Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

The COAG Road Reform Plan (CRRP) has released a new paper to initiate discussion on funding and implementation issues.

The CRRP was established in April 2007 as a long term road reform agenda to bring about more efficient investment in, and use of, land transport infrastructure to meet the growing freight task and to maximise economic growth.

The first phase of the CRRP focused on researching options for more direct charging for heavy vehicle road use, in order to inform decisions concerning possible implementation of direct charging arrangements. COAG considered the Phase 1 report in 2009 and concluded that there was enough evidence to justify proceeding to a feasibility study. Work on the feasibility study is now underway and is due to be completed by the end of 2011. The feasibility study will provide recommendations to COAG on what further steps, if appropriate, should be undertaken to move towards implementation of feasible reform options.

Exemption of taxes, fees and charges from the GST - Exposure Draft Regulations

The Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, is proposing new regulations to specify which taxes, fees and charges will still be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Defence boosts internet services

The Department Defence has signed an industry contract with Verizon Business to provide high level and high speed internet services to industry, government, service personnel, employees and the public.

Government agency efficiency report released

The Government has also released the Review of the Measures of Agency Efficiency report, the central recommendation of which- to apply the efficiency dividend at portfolio level – will be adopted by the Government.

Government lifts efficiency dividend to meet surplus target

The Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, has that Australia's 'efficiency dividend' -- the ratio of agencies' reduction of running costs to budget – will be lifted from 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent for two years in 2011/12 and 2012/13, before it is returned to 1.25 per cent for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Draft e-health records plan released

A national blueprint has been released for public consultation for the development of personally controlled e-health records (PCEHR) for their 1 July 2012 launch.

Australia lags in global network readiness index

Australia has been ranked number one in the world for the time it takes to start a business, although it has been marked down for its approach to ICT and the availability of new technologies.

Strategic ICT Vision for Federal Government released

The Federal Department of Finance and Deregulation has published the draft of Strategic Vision for the Australian Government’s use of information and communications technology.

National Water Commission chair calls for water pricing rethink

Chair of the National Water Commission Chloe Munro has called for a rethink of the way water is priced in Australia.

Skills shortage growing in engineering and construction

Australia’s growing skills shortage is most pronounced in the Construction, Building and Engineering categories, across Professional, Associate Professional and Trades occupations, according to the latest analysis by the recruitment agency, Clarius Group.

Review raises submarine construction policy concerns

The Australian Strategy Policy Institute has released its review of Australia's submarine construction policy, finding that very little progress had been made since the publishing of the Defence White Paper in 2009, which outlined the construction of twelve new, non-nuclear long range submarines 'built to perform a range of demanding tasks'.

Federal Opposition looking to enhance role of Infrastructure Australia

The Federal Opposition has announced its intention to enhance the role of Infrastructure Australia in assessing infrastructure projects of national significance, should it be elected.

In a recent speech, Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott expressed his support for Infrastructure Australia and said the Opposition would boost IA’s role and resources.

“The Coalition supports Infrastructure Australia (IA) and in government will strengthen its role, creating a more transparent, accountable and effective adviser on infrastructure projects,” Mr Abbott said.

“We’ll keep it, we’ll fund it and we’ll listen to it because important infrastructure decisions should be made on the basis of rational planning and not short-term political pork barrelling.”

Mr Abbott outlined a number of measures to boost IA’s capabilities and effectiveness:

The Coalition will ensure that Infrastructure Australia has guaranteed ongoing funding. Funding for Infrastructure Australia expires at the end of this financial year. The Coalition’s commitment means that IA will be provided with the resources necessary for it to do its job properly.
The Coalition will retain Sir Rod Eddington as the chairman of Infrastructure Australia.
The Coalition will require that all Commonwealth-funded infrastructure projects worth more than $100 million have undergone a cost-benefit analysis by Infrastructure Australia.
Infrastructure Australia will be required to publish justifications for its project recommendations, including the net present value of each recommended project.
The Coalition will task Infrastructure Australia with developing a rolling 15-year infrastructure plan for Australia, with this plan being revised every five years. This will provide certainty for industry as to what infrastructure projects will be pursued by government and in what order. IA will be required to clearly specify infrastructure priorities at the national and state levels, based on a rigorous and transparent assessment of competing infrastructure projects proposed by the states.

New Chief Scientist appointed

Professor Ian Chubb, until February this year the vice-chancellor of the Australian National University, has been named as Australia's new Chief Scientist.

National Greenhouse Accounts released

National Greenhouse Accounts released by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency show carbon pollution is continuing to rise, highlighting the need for action on climate change.

Productivity Commission releases draft urban water report

Australia's urban water sector needs major changes to meet the challenges of providing services that minimise costs and maximise benefits to the community, according to a draft report released by the Productivity Commission.

2011 Roadmap for research infrastructure open for discussion

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) has released a discussion paper about the development of a 2011 Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure which will identify Australia’s national research infrastructure priority areas.