Archived News for Professionals in State Government - July, 2013
The Federal Government is considering a rebate plan for public sector workers who buy locally-made cars, in what has been called an attempt to repair the political damage from proposed changes to the fringe benefits tax.
Funds bring industry to creativity
The Federal Government has launched a new program to help the thousands of Australians employed in artistic or creative services.
More victims on drought list
An incredible nineteen shires in regional Queensland have joined the drought declared list, bringing the total drought-affected area to just under half the state.
Outback arts bolstered
A new round of grants has been awarded in the Regional Arts Fund, providing money to innovative projects in regional governments of Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
Stats on Government pay gaps
Analysis of 103 different government-sector wage deals has revealed the massive disparity in pay between employees in the same classification band but different departments.
Bringing the beef to Jakarta
The Queensland Government will set up a new trade office to spruik the state’s high-quality beef in Jakarta.
Spent conviction leaves Stokes nearly scot-free
The West Australian Government has lost an appeal against a spent conviction given to public servant Gary Stokes, who was found guilty of leaking confidential information to a former Premier.
Tasmanian Tarkine iron mine revived
The highly-controversial Shree Minerals’ Tarkine mine project has gained approval by the Federal Environment Minister, despite outcry from the population over dangers to the Tasmanian devil.
Uni pokes holes in NSW water plan
A study undertaken by the University of New South Wales has modelled the impacts of an approved plan to pump water from the Macquarie River to the city of Orange, finding greatly increased risks to river health than were identified in the project’s environmental assessment.
Calls for consistency for safety's sake
A new report published by the Federal Government’s National Transport Commission (NTC) says a consistent set of road rules and vehicle standards across the country could improve road safety.
Work in WA takes toll, Unions call for safety
New statistics have shown one person dies at a Western Australian workplace every 21 days, prompting the state's unions to push for a greater focus on safety at work.
Cougar retracts its claws
Cougar Energy has ditched its multi-million dollar law suit against the Queensland State Government over the forced closure of an underground coal gas project.
QLD Ed. asked where the kid's money has gone
The Queensland Government claims early childhood education is a big priority - leading school authorities across the state to ask why $100 million less was spent on pre-schools and kindergartens than had been budgeted.
'Public' hospital, privately run
In a bold offer to the private sector the Queensland Government says it will entirely outsource the daily operation of a Sunshine Coast hospital.
Darwin leads nation's inflation
Official figures out this week have shown Australia's annual rate of inflation has slowed to 2.4 per cent, and Darwin’s inflation rate growth remains the highest among the nation's capital cities.
Forest fight at loggerheads
The new Federal Environment Minister has flown into (or at least over) hot water in Tasmania, joining the battle on multiple fronts between Government, conservationists and miners.
Nation-wide shale policy plugged
A report on the cost and impact of shale coal mining says Australia needs to adopt nation-wide legislation before the practice escalates.
Old favourite wins NSW Worst Road poll
New South Wales has voted for its worst road and unsurprisingly picked the Pacific Highway.
PM's spruiking spree on home stretch
Australia’s Catholic school have signed on to the Federal Government’s school funding reforms, but Victoria and WA are still holding out.
Seats filled as spill victims bow out
Preselection is complete for the Victorian seat that used to belong to Julia Gillard, with the former PM’s pick being officially endorsed by Labor.
Aid assured 'til the cows come home
The Federal Agriculture Minister has said he regrets the hasty ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia in 2011.