Economic signs point to upturn

Surging exports and a big lift in new building approvals are fuelling hopes that economic growth this year will be stronger than forecast, defying Treasury’s predictions of an ongoing slowdown, according to The Australian.

Both private-sector housing and non-residential building approvals have risen more than 20%, surpassing levels from before the global financial crisis for the first time, while record shipments of coal and iron have returned the trade account to a surplus.

Russia’s threats to Ukraine’s gas opens doors

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good and that is clearly true of Ukraine’s stoush with Russia, which has caused jitters in Europe’s energy markets, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Along with oil supplies, Europe sources one-third of its gas from Russia, with half of this flowing through Ukraine. And security of supply is essential, since there is no ready alternate supply source if there are disruptions.

Russia has threatened previously to cut supplies to Europe when rowing with Ukraine, which has pushed up gas prices. And those fears have been rekindled as Russia has taken control of Crimea, in Ukraine’s south.

Plenty of scope for women in mining in NSW

Just 9% of full-time workers in the NSW mining industry are women, a survey has revealed, prompting calls for further efforts to increase female roles in the sector, according to The Australian.

The survey of women in the NSW mining sector, the first of its kind in the state, also found that women comprise less than 1% of personnel at the board or executive management level.