Ainsley Elbra

Australian neighbours such as Timor Leste - asset rich, but also very poor - are keen to ensure the money paid by Australian extractive companies is fully disclosed. AAP

May 28, 2013

Australian miners, disclose what you pay our neighbours

Ainsley Elbra, University of Sydney

Australian mining firms remain at the forefront of natural resource exploration and extraction in some of our nearest - and poorest - neighbours. Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are…

The Federal government has ruled out changing the Minerals Resources Rent Tax, but how will it boost income?

February 12, 2013

States royalties likely to be in Fed’s sights as flaws aplenty emerge in mining tax

Ainsley Elbra, University of Sydney

Last Friday’s announcement that the Minerals Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) had brought in only $126 million in its first two quarters makes the Government’s initial assessment of a windfall $2 billion in its…

The replacement of Tom Albanese by Sam Walsh as Rio Tinto chief following write-downs on Riversdale Mining in Mozambique indicates some of the continuing difficulties of working in developing countries. AAP

January 23, 2013

Despite tough lessons for Australian miners, transparency should still be a goal

Ainsley Elbra, University of Sydney

Two recent events have highlighted the potential pitfalls of miners doing business in developing states. The first was the departure of Tom Albanese as Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive following a $13.3 billion…

Australia has signed up to three international agreements to outlaw shark finning, but sharks still wash up minus fins. Alex Hofford/EPA

August 13, 2012

Australia not doing enough to prevent shark finning

Ainsley Elbra, University of Sydney

Another critically endangered grey nurse shark has washed up on a northern NSW beach, with its fins removed. Shark fins are valued at more than A$400 per kilogram. This high market value encourages the…

The goals of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative are laudable; but an excessive focus on transparency and accountability doesn’t always benefit developing host countries.

July 24, 2012

Is more transparency for big miners the answer for developing countries?

Ainsley Elbra, University of Sydney

A developed country, rich in natural resources, with relatively open and accountable governance lends its support to a global transparency initiative – what does this mean for the world’s poor? It depends…

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Australian miners, disclose what you pay our neighbours

States royalties likely to be in Fed’s sights as flaws aplenty emerge in mining tax

Despite tough lessons for Australian miners, transparency should still be a goal

Australia not doing enough to prevent shark finning

Is more transparency for big miners the answer for developing countries?

Contact Ainsley for