25 July 2006
Gov’t Businesses Not-For-Profit According to Productivity Report
The Productivity Commission has found that most Government trading enterprises (GTEs) were not profitable and failed to achieve commercial rates of return in 2004-05.
   The report, Financial Performance of Government Trading Enterprises 2000-01 to 2004-05, also looked at the capital structures of GTEs and capital withdrawal by State and Territory governments.
   In preparing its report, the Productivity Commission examined 85 GTEs with assets of more than $186 billion and $63 billion in revenue, accounting for 86 per cent of all revenue generated by government owned businesses.
   It found that in 2004-05, aggregate profitability increased in the electricity, water and urban transport sectors compared with the previous year but declined in the railways, forestry and ports sectors.
   It said that despite some improvement, a majority of the monitored GTEs failed to obtain commercial rates of return in 2004-05.
   The Commission also found that the proportion of GTEs falling below the commercial threshold had not changed significantly for more than a decade.
   Productivity Commissioner Mike Woods said that the decision by the Council of Australian Governments, (COAG)  to reinvigorate reform through a new National Reform Agenda was timely because of the performance of the GTEs and the lack of long-term improvement.
   "The Commission’s continued monitoring of GTEs will assist in evaluating the progress and gains from further infrastructure reforms," Mr Wood said.
   Financial performance monitoring of GTEs was part of the Commission’s research into the performance of Australian industries and the progress of microeconomic reform. The monitored GTEs provided services in key sectors of the economy — including electricity, water, urban transport, railways, ports and forestry.
   Mr Wood said this highlighted the need for continued reforms by States and Territories to improve the performance of their trading enterprises and ensure they earned an appropriate return on tax-payer funded assets.
   The report found that the electricity sector as a whole had experienced substantial increases in profits, up 68 per cent in real terms from $1.5 billion in 2000-01, to more than $2.6 billion in 2004-05.
   It said that cost recovery was a measure of the ability of a GTE to generate adequate revenue to meet expenses.
   A cost recovery ratio below 100 per cent suggested that a GTE was unable to meet its operating costs even before the cost of servicing debt was taken into account. Most electricity GTEs recovered between 100 and 150 per cent of operating costs.
   In public transport, the report found patronage decreased for the sector as a whole in 2004-05.

25 July 2006
Changes a Tonic to Health Workforce
Australia’s health workforce is to be strengthened under reforms agreed at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting.
           There will be more doctors and nurses and a better trained and more responsive health workforce with the Commonwealth contributing $300 million over four years to the reforms.
   The changes include a single national accreditation scheme for health education and training and it was also agreed to implement a standard national process to assess overseas-trained doctors.
   Under the reforms, States and Territories will contribute to improving the health workforce, with guaranteed support for clinical training and doctor intern places to match the 205 new medical places offered by Commonwealth. A taskforce on the national health workforce would be established to advise on workforce innovation and reform.
   There will be a new Medicare item for practice nurses, registered Aboriginal health workers and nurse practitioners to provide ongoing support for patients with chronic disease on behalf of general practitioners.
   To attract and retain more general practitioners with procedural skills in rural areas, an alternative pathway to vocational recognition is to be created, recognising the special skills involved in rural practice.
   From January 2008, medical specialist trainees could be placed in outpatient departments, Aboriginal Medical Services, private hospitals and private practices, as well as public teaching hospitals.

25 July 2006
Police Line Up For Commissioner’s Awards
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty has presented staffwith awards from the Commissioner’s Honours List at a ceremony at Parliament House.
   AFP staff were honoured for their work investigating international terrorism and people smuggling, intercepting major drug importations and developing cutting edge forensic techniques.
   Peacekeepers and those working offshore in difficult environments were also praised.
   Commissioner Keelty said the awards reflected outstanding professional behaviour and individual acts of bravery, with some staff putting the protection of others before their own safety.
   “We are here to celebrate a committed work force that continually goes beyond the call of duty – be that on the front line, or behind the scenes developing the tools required for policing," Commissioner Keelty said.
   “This year’s awards also recognise long standing commitment to the AFP with members receiving awards for 10 and 15 years diligent service.”
   The awards included medals, commendations, and citations for bravery, conspicuous conduct and excellence in overseas service.
   For the first time 10 Humanitarian Overseas Service Medals will be awarded, on this occasion to police involved in the response to the Boxing Day Tsunami in December 2004.

25 July 2006
Dingo To Be Face of Census Ads
Television presenter Ernie Dingo is to host the advertising campaign for the 2006 Census the Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced. The national Census will take place on 8 August and the television commercials featuring Mr Dingo will go to air from 25 July.
   Australian Statistician, Dennis Trewin, said Ernie Dingo enjoyed a uniquely broad appeal across the entire Australian population and the ABS believed the public at large would quickly identify with him “as he invites us to do our bit for Australia's future by completing the Census form”.
   The ABS had also chosen Euro RSCG Australia as its advertising agency for the Census campaign which will feature64 Mr Dingo in television, radio and print advertisements.
   “Ernie Dingo has the credibility to help all sections of the Australian public realise just why it is important for them to fill in their Census forms,” Mr Trewin said.
“Data from the Census is used for planning vital community services including education and health services.”
   He said the Bureau believed Mr Dingo’s participation in the campaign would help maximise public participation when it came to filling in Census forms.
            “This is essential to a quality Census which depends on a very high count.”
   Mr Trewin said that the selection of Ernie Dingo to present the Census advertising was consistent with the central communications strategy of the ABS which involved a more “humanised” approach to getting out essential Census messages.
   According to the Chief Executive of Euro RSCG Australia, Brendan Tansey, the strategic and creative challenge was clear: “We needed to maximise participation across geography, demography and culture,” Mr Tansey said.
   “In the campaign development, our research showed we should focus on people’s sense of responsibility to the future of Australia. So, we told people there’s something in it for them, completing the Census form is their duty to Australia, and the information they provide will remain confidential. Ernie Dingo was the perfect choice for delivering those messages in a personal, credible and motivating way.”
           Mr Trewin said the previous “Pins” campaign was very effective for the period in which it ran, but it was time for a change and the ABS was very happy with Euro’s selection of Ernie Dingo to help inform the public about the Census.

25 July 2006
AIS Still Sweet on Oranges at Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport has cleared the air over media reports that it had called on sporting teams to replace half-time oranges with sports drinks or lollies saying it intended no such thing.
   Institute Director, Professor Peter Fricker said the AIS did not endorse such a move and comments by nutritionist Michelle Cort had been taken out of context.
   “AIS Nutrition does not advocate that lollies and sports drinks should be given to children at half time, instead of the traditional oranges,” Professor Fricker said.
   “No studies have ever been conducted at the AIS regarding oranges as part of an athletes’ refuelling strategy during exercise.”
   He said the AIS recognised that oranges were a nutritious source of carbohydrate.
   “The comments made to the media relating to carbohydrate consumption during exercise referred to the elite athlete population at the AIS, not for children playing social or even competitive sport.”
   Professor Fricker said a false impression had been created about children and nutrition during sport.
   The AIS Sports Nutrition Department’s role was to provide appropriate, cutting-edge sports nutrition advice to its scholarship holders and elite sporting organisations.
   AIS guidelines for athletes focussed on strategies to enhance carbohydrate availability during exercise and research showed that this could provide a number of performance benefits.
            The AIS argued that performance improvements could also result from ingestion of drinks during exercise lasting more than about 40-60 minutes. Theoretically, athletes should aim to drink enough to offset most of their fluid losses.
   Carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks (sports drinks) were generally more effective than plain water. Sports drinks were a convenient and effective way of obtaining both carbohydrate and fluid simultaneously during exercise or breaks in play.
   AIS Nutrition advised that other carbohydrate sources, including glucose-based lollies and carbohydrate gels, could also be used by the elite athlete population as an effective means of re-fuelling during exercise.
   The AIS emphasised that food and fluid consumed during competition were part of a specific short term strategy aimed at maximising performance at a specific time.
   These were not strategies advised as a long-term approach to day-to-day eating.

