Industry News
The Federal Government has announced contracts for specialist engineers and environmental advisers to identify and investigate the design, safety and delivery of the proposed Maldon to Dombarton Rail Link.
$45 million for Victorian road repairs
The Victorian Government has announced a $45 million repair and restore package aimed at addressing the condition of the State’s roads.
Consumer sentiment growth lacklustre
Consumer sentiment has tracked up marginally in October, with experts calling the findings a disappointing result for the economy.
Australia becomes 12th largest economy
Australia has become the 12th largest economy, after IMF data revealed the country has overtaken Spain in economic output.
Wonthaggi PCA signed
The Victorian Government and the operators of the Wonthaggi desalination plant have announced the singing of Preliminary Commercial Acceptance (PCA), following the completion of the first seven day commissioning test for the plant’s 50 gigalitre stream and successful transfer of drinking water to the Cardinia Reservoir.
Quantum researchers take out Nobel Prize
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences have announced Serge Haroche and David Wineland have received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work in quantum physics.
Health, education and work all up but productivity lags
Australians have a higher income, an increased life expectancy and are better educated compared with a decade ago, but the number of threatened plants and animals has increased over the last ten years.
Connections hit 12 million mark
There were over 12 million internet subscribers (excluding mobile handset subscribers) as at 30 June 2012, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is an increase of 440,000 (4%) in six months and over 10% annual growth.
EPA gives Yallourn discharge the all clear
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has completed an independent risk assessment of the environmental harm caused to the Latrobe River and Gippsland Lakes from the flooded TRUenergy mine pit water discharges.
Pollard named Billabong's Chairman Elect
Surfware giant Billabong has announced the appointment of Dr Ian Pollard as the company’s new director and Chairman Elect of its Board.
WA to test carbon farming to combat salinity
The Western Australian Government has announced salt-affected agricultural land will be the target of a new $330,000 pilot project to test carbon farming as a solution to salinity.
Tasmania releases Years 11 and 12 discussion paper
The Tasmanian Government has released a discussion paper covering possible ways to improve the future provision of Years 11 and 12 education in regional Tasmania.
Southern hemisphere drying up warns CSIRO
New research findings published by the CSIRO warns that serious declines in the April-May period will occur following the expansion of the subtropical dry-zone.
Randstad publishes 8 point resourcing strategy
Global employment specialist Randstad has released a new eight point strategy aimed at assisting companies run an effective resourcing strategy for small and medium companies.
No shortage of confidence in employees
New research released by global employment specialist Randstad shows that almost half (46 per cent) of Australian workers believe they are overqualified for their job, while only 16 per cent admit to being underqualified for their current role.
AIHW publishes breast cancer findings
While survival rates are improving across the country, 37 Australian women are being diagonosed with breast cancer each day, more than double the rate in 1982, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Victoria holds final 2012 MMAP meeting
Victorian Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, has convened the 2012 Ministerial-Mayors Advisory Panel (MMAP) for the final time ahead of the forthcoming council elections later this month.
Government to introduce SACS pay increase Bill
The Federal Government has announced it will introduce legislation to ensure its $2.8 billion contribution to equal pay increases for social and community sector (SACS) workers is secured.
Under the terms of Fair Work Australia’s equal remuneration order, around 150,000 SACS workers will receive wage rises totalling between 23 and 45 per cent from December until June 2021.
The Federal Government recently formed a new Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account in a bid to ensure the pay increases are rolled out.
The latest information on the implementation process is available at: www.fahcsia.gov.au/node/10776
SA considers expanding household energy efficiency scheme
The South Australian Government has announced it is investigating the possibility of an expansion of its household energy efficiency scheme with the aim of driving down power bills in the state.
Mathematics to help manage pandemics
In conjunction with collegues in the UK, a University of Adelaide mathematician has developed a model that will help public health authorities better manage future outbreaks of influenza and other new disease outbreaks.
Stem cell research breakthrough earns Nobel Prize
This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine has been jointly awarded to two scientists who discovered that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature stem cells, capable of developing into all tissues of the host body.