Drug-test official jailed for switching urine samples

A WA laboratory assistant helped mine workers pass mandatory workplace drug tests by switching their urine samples for clean ones, The Australian reports.

Michelle Leanne Marsden, 41, also accepted a bribe from an undercover investigator in a workplace integrity test performed by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

Marsden was sentenced to a year's jail by the WA District Court yesterday for corrupt conduct while working at PathWest's Tom Price collection centre – the laboratory where miners' urine is routinely tested to ensure they are not working while affected by drugs.

Aussie R&D keeps eye on tired Caterpillar drivers

Mining equipment giant Caterpillar has turned to computer vision technology developed by Canberra's Seeing Machines to help stop weary haul truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel with an in-cab computer that watches their facial and eye movements, according to The Australian.

London-listed Seeing Machines fought off global competition from dozens of competing technologies to snare a global supply and support agreement with Caterpillar's dealer network.

Green funding rush fires loans row as $800M push defies Tony Abbott

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is planning to write up to $800 million in green loans before the election, defying the Coalition's call for the agency not to sign contracts before September 14 because Tony Abbott has vowed to scrap it, according to The Australian.

The CEFC has revealed it is in “active discussions” with those representating over 50 projects and seeking $2 billion.

An additional 119 project proponents have presented proposals chasing finance of $3.3 billion.

The figures are contained in an email from the CEFC to the Opposition pleading its case not to scrap the loans if it wins government.