Archived News for Industry Professionals - November, 2015
Brazilian mining company Samarco has agreed to a $366 million damage bill after its tailings dam burst, spreading toxic waste over hundreds of kilometres, killing 10 people, and flattening entire villages.
Call for independent asbestos check in WA
The West Australian Opposition says there must be a full independent inquiry into the potential exposure of 138 Water Corporation employees to asbestos.
Staff vote to save steel jobs
Steelworkers in New South Wales have agreed to a new enterprise agreement that will see them forfeit working conditions to keep the BlueScope Port Kembla plant open.
Darwin port plan could harm Chinese view
The Federal Government has announced it will review the 99-year lease on the Darwin Port, but the business community says that could harm future investment.
Maranoa moves to bring local firms closer
Queensland’s Maranoa council has set up a new five-star rating system to help local firms win government contracts.
Road death rates shift in new figures
New stats show the rate of road deaths involving heavy rigid trucks around Australia.
Union says ALC misguided on RSRT talks
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) are standing-off once more over safe rates of pay.
WA looks at new truck toll scheme
WA Parliament is looking at legislation that would give Main Roads the power to charge tolls for heavy transport vehicles on “prescribed roads”.
Wagons circle to charge up 'Charlie'
Progress has been made on a $1.7 billion development in western Queensland, which proponents says will see 300 to 400 natural gas wells created, along with 1600 production jobs.
Crowds flock to call for local sub build
Hundreds of people took part in a union march in Adelaide late last week to demand that the Federal Government build submarines in South Australia.
Insurance influence could see lower safety pay
A workers’ compensation expert says bonuses that the insurance industry is paid by some state governments could actually result in injured workers' claims being rejected.
Miners creating cannabis economy
A successful trial of new farming techniques on Christmas Island could see it become Australia’s cannabis capital.
NT doctors call for end of open speeds
A large section of the Northern Territory’s medical community is calling for the end of open speed limits.
Oil funds dwarf green money
US environmental think-tank, Oil Change International and UK humanitarian think-tank, the Overseas Development Institute, has found the world's biggest economies pay $633 billion a year in subsidies to oil, gas and coal companies.
Ship shift draws union rage
A major maritime union wants to Federal Government to stop aluminium producer Alcoa from using a foreign-crewed ship to move cargo from refineries in Western Australia to its smelter in Victoria.
Toro grabs expansion by the horns
Toro Energy says it will add millions of kilograms of uranium production to its Wiluna project in Western Australia, with plans to expand the site.
Waste dump wakes up radioactive debate
The Federal Government has released its shortlist of six sites that could one day store "low-to-intermediate" nuclear waste.
Big spender scoops serious carats
A Hong Kong billionaire has spent a staggering $AU67.8 million on a 12.03-carat diamond for his seven-year-old daughter.
Energy study shows game changing
A new report shows almost half of the new power plants built in 2014 were for renewable source of energy.
Unemployment makes healthy drop
Unemployment in Australia has taken a somewhat surprising dive in new figures released this week.
Fight over FIFO town forces wedge
The decision to extend a big WA mining camp has caused a stoush between the state’s Liberals and Nationals.