Archived News for Industry Professionals - October, 2013
Over one thousand voluntary redundancies will be made as the Western Australian government rolls ahead on its cost-cutting public sector contraction
Australian to chair global seedbank
Australia will take the lead on governing a treaty that will see scientists around the world sharing their seeds.
Birmingham brings message to calm the farm
The person in charge of water in the new Federal Government has attended meetings with irrigators, who are concerned that changes to water rights and protocols could leave them inundated, rather than irrigated.
Corruption and deceit condemn Union boss
The former boss of the Health Services Union has pleaded guilty to dozens of crimes relating to dodgy dealings spanning years.
Studies grow edible results around the world
An Australian research group has been empowering women to a prosperous future through education and training all over the planet.
Abbott drafts plan to wind back carbon laws
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has released draft legislation to repeal the Carbon Tax, including the abolishment of the Climate Change Authority, Clean Energy Act, and other measures designed to combat pollution.
Big retailers told to sign on for safety
Woolworths is under more pressure to sign on to a voluntary safety accord as more workers die in India making products for the rest of the world.
Calls up north for room to set-down or turn-around
Safety advocates in North Queensland are urging the State Government to provide more places for trucks to leave their trailers, as drivers are forced to ditch their loads in unsafe and unsuitable areas.
China jams clamp on coal safety, quality
The Chinese government has announced it will shut 2,000 coal mines by 2015 to clean up the industry’s quality and safety record.
Crisis averted leads to fine over limiter
A truck that narrowly escaped disaster in South Australia has been fined as a result, with investigators noticing the rig had a modified speed limiter.
Delivery drones to rain knowledge from the sky
An Australian Company is looking to fill the skies with drones, but not the nasty kind - the kind that delivers knowledge-bombs in the form of textbooks.
Exploration process cut from years to months in QLD
Moves are afoot to halve the time it takes to get mining exploration approval in Queensland, with the State Government moving to slash the process.
Fixed breaches see some rigs rolling-out
VicRoads has allowed nearly a hundred Cootes Transport trucks to operate on Victorian roads, after dozens were sidelined over safety breaches.
Industry push to get gas nationwide
Lobbyists for the gas resource industry are pushing the Federal Government expand offshore and coal seam projects to avoid a predicted shortage in supply.
Safety rising in mining, still more to do
The Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum says fatalities have dropped in the last thirteen years despite massive increases in the amount of workers.
Twiggy gives millions, bringing great minds to WA
A mining billionaire has made the biggest single philanthropic donation in Australian history – giving $65 million to higher education in Western Australia.
AliBaba hints at chance of gross gains for grocers
A senior executive has detailed the challenges faced by China’s central force in online business – AliBaba – which could lead to opportunities for Australian businesses.
Construction decline hits workers' health
Construction industry officials and healthcare representatives say the downturn in new building projects and widespread sacking in Tasmania has taken a mental toll on apprentices.
Delays hit Tas. hardest as NBN work rolls up
Figures reportedly obtained by Australian media sources show work on Tasmanian sections of the National Broadband Network has ground to a halt.
India and Australia hitch-up for green fuel run
A $6 million research partnership should allow a clean-burning synthetic fuel to hit the market, with CSIRO and its Indian equivalent coming together to light-up the new power supply.
Investors blow-up renewable boom, overseas
A survey has revealed a considerable boom in the issue of patents for and investments in renewable energy.