Archived News for Professionals in State Government
The South Australian Government has signed an agreement with the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) to extend funding for its road safety research for another five years.
Minister for Road Safety Jennifer Rankine said the funding - more than $1 million each year until 2017 - demonstrates the State Government’s ongoing commitment to road safety in South Australia.
CASR’s research has been the catalyst for successful road safety initiatives, including the implementation in 2006 of the default 50 km/h urban speed limit, which is credited with preventing five fatalities each year.
Tasmania to introduce four term school year
The Tasmanian Industrial Commission has announced a final decision for the state to move to a four-term school year system.
Tasmanian energy sector reforms announced
The Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has released the Government’s blueprint for energy reform, announcing that power retailing will be privatised, but the wholesale electricity market will be kept in public hands, despite a recommendation by the Expert Panel that it be open to competition.
WA bushfire risk office up and running
Appreciating the Risk - The Report of the Special Inquiry Into the November 2011 Margaret River Bushfire is available here.
WA Government supports minimum wage increase
The Western Australian Government’s submission to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission’s State Wage Case has recommended the State minimum wage be increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
New appointments to Sustainability Victoria
The Victorian Government has appointed three members to the Sustainability Victoria (SV) Board. The new members are Mr Ron Lovett and Mr Tony Hinton. An existing member, Ms Suzanne Evans, has been reappointed to the board.
NSW inquiry into workers compensation
The NSW parliamentary inquiry into workers compensation, undertaken by a Joint Select Committee established on May 2, is underway.
Queensland panel to review Cross River Rail
The Queensland Government has formed an expert panel to review the Cross River Rail Project with an aim to ensure the next major investment in rail is “affordable and meets the future needs of South-East Queensland.”
NSW succesfully leases Sydney Desalination Plant
Treasurer Mike Baird today announced the NSW Government has successfully refinanced the Sydney Desalination Plant for $2.3 billion, a result which is well above the book value.
SA releases gas roadmap
The South Australian Government has released a draft roadmap aimed at maximizing the potential of the state’s unconventional gas resources in an environmentally sustainable way.
Tasmanian irrigation project ready to start
Construction of Tasmania’s largest ever irrigation project is ready to start in the state’s Midlands region after the Federal and State governments gave final approvals for the $104 million Midlands Water Scheme.
Climate Commission warns of NSW impacts
The Climate Commission has published a NSW specific section of its Critical Decade report, detailing the expected impacts of climate change on the state.
Engineers Australia calls for urgent action on unbalanced economy
Engineers Australia has called for urgent action to help counter the ‘unbalancing effect’ of the dramatic expansion of the resources sector within Western Australia.
Comment invited on Australia's Heritage Strategy
The Australian Government is seeking public input to help develop a new strategy for the identification, management and celebration of Australia’s heritage.
Queensland Government announces new wages deal
The Queensland Government has announced a new wages framework providing pay increases of up to 3 per cent to public servants in return for productivity savings.
Study to assess new entertainment venue for Brisbane
The Queensland Government has initiated a study into the need for a new entertianment venue for Brisbane.
WA to outsource super administration
Western Australian Treasurer Christian Porter has announced that Expressions of Interest will be sought for the provision of the Government Employees Superannuation Board’s (GESB) administrative services.
Mr Porter said the move followed the decision to allow State Government employees to choose their super fund from March 30, 2012, the central reform recommended in the Whithear Review.
“As a result of this choice reform - which has been overwhelmingly supported by public sector employees - GESB will not have the economies of scale to offer the most cost effective administration services in the long run,” he said.
“If GESB is prevented from exploring options to lower the cost of providing administrative services, the effect could be higher costs to those who do choose to remain with GESB.”
Mr Porter said procuring administrative services from a specialist external provider would be aimed at achieving lower costs to members. Outsourcing should also enable GESB to keep pace with the many superannuation reforms and other challenges in a rapidly changing industry.
Mr Porter said many super funds across the industry were currently procuring administration services from external providers to minimise operating costs and gain efficiencies through economies of scale.
“The Government is undertaking this reform so that GESB will be able to ensure their administrative costs are competitive,” he said.
Mr Porter said the provision of GESB’s superannuation administration services was expected to appeal to the market and should result in better outcomes for both existing members and future State employees, primarily from competitive fees and services to members, particularly over the longer term as the superannuation industry continued to consolidate these services.
“This opportunity to compete for the provision of these services offers the market an exciting opportunity to engage with the State and GESB in these reforms to maintain competitive services to members,” he said.
Invitations for Expression of Interest for provision of administrative services will be issued to the market in June and it is anticipated that transition to new superannuation administration service arrangements will begin in the second half of 2013.
Wongai project open for public consultation
The Queensland Government has opened the plan for the proposed $500 million coking coal project in the Cape York Peninsula for public comment.
Funding for High Speed Rail and national transport regulators
Budget allocations in the Transport and Infrastructure portfolio have included funding to continue evaluation of the High Speed Rail project and support for National Transport Regulator reforms.
Funding redirected from Darwin Port Expansion to NT roads
The Federal Budget has withdrawn the Australian Government’s 2009-10 Budget commitment to provide $50.0 million from the Building Australia Fund to the proposed Darwin Port Expansion project, redirecting the funds for road projects in the Northern Territory.
States express concern over Budget
The Western Australian Government has expressed its concerns over the expected cut to GST revenue, with Premier Colin Barnett saying up to $500 million is expected to be removed from the state’s coffers.