Archived News for Professionals in State Government - July, 2011
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has insisted his party is determined to comply with transparency laws regarding political donations, despite a Liberal party fundraising body missing a deadline to declare its donations by over nine months.
Business First, one of many such fundraising organisations in Victoria, only recently published its $24,665 in revenue despite being obliged to publish before the November 2010 state election.
Mr Baillieu defended the organisation, which was founded by former Liberal MP Geoff Leigh, saying that it didn’t encourage businesses to donate to individual candidates.
Queensland stands by growth projections
The Queensland State Treasurer Andrew Fraser has announced the State Government remains confident of a return to five per cent growth this financial year, despite the state failing to return to an AAA+ rating.
WA to continue to boom for decades
A report published by Deloitte Access Economics shows that the Western Australian economy is set to continue to prosper for decades on the back of jobs and export growth.
WA local government road funding tops $145 million
The State Government will contribute more than $145 million to local roads in Western Australia in 2011-12, an increase of more than $9 million on the past financial year.
SA releases findings on environmental flow requirements
The South Australian Government has released a series of internationally peer-reviewed scientific reports that determine the environmental flow requirements for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth areas.
Victoria opens sentencing to public input
The Victorian State Government has announced a survey in which it will seek public opinion on criminal sentencing in the state’s justice system.
Victoria injects $3 million into recycling
The Victorian State Government has announced a series of grants worth a total of $3 million in an attempt to reduce waste that would otherwise contribute to landfill.
Tasmanian Government releases emissions action plan
The Tasmanian Government has released Tasmania’s Action Plan to Reduce Emissions, which sets out the Government’s immediate priority plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions following the Tasmanian Wedges Report, with advice from the Tasmanian Climate Action Council.
Queensland Government to expedite sustainable infrastructure development assessments
The Queensland Government has released its Green Door policy which will see the state government agencies work with local government and referral agencies to accelerate the development assessment of projects that that demonstrate exemplary sustainability performance.
$20 million for Victorian regional students
The Federal Government has announced a $20 million spending package aimed at facilitating easier access to higher education for the state’s regional students.
Scrapped Tweed Shire dam back on the table
The New South Wales Government has announced it will review plans for the construction of the Byrrill Creek Dam that were scrapped by the previous state government, which favoured the expansion of the nearby Clarrie Hall Dam.
Perth classified as regional centre
The Federal Government has announced that Perth will be classified as a regional centre in a bid to streamline overseas recruitment.
New Perth public transport plan released
The Western Australian Government has called for a ‘significant change in the way public transport operates’ if it is to deal with the expected exponential growth in demand over the next 20.
Territorians urged to participate in census
Territorians will need to buck the “lazy” tag this Census if they are to secure much needed federal funding for areas such as education, health and roads, according to a population expert.
WA announces reform of Regional Development Commissions
Western Australia has announced it will reform its nine Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) in line with a review into their structure requested by the State Cabinet’s Economic Expenditure and Reform Committee.
Major restructure of NSW transport announced
The New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority and three other agencies will be abolished as part of the most significant restructure of transport in NSW history.
CommSec publishes State of the States
CommSec’s State of the States quarterly report shows that Western Australia has the strongest economy in the country, propelled by a strong mining and engineering sector that has driven commercial construction and a vibrant export industry based on the mining and minerals industry.
Review of NSW planning laws
NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard has announced an 18-month review of the state’s planning laws.
NSW moves on public sector ethics legislation
The NSW Government has begun consultations on the creation of a Public Sector Ethics Act as part of its commitment to restore integrity to the NSW Public Service.
Planned WA Local Government mergers stall
The Western Australian State Government’s plan to reduce the number of local government councils has taken another blow after the City of Nedlands and the City of Subiaco voted to remain independent.