19 December, 2006
Irregularities Found in Regulation Review
Departments and Agencies required to complete Regulation Impact Statements could do better according to the Productivity Commission’s report Regulation and its Review 2005-06.
   The Commission’s annual review assesses the efficiency and compliance of organisations required to file Regulation Impact Statements and found that this year, compliance was lower than in the past.
   The Commission reported that 71 per cent of the regulatory proposals that required an RIS received one and that of the 21 agencies and departments required to produce them, only 10 were fully compliant.
   The average compliance rate over the t[past three years hade been 85 per ecnt.
   Ministerial Councils and national standard-setting bodies returned a compliance rate of 76 per cent, also down on past years.
   The requirement to prepare a RIS applied to just three per cent of the 2600-plus regulations made by the Government that year.
   The Commission said the results showed there was room for improvement both in preparing RISs and the level of analysis required.
   It noted that the Government’s response to its Regulation Taskforce Report indicated that higher standards and requirements would be implemented to improve standards.
   These requirements would include a whole-of-Government policy on consultation, more rigorous cost-benefit analysis, and quantification of business compliance costs.
   The Office of Regulation Review had also been upgraded and was now known as the Office of Best Practice Regulation. It’s role would be to provide stronger support to Departments and Agencies, as well as monitor compliance requirements of the New Regulatory Framework.

19 December, 2006
Defence Federation Shot Down by Its Own Members 
Depleted membership and lack of funds were the catalysts for the demise of the office of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia which will close at the end of this month.
   Federation Federal President, Gina Goninon said the Federal Executive Committee of the arFFA found that there were insufficient funds to produce a balanced budget, maintain the office and staff, and continue to effectively represent the members in all matters relating to remuneration and conditions of service.
   Warrant Officer Goninon said while membership had been falling in recent years the involvement with Australian Defence Force remuneration and conditions of service had continued to increase.
   Membership of the Federation was actively encouraged through regional representatives and executive members but it failed to stimulate sufficient interest in membership and the downward spiral had continued to a level that was untenable.
   A survey that was circulated through all ADF newspapers in February received only a small percentage of forms returned but found sufficient support for the organisation to continue but failed to gain the support of financial members despite the majority of respondents indicating their support.
   It was found while many indicated they were committed to the Federation’s goals they were unwilling to step up and the body became critically short of members who would fill leadership roles.
   The Federation’s plight was put to the Chief of the Defence Force at a scheduled The meeting in August and he wanted to know what could be done to continue the Federation’s operations as he valued the independent voice it provided to him as a way for ADF members to raise issues of concern outside of the chain of command.
   A request for office space in a Defence complex in Canberra to help reduce operating costs was denied.
   The demise of arFFA will leave an operations manager and industrial officer out of work and prompted  WOFF Goninon to ask: “Who will be the voice to protect our interests regarding pay and conditions of service when the Federation ceases to exist?” 

19 December, 2006
Parental Leave Found to be Daddy of Them All
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has confirmed that families with small children would benefit from increases in paid parental leave.
   Industry partner to a study by the Universities of Queensland and Sydney, HREOC’s President John von Doussa welcomed the study saying it shed new light on how Australian families with young children balanced the demands of work and family.
   The study was conducted through a Linkage Grant from the Australian Research Council and looked at the experiences of 3500 families with children born between March 2003 and February 2004.
   Entitled Parental Leave in Australia the study filled a research gap identified by HREOC in its 2002 report A Time to Value: Proposal for a National Paid Maternity Leave Scheme as well as complementing the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Pregnancy and Employment Transitions survey
    “This is the first Australian study to provide a comprehensive analysis of the use of parental leave, including parental preferences and workplace responses to the needs of their employees with family responsibilities,” Mr von Doussa said.
    “The study’s findings highlight that nearly half - 48 per cent - of all survey respondents said that better parental leave provisions would assist them, and that paid leave in particular was most helpful following the birth of a child.”
   He said there was a growing desire among Australian men to share the hands-on care of their children, and in this the survey results mirrored the community responses to HREOC’s current women, men, work and family project.
   He said the study’s data about men’s patterns of leave-taking showed that 62 per cent of fathers took forms of paid leave other than paid paternity leave on the birth of their children.
   “These findings reinforce the need for men and women, Governments, employers and communities to work together to help Australian families strike a balance between their obligations to paid work and their caring responsibilities,” Mr von Doussa said.
   Parental Leave in Australia can be found at www.uq.edu.au/polsis/parental-leave

