Archived News for Industry Professionals - April, 2014
A mining company from the smaller end of the scale says it has backing for a multi-billion-dollar port and rail project at Oakajee in WA’s Mid West.
Issues raised in Asian defence technology trades
There has been plenty of discussion on the terms of the free trade agreement between Australia and Japan, which will see the lucrative exchange of multi-billion dollar military technologies.
Big five fear witch-hunt as Royal Commission rolls onsite
The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption kicks off today, which will reveal much about the state of Australian unionism, cronyism and lobbyism.
Star-gazing gets better timestamp with new technique
Australian scientists have helped improve our ability to look back into the history of the galaxy.
Efficiency drive sees Chinese coal closing
China will close more than 2000 smaller and less productive coal mines as part of its national push to kill low quality coal.
Falling costs rise as dozens drop
New figures from Safe Work Australia show that falls are still a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australian workplaces
Old building trick translates on nano-scale
The decades-old practice of embedding concrete with reinforcing bars has been taken to the nano-scale, with engineers creating reinforcing a layer of carbon atoms with nanotubes.
Uni and industry combine to bring big mining robots online
Over half a million dollars will be spent on a trial to introduce automated draglines; robots that could save millions for mines worldwide.
Bike shift to form clear rear buffer
New laws in Queensland are aimed at making it easier for drivers to understand what to do when passing cyclists.
Building body gets new corporate capstone
A replacement for the chair of Infrastructure Australia has been announced, as Rod Eddington prepares to leave his post.
Community group leaves repeated Rio plan buried
The residents of a small New South Wales town will be celebrating victory against a mining giant today, after the Supreme Court ruled against Rio Tinto’s Warkworth mine expansion.
Energy chiefs push for union power wind-back
Some influential groups from the oil and gas industries have told the Federal Government to get cracking on changes to the Fair Work Act, saying billions of dollars and thousands of jobs are at risk.
Finding means greenfield deals can come from just a few
The Federal Court has backed a negotiating tactic which allows construction companies to sidestep unions on agreements for new projects.
Fire fought as driver flees chemical crash in WA
Authorities will be looking to contact the driver of a road train that crashed on the Nullarbor Plain, who appears to have fled when the chemical tanker burst into flames.
Million dollar mine truck pay-out awarded
A truck driver who injured their back in a crash at a mine site has received $1.4 million in compensation.
Valle sees twenty more years on the coal train, if the price is right
The President of BHP Billiton’s coal sector has pushed for productivity to fight falling coal prices.
Watery war of words ongoing in WA
A pay dispute continues between the tug boat operators and a shipping company at the world's largest bulk export port.
Woodside strikers could lose assets for fines
Fair Work will move to seize the assets of dozens of constriction workers in WA, to pay for fines after illegal industrial action.
Huge farm planning spares no time for locals
The organisers of a massive multi-purpose farming project in north Queensland have been ignoring the indigenous population that holds native title to the land, locals say.
New deal for Polish working swap-over
A new visa arrangement means young people from Australia and Poland will soon be able to work and holiday in each other's countries.
Open door policy could be widened for construction
Japan may expand its policy offering foreigners permits to work for up to three years, as the nation struggles to fill voids in its rapidly shrinking workforce.