25 July 2006
Back to the Future for Federation Council
A Council for the Australian Federation has been formed by Premiers and Chief Ministers to regenerate the political strength of Australian States and Territories. It is the first of its kind since Australia became a federation in 1901.
   All State and Territory leaders would be members of the Council and a small secretariat is to be established in Canberra, with costs to be shared among States and Territories. The chair would rotate among members on an annual basis.
   Acting ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher said the council was designed to become a clearing house for ideas and policy formulation.
   "While recent Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meetings have become co-operative and productive, the State and Territory leaders believe the new council will make it work even better," Ms Gallagher said.
   "The reality is that at present, arrangements for discussion, information-sharing, strategic negotiation and achieving consensus among states and territories is not well organised," she said.
   The Council will meet once or twice a year to find the best common position among the States and Territories on COAG agreements with the Commonwealth and reach joint agreements on cross-jurisdictional issues where a Commonwealth imprimatur was unnecessary or had not been forthcoming.
   It will also develop better procedures for the States and Territories to share and exchange information and identify best practice policy and programs. Ms Gallagher said it also anticipate future developments within the federal system, including Commonwealth decisions that might have a significant impact on the States and Territories.
   The Council has been called a “Labor mates club” by some commentators since it did not include the Commonwealth among its membership.
   Acting Opposition Leader in the ACT, Richard Mulcahy said the Council would only be concerned with bashing the Commonwealth Government.
   "There could be an argument for the States and Territories to form a group if this were a case of genuinely representing the needs and views of their respective legislatures," Mr Mulcahy said.
   But he said that what was being proposed was an alternative Commonwealth, a federation of the Labor States and Territories against Australia's federal legislature.
   "This amounts to nothing more than political point-scoring and will create a new Labor mates' club," he said.       
   The proposed agenda for the first meeting included indigenous issues, the National Reform Agenda, federal proposals to override State/Territory legislation and water and energy reform.
   The secretariat will cost $1.3 million to set up and $1 million in annual running costs.

25 July 2006
Award for Bringing Plane Safety to Book

An Army officer has received national recognition for his contribution to aviation safety.
    Colonel Peter Murphy was awarded the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) 2005 Field Safety Award for his role as the driving force behind Focus on Human Factors in Aviation Safety, a book that has been acclaimed around the world.
   RAeS representative Robin Stanier said Colonel Murphy was commended for his voluntary involvement in a project to produce a definitive reference on human factors in aviation.
   “Without his initiative and drive this project would not have been published,” Mr Stanier said. “It is difficult to imagine a more significant contribution to safety in Australian Defence Force (ADF) aviation in 2005."
   Colonel Murphy acknowledged the contributions of many people in making the book a success.
   “It was a truly collaborative effort by all my authors, with more than 20 people from both within and outside Defence – all Australian – contributing to the publication,” Colonel Murphy said. “I am just pleased that it seems to be highly valued domestically and internationally.”
   The RAeS Field Award for Flying Safety is open to members of the ADF, including foreign exchange and loan personnel, Defence civilians and Defence contractors and their staff.
   Commanders and supervisors within squadrons, ground support units and agencies that support flying operations are invited to submit recommendations for the 2006 RAeS award by January 31, 2007.

25 July 2006
Businesses to Profit From New Austrade Link
Australian businesses entering international markets stand to benefit from an expanded business services network following an agreement between Austrade and accounting firm KPMG to work together providing a range of professional advisory services and support, market research and promotional activities.
            Chief Executive of Austrade, Peter O’Byrne said the new alliance with KPMG would benefit Australian businesses by improving their understanding of the international marketplace and providing the necessary tools.
   “Austrade is delighted to be working with KPMG to promote awareness of the benefits of exporting,” Mr O’Byrne said.
   He said the new relationship would lead to the provision of valuable services, advice, networks and support which would better equip Australian businesses looking to expand into international markets.
   KPMG’s National Managing Partner – Regional Markets, David Dunn, said the new arrangement would lead to more opportunities for Australian businesses to grow in Asia.
   “Going into new markets may be daunting for some, but by leveraging the combined resources of Austrade and KPMG, companies can increase their knowledge, confidence and resources to capitalise on the enormous potential of international, and in particular, Asian markets,” Mr Dunn said.
   The agreement between Austrade and KPMG is a part of Austrade's Corporate Partnerships Program, where the organisation joins with private sector service providers on a non-exclusive basis to boost services for Australian business internationally.

25 July 2006
Review Looks at Film Development
Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemphas launched a review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of Government funding for Australian film production.
   Senator Kemp called on film industry professionals and interested parties to respond to a review saying it would take a broad‑ranging look at the effectiveness of Government support, both direct and indirect, including taxation incentives.
   “The Australian Government has a strong record of support for our film sector and this review will provide options on the best and most effective ways of targeting that support in the future," Senator Kemp said.
   He released an issues paper detailing the way members of the public could make submissions to the review.
   “The purpose of the review is to improve the long term viability and effectiveness of the Australian film industry to help it grow and prosper,” he said.
   The review would outline the Government’s policy objectives for the Australian film industry, analyse the state of the industry and examine the support measures for funding films and the structures that underpin them.
   The Minister said a major focus would be the very low and declining level of private sector investment in the industry and the review would develop possible options for improving the effectiveness of tax incentives and other Government support measures.
   Future funding for the film industry would be considered in the light of the outcomes of the review.
   Senator Kemp said that the findings of the current review of the 10BA and 10B tax incentive schemes, which was examining issues relating to clarity of the schemes’ operations, would inform the broader review.

25 July 2006
Stamp of approval for Australia Post
Australia Post has been recognised for its efforts in encouraging mature-age employment, named as an “Employer Champion” by the Minister for Ageing, Kevin Andrews.
   Employer Champion Awards are a Government initiative to recognise businesses with a formal mature-age employment strategy and which employ staff at a range of ages with at least 20 per cent 45 and over.
   Managing Director of Australia Post Graeme John said the organisation had a strong culture of workforce support.
   “We understand that attracting, retaining and effectively managing people from across all age groups is critical to our future,” Mr John said.
   As part of a recent initiative Australia Post surveyed older members of its workforce to understand better the needs of that group. It conducted age audits and profiled the entire organisation to provide greater understanding of job divisions, by age.
   “This information has helped us build a better understanding of what is important to our people as they near retirement age,” Mr John said.
   Australia Post also surveyed staff who had stopped working within the past five years, to get a clearer picture of the “retirement experience” within the company.
   “Reviewing the experiences of staff, present and past, assists us in future planning of our workforce and provides us with the tools to better facilitate individual requirements for staff as they get older,” he said.
   Australia Post was one of the first organisations in Australia to talk publicly about the importance of mature workers to Australia’s future.

