Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - September, 2013
The head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says it is not worth spending piles of money on new roads when we can change the way people use current ones, and make more money from that.
Miners say Hunt's getting water trigger-happy
There has been both welcoming and rejection of Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s ‘water trigger’ for the approval of large coal mining and coal seam gas projects.
Scrutinisers' solid work recognised
A Standards Australia Committee in charge of making sure children’s furniture is safe as possible has received and award for its efforts – but the work never stops.
Greens still striving despite Ben bailing
Reports today say as many as six of the senior members of the Greens’ party have quit, but leader Christine Milne says it is not a sign of instability.
Impartiality over opinion in public service
Workers in the public sector can expect harsh consequences if they choose to air work grievances on social networks, according to a senior official.
Mundine brought in for indigenous overhaul
The Prime Minister has announced that Warren Mundine will take the lead on the government’s Indigenous Advisory Council.
New suits cut from the same cloth
The Coalition government has revealed some of its taste in departmental leadership, appointing two new heads from the same university and who were initially hired by the same senior public servant.
Pay to continue until reformation is complete
Some concerns from the public sector over the new Federal Government’s widespread departmental shake-up may have been temporarily quelled.
Foreign worker crack-down in Singapore
Singapore has tightened its rules on the hiring of foreign workers following protests over the large number of outsiders in the increasingly affluent city-state.
Big rig regulator put off again
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator was meant to come into operation this month, but has been delayed again with reports saying it is uncertain when the new body will get underway.
Federal road spend laid down
As has been repeated many times since the federal election, the new Coalition government intends to be known for its infrastructure – the incoming regime is trying to put money where its mouth has been and present a business case for massive road projects.
Firies' cancer compo claim doused
A bill which would have set a compensation standard for fire-fighters with specific cancers has been extinguished in the Victorian Senate.
Jets' near-miss avoids ascent into chaos
A major investigation has been launched to try to decipher how two Qantas jets with hundreds of passengers between them came within a mere 215 metres of each over the southern coast of Australia.
Auditors asked to lay off the little guy
The federal Minister for Small Business has instructed the Australian Tax office to lay-off on audits of independent contractors and the self-employed.
Firms to patch cannon-balled broadband plans
Several companies in the telecoms industry are taking the uncertainty over the future of the National Broadband Network as an opportunity to drum up some profits.
Indonesia butts in on efforts to butt-out
The Australian Government will keep its generic cigarette packaging and large health warnings, despite a new challenge to the policy from Indonesia.
State cracks down on digital gore
South Australia’s Attorney-General does not believe video game restrictions are being applied strongly enough, and that delicate minds are being exposed to violent and sexual content.
Workers' rights wrist-slap could be telling
Workers from a liquid gas project in Western Australia have been fined after their industrial action was found to be unlawful.
Abbott's the man for women
Tony Abbott has placed himself in charge of women’s issues in Australia, nominating one of the handful of women in his cabinet as ‘Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women.’
Axe could swing deep through public sector
Workers in the public sector may be feeling a distinct rumble of tough times ahead, with the sacking of three top-tier officials as one of the first acts of a cost-cutting Federal Government.
Premier calls for Federal car loan
There may be little joy for Holden workers this Christmas, if the South Australian Premier’s predictions are correct.