Mining royalties and payroll tax are again propping up the Northern Territory’s 2026–27 budget, with Treasury forecasts heavily reliant on existing operations such as McArthur River Mine and the Gove bauxite transition. Industry groups including the Minerals Council of Australia’s NT division are pushing for stronger incentives, calling for accelerated depreciation, streamlined approvals under the Territory’s Mineral Titles Act, and more funding for regional roads and power. The debate centres on whether current fiscal settings can attract new critical minerals projects in remote areas with high logistics and energy costs.

Construction in the UK has been formally classified as a “high-risk” sector for modern slavery in a new national report, alongside small cash-based businesses such as vape shops, barbers and hand car washes. The designation points to particular vulnerability in labour-intensive, subcontractor-heavy supply chains on building sites, including temporary works, groundworks and finishing trades where migrant and agency labour are common. Contractors can expect closer scrutiny of right-to-work checks, labour agency practices and tier-2/3 subcontractor oversight on major infrastructure and building projects.

The 2026 Women in Industry Awards will be held on 18 June at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf in Sydney, bringing together senior leaders and technical specialists from construction, transport, mining, manufacturing and related industrial sectors. The event recognises women driving operational, engineering and project delivery outcomes across areas such as major road upgrades, heavy plant operations, asset maintenance and advanced manufacturing. For civil, geotechnical and mining firms, participation signals support for workforce diversity in site-based roles and technical leadership, which is increasingly scrutinised in government procurement and Tier 1 contractor supply chains.