Archived News for Professionals in State Government - February, 2014
Western Australia has eleven thousand new state school students this year, but they will be taught by the same amount of teachers as before.
Cost cuts hit Indigenous education officers
Money-saving measures have hit hard in Western Australian Indigenous education, with more than 100 full-time Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEO) asking what the state government intends to do without them.
$70 mil for self-owned schools seen as unhelpful distraction
Seventy million dollars will be spent in an effort to convert 25 per cent of public schools to the Independent Public School model, with Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne now announcing a special ambassador to help make it happen.
Funds to form new business bonds
Regional Development Australia (RDA) says it will help break the ice between businesses, to build productivity through communication and collaboration.
Gender reporting costs money, but more is lost without it
The federal government is considering removing the requirement for larger companies to lodge an annual report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Grants to welcome new citizens into all sectors
Just over half a million dollars will go out to local councils and multicultural groups in Queensland, to promote opportunities across cultures, focussing on newly-arrived immigrants and humanitarian entrants.
Hammer to fall on five failed schools
One state’s Education Department is recouping its losses from failed schools, selling the buildings and the land on which they sat.
Moves to run rat race out to regions
A Rural and Regional Committee has called for forced public service teleworking quotas, to push government jobs into regional areas.
Outrage out west that QLD cops could fly to mine towns
One mayor says a plan to have a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) police force is a “kick in the guts” to rural employment.
State parties put up plans to move SA
The Liberal and Labor parties in South Australia have a heavy transport focus in their bids for the upcoming state election, but each has taken a slightly different route.
Deals mean drops for some, lower price rise for most in NSW
New South Wales residents may expect to see a drop in their energy bills, with three major companies locking-in reductions over the next five years.
RET warnings say solar slump could become drastic drop
Research suggests jobs in the solar PV industry could be cut in half if the Federal Government reduces its Renewable Energy Target.
Study sees sound result from decade chasing deficiency
More than a decade since reports found Indigenous Australians had the highest rates of painful ear infection in the world; cases of otitis media are dropping across the population.
Tassie MP wants more surgery for less
Closing doors to cut waiting times has been proposed by one federal MP, who thinks his state simply has too many public hospitals.
Unions question power sale, citing slim support
Unions NSW has questioned the New South Wales Government over its decision to sell the state’s power plants, saying most residents want them to remain as public assets.
Waves from WA could be key to future power
An Australian company says it has achieved is the world’s most economical wave energy generator yet.
WorkCover changes to cut fakes, provide more healthcare
Injured workers will be re-defined, and able to sue their bosses, under an overhaul of South Australia's WorkCover regime.