25 July 2006
Harsh Judgement for Federal Sentences
The Australian Law Reform Commission has called for an overhaul of the system for sentencing federal offenders, saying the system needed greater consistency, fairness and clarity.
    ALRC President, Professor David Weisbrot, said there was compelling evidence of inconsistent treatment of federal offenders, as well as a range of gaps, uncertainties and problems in the way the federal system meshed with the States and Territories.
   “Most federal criminal matters are heard in State and Territory courts," Professor Weisbrot said. "This means we have a situation where offenders who have committed the same crime can receive very different outcomes based solely on the State or Territory in which they are sentenced.
   "That’s clearly not fair."
   He said Australia’s federal criminal justice system had evolved significantly over the past 20 years.
           "Having carefully considered the evidence, we have formed the view that the current system for sentencing federal offenders simply isn’t up to the task.”
   The report, Same Crime, Same Time: Sentencing of Federal Offenders, included a detailed analysis of more than 25,000 fraud and drug cases handled by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions between 2000 and 2004.
   The research is the first to look at federal sentencing outcomes and showed a significant disparity in both the type and the severity of outcomes for federal offenders across tate and territory lines.
   The report makes 147 recommendations, including introducing a new Federal Sentencing Act to promote consistency, clarity and transparency and developing a database of federal sentences for use by judicial officers.
   It recommends introducing a Sentence Indication Scheme to provide offenders with an indication of their sentence if they were to plead guilty, possibly avoiding costly court trials and distress to victims.
   It also calls for a federal parole authority and an Office for the Management of Federal Offenders.
   Inquiry head Brian Opeskin said that one of the problems with current federal sentencing legislation was its complexity.
   “A clear and concise Federal Sentencing Act would eliminate confusion and ambiguity and lead to more consistent outcomes,” Mr Opeskin said.
   “Similarly, a database of federal sentences would make it easier for judges and magistrates to determine whether they are exercising their sentencing discretion in a way that is consistent with their colleagues.”
   He said there was also a need to bring the system for parole decisions into line with arrangements in most States and Territories.
   “Decisions about parole of federal offenders are currently made by a Departmental officer on the basis of an offender’s paper file."
   "It would be preferable for these decisions to be made by a federal parole authority involving broad community representation and the opportunity for the prisoner to be heard."
   An Office for the Management of Federal Offenders would ensure administration of the increasingly complex system was adequately resourced, allowing better tracking of federal sentencing decisions and of offenders who served their sentences in the States and Territories, he said.
   The ALRC held more than 80 meetings with interested parties and received 98 written submissions, including 16 from federal offenders, during the two-year inquiry.

25 July 2006
ADF Targets Schools for Leaders
The inaugural Australian Defence Force Leadership and TeamworkAwards have been launched by Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy in Melbourne.
   The award scheme has been introduced to highlight the achievements of young leaders in years 10, 11 and 12 around Australia, with winners announced at school speech nights during October.
   Under the program, school principals will be asked to nominate one student from each year who will then, dependent on year level, be awarded a cash prize of up to $500 and a certificate of commendation.
   Speaking to students and staff at the launch at Buckley Park College, Lieutenant-General Leahy said that the Australian Defence Force was committed to encouraging leadership and teamwork as integral parts of personal development and community spirit.
    “We understand that leadership walks hand in hand with teamwork and in light of this are rewarding young people who have displayed these qualities in their schools and local communities," Lieutenant-General Leahy said.
   The program will continue for at least three years with funding secured for awards for more than 23,000 Australian students.
   Schools across the country will take part on a voluntary basis at the discretion of individual school principals.      

25 July 2006
Warning on Fly-By-Night Travel Scams
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has warned consumers to beware of fake company internet sites offering discounted domestic flights, saying they were the latest scams to hit Australia.
   ASIC took the chance to warn against scammers posing as registered Australian companies.
   According to ASIC Deputy Executive Director of Consumer Protection, Delia Rickard, a company called New Flights Limited was advertising discounted flights to consumers via its website, www.newflights.net and allegedly trading from a Bondi, NSW,  address. Use of the term “Limited” created the illusion that consumers were dealing with a company registered in Australia when in fact Ms Rickard said, the perpetrators were based in America and were purchasing the tickets using stolen credit cards.
   “Travelers today are accustomed to cheap internet deals, frequent flyer schemes and budget airlines,” Ms Rickard said.
   “However, in light of this, consumers need to be aware of fake companies advertising on the internet, which promise to save you hundreds on your flight but leave you stranded at the airport with nothing but a worthless ticket.”
   She said one of the simplest ways to ensure travellers didn’t get burned by a holiday scam was to check that the provider of the discounted airfare was indeed a registered company.
   “The terms ‘Limited’ or ‘Pty Ltd’ may have the effect of making you believe that the offer is genuine, but it could be a ploy to trick you into a scam.”
   Ms Rickard said this particular website had since been shut down but people should be wary about copycat sites popping-up.
   Readers with any doubts about an offer or company can conduct a free search on the National Names Index on ASIC’s website or call 1300 300 630 to find out if a “company” really is a “company”.
   “A quick check may prevent you from falling into a trap and help you to take off sooner and enjoy your hard-earned holiday,” Ms Rickard said.

25 July 2006
History on Top in Curriculum Summit
An education summit is to be heldtolook at ways ofreintroducing the teaching of Australian History into the school curriculum.
      Education Minister, Julie Bishop will host the summit which will be aimed at strengthening the place and maintaining the integrity of Australian history in schools.
   Ms Bishop said the time had come for a renaissance in teaching Australian history in our schools.
      “It is essential that we put a structured narrative back into the teaching of Australian history so that by the time students finish secondary schooling, they have a thorough understanding of their nation's past, and how we have become a modern liberal democracy," Ms Bishop said.
   “Young Australians should study the past to understand the present, so that they can make informed decisions for the future.”
   She said she would invite leading Australian historians and public figures who promote the study of history as well as educational leaders to the summit in Canberra on 17 August.
    “The summit will focus on ways in which the teaching of Australian History can be strengthened in our schools," she said.
   Participants will consider two papers: one on what is currently set to be taught in primary and secondary schools, and the second on the rationale for, and outline of, a narrative approach to Australian history in schools.
   Ms Bishop said the Government was keen to work with states and territories, non-Government educators and history teachers to promote the renaissance of Australian history.
   “I will also be encouraging State education authorities to make the teaching of Australian history a critical part of the syllabus," she said.
   “I will also seek feedback from interested bodies on the teaching of Australian history in order to advance the work of the summit.”
   Australian History Summit participants are expected to include Andrew Barnett, Geoffrey Blainey, Geoffrey Bolton, Bob Carr, Inge Clendinnen, Kate Darian-Smith, Nick Ewbank, John Gascoigne, Jenny Gregory, Gerard Henderson, John Hirst, Jackie Huggins, Paul Kelly, Jennifer Lawless, Mark Lopez, Gregory Melleuish, Margo Neale, Geoffrey Partington, Lisa Paul, Peter Stanley, Tom Stannage and Tony Taylor.