19 December, 2006
PM Puts Bomb Under Defence Recruiting
Defence Force recruiting and retention s to benefit from a $1 billion injection of funds over the next 10 years, Prime Minister, John Howard declaring Defence to be one of his Government’s highest priorities.
    “Developing and sustaining a highly capable defence force has been one of my Government’s highest priorities,” Mr Howard said when he announced the program.
   “Accordingly, we have set the target of expanding the ADF from the current 51,000 full-time personnel to 57,000.“
   He said the strong national economy, low unemployment and competitive labour market would make reaching the new target a challenge.
   “To meet that target we have both to increase enlistment from around 4700 a year to around 6500 a year and reduce the current separation rate of around 11 per cent a year to below 10 per cent.”
   He said initiatives to be undertaken to achieve those goals included streamlining ADF recruiting by reducing the time from enquiry to application and enlistment and “better aligning recruit entry standards with contemporary demographic and community realities without compromising quality.”
   He said a military gap year scheme for 17- to 24-year-olds would be introduced to allow prospective recruits to experience military training and lifestyle for 12 months; and retention bonuses and allowances would be paid to personnel with key skills.
   “This is the first phase of a major overhaul of ADF recruitment and retention strategies,” Mr Howard said.
   “It complements other initiatives Defence is taking, including enhancements to the Cadet program and a more supportive career planning system that will give ADF members greater control over their careers and more certainty and balance in their lives.”
   The Prime Minister said further initiatives to enhance and increase the Defence Force would  be announced during 2007.

19 December, 2006
Non-English Access a Winner in Anyone’s Language
The Child Support Agency has introduced a new online access service for separated parents from non-English speaking backgrounds.
   General Manager of the Agency, Matt Miller, said the information was now available in Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Arabic.
   A number of free booklets have been translated including Me and My Kids; Me and My Money; Me, My Kids and My Ex; What about Me and Getting Started.
   Mr Miller said separation could be a very confusing and difficult time and parents needed to have access to all the information they needed to make informed decisions about their children and child support.
   "Getting Started is a comprehensive booklet to help parents to take more control over their child support issues and present them with all the options available at the beginning of their 'journey' with CSA,” Mr Miller said.
   "The Me and My booklet series has been extremely popular with separated parents and I am delighted they are now available online for our parents in five commonly spoken languages.”
   Mr Miller said a comprehensive list of support services for people dealing with separation was also available on the CSA website.
   He said the Me and My series, funded by part of the $150 million Building a Better CSA program, were essential tools every parent should have in their tool kit for surviving separation.

19 December, 2006
More Than a Paint Job For National Gallery
The National Gallery of Australia is in line for a $93 million facelift.
   Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemp announced the upgrade saying it was a major enhancement project that would include improved public access through new arrival and entrance facilities and significantly increased space for displays, particularly for the Gallery’s collection of Australian Indigenous art.
   “This exciting project will greatly improve public access to the National Gallery’s building, as well as providing a more enjoyable experience for general visitors and school groups as a result of improved reception, retail and other facilities,” Senator Kemp said.
    “In addition, as a result of the project, the Gallery will be able to showcase its important collection of Indigenous Australian art in purpose-built galleries.”
   He said safeguarding, storing and handling the Gallery’s valuable artworks would be part of the project along with enhanced retail and reception services for visitors and new facilities for public and educational programs.
   Included in the budget is around $20 million for previously approved building refurbishments which were nearing completion.
   “This project will enable the Gallery to respond effectively to the community’s significant interest in Australian Indigenous art, and to promote a greater appreciation of Indigenous Australian culture,” Senator Kemp said.
   Work on the new project was expected to commence  mid-2007.

19 December, 2006
Map Unveiled for Cyclone Tracing
A new cyclone tracking map unveiled by the Bureau of Meteorology has doubled the forecast period of a predicted storm system to 48 hours.
   Parliamentary Secretary for the Bureau, Greg Hunt, announced the new Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map saying its colourful appearance would make it make it easier for people to see where a cyclone has been and where it was forecast to go.
   “People living in cyclone-prone regions will welcome the advances in science that allow the forecast period to be doubled to two full days,” Mr Hunt said..
   “The new, enhanced graphic combines features from the original cyclone tracking map launched in 2002 with a separate forecast track, trialled last cyclone season, which showed the 24-hour forecast movement.
   He said the trial received favourable community feedback and discussions with emergency agencies and other organisations helped refine the new map-based product.
   The map is accessible on the Weather Bureau’s website, www.bom.gov.au.
   Mr Hunt said another feature64 of the map was its capacity to print out black and white copies for community use.
   “Conventional text-based tropical cyclone warnings will continue to be available from the Bureau’s warning centres, and through the media,” Mr Hunt said.

