Archived News for Industry Professionals - March, 2014
Tragic incidents have prompted Fortescue Metal Group to increase its safety measures.
Dick Smith says safety changes could keep the bush flying
Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith says safety restrictions are crippling regional air travel.
Gate agreement breeds fear in mining bodies
Concern is mounting within the powerful Minerals Council of Australia and its NSW state-level affiliate.
New degree of collaboration for air maintenance
Aviation Australia has announced it will help run the University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) new management degree for aircraft maintenance engineers.
Poll shows people's nuclear fear subsiding
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) says a recent survey showed majority support for nuclear power, and has called for renewed debate.
Queensland in talks for train tasks
Negotiations have begun for the next round of contracts for Queensland railways.
Searchers' summit digs up new findings
A meeting this week brings together the finest minds in mineral exploration, as scientists and geologists descend on Geoscience Australia’s UNCOVER Summit.
Stable moves on some fuel trucks ahead of enforcement
Linfox is not waiting for mandatory anti-rollover regulations, saying it will install electronic stability control (ESC) on a number of trucks.
Stakes named in robot resource revolution
Rio Tinto says robots are the future for productive mining, but the CFMEU says it won’t let human workers be replaced.
ACT called to give up list of asbestos homes
The Construction, Forestry, Energy and Mining Union says its members are risking death every day, and the ACT government is adding to the problem.
Big builders plan moves after catching own union deals
Media outlets are reporting two major Australian builders have found evidence of their own dodgy dealings, and are considering going public before a government probe finds the same thing.
Blockades and disobedience in angry workers' plan
Union workers have threatened to employ ‘civil disobedience’ in protests of large-scale job cuts.
Bus tracking tried again after failure on the brink
Authorities are having another crack at the failed plan to introduce GPS tracking to Melbourne buses.
Carbon consideration in minimum wage talks
The Federal Government says the Fair Work Commission should take into account its promise to cut the carbon tax when setting the minimum wage.
Fortescue's massive works to bring new age in WA iron
Fortescue has completed an incredible $9.9 billion expansion in the Pilbara, opening the doors on its newest Western Australia mine.
Fossil fuels lose super favour, still big on campus
A major Australian superannuation fund has deemed fossil fuels to be ‘socially unacceptable’, and will no longer make investments in that direction.
Illegal action leads to $1.25m fine
Illegal blockades at Melbourne construction sites have led to a $1.25 million fine for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).
Japan plans big step into power past
Japan is moving to remix its energy industry, adding 11,000 megawatts of gas and coal power to replace its lost nuclear supplies.
Rural projects' pain at living away changes
An industry body says new limits on tax concessions for Living Away From Home Allowances (LAFHA) are making rural construction projects more expensive, and placing a hefty burden on business.
Telstra testing with view to NBN billions
Telstra is shooting for $6 billion worth of contracts on Australia’s National Broadband Network, launching a pilot program to test its intended hardware.
Bodies clash on gas prices and protection
The industry lobby for Australian manufacturers says high gas prices and a domestic shortage will lead to the loss of over 100,000 jobs.