Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The Australian Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education is recruiting a Chief Executive to establish and lead a new Australian Government Centre for Excellence in Public Sector Design.
The Centre, one of the ideas included in the Australian Public Service (APS) Innovation Action Plan released in 2011, is to be established initially as an 18-month demonstration pilot. Its aim will be to demonstrate the value of design thinking across the Australian Public Service, and to complement the growing body of design expertise the already exists within a number of APS agencies.
The Centre will be hosted by the Australian National University and it is planned that it will commence work in the first half of 2012.
Long-term unemployment rises
The percentage of long-term unemployed (people unemployed for one year or more) was 19% in July 2011 compared to 18% in July 2010 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Of these, around 83,000 (or three quarters of long-term unemployed people) were looking for full-time work in July 2011.
For long-term unemployed people the most common difficulties in finding a job were 'own health or disability' (17%), 'lacked necessary skills or education' (13%), followed by 'too many applicants for available jobs' (11%).
The majority of unemployed people, (81%) were unemployed for less than one year (short-term unemployed), with over a quarter of these (26%) having been unemployed for less than four weeks.
Personal Property Securities Register to start
The Australian Government’s Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) will commence operation on 30 January 2012, providing people with a way of checking whether the goods they are buying have a security interest over them—such as cars, boats or machinery—almost anything except real estate. The PPSR will replace 40 registers and 70 laws around Australia.
Inflation figures remain unchanged
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for the December 2011 quarter, finding inflation remains unchanged.
WA leads export growth: DFAT report
Trade figures released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade show Western Australia's share of Australian exports continues to grow, while export volumes from South Australia also enjoyed strong growth last financial year.
Hays Quarterly Report: Public Service
Recruitment specialist Hays has released its January to March quarterly report into labour and skills demand, examining the ‘current hotspots of recruitment activity and trends’.
New appointments to the Energy Security Council
The Australian Treasurer, Wayne Swan, has announced the appointment of Mr Ross Bunyon, Ms Nancy Fox, Mr Stephen Parbery and Mr Michael Perry to the Energy Security Council.
The Energy Security Council was established as part of the Clean Energy Future package to advise on possible support measures to address energy security risks.
Mr Bunyon has experience in the electricity sector, including as chairman of Eraring Energy from 2000 to 2010 and as a director of Pacific Power from 1996 to 2000.
Ms Fox has 30 years of financial services and insurance experience within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. She brings debt and structured finance experience arising from transactions for financial institutions, infrastructure projects and utilities.
Mr Parbery is a founding partner and board director of PPB Advisory (which provides insolvency services, and restructuring and other advice) and is a chartered accountant and registered liquidator.
He has experience in investment banking in Australia and overseas and has been involved in a wide range of private infrastructure projects, including in energy.
On 12 October 2011 the Government announced that it had appointed Dr Michael Vertigan as chair of the Energy Security Council. Membership of the Council also includes the chairs of the Australian Energy Market Commission, the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Revamped PMSEIC announced
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced new terms of reference and new membership for the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) following a recent review of its operations and membership.
Government establishes Urban Policy Forum
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a new Urban Policy Forum aimed at providing stakeholder advice on the future development of cities.
Roxon rules out SOPA
The Attorney-General’s Department has announced it will not be looking to introduce anti-piracy legislation similar to the controversial United States’ Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
Urban Policy Forum appointed
The Federal Government has established a new Urban Policy Forum which will advise the Government on the implementation of its National Urban Policy.
APSC releases updated public comment guidelines
The Australian Public Service Commission has released a revision to its rules surrounding public servant’s commenting and participation on social media sites and other participatory online mediums.
$103 million upgrade for Ford
The Federal and Victorian governments have announced $103 million in co-funding to boost the fuel efficiency and emissions performance of the Ford Falcon and Ford Territory models being manufactured in Australia.
Productivity Commission releases carbon policy assistance schemes discussion paper
The Productivity Commission has released a consultation paper on the reviews of carbon policy assistance schemes for emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities, the coal mining sector and the steel industry that it has been commissioned to undertake.
Government pushes for increased teleworking
The Australian Government is staging a National Telework Week in November this year to encourage increased uptake of teleworking, making use of the capabilities of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Storm brews over COAG reforms
The Federal Government has warned that it will consider withholding GST final rewards payments to states if they continue to delay key elements of the proposed COAG reforms to create a seamless national economy.
Offshore regulators begin operations
Two new bodies responsible for consistency and efficiency in offshore petroleum regulation in Commonwealth waters have begun operations.
Productivity Commission calls for more effort in COAG reforms
The Productivity Commission has issued a discussion draft of its report on the impacts of Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reforms in the areas of business regulation and vocational education and training.
Federal Supplier Advocates appointed
Clean technologies developer, Dr Marc Newson, has been appointed as the Federal Government's Clean Technologies Supplier Advocate.
New Federal Government ministry sworn in
Australia’s Governor General has sworn in the new Federal Government’s ministry, following a substantial reshuffle of the Prime Minister’s cabinet.
Commonwealth IT services panels to be halved
Special Minister of State Gary Gray has announced plans to halve the number of IT services panels currently operating across the Australian Government.