19 December, 2006
Secretary Wades Into Sydney Think Tank
   By Shelley Nelson*
Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Metcalfe used migration as one of the great themes of Australia’s history as the launch-pad for his recent address to the Sydney Institute.
   The mid-November engagement promoted the Department’s work to an influential audience and provided a balanced perspective on some of the issues the department faces.
   Mr Metcalfe said migration was one of the great themes of Australian experience and history and explored the impact global population movements would have on Australia’s future.
   He made a case for continuing to refine Australia’s approach to skilled migration so as to retain a competitive advantage and quoted research that demonstrated skilled migrants increased job opportunities for unskilled Australians.
   Mr Metcalfe also discussed Australia’s border control and refugee programs, pointing out that DIMA’s role went beyond traditional aid and reflecting Australians’ generosity in assisting disadvantaged people.
   “Australia is among the top three countries in the world in terms of the resettlement places we offer,” Mr Metcalfe said, “along with Canada and the USA.”
   He also discussed program administration and accountability, updating the audience on progress since the Palmer and Comrie reports.
   “We have publicly committed to improve our performance,” he said.
   ‘The change agenda we have developed and implemented is comprehensive and ambitious.”
   He said the organisation he leads is focused on the future.’
  

December 12, 2006
Mum’s the Word For Workplace Change
Public awareness campaigns about family friendly work practices and the effects of age on fertility were needed to encourage more women into the workforce, the House of Representatives Families Committee has said in its report on Balancing Work and Family.
   The result of an 18-month inquiry by the Committee the report also recommended freezing HECS for some people until their youngest child reached school age; easier access to funding for care for disabled children, a wider range of child care choices and tax relief for child care costs.
    “The Tax Office allows billions of dollars in tax deductions for work clothing, cars, phones and laptop computers … Why not child care, when it is every bit as necessary for a parent to work?” Committee Chair, Bronwyn Bishop said.
   The report recommended that fringe benefits tax be removed from all child care, so that more employees could salary sacrifice their child care costs. The fringe benefits tax exemption is limited at present to child care provided on business premises.
   The report recommended that parents be allowed claim assistance for a wider range of child-care options, including in-home carers or nannies.
    “Because there is next to no Government assistance for in-home carers, most of this is happening in the black economy,” Mrs Bishop said.  “This is not good for carers and not good for parents who are forced into illegal cash arrangements.”
   In a dissenting report, Opposition MPs including Deputy Chair Julia Irwin, Kate Ellis, Harry Quick and Jennie George said the inquiry and report did not go far enough.
    “The committee heard evidence of innovative policies which governments in other countries are adopting to address these issues,” the Opposition Members said.
   “Labor members believe that substantial opportunities to help working families exist in adopting such initiatives as the right to request part time work, paid maternity leave, unpaid extended maternity leave and providing greater financial security.”
   Julia Irwin said the dissenting report acknowledged the need for increased female participation in the workforce but disagreed with recommendations that greater compensation be provided for high income earners with no changes proposed for low and middle income earners. 
   Copies of the report are available on the committee website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fhs/workandfamily.

December 12, 2006
Public Servants Behaving Badly
The Australian Government Solicitor has outlined the framework for dealing with misconduct in the Australian Public Service.
   According to the AGS’s Paul Vermeesch , the regime for dealing with misconduct was one element in the management of an efficient and effective Public Service
   "The purpose of the misconduct regime is to protect the public, to maintain proper standards of conduct by members of the APS and to protect the reputation of the APS," Mr Vermeesch said.
   He said however that formal misconduct action was just one way to address problems.
   Mr Vermeesch found that in some cases, it was more appropriate to address conduct issues by means of other management action. Performance or medical problems which led to conduct problems might be best addressed by management action other than misconduct action, he said.
   The briefing Mr Vermeesch prepared for the AGS examines some key aspects of the misconduct regime.
   It looked at legislation, including the Public Service Act 1999, the Public Service Regulations 1999 (the PS Regs) and instruments under the PS Act. The PS Act replaced the Public Service Act 1922 (the PS Act 1922).
   Mr Vermeesch said the new misconduct provisions were designed to address deficiencies in the misconduct provisions of the earlier Act that were seen as too complex and legalistic, too heavily weighted on process and concepts similar to the criminal law, out of touch with modern management philosophies and concerned more with process than outcomes.
   The misconduct provisions of the PS Act included new approaches that dispensed with red tape, ensured procedural fairness and enabled agency heads to adopt procedures appropriate for their agency.
   The PS Act also set out the duties of APS employees, breach of which could result in formal misconduct action.
   Mr Vermeesch said an APS employee was required to adhere to the Code of Conduct and to at all times behave in a way that upheld the APS Values.
   The Code did not apply to conduct that occurred before a person became an APS employee.
   More information on Mr Vermeesch’s briefing was available from www.ags.gov.au.

