Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - June, 2011
The Productivity Commissions has provided evidence that supports the Government’s ambition of setting a price on carbon, concluding in its research report that a price-based approach is relatively the most cost-effective, and that the abatement achieved from existing policies “could have been achieved at a fraction of the cost.”
The Productivity Commission was was commissioned by the Australian Government and the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee, to assess the extent to which key economies are taking action to address climate change.
The study undertook a stocktake of the many policy measures in the electricity generation and road transport sectors of the countries studied, providing estimates of the cost burdens and the abatement achieved in each case. The key economies studied were the UK, the USA, Germany, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and South Korea.
National Health Performance Authority to go ahead
A new $118 million National Health Performance Authority will be created to monitor hospital performance, including error rates, following agreement between federal, state and territory health ministers in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Exposure draft released for GBE Guidelines
An exposure draft of the revised Government Business Enterprises (GBE) Guidelines has been released by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong.
Climate change risks to coastal buildings and infrastructure report released
More than $226 billion in commercial, industrial, road and rail, and residential assets are potentially exposed to inundation and erosion hazards in the face of a sea level rise of 1.1 metres, according to a supplementary report released by the Federal Government.
Fair Work Australia raises minimum wages
Fair Work Australia has announced an increase of $19.40 a week for minimum wage earners, a move that will affect over 1.35 million Australians.
Federal Government announces $97 million for smarter schools
The Federal Government has announced a $97.7 million package for the education sector under the fifth round of funding under the National Partnerships scheme.
UK research shows Australia a fertile start-up environment
Research conducted by the University of Exeter Business School in the United Kingdom shows that the Australian Government’s Innovation Investment Fund allows start-up companies more scope for follow-on investments and has significantly contributed towards the development of high-potential businesses.
Federal Government to develop Cyber White Paper
The Federal Government has announced plans to develop a Cyber White Paper that will ‘provide a comprehensive blueprint’ to build internet security for the public.
National Water Commission releases water reform options report
A new report that sets out three reform options to ensure Australia's water sector has been released by the National Water Commission.
Fair Work Australia gives unions a boost
Unions have won significantly broader rights to pursue industrial action after a ruling by Fair Work Australia ensured increased legal protection for striking.
Garnaut calls for independent emissions target authority
Senior climate change advisor to the Prime Minister Ross Garnaut has called for the establishment of an independent umpire with the authority to force the federal government to make alterations to emissions targets.
GDP drop as current account deficit worsens
The current account deficit (CAD), the discrepancy between the value of goods imported and that of goods exported, is widening according to recent findings.
New Australian Defence Force appointments
The Federal Government has announced the new command arrangements for the Australian Defence Force as Air Chief Marshall Angus Huston steps down from the ADF’s top job after the completion of his second three-year rotation.
AustCham says focus on services with China
The Australian Chamber of Commerce in China (AustCham) has released its first Issue Paper on the Australian financial sector in China, saying the focus in trade between the two countries should increasingly move towards services.
New top bureaucrat appointments announced
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has announced an overhaul of senior bureaucrats, including the appointment of new secretaries in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
iiNet calls for complete government involvement
The chief regulatory officer of iiNet, Stephen Dalby, has called for all levels of government to be completely involved in the use and execution of the National Digital Economy Strategy to ensure its success.