Archived News for Industry Professionals - March, 2013
The Federal Government has announced the total value on the National Infrastructure Construction Schedule (NICS) has topped $60 billion.
ACCC green lights capacity transfer
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced it will not object to GrainCorp’s proposal to allow its East Coast bulk grain port customers to transfer booked capacity to other customers.
AMSA start date secured
Australia’s first national marine safety regulator is set to begin operations from July 1 this year, after the Federal Government confirmed the start date for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Chevron secures Wheatstone supply deal
Chevron has announced it has signed a major long-term Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Chubu Electric Power Company for the provision of 1 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
IMF urges energy subsidy reform
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a new paper urging world governments to reform their subsidy programs affecting products ranging from coal to gasoline.
MBA urges refocus on productivity
Master Builders Australia has called for the new-look Federal Cabinet to refocus on building the nation’s productivity by implementing key reform and policies.
METS sector booming finds report
Australia’s ongoing resources boom has seen an explosion in the growth of the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector, according to a new report released by the Minerals Council of Australia.
Pacific Highway progresses passed halfway point
The Federal Government has released the latest six-month Report Card on the state of the rollout of the Pacific Highway duplication, concluding that the project has officially cracked the halfway marker.
PMI continues fall
Australia’s manufacturing sector is continuing to languish in the doldrums, according to the latest Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) released by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
Report details productivity growth
Once extraneous variables such as deposit quality and capital lag effects are accounted for, Australia’s mining sector productivity improved at a steady rate of 2.5 per cent over the last few decades, according to a new report released by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
Rio ups Asian borate tech presence
Mining giant Rio tinto has announced the official launch of its Asia Technology Centre (ATC) in a bid to ‘serve the growing market for borates in Asia’.
Sydney ups commitment to light rail
The City of Sydney has announced it has voted to increase the council’s contribution to the South East Sydney light rail project from $180 million to $220 million.
Unions push for minimum wage increase
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is pushing for a $30 increase to the country’s minimum wage, arguing that ‘new evidence’ shows that the country’s lowest paid are slipping ‘further behind the rest of the workforce’.
Victoria announces 20 year rail plan
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) has released the state’s first detailed network development plan for Melbourne’s metropolitan rail system in over 40 years.
Great Artesian Basin reports released
Two new research reports into the Great Artesian Basin are set to build on our understanding of one of the country’s most important water resources.
TAFE inquiry launched
The role of TAFE in the development of skills, opportunities and employment prospects for those undertaking training is set to be examined following the announcement of a Parliamentary inquiry into the sector.
ALC releases safety guide
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has released a new guide aimed at improving the safety of workers in the logistics industry by helping vehicle drivers understand the dos and don’t’s when using Load Restraint ‘Rated’ Curtains.
Australia a big infrastructure spender finds OECD
Australia is one of the world’s biggest investors in infrastructure, spending more than almost every developed nation, according to a new report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Boomtime in Tasmania's resources job market
The Tasmanian Government has released data which it says shows ‘dramatic jobs growth’ in the State’s mining industry, confirming the long-term prospects of the industry.
Bowen pipeline gets the nod
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has announced it has given environmental approval to the proposed billion dollar Bowen coal seam gas pipeline.
Government introduces asbestos agency legislation
The Federal Government has introduced legislation before Parliament that seeks to establish the new Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.