25 July 2006
Crystal a New Sign of the Times
A new protective symbol for neutral and independent humanitarian services has been recognised under the eneva Convention.
   Air Forec News reports that the Red Crystal would  be used in situations where the Red Cross was not respected or where it was perceived to have an adverse political or religious connotation.      Since 1929, the recognised symbols of protection have been the Red Cross and Red Crescent with medical facilities, personnel and members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement displaying the symbols to signify they were entitled to protection under the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC).
   The LOAC contained rules for the protection of medical personnel, equipment, transport and facilities which meant that such facilities and personnel should not be attacked.      Members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement provide neutral and independent humanitarian services and are protected under LOAC.
   Late last year, signatories to the Geneva Conventions agreed to adopt the Red Crystal as the third and final protective emblem for use in conflict. Therefore, the Red Crystal should be recognised as a protected symbol in the same manner as the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
   Australia is a signatory to the protocol and it will take effect under Australian law in due course. The new symbol did not affect the status of the Red Cross/Red Crescent and Air Force News said Australia would continue to use the Red Cross.

25 July 2006
Broome Swept up in Fish Fight
An improved facility for processing illegal foreign fishermen in Broome, WA, was another milestone in the Government’s illegal foreign fishing plan according to Customs Minister, Senator Chris Ellison.
    Senator Ellison was speaking during a visit to the complex at Willie Creek near Broome.
   The $1 million upgrade of the short-term holding centre was the latest development in the Government’s plan to combat illegal foreign fishing in Australia’s northern waters.
   Senator Ellison said the Government intended doubling the number of illegal foreign boats that were apprehended in Australian waters each year.
   He said the centre at Willie Creek was the first of several to be completed, with others at Gove and Weipa due for completion by the end of 2006.
   The Minister said the Government was moving quickly to implement its new measures announced in the budget as part of a $388 million package to combat illegal fishing.
   Customs could now charter long-range helicopters to respond to foreign vessel landings and abandoned boats and would soon tender to establish a long-term helicopter response capability.
   He said in August, Customs would tender to establish an accredited list of providers for towing and support vessels, enabling the Department’s and the Navy’s assets to return to patrol duties more quickly. In October, they will tender for a large patrol and response vessel to support northern maritime operations until January 2008.
   The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is to set up vessel destruction facilities with the capacity to destroy more than 700 vessels a year.
   While in the Kimberley, Senator Ellison met with the indigenous Bardi people of One Arm Point to discuss border protection including the sea ranger program.

25 July 2006
Senior appointments
Pregnancy advisory committee named
The National Pregnancy Counselling Expert Advisory Committee has been appointed for an initial period of a year.
   The committee will advise the Department of Health and Ageing on the establishment of the National Pregnancy Support Helpline to provide telephone counselling and information services and on the development of the new Pregnancy Support Counselling Medicare Item.
   The Committee will be chaired by Dr Andrew Pesce, from Westmead Hospital and its members will be: Professor Helen Christensen, Rosemary Bryant, Jenny Brandon-Baker, Dr Leslie Stephan, Dr Veronica O’Connell and Professor Harvey Whiteford.

NIDA GM to Australia Council
Elizabeth Butcher has been appointed to the Australia Council’s Theatre Board.  Ms Butcher has been the general manager of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts for 37 years. 
  
Parry reappointed to Literature Board
Glyn Parry has been reappointed to the Australia Council’s Literature Board.
   Mr Parry has written a number of books for teenagers and children and has won awards including the Western Australian Premier’s Award and many notable mentions from the Children’s Book Council.
   His appointment is for one year.

Legal eagles land on bench
The Attorney General has announced a number of appointments to the Federal and Family Courts.
    Philip Burchardt, David Halligan, John O'Sullivan and Heather Riley have been appointed Federal Magistrates, Mr Halligan filling the vacancy left by the appointment of Judy Ryan to the Family Court of Australia.
    Dr Chris Jessup QC, John Middleton QC and Richard Tracey QC have been appointed judges of the Federal Court of Australia, in Melbourne, Mr Middleton filling the vacancy left by Justice Crennan’s appointment to the High Court of Australia.

National Health and Medical Research Council
Research Appointments
Membership of the NHMRC’s Research Committee has been announced.
   The Research Committee will provide support to Professor Warwick Anderson who commenced as CEO of the NHMRC in June.
   The appointees are Professor James Best (Chairman), Dr Jon Currie, Professor Tim Davis, Associate Professor Jacinta Elston, Professor Ian Frazer, Associate Professor Matthew Gillespie, Professor Robert (Bob) Graham, Elizabeth Grant, Professor D’Arcy Holman, Associate Professor Bronwyn Kingwell, Professor Margaret O’Connor, Professor Kerin O’Dea, Professor Sally Redman, Dr Nicholas Samaras, Professor Peter Silburn and Professor Ron Trent. Appointments are for thee years.

25 July 2006
PS Briefs
Booz Allen Hamilton Get Access to card
The Minister for Human Services, Joe Hockey, has announced the appointment of Booz Allen Hamilton as lead adviser for the implementation of the health and social services Access Card. The contract, worth $4 million for the next three months is to outline the implementation plan, business architecture, technological specifications and budget.

ASADA welcomes Sailor sanction
The Chairman of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, Richard Ings, has welcomed the Rugby Union’s sanctioning of star Wendell Sailor who tested positive to the drug Benzoylecgonine a metabolite of cocaine, and will be ineligible to compete in any sports until April 2008.
   “Mr Sailor’s sanction for the use of cocaine is a further strong reminder to all athletes of the serious consequences under the WADA Code for those caught using illicit drugs,” Mr Ings said.
 
Australia gives $2.5M to ME victims
The Australian Government is to provide $2 million to Lebanon and $500,000 to Israel for humanitarian relief following the unrest in the region, AusAID has announced.
   The Agency would also provide $2 million through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements.

Security Guard joins queue at Centrelink
The Community and Public Sector Union has reported that a security guard has been appointed to a Centrelink office in Melbourne following threats to staff.
   The Union said officers at the Newmarket Centrelink Office had been subject to brawls, bomb threats and bullying by customers and that a staff-initiated petition led management to appoint the guard.
   Centrelink CEO Hank Jongen said posting the guard was an interim measure and the situation would be monitored. He stressed it was unrelated to the recently introduced Welfare to Work reforms."

Australia Post backs basketballers
Australia Post is to sponsor Australia’s national basketball team, the NBL Boomers. The naming rights deal will run for two and a half years, the team to be called the Australia Post Boomers.
   The arrangement will be in place while the team takes part in the World Championships, Four Nations Tournament and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

New WIPO Executive Program
Applications are being received for places on the new Executive Program of the Worldwide Academy of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. The program will take place at the WIPO Geneva headquarters in September and more information is available on the WIPO website.

Salary bungle affects hundreds
A payday printing error that affected end-of-year salary summaries for hundreds of ACT Government workers has been rectified with up to 20 per cent of staff delayed five days in lodging their tax returns.
   Staff with reportable fringe benefits were issued with replacement summaries.

