jasper
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Interested in water policy & agribusiness
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Articles by Clint Jasper
Australian lithium miners seek more value from battery supply chains in the face of stiff competition from China
Australia holds some of the world's largest lithium reserves, and the people that live here are rapidly adopting lithium-ion batteries into their cars and homes. Now, Australian governments want to see more parts of the batteries powering that shift processed here and while some Australian miners are attempting to get in on the game, commercial success has been limited in the face of Chinese competition.
Four charts that paint a worrying picture for global fertiliser prices
Fertiliser prices will continue to rise for months to come and even an immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz will do little to anchor them, according to analysts at CRU Group. Loading... Fertiliser is an essential farming input, relied on by food producers across the globe. Prices have been skyrocketing since the months-long US-Israeli war in Iran led to a near-complete standstill of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Collectors snap up Royal Australian Mint's Queen Elizabeth II coins, despite criticism
The Royal Australian Mint released two coins to mark 100 years since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait of the late Queen on the coins has been criticised by social media users, who think it is not an accurate depiction of the monarch. Despite this, the coin has been popular and all 35,000 were sold when the ballot opened, with some now being offered for a premium on online auction sites.
Collectors snap up Royal Australian Mint's Queen Elizabeth II coins, despite criticism
7 hours ago “It’s possible for the first time in his life he will have to open the front door to people himself.” On February 2, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—the man formerly known as Prince Andrew—left his 30-room mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, for the Sandringham estate, where he will eventually move into …
Four million guns and counting: Australia's gun debate is heating up
The Bondi tragedy has sparked calls for a national firearms register and tighter controls on rapid-fire rifles, but gun dealers and lobby groups are fighting back with coordinated online campaigns and petitions. The clash highlights a growing divide between public safety advocates and an industry determined to protect its "way of life".
Australian Jews say years of rising antisemitism culminated in Bondi attack
From removing religious symbols on jewellery to hiding name tags at work, Australian Jewish people say rising antisemitism has meant changing how they move through society. Many believe Sunday's shooting attack at Bondi Beach, which has left 15 people dead, was the culmination of years of antisemitic sentiment in the community. Melbourne playwright Joanna Murray-Smith said Sunday's terror attack at Bondi Beach had left her feeling devastated and distressed.
Rare earths and critical minerals are used in everything from AI to medical tech, renewable energy and defence
Australia and the US have inked a deal on rare earths and critical minerals. The critical minerals deal will see about $US8.5 billion invested into various projects over the next six months. Prior to the meeting, President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "I don't want to play the rare earths game with China", referencing export controls on a range of critical minerals China hit the US with in April, and expanded recently.
Copper prices to keep rising as demand grows and global production is hit by disruption
A global shortage of copper is looming, and not enough new supply is being brought into the market to support demand, according to analysts. Copper is essential to a wide range of industries — from electrical wiring and batteries, in wind turbines, circuits, construction and medical applications — with the metal highly favoured for its conductivity and thermal attributes.
Iron ore is Australia's most valuable export, but China's economic data suggests that's changing
Australia's most valuable export, iron ore, is getting much less valuable as a continued slowdown in Chinese economic activity and strong production from Pilbara and overseas mines work to keep prices flat. Futures contracts for iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange dropped below $94 for the first time since September last year, after economic data from China on Monday showed lower steel output from Chinese mills.
Australia expecting large crop despite drought - ABC listen
Australia's winter grain crop is on track to be 13 per cent above the annual average, despite drought in South Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics and Sciences' June crop report estimates national winter grain production at 55.6 million tonnes. But, experts warn a lot could change between now and the harvest later in the year.
Winter grain production to dip as dry conditions lead farmers to plant smaller area
Australia's winter crop production is expected to be 8 per cent lower this year, with drought and dry conditions affecting grain growers in South Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics and Sciences' (ABARES) June crop report estimates national winter grain production at 55.6 million tonnes. If realised, grain production would still be 13 per cent above the annual average production for the last 10 years.
Strong Chinese demand pushes global EV sales to 20 per cent of market share
The share of electric car sales climbed to 20 per cent of all vehicles sold in 2024, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Sales growth was strongest in China, where 11 million EVs were sold, making up almost half of all Chinese vehicle sales. South-East Asian and Latin American markets were hot spots for sales increases over 2024, jumping by 50 per cent compared with 2023.
Chocolate is getting more expensive, but companies are willing to bet Australians will keep paying for it
Some of the biggest food companies in the world have signalled they'll lift prices this year to counter historically high coffee and cocoa prices. Nestle, Mondelez and Hershey's indicated that prices may rise in 2025, but cautioned that consumers, especially in the United States, were approaching the limit of how much they're prepared to pay for non-essential items.
