Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

The Federal Government has announced the CSIRO will lead a new $87 million solar research initiative aimed at significantly improving the viability of solar technology.

$102 million for Tasmanian Forests Agreement

The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have announced a co-funded $102 million funding package to support the new Tasmanian Forests Agreement.

School results 'flat lining'

The latest figures on school education in maths, science and reading literacy confirms Australia’s school education performance is ‘flat lining’ according to Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

Climate change asset report released

The Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) has released the first ever global change investment index, showing how the world’s biggest investors are managing climate risk.

Government outlines Murray water efficiency projects

The Federal Government has announced that five regional organisations and irrigation businesses will share in $100 million in funding to upgrade their on-farm infrastructure in the latest round of the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program.

State of the Cities released

The Federal Government has released the annual State of the Cities report card, concluding that while the nation’s major cities remain among the world’s most liveable, they are increasingly affected by extreme weather events.

Volatile resources prices a global threat finds report

Fluctuating resources prices will set in motion a chaotic chain of events unless governments and businesses ‘get to grips’ with a new world order defined by resource politics, according to a new report released by Chatham House.

Australians to spend big this Christmas

Australians are set to spend in excess of $16 billion this festive season, on everything from vacations to the traditional Boxing Day sales.

COAG signs on to PM's power price plan

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to implement the Prime Minister's electricity market reform package, which will save households an estimated $250 in power bills per year.

Commission to examine major projects approval process

The Federal Government has requested that the Productivity Commission conduct a study to benchmark the country's major project development process against international best practice.

Manufacturing taskforce announced

The Federal Government has announced the formation of a new manufacturing taskforce to assist Australia in making the most of the opportunities presented by the Asian Century.

NAPLAN to go online

The Federal Government's National Assessment Plan - Literacy and Numeracy is set to be conducted online, after Education Ministers signed an in principle agreement.

We're a wired culture finds report

Australians have taken up mobile internet with unbridled gusto, with nearly half the population (49 per cent) owning a mobile phone connected to the internet.

Brumby named Reform Council Chair

Former Victorian Premier John Brumby has been named as the new Chair of the COAG Reform Council for a three year tenure.

NSW strikes NDIS deal

New South Wales will soon roll out the Federal Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) after a deal was struck between State and Federal governments to see the scheme rolled out in 2018.

Unemployment drops

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 per cent in November, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Australia joins G20 'troika'

Australia has taken its place at the G20 ‘troika’, joining Mexico and Russia on the group of past, present and future chairs that manages the G20.

Government announces regulations reform

The Federal Government has announced a suite of reform measures aimed at improving how regulations are developed.

Joint Select Committee membership announced

The full membership of the Joint Select Committee tasked with considering constitutional recognition has been announced following its first meeting earlier this week.

National Accounts shows growth to trend

Treasury has released the country’s National Accounts for the September Quarter, showing the despite the impacts of the jittery global economy, economic growth is predicted at 3.1 per cent.