25 July 2006
Talking Point
Secretary of the Department of Immigration, Andrew Metcalfe explains what’s needed to restore the fortunes of a Department torn apart by criticism and complaint. This week Part 1: Preparing for Change

An overview of organisational change within the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and its implications for other agencies

By Andrew Metcalfe.
In July it will be 12 months since Mick Palmer reported on his inquiry into the Cornelia Rau case.
In the time since then there has been a lot of change in DIMA –short term wins, longer term development, structural change, an expanded SES, improved governance and a focus on planning for a DIMA which has a service ideology that integrates policy, programmes and delivery. There is much more to do – our focus is very much on the future. We are working very closely with our Minister and our Parliamentary Secretary in driving this reform and improvement program.
Today I want to share with you the key parts of this story because, while much of what we have done has been specifically about the way DIMA delivers its programs, some of the issues will resonate with all of you. The Palmer Report, and the later Comrie Report on the Vivian Alvarez case, shone a spotlight on areas where DIMA had clearly made mistakes.
These reports both had concerns that certain areas of the Department had an assumption-based, unquestioning culture. They pointed to a culture that was overly self-protective and defensive, a culture largely unwilling to challenge organisational norms or to engage in genuine self-criticism or analysis.
But more broadly the reports raised issues beyond immigration compliance and detention: they focussed more generally on leadership, governance, training, systems support, the relationship between policy development and implementation, client service delivery and records management. These are issues which we all confront every day in each of our agencies.
At my very first Portfolio Secretaries’ meeting last July, (the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) Peter Shergold led a discussion on the implications these conclusions held for all Commonwealth agencies. I know that many of you have looked closely at your own operations in light of the issues raised.
When we were developing our reform and improvement agenda, we spoke widely to many agencies that had themselves undergone substantial change. There is much we can learn from each other.

Where have we come from?
Change is a fact of life in any organisation, only the drivers and the speed it is implemented vary.
At DIMA, change was driven by the almost unprecedented criticism in the Palmer Report. From that point, change has been happening at a rapid rate.
There was the departure of the senior leadership team and my return to the Department after some years away at Prime Minister & Cabinet dealing with a wide range of issues around national security, international, ministerial and parliamentary affairs.
A new (to DIMA) Deputy Secretary, Bob Correll, joined DIMA the same day that I commenced as the Secretary. With Abul Rizvi, then acting Deputy Secretary, we had to quickly re-establish some normality to the Department, all the time knowing that it was a far from benign operating environment. Neil Comrie was expected to report shortly on the Vivian Alvarez case and a further 200 or so cases had been referred by the Government to the Ombudsman.
Where we have come from is important. Electronic visa processing and moving much of the overseas visa application processing to our offices in Australia has changed the way we work. Large numbers of unauthorised boat arrivals from the late 10s and the subsequent policy changes meant we had to be flexible and responsive. It was perhaps in meeting those challenges that we let ourselves concentrate too much on crises and took our eye, in some key areas, off “business as usual”.

Who are we in DIMA?
I want to talk for a moment about “business as usual”, and effective corporate governance in DIMA, and the kind of organisation we are.
We are both a policy and a program agency and a service delivery agency. Many services we deliver directly. However, much is outsourced. In terms of procurement, we are the second largest Commonwealth agency by number of contracts and fourth largest by dollar value.
Staff numbers are currently around 6000.
We have a presence in every State and Territory and in some of the most remote parts of Australia – about half of DIMA staff work in the State and Territory network.
Over 160 Australian based staff work with about 700 locally engaged staff in our overseas network located in more than 60 countries.
The people who work in this wide network are my most valuable asset. They are rightly proud of the work we do in delivering the Government’s strong migration, citizenship, settlement and multicultural programs. And in many of these programs we are widely recognised as world leaders.

Developing the change agenda
The conundrum for me on my appointment to this job last July was to recognise this excellence and level of achievement, but at the same time to be clear to staff right across the Department that Mick Palmer’s very significant and critical findings and recommendations were not just about isolated pockets of activity or one specific case.
Mr Palmer talked about an organisation that was “process rich and outcomes poor”. Reform was clearly required across the organisation and I needed all staff to understand this and help me achieve the necessary changes and improvements.
As we all know, the Government accepted the findings and recommendations of the Palmer Report, and later those of the Comrie Report and has so far committed $231 million over five years to implement a substantial reform and improvement package, comprising well over 60 initiatives.
Developing the package had to be one of my first priorities – the Minister had a commitment to come back to Government with an implementation plan to respond to the Palmer Report by September. We had about 10 weeks to pull the plan together.
At the very least the change agenda needed to address the specific concerns in the Palmer and Comrie Reports, but to be truly effective, it needed to address the broader issues – around leadership and governance, staff training and support, developing a client service focus and better systems to allow these things to happen.
I also knew that there would be further scrutiny of the Department’s past activities, so our response had to position DIMA for the high likelihood of further criticism. It had to be a comprehensive response, but one that is easily understood, both internally by my staff – many of whom were still reeling from the impact of sustained public criticism – and externally by those who have a legitimate interest in DIMA. We eventually called it “Palmer Plus”, because it was about much more than responding to the 49 Palmer recommendations.

The Change Management Taskforce
One of my very first steps was to establish a small, high level Change Management Taskforce – a temporary think tank if you like - to support me and the executive team in developing the framework for change. I drew on people from outside the organisation, to bring a fresh perspective, as well as committed staff from inside DIMA to bring an understanding of the business and the Department’s culture.
The Taskforce was an additional capability not tied up in the day to day running of the business – and clearly I needed to implement change, while not for a minute letting slip the reins on the very busy operational load I’ve already described to you.
We met – me, the Deputy Secretaries and the Taskforce – every morning at 8.30 for the four months the Taskforce existed. These meetings were critical – we used them to craft the messages that would go out to staff, cut through any road blocks, calibrate all the different streams of activity underway, make sure we were all on the same page, and develop the program for change as a team.

*This is an edited version of the first part of a speech given by Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, at the SES breakfast series on 2  May, 2006.
In the final part next week, Mr Metcalfe outlines  DIMA’s Framework for Change

18 July 2006
PS to Show Lead in Workplace Safety
Government Departments and Agencies have been put on notice that they must be the leaders in Occupational Health and Safety if the community is to follow.
   A new booklet published by Comcare has made it clear that Government organisations should champion OHS-friendly workplaces.
   The booklet entitled Government Leaders Safety Leaders says that creating an effective and efficient safety, rehabilitation and return to work culture within an organisation sends a message to staff that they are respected, valued and important.
   Developing a strong safety and injury management culture relies on commitment and leadership from senior management, the booklet says and Government organisations had the potential to champion change beyond their own organisations by leading by example.
   The booklet says Departments and Agencies can demonstrate the advantages of excellent OHS and injury management performance and encourage performance improvement in industries with which they deal, either as employers or clients.
   It goes on to show how to do this.
   Comcare has developed a model of best practice to assist Government organisations in better practice OHS and injury management based on leading by example and highlighting commitment, systems review and improvement, accountability measures, executive information and incentives.
   Discussion of better safety and injury management issues at high-level meetings helps to raise the profile of OHS, the booklet says.
   It says raising an organisation’s OHS profile assists in shifting perceptions of workplace health and safety from regulatory compliance to strategic management.
   The booklet also provides a list of practical tips for getting ensuring OHS and Injury Management are added to the executive agenda.
           These include making OHS and injury management a standing item on agendas of
executive meetings and appointing a senior executive as accountable for the effectiveness of the organisation’s OHS and injury management systems.
   It also suggests considering OHS and injury management implications when developing organisational change and human resource and performance management strategies.
   The booklet encourages organisations to allocate resources to identify, assess and remedy areas of risk and to require line managers to report to the executive on workplace injuries, steps taken to prevent further injury and rehabilitation support provided to injured employees.
   It suggests progress be detailed in quarterly and/or annual reports.
   To bring home the message to senior staff, the booklet suggests the agency’s claims insurer and/or injury management service provider be invited to address an executive meeting to discuss the organisation’s injury and claim trends and costs.
   The booklet also looks at systems review and improvement, accountability measures, executive information and incentives.

