Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

The Federal Government has announced the 'next steps' in building the country's first National Food Plan that will see short, medium and long-term policies put in place.

Addressing an audience at the Victorian Rural Press Club, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig said a National Food Plan white paper will be developed to help the government achieve its vision of a sustainable, globally competitive, resilient food supply that supports access to nutritious and affordable food.

Minister Ludwig said consultation was key to the process. The issues paper, released in June, was followed by 10 weeks of public consultation and the next step, a green paper, will provide stakeholders with a chance to contribute before a white paper is prepared.

Federal Government eases infrastructure taxes

The Federal Government has announced it will remove tax disincentives in a bid to encourage more private investment in infrastructure projects.

Commsec publishes State of the States

Commsec has published its quarterly State of the States report into the financial health of each of Australia’s states and territories. The report highlights eight key indicators: economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, construction work done, population growth, housing finance and dwelling commencements.

CPI growth drops

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth has petered off according to latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Mining for Development Initiative launched

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has launched the Federal Government’s Mining for Development initiative aimed at assisting developing countries to use their natural resources to improve their economies.

Five-year mining boom underway: Report

A new report released by industry research specialist BIS Shrapnel has found that Australia’s mining sector is likely to continue to boom over the next five years.

Ombudsman resigns

Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher has announced his resignation after formally meeting with the Governor-General. Mr Asher’s resignation will take effect on the 28^th of October.

State of Australian cities report released

The Federal Government has released its State of Australian Cities 2011 report, finding that residents of Australia’s major cities are using less electricity, leaving their car in garage more often in favour of catching public transport, producing less household waste and raising children who are staying at home until an older age.

Government announces Manufacturing Taskforce membership

The Federal Government has announced the full membership of the new Manufacturing Taskforce, announced at last month’s Future Jobs Forum.

Federal Government seeks community interest for sustainable resource funding

The Federal Government is calling for expressions of interest from natural resource management practitioners, scientists, researchers and members of the community to provide input into a number of grant funding processes.

Federal Government outlines Queensland reconstruction funding

The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have announced over $1.1 billion in joint funding to assist in the Queensland reconstruction efforts.

Deloitte releases Australian Economic Outlook

Deloitte has published its Asia Pacific Economic Outlook report, which found that Australia’s economic recovery is slower than anticipated.

Crisis Coordination Centre opens

The Federal Government has opened the new Crisis Coordination Centre (CCC) in Canberra, which will serve to improve the government’s capability to respond to large-scale natural disasters or acts of terrorism.

Commonwealth and Victorian governments sign $1.2 billion water deal

The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have announced a new agreement that will deliver the country’s largest irrigation infrastructure renewal project.

Government introduces renewable energy agency legislation

The Federal Government has introduced legislation that will create the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) before the Commonwealth Parliament.

Federal Government opens Illawarra job creation fund

The Federal Government has announced the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund has opened, with funds being made available to local businesses.

Unemployment drops 5.2 per cent

The seasonally adjusted Australian unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced today.

The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 20,400 to 11,451,200 in September. The increase in employment was driven by an increase in full-time employment, up 10,800 people to 8,044,200, and an increase in part-time employment, up 9,600 people to 3,407,100.

The number of people unemployed decreased by 3,800 people to 634,200 in September, the ABS reported.

The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed a decrease in September, down 9.4 million hours to 1,615.1 million hours.

The ABS reported a labour force participation rate in September of 65.6 per cent.

More details are in the September 2011 issue of Labour Force, Australia

Australia in the Asian Century White Paper advisory panel formed

The Federal Government has announced the membership of the advisory panel for the White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century

Hays publishes quarterly report into public sector skill demand

Recruitment specialists Hays has published the October Quarterly Report, finding a number of hotspots in public sector labour demand.

Report finds whistleblowing key to public sector integrity

The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Allan Asher, has released a new report on whistleblowing, ‘Whistling while they work: A good-practice guide for managing internal reporting of wrongdoing in public sector organisations’ which argues that the public sector would benefit greatly from the establishment of best practice guidelines for whistleblowing.