The South Australian Legislative Council Bob Sneath has said that there might be enough support in the Labour Party to push through a leadership spill that would see Premier Mike Rann removed from power.

Mr Sneath has described the waiting process as ‘unhelpful’, saying that he would be willing to be one of six people required to sign a document to force a special Caucus meeting for a leadership spill.

Despite the gathering support for a spill, Mr Rann has pledged to stay in power until BHP’s Olympic Dam expansion project is finalised, which is likely to take months and could possibly keep Mr Rann in office until early 2012.

High-speed rail study released

The Federal Government has released its feasibility study into the development of a high-speed rail network to connect eastern seaboard cities, finding that such a network could transport passengers from Sydney to Brisbane in under 3 hours for an estimated $75.

Queensland announces $45 million package for Council infrastructure

The Queensland Government has announced a new $45 million pool of funding to provide essential infrastructure works.

WA digs heals in over tax reform

The Western Australian Government has reiterated its opposition to the planned Minerals Resource Rent Tax and Carbon Tax with the State Treasurer Christian Porter expressing his disappointment over the Federal Government’s refusal to discuss the taxes in the October Tax forum.

NSW Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Program - Applications Open

The NSW Environmental Trust invites applications to its

Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Program

Grants of $5,000 to $100,000 available to:

Community organisations and non-profit associations (total program $2 million)

State and local government organisations (total program $2 million)

Applications close on 2 September, 2011

Application Forms

Guidelines, application forms and more information is available on the Trust website:

www.environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au or by phoning the Trust on (02) 8837 6093.

Victoria announces sustainability funding recipients

The Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has announced the recipients of the government's $5.67 million Local Sustainability Accord grants program.

Baillieu defends delay in disclosure on donations

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.

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.