Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - April, 2013
Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 per cent in March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced.
Business conditions in freefall finds survey
Business conditions have deteriorated sharply in March to their lowest point since March 2009, with previously strong gains posted by retail and manufacturing beginning to flag.
Consumer sentiment stumbles
Consumer sentiment has once again proven to be a fickle beast, having dropped by over five per cent in April following a stellar return to form in March.
Government to form new performance institute
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish the Australian School Performance Institute (ASPI), which will be tasked with collating school performance data and helping develop a system to improve overall results.
Mental stress costs Australian businesses $10 billion per year
Mental stress is wrecking havoc upon the nation’s businesses, with the costs associated with work-related mental stress and associated costs ballooning out to over $10 billion per year according to the latest findings released by Safe Work Australia.
ACCC knocks back NBN SAU
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has knocked by the National Broadband Network Co’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU) proposal, saying it fails to meet specific criteria for acceptance, with the Commission proposing that it should hold greater say in the regulatory rulings of the NBN.
AMA calls for young health policy
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for the formation of a national health policy for young people to combat the rising rates of obesity, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Mission Australia boss laments DSP growth
Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall, has publically called for reform to the nation’s Disability Insurance Pension, saying that the scheme is failing people at their most vulnerable.
Government outlines super reform
The Federal Government has confirmed it will cap tax exemption status for super contributions to the first $100,000 of personal income.
Climate report a 'wake-up call' says Combet
The opportunity to effectively counter climate change is fast slipping through out fingers, a new report published by the Climate Commission has found.
Dwelling approvals reverse fortunes
ABS Building Approvals show that the number of dwellings approved rose 3.1 per cent in February 2013, in seasonally adjusted terms, after falling for two months.
Government convenes super roundtable
The Federal Government has convened the sixth Super Roundtable as part of its ongoing reform to the superannuation sector.
Government defends public service record
Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has come out swinging against media reports which claim that the Federal public service grew last year.
Government outlines tax transparency reform
Large corporate entities would be required to disclose their total payable tax, under proposals floated by the Federal Government.
Kids doing better and better finds report
Australian five-year olds are developing significantly better than they were three years ago across a range of key indicators, according to a new report released by the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI).
Retail continues strong rally
Retail turnover has grown by 1.3 per cent in February, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Royal Commission holds first sitting
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has held its first meeting in Melbourne’s County Court.
Third clean tech competition launches
The Federal Government has officially launched the third annual Australian Clean Technologies Competition.
Trade deficit narrows
Australia’s seasonally-adjusted trade deficit has narrowed to $178 million in February, according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
$15 million for WA literacy and numeracy fund
The Federal Government has announced that selected Western Australian schools will participate in the new Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership (ILNNP).
Cash rate left unchanged
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced it has left the country’s official cash rate at 3.0 per cent, following the Board’s meeting earlier this week.