18 July 2006
ABC Goes For Doctor on Cancer Scare
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has appointed an independent panel of experts to investigate the incidence of breast cancer at the corporation’s Brisbane premises at Toowong.
   ABC Managing Director Mark Scott told staff in Toowong that a Review and Scientific Investigation Panel would be set up immediately.
   “This expert panel will have three key tasks,” Mr Scott said.
   * Review the scientific evaluation of work undertaken to date on this matter, including the 2005 efforts to attempt to identify any cause for the cancer clusters at Toowong
           * Advise the ABC on what other appropriate measures could be taken to identify any cause for the breast cancer occurrences at Toowong; and to
           * Advise the ABC on a course of action based on the findings of the evaluation and testing undertaken above.
   Mr Scott said the Panel would be chaired by one of Australia’s foremost authorities on the causes and control of cancers, Dr Bruce Armstrong, and include Dr Norman Swan, ABC producer and presenter of the Health Report. Other persons will be nominated to the panel by Dr Armstrong.
   “In light of the very concerning news that another staff member was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have commissioned a panel of experts to investigate if there is any evidence of a possible linkage between the incidence of breast cancer and the Toowong site,” Mr Scott said.
   “All ABC staff know and admire the work of Dr Norman Swan as one of Australia’s most respected medically qualified journalists, known for his fearless investigative reporting. I am delighted that Dr Swan has agreed to bring his expertise to this Panel.”
   Mr Scott said the ABC would continue to support its colleagues while the investigation was taking place.
           “We have arranged free mammograms for all women working at the Toowong office and a free counselling service will also be available to all staff and their families until the findings of the investigation are handed down.”

18 July 2006
Regulator’s Nuclear Reaction Positive
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been given the go-ahead to operate a second nuclear research reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney.    Approval to commission the new facility was given by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
   Executive Director of ANSTO, Dr Ian Smith, said the granting of the licence to the Organisation would allow it to operate its Open Pool Australian Light-water reactor (OPAL) and took Australian science one step closer to the start of a new era.
   He said the OPAL reactor would increase ANSTO’s capacity to supply Australia and the region with important radiopharmaceuticals and also provide Australian scientists with the world leading capability to apply nuclear research to biotechnology, food and molecular biology, nanotechnology, health, environmental management and engineering.
   “This research will result in tangible social and economic benefits for Australia,” Dr Smith said.
   He said the licence was granted following examination of evidence presented by ANSTO, including cold commissioning tests. ARPANSA was advised by overseas consultants including a review team from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
   Dr Smith said granting the licence meant ANSTO could now load nuclear fuel and begin its second commissioning phase, where further testing would take place to ensure performance met expectations.
   In early 2007, when this was complete, the current ANSTO reactor, HIFAR, would shut down.
   He said OPAL and its complementary facilities are already attracting interest from scientists around the world.

18 July 2006
Postal Ombudsman Expects to Deliver
A new postal industry Ombudsman has been welcomed by both postal and courier operators.
   Announced by the Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan, the new scheme would investigate complaints against couriers and postal services, including Australia Post.
   The first Postal Industry Ombudsman would be the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan.
   Professor McMillan said the scheme would be voluntary for couriers and postal operators but participants in the industry would benefit by joining.
    "Customers of the postal operator will be able to approach an independent watchdog when things go wrong," Professor McMillan said. "Membership of the scheme shows a strong commitment to customer service and a willingness to be accountable to customers.”
   He said consumers would have increased confidence in using a business, knowing that there was an external body that could investigate problems and find a resolution, he said.
   Professor McMillan would add the Postal Industry Ombudsman duties to an already crowded duty statement which includes his roles as Commonwealth Ombudsman, Defence Force Ombudsman, Taxation Ombudsman, Immigration Ombudsman, ACT Ombudsman and Law Enforcement Ombudsman.
   He said the Postal Industry Ombudsman took the office of Commonwealth Ombudsman in a new direction – from handling complaints about Government Departments and Agencies to handling complaints about private sector businesses.
   "All these different functions deal with different issues and require different knowledge,’’ Professor McMillan said.
   “But (it entails) the same expertise in investigation and complaint handling.”
   Managing Director of Australia Post, Graeme John, welcomed the new Ombudsman saying the office would provide a credible and independent third party to investigate and report specifically on postal industry customers’ complaints
   “In the past we have had fewer than 20 formal written queries from the Commonwealth Ombudsman per year, but some of these have led us to address specific issues and correct inconsistencies in our services,” Mr John said.

18 July 2006
Media Watchdog Gets Sharper Teeth
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is to get flexible new powers to regulate the broadcasting industry.
   Communications Minister, Senator Helen Coonan said the need for more powers at ACMA had been “clear for some time” if the agency was to enforce existing broadcasting laws more effectively.
    “That is why the Government released a discussion paper in November 2005 and consulted widely with industry and consumers on how to best equip ACMA to regulate the broadcasting industry,” Senator Coonan said.
   ACMA’s current broadcasting regulatory powers concentrated on the higher end of the scale meaning that criminal penalties or cancellation of a broadcasting licence were often unworkable responses to minor incidents where offending behaviour was not repeated, she said.
   "In most cases, the new powers are similar to those that ACMA already uses in its role as the regulator of telecommunications services," she said.
   The additional powers included civil penalties for a range of breaches where only criminal sanctions were currently available, giving ACMA greater flexibility to address non-compliance.
            They enable ACMA to obtain injunctions where commercial broadcasting services were being provided without an appropriate licence and to accept enforceable undertakings from industry in relation to its role in regulating the broadcasting, datacasting and internet content industries.
   ACMA would also be empowered to issue infringement notices for minor breaches of the Broadcasting Services Act related to reporting requirements.
   “The Government is introducing these changes to enable ACMA to be more responsive, particularly when it comes to ensuring compliance with broadcasting codes of practice and licensing conditions,” Senator Coonan said.

18 July 2006
ABC Digs Digital TV Changes
Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,Mark Scott, has welcomed a commitment by the Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan, to remove genre restrictions on the digital channel ABC2.
   The decision was announced as part of the Government’s overhaul of media policy and affirmed the ABC's key role in driving the change to digital television by providing attractive new digital content, Mr Scott said.
   "Fresh new content is an important driver for the take-up of digital television," Mr Scott said. "ABC2 is providing an additional service to our audience who purchase a set top box or who receive the digital channel via a pay platform."
   Mr Scott said the service included new programming from regional Australia where the ABC was a key player in guaranteeing diversity, providing local news and community information, accessing archival content and bringing stories from outside the capital cities to the whole nation.
   "However the current restrictions on what we can show on ABC2 limit the potential of the channel," he said.
   The ABC welcomed the removal of the current restrictions and would continue to argue that the most effective option to encourage consumers to switch to digital TV would be to remove the genre restrictions altogether, he said.
   "The ABC has shown, through initiatives such as ABC2, our broadband content initiatives and our successful podcasting service that we are at the forefront of the digital media changes."