What are Australia's critical minerals, what do we use them for and how much do we have?
The federal government has committed to establishing a $1.2 billion strategic reserve of 31 "critical minerals" that underpin everything from the suction power in your vacuum to the green energy transition and advanced weapons manufacturing. A common feature of these minerals is that Australia has the ability to dig them up, but the ability to process them into something useful lies in China.
Here's what Australia sells overseas, who buys it, and how much we sell to the US
As the world digests the potential impact of US President Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs,the response has been swift and strong. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to use "dispute resolution" powers if necessary, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suggested he'd be willing to use defence and security as a bargaining chip in negotiations. But to understand what these tariffs mean for Australia, it's important to understand what we sell overseas, and who actually buys it.
Trump tariff updates: US President to announce sweeping tariffs at White House event
While Australia's imports from the United States are worth more than what we export to it, there are still many sectors that would feel the pain of tariffs. We export a lot of meat to the US, so the beef industry is on alert. Other industries that have the US as a key customer include gold, pearls and other precious stones, and optical and medical goods. Australia exported $US1.35 billion worth of pharmaceuticals to the US last year, mostly blood products and vaccines.
Voice and SMS services to be included in universal service obligation under Labor re-election pledge
Access to voice and SMS calls would be extended to huge areas of reception dead zones across the country as part of Labor's pledge to include mobile phone services in the universal service obligation. Currently, only broadband internet via the NBN and landline and payphone telephone access are included in the universal service obligation (USO), a long-standing policy that ensures all Australians have access to some level of communication technology.
In the world's largest isolated grid, a big bet is being placed on giant batteries
At a site in the industrial suburb of Kwinana, about an hour south of Perth, coal was once stockpiled high. The black fuel would be loaded on to a conveyor belt and transported just a few hundred meters away to a giant plant that sat on the edge of the turquoise Indian Ocean. From here, it would be pulverised, fed into a huge furnace and used to generate much of the power that kept Western Australia's capital running. It's a different story these days.
Farmers celebrate 70 years of shared life on the land and uncovering secret garden
When a Facebook group of nearly 2 million Google Earth enthusiasts homed in on a satellite image of an odd garden in northern Tasmania, they uncovered 'Thanks for noticing': Secret garden spotted on Google Earth 25 years after being built. Whether they're treating dogs or dairy cows, rural vets have their work cut out for them. But as the industry battles staff shortages, one clinic is helping young vets build a career - and life - in rural Victoria.
Mandatory climate reporting begins this year, marking generational change for corporate Australia
Australia has introduced new mandatory climate reporting rules that require business owners to estimate their company's emissions and outline plans to tackle future risks. The legislation, passed in 2024, is the most significant change to reporting requirements and director responsibilities in a generation, according to the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
A Big Country - ABC listen
Since the Regent Honeyeater Project kicked off in the 1990s, tens of thousands of volunteers have Farmers, conservationists cheer after 750,000 trees planted to help save threatened native bird. It's an ambitious and expensive task, trying to bring back once thriving oyster beds, that filtered the water of Queensland's Noosa river and provided crucial habitat for marine life like fish and crabs.
Flying award for remote muster pilot and brothers revive family farm
Women make up only seven per cent of Australia's civil aviation industry, but that's never bothered Olivia Anderson. The 24 year old pilot spends her days chasing cattle from the air in WA's remote Kimberley region. And she's just won a prestigious award for it.
A Big Country - ABC listen
On the south coast of New South Wales, Urs Buhlman set out to capture the rugged process commercial fishers go through to put food on our plates and found a proud industry with a future under threat. Photographer captures the 'dangerous' work of commercial fishing rarely seen up close From six original settling families to making up a quarter of the town's population, here is why Punjabi Sikhs made the country town of Woolgoolga, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, home. And why they stayed.
Changing of the guard for remote island lighthouse and hollow log homes for fish
After 25 years, there's a changing of the guard on Gabo Island, as 'I had this dream': Sandy lives alone on a remote island for half the year and life couldn't be better, in a tradition spanning 160 years. Researchers say a project putting hollow logs into south-east Queensland's Mary River is Mary River cod log trial an 'absolute dream come true' with endangered species already moving in.
Labour of love harvesting wasabi and searching for tiny slime moulds
For the many Pacific Islanders who come to Australia to pick fruit, one of the hardest things, besides being away from their family, is missing out on their local church services. A farm near Katherine in the Northern Territory has come up with a solution and every Sunday during the mango season, its holds a service for its workers, who are mostly from Vanuatu, where religion plays a big part in their lives.
