Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

One man is continuing his fight to end Commonwealth funding of chaplaincy in schools.

Deregulation taking shape as opposition grows louder

The Federal Education Minister has given the strongest indication that university fees will be deregulated next week.

Asylum closures miss better opportunity

The Federal Government has signalled its intention to shut several onshore asylum seeker centres, a week after the Commission of Audit labelled offshore processing a waste of money.

Broadband blowout blamed on big demand

NBN Co says it will have to spend 33 per cent more for rural broadband, because it did not estimate how many people would want to be connected.

Gas holding plan damned by Minister

States want it, manufacturers want it, but the Federal Government seems unlikely to set up a domestic gas reservation policy anytime soon.

Public servants brace for deep cuts, mergers and adjustment

The warnings from the recent Commission of Audit have rung out loud and clear through media channels, but the potentially huge public sector cuts are getting a bit less press.

Big fund to help workers grow away from old industry

The Federal Government has given more details of a large funding pool created to help displaced auto-workers find new jobs.

Debt tax has lack of support, could be smokescreen

It is becoming difficult to find those who believe that the proposed ‘budget debt levy’ is a good idea.

Government considers putting boot to unemployed youth

The Federal Government is considering a recommendation that would see young unemployed people forced to move to areas with more opportunities.

Fears force councils to call for more power

Another local government has called on the federal government to give it more power over coal seam gas and farmlands.

Pink batt penny-passing sees staff blame each other

The royal commission into the Rudd government’s home insulation scheme continues, and comments of some authorities have shown just how rushed the plan was.

Fuel fiddling not welcomed by firms

The mining sector has added its booming voice to the chorus of discontent over proposed adjustments for more federal money.

Internet crackdown brings fine for "indecent" ads

China’s attempts to rid the internet of pornography and “indecent” content have led to a near $1 million fine for one provider.

Major firms could see financial influence trimmed

A senior federal minister says big companies and unions should be banned from making political donations.

Med scheme meddling may not be best practice

The recent Commission of Audit report suggests big changes are on the way for Australian healthcare.

States agree to clear books on path to new roads

State and territory leaders have agreed to sell off their assets in exchange for federal infrastructure money.

Wage worries to hit lowest rungs first

Trainees, apprentices and others on the very first steps of their career would suffer under some proposed changes, the ACTU says.

Contract claims say money should be aimed at locals first

A key business group and some rising Australian entrepreneurs have slammed the way the federal government chooses suppliers for billions of dollars worth of contracts.

More help needed now in fight to find missing schoolgirls

Protests are planned to make sure the world does not forget about 200 Nigerian schoolgirls, who have been missing for more than two weeks.

Push to save school funds by placing them in state hands

The federal government may give almost all control of public education to state governments, if it accepts certain recommendations from the recent audit.