Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - GovernmentCareer

The Federal Government has opened the consultation period for the creation of a streamlined, nationally consistent licencing scheme for electrical workers, which it says will provide a $22 million annual benefit to the economy, growing to $120 million after 10 years.

Minister for Skills Senator Chris Evans said national licensing would mean electrical workers need only one licence to work anywhere in Australia.

"This reform would boost productivity and labour mobility, which is essential at a time when there is massive jobs growth in the north and west of the country," Senator Evans said.

VMIA develops first public risk management diploma

The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority and the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) have co-developed the country’s first Diploma of Integrated Risk Management targeted specifically at the country’s public sector.

Government announces $1 billion for community workers

The Federal Government has pledged an additional $1 billion to support the pay rise awarded to workers in the social and community services sector.

IPA urges better city monitoring

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia has called for the Productivity Commission to develop a more accurate method to track performance of Australia’s major cities; and calling on all three levels of government to integrate the way they plan, regulate and operate metropolitan infrastructure.

Government enters high-level trade dialogue with Hong Kong

The Federal Government has announced a new high-level dialogue between senior business leaders from Australia and Hong Kong on RMB trade and investment.

Government kicks off final marine park consultation

The Federal Government has opened the final round of public consultation on its plans to create the world’s largest network of marine reserves.

Government outlines $6 billion infrastructure fund

The Federal Government has released its guidelines for the $6 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund, which it says will unlock investment in communities dealing with the impact of the mining boom.

HILDA gives insights into Australia's GFC performance

Melbourne University’s Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey has produced a detailed report, showing how Australia coped during the global financial crisis.

Unemployment inches to 5.2 per cent

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 5.2 per cent in June, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS reported the number of people employed decreased by 27,000 to 11,500,500 in June. The decrease in employment was mainly driven by decreased full-time employment, down 33,500 people to 8,065,500, and was offset by an increase in part-time employment, up 6,600 people to 3,435,000. The decrease in employment was driven by a decrease in both male and female full-time employment.

The number of people unemployed increased by 7,200 people to 631,300 in June, the ABS reported.

Monthly aggregate hours worked showed a decrease in June, down 19.6 million hours to 1,602.1 million hours.

The ABS reported a decrease in the labour force participation rate of 0.2 percentage points in June to 65.2 per cent.

This month's article 'What's new in Labour Force' provides details regarding the impact of preliminary population estimates from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing and also the upcoming improvements to the labour force survey as a result of a holistic review of the entire ABS Labour Household Survey program.

More labour force results are in the June 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0), as well as the upcoming June 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) due for release next week on July 19. Both publications are available for free download (after release) from the ABS website - www.abs.gov.au.

Brisbane to host G20 summit

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced Brisbane as the host city for the G20 Leaders Summit in 2014, the premier forum for global economic co-operation and decision making.

COAG holds first Regional Australia meeting

Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers responsible for regional development have attended the inaugural meeting of the COAG Standing Council on Regional Australia to discuss the ‘ambitious cooperative agenda’ to deliver real and lasting growth across regional Australia.

Federal Government signs RDA MoU with NT

The Federal and Northern Territory governments have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that cements a partnership approach to investment in Regional Development (RDA) NT.

FWO releases phoenixing report

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has released a research report into phoenix activity in Australia, which estimates the activity could cost the Australian economy upwards of $3.19 billion.

$200 million Clean Tech innovation grants open

The Federal Government has opened the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program (CTIP) to provide grants for Australian businesses to find and develop innovate ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Government to form Science of Learning Research Centre

The Federal Government is aiming to foster relationships between research bodies and educational institutions by establishing a new $16 million multidisciplinary Science of Learning Research Centre.

Workplace bullying committee hits the road

The Education and Employment Committee, the body charged with carrying out the Prime Minister’s demand for an inquiry into workplace bullying, has announced it will travel to Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart over the coming days to hear from the community.