Archived News for Industry Professionals - December, 2015
Researchers in the US have discovered a new material for making biofuel, which had previously been discarded as part of the process.
Black lung gets rapid response from mine bosses
Miners at various sites have showed signs of ‘black lung’, and they are making their anger known.
Investigation launched after BHP derailment
BHP says one of its iron trains derailed recently, but no one was injured.
Iron decline still going
Iron ore is down again, continuing its slow decline to land at US$39.40 per tonne on the Steel Index.
Maps made easier on industry request
The Federal Government has unveiled a digitised version of Australia’s vast mapping network.
Palmer persists in CITIC money-grab
The fate of around 800 Queensland workers hinges on an expected decision from Clive Palmer about his Yabulu nickel refinery near Townsville.
Surat hiring spike expected
Queensland businesses are beaming at the prospect of 2,000 new construction jobs lined up in the Surat Basin region.
Weighing change shopped to shippers
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is tightening the rules on shipping container weighing processes, leading to some concern within the industry.
Cops swoop on Setka after union probe
The biggest move in the wake of the royal commission into trade unions has come in the form of charges against CFMEU leader John Setka.
Dozens dead in offshore oil blaze
Reports say up to 32 people are dead after one of the worst offshore oil disasters in history.
Housing help falls flat in NT
The Northern Territory Government has responded to repeated complaints that its home buyers’ insurance scheme is not working.
Life study shows long road to stability
It can take young people up to a decade to secure a stable and meaningful job after leaving secondary school, according to Australia’s most comprehensive youth trends study, the Life Patterns project.
AFP's invasion called-out in court
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) acted unlawfully when by raiding the Canberra headquarters of the Construction, Mining, Forestry, and Energy Union (CFMEU), the ACT Supreme Court has found.
Expert seeks smart view of SA waste dump
There are more hearings on this week in South Australia’s nuclear fuel cycle royal commission.
Macfarlane's ditch for possible Joyce alliance
Former industry minister Ian Macfarlane has defected from the Liberal Party to join the Nationals.
Refugees' safety risked in Nauru roof work
Troubling reports are emerging that refugees and local workers on Nauru are being forced to remove asbestos without proper protection from the potentially deadly material.
QLD called to answer for traditional take-back
Reports this week suggest the Queensland Government has been planning to strip native title off traditional landowners to make way for the Carmichael coal mine.
ALC pushes to re-balance industry
The Australian Logistics Council says it is committed to improving that way that the industry attracts, retains and supports talented women in the logistics workforce.
EPA ignores itself in WA road fight
Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has admitted ignoring its own policy to approve the Roe 8 highway extension.
Limits linked to reduced quad bike death
Australian authorities have put out a series of recommendations to reduce the amount of unnecessary deaths from quad bike accidents, which have killed 19 people so far this year.
Mine truck crush report released
The NSW Department of Resources and Energy has released its report on an incident in August which saw a haul truck at the Ashton Coal Handling and Preparation Plant crush a light vehicle.