Archived News for Professionals in State Government

CommSec has released this quarters State of the States report, providing an in depth analyses of the country’s states using eight key indicators: economic growth retail spending requipment investment unemployment construction work done population growth housing finance and dwelling commencements.

Western Australia was clearly found to be the country’s best performing economy, outperforming all states in economic growth, construction work, unemployment, retail trade and equipment investment.

While lagging behind in equipment investment, Victoria maintained strong housing indicators and good retail spending, with the ACT also recording similar growth.

WA releases Perth plan

The Western Australian Government has released a comprehensive plan to address traffic congestion in and around Perth’s CBD in the wake of the Perth Waterfront Development and Perth city Link.

Wongai project declared significant

The Queensland Government has announced a proposed $500 million coking coal mine has been declared a ‘Significant Project’ by the state’s Coordinator-General.

Children's cancer centre opens in SA

The federal and state health ministers have opened the new children’s cancer centre at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The new haematology and oncology centre is one element of a three-storey redevelopment on top of the existing Gilbert Building. This work has also created space for a new 20-bed medical ward, a lung disease centre and a gene therapy laboratory.

The extensive redevelopment has been funded in partnership between the Commonwealth and State Governments, with generous support from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Little Heroes Foundation.

The new haematology and oncology facilities are named after the respected paediatric oncologist, Dr Michael Rice, who has been associated with the hospital for more than 50 years.

Minister Plibersek said, “The Michael Rice Centre brings together a place where children and teenagers with blood disorders or cancer can be treated.”

Minister Hill said, “The facilities include a special lead-lined room for children undergoing radiotherapy with a video link to a parents’ room. This physically isolates them to reduce the risk of radiation exposure for other patients and staff while still keeping them in close contact with their families.

“There are also two ‘negative pressure’ areas which allow for infectious patients to be nursed in isolation.”

The new floors on the Gilbert building also house the Breathing Space service which will assess patients with respiratory and lung illnesses as well as the new Allan Scott laboratory where research will continue into an airway gene therapy to treat or even cure the lung diseases associated with cystic fybrosis.

Government announces Pacific Highway contracts

The Federal Government has announced the Parsons Brinkerhoff and ARUP joint venture as the winning bidder for the work to upgrade the duplication of the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Glenugie.

No water ordered from Victorian desalination plant

The Victorian Government has announced it will not place an order from the Wonthaggi desalination plant for the coming financial year.

NSW dual roles prohibited

The New South Wales Government has passed legislation through Parliament that will ban the holding of dual roles of State MPs and local mayors and local councillors.

Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project opens

“This project represents water security for fruit and vegetable producers in the Carnarvon area - without it, any expansion of the Gascoyne food bowl would not be possible,” State Minister for Agriculture and Food Terry Redman said.

Public consultation begins for Gladstone EIS

The Queensland Government has opened the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed multi-billion dollar Arrow liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Gladstone.

Queensland expedites major projects

Queensland has announced it will expedite the development of three major projects with significant economic benefits for the state.

SA demands changes to MDBA draft plan

The South Australian Government has issued 71 recommendations to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Draft Plan, saying more must be done to ensure the health of the river system is maintained.

South Australia Safe Work Awards 2012 entries open

Entries for the Safe Work Awards 2012 have now opened, which will acknowledge and reward the innovators and drivers of work place safety in South Australia.

Victoria hits out at OH&S harmonisation

Victoria has lashed out at the proposed Commonwealth OH&S harmonisation laws, saying that the legislation could cost the state more than $3.4 billion over the next five years.

Victoria outlines hospital funding boost

The Victorian Government has announced a $35 million funding boost for the state’s hospitals to allow the purchase of replacement medical equipment.

Victoria rejects MDBA plan

The Victorian Government has announced it has rejected the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan, saying the social and economic costs incurred from the plan would be too costly.

Work starts on Greenough PV project

The Greenough River Solar Farm is a 10-megawatt facility 50km south of Geraldton, with construction of the above ground electrical works starting four months ago to support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80 hectares.

Mining remains king of WA economy

Exports from Western Australia increased from a total value of $83 billion in 2009-10 to $112 billion in 2010-11, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

SA passes water industry legislation

The South Australian Government has passed the Water Industry Act that forms part of the largest overhaul of the State’s water sector in its history.

Storm brews over NER reform

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Michael O’Brien, has warned that his government may have no other choice but to reconsider its support of COAG’s National Energy Retail (NER) Law Bill if the Federal Government does not provide assurances that the Australian Energy Regulator will be sufficiently funded.

AI Group pushes for skills prioritisation

The Australian Industry Group (AI Group) has urged the Federal and State Governments to place a greater priority on skills and training at the upcoming Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, saying the adaption of a national approach to training is a necessity.