Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - December, 2014
Astonishing reports today say the political media advisor to Clive Palmer has been arrested over the kidnapping of an NAB executive.
Australian experts to aid PNG public sector
The Australian Government is lending its expertise to help improve Papua New Guinea’s public service.
Employment unrest reflects growing discontent
Federal Department of Employment staff will not accept their latest offer, voting against a bargain laid out this week.
Jobs saved by MYEFO sales, but red tape rises
The Abbott government is seeking to save money by abolishing 138 government bodies, but workers say that while this will see a few dollars saved; it will inundate departments with new duties and red tape.
Severed connections could see cracks grow
Budget cuts will leave hundreds of vulnerable teenagers at risk of falling through the cracks, insiders say.
Centre to study critters, creeks and matters of the North
Experts say they are keen to start using newly-announced Federal Government money for research projects across northern Australia.
Copper swap counts as NBN progress
The National Broadband Network (NBN Co) and the Federal Government have signed deals with telcos Telstra and Optus to deliver the Coalition's version of high-speed broadband.
Pledge to plan after mild Peruvian breakthough
Nearly 200 nations have agreed on the basic outline of a new global deal to combat climate change, following a breakthrough in the final hours of a summit in Peru.
Bad seems good in fallacy of maths
New research shows many who claim they are “good” at maths actually aren’t, demonstrating once again the incredible power of self-delusion.
Experts hunt for value in call for reform
Academics have expressed their views on the final report of the Financial System Inquiry, handed down last weekend.
All still winning in long-running deal
The Australia and New Zealand Government Procurement Agreement (ANZGPA) stands strong, a review more than two decades after its establishment has found.
Australia's corrupt credentials slide in federal vacuum
Australia has moved out of the top ten least corrupt nations in a global ranking, and one legal expert says a federal-level commission is needed to clean out the local parties.
Departments strike on low-blows, deep cuts
Department of Human Services industrial action starts today, with staff flouting uniform policies, read prepared messages on the phone and taking other measures to voice their disgruntlement.
JCPAA could pull performance double-check
The Parliamentary Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) might be turning its critical lens toward Commonwealth performance.
Managers given new meaning for "government body"
A call has been made for Australian Public Service (APS) managers to look beyond the limitation of offices and project – to see themselves as organs in a “complex human system”.
Legal calls at Lima could scare big players off
Labor and the Greens say Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is trying to diminish the outcome of climate talks that will not even take place until next year.
Research the redeeming part of co-payment backflip
The Prime Minister says the Government has “very, very significantly improved” its GP co-payment plan, by reducing the amount and shunting responsibility for collecting it onto GPs.
Aluminium industry wants RET set soon
One of Australia’s largest single power users has joined the push for a decision to be made on the Renewable Energy Target.
Call to plot leaks as gas industry wells up
A team of university experts has warned that the risks of coal seam gas mining could play out before governments get around to responding.
Ex-judge to turn critical lens on new laws
A former Supreme Court judge has been named as Australia’s new national security monitor, tasked with reviewing a range of contentious policies.
Bribery backed by bosses every day
A new study says that not only is corruption not inhibited in many big businesses, it is actually a central strategy.