Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government
The Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have released a joint research paper into the state of competition, innovation and productivity in Australian businesses.
The paper investigates two important relationships relating to firm behaviour and performance using econometric methods. First, the relationship between product market competition and innovation is examined, and then the association between innovation and productivity is separately investigated.
“For every measure of competition considered except one, the results of the modelling are consistent with an anti-Schumpeterian relationship between competition and innovation – that is, firms appear more likely to innovate if they face stronger competition,” the report found.
Federal Government to push for media inquiry
The Federal Government is set to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into media practices and ownership throughout Australia after criticism of News Limited continues to escalate.
Carbon tax legislation goes before Parliament
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has introduced the Federal Government’s carbon tax legislation to Parliament, saying that the legislation will lead to reducing the country’s carbon production while stimulating the economy and creating jobs.
Banking insurance drops
The Federal Government has announced plans to permanently lower the level of insurance it will offer from $1 million to $250,000.
NAPLAN results published
Over 90 per cent of million students that participated in the national literacy and numeracy tests this year achieved the national standard according to preliminary results published by the Federal Government.
Illawarra taskforce starts
The Federal Government’s new Illawarra Stakeholder Taskforce has held its first meeting. The taskforce, which was formed to help coordinate the Government’s services for the workers impacted by Bluescope’s restructure, will investigate the future of the region.
Ombudsman slams government service failure
Poor governmental communication is at fault for the breakdown of good policy, according to Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher.
ACMA inquiry gives telcos time to address customer care problems
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has published its Reconnecting the Customer enquiry into the telecommunications industry.
Round one of Regional Development Australia Fund announced
The Federal Government has announced the first $150 million round of the $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund.
Australian economy grows 1.2%
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that GDP, in seasonally adjusted volume terms, grew 1.2% in the June quarter 2011, after a revised fall of 0.9% in the March quarter. Growth for the 2010-11 financial year is 1.8%.
The growth for the quarter was driven by a 0.8% contribution to growth from changes in inventories and a 0.7% contribution from final consumption expenditure. These increases were partially offset by a -0.5% contribution from net exports.
On the back of this GDP growth and a 5.4% increase in the Terms of Trade, Real gross domestic income grew 2.6% for the quarter.
Reports outline the nation's electricity supply outlook
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released its two-year outlook for the adequacy of power systems across Australia, together with a report of Electrical Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), which looks at power production for the longer term over three to ten years.
ACCC releases discussion paper on Telstra
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a discussion paper inviting comment from industry stakeholders and consumers in relation to Telstra’s structural separation undertaking and draft migration plan.
NSW to follow WA on royalties increase
The New South Wales Government has announced it will follow Western Australia's example and move to increase mining royalties.
Austrade's executive group announced
The Chief Executive of Austrade, Peter Grey, has announced Austrade’s new Senior Executive Group which will form the key body behind Austrade’s trade, investment and international education efforts.
Drought Pilot review published
The joint Western Australian and Federal Government Drought Pilot panel has published its drought policy platform into adapting and dealing with future droughts in the country.
Education funding research papers released
The Federal Government has announced the release of four new, independent research reports that will form part of the government's review into school funding.
Tax forum details released
The Federal Government has announced the invitation list, program and facilitators for the Tax Forum to be held in Canberra on 4 and 5 October.
Federal Government releases petroleum rent tax draft
Treasury has released an exposure draft legislation for the extension of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) for public comment.
New appointments to Commonwealth Grants Commission
The Federal Government has announced three new appointments to the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC).
Federal Government establishes skills standards council
The Federal Government has announced the formation of the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC), which will act as a standards setting body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector with an aim to improve quality and consistency of VET regulation throughout the country.
Federal Government appoints reference group to measure university performance
The Federal Government has announced a new reference group to provide advice on the implementation of four higher education performance measurement instruments under the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion Advancing Quality in Higher Education initiative.