Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The Labor Government announced the creation of a National Children’s Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said that the new Commissioner will focus on promoting the rights, wellbeing and development of children and young people in Australia.
“For the first time, Australia will have a dedicated advocate focussed on the human rights of children and young people at the national level,” Ms Roxon said.
RBA slashes rates
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the country’s official cash rate by 50 basis points, bringing the country’s interest rate to 3.75 per cent.
Teachers to set performance goals under new assessments
Teachers in every Australian school will have a yearly performance assessment which will include classroom observation and evidence of student outcomes, under proposals released for consultation today.
Australia declared drought free
The Federal Government has announced the country is drought free for the first time in over a decade after the two final Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declarations expire.
Government secures NDIS launch date
The Federal Government has announced the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will start from July 2013 in up to four locations across the country.
Federal Government announces school independence scheme
The Federal Government has announced the first phase of the Empowering Local Schools initiative that will allow public schools to join together to form ‘confederations’ to allow greater integrated decision-making and community engagement.
Aviation grant for small and remote airports
The Federal Labor Government will provide grants of up to $110,000 to airlines flying to small and remote tourism destinations like Kangaroo Island to help them get ready for new, increased aviation security measures.
Government announces $1.5 billion employment services changes
The Federal Government has announced a new $1.5 billion Remote Jobs and Communities Program to start from July 2013.
Government releases GST distribution review interim report
The first interim report of the independent GST Distribution Review has been published.
Government releases payday loan discussion paper
The Federal Government has released a discussion paper on high cost, small amount loans, commonly referred to as ‘payday loans’.
More airports protected by Tripartite Deed
The Federal Government has announced all federally leased airports will be offered the protection of a Tripartite Deed, giving them greater certainty in securing financing for infrastructure developments.
Superfund mergers help lower fees
Superfund members will benefit from the Federal Government tax relief that enables superfunds to merge without triggering adverse tax consequences that would hit members' savings, according to estimates released by the Government
Asian languages and culture to be part of Australian curriculum
Minister for School Education Peter Garrett hosted a discussion on Asian literacy with business leaders, focusing on how Government and business can work together to increase awareness of Asian culture and the study of Asian languages in Australian schools.
CPI increases 0.1%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1% in the March quarter 2012, compared with no change in the December quarter 2011.
Expert committee appointed for Clean Tech programs
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of an independent expert committee to assist and advice Innovation Australia to deliver $1 billion in Clean Technology Investment programs.
Government seeks comment on IAA for Woomera area
The Federal Government has announced it is seeking comment after the release of a standardised Deed of Access for exploration in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
State of the States released
CommSec has released this quarters State of the States report, providing an in depth analyses of the country’s states using eight key indicators: economic growth retail spending requipment investment unemployment construction work done population growth housing finance and dwelling commencements.
Top airlines fund Government's complaints resolution process
From July 2012, Australia will have a new, independent National Airline Customer Advocate to give passengers the extra help and protection they need in getting their complaints resolved.
'Health Insurance Insider' launched
The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO) has launched its new consumer bulletin, Health Insurance Insider, as part of its ongoing consumer awareness campaign.
ACTU oppose Coalition's proposal to cut support programs.
Vulnerable people would be left without a safety net and the longstanding Australian tradition of egalitarianism and a fair go would be ditched under a Coalition plan to help the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey’s proposal to cut support programs for Australia’s most vulnerable people shows the Liberal Party is completely out of touch and clueless when it comes to social and economic justice.
“The Liberal Party’s Dickensian 19th century approach to social justice is in complete contrast to community sentiment,” Ms Kearney said.
“Unlike Tony Abbott’s Liberal Party, most Australians recognise that many in our community need greater support in order to overcome unemployment and be able to contribute to the nation’s economy. Many welfare payments in Australia, including the Newstart allowance, are barely enough to survive on.”
Ms Kearney said Mr Hockey was either wilfully misleading or ignorant about the true state of Australian public social spending.
“At 16% of GDP, Australian public social spending is lower than the vast majority of OECD countries, including the United States,” Ms Kearney said.
“The biggest component of our social spending is on health, so if Joe Hockey wants to significantly reduce Australian social spending, this would have to involve large cuts to Medicare and pensions.
“We know the Liberal Party is champing at the bit to take away workers’ rights and now we have evidence it is also gearing up to take away the rights of those who are not fortunate enough to even be in the workforce.
“Smart leaders know that there are real and complex reasons why people are on welfare and that cutting the support and telling them to ‘go it alone’ is no solution.
“All that will do is further grow the divide and entrench generational poverty among those who are capable of turning their lives around, as long as they have support to do so.”
CEFC Expert Panel releases report
The independent Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) Expert Panel has released its final report, with the Federal Government supporting all of the recommendations.