Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher has announced his resignation after formally meeting with the Governor-General. Mr Asher’s resignation will take effect on the 28th of October.
‘It is with sadness that I made the decision to tender my resignation,’ Mr Asher said, ‘but I have done so because I recognise that the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s enduring strength lies in community confidence in its integrity,” Mr Asher said.
‘I have always acted in the interest of those I have served and to bring about meaningful, broad ranging and long-term reforms to public administration. However, I accept that my actions prior to the May 2011 Budget Estimates hearing caused many in the community and the Parliament to call into question the impartiality of my office.”
State of Australian cities report released
The Federal Government has released its State of Australian Cities 2011 report, finding that residents of Australia’s major cities are using less electricity, leaving their car in garage more often in favour of catching public transport, producing less household waste and raising children who are staying at home until an older age.
Government announces Manufacturing Taskforce membership
The Federal Government has announced the full membership of the new Manufacturing Taskforce, announced at last month’s Future Jobs Forum.
Federal Government seeks community interest for sustainable resource funding
The Federal Government is calling for expressions of interest from natural resource management practitioners, scientists, researchers and members of the community to provide input into a number of grant funding processes.
Federal Government outlines Queensland reconstruction funding
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have announced over $1.1 billion in joint funding to assist in the Queensland reconstruction efforts.
Deloitte releases Australian Economic Outlook
Deloitte has published its Asia Pacific Economic Outlook report, which found that Australia’s economic recovery is slower than anticipated.
Crisis Coordination Centre opens
The Federal Government has opened the new Crisis Coordination Centre (CCC) in Canberra, which will serve to improve the government’s capability to respond to large-scale natural disasters or acts of terrorism.
Commonwealth and Victorian governments sign $1.2 billion water deal
The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have announced a new agreement that will deliver the country’s largest irrigation infrastructure renewal project.
Government introduces renewable energy agency legislation
The Federal Government has introduced legislation that will create the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) before the Commonwealth Parliament.
Federal Government opens Illawarra job creation fund
The Federal Government has announced the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund has opened, with funds being made available to local businesses.
Unemployment drops 5.2 per cent
The seasonally adjusted Australian unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced today.
The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 20,400 to 11,451,200 in September. The increase in employment was driven by an increase in full-time employment, up 10,800 people to 8,044,200, and an increase in part-time employment, up 9,600 people to 3,407,100.
The number of people unemployed decreased by 3,800 people to 634,200 in September, the ABS reported.
The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed a decrease in September, down 9.4 million hours to 1,615.1 million hours.
The ABS reported a labour force participation rate in September of 65.6 per cent.
More details are in the September 2011 issue of Labour Force, Australia
Australia in the Asian Century White Paper advisory panel formed
The Federal Government has announced the membership of the advisory panel for the White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century
Hays publishes quarterly report into public sector skill demand
Recruitment specialists Hays has published the October Quarterly Report, finding a number of hotspots in public sector labour demand.
Report finds whistleblowing key to public sector integrity
The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Allan Asher, has released a new report on whistleblowing, ‘Whistling while they work: A good-practice guide for managing internal reporting of wrongdoing in public sector organisations’ which argues that the public sector would benefit greatly from the establishment of best practice guidelines for whistleblowing.
Federal Government passes higher education support bill
The Federal Government has passed its Higher Education Support Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill.
Carbon tax passes House of Reps
The Federal Government’s suite of carbon trading legislation has passed in the House of Representatives following weeks of intensive parliamentary debate.
Government releases solar power discussion paper
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism has published a discussion paper on large-scale deployment of solar power in Australia following a roundtable held earlier in the year.
IMF praises Australia's 'enviable' position
The International Monetary Fund has praised Australia’s economic position, saying that the country is well positioned to continue to reap the benefits from the ongoing commodity boom, a sound financial policy framework and a stable financial services sector.
Olympic Dam expansion receives federal approval
The Federal Government has announced the proposed expansion of BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia has received environmental approval.
Federal Government opens regional education and training fund
The Federal Government has opened the $500 million Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund, which will provide support to regional higher education institutions and vocational education and training providers.
Government moves to protect industry with increased grants
The Federal Government has announced major federal grants of $20 million or more will be made available in the interest of ‘maximising opportunitites for Australian businesses’.