Archived News for Industry Professionals - December, 2013
Anti-trust regulators have fined six big banks A$2.5 billion for their role in rigging international interest rates, with an ongoing investigation to shine a sliver of light on the unknown mechanisms underlying global economies.
Consideration is the best way to easy retrenchment
An award has been given for a research project looking at how new jobs, the journey to work and the meaning of home play a role for men adjusting to being fired.
Program to keep lights bright at crucial time
One of the oldest challenges in the teaching profession is keeping students interested in maths and science - this is as true in Australian schools as it is in German ones, according to researchers in a new study aimed at boosting kids’ interest in the art of arithmetic.
Selling money to make money to give money away
Anyone wishing to re-enact the favourite past time of Scrooge McDuck may soon get their chance, with a Swiss bank auctioning-off a pile of 8 million coins.
Mayor's green interests queried as development bowls ahead
The Mayor of the Gold Coast has rejected allegations he has a conflict of interest in a proposed high-rise development.
Minister puts First Peoples' Congress up for review
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has put the future of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples up for review.
Public sector sold short for contract conditions
Criticisms are being laid at the Victorian Coalition government’s efforts to cut costs, which have seen 4500 full-time public servants sacked while $145 million was spent on contractors to fill the gaps.
Rio ditching Indigenous agreement to dig out of losses
One mining firm has defended its move to close an aluminium refinery in the Northern Territory, but the AWU says it may legally have to keep the doors open.
Teachers vote for pay deal linked to performance
New South Wales teachers have voted strongly in favour of a new performance-based pay deal which will see the most prime pedagogues paid six-figure salaries.
Big wig summit to fight sexual, gender exclusion
A conference featuring a number of prominent Australian CEOs is on now, discussing better ways to include LGBTI staff in all working environments.
Doors to deal with flowback closing in NSW
A major coal seam gas company is shopping around for someone to deal with its chemical-laden ‘flowback water’, but the response from nearby treatment plants has not been favourable.
Funding to flood desert mines with irrigation ideas
The Western Australian Government has announced a multi-million dollar plan to investigate novel ways of watering the desert, hoping to propagate a new future for the Pilbara region.
Ground lost in push for workplace engagement
Figures show that there a fewer work opportunities for people with disabilities than there were twenty years ago.
Study finds Neanderthals lived clean, neat and tidy
Most modern humans arrange their homes just the way they like them, and new research suggests Neanderthals did the same thing.
Tests to enflame thermo-power revolution
Engineers have been working for decades on the best way to harness the power of thermionic conversion, hoping to develop an efficient way to draw electricity from any source of heat.
Victoria will turn the tap in its own time
The Victorian Government has reserved the right not to flood private properties with dam-water, even if the Federal Government tells it to.
Algae plant churns output back to input
An environmental engineer has developed and enacted plans for a single site which could process human waste and harvest oil and gas without harmful emissions.
Calls for clear basis on $8 billion build
The New South Wales Information and Privacy Commission says Transport for NSW has been too secretive about the massive $8.3 billion north-west rail link.
First Chief for new ACT industrial court
The ACT has established a court specifically to hear workplace health and safety matter, this week appointing Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker as its first industrial magistrate.
Flinders first-years use hemp to spell help, awarded as a result
The excellent efforts of a team of first-year engineers have been rewarded, celebrating the creative solutions to real-world problems that young minds can produce.
Home metal manufacture plan brings sci-fi to DIY
A new design could soon see the advent of home-use 3D printers that can make objects out of metal.