Archived News for Professionals in State Government - September, 2011
The Northern Territory has named the ShoreASCO Consortium as the preferred bidder to construct, own and operate Darwin’s Marine Supply Base. The base will service the logistical needs of the oil and gas sector.
Exclusive commercial negotiations will now be undertaken with the ShoreASCO Consortium with a view to finalising contracts by the end of 2011
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said the consortium – which includes ASCO Holdings, Macmahon Contractors and Capella Capital – combines local, national and international expertise.
NT Government rejects Daly River dam proposal
The Northern Territory Government has rejected calls by the Federal Opposition to dam the Daly Rive, with Territory Environment Minister Karl Hampton urging the Country Liberal Party to “respect the science and reject plans by the Federal Coalition to dam the Daly River”.
WA to review first-in first-served water policy
The Western Australian Government has announced it will examine the viability of its current water allocation policy in the face of growing demand from both industry and consumer groups.
WA signs new China deal
The Western Australian State Government has become the first non-national governmental body in Australia to sign a Memorandum of Understand with China after Premier Colin Barnett signed a co-operative trade and investment agreement.
Tasmania to review councillor numbers
The Tasmanian State Government has announced a review into the number of councillors in two southern councils.
National Water Commission releases water reform assessment
The National Water Commission has released its assessment of water reform progress in Australia, calling on governments to stay the distance on their reform commitments.
NT launches government support awareness campaign
The Northern Territory Government has launched the Supporting Territorians campaign aimed at increasing awareness of government support programs available to the populations.
SA Industrial Relations Commission votes for pay increase
The Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia has voted to increase the minimum wage in the state.
NSW offers to trade royalties scheme for compensation
The New South Wales State Government has pledged to drop its planned $944 million royalties hike if the Federal Government compensated the state for losses incurred with the planned Carbon Tax.
SA releases updated Strategic Plan
The South Australian Government has published a major update to the state’s Strategic Plan.
WA Government releases desalination findings
The Western Australian Government has released a study which assesses the opportunities for desalinating saline or brackish groundwater reserves in the state’s Wheatbelt region.
Record rates of skill training in WA
An interim report card issued by the Western Australian Government’s Training WA body shows that a record number of people are undertaking skills training in Western Australia.
Queensland gas market to continue boom
The Queensland State Government has expressed its confidence in the health and longevity of its gas mining sector, with a number of new major investments set to deliver ‘decades of jobs for Queenslanders’.
Ombudsman slams government service failure
Poor governmental communication is at fault for the breakdown of good policy, according to Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher.
States show patchy performance on elective surgery waiting lists
In its third and final report on elective surgery waiting list, the Council of Australian Governments’ National Partnership on elective surgery waiting lists (COAG) found that state and territory governments had achieved mixed results in reforming the area.
South Australia developing STEM strategy
The South Australian Government is developing a cross-government strategy to increase the supply of people taking up careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields to meet the future needs of local industry.
$1.3 billion injected into SA renewable energy
Sulzon Energy Australia has revealed plans to spend upwards of $1.3 billion to build one of the world's largest wind energy projects on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.
Queensland leads economic growth
National Accounts data released by the Australian bureau of Statistics (ABS) has shown Queensland’s economy is quickly returning to pre-disaster levels.
Round one of Regional Development Australia Fund announced
The Federal Government has announced the first $150 million round of the $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund.
WA announces planning legislation changes
The Western Australian State Government has announced planning legislation changes that will oblige all WA local governments to develop a Strategic Community Plan and corporate Business Plan.