Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has reported that it will require $38 million in funding this financial year while new research shows that less than 3000 gigalitres will be required for environmental flow.
Findings reported by The Australian show that new scientific modeling shows that 2,800GL will be required for environmental purposes, a significant decrease from previous initial estimates of between 3,000GL and 4,000GL
The MDBA caused a furore in the farming community when it announced it believed a minimum of 3,000GL was required for environmental flow.
Federal forestry industry database opens
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has opened the Forestry Industry Database (FID) with an aim to display the industry’s data and statistics to the public.
Public administration professionals to experience employment demand
The Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations has released the Australian Jobs 2011 report into the state of employment in Australia, finding that employment with the public administration and safety sector is set to grow by 5.9%, or 40,900 jobs.
Employment opportunities for skilled workers to boom
Employment opportunities for skilled workers, particularly electricians and nurses, will rise substantially over the next five years, according to the Australian Jobs Report 2011.
Productivity Commission releases land planning and development assessment report
A report released by the Productivity Commission has identified wide-ranging differences in the ways all levels of government plan and zone land uses and assess development proposals.
Indigenous Employment Program to provide 220 jobs
The Indigenous Employment Program (IEO) has announced 220 job training and placements in aged and child care for Indigenous Australians.
Inquiry into impact of coal seam gas mining on the Murray Darling Basin
The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee has called for submissions to its inquiry into the impact of mining of coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin.
Major Infrastructure Australia reform
Major reform has been slated for the Federal Government’s infrastructure statutory advisory body, Infrastructure Australia (IA), after an additional $36 million injection was announced in the Federal Budget.
$3.4 billion for rail programs
The Federal Government has announced a $3.4 billion injection for the country’s rail system.
Late councils to lose infrastructure funding
The Federal Government has a threatened to ‘blackball’ councils that finish Commonwealth-funded infrastructure projects behind schedule or over budget.
Review of Geoscience Australia released
A review of Geoscience Australia by the Department of Finance and Deregulation has found that much of the agency’s work “amounts to a national prospectus for some of Australia's most lucrative natural resources.”
Science budget boosted
The Federal budget has provided a record $9.3 billion for science and research across all portfolios, up from $8.9 billion last year.
CSIRO funding steady
CSIRO has been allocated $3 billion in a new new Quadrennial Funding Agreement that will operate over the four years from 2011.
New online system for Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support
New online system for Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support
Mixed results for environment programs in Budget
The Federal Budget has axed a number of failing green initiatives in the country’s 2011-12 Budget.
$181.4 million for National Urban Policy
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a new National Urban Policy, providing $181.4 million designed to ‘progress a range of practical measures which will promote more productive, sustainable and liveable cities.’
Public service jobs steady after Budget
Although the Federal Budget has seen an overall increase in jobs in the Australian Public Service, a temporary rise in the public sector efficiency dividend from 1.25 per cent to 1.5 per cent from July for the next two years is expected to result in some job losses across the Service.
CSIRO staff to vote on Enterprise Agreement
CSIRO and the CSIRO Staff Association are nearing agreement on the new Enterprise Agreement, following months of negotiations and stop work meetings.
Senate Committee calls for end to federal control of territory laws
The Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has recommended that legislation introduced by the Australian Greens to end federal control over territory laws be passed by the Senate.
$30 million to build Indigenous shire employment
The Federal and Northern Territory Governments have announced a $30 million package to provide sustained employment for up to 530 Indigenous Australians.