December 12, 2006
Auditor Pencils In Annual Check of Defence
The Australian National Audit Office is to receive additional funding to perform annual audits of capital projects in major Defence areas.
   Parliament’s Public Accounts and Audit Committee has agreed to a recommendation that would see the Audit Office receive additional funding of $1.5 million in the 2007-08 Budget.
   Chair of the Committee, Tony Smith, said the Committee recommended the Auditor produce an annual report on progress of the top 30 capital equipment projects, which had an approved budget of $30.2 billion. The audit would be based on data supplied by the Department of Defence and the Defence Materiel Organisation,
   “The Committee believes that funding the ANAO to produce the annual audit on progress in major defence projects could deliver significant benefits to Defence, the Parliament and the community,” Mr Smith said.
   He said the additional $1.5 million for the engagement of dedicated audit staff and associated costs was a minor cost and would be offset by the potential savings.
   “The Committee notes the large amount of taxpayer dollars being spent on Defence acquisition projects. Given the increasing size and complexity of these projects, the dollars being spent are also increasing.
   “The Committee believes continuous monitoring of these projects by the Auditor-General, as well as looking back at individual projects, is a better way to go for the Australian taxpayer.”
   Mr Smith said the Committee devoted considerable time to considering the numerous Auditor­ General’s reports on individual defence acquisition projects as part of its current inquiry into financial reporting and equipment acquisition at the Department and the Defence Materiel Organisation.”

December 12, 2006
Airline Passengers to Lose Liquid Assets
Tighter security measures at airports will see passengers limited to the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels they can take on international flights.
   Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile, announced the new measures saying the world had changed over recent years and Australia's security arrangements needed to change accordingly.
   “The foiled terrorist plot in the UK, in August this year, demonstrated that there is a need to restrict the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels permitted on board screened aircraft," Mr Vaile said.
   "As from March 31 next year only small amounts of these substances, (100 millilitres per container) including drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels and toothpaste will be permitted to be taken through the screening point onto international passenger aircraft as carry-on baggage, in a resealable transparent plastic bag no larger than one litre which must be screened separately.”
   Mr Vaile said exceptions would be made for passengers with medical conditions and baby food intended to be consumed on board.
   "These measures will harmonise Australian practice with international action that has recently been taken by the United States, Canada, and the European Union and the recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
   "The Australian Government recognises that these restrictions will affect the industry and the travelling public but we will always put the public's safety first," Mr Vaile said.
   He stressed there was no intelligence to suggest any additional or specific threat to Australian interests.
   “Our national counter terrorism alert level remains at medium,” he said.
   The restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels would not apply on domestic flights but the situation would be kept under review.
   "The Australian Government has invested more than $1.2 billion on aviation security since 11September 2001,” Mr Vaile said.
   “Australia has and will continue to have some of the highest security standards in the world.”

December 12, 2006
Defence Policy Aimed at Industry
The Department of Defence has issued its policy on Defence industries and has called for public comment.
   The Defence and Industry Policy Draft Statement, is the result of a broad consultation process under the guidance of the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson regarding developments in the Australian defence industry and its role in Australia’s defence.
   The statement arose following meetings around the country with defence companies of all sizes; Federal, State and Territory Government representatives; and industry associations. It also received almost 60 written submissions from groups and individuals
   Mr Billson said that over the past eight years, a number of developments had affected the Australian defence industry, including an increase in Australian Defence Force operations, an increase in investment in defence, reform to procurement processes, and a reshaping of the defence industry globally.
   He said it was felt that the impact of these changes made it necessary to review defence industry policy.
   The draft policy sets out the Government’s intended response to the challenge of ensuring the cost-effective delivery of equipment and support to the Australian Defence Force in line with Australia’s strategic circumstances through the following nine strategies:
   * A strategic approach to equipping and sustaining the ADF
   * Maintaining priority local industry capabilities
   * Securing value for money through best-practice procurement
   * Creating opportunities for Australian firms
   * Encouraging small and medium enterprises
   * Supporting the development of skills in the defence industry
   * Facilitating defence exports
   * Driving innovation in defence technology
   * Defence and industry working together
   Comments on the draft statement would be accepted until  21 December 2006, the statement  available on the review website at www.defenceindustrypolicyreview.com.au .
   Formal consideration of the policy by Government would occur early next year.

