Archived News for Professionals in State Government
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has announced that 210 government services will be available at 18 new one-stop shops across the State.
Combined with a new 24-hour phone service and a new internet portal, the one-stop shops are touted as saving businesses $4.8 billion a year in lost productivity.
Mr O’Farrell also announced that Mike Pratt would be the State’s first Customer Service Commissioner. Mr Pratt, a career banker who has held senior roles at Westpac, NAB and the Bank of New Zealand, will oversee service reforms across the NSW public sector.
Mr Pratt said: “Increasingly, private sector organisations are moving to deliver their products and services across a range of distribution channels such as contact centres, internet, and branches to make it more efficient for consumers and to improve the customer experience.
“The citizens of NSW rightly expect their Government to do likewise, and it is pleasing to see the Government moving to deliver services in a much-improved and integrated manner.”
The ServiceNSW centres will be open from 7am until 7pm during the week and from 9am to 3pm on Saturday. The 18 centres will be operational in about a year, and will be the first of around 100.
NSW slashes environment jobs and programs
The NSW government has cut 350 jobs from its Office of Environment and Heritage, and will close many programs in national parks, animal management and climate change research.
NSW Trade and Investment signs up for SAP operational systems
NSW Trade and Investment has signed a $14.5 million, three-year agreement with German business software company SAP to use its ByDesign software, hosted on a German server, to run finance, human resources and payroll functions for 16 member agencies. The agreement will eventually see ByDesign taken up by up to 8500 users, and SAP says it is the largest roll-out of ByDesign world-wide.
Queensland medical malpractice report tabled
The report by Richard Chesterman QC into a whistle blower’s allegations of medical malpractice within the Queensland health system has been tabled in the Queensland Parliament.
Response to state governments insurance arrangements report released
The Australian Government has tabled its response to the Senate Economics References Committee report The asset insurance arrangements of Australian state governments.
Tasmania appoints CEO of Integrity Commission
The Tasmanian Attorney-General, Brian Wightman, has announced the appointment of Diane Merryfull as the CEO of the Integrity Commission.
Tasmanian salary census to inform government community sector pay increases
A new salary census for Tasmania's community sector workers will help gauge the implications of Fair Work Australia's landmark Equal Remuneration Order.
NT performs well in outlook reports
The June quarter Business outlook from Deloitte Access Economics released today tips the Territory economy to be the fastest growing in Australia over the next five years, with the strongest employment growth over the period.
State of the States report shows WA's lead narrows
CommSec's quarterly State of the States report, a detailed analysis of each state's economic performance based on eight key indicators, has found that Western Australia has given up some of its lead over other states, with population growth slowing, causing a knock-on effect in the housing sector.
Queensland in the sweet spot finds Deloitte
A report by Deloitte Access Economics shows that Queensland is uniquely positioned to capitalise on its resources, tourism potential and a range of other products.
Tasmania recommends smaller councils
The Tasmanian Local Government Board has recommended a reduction of councillors at six of the state’s councils.
SA announces immediate action on Monaghan Report
The South Australian Government has announced immediate action will start to implement reforms recommended in Dr Mark Monaghan’s report on Emergency Department care.
Victoria announces planning reform
The Victorian Government has announced sweeping reform to the state’s planning zones in a bid to return certainty to councils, residents and the development industry.
NSW releases planning paper
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure has outlined the future of the state’s planning framework. The Green Paper – A New Planning System for NSW details the State Government’s objectives for a more transparent, effective and efficient planning system for the state.
SA apologises for forced adoptions
The South Australian Government has formally apologised to those people who’s lives were affected by past forced adoption practices.
Tasmania releases key infrastructure study
The Tasmanian Government has released a comprehensive study of the infrastructure needs of the state’s West Coast, which the it says will be used to inform Government priorities for upgrades in the region.
EPA recommends James Price Point for approval
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has delivered its final assessment of the proposed James Price Point Liquefied Natural Gas precict, recommending the project for approval.
Melbourne to fund green retrofitting
Changes to legislation in Victoria is set to allow property trusts to gain access to financing for environmental upgrades, likely to result in significant increases to opportunities for green retrofitting in Melbourne’s city centre.
Queensland makes 'tough decision' to cut skilling programs
The Queensland Government has announced cuts to several employment and skilling initiatives it says the Federal Government already funds.
VMIA develops first public risk management diploma
The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority and the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) have co-developed the country’s first Diploma of Integrated Risk Management targeted specifically at the country’s public sector.
$300 million for Melbourne's Docklands
Victorian Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, and Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle have unveiled a plan for $300 million in community infrastructure projects in the Docklands.