Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

ASIC says it has observed some positive progress in the wake of Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms and new fee disclosure statement rules.

HECS extension leads to private training "rort"

Reports this week accuse private training colleges of profiteering to the tune of $3 billion - at public expense.

Asylum seeker pay-out/turn-back slammed

Amnesty International says the Australian Government has played a role in a transnational crime by paying people smugglers to return to Indonesia.

Flood says Gov. must listen to its people

Public servants say keeping their current conditions is a higher priority than just more pay.

FOI spike after secrecy shift

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has released its annual report, which reveals a big spike in Freedom of Information requests in response to the cone of silence around immigration matters.

Paperless push detailed in new document

Federal public service leaders have ordered a crackdown on physical inboxes as part of a push toward entirely digital offices.

Clear plan to end silent climate talks

An international team of experts have devised a method that allows countries to choose their own method of ‘fair’ emissions cuts, to help them create a roadmap to end climate negotiation gridlock.

New chief seeks nuclear nicety

Australia has a new chief scientist, in a move some say will open up debate about nuclear energy.

Cold Canadian feet could cost big

A decision by the Canadian government could mean Australia’s 70 F-35A jets cost $100 million more.

Pokie exploitation could face court

Law firm Maurice Blackburn says it may launch legal action against poker machines, arguing that they breach consumer law.

Authorities warn of criminal gaps in public sector

The Crime Commission has warned that young, drug-taking, social-media-savvy public servants are big targets for organised crime.

Backward views gather under new banner

Australia has a new political party – the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA).

Government gives minuscule ground in pay talks

The Federal Government has given a small amount of ground in a move it hopes will break the impasse in public sector wage talks.

Local issues get new federal forum

The Federal Government is trialling a new “Constituency Question Time”, which will open up the floor to more questions from both Government and Opposition MPs.

Lomborg left to self-funded scepticism

The Federal Government has ditched a plan to pay $4 million for a climate change research centre headed by Bjorn Lomborg.

Truss targeted in equality campaign

A protest is on in Queensland this weekend to get one man to change his mind.

New Family Benefits bill seeks to hurt less

The Federal Government is introducing a reduced set of Family Tax Benefit cuts to those proposed in the 2014 budget.

Huge mine gets up on new green grounds

The $16 billion Adani Carmichael coal mine has been approved under a new set of environmental conditions.

Government charging ahead to take choices

The Federal Government has been accused of storming ahead on plans to impose strict restrictions on Indigenous welfare recipients, by way of a cashless welfare card.