December 12, 2006
GPS Landing System is Plain Sailing for Qantas
Qantas flight, QF 513 from Brisbane to Sydney has flown into the history books as the first commercial flight in the world to use satellite data for its approach to Sydney airport.
   The achievement was announced by Airservices Australia, which said the passengers on board would not have been aware of the significance of the event.
   Chief Executive of Airservices Australia., Greg Russell said the flight took place late last month, the aircraft landing on Sydney Airport’s Runway 16 Left after using the satellite landing system installed by his organisation.
   “This historic event was the first time an aircraft with fare paying passengers has landed with the Ground Based Augmentation System,” Mr Russell said.
   “GBAS will eventually replace Instrument Landing Systems around the world.”
   He said passengers on the aircraft would only remember the smooth descent, because ground based augmentation of satellite positioning data led to a smooth, undisturbed flight path.
   "The 1940’s technology currently used to assist aircraft landing will be replaced by 21st Century technology using differential satellite positioning data", Mr Russell said.
   He said Airservices Australia had an important role to play in the development and introduction of new technologies that would add to the safe use of Australian skies.
   More than 18 months of international industry cooperation involving Airservices, Qantas and Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd, Honeywell and Boeing provided a world-first in allowing commercial flights to fly the GBAS Cat-1 prototype system.
   GBAS provides augmentation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and transmits information to aircraft every second providing the accuracy and integrity needed for precision approach and landing. Unlike current Instrument Landing Systems which have to be in-place and working for every runway end, a single GBAS covers all nearby runways.
   Nine of Qantas’s new B-737-800s can use the new GPS-based landing system under trial parameters. Work was continuing to develop and fully certify a production system which would be available in two years time.

December 12, 2006
Centrelink Phone Expansion is Good Call For Tasmania
The Commonwealth’s commitment to Tasmania has been reaffirmed by the expansion of  Centrelink's Hobart call centre according to the Minister for Human Services, Joe Hockey and Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz.
   The pair said the proposed purpose-built office to be constructed at Technology Park in Glenorchy would allow the total number of staff at the call centre to rise to 250 with the expected creation of an additional 125 customer service positions.
   "Senator Abetz is a strong advocate for the Tasmanian economy, and has worked tirelessly to get this project off the ground," Mr Hockey said.
    Senator Abetz said the new call centre represented a significant jobs boost for Hobart and provided opportunities for young Tasmanians who would prefer to stay and work in the State.
   "The existing 125 Hobart call centre staff, currently housed in Centrelink's Collins Street building, will also relocate to the Technology Park building when it's completed," Senator Abetz said.
   Mr Hockey said the new building would feature64 the latest in IT and telecommunication facilities and further expand on the Government's investment in Tasmanian telecommunications infrastructure.
   "The new call centre will allow Centrelink to handle a greater volume of calls from customers seeking information on retirement, employment and disability payments and services, as well as services for the hearing impaired," Mr Hockey said.
   Construction on the new building is due to begin early next year, and the building should be ready by mid 2008.

December 12, 2006
Canberra Planners to Have Legacy to Stand On
The future development of key areas of Canberra to make it a vibrant national capital will be officially guided by the “Griffin Legacy” according to the Minister for Territories, Jim Lloyd.
   Mr Lloyd has approvedamendments to the National Capital Plan based on the Griffin Legacy following a six-week public consultation period during which more than 350 submissions were received from organisations, community groups and individuals.  
   “These amendments to the National Capital Plan will enhance our national capital, its position by the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin and its parkland setting,” Mr Lloyd said.
   “The national capital will become a cosmopolitan city with a lifestyle worthy of international recognition.”
   He said the first amendment would ensure that The Griffin Legacy – which was a blueprint for the future development of the city based on the original vision of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin that included boulevards, parks, public buildings and grand monuments -was one of the statutory guides for future planning decisions in the central city.
   A further three amendments would provide the legal framework to allow for the City Hill precinct to be developed into the symbolic and geographic centre of Canberra; Constitution Avenue to be revitalised as a grand city boulevard lined with shops and cafes; and West Basin to be redeveloped with an waterfront connecting the city to Lake Burley Griffin.
   The amendments are subject to a disallowance period of 15 sitting days of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This period would expire on 29 March 2007.
   For more information on The Griffin Legacyamendments, visit www.nationalcapital.gov.au.

