Archived News for Industry Professionals - February, 2014
Some farmers in northern New South Wales say they are glad for an extension on a workplace safety grant, but tough times and drought mean they still have other priorities.
Big bid may seal the deal on Aurora sale
Several major energy companies may end up bidding to takeover Australian firm Aurora Oil & Gas.
Coal train leaks show opinion prevails prior to science
Government documents allegedly show the New South Wales environment department had picked a side on the coal train dust issue, before seeing the results of a report it commissioned.
Millions at risk as bad air finds new home
Thick clouds of toxic pollution are strangling the population of New Delhi, which may have become the world’s most polluted city.
Nuclear not so hot as companies search elsewhere
A slump in uranium prices is starting to hit producers, with one Paladin Energy mine closing and a major miner saying the outlook is not good.
Rock scan pays off in spades
A university project using advanced technologies to look for crude oil has sold for $76 million.
Energy bosses want extra options for new direction
The entire $120 billion energy industry wants its own set of options in the government’s Direct Action policy, asking to be exempt from the bulk of new laws.
Funds to form new business bonds
Regional Development Australia (RDA) says it will help break the ice between businesses, to build productivity through communication and collaboration.
Gender reporting costs money, but more is lost without it
The federal government is considering removing the requirement for larger companies to lodge an annual report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Grants to welcome new citizens into all sectors
Just over half a million dollars will go out to local councils and multicultural groups in Queensland, to promote opportunities across cultures, focussing on newly-arrived immigrants and humanitarian entrants.
Outrage out west that QLD cops could fly to mine towns
One mayor says a plan to have a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) police force is a “kick in the guts” to rural employment.
Talks of more help to tiny town caught short by closure
An assistance package offered by a mining company to a small town in NT may be expanded with extra Federal Government help.
$6 billion dollar industry at risk from cheap environmental choice
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has, after “rigorous assessment”, approved the disposal of dredge spoil within the Marine Park, making only minor requests in the granting of the dredge permit.
Flows probed for better use of bore source in SA
Despite the city of Adelaide being placed in the driest state on the driest inhabited continent, underneath its streets flow substantial quantities of water.
Once-hot rocks hold old secrets, pushing first life back eons
New research could shake our understanding of the origins of life on Earth, setting the date back about a billion years.
Seeds planted for farm bank plan, no word on sprout times
A Federal Government Minister is pushing for billions of dollars to help workers toiling in some of the worst conditions for decades, and it looks like the Prime Minister is keen to help too.
Buy-out brings Calibre trans-Tasman reach
The Calibre Group has expended its broad portfolio, buying up New Zealand-based engineering and surveying firm Spiire NZ.
Funding wakes work on CRC for sleep
The federal government has provided $14.5 million to fund the creation of a Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity – which will look to reduce the damage of fatigue and poor alertness on workplace safety and productivity.
Gas group gathers to boil down CSG concerns in NSW
A federal government taskforce is being formed to get coal seam gas flowing freely in New South Wales.
Gas plan to bring broad bio-fuel boost
A new technique could allow plant matter to be turned into a gasoline-like fuel, opening up the possibility of bio-fuels beyond diesel substitutes.
Indian market cuts bring zero-star cars
Alarming results have come from the first independent tests of five Indian-built domestic market vehicles.