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Businesses continue to adapt and modify operations: Australia
Businesses have continued to adapt their operations in response to COVID-19, according to results released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.
ABS Head of Industry Statistics, John Shepherd, said the latest Business Conditions and Sentiments Survey captured information on how businesses are responding to supply chain disruptions, teleworking arrangements, and the extent to which COVID safe controls are impacting businesses.
“Three in ten (30 per cent) businesses are experiencing supply chain disruptions, with 37 per cent of these businesses affected to a great extent.”
Mr Shepherd said businesses are responding to these disruptions by changing ordering processes (62 per cent), changing the way products or services are provided to customers (41 per cent) and changing suppliers (39 per cent).
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Shorn wool production increases due to improved season
The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee’s fourth forecast of shorn wool production in 2020/21 is 290 mkg greasy. This is a 2.1% increase on the 284 mkg estimate for 2019/20 as key wool growing regions experience favourable seasonal conditions.
The Committee’s first forecast for 2021/22 is for shorn wool production to be 305 mkg greasy, an increase of 5.1% compared with the current season. The current favourable seasonal conditions for wool production are expected to extend into the new season boosting average cut per head. However, low sheep numbers will continue to limit shorn wool production in the short term.
Crime by Natalie Brown  On Monday afternoon, hundreds gathered at a twilight vigil to remember Kelly Wilkinson. The Gold Coast mother-of-three s charred body was found in her backyard last Tuesday; her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, was later charged with her murder. Ms Wilkinson s death was one of three, at the hands of domestic or family violence, to rock Australia last week - and exposed, aside from the obvious, a massive problem that could have disastrous consequences for women and children if it continues to be ignored. As well as being charged with murder, Mr Johnston was charged with breaching a domestic violence order (DVO) that had been in place since March, and breaching bail. Ms Wilkinson s family told the
Iron ore makes up 39 per cent of Australia's exports but China is introducing new rules so it is less reliant on the commodity used to make steel. Record prices and volumes may not last.
Richard Holden
April 30, 2021
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg speaks to the media during a press conference inside the budget lockup ahead of handing down the Budget 2020/21 at Parliament House. Source: AAP/Lukas Coch.
“It’s difficult to make predictions,” the saying goes, “especially about the future.” The many predictions federal budgets make about the economy over the coming four years must therefore be taken with a large grain of salt.
But in the lead-up to the 2021 budget (to be announced by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on May 11) three notable economic facts, about which no speculation is required, loom large.
Inflation at record low