December 12, 2006
Tsunami Alert System Making Waves
A new tsunami alert system tailored for Australia and Australian conditions has been commissioned and is now in operation.
   Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said the Bureau of Meteorology would use the system to deliver warnings and advice on possible tsunami activity in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
   Mr Hunt said the Bureau had previously passed on advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and the Japan Meteorological Agency in Tokyo to Australian authorities.
    “Now the Bureau will interpret intelligence received from these centres and provide Australian-specific tsunami bulletins to State and Territory emergency services and media,” Mr Hunt said.
    “When a major earthquake is detected in our region, the Bureau of Meteorology's National Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre, based in Melbourne, will work with Geoscience Australia to interpret the information and issue an initial bulletin through the Bureau's national weather communication network.”
   He said the new system would help emergency services and the media to quickly receive and understand any risk to coastal areas from earthquakes in our region.
   Mr Hunt said the bulletins would be issued under the existing Australian Tsunami Alert System.
   He said the Australian Government was investing nearly $70 million to develop a comprehensive national tsunami warning system.

December 12, 2006
ACCC Closes Book on Library Competition
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is planning to allow the National Library of Australia to tender for the use of electronic resources on behalf of Australian libraries.
   Under the ACCC proposal, the National Library would develop standard agreements with electronic resource providers that any library would be able to enter into.  The electronic resources that may come under the arrangement include subscriptions to news services, health information as well as reference materials such as encyclopaedias and dictionaries.
    Chairman of the ACCC, Graeme Samuel, said the anti-competitive detriment that would flow from the proposed arrangement was likely to be minimal.
    “The ACCC sees benefit in allowing the NLA to negotiate terms and conditions on behalf of libraries,” Mr Samuel said.
   “In particular, the NLA may be able to negotiate more favourable terms and conditions for the access of electronic resources than would be available if libraries were to negotiate individually.” He said this would  benefit the community by allowing greater access to useful information.
   The ACCC was seeking submissions on its draft determination.

December 12, 2006
Pay Case Open to Accept Submissions
The Australian Fair Pay Commission has called for public submissions to its second Wage-Setting Decision due to be announced in mid-2007.
   The Commission has advertised nationally for participation from interested individuals and organisations.
   According to the notices, submissions should address the Commission’s key objective of promoting the economic prosperity of the people of Australia with regard to:
   * The capacity for the unemployed and low paid to obtain and remain in employment;
   * Employment and competitiveness across the economy; and
   * Providing a safety net for the low paid.
   The impact of the Commission’s first Minimum Wage Decision and changes to minimum wage rates that affect employees with a disability, as announced in October 2006 will be considered as part of the 2007 Minimum Wage Review.
   Commission Chairman, Professor Ian Harper, said the submission process was central to the wage review process and more than 180 were received as part of the 2006 review.
   “These submissions provided a range of perspectives about minimum wages in Australia and were used by the Commission to understand the impact of its decisions on all Australians,” Professor Harper said.
   The 2007 Review, like the last one, would involve stakeholder and consultation sessions, as well as commissioned research. Professor Harper said details would be released early in 2007.
   The closing date for submissions for the 2007 Minimum Wage Review is close of business, Friday, 30 March, 2007.
   A review of junior wage rates and minimum wage rates for employees to whom training arrangements apply during 2007 is also expected to be undertaken by the Commission with submissions for these reviews to be invited in early 2007.

December 12, 2006
UN’s Biosphere a Capital Idea
Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory could become the first national capital to become an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve.
   As one of the few international environmental mechanisms that could be applied in urban areas such as Canberra, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Biosphere Reserve was a declaration of a  commitment to sustainable development.
   UNESCO has designated 507 Biosphere Reserves in 102 countries, including 13 in Australia.
   According to ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy, if the nomination was successful, there would be many benefits for the ACT including fostering sustainable scientific endeavours, eco-tourism, marketing of local products, and raising public awareness about the environment to promote sustainability.
   “A biosphere reserve would facilitate sustainable economic and human development while protecting and restoring our landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic resources,” Senator Lundy told the Senate.
   “If the ACT becomes a Biosphere Reserve it will be the first national capital to do so which demonstrates Canberra's commitment to global environmental standards.”
   The ACT Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Planning and Environment was currently investigating the nomination of the ACT to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

