18 April, 2006
Customs clears air over security checks
Australian Customs has reacted to a Sydney newspaper report by denying carried out Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) background checks on airport employees.
   A spokesman said the checks were carried out by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) or the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
   “Customs does not carry out these checks," the spokesman said.
   "Customs is the issuing authority for ASICs for Australian Government employees only," he said.

18 April, 2006
Recent Appointments
Belcher joins ARC
Barbara Belcher has been appointed a part-time member of the Administrative Review Council.
   First Assistant Secretary, Government Division at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet since 18, Ms Belcher has more than 10 years experience at high levels in government, previously holding the position of Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary and Government Branch at PM&C15 and 18 and A/S,  Resource Assessment Commission between 10 and 12
   Ms Belcher was Secretary of the Commission of Inquiry into the Australian Secret Intelligence Service between 14 and 15.
   Her three year appointment began on March 17.

Hewison new CEO at Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute has announced that James Hewison would be its new chief executive officer from August.  

April 4, 2006
No Buts in New Smoking Ban at DITR
A ban on smoking while on duty or within 15 metres of the office has been foreshadowed at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR).
    Chief executive, Mark Paterson, announced the ban saying it would come into effect when the department moved to new premises in October.
    But while DITR's 3000 staff will be unable to pop out for a cancer stick at morning and afternoon tea breaks, those who wish will still be able to smoke at lunch – as long as they are at least 15 metres from the building.
    Huddles of office staff puffing on smokes near their offices has become a familiar sight in many cities and while some colleagues turn a blind eye to the practice, others are disgruntled, saying smokers have no right to take extra breaks.
    A typical smoko can take around 15 minutes they say, including the time taken to exit and re-enter the building. Heavy smokers could easily lose an hour or two in productivity.
   DITR is the first department to ban the smoko and other agency heads seem happy to let Paterson break the ice. Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Defence spokespeople say there are no plans for changes at present.
   Other departments such as Health have long had rules banning smoking near the building but staff at some agencies say these bans are never enforced.

April 4, 2006
Inspection Force Opens Doors on New Labour Laws  
An Office of Workplace Services has been established as an independent agency to monitor workplaces and give advice to employees and employers under the Government’s controversial WorkChoices reforms.
    The new Executive Agency in the Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio commenced operations on March 27.
    The Government said the OWS would ensure that the rights and obligations of workers and employers under the Workplace Relations Act 16 were understood and enforced fairly. Nicholas Wilson has been appointed as the Director of the Office of Workplace Services for five years.
    Mr Wilson has practical experience in industrial matters and workplace relations, most recently as Head of the Australian Industrial Registry. From 2002 to now Mr Wilson headed the Australian Industrial Registry, which provided administrative support to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Prior to that he worked at a senior level in the South Australian Department for Administrative and Information Services and the South Australian Department for Industrial Affairs, involved in workplace relations issues.
    Mr Wilson was also previously Manager of Employee Relations/Industrial Relations with what is now Business SA. He has a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Business degree from the South Australian Institute of Technology.
    OWS is expected to have a budget of around $97 million over the next four years and has been touted as the most significant boost to employee protections ever undertaken by a government in Australia.
    The OWS is currently undergoing significant expansion with offices in each capital city now open and offices in a large number of regional locations to open by the end of the year. Across Australia, the number of workplace inspectors will increase to more than 200 to ensure national access to OWS compliance services.
    The OWS will have beefed up powers to enforce compliance with workplace agreements and awards, including former State instruments, the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, and the requirements of the Act generally. Employees and employers will be able to bring claims to the independent agency for assistance with enforcement and, if necessary, prosecution for breach.
    In addition, OWS workplace inspectors will undertake an increased number of targeted education and compliance campaigns to further protect the rights of workers and to inform employers of their obligations.
    Anyone wanting to make a claim can get assistance through the WorkChoices Infoline on 1300 363 264 or by visiting the OWS website at www.ows.gov.au

April 4, 2006
Law Change to Extend ASIO Powers
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has introduced amendments to the law to ensure that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s powers of questioning and detention extend beyond their initial sunset clause.
    The law change follows a review of the powers by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security which recommended they should continue.
    The Committee also made 19 recommendations to improve the operation of the regime within the existing, stringent safeguards and accountability mechanisms.
    According to Mr Ruddock the Committee  recognised that the questioning regime was a useful tool in dealing with terrorism investigations and had been used within the bounds of the law and administered in a professional way.
    “The Government has agreed to clarify the regime and enhance rights and safeguards where this will not undermine its fundamental purpose, nor impact unduly on its operation,” Mr Ruddock said.
    The powers were enacted in July 2003 with a requirement the PJCIS conduct a review by January 2006, and that the powers cease after 22 July 2006.
    “These powers are used as a last resort where they would substantially assist a terrorism investigation,’’ Mr Ruddock said.
    “They have yielded valuable information and are proving to be a useful tool in the fight against terrorism.
    He said amendments to the ASIO Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 would:
   • extend the PJCIS review of the powers and sunset provision by 10 years
   • make explicit the right for the subject to contact a lawyer in all circumstances
   • clarify and enhance the ability of the person questioned to make complaints, including about State or Territory police
   • limit monitoring of subject-lawyer communications to circumstances of detention and provide for a lawyer to address the prescribed authority during breaks in questioning
   • set out factors for decision makers to consider when deciding whether to permit a disclosure, including work and family circumstances and the public interest
   • insert a statutory right to apply for financial assistance for legal and related costs.