18 July 2006
Grave Damages Avoided
The Australian Government is to provide more than $5000 to help restore the London graves of two of the nation’s first Prime Ministers, Sir George Reid and Andrew Fisher.
   Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said the funding would be given to the Office of Australian War Graves for the restoration work.
   “Both Sir George Reid and Andrew Fisher made a significant contribution to the early development of the Australian nation and its new Federal constitution,” Senator Campbell said.
    “The restoration of their graves is important to protect their heritage values, but more importantly to honour the memories of two great Australians.”
   Sir George Reid, Australia’s fourth Prime Minister and leader of the Free Trade Party, served as PM from 18 August 1904 until 5 July 1905. He was also Australia’s founding High Commissioner in London, serving from 1910 until early 1916. He died in 1918.
   More than $1400 would be available to clean the base and granite of Sir George’s grave in London’s Putney Vale Cemetery, re-seal surfaces and repair damaged areas.
   Andrew Fisher was Prime Minister for three terms, 1908-09, 1910-13 and 1914-15, also serving as Treasurer during all three terms. He was a founding member of both the Labor Party in Queensland and of the federal parliamentary Labor Party.
   “A number of important projects were undertaken during his terms in office, including the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy and the Commonwealth Bank, founding the federal capital of Canberra, and the introduction of maternity allowances,” Senator Campbell said.
   “International and imperial relations were also a feature64 of Andrew Fisher’s Governments. His Government took office a month after World War I began and directed the early offensive operations carried out in New Guinea. The Fisher Government also sent the first Australian troops to Egypt, from where they were despatched to Gallipoli.
   “Andrew Fisher died in 1928 and is buried in Hampstead, London. More than $3500 will be used to restore the grave, including fixing kerbs, re-laying the paving, and cleaning the area.”
   Funding would be provided through the Australian Government’s Commemoration of Historic Events and Famous Persons program.

18 July 2006
Customs’ Breeding Goes to the Dogs
Customs has reached a milestone in its detector dog breeding program with the birth of its 1000th puppy.
   The black female Labrador was one of nine pups delivered at Customs National Breeding and Development Centre in Melbourne.
   The pup, which has been named Spirit of Australia, will join the long list of puppies specially bred and groomed to help protect Australia’s borders from the importation of illegal narcotics, firearms and explosives.
   Manager of the National and Breeding and Development Centre, John Vandeloo, said the birth represented the success of the program in reliably breeding quality canines for use as detector dogs.
   “This is a proud and significant birth in Customs path-finding journey in the production of quality community protection detector dogs,” Mr Vandeloo said.
   Spirit’s mother Meg, is a successful brood bitch at the Centre while her father is a young operational dog, Webby, who recently made a significant heroin detection just one month after graduating from detector dog training.
   The Australian Customs Service was the first border protection agency in the world to develop a successful selective breeding program for detector dogs.
   Its development in 16 followed an intensive three-year study that identified the required genetics for breeding, and the best environmental influences for training, of detector dogs.
   The breeding program is now the only source of Customs detector dogs.
   Many other agencies also use dogs bred by Customs, including the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Federal Police, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and State and Territory police, and correctional services.
   Customs had also provided both puppies and trained detector dogs to other countries including the United States, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saipan and Japan.

18 July 2006
Defence Joins War on Unhealthy Workplaces
Military and civilian personnel in the Australian Defence Force can expect healthier and safer workplaces following the opening of the new Defence Centre for Occupational Health (DCOH).
   Officially opening the Centre, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson said health and safety would be a top priority.
   “This dedicated new centre aims to prevent health problems and tackle both short and long-term health challenges,” Mr Billson is reported as saying in Army News.
   The Centre, in Canberra’s Brindabella Park, is a small organisation of OHS professionals and administrative support that eventually will be able to draw in expertise as needed.
   Mr Billson said military operations and exercises carried an element of risk.
   “Those put in harm’s way in the service of our nation must be supported by an organisation continually striving for excellence in occupational health and safety management,” he said.
   Defence’s Director-General, OHS and Compensation, Steven Grzeskowiak said the centre aimed to prevent occupational illness, disease and injury through effective application of hazard identification, risk management principles and engagement with people.
   “This includes our military members, civilian employees, reservists, cadets, visitors, contractors, and members of the public affected by our activities,” he said.
           "This easily exceeds 100,000 people at any given time.”

18 July 2006
Scientist to Lecture on Fusion Confusion
Australian scientist, Dr Barry Green is to return home for a lecture tour explaining the possibilities of nuclear fusion as the world’s answer to the energy crisis.
   Dr Green will be in Australia from 26 July until 18 August and his visit is being welcomed as a way of launching discussions on Australia’s role in the fusion debate before a federally-supported workshop on the topic is held in October.
   Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars and if harnessed on earth, would provide millions of years of base-load energy, with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
   A recent agreement signed with countries representing more than half the planet's population has set the path to bring fusion power to reality by building the world's largest science experiment, the next step fusion energy experiment, ITER.
   But despite the fact that fusion was discovered in Australia, this country is not yet part of ITER.
   Once operating ITER will demonstrate the viability of fusion power by delivering
significant power gain – a world first.
   Dr Green was involved in the ITER project as an advisor to the European Commission Directorate in Brussels, that coordinated all European energy research. During his visit to Australia he will put forward the important scientific advances, challenges and outline the future of fusion power.
   The lectures begin in Perth on 26 July and more information is available from  www.ansto.gov.au/ainse/fusion/workshop.html

18 July 2006
Families in Friendly Firing Line at Defence
Defence Force families are to benefit from $946,000 in Family Support Funding grants, recently announced by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson.
   Mr Billson said the Government recognised the contribution and sacrifices made by the families of Australia’s Defence Force personnel and the grants would make life easier for them.
    “Those who have pursued a military career have chosen not only a job but also a special way of life,’’ Mr Billson said.
   “For their families, this can mean frequent postings around Australia and a significant amount of time on their own while their loved ones are deployed on operations and exercises.”
   He said the grants would provide money to develop programs and activities that best suit the needs of ADF families within their local communities.
   “Fifty-seven Defence family support groups in all states and territories, as well as in Malaysia, will benefit from a total of $946,000 in Defence grants this financial year,” Mr Billson said. The grants assist Defence family support groups to make use of neighbourhood houses and community centres, undertake programs and activities such as craft groups, playgroups, assisting children with special needs and producing newsletters.
   “These important projects will help Defence families stay connected with their local communities and assist them to better deal with the challenges of a highly mobile Defence lifestyle,” Mr Billson said.

