Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

A Sydney student has pleaded guilty after the leak of records on the controversial scholarship given to Prime Minister Tony Abbott's daughter Frances.

Phone jobs may float away from DHS

Seven thousand public service call centre jobs are at risk, unions say, with word that Telstra will answer the phones for Centrelink and Medicare.

PM's progress slowed by portfolio mess

A public service insider has trashed the Prime Minister’s attempts to tackle indigenous affairs.

Tax cops could hear knock from AFP

The Australian Taxation Office's internal police could themselves be investigated by Australian Federal Police anti-corruption officers.

Costs counted as sea threatens bricks and mortar

A new report could test the resolve of infrastructure-friendly but ecologically-ignorant politicians.

Dice roll on public health, PHAA looks for better bet

Gambling and its impact on public health will be a key focus for a major conference this week.

Hint of green shift prompts strong call from CEC

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is refusing to let the Federal Government cut the Renewable Energy Target (RET) without a fight.

Industry looks to trim foreign flow before 457 moves

Local professionals should be protected from competition with 457 visa-holders in certain industries, AusIMM says.

Good points sought in move to US-style uni

An Australian professor of economics has picked apart what he sees as the main failings of the Group of Eight universities in the stance on deregulation.

Training change breaks down old guard

The Federal Government says it is cutting red tape for vocational colleges, by removing regulations around changing courses or introducing new ones.

$10k Tax offer to move bean-counters to the big smoke

The Australian Tax Office is closing a string of its regional outposts, and is offering staff $10,000 to move to the capital.

G20 should build arena for louder whistle-blowing

Experts say Australian governments can stop corruption while saving money and even lives, through enhanced whistleblower protections.

Sea science upswing on Investigator's arrival

$20 million worth of scientific equipment has docked in Hobart, ushering in a new age of Australian marine science in a stylish coat of blue and green.

Space mining defined for age of meteoric profit

The ASTEROIDS Act has been tabled in the US House of Representatives, seeking to define the rules for a new era of resource exploration in space.

Sub deal sought to ballast local builders

Submarine manufacturers, engineering firms, experts and the opposition all want to know if a fleet of new subs will be built in Australia, and are demanding a clear statement from the Federal Government.

Chronic gaps creeping closed

A new report has again shown mixed results in one of Australia’s most important healthcare efforts.

Emails another brick in foundation of federal ICAC

There are more calls for a federal anti-corruption body to be set up, as builders’ donations continue to trouble NSW politicians.

Gene ruling could limit treatment

Australia’s Federal Court has ruled that private companies can patent human gene mutations.

Plan for fibre to home buried after success

A previously confidential study has revealed that Labor’s all-fibre national broadband network could have been delivered faster and for less money than forecast, and it now appears that the LNP Government has ignored its own review.