Archived News for Professionals in State Government - February, 2016
Tasmania’s energy crisis drags on this week, with very little sign of reprieve on the way.
Energy regulator told to redo NSW sums
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has been forced to redo a ruling for NSW power companies.
Pill testing to prevent festival deaths
Doctors and addiction experts will conduct pill testing at NSW festivals, with or without the support of the Government.
Reports start after staff caught snooping
South Australian Health Minister Jack Snelling has unveiled a range of changes in response to health staff caught snooping on patient records.
Tech-heads inspect WA hospital woes
Tech experts have reviewed the botched handling of WA’s hospital digitisation program.
Lack of monitoring blurs train cop review
A review has found Melbourne’s protective services officers (PSO) have made train passengers feel safer, but it is hard to tell if they actually are safer.
BP's Bight plans in Senate scan
A Senate committee is examining BP’s plans to search for oil in the Great Australian Bight.
Cuts create concern of return to '98
WaterNSW has confirmed job cuts are on the way, raising concern that services may suffer.
MDBA boss back from month of listening
The new chief of the Murray Darling Basin Authority has reported on his first few weeks in the job.
Expert chips at IA's big plan
Infrastructure Australia (IA) has put out a 15-year plan for 93 major projects that it says will only be possible after big changes.
Train ticket survey slammed
The NSW Government has been slammed for spending over $300,000 on public transport research.
AEMO warns of costs for renewable links
State governments may have to spend billions duplicating their electricity networks to cope with the unreliable renewable energy sources, the national energy forecaster claims.
New pipe to pump modern volumes in Victoria
Work has started on a $400 million Esso Australia pipeline project in Victoria.
Public/private split shows need to commit
School funding increases before the Gonski reforms were skewed away from disadvantaged schools, the AEU says.
Empowered people get charging tools
A new company hopes to help bypass big electricity providers and let people trade their own power amongst themselves.
PSC reports on perk abuse in WA
A Public Sector Commission (PSC) report says WA Government employees and department directors have taken thousands of tickets to sponsored events for private use.
Teacher pay deal puts up $100k option
South Australia's public school teachers have been offered pay rises of 2.5 per cent a year for three years.
Enviro checks head for cane fields
Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection officers are visiting sugar cane properties this to help improve the quality of water flowing out to the Great Barrier Reef.
Guilty plea in Vic. Liberal rort
Former state director of the Victorian Liberal Party, Damien Mantach, has pleaded guilty to siphoning close to $1.5 million from party coffers.
$30 mil hospital clean up bill paid
A big funding boost has put Melbourne’s Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital redevelopment back on track.
Poor credit prompts powerful talks
Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has ruled out a “fire sale of revenue-generating assets”, while West Australia’s electricity network might be privatised.