Archived News for Professionals in State Government - February, 2014
Environmentalists are celebrating a decision by building giant Lend Lease to pull out of the planned expansion of a Queensland coal port.
Back-flip ignites anger over coastal mine plan
The approval of a coal mine on the New South Wales central coast has become embroiled in controversy; accusations of corruption and broken promises.
No end in sight as coal mine burns deep
Both public concern and a possible class action are mounting, as a coal mine fire continues burying a Victorian town in smoke and fumes.
Some states keen for local say on schools, others hold back
The Northern Territory Government is considering a move to independent public schools at some sites, seeking the same benefits as Queensland and Western Australia have claimed.
Study slams public disempowerment
An economists’ report has said privatisation in the electricity sector is expensive and achieves little more than customer annoyance with none of the alleged benefits.
Unions turn from Labor to better guard their own
Several public sector unions have reduced their traditional payments to the Labor party, choosing instead to fund a campaign against job cuts.
Dredge conflict claims cleared, questions over Reef assessment
Two members of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority board have been cleared from conflict of interest accusations, after approval for dredge dumping was given by men with links to mining companies.
Funding taps opened to break the strain of drought
The Federal Government has announced the details of its long-awaited assistance package for drought-affected farmers in Queensland and NSW.
States step in for hasty NHVR pick-up
The widespread failure of many trucks to register under the new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has forced several states to step in and try to aid compliance.
Trucking heads push for state or federal ESC pledge
The heads of trucking industry bodies are pushing for the Federal Government to bring in compulsory electronic stability control (ESC) on all heavy vehicles.
Calls for remote access to take better mental care nationwide
A researcher from the University of South Australia says there are a few changes which would greatly improve mental health services in Australia, particularly to rural areas.
Read and write rates take bashing in Tas
Literacy and numeracy levels in Tasmania are around ten per cent lower than the rest of country and continuing to drop.
Health overhaul talk flags new payments, private involvement
The Health Minister may soon end months of speculation over the future of Medicare, but it looks like the changes will not be to everyone’s liking.
Locals win fight to keep federal IT in Tasmania
The Federal Government says it will not pull workers out of Tasmania, abandoning a plan to relocate staff away from the ailing economy.
Lost funds sought to get regions moving again
The WA Local Government Association says it will be looking for the reinstatement of grants for regional infrastructure projects.
Union-linked workers wait on coming changes
Media stirrings indicate industrial relations changes are imminent, and that new legislation will be announced soon.
Utter silence expected from public sector before election
Tasmanian Liberals want public sector workers to keep their opinions to themselves in the run-up to the state election.
Fires and quagmires from SA's fickle switch
A reversal of events means some South Australian farmers are now battling floodwaters just weeks after their properties were burned in bushfires.
Minister storms toward new northern farms
Queensland’s Minister for Natural Resources says he will not slow down in his push to release more water to the state’s north.
Solicitation claims drop names around Australian Water
Corruption investigations have led to the director of the NSW government-owned State Water Corporation stepping down.
Claims of industrial muscling in NSW health
A partly union-owned health provider has been accused of forcing other medical services out of town, but says the claims are over-blown.