18 July 2006
Crime Commission to Spearhead Indigenous Task Force
The Australian Crime Commission is tolead a joint-agency intelligence task force to address violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities.
The National Indigenous Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force has been welcomed by Indigenous Affairs Minister, Mal Brough and Justice Minister, Senator Chris Ellison who said it would collect, analyse and disseminate intelligence to Commonwealth, State and territory law enforcement agencies, providing a whole of government response to violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities and monitor organised criminal activity relating to drugs, alcohol, pornography and fraud.
   The task force would be resourced by the Commonwealth, States and territories and include involvement from the Australian Federal Police, State and territory police forces and other agencies.
   Mr Brough said agreement to create the task force followed presentation of a $130 million package to the Inter-Governmental Summit on Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous communities. He said the intelligence unit would be a key component in restoring law and order in Indigenous communities and protecting women and children from violence and abuse
   The objectives of the task force included improving the national coordination of the collection and sharing of information and intelligence on violence and child abuse in remote and urban indigenous communities.
   The task force would also enhance national understanding of the nature and extent of violence and child abuse in remote and urban indigenous communities.
   Mr Brough said the task force would consist of at least 35 officers, including experts from the ACC and Australian Institute of Criminology and officers from the AFP and State and Territory Police Forces.
   “Safety should be a fundamental right for all Australian citizens. This measure will help to encourage witnesses to come forward and to ensure perpetrators are brought to account,” Mr Brough said.

18 July 2006
Union Redefines “Counter” Terrorism
The public sector union is concerned that resource levels at Centrelink could be inadequate to deal with the Government’s new welfare-to-work program and may lead to increased customer frustration and aggression against staff in Centrelink offices.
    The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) fears that frontline staff in Centrelink may become targets for customers whose benefits are affected by the tougher Welfare To Work provisions.
    The union has called for more resources, support and training to ensure Centrelink staff were not put at risk of physical harm.
    The Agency has rejected the union’s fears, General Manager, Hank Jongen saying Centrelink had been provided with “significant” resources to implement and deliver the reforms.  
   CPSU National Secretary, Stephen Jones said major policy changes such as welfare-to-work can lead to confusion and frustration in Centrelink offices.
    "In the past, this has unfortunately led to incidents of workplace aggression," Mr Jones said. "We are concerned that not enough support has been provided to manage a significant policy change like welfare-to-work."
     Mr Jones said there were already long queues in Centrelink offices and staff were feeling the strain of operating in an under-resourced environment.
    "Welfare-to-work means more customers will be forced to attend Centrelink offices more often. We are concerned that this will make an already challenging situation unworkable."
    Centrelink’s Hank Jongen said staff and customer safety were high priorities for the Agency and there had been no indication to date of any increase in aggression since the new rukles bagan non 1 July.
    “We’ve developed a new service model to help staff deliver these changes to customers,” Mr Jongen said. 
    “Front line staff will not be making decisions about whether customers have failed to comply with the new rules. Specialised teams, located in area offices, will now thoroughly investigate each case before any penalty is imposed.”
    He said Centrelink was committed to reducing incidents of customer aggression and already had a range of procedures in place.
    “Centrelink deals with tens of thousands of customers every day, and violent incidents are certainly not the norm.”
    Mr Jones said the CPSU wanted to ensure its members worked in a safe environment.
    He said the union had asked Centrelink to review its health and safety procedures and set up a joint working party to review customer aggression guidelines but so far the agency had not agreed.
    "Centrelink has so far to failed to even provide information about health and safety risks," Mr Jones said.
    Mr Jongen said the Agency was always looking to improve its OHS policies and procedures and input from the CPSU was welcome.

18 July 2006
New Scheme is Super Safe
The Australian superannuation industry's new licensing system is up and running, with the transition completed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
    Of 325 applications received by APRA, 307 trustee companies received the new Registrable Superannuation Entity (RSE) licence, while 17 applications were withdrawn and one was rejected as it did not fully meet the criteria.
   Collectively, RSE licensed trustees manage around 6900 RSE registered funds - including about 6300 small APRA funds (SAFs) - with combined assets of around $500 billion out of a total of $905 billion in super funds. Exempted funds and self-managed super funds, neither of which were APRA-regulated, account for the remainder.
   APRA deputy chairman Ross Jones said the move meant one of the Government's major reforms in superannuation safety had been implemented.
    "The superannuation industry is now licensed and prudentially regulated in a similar way to banking and general and life insurance," he said.
      The government required RSE licensing of superannuation trustees to enhance the safety of members' funds. Licensees must comply with new standards covering proper governance, managing relationships with third parties, maintaining adequate resources and implementing sound risk management systems.
   At the start of the two-year transition period, 1200 trustees operated around 9000 funds, including SAFs. Many trustees decided not to apply for an RSE licence and transferred and wound-up funds under their trusteeship.
   Of those trustees which did not apply for a licence, 145 were unable to wind-up the entities under their trusteeship before the end of the transition period on 30 June due to reasons beyond their control. APRA therefore entered into undertakings with them so they could continue their wind-ups post 30 June. Members of these funds have already been transferred to RSE registered funds.
   However, another five trustees did not make adequate arrangements for their funds. APRA has had to appoint acting trustees to these funds to ensure an orderly exit. Mr Jones said it was disappointing these trustees did not fulfil their obligations over the past two years, but noted the interests of the members are being safeguarded by the appointment of the acting trustees.
    "The end of the transition period is a significant milestone, but it also marks the start of more risk-based supervision of the superannuation industry for APRA," Mr Jones said.
           "In one sense, the real work is about to begin to ensure trustees meet the obligations to which they have committed themselves," he said.

18 July 2006
Band on the Run to China
The Australian Army Cadet Band has been toChina performing at the 2006 Beijing International Youth Festival.
   The festival brought together young people from all over the world to foster a greater understanding of China through its youth in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games.
   The 36 NSW Army Cadets are aged between 12 and 18 years of age.
   They travelled around Beijing with Chinese youth ambassadors, experienced the ancient capital culture at many of China’s famed tourist destinations and showcased their own talents on a world stage.
   “The Australian Army Cadet Band – Sydney is the first ever Cadet music ensemble to travel to China as an invited guest,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator Ian Macdonald.
   “Marching through Tiananmen Square playing Waltzing Matilda while flying the Australian flag is something this diverse group of youngsters will never forget,” Senator McDonald said.
   The youth festival took place this month and focused on strengthening mutual understanding and communication between youth in an atmosphere of fun, friendship and harmony.
   Army Cadet Units are established in communities and schools throughout Australia providing opportunities for young Australians to set personal challenges and grow through adventurous and fun activities in a military setting.

18 July 2006
Time Travel for Tourism Minister
A new fossil cave in the Alice Springs Reptile Centrewhich displays prehistoric reptilian fauna from several prehistoric periods has been opened by Small Business and Tourism Minister, Fran Bailey.
    Congratulating the Centre director, Rex Neindorf on the completion of the project, Ms Bailey presented him with an AusIndustry certificate recognising his contribution to tourism in the region.
   The construction and fit out of the fossil cave display room was assisted by a $95,000 grant from the Australian Tourism Development Program.
   "For anyone visiting this part of Australia, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre is a must see," Ms Bailey said.
   The Australian Tourism Development Program began in 2004 and has funded 88 projects worth more than $14 million under the program.
   Ms Bailey also took part in the national small business roundtable in Alice Springs, speaking with local small business people about issues affecting their enterprises.
   Discussions also looked at ways government could improve conditions for small business owners, she said.

Guide for Indigenous business
FairStore, a best practice guide for businesses servicing Indigenous communities in rural and remote areas of Australia has been issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
   The guide was developed in consultation with other Commonwealth and State/Territory consumer agencies as part of the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy. It would help businesses and their staff comply with fair trading laws, warranties and refunds and the provision of store credit or “book-up”.
   The new guideline replaces Storecharter and is available free through the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502, or via the ACCC website.

SA marine