Archived News for Professionals in State Government
The joint Western Australian and Federal Government Drought Pilot panel has published its drought policy platform into adapting and dealing with future droughts in the country.
The joint initiative has been testing programs and assistance measures designed to help farmers better manage and prepare for future challenges such as drought.
An independent Drought Pilot Review Panel was appointed in February 2011 to assess the efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness and preliminary outcomes of the pilot measures.
Victoria releases health plan
The Victorian State Government has released the state's first ever Public Health and Wellbeing Plan which aims to address the state's increasing rates of chronic and preventable diseases.
Federal Government establishes Skills Standards Council
The Federal Government has announced the formation of the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC), which will act as a standards setting body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector with an aim to improve quality and consistency of VET regulation throughout the country.
Ambulance Victoria board replaced
The Victorian Health Minister, has sacked four members of the nine-member board of Ambulance Victoria, and announced the appointment of a new board which includes just two members of the outgoing board. Outgoing board members include former Labor MP John McQuilten, Bruce Levy, a senior executive at Medibank Private, Melbourne lawyer Jan Moffatt and Suzanne Ewart, an independent consultant who has worked with water companies and the RSPCA.
Queensland announces road reconstruction funding
Federal and State Governments have announced $195 million in joint funding for reconstruction of key road infrastructure in Queensland's north west.
West Kimberly heritage listed
19 million square miles of the Northern Territory's West Kimberly region will be under Federal protection after Environment Minister Tony Burke announced that the area is to be formally listed under the national heritage listing laws.
WA announces new Royalties for Regions funding round
The Western Australian Government has announced the next round of funding for local communities under the state's Royalties for Regions Grants Scheme (RGS).
Victoria passes new wind farm legislation
The Victorian State Government has passed legislation which prohibits the construction of new wind turbines within certain proximity to dwellings and regional centres.
Port of Hastings board positions open
The Victorian State Government has publically called for highly skilled and experienced individuals to apply for the board of the new Port of Hastings Development Authority (PoHDA).
Queensland Major Projects Office opens
Queensland's new Major Project Office (MPO) has been opened by the State Government in a move to streamline approval processes for developers of major projects.
Ambulance Victoria board sacked
Victorian State Health Minister David Davis has announced that the board of Ambulance Victoria has been stepped down after the minister moved to reshuffle the service.
WA's Royalties for Regions scheme to be assessed
The Western Australian Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced his intentions to push for an assessment of the Royalties for Regions - the Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) - scheme to ensure community projects are being properly funded and delivered effectively.
Greens call for Olympic Dam processing jobs to stay in Australia
In the wake of BHP Billiton’s record profit announcement, South Australian Greens MP Mark Parnell is calling on the South Australian government to insist that BHP process Olympic Dam ore in South Australia, not export it to China to save costs.
COAG announces logistics reform
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has announced a suite of safety and productivity reforms for the logistics sector that will aim at reducing the industry’s expenses by up to $30 billion. The reform packages cover rail, road freight and commercial shipping and are as follows:
Royalties for regions to be assessed
The Western Australian Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced his intentions to push for an assessment of the Royalties for Regions - the Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) - scheme to ensure community projects are being properly funded and delivered effectively.
Juniper Networks opens Victorian headquarters
Global high performance networking solutions Juniper Networks has opened its headquarters in Melbourne, bringing with it 50 new jobs to the state’s IT sector.
Victoria to construct first water neutral suburb
A suburb of Melton, in Victoria’s south, is set to become the first water neutral built up area in the country after construction is completed.
Queensland releases carbon price impact findings
The Queensland State Treasury has released its Carbon Price Impacts for Queensland statement, in which Treasury outlines the projected affects the tax will have on the state’s economy.
Queensland announces flood response plan
The Queensland State Government will spend a total of $76 million over five years to improve disaster response and flood infrastructure management.
250,000 jobless Victorians want work
In December 2010, 41% (250,400) of Victorians not in the labour force (and not on long-term unpaid leave), indicated they would like to return to or start work, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Bligh calls for urgent education intervention
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has called for an emergency intervention by the Commonwealth to help the ‘ailing international education sector’ when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meets.