Young people finding their voice in reggae and country shows helping farming communities through tough times
Bands like the How desert reggae has emerged as the soundtrack to Australia's Red Centre in some of Australia's most isolated communities. For many of us agriculture shows represent a fun day out with animals, show bags, and maybe a ride or two, but for farmersWhat agricultural shows mean to farming communities during tough seasons. First generation farmers face a steep learning curve.
Vending machine pizzas for a tiny town, a uniquely explosive trade show, dancing to honour traditional songlines and create new ones and a mossy odyssey through Tasmania. - ABC listen
The small rural town of Karoonda, SA is known for its silos, sheep and now - a servo. It's bringing 24h pizza made in a vending machine to its residents and anyone passing through. The one-stop shop and Laundromat on the Mallee Highway was started by tree changers Jake Hill and Jas Russell, after Jake ran out of petrol on a previous road trip down the same highway years ago.
Mustering in Gulf country and Lorna's delicious legacy
The dirty conditions are to be expected, but it's the noise of the muster that comes as a shock as the ringers at a remote station round up cattle over vast distances. The deafening sound of a swooping helicopter, the roar of motorbikes and quads, galloping cattle crashing through dense tussocks, yelling, whistling, neighing and shouting — it's a cacophony of organised chaos.
These two Australian miners have been riding the lithium rollercoaster — one is hopping off while the other doubles down
It is an essential element of the green energy transition and just a few years ago Australia was in the front seat of a lithium boom, but a new wave of supplies has put their competitive edge under pressure. Consumers are increasingly opting to drive EVs, and governments continue to invest in solar and wind projects, yet lithium miners have spent the last year watching the price of their ore sinking.
Turning salvaged timber into treasures and Guides giving girls in remote town a voice
Doug McGregor and Rachel Hogan have been transforming everything from felled trees to old church pews into handmade homewares in their workshop nestled in the Warby Ranges of north-east Victoria. From felled trees to church pews, meet the father-daughter duo giving salvaged wood a second life Paula Konedaris, who has autism, didn't talk until she was five years old. Her mother says at that age Paula joined Girl Guides and her development since has been amazing.
Goats to guitars and life of a mudcrabber in the Gulf of Carpentaria
Belmont Station in Far West NSW is primarily focused on sheep and goat production most of the year, except for a week in August when it becomes home to the Mundi Mundi Bash. Farmer diversifying by hosting music festival Deadly animals are just everyday work hazards for the crabbers who battle some of the harshest conditions in Australia to catch one of the nation's most-prized seafoods.
Returning artefacts to country and special bond between Emily and Brutus
What appeared to be a pile of rocks in a shed turns out to be a collection of important Indigenous artefacts that has sent this farming family on a quest to preserve cultural heritage. Farmer helps return Indigenous artefacts to rest on country Emily Houston, who is in remission after her leukaemia diagnosis, was chosen to name one of the puppies that's being trained for a very special fundraiser to help sick kids, now she's formed a special bond with the kelpie working dog and his trainer.
Homeschooling with tiny country town as classroom and passing on passion for birds
Jake is happiest when he's running around his small farming town and watching the trucks fill up with grain at the silo. The freedom has let his education flourish. Jake is one of hundreds of children who experience school refusal. His mum has found a solution At 92-years 'Bushy Bob' has no plan to end his devotion to birdwatching and is on a mission to inspire others to care for the natural environment surrounding them.
Country Breakfast
The cost of importing coffee beans into Australia has never been more expensive, and there are few signs these record prices will ease anytime soon. While wages, rents and operational costs account for the vast majority of what you pay for a coffee, inclement weather in coffee-producing regions overseas is also putting upward pressure on prices of everything from a servo cuppa to a specialty flat white.
Coffee prices hit fresh highs as weather wreaks havoc on crops in Brazil and Vietnam, with Australian roasters under the pump
The prices of arabica and robusta coffee beans are climbing to record highs as growers struggle with adverse weather in Brazil and Vietnam. Australian roasters say the escalating price of importing beans doesn't show signs of stopping anytime soon. Prices are expected to remain elevated through the next year, putting pressure on roasters and consumers. The cost of importing coffee beans into Australia has never been more expensive, and there are few signs these record prices will ease anytime soon.
Searching the bush on horseback and sharing love of records
If you get lost in the Tasmanian bush, Lost in the bush? These men and women might be the ones coming to find you. The 50-year-old club has changed over the decades as technology has evolved, with members now using GPS watches, mobiles and the Government Radio Network (GRN).
Fierce but friendly ploughing contest and bringing back Murray crayfish
You probably won't see it at the Olympics anytime soon, but 'Fierce but friendly' farmers converge to fight for a spot in World Ploughing Contest. Held in Western Australia for the first time, farmers came from far and wide to compete over two days on a property in Eastbrook, near Pemberton, more than 300km south of Perth. The Murray crayfish is on track to become a thriving species once again in South Australia, one year on from its successful re-introduction to the river system.