April 4, 2006
Refugee Tribunal on Track for Faster Decisions
The Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) has demonstrated a strong commitment to meeting the new 90-day time requirement for protection visa (PV) reviews, according to Immigration Minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone.
    The Minister said since June the RRT had sped up processing times with the average in March dropping to 76 days, the lowest since the RRT was established in 13.
   The first report on the RRT reviews that were not completed within 90 days, covering July 1 to October 31, 2005, was tabled in Parliament. It covered 1332 reviews finalised in that period and another 161 that were not finalized. Senator Vanstone said the majority of these matters were already before the RRT when the government announced the 90-day time limit.
    "Although 60 per cent of the 1332 reviews finalised were outside the 90-day time limit, the finalisation of these cases represents the clearing of a significant backlog and provides a way forward to speedier reviews," the Minister said.
    Of 1872 new review applications received between July 1, 2005 and February 28, 2006, 1357 were finalised within 90 days.
    "Delays with the remaining review applications were because of factors largely beyond the RRT’s control, such as security clearances through external agencies," Senator Vanstone said.
    "I am pleased this report from the tribunal indicates improvements in the time reviews of decisions are taking place.
    "Completing the review of decisions in a timely manner is obviously beneficial to applicants and in line with the Government’s commitment to greater efficiency," she said.

April 4, 2006
New Defence Medal Spreads the Glory
More than one million current and former Defence Force personnel will be recognised with the Australian Defence Medal, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson, has announced.
    “Her Majesty the Queen has approved the official regulations and design for the award that aims to recognise current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, and volunteer and National Servicemen, who have served since the end of World War II,” Mr Billson said.
    “The Australian Government is committed to recognising the outstanding contribution to our proud military history made by Australian men and women in uniform.”
    After extensive consultation with veterans’ organisations and the wider community, the Government decided to broaden the eligibility criteria to include former ADF members who completed their initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever is the lesser. “The criteria also recognises National Servicemen and those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period because of the ADF’s workplace and enlistment policies of the time.”
    The expanded criteria also includes those who die in service or are medically discharged due to permanent injury and unable to reach four years or complete their initial period of enlistment.
    Presentation ceremonies by senior military officers and Federal parliamentarians are expected to commence in mid-2006 as the medals become available.
    For further information, a special application form for the ADM is available from the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/honours_awards/ and from RSLs and other ex-service organisations or by calling 1800 111 321.

April 4, 2006
New Ombudsman is in the Post
Australia's postal services are to get a dedicated Ombudsman.
    Communications Minister, Senator Helen Coonan has announced that the Postal Industry Ombudsman (PIO) will have the power investigate and act on complaints about the delivery of postal services in Australia.
   “Australia’s postal system is among the best in the world and the introduction of the PIO will ensure that it continues to meet the needs of consumers and the industry into the future,” Senator Coonan said.
    “It will provide consumers with a recognisable, dedicated and independent entity to deal with their complaints about postal services deliveries and fulfils an Australian Government election commitment.”
    The PIO will be established as a separate office within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. It will investigate consumer complaints against Australia Post as well as any private sector postal operator who voluntarily registers with the scheme.
    “Any private postal service operators who choose not to opt-in to the scheme will remain subject to state and territory consumer protection legislation and consumers will continue to be able to make complaints about such private operators to their respective state and territory Offices of Fair Trading,” Senator Coonan said.
    The additional costs of the PIO scheme will be recouped from Australia Post and any other postal service providers who register with the scheme. Cost recovery will be based on the costs incurred by the PIO in investigating complaints.
    The PIO scheme will start operations later this year.
    Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, welcomed the move, saying both consumers and postal operators will benefit from an independent and separate agency to deal with complaints.
    The PIO will be able to request information or documents, publish findings and make a formal report to the Minister for Communications, and must observe procedural fairness in investigations.
    Professor McMillan said he expected that many private sector postal operators will register to participate in the scheme.
    "Businesses which allow independent investigation of complaints have an extra advantage to offer their customers," he said.
    "The PIO will be able to give valuable feedback from consumers through the complaints process.
    "The industry as a whole will also benefit from any increase in consumer confidence as a result of the PIO scheme," he said.
                Seminars for interested postal industry members will be held in due course.

April 4, 2006
E-Security to be X-amined
Australia will review its e-security national agenda to create a secure and trusted electronic operating environment for users, according to the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).
    The online landscape has changed significantly since the agenda was announced in September 2001 with the emergence of new technologies and more serious e-security attacks. Australia's security framework must be able to respond to these dangers. 
    The convergence of communications, information technology and the internet has created entirely new ways of working for Government, business and home users. The review will ensure Australia is well prepared for the opportunities and challenges of this new environment.