Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - April, 2014
State, federal and local government authorities have toured cyclone-hit regions of north Queensland in the wake of the weekend deluge, with funding packages announced and rolling-out for thousands of residents.
Liberal love lost in nation's heartlands
A recent poll has shown waning support for the federal Coalition government in regional areas.
Staff asked to think while Department looks for silence
One of Australia’s chief public servants says departments should be able to make and enforce their own social media policies, insisting that the service is not being gagged.
Stirrings over Chinese FIRB bring "mature" call
The Federal Government appears to be preparing to relax the rules for foreign investment from China, but one Nationals MP says changes must come from a “mature discussion”.
Experts slam big schools spend
Three Australian academics have condemned the $16.2 billion Building the Education Revolution scheme as a stuff-up destined to become “an international case study of government failure”.
Hunt's team chips at Direct Action dream
The hand-picked team tasked with assessing the federal government’s Direct Action climate change plan says it will not work.
New idea could see thousands lost and billions saved in 'super-departments'
Public sector insiders say a push is on to save billions by squeezing all government functions into “super departments”.
Hunt sees years of coal, says carbon will be captured
The Federal Environment minister has given his support for coal as an energy source, saying it will provide power for “decades and decades” to come.
Power pushed north in newest one-stop-deal
The Federal Government has given a glimpse of its “one-stop-shop” for environmental approvals in the Northern Territory.
Age debate rages as far-off changes come closer
The mere mention of lifting the pension age has sent many into a spin, but with strong indications coming from various authorities it is considered quite likely something will happen.
Collectors cut ahead of tax repeal
The Australian Tax Office has cut over 70 per cent of its workers from the area responsible for collecting the minerals resource rent tax (MRRT).
Family tax cut considered for non-vax parenting
Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton has been discussing plans to withhold tax benefits from families who do not immunise their children.
Flu fight, facts questioned while stockpiles grow
A new study has kicked off a fight between international medical authorities and drug companies.
Power shift costs less than price of inaction, IPCC says
The latest report all but screams the need for governments to change their energy mix toward less carbon-reliant sources.
Liberal expectations in NBN statement
The Federal Government has detailed its expectations for the National Broadband Network, and it is not asking for much.
Bleeding memory exposes all-important online data
UPDATE 14/04: The NSA has denied reports that it has been using Heartbleed as a spying tool.
Bureaucratic craft lost in silence, former boss says
A former senior public official says government workers should be “pushing back” against political decisions they know are wrong.
Issues raised in Asian defence technology trades
There has been plenty of discussion on the terms of the free trade agreement between Australia and Japan, which will see the lucrative exchange of multi-billion dollar military technologies.
Lines laid to bring change in smoothly
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has put out a guide to help those responsible for implementing its new policies.
Big five fear witch-hunt as Royal Commission rolls onsite
The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption kicks off today, which will reveal much about the state of Australian unionism, cronyism and lobbyism.
Macquarie success is clear lesson for others
Seven years of incredible conservation efforts have led to the declaration that Macquarie Island is free of pests.