Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The Federal Government should justify why mandatory collection and retention of personal data is necessary for law enforcement, a senate report into online privacy has found.
The report by the Environment and Communications References Committee concluded that an analysis of the costs, benefits and risks should be conducted before the government pursues its proposed data retention scheme.
The inquiry took an axe to the proposal by the Attorney-General’s Department to force ISPs to retain data about all telephone calls and emails made by Australians, highlighting a lack of consultation with the wider community which had given the so-called ‘OzLog’ proposal a bad reputation.
New CSIRO Climate and Health Cluster launched
CSIRO has launched a new Climate and Health Cluster, with funding of $3.15 million over three years from CSIRO’s Flagship Collaboration Fund.
Government avoids carbon tax speculation
The Federal Government says it is too early to speculate how much the proposed carbon tax would increase household expenses, after Treasury documents revealed it may add almost $900 a year to bills.
Renewable energy strategic directions report released
The Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) has released its Strategic Directions report setting out priorities for renewable energy technology development and recommends initiatives to support its development, commercialisation and large scale deployment.
Australia elected to the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency
Australia has the opportunity to play a leading role in international efforts to increase the deployment of renewable energy technologies and drive down their costs with its election to the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
National Water Commission calls for overhaul of urban water supply management
The National Water Commission has issued a landmark report urging Australian governments to overhaul the way urban water supplies are managed.
Anti-fraud measures for Commonwealth agencies
The Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor has launched new measures to help Commonwealth agencies prevent and combat fraud.
Government to develop National Digital Economy Strategy
The Australian Government has announced plans to develop a national strategy to guide the uptake of the National Broadband Network (NBN) with the aim of making Australia a world leading digital economy by 2020.
Garnaut calls for clean technology funding and a national electricity market
Two new papers have been released by Professor Ross Garnaut as part of his Climate Change Review for the Australian Government.
Government sets out carbon price schedule
The Federal Government has announced that the carbon price scheme will begin on 1 July 2012, subject to the passage of legislation to be introduced in the Spring sittings of Parliament.
Audit calls for improved cyber security in government agencies
An audit of four federal government agencies by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has found that while overall they were taking appropriate steps to protect sensitive material from cyber attack, in some instances their information security policies were out of date.
Better Practice Guide for fraud control released
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released a Better Practice Guide for fraud control in Australian government entities, designed to complement a recently updated version of the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines (the Fraud Control Guidelines).
GST revenue distribution review commissioned
The Federal Government has commissioned a review of the distribution of revenue from the Goods and Services Tax to the States and Territories.
New initiatives announced to support mature age workforce
The Federal Government has announced a range of initiatives designed to keep mature age Australian people within the workforce.
Australian Social Trends report released
While overall our life expectancy continues to climb and our educational attainment increases, gaps remain between the health and education outcomes of Australians living in cities and those living elsewhere, according to the Australian Social Trends report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
1.3 million Australians job seekers "discouraged"
In September 2010, there were 1.3 million Australians who were not in the labour force but wanted to work according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
National Financial Literacy Strategy launched
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has launched the National Financial Literacy Strategy, designed to deliver quality financial literacy education to all Australians through schools, workplaces, higher education institutions and in the community.
2011 Energy Report Released by ABARES
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences has released its annual report into energy use and consumption throughout the country.
Delays and disputes hit Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Murray Darling Basin Authority has released a statement saying that the socio-economic report on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been delayed indefinitely due to interruptions caused by the floods throughout the region.
CSIRO strikes spread over new enterprise agreement
Staff at CSIRO are continuing a series of rolling strikes in support of their demands for a 4.6 per cent pay increase and changes to employment conditions.
Call for comment on new Work Health and Safety regulations
Safe Work Australia has called for public comment on the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations package by 4 April 2011.