Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
For a second time, attorneys-general from across the country have petitioned the Federal Government over funding cuts to legal aid and community legal services.
Macfarlane moves research into favoured fields
The Federal Government has acknowledged that Co-operative Research Centres earn more than they cost, but will cut funding to them anyway.
RET deal rolls ahead, igniting wood-burning issues
A Senate inquiry has been told around 1,000 wind turbines will need to be built to meet the new Renewable Energy Target figure of 33,000 gigawatt hours.
Reports detail Chevron's tax raid
Oil giant Chevron has been accused of running an aggressive tax avoidance scheme, depriving local coffers of millions of dollars.
Data access pushed to Border
The Federal Government has quietly expanded the already significant amount of agencies that are allowed unwarranted access to the private data of all Australians.
Freedom risked in anti-piracy crusade
A federal parliamentary committee says proposed legislation to force ISPs to block sites like The Pirate Bay could limit freedom of expression.
Insurance switch stinks of dodgy dealing
Public service minister Eric Abetz has turned his back on the Commonwealth workers' compensation scheme, going for a more exclusive scheme for high-level politicians only.
Nuclear news wakes outback debate
A remote shire in Western Australia has been caught off guard by rumours that it could host a nuclear waste dump.
Public sector jobs re-jigged, lost
In some of the least surprising news this week, the new federal budget includes plans to hack away at the public sector.
States raise voices after big budget hit
State governments not involved in the big infrastructure spend for northern Australia are in revolt against what they see as an unfair deal.
Green coffers raided for Reef money
The new Federal Budget takes money from the Green Army to boost Great Barrier Reef spending.
RET talks approach approval
UPDATE 18/05: The Abbott government has ditched plans for two-yearly reviews, in a move that should see changes to the RET passed by parliament within weeks.
Feet stamped, fists raised at Federal inaction
This week’s Federal Government budget launch could be hampered by vocal protests from unionised government workers across many sectors.
New tech shifts climate talks
Technological advances have transformed climate change politics, according to UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.
NSA program slammed, prying eyes stay open
The US Government’s practice of collecting millions of Americans' phone records has been ruled illegal.
Privacy sold cheap in terrorised markets
An Australian study has shown people will give up much of their personal liberty in exchange for ‘security’.
RET deal coming, but reviews remain
Bipartisan support on the level of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) has finally been reached, swapping a mandated 8,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy for certainty in the industry.
Abetz says there's little sense for strikes
As tens of thousands of federal public servants prepare for large-scale strike action, Eric Abetz says he does not think there is a strong willingness to go through with it.
Cross-tier talks on disaster funds launched
The Federal Government wants to talk with the States and Territories about faults in funding arrangements for disaster recovery.
Soil turned on new sites for F-35
Construction has commenced on $1.5 billion worth of storage for the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
Food matters get global attention
The Australian federal government says it is doing its bit to improve global food security.