December 12, 2006
Councils Count at Awards Presentation
The Minister for Local Government, Jim Lloyd, has congratulated the seven winners of the Australian Government’s National Awards for Local Government.
   Mr Lloyd presented the awards at the 20th Anniversary Awards presentation dinner, held at Old Parliament House, Canberra, in conjunction with the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly.
   “For 20 years the National Awards have been highlighting the excellent and innovative work being undertaken by local government in communities across Australia,” Mr Lloyd said.
   “The Awards have been recognising ingenuity, resourcefulness and self-reliance, and identifying and promoting councils who are finding new ways of delivering services and developing local solutions to complex and challenging problems.”
   He said this year’s winners demonstrated a strong commitment to their local communities with Councils showing innovation in the face of crises caused by drought, breakdown of community values and isolation.
   “The extraordinary efforts of these Councils and the positive effects on the social and economic health of local communities stand as superb models that can guide other Councils right across the country,” Mr Lloyd said.
   “The National Awards for Local Government are the only truly national Local Government awards program, rewarding the resourcefulness, commitment and extraordinary talent and vision in the local government sector.”
   In 2006, 215 entries for the awards were received from Local Governments nationally.
   The City of Playford, South Australia, won a National Award for Outstanding Achievement with its  “Marni Waeindi” project which facilitated the provision of learning and training for Indigenous young people by a range of agencies.
   The Goulburn Mulwaree Council in NSW won the National Award for Excellence for its positive approach and strong leadership in addressing the drought crisis with a mixture of water restrictions, whole-of-community engagement, education and incentives that had had significant benefits for all sectors of the community,
   More information on the awards is available at  www.dotars.gov.au/local/awards

December 12, 2006
New Award is Capital Gain for Tax Advisor
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to improving revenue law in Australia the Tax Office’s special counsel, Daryl Davies, has been awarded the inaugural Graham Hill Award.
   Mr Davies, QC, was congratulated on his achievement by Tax Commissioner, Michael D’Ascenzo, who thanked him for his contributions to the Tax Office and the community.
   “Over Mr Davies’ long and distinguished career he has given a great deal to the community through his work in interpreting tax laws in a practical and common sense way,” Mr D’Ascenzo said. “As a retired Federal Court Judge, he brought a wealth of technical knowledge and expertise to the Tax Office.”
   “He has provided invaluable input into the development and interpretation of tax law in Australia – a contribution which will help ensure fairness, balance and certainty in Australia’s tax system.”
   Mr D’Ascenzo said ewnners of the Graham Hill Award were recognised for making  significant contributions to improving the administration, policy, practice, teaching or understanding of revenue law in Australia.
   “Our administration of Australia’s tax system affects the whole community. That’s why we value people of Mr Davies’ calibre and thank them for their willingness to continue to make a contribution to the Australian community through their work with the Tax Office.
   “This is fitting recognition of a person who has done just that.
   Mr D’Ascenzo hope the award would serves as an incentive for other outstanding Australians to continue to look at ways to improve the administration, teaching and understanding of revenue law.
   Daryl Davies QC has served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, Additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory and Acting Judge and Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
   He joined the Tax Office in 2004 as Special Counsel advising on issues relating to statutory interpretation, including input into a number of Tax Office public rulings and has been a member of the Board of Taxation, and Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

December 12, 2006
Plan For Marine Park Making Waves
Public consultation on the South-east Marine Park Area (MPA) has commenced with the  Government a step closer to establishing one of the world’s largest marine park networks.
   Minister for Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said the South East Marine Park Network would consist of 13 new Commonwealth reserves in south-eastern Australian waters with a combined area almost as big as Victoria.
    “The current proposal comes after previous consultation, which began in December last year, with marine industries and other stakeholders,” Senator Campbell said. “The initial rounds of consultation resulted in more than 20 changes to boundaries and zoning in the draft proposal. The community has spoken and the Government has listened”.
   The proposed network is intended to be the first of a series of Regional Representative Marine Parks to be established around the nation.
    “The network will provide world-leading protection for the unique environment of the South-east Marine Region and help ensure a sustainable future for marine industries for generations to come,” Senator Campbell said.
   “When the network is officially declared, it will cover a total area of 226,458 km2, equivalent to three times the area of Tasmania. This is a commitment of the Australian Government to deliver biodiversity conservation while allowing sustainable use of the marine environment.
   “The south-east MPA proposal forms part of the Howard Government’s commitment to provide $37.7 million over four years to ensure Australia’s position as a global leader of marine resource management and conservation”.
   The proposed reserves are in Commonwealth waters (outside three nautical miles) within the South-east Marine Region, which stretches from the ocean off eastern South Australia, through Victoria, Tasmania and off southern New South Wales.
   Senator Campbell said the declaration of these marine reserves would be a major contribution to building the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas under which marine reserves would be established all around Australia by the Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory Governments.
   Public comment on the proposed reserves must be received by the Department of the Environment and Heritage by Friday, 22 December.
  
