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Minerals Council of Australia says the crossbench deal is “an act of economic vandalism” that would put expansion plans and critical minerals opportunities at risk. “This deal represents a complete breach of trust with Australian business and workers,” CEO Tania Constable says. “For the resources States of Western Australia and Queensland, this Bill represents a devastating blow that will reverberate throughout their economies and put a ceiling on growth.” These changes are yet another handbrake on productivity at a time it has already slowed to a crawl. The outcome will be fewer jobs, less investment and a compounded cost-of-living pressures.

Announcement could bring China a step closer to sources of imports beyond Australia and Brazil. British-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has confirmed iron ore production at its Simandou mine in Guinea, West Africa, will start in 2025, bringing China – which co-invests in the mine – a step closer to accessing alternative sources of iron ore beyond Australia and Brazil.

There were many “merry Christmases” bandied around during Thursday’s debate on industrial relations. Some of them were genuine. Others, like those from Michaelia Cash talking of employers hit by the changes, dripped with sarcasm. The Government’s surprise end-of-year deal to pass a chunk of the changes — crucially, including a crackdown on labour hire — has infuriated businesses which were sure they had crossbenchers in their corner. It gives Labor a win to end the year after a dismal few weeks. But at what cost?

Big business and miners have lashed out at crossbenchers and the Federal Government for a “sneaky” deal that has led to the surprise passage of changes in industrial relations, saying it amounts to a “toxic attack” on the resources sector. They have pledged to continue campaigning against the changes — and the Government.

Rio Tinto is set to commit $US6.2 billion ($9.5b) towards a massive African iron ore project, cementing the mining giant’s ambition to look beyond its sprawling Pilbara hub to deliver the next phase of growth. The full electrification of its predominately diesel-run Pilbara mining fleet will also be pushed back, after Rio flagged it would rein in its decarbonisation expenditure.

Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has made a cameo appearance on Pauline Hanson’s hit animation series, Please Explain. Mrs Rinehart’s likeness was captured by the show’s production crew, Stepmates, then, to the surprise of everyone involved, she recorded her own voice for the character. Ms Hanson’s chief of staff James Ashby approached the mining magnate about the show during a recent visit to Rinehart’s Roy Hill mining summit. “I simply asked that if she liked her character, would she consider voicing a part in the episode,” Mr Ashby told Diary. “She saw me and without even having to be prompted, she said ‘I love my character, and yes!’.”

Peak mining groups are reeling after the Albanese Government unveiled surprise amendments to expand its controversial shakeup of industrial relations laws. In changes which could have big implications for WA, Labor wants to extend the reach of its “same job, same pay” proposal to capture companies in joint ventures. The amendments to the Closing Loopholes Bill – introduced to Federal Parliament on Tuesday – came as a shock to mining groups which are now scrambling to understand what it means for the industry. Industry insiders fear the change would allow the Fair Work Commission to issue pay orders not just to a host company – but also their joint venture partner.

The world runs on resources. Australia is the lucky country, we have abundant natural resources, and with them, we help power the world while creating jobs and bringing prosperity to our communities. But there are those who want to shut down the resource sector for their own ideological reasons. They will do whatever it takes, even if it means strangling the nation in red tape that isn’t designed to increase safety or protect the environment, it’s designed to shut things down. This isn’t a new tactic. We see repeatedly, no matter what world we are in, as this week’s episode will show you.

Rio Tinto’s iron ore boss Simon Trott has slammed Labor’s controversial industrial relations laws shake-up, arguing last-minute amendments have still left a raft of questions unanswered. The mining giant has joined Roy Hill and the Minerals Council of Australia in warning service contractors are still at risk of being captured, despite a deal to carve them out. “We have serious concerns about the Bill as it’s currently drafted,” Mr Trott said. “The amendments in no way exempt or simplify the use of service contractors, which the mining industry in this State relies upon.”

Employer groups have accused the Government of hiding from scrutiny with a plan to ram through dozens of changes to the controversial industrial relations laws this week. “These changes will affect every business and every worker, and rushing amendments without proper consultation will do nothing more than tinker at the edges of the 800 pages of legislation,” the statement says.“Unfortunately, we, Australia’s leading employer groups, believe the Government is unwilling to listen to any views which they do not agree with.”