Archived News for Industry Professionals - August, 2015
Economists say the sugar hit of mining boom masked a deterioration in Australian wage growth.
Literacy and work links discussed in Tasmania
The high rate of Tasmanian students graduating without being able to read, write or do sums is a “big problem”, one minister says.
Rally cry to help WA TAFE
The WA State School Teachers' Union has launched a new campaign to call on the WA Government to reinstate TAFE funding.
Union probe leader's Liberal link slammed
The man in charge of the royal commission into union corruption is being promoted as the guest speaker at a Liberal Party fundraiser.
'Wife beater' campaign starts with the name
A new campaign has been launched to rename the common navy blue ‘wife beater’ singlet.
Emissions plan shows commitment to resistance
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has unveiled a bold plan to place Australia at the back of the pack of nations responding to climate change.
Gas money could help community views
The Australian Government and NSW Government have unveiled a $3 million grant to fund strategic research on the social and environmental impacts of the onshore gas industry.
Buffett makes biggest play
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is moving to buy out aerospace supplier Precision Castparts, in a deal valued at a staggering $37.2 billion.
Court action on Linc gas claims
A secret Queensland Government report allegedly warns that hundreds of square kilometres of prime agricultural land in the state’s southeast are at risk from toxic chemicals and explosive gases.
FIFO gambling review finds rough rate
A new study has found problem gambling amongst fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers to be up to 15 times higher than in the general population.
Jobs lost in tough times for copper
BHP Billiton has announced 380 jobs will be lost at its massive South Australian Olympic Dam mine, and experts say it is a sign of the times.
Senate demands WA road plan
The Senate has given the Federal Government until 5pm (AEST) today to release traffic modelling and cost benefits information relating to the $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link highway.
Train strike looms in Melbourne
Victorian members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have voted to take industrial action next week, in a move that could see free travel for Melbourne residents.
Uber man seeking legal solution
Legal action has been taken in one man’s vigilante quest to stop Uber.
Abbott laments jobs lost in mega-mine hold-up
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is “frustrated” at the Federal Court’s decision to overturn the approval of Adani's Carmichael coal mine, saying it could have created thousands of jobs.
Cable recall goes slow while risks rise
Thousands of Australian homes and businesses have faulty electrical cabling posing a serious danger, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned time is running out to get it fixed.
Ergon to trial new tech ahead of revolution
Electricity companies could soon roll out the next big energy revolution - offering large home battery systems to customers.
Liberals move to mute unions in ACT
The Canberra Liberals want the ACT Government to cut all financial and political links with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).
Port protest holds strong
Picket lines outside the Port Botany and Port Brisbane terminals of Hutchison Ports have turned into a show of union solidarity, as workers protest the sudden sacking of 97 employees - 57 in Sydney and 40 in Brisbane - via email.
Rio boss says coal still king
Despite first-half profits plunging 80 per cent, Rio Tinto's chief executive Sam Walsh says coal will be the backbone of energy production for many years to come.
Rio's iron ride leads to cap-ex cut
Mining giant Rio Tinto has posted first-half profits that show the company’s fortune sliding down alongside metal prices, leading it to make a pledge of $1 billion in cost-cuts this year.