Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The number of dwellings approved fell 4.4 per cent in December, according to the recently released ABS Building Approvals figures. The fall comes after a 3.4 per cent rise in November.
Commission releases services report
The Productivity Commission has released the Report on Government Services 2013, evaluating everything from justice to health services.
Gateway WA work starts
The rollout of the $1 billion Gateway WA project has officially begun, with work beginning on the new on-ramp which will give trucks travelling from the Kewdale/Forrestfield industrial estate access to the Tonkin Highway for the first time.
Ministers agree to school funding transparency
Federal and State Education Ministers have agreed to develop ‘clear targets and better mechanisms’ for tracking school performance to achieve the 2025 national goals in a meeting in Sydney last week.
Women still under represented in senior positions
Australian women continue to be under-represented in positions of leadership, according to a new report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Government rules out study price hike
The Federal Government has categorically ruled out any significant changes to the costs of higher education, with Minister for Higher Education, Senator Chris Evans, reiterating the Government's pledge to increase availability of tertiary education.
GE releases innovation rankings
Global energy giant GE has released two reports on the state of global innovation, which conclude that the country desperately needs to strengthen its industry support and proactively engage with leading innovation programs to increase its global competitiveness.
Pipeline runneth dry in 2013
The investment pipeline of mega-resources projects is set to begin to decline after a report released by Deloitte shows that such projects are ‘hurtling towards a peak, likely in 2013’.
Companies upbeat on Chinese economy
A new survey shows that Australian business leaders in China believe the Asian Century will bring a wealth of new opportunities.
CPI growth flattens
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by just 0.2 per cent in the December quarter 2012, according to the latest round of data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Interim report on recognition released
The Federal Government has welcomed the release of an interim report on a referendum on the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution.
Pay equity rolls out
The Federal Government has announced employers have started receiving the Commonwealth’s share of social and community sector workers’ pay rises from the $2.8 billion Pay Equity Special Account.
Unemployment up to 5.4 per cent
Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.1 per cent to finish at 5.4 per cent in the December quarter of 2012.
CSIRO launches digital economy research initiative
The CSIRO has launched the nation’s largest publica0funded research initiative focused on the digital economy.
Government announces new cyber security centre
The Federal Government has announced the new Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) will be established in Canberra this year.
National transport safety regulators open for business
The new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator located in Brisbane and the new, Adelaide-based National Rail Safety Regulator, are both open for business.
New Chair for Productivity Commission
Mr Peter Harris has been appointed as the new Chair of the Productivity Commission.
Renewables drive major changes in Australia's energy use to 2050
Renewable energy sources are projected to account for about half of Australia’s electricity generation by 2049-50, according to the Australian energy projections to 2049-50, released by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
CSIRO to lead solar initiative
The Federal Government has announced the CSIRO will lead a new $87 million solar research initiative aimed at significantly improving the viability of solar technology.
$102 million for Tasmanian Forests Agreement
The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have announced a co-funded $102 million funding package to support the new Tasmanian Forests Agreement.
School results 'flat lining'
The latest figures on school education in maths, science and reading literacy confirms Australia’s school education performance is ‘flat lining’ according to Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett.