Industry News

The Queensland Government has announced the proposal to build a shipping channel in Gladstone Harbour has been declared a significant project by the state’s Coordinator-General.

The Federal Government is urgently seeking to make an amendment to the Fair Work Act in a bid to protect the entitlements of thousands of redundant public servants.

The Federal Government has introduced a bill aimed at assisting in delivering economic, social and environmental outcomes for the Murray Darling Basin.

An average of 12 women per day are being diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, but survival rates are continuing to improve, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Agility is a crucial trait in successful businesses and governmental departments, according to a new study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Monash University.

Employer’s approach to social media access at work is increasingly impacting on whether or not a candidate will accept a job, according to recent findings by global recruitment specialist Hays.

The Queensland Government’s Supporting Women Scholarships are now open for women wanting to study in male dominated fields.

The New South Wales Mine Safety Advisory Council has outlined its strategic actions to 2017 Actions for a world-leading Work Health and Safety to 2017 plan, with State Minister for Resources and Energy calling for public comment.

The Federal Government has officially launched the new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities, which will work with over 70 research, industry and government partners to find new and better ways to use and reuse water resources.

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund (SCREF) has made its debut investment, funding a novel Australian solar technology that has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of solar panels.

Federal Minister for Resources and Energy announced that SCREF has made an initial investment of $1.5 million, as part of a total $2.5 million commitment to Queensland company Brisbane Materials.

The investment will be used by the company to commercialise its high-performance anti-reflective coatings, which will be applied to make solar panels more efficient and cost effective.

“Southern Cross Venture Partners has helped secure matched international investment in an Australian innovation that draws on world leading technology developed at the University of Queensland,” Minister Ferguson said.

“These funds will provide the Australian company with the best chance of capturing a significant share of the global market by delivering important improvements on solar technology.”

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund is a co-investment arrangement, with the Australian Government’s commitment of $100 million through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program matched dollar for dollar by SBCVC, which has experience in venture capital across the Asian region. Southern Cross Venture Partners is the Fund manager.

More information on the Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund program, including the Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund, can found at: www.arena.gov.au 

The Tasmanian Government has outlined amendments that seek to strengthen the Anti-Discrimination Act in a bid to further protect victims of bullying.

The Federal Government is inviting Australia’s ‘board ready’ women to apply for Commonwealth backed scholarships aimed at increasing the number of women in the nation’s boardrooms.

The Federal Government has released the final chapters of draft legislation that will shape the future biosecurity system for public comment until 24 October.

WorkCover NSW has announced it will conduct a free webinar to help businesses and workers prevent small falls in the workplace.

The South Australian Government has lent its support to the push to have early childhood development recognised as a key profession, saying it would better reflect the crucial work of teachers, childcare workers, doctors and nurses in children’s development.

Data released by the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States shows that Arctic sea ice has reached a record low.

The Queensland Government has held the first meeting of the North Queensland Resources supply Chain steering Committee,  the panel tasked with assisting the Government prioritise projects in north Queensland.

The Tasmanian Government has announced the first two schools to voluntarily amalgamate under the $3.5 million Transition Fund.

The Western Government has released the new Perth Stadium Project Definition Plan (PDP), marking the end of the 12-month planning process and the start of the procurement phase.

Queensland’s Co-ordinator General has delivered the finalised terms of reference for the environmental impact statement (EIS) for QR National’s $2 billion Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project.