Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - February, 2014
The Prime Minister may soon be the sole supporter of his promised paid parental leave scheme.
Truancy win brings students, strikes back
A Northern Territory policy has seen so many students back in regional schools that teachers say they are overwhelmed.
Health star site fight continues to chase names
Labor senators have opened fire on Federal Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash over her involvement in controversies surrounding a food health star-rating website.
Similar interests over vast distances prompt joint effort
Government and economic leaders from WA, Queensland and the Northern Territory have gathered to make plans for a new age of agriculture in the northern half of Australia.
Study slams public disempowerment
An economists’ report has said privatisation in the electricity sector is expensive and achieves little more than customer annoyance with none of the alleged benefits.
Unions turn from Labor to better guard their own
Several public sector unions have reduced their traditional payments to the Labor party, choosing instead to fund a campaign against job cuts.
Funding taps opened to break the strain of drought
The Federal Government has announced the details of its long-awaited assistance package for drought-affected farmers in Queensland and NSW.
Report plots new depths of political dislike
Australian politicians have broken new ground in the unpopularity stakes, with the nation electing its least favourite Prime Minister in decades.
Unions' roles extolled in industrial study
A new study says that while Australian unions are not perfect, they still play an important role in enforcing minimum standards and certain regulations.
Refugee price jump with new $1.2 billion responsibility
A new company will soon take over a large range of operations at Australia’s offshore detention centres, with the tragedy of recent violence still echoing around the country.
States step in for hasty NHVR pick-up
The widespread failure of many trucks to register under the new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has forced several states to step in and try to aid compliance.
Trucking heads push for state or federal ESC pledge
The heads of trucking industry bodies are pushing for the Federal Government to bring in compulsory electronic stability control (ESC) on all heavy vehicles.
Closed talks continue on medical, intellectual and economic future
A new round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks have begun in Singapore, where trade ministers from twelve nations carve out the final parts of the far-reaching deal.
Pink batts probe to cast public eye on private government papers
If the call is made for confidential cabinet documents to be presented to the royal commission into the ‘pink batts’ scheme, Attorney-General George Brandis says the commissioner may keep their contents a secret.
Simple suggestions for more Medicare money
A health policy expert says Medicare improvements can be made by modifying peoples’ thinking, not how much they pay.
Council rebuffed in bid for refugee boost
One regional council has written to the Immigration Minister requesting refugees be settled there, but says the offer was rejected.
Health overhaul talk flags new payments, private involvement
The Health Minister may soon end months of speculation over the future of Medicare, but it looks like the changes will not be to everyone’s liking.
Union-linked workers wait on coming changes
Media stirrings indicate industrial relations changes are imminent, and that new legislation will be announced soon.
Utter silence expected from public sector before election
Tasmanian Liberals want public sector workers to keep their opinions to themselves in the run-up to the state election.
Carbon tax scenario shows cost of delay
The seemingly imminent repeal of the carbon tax is being prevented while Labor and the Greens hold the balance of power in the federal Senate, and new research has investigated how the efforts to end the carbon price may be hurting energy investments.
Health grants fund broad range of vital efforts
The funds are flowing to help Australian researchers usher a new age of medical treatments, with the announcement of $134 million worth of health research grants.