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Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers has approved Hanwha's bid to lift its shareholding in Australian shipbuilder Austal (ASX:ASB) from 9.9% to 19.9%, concluding an eight-month Foreign Investment Review Board assessment.

Chalmers said the decision followed "long and careful deliberation" and extensive consultation, noting it took into account economic, national security and broader national-interest considerations.

National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) executives faced intense scrutiny at the company's annual general meeting over their handling of widespread employee underpayments

A former employee told the meeting she had been underpaid and repeatedly raised concerns.

Venus Metals (ASX:VMC) announced that a subsidiary of IGO (ASX:IGO) has elected to proceed with Stage 2 of its farm-in at the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Exploration Project in Western Australia, committing $3 million to further exploration under the existing joint venture agreement with VMC's subsidiary.

The federal government has warned it will redirect a $23 billion hospital funding boost toward its own health priorities if states refuse the offer, amid escalating tensions over the National Disability Insurance Scheme and rising healthcare costs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls for publicly labeling the funding offer inadequate, saying the disclosure undermined efforts to negotiate in good faith.

US-based internet forum Reddit has filed a High Court challenge against Austraila's recent social media ban for users under 16, citing "serious privacy and political expression issues for everyone on the internet," a company spokesperson said.

In court filings lodged on Dec. 12, Reddit argues the ban infringes the country's implied freedom of political communication, restricting children from engaging in online political discourse—a factor that, the company contends, informs the views of parents, teachers, and future voters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a deal aimed at securing the future of the Tomago aluminium smelter in the Hunter region, assuring that roughly 1,000 jobs will be preserved.

The agreement, reached with the facility's board, will link the smelter to renewable energy sources, helping to reduce electricity costs and extend its operations beyond the previously threatened 2028 closure.

Lion Rock Minerals (ASX:LRM) has confirmed a major rare-earth discovery at Minta Est, identifying a monazite-rich granite source with standout dysprosium, terbium and samarium grades across 250 square kilometres.

Mont Royal Resources (ASX:MRZ, TSXV:CCE) is emerging as a major Quebec-focused critical minerals company following its successful merger with Commerce Resources.

Western Gold Resources (ASX:WGR) gears up for production at its Gold Duke Project in Wiluna, Western Australia following a successful $6.75 million capital raise.

Well, grab a champagne flute and a slice of avocado toast, because the Australian Taxation Office has graced us with its annual Taxation Statistics report for the 2022–23 year. 

And what a delightful read it is for anyone living in a post-code that isn't 2027 (Darling Point, Sydney).

Blackstone Minerals (ASX:BSX) is doubling down on its copper-gold aspirations in the Philippines.

African Gold (ASX:A1G) is seeking to unlock a potential multi-million ounce gold system in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

Peak Minerals (ASX:PUA) has announced a major rutile discovery at its Minta Rutile Project in Cameroon, with initial drilling revealing broad, near-surface zones of heavy mineralisation, including up to 4.7 meters at 2.9% heavy minerals. 

With lithium demand expected to triple by 2030, Pursuit Minerals' high-grade, large scale Rio Grande Sur Lithium Project in Argentina has the potential to lead the global lithium expansion.

Peak Minerals is an Australian-based mineral and exploration company with a growing interest in West African rutile.

Vulcan Energy Resources is pioneering a carbon-neutral approach to lithium extraction to meet Europe's growing demand for sustainable battery materials.