Archived News for Professionals in State Government

The Queensland Government has announced a $28 million waste infrastructure grants program aimed at assisting businesses, industry and local government bodies adopt innovate resource recovery and recycling options.

“Grants of up to $5 million will be available for successful applicants to improve sorting and recovery processes,” State Environment Vicky Darling said.

“This Waste Infrastructure Grant program will help business, industry and local government improve sorting and recovery processes, creating local jobs and cost-effective methods to divert millions of tonnes of waste away from landfill.”

Floods Commission seeks more statements

The Queensland Government has announced that the Floods Commission of Inquiry has issued a number of new requirements of statements from senior Government officials.

NSW Murray water sharing plan starts

The New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, has announced the commencement of the water sharing plan for the unregulated upper and middle NSW Murray sub-catchments and Upper Murray alluvium.

Burke hits out at Victorian grazing plan

The Federal Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Tony Burke, has hit out at a proposal by the Victorian Government to reintroduce cattle grazing to the state’s Alpine National Park.

Consult Australia champions urban design protocol

Consult Australia has adopted the principles of the Department of Infrastructure’s Creating Places for People: an Urban Design Protocol for Australian Cities.

Victorian Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner resigns

The Victorian Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner Tony Arnel has resigned after 12 years in the position.

Victoria announces primary industries boom

Recent results posted by the Victorian Government shows that the state’s food and fibre exports grew by 19 per cent, or $1.3 billion, to reach a record $8.07 billion total in 2010-11.

Report shows healthy investment in WA resources

The December edition of the WA Resources and Economics Report, released by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME), shows that the resources sector is continuing to display strong growth.

Brogden to chair Landcom

The CEO of the Financial Services Council and former leader of the NSW Liberal Party, John Brogden, has been appointed chairman of the NSW government’s property development corporation, Landcom. He replaces William Kirkby Jones who resigned from the position at the end of 2011 after 14 years in the role. Mr Brogden will continue in his role with the Financial Services Council but will step down as a director of the Sydney Ports Corporation.

ACT shifts funding to health infrastructure

The ACT Government has reallocated half a billion dollars earmarked for the purchase of the Civic Government office block for investment in public health infrastructure in Canberra, including building a new sub-acute hospital in northern Canberra.

Hays Quarterly Report: Public Service

Recruitment specialist Hays has released its January to March quarterly report into labour and skills demand, examining the ‘current hotspots of recruitment activity and trends’.

Queensland sets election dates

The Queensland State Government has set the State election as March 24, three years since Premier Anna Bligh was elected in 2009.

WA leads export growth

Newly-released trade figures show Western Australia's share of Australian exports continues to grow, while export volumes from South Australia also enjoyed strong growth last financial year.

$400 million wind farm for Victoria

Spanish company Acciona has announced it will construct a $400 million wind farm in Victoria’s Western District, six years after it received planning approval.

Weatherill rattles sabre over Basin Plan

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has refused to rule out a high court appeal to block the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which he describes as woefully inadequate, if substantial changes aren’t made.

Queensland to re-examine Wivenhoe operation

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced the state’s Flood Commission of Inquiry will be extended to conduct further investigations into last year’s extensive flooding. Ms Bligh’s announcement comes after Commissioner Cate Holmes advised the Premier she would be holding further hearings and would require an extension to the Inquiry’s reporting date.

Call for comment on the Queensland Education Trust

The Queensland Education Minister, Cameron Dick, has called for public comment on the State Government’s proposed multi-billion dollar Queensland Education Trust (QET) and how it should operate.

Mr Dick said six community forums would be held across the state from Wednesday, 1 February, to provide an opportunity for Queenslanders to talk about the mining royalties-funded QET.

“Ministers, including myself, will visit locations in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to talk to community members about the QET,” Mr Dick said.

“The State Government wants to ensure all Queenslanders have an opportunity to share their views on how we use the boom in our resources sector to transform the opportunities available to children.

“The QET would be established by taking a 50 per cent share of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) royalties.

“This money could then be invested for the future education and training of Queenslanders.

“Over the long term, the QET would control billions of dollars to support education and training initiatives, giving Queensland’s young people a flying start into education and the workforce.”

Mr Dick said two different operational models for the QET were proposed:

Individual Trust Accounts for Education – an individual endowment that would mean every child born on or after 1 July 2012 would have a nest egg valued between $7800 and $9500 when they turn 18; or
Dedicated Education Fund – an investment fund where the proceeds are reinvested by government in education and training initiatives beyond the basics throughout the schooling years and potentially beyond.

“We want people’s feedback about the QET and how it should operate. For example, if individual endowment accounts are established, what eligibility criteria should apply? This is just one example of the questions we are asking Queenslanders,” Mr Dick said.

Details for the six community forums are:

Wednesday, 1 February – Cairns – Cairns State High School
Tuesday, 7 February – Townsville – Townsville State High School
Wednesday, 8 February – Brisbane South – Mount Gravatt State High School
Wednesday, 8 February – Gold Coast – Varsity College
Thursday, 9 February – Brisbane North – Rainworth State School
Thursday, 9 February – Rockhampton – Rockhampton State High School.

More information is at at www.qld.gov.au/educationtrust.

Responses to the QET proposal paper can also be made online via the Get Involved website at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi/consultation/205/view.html; by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by writing to: Education Trust, PO Box 15185, Brisbane 4002.

Consultation on the QET closes on Friday, 17 February.