Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - February, 2013
The Federal Government has announced two new Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) will share in $70 million in funding.
Government outlines $1 billion jobs plan
The Federal Government has outlined a $1 billion plan it claims will secure economic growth for the future by boosting innovation, productivity and competitiveness.
NHVR Bill passes Queensland Parliament
12 separate pieces of Federal and State legislation spanning 8,000 pages will now be consolidated into a single law after the Queensland Government passed the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill through State Parliament.
FIFO practice a 'cancer' finds Committee
The Rural Australian Committee has handed down its report into fly-in-fly-out work practices, slamming it as a “cancer on the bush.”
Government announces improved parent leave protection
The Federal Government has announced amendments to the Fair Work Act that will allow for further support to be extended to mothers and fathers.
Government announces new bushfire CRC
The Federal Government has announced it will contribute $47 million for the establishment of a new Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) from 1 July.
Government releases smarter schools progress report
The Federal Government has released the 2012 progress report for the rollout of the $2.5 billion Smart Schools National Partnerships program, while announcing the next round of instalments of funding to be paid to the states and territories.
More people sent to jail finds ABS
Six per cent of the defendants proven guilty in Australia’s criminal courts during 2011-12 were sent to prison, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures.
NT to supply gas to Gove
The Northern Territory Government has announced it will release enough gas to keep the Gove alumina refinery open for the next 10 years.
Consumer sentiment booming
Consumer sentiment rose 7.7 per cent in February from 100.6 to 108.3, according to the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of Consumer Sentiment.
ALGA ups pressure on referendum
The President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Felicity-Ann Lewis, will meet with Federal Minister for Local Government, Simon Crean, to lobby the Government on the ‘steps necessary for a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government’ to be held at the same time as the Federal election on 14 September.
Government announces flexible work legislation
The Federal Government has announced proposed changes to federal workplace laws that would seek to deliver flexible working arrangements for millions of Australian workers.
Government grants conditional approval for projects
The Federal Government has granted conditional approval to the Maules Creek and Boggabri mine proposals, as well as the Gloucester coal seam methane gas project.
Government responds to workplace bullying committee
The Federal Government has announced changes to the Fair Work Act that will enable victims of workplace bullying to receive assistance quickly with a focus on early intervention.
New Chair for Safe Work Australia
Ann Sherry has been named the new Chair of Safe work Australia by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten.
Sustainable environment funding round opens
The Federal Government has announced that community groups around the country can now apply for funding under the second round of the Biodiversity Fund and the first round of Target Area Grants, under the Caring for Our Country program.
Federal Government announces Tarkine listing
Tasmania’s Tarkine region will become the 98th area protected under the National Heritage List following the Federal Government’s final ruling.
Housing prices on the rise
Seven of the country’s eight capital cities recorded a bump in housing prices for the December quarter, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
'Historic' Murray-Darling legislation passes Parliament
Legislation that locks in the additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling Basin has passed the Lower House, meaning that the $1.77 billion in additional funding is set to flow through to the river.
Australia triples its popularity with Indian and Chinese visitors
The past 10 years has seen Australia welcome a three-fold growth in the number of visitors from India and China, according to statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Feds to recruit local staff to return Murray to health
The Federal Government has announced a new initiative that will see specialised local staff to work with the community to ‘restore the Murray-Darling Basin to health’.