Archived News for Industry Professionals - December, 2014
Floods and fires will leave Australia with a mind-boggling damage bill in coming years, the CSIRO says.
BHP splits, 'non-core' assets head South
BHP Billiton has given a few more details on its big split and spin-off deal.
City's toxic playgrounds pinned on iron trade
Potentially toxic levels of lead, arsenic, nickel and cadmium have been found on playground equipment at several public parks in Queensland.
Drug raids to start reform in resources
There are reports of police raids on mining sites in West Australia, as authorities crack down on reports of illicit drugs in the resources sector.
One year deal props up un-loved Lady Barron
A Flinders Island port on the Bass Strait has been dubbed “unsafe” and “dysfunctional” by the company that formerly ran stevedoring operations.
Orion gets quick rest before next date in space
NASA’s newest space ship has made a 12,000 kilometre round trip to see if it could survive a 32,000km/h dive into the atmosphere.
Paper blamed for slow safety
The Master Builders Association (MBA) says paper might just be the biggest hindrance to safety on Australia building sites.
Safety spruiked in push for robot workers
The University of Sydney and Rio Tinto are extending their autonomous mining research partnership after several successful years.
UN summoned in QLD gas fight
Traditional owners in Queensland's Channel Country have asked the United Nations to intervene in a battle over oil and gas development.
'Near-miss' awareness as key to safe construction
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the Australian building and construction industry has the best level of workplace safety in almost 15 years.
Aluminium industry wants RET set soon
One of Australia’s largest single power users has joined the push for a decision to be made on the Renewable Energy Target.
Battery base could help all industries, but may be overpowered
Electric car-maker Tesla has joined with electric everything-maker Panasonic to drive down the cost of batteries for anything from small devices to solar power stations.
Big deal to kick off Sydney road spree
The NSW and Australian Governments have announced the first construction contract for the multi-billion-dollar WestConnex project in Sydney.
Building money could come from WA drivers
The WA Government wants to bring in a congestion tax to raise revenue for new infrastructure projects.
Call to plot leaks as gas industry wells up
A team of university experts has warned that the risks of coal seam gas mining could play out before governments get around to responding.
Bribery backed by bosses every day
A new study says that not only is corruption not inhibited in many big businesses, it is actually a central strategy.
Genetic journey shows we may be extra-terrestrial
Research has shown that DNA can survive a flight through space and back into Earth's atmosphere, while keeping its genetic information intact.
Hockey claims show cost of free trade
Treasurer Joe Hockey has strongly linked the end of subsidies to Australian car manufacturing with the securing of trade agreements with Asian nations.
Asbestos case could open future floodgate
A mesothelioma victim is bringing a landmark legal case against the Commonwealth.
Brisbane transit bites dust amid BaT tunnel landing
There is no love left for Brisbane’s “ugly” transport hub, with plans announced for a total makeover.
Conflict claims over Transport Minister's link
Conflict of interest claims around one state Transport Minister could become politically sticky, an analyst says.