Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - December, 2013
Australia punches well above its weight in terms of research outcomes, a habit highlighted by the release of the Ten of the Best Research Projects 2013 report.
Old ways revived in truant officer trial
The Federal Government has unveiled a $28 million scheme to provide 400 truancy officers to schools across remote parts of Australia.
Pyne's paper shows weight in proctors' pockets
The Federal Government has released a report on the financial situation of the country’s universities.
Slight bump to welfare to catch CPI
Over a million Australian students, young jobseekers, carers and young people with a disability will see a small increase to their Centrelink payments from next year.
Talks planned to ease axing in NT
Discussions are planned which may yield a deal for the future of the town of Nhulunbuy, which will have its economy decimated when a nearby Rio Tinto refinery is closed.
Cuts crush needed services for neat gains
Schemes encouraging regional social cohesion and providing indigenous legal aid have been cut to save funds, as the Federal Government grapples with a worsening budgetary situation.
East Timor to raise stakes in spying claim
East Timor will take allegations of Australian spying to the International Court of Justice, accusing espionage around the negotiations for a lucrative oil and gas treaty in 2004.
Graduates' year spared with AusAID reshuffle
About forty young graduates had their public service careers ended before they could begin, but now may get another start.
Hearing calls NBN Co to come clean, Ziggy plays quiet card
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has accused NBN Co. of little more than “brazen guesswork” in its estimates of key financial data for the re-booted network.
Known faces switch in big wig re-jig
There has been some executive musical chairs among prominent government-linked advisors this week.
Plan shoved ahead to fight ailing employment
The Federal Government has bumped forward a program in response to the high unemployment rate in Tasmania.
Unions says billion worth of goodbyes just the start
The redundancy payments for planned public sector job cuts will hit $1 billion before 2017, and could be higher if the federal axe swings deeper, reports say.
Australia claims another NZ icon
New Zealand’s kiwi bird may join a list which includes pavlova, Weetbix, Crowded House and Russell Crowe – all things Australia liked so much it pinched them from its neighbour.
Old mistakes patched-over with big road spend
The Federal Government has announced just under $1 billion in funds for road projects it says were left in planning purgatory by Labor.
Asylum seeker health group cut down to one
All but one of the medical professionals advising on the health and well-being of asylum seekers have been sacked, following a purge that could leave thousands at risk.
Oxford says changing tide in mining could leave Australia stuck
Global shifts are underway which could lead foreign investors to pull up stumps from Australia, stranding a number of projects and leading to the possibility of “mothballed or abandoned” local coal mines.
Women's pay gap cause for early warnings to youth
Figures out this week show that the average Australian woman would have to work 25 years longer to retire on the same amount as a man.
Amendment hopes to give public say on pokies reform
Australia may get to vote on which measures, if any, should be applied to stem the flow of money pouring into poker-machines around the country.
Millions to break uni barriers for disadvantaged
Millions of dollars have been provided to allow more Indigenous and disadvantaged Australians to attend university.
Pleas to save NT town from closure, federal neglect
Regional Development Australia says the Federal Government is neglecting one of its most vulnerable communities by ignoring the closure of a Northern Territory refinery, and the likely ruination of nearby residents.
Public sector's internal watchdog unleashed
There has long been a perception that the public sector enjoys a bit of regulation, but a recent speech from Dr Ian Watt says the opposite is now the way.