Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - March, 2013
The Federal Government has announced it will implement greater environmental protection for water resources impacted by coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.
457 applications skyrocket
Applications for the skilled migrant 457 visa have jumped by 9.5 per cent in the last year, while approvals are up by 6.6 per cent.
Government announces Fair Work Act reform
The Federal Government has provided further details of reforms it expects to make to the Fair Work Act in a bid to provide stability and certainty to the nation’s employers.
Government announces higher standards for teacher training
The Federal Government has announced it will introduce new, more rigorous standards for teaching training courses in a bid to improve the quality of new graduates coming from universities and being employed in Australian schools.
AWPA releases skills strategy
Australia needs to adapt to a change global labour market, where work can be moved around the globe at the stroke of a pen and restructuring is increasingly becoming a regular occurrence, according to the Australian Workplace Productivity Agency (AWPA).
Move to trading scheme now says Ai Group
Australia’s largest industry lobby group has called for the immediate transition to an internationally linked market based emissions trading scheme.
Sydney launches first multi-disciplinary food security centre
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has launched the country’s first multi-disciplinary research centre dedicated to addressing key issues of food security and environmental challenges.
CAD drops finds ABS
The latest ABS figures show that in seasonally adjusted, current price terms, the current account deficit fell $370m (2 per cent) to $14,678m in the December quarter 2012. Exports of goods and services rose $734m (1 per cent) and imports of goods and services rose $897m (1 per cent). The primary income deficit fell $518m (6 per cent).
GDP hits 3.1 per cent target
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that GDP, in seasonally adjusted volume terms, grew 0.6 per cent in the December quarter 2012.
Government announces aged care pay deal
The Federal Government has announced it wills tump up $1.2 billion to pay for increases for the nation’s 350,000 aged care workers under the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms.
Government releases NDIS rules
The Federal Government has released further details of the rules that will guide how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) works for people with a disability, their families, carers and service providers.
Retail up by 0.9 per cent
The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.9 per cent in January 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.4 per cent in December 2012.
Adelaide reigns supreme in battle of the cities
Adelaide has been named the country’s most liveable city for the third year running, dominating other state’s capital cities in a poll conducted by the Property Council of Australia.
Commonwealth pledges funding for motorway
The Federal Government has announced it will commit funding to towards the Westconnex road project, subject to a number of conditions outlined by the Prime Minister.
Dwelling approves remains weak finds ABS
ABS Building Approvals show that the number of dwellings approved fell 2.4 per cent in January 2013, in seasonally adjusted terms, and has fallen for two months.
Inflation remains flat
Inflation levels have remained relatively flat in February, according to the TD Securities – Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge.
Job ads stabalise
The job ad market is showing tentative signs of life, according to the latest monthly statistics released by the ANZ bank.
New literacy funding for Victoria
The Federal Government has announced it will invest an extra $41.1 million in a new National Partnership agreement to boost literacy and numeracy results in Victorian Schools.
Climate changes sees Australia swelter
A new report released by the Federal Government’s Climate Commission has concluded that climate change was partially to blame for the ‘angry summer’ seen over the last few months.
Coalition would demolish NBN: Conroy
A Coalition Government would demolish the National Broadband Network, according to Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Gulf Spencer action plan announced
Billions of dollars worth of investment stands to be unlocked in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf following the announcement of a Federal, State and Local government collaboration.