Industry News
As reported earlier this week; a program in the Northern Territory has seen prisoners sign on as labourers in a salt mine – now union officials say the prisoners and local workers are being stitched-up by award rates.
Queensland banks on gas-friendly federal approval
Coal companies in Queensland are sticking to their single plan, looking to dredge more of the Gladstone Harbour and build the fourth gas export plant on Curtis Island.
Lobby pushes to kill M-rating time limit
Australian lobby group Free TV is pushing to remove time restrictions for mature content on the airwaves.
Outcry over green bank dissolution
There has been massive backlash to a decision announced recently by the new federal government, to dissolve the bank which has been set up to fund projects for Australia’s energy future.
Debate bubbles up over water plans
One regional council in New South Wales has deferred back to general scientific consensus, voting to undo a previous ban and start adding fluoride to its water.
Staff call for clarity, striking not impossible
Staff at the Newcastle City Council have initiated moves to take industrial action over the future of their jobs.
Council chief's spending spree lock-down
A former council CEO has been jailed after his free-wheeling use of the shire’s credit card.
Tree-trimming delay while bats bunk down
The Cairns Regional Council has expressed some annoyance at having to delay its plan to rid the town of flying foxes.
Plans for better Brisbane rail, worries over the bill
The Queensland Premier has revived a plan to spend billions for more rail access over the Brisbane River, but some residents wonder if it will be funded by money put aside for much-needed highway repairs.
Public servant faces spy charge with little to go on
A senior public servant accused of espionage activities has been denied access to evidence used to strip him of his security clearance.
Job service extends hand in drought
A group which provides employment assistance to people out of work in central Queensland says it may funnel the unemployed to drought-affected farms.
No points for flattery, envy drives buyers
A new study has found consumers do not like overly-flattering salespeople, even if they believe the compliments are sincere.
Unhappiness prompts move to uncertain pastures
An analysis of employment data has suggested being unhappy in one job leads many to throw themselves into the uncertainty of temporary work.
Award from work-site injury, assault
A worker in the ACT has been awarded over $900,000 after he was injured, returned to work and was then assaulted by his supervisor.
Meteor molecules add mass to space origins
Scientists have discovered a range of new organic molecules in a meteorite which have never been seen before.
Frosty drilling finds ancient extremophiles
Evidence has been found of diverse life forms which have been locked in lakes buried beneath Antarctica for over one hundred thousand years.
Camp concerns over dam dumping
Wide Bay residents are worried some tourists to the area may be overcome by more natural beauty than they intended, with concerns over plans to release dam water near a camp-site.
Tapping the desert with saline solution
A team from the Murdoch University are investigating ways to protect the vital water supplies for remote desert communities.
Gauging current state below the surface
Almost everybody is familiar with the slow roll of waves at the beach, the subject of millions of cliché postcards and holiday snaps, but now scientists have recorded the breaking of waves as tall as skyscrapers - deep beneath the ocean’s surface.
Scientific supergroup sets sights on tomorrow
The issue of how to provide a comfortable retirement for Australia’s aging population will be tackled by a $9 million collaborative effort between top scientific agencies.
Farmers look out for federal fulfilment
The Queensland Farmer’s Federation is one of the first of many groups which will be hoping the newly-elected government sticks to its pre-poll promises.