Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - May, 2011
Government information management and Australia's open government reforms will be strengthened with the release of the Principles on open public sector information, launched recently by Australian Information Commissioner Professor John McMillan .
Professor McMillan said that publication of public sector information marks a significant shift in open government practice.
"There is now greater recognition that government information is a national resource that should be published for community access and use," Professor McMillan said.
Productivity Commission to study regulatory reform options
The Productivity Commission is to undertake a study focusing on effective identification of regulatory reform opportunities and the evaluation of reform outcomes.
National Road Safety Strategy launched
The Federal Government has announced the launching of the new National Road Safety Strategy after the Australian Transport Council officially offered its endorsement of the initiative.
Bligh attacks Federal Greens
The Green’s plan to build a carbon neutral economy before 2050 by banning coal mines has drawn criticism from Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who has labeled the plan as fanciful and liable to cause an economic and social catastrophe in her state.
NSW to push COAG for solar reform
New South Wales has flagged its intention to push for a single federal tariff scheme for solar rebates following a tense week for the O’Farrell government after its plan to cut the state rebate from 60c to 40c per kilowatt was met with widespread public resistance.
Murray Darling Basin Authority needs more funding and less water
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.
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.