Industry News

Telstra has announced non-executive Director of Telstra, Timonthy Chen, has resigned his position and will return to pursuing a full time executive career in China.

A new multi-million dollar open cut phosphate mine looks likely to go ahead after the Queensland Government completed its assessment of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The latest Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.2% in August 2012, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.8% in July 2012.

The first water from an agricultural project that uses surplus water from nearby mining operations has commenced working.

New workers entering the resources industry are dangerously unaware of the majority of hazards that surround them, according to new research published by Edith Cowan University (ECU).

The South Australian Government has announced that TAFE SA will officially become a statutory corporation from November 1, as part of the government’s Skills for All package of reforms to vocational education and training.

A new ANZ survey has revealed that 79 per cent of Australians are comfortable with fingerprint technology one day replacing their banking pin, and more than a third would prefer to live in a cashless world.

ANZ Bank has announced a $1.5 billion major investment program for its Australian business, which will see significant upgrades to ANZ’s distribution networks; simplifying products and processes; providing customers with additional mobile and flexible banking options; further improving the capability of front-line staff.

Long serving CEO of Opera Australia, Adrian Collette, has announced he will be leaving the company at the end of the year to take up the role of Executive Director, Engagement and Partnerships with the University of Melbourne.

“'It has been a privilege to lead Australia’s major performing arts company for nearly sixteen years and my respect and affection for it, its people and all those who support it are as strong as ever,” Mr Collette said.

Opera Australia's Chairman, Ziggy Switkowski, said: “I congratulate and thank Adrian on his long and productive leadership of Opera Australia. We are sorry to see him go, but I have great confidence in the strong artistic and executive leadership he has put in place. Mr Collette will always be thought of as a member of the Opera Australia family and we look forward to some sort of continuing relationship. "

Opera Australia’s board said it will Mr Collette’s remaining time with the company ensure the company has the best possible succussion structure. 

Air New Zealand’s Deputy CEO Norm Thompson has announced he will be retiring from his position on 30 June next year, bringing an end to a 44 year long career in the airline and tourism industry.

The Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government (ACELG) and the Institute for Regional Development (IRD) at the University of Tasmania are partnering up to create a scoping study to explore the relationship between social enterprises and local governments.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has re-confirmed its commitment to achieving constitutional recognition of the country’s local government bodies after a meeting of the ALGA Board in Canberra last week.

The Times World University Rankings 2012-13 has been published, with the USA’s California Institute of Technology taking out the world’s number one spot, with a 95.5 ranking.

The services sector has continued its downward trend, ending another quarter with a low note, according to the findings in the latest Australian Industry Group/Commonwealth Bank Australian Performance of Services Index (Australian PSI).

The Federal and Northern Territory Government have announced the formation of new partnership aimed at revitalising the Territory’s skills sector with key reforms to be implemented over the next five years.

Infrastructure NSW has announced the release of the State Infrastructure Strategy, which recommends 70 major projects and reforms that should take priority over the next five, 10 and 20 years in an attempt to drive productivity and economic growth.

The City of Sydney has urged the New South Wales Government to reject Infrastructure NSW’s recommendation for the redevelopment of George Street, saying the proposal does not reflect what businesses, stakeholders, transport experts and the community wants.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the plan disregards the obvious need for a light rail transport system, particularly for George Street.

The Lord Mayor said running light rail along George Street would drastically reduce traffic congestion, making it easier for bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians to get around the city.

"Mass transit systems work very effectively around the world with light rail as part of thriving pedestrian and retail environments in Zurich, Bordeaux, Melbourne and many other big cities," the Lord Mayor said.

"Replacing plans for light rail on George Street with a poorly thought out network of underground buses squanders the trust Sydneysiders have put in the Government to fix transport and will hamstring Sydney's productivity for the foreseeable future.

"I would like to see a detailed cost study showing that underground bus tunnels provide a better return on investment than light rail, which our research shows will regenerate George Street.

"Will this be yet another missed opportunity to fix the traffic gridlock and consequent noise, pollution and delays that slow the city down every day, costing Sydney billions of dollars each year?”

The High Court of Australia has ruled that Fortescue Metals’ Chairman and former CEO, Andrew Forrest, was not liable in potentially misleading investors, overturning a previous Federal Court.

The Australian balance of trade has blown out above a $2 billion deficit, with the balance soaring 32 per cent in July.

The Federal Government’s $50 million project aimed at significantly improving practices for storing research data has revealed the location of its next two nodes – Perth and Townsville.