Archived News for Industry Professionals - February, 2014
More than a thousand workers have been sacked after the collapse of engineering company Forge Group, some small towns are worried for their workforce, but reports say the company has been spending-up on executive perks.
Many forlorn as fibre forgone to keep the copper
There has been widespread alarm and outrage since NBN Co announced it would wind back fibre-optic installations at some sites where the copper network seems fine.
Pole fires leave large city sections in the dark
Tens of thousands of residents have spent two days in darkness after dozens of power pole fires in Melbourne.
UGL to lose limbs while US court hears 'cooked books' claims
UGL, a giant of the Australian trades and construction sector, is expected to announce the sale of its property arm this week.
Claims of fund skimming to skipper mysterious boat
Clive Palmer’s company has been accused of dipping into a joint fund for about $4.5 million without the permission of his partnering Chinese firm Citic Pacific.
Farmers to take bank fight before Federal Court
West Australian farmers are taking legal action against ANZ, accusing the bank of ‘predatory’ and ‘unethical’ practices.
New sites for new faces at TAFE on the Gold Coast
Millions have been spent across a number of sites to reform TAFE services on the Gold Coast.
Rio sees results from cuts, will continue while write downs still hurt
Rio Tinto’s cost-cutting measures will continue, but a surge in earnings has been proof they are effective.
Stats become platform for broad calls
The latest unemployment stats have already been used as evidence for a number of political stands, including calls for new budgetary considerations and industrial relations reform.
Councils team up to bag big garbage saving
A cluster of eight councils will be able to offer one big contract for waste collection, recycling and green waste services.
Hockey shows off size of his cuts to inspire smaller nations
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey has let a Wall Street Journal reporter in on the scale of cuts, sales and savings the Government intends to make, which may soon see the nation's power poles in foreign hands.
Road plan rolls unexplained under veil of commercial secrecy
The Victorian Treasurer will not release the business case for a planned multi-billion dollar tunnel project.
Some gaps move with few improvements in annual report
The Prime Minister has pledged to do better, and Indigenous ministers are crying out for more, with the release of this year's Closing the Gap report.
Probe launched for deep look into unions
The Prime Minister has launched a Royal Commission into union governance and corruption across a range of industries, with terms of reference set to string up dodgy workplace practice nationwide.
Australian stacker contract seals $77 mil payday for Sandvik
Global engineering firm Sandvik has secured a significant contract, receiving $77 million for a materials handling EPC deal at an Australian coal mine.
Authority says get building or risk missing out in Asia
A former senior member of the Treasury says Australia may miss the boat to the ‘Asian Century’ if it doesn’t start building on a big scale.
Better deals to build apprenticeship base
Changes to pay rates for apprentices have come into effect, which will mean increases for many young workers.
Boss looks to blue skies for jetpack launch
An NZ-based company is drumming up funds to make every ten-year-old’s dream come true; developing the world’s first practical, commercial jetpack.
Cootes trucks called for checks again
New South Wales Roads Minister Duncan Gay has ordered the Cootes Transport fleet off the road for safety inspections again, showing a lack of faith in interstate inspection regimes.
Regulator lands in most states, sticking points remain
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is now in place but inconsistencies between states remain, and the industry needs more time to prepare.
Toll scores $90 mil offshore shifting deal
The Toll Group has inked a hefty deal with Japanese energy company Inpex, which will bring in $90 million over 10 years.