December 5, 2006
Ship of State in Shipshape State Says Commissioner
The Australian Public Service was a robust and healthy institution but it could not afford to be complacent, according to Public Service Commissioner, Lynelle Briggs.
   In delivering the 2005-2006 “State of the Service” report to Parliament, Ms Briggs said the APS had seen many positive developments including:
   * a high proportion of employees being proud to work in the APS;
   * high levels of job satisfaction;
   * high levels of employee engagement;
   * a strong focus on integrity and fairness;
   * high levels of service user satisfaction for service delivery agencies; and
   * movement towards a more skilled workforce.
   “The 2005-06 State of the Service report is a rigorous and objective account of the ‘good’ and the ‘not so good’ things happening in the APS, particularly in the areas of employee engagement, organisational effectiveness and working with the community,” Ms Briggs said.
   “But just as the State of the Service report helps us to identify areas of strength, it also helps us to identify areas where we need to focus our attention.”
   Five areas for specific attention emerged from this year’s report: developing capability in the senior leadership group; supporting and developing Executive Level employees (that is, the middle-management and SES feeder group); positioning the APS as an employer of choice; achieving excellence in governance; and building organisational capacity to address the challenges of the future.
   Ms Briggs said the fifth critical challenge, “building organisational capacity to address the challenges of the future” was crucial.
   “The APS is facing a range of immediate and pressing challenges. It is important that we are not distracted from reflecting on where we are going, and where we need to go to build our capacity to deal with the likely challenges of the future,” she said.
   She noted that while future reform agenda was still evolving, the State of the Service report identified some key components that were already apparent.
   “The focus on whole of government approaches in the APS has been with us for some time, but embedding a whole of government culture and processes so that they develop into a normal way of operating will continue to be an important part of the public service reform agenda into the future,” she said.
   She also said the trend to deliver programs through and with a range of non-government bodies was likely to continue.
   “The APS will need to continue working to develop appropriate governance arrangements to underpin such arrangements - ensuring they provide for a co-operative approach and provide for clear understandings around desired outcomes, accountability and risks,” she said.
   She said another plank of the future reform agenda relates to the APS’s relationships with the community more broadly.
   “In most countries, governments are looking at ways in which working more directly with the community can lead to better policy and program outcomes.  The State of the Service report recognises that this approach has already been used in the APS to good effect.”
   She said it was likely that such approaches would become more common, and extend to a much broader range of policy issues in the future.
   In conclusion she said the APS’s success in implementing these new approaches would depend largely on its capacity to manage a diverse and complex web of relationships.
   “We will require people who have strong relationship management skills, a willingness and ability to listen to views of others, conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and a focus on getting the best outcomes. And we will need very smart people, who think strategically.
   “At an institutional level we have to maintain our focus on developing a culture that is self-reflective - where we are capable of constructive self-criticism, of hearing what our employees have to say, and of leveraging off the creative and innovative ideas that are generated. These things are critical to a continuing process of organisational renewal.”
   She said the State of the Service report was an important part of the process, and of enabling APS employees to contribute to its future direction and ensure the APS has the organisational capacity to deal with the challenges ahead.
   The State of the Service report found there were 146,434 staff employed under the Public Service Act at 30 June, an increase of 9.6 per cent on the previous year, due largely to the coverage of Medicare Australia staff.
   More than half the APS (51.9%) possessed tertiary qualifications, 2253 were in the Senior Executive Service, 34.8 per cent of whom were women.
   The typical Commonweealth Public Servants is a 42-year-old female APS 4.
   The full State of the Service report can be found at http://www.apsc.gov.au/stateoftheservice/0506/index.html

December 5, 2006
Big Wigs to Study Lawyers’ Privilege
The Australian Law Reform Commission is to conduct an enquiry into legal professional privilege as it relates to the activities of Commonwealth investigatory agencies.
   Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock announced the inquiry following Royal Commissioner Terence Cole’s report into illicit payments for wheat transport in Iraq.
   “The Cole Inquiry into the UN Oil-for-Food Program raised important questions in relation to legal professional privilege and its impact on Commonwealth investigations,” Mr Ruddock said.
   “The ALRC will look at legal professional privilege and its impact on all Commonwealth bodies, including Royal Commissions, that have coercive information gathering or associated power.”
   During Commissioner Coles’ hearings, the Australian Wheat Board argued in the Federal Court that a large number of its documents were subject to the privilege and not available to the Enquiry.
   Mr Ruddock said that while AWB’s challenge was unsuccessful, Commissioner Cole recommended that consideration be given to providing that legal professional privilege not apply to Royal Commission proceedings.
   He said there were also concerns that legal professional privilege was used to frustrate enforcement of Australian laws by investigatory agencies such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
   “Legal professional privilege is a significant common law right. Its application needs to be considered properly by an independent public inquiry, not knee-jerk responses,” Mr Ruddock said.
   “This ALRC inquiry will give the community and key stakeholders a chance to have their say on this important issue.”