Live: ASX200 expected to open higher after fickle session on Wall Street
More than 97% of Windows sensors are back online, CrowdStrike's CEO George Kurtz said on Thursday, nearly a week after a software update by the cybersecurity firm triggered a global outage. The company's Falcon platform sensor is a security agent installed on devices such as laptops and desktops that protects them from threats.
Australian property prices remain resilient despite economic headwinds
Australian house prices have risen for a sixth straight quarter, according to analysis by Domain. Over the June quarter, new record prices were set in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. And with a 7 per cent annual rise in homes on the market, sellers maintained their confidence in the strength of the market. "The housing market remains resilient despite low consumer sentiment, economic pressures and high interest rates," Domain's chief of research and economics, Dr Nicola Powell said.
Live updates: ASX200 on the rise, gold, oil and copper prices slump
You may have picked up on a theme in today's blog — metal markets have jitters about future demand from China. The ABC's chief business correspondent Ian Verrender's got you sorted for everything you need to know about the rising uncertainty over China's economic output: In Beijing, the all-important Third Plenum, a summit that takes place just twice a decade, has just concluded. And what a contrast.
Mustering at 90 and housework in a spectacular setting - ABC listen
Bill Faint is still clocking in as a musterer having passed on the traits that built his success as a lifelong cattleman. Far from shying away from tough challenges, How 90-year-old Bill does a job most young people can't. Unlike his peers who have taken up bowls, cards or fishing, he is still working on his family's central Queensland property. Rebecca Kearns knows what it takes to wrestle a vacuum cleaner through a narrow cave. "It's super awkward.
Rising poverty, stagnant wages and widening gender pay gap emerge as worrying signs in new economic mobility report
Australia's rates of economic mobility rank among the best in the world. Rising poverty, the gender pay gap and economic conditions faced by those born after 1990 could stymy economic mobility. More data is needed to determine whether those born after 1990 will end up worse off than their parents over their lifetime.
Worrying signs emerge from new economic mobility report
Australia's rates of economic mobility rank among the best in the world. Rising poverty, the gender pay gap and economic conditions faced by those born after 1990 could stymy economic mobility. More data is needed to determine whether those born after 1990 will end up worse off than their parents over their lifetime.
Senate committee recommends major overhaul for corporate watchdog, splitting ASIC into two new regulators
A Senate committee recommends ASIC be split up, to create a corporations regulator and a financial services regulator. Key findings of the report include a "bad culture" at the corporate watchdog, and a sprawling bureaucracy that is unable to prosecute white-collar crime. Committee chair Andrew Bragg says its unlikely the recommendations will be adopted in this term of government.
Why did lithium and supermarket stocks tank, while JB-HiFi and Lovisa beat expectations? We look back at the year that was in markets
In spite of some strong headwinds, the ASX performed well over the past year, boosting super funds for most Australians. Banking, consumer discretionary and some tech stocks were the star performers, while supermarkets and lithium stocks didn't do as well. Analysts will be keeping an eye on future rate rises, consumer spending and debt levels and the Chinese economy.
Physicist willing to bet 'large amounts of money' against nuclear power being built in Australia in his lifetime
In short: Planning, legal and energy experts have raised significant doubts about the ability to construct nuclear power plants in Australia before 2037. A history of government-led, large-project cost overruns and scheduling blowouts combined with a number of legal hurdles make the Coalition's proposed timeline for nuclear uncertain. What's next? The Coalition is yet to set a date when it will reveal further details of its proposal.
Nuclear could fill a niche in Australia's energy mix, but renewables will need to do the heavy lifting, business leaders say
In short: Even if Australia's nuclear ban is overturned, energy sector leaders believe renewables will generate most of Australia's power in the future. About 60 per cent of Australia's energy comes from coal, and some energy leaders want all options on the table as those plants are retired. What's next? An energy economist says rooftop solar and community-based batteries are a promising technology mix for Australia's grid.
The absence of a basic cybersecurity measure led to the Medibank hack, regulator alleges
In short: Court documents filed by the OAIC allege Medibank's massive 2022 data hack stemmed from not having multi factor authentication to access the company's IT systems. The hack led to the details of about 9.7 million past and former Medibank and ahm customers being leaked. What's next? The first hearing in the Federal Court is yet to be scheduled.
Australian capital cities rank among world's least affordable markets to buy a home
In short: Australian capitals rank among the world's most unaffordable markets for middle-income buyers. The study compared housing markets in 94 cities across eight countries, and nearly all Australian capitals ranked in the lowest 25 per cent for affordability. What's next? The study points to policies that free up land for development as key drivers of more affordable housing.
Millions of Australians facing financial difficulty, according to ASIC survey
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