News Articles for Michael McCormack

A survey of government backbenchers found 12 support the 2050 net-zero emissions target being pushed by the prime minister and his treasurer.

Australia's agriculture minister has declared the start date for a dedicated farm work visa will be announced imminently.

Barnaby Joyce will return as the deputy prime minister after defeating Michael McCormack in a Nationals leadership spill.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has declared it is crucial to strive towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Australia plans to lure more than 10,000 farm workers from South-East Asia under a new agriculture visa farmers have long campaigned for.

More Australian beef and lamb will be exported to the UK as import taxes are phased out over a decade under a free trade deal between the two nations.

Australia has become even more isolated on climate change after the heads of the world's largest economies agreed to end government support for coal-fired power stations by the end of the year.

Virgin Australia has "turned a corner" from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and is about to dramatically expand its operations, the airline's CEO says.

More cheap flights could be on the way if Australians snap up the remaining 137,000 cut-price fares.

The federal budget will include at least $5 billion in funding for infrastructure projects aimed at making roads safer, reducing travel times and supporting thousands of jobs.

The federal budget will include record funding on aged care and a "full response" to the damning findings of the royal commission into the sector.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says the federal government is promising a lot in next week's budget but insists it will be the delivery that matters.

Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program is expected to undergo a "big reset" with details to be announced on Thursday.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has stepped in as peacemaker between the states and some of his federal colleagues after they engaged in a stoush over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Senior government figures and health advisers say the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective, following calls from a backbench colleague to suspend Australia's rollout.

Senior Morrison government ministers have played down falling behind Labor in Newspoll after weeks of controversy stemming from rape allegations.

Qantas has brought forward international ticket sales for destinations including the US and UK despite growing coronavirus rates overseas.

Western Australia's health minister is urging the Commonwealth to take action on maritime crew arrangements after a second COVID-19 outbreak off the coast of Port Hedland.

Millions of Australians will have income tax cuts fast-tracked in a federal budget set to focus on driving business investment and job creation.

The federal government will spend $1.1 billion on Western Australian road and rail projects, as part of a broader infrastructure package.

New Zealanders will soon be allowed to visit NSW and the Northern Territory when Australia opens its first international border since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Bushfire and coronavirus-ravaged parts of regional Australia will share in $100 million of Commonwealth cash over the next two years.

Western Australia will consider again using Rottnest Island to house returned travellers amid tension between the state and Commonwealth over quarantine arrangements.

Virgin Australia creditors have approved Bain Capital's $3.5 billion acquisition of the airline.

The limit on the number of Australians able to arrive home is being revised after a meeting of the nation's leaders.

Contractor Decmil has received some rare good news, with a subsidiary being named as the preferred proponent for the $175 million Albany Ring Road.

A joint venture between Carey Mining and Central Earthmoving has secured sealing works on Great Central Road under a $20 million contract, with the project jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

Virgin Australia's administrators at Deloitte will have a better sense of which parties are interested in buying the beleaguered airline, when non-binding indicative offers are made tomorrow.

WA has recorded one new coronavirus infection overnight. The state's active cases have fallen to 47. WA has received a further $4 million worth of PPE.

Agricultural exporters from Western Australia, including beef and pork producers, have received further assistance, with the state government joining the federal government in subsidising international flights to carry their goods.

Australian airline Regional Express (Rex) has been guaranteed at least one return service per week to most of its 59 destinations under the federal government's regional airline support program.

Virgin Australia is resuming a minimal national schedule while Qantas is expanding its domestic passenger services, with the new schedules including eight regional centres in Western Australia.

Qantas and Virgin are closing in on a multi-million dollar deal with the federal government to support flights between capital cities.

WA confirms seven new COVID-19 cases and records its fourth death. The Westin Perth hotel will be used to quarantine health care workers. WA gains $5.5 million in PPE equipment. New rules have been announced to help charities.

Spanish engineering giant ACCIONA is continuing to challenge CPB Contractors' dominance of the Western Australian infrastructure market, with the two groups heading competing consortia for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.

Nationals MPs Keith Pitt and Darren Chester have been elevated to federal cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repelled a leadership challenge from Barnaby Joyce, emerging victorious in a party room ballot this morning, while Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as Greens leader following the resignation of Richard Di Natale.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan has quit cabinet today and thrown his support behind former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who has announced plans to seek leadership of the National Party tomorrow. It follows the resignation of deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie yesterday and Greens leader Richard Di Natale today.

Scott Morrison has put the economy at the centre of his pitch to voters, saying they need to keep him as prime minister because "now is not the time to turn back" to Labor, after he announced a May 18 date for the federal election.

Albany and Bunbury Ring Roads, Fremantle Traffic Bridge, and an extension of Tonkin Highway were among the list of local road projects to receive $1.6 billion of funding from Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Perth today.