Archived News for Industry Professionals
A new study says that while Australian unions are not perfect, they still play an important role in enforcing minimum standards and certain regulations.
Big spend to get nearby neighbours up to speed
Nearly half a billion dollars will be spent to improve transport in Pacific regions.
China moving on rail tunnel plan despite obvious dangers
China has dusted off its idea to build an underwater rail tunnel across 123 kilometres of the Bohai Bay, which would be the world’s longest if it goes ahead.
Rail strike rolls ahead with no new deals likely
Australian rail company Aurizon is standing firm in the face of impending train driver strikes.
Refugee price jump with new $1.2 billion responsibility
A new company will soon take over a large range of operations at Australia’s offshore detention centres, with the tragedy of recent violence still echoing around the country.
Rock finding sets back the clock on Earth, oceans and life
The oldest piece of the Earth’s crust ever seen has been uncovered in Western Australia.
States step in for hasty NHVR pick-up
The widespread failure of many trucks to register under the new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has forced several states to step in and try to aid compliance.
Toll looks up with renewed agreements
The Toll Group has managed to keep a lucrative set of contracts, which will see it remain the prime mover for oil and gas producer Santos.
Trucking heads push for state or federal ESC pledge
The heads of trucking industry bodies are pushing for the Federal Government to bring in compulsory electronic stability control (ESC) on all heavy vehicles.
UGL hits back, saying books remain raw
Australian engineering firm UGL has emphatically denied media allegations that it “cooked the books” to misrepresent financial results for investors.
Action over mine jobs prompts industrial court case
The Fair Work Building Commission (FWBC) has called dozens of Western Australian workers into court to face charges from protests over jobs in local mines.
Big figures push oil explorers to new fields and agreements
Oil exploration and production firm Senex Energy Ltd has posted its profits and announced a new partnership with Origin Energy in South Australia.
Closed talks continue on medical, intellectual and economic future
A new round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks have begun in Singapore, where trade ministers from twelve nations carve out the final parts of the far-reaching deal.
Coal fires coat town in haze of health concerns
Fires in Victorian open-cut coal mines have created a major health risk, with hazardous smoke destroying air quality.
Honour wall marks dark toll for gold
A memorial to honour over 1,400 people who have died in mining accidents should be unveiled soon, and authorities say they hope it remind current workers to think about safety.
Industry fears massive cost if RET is reached
Reports this week claim the Australian electricity market is at “breaking point”, and that half of all generators are losing money.
Pink batts probe to cast public eye on private government papers
If the call is made for confidential cabinet documents to be presented to the royal commission into the ‘pink batts’ scheme, Attorney-General George Brandis says the commissioner may keep their contents a secret.
Rumour mill goes wild ahead of Qantas' cuts confirmation
Qantas is being hounded by rumours that it will announce massive job cuts this week, but the airline says it will keep cuts down to a thousand workers at most.
Shell sells to get into gas, Vitol buys for same reason
Shell will sell an Australian refinery and 870 domestic service stations to Vitol in a deal worth around $2.9 billion.
Lost funds sought to get regions moving again
The WA Local Government Association says it will be looking for the reinstatement of grants for regional infrastructure projects.
Carbon tax scenario shows cost of delay
The seemingly imminent repeal of the carbon tax is being prevented while Labor and the Greens hold the balance of power in the federal Senate, and new research has investigated how the efforts to end the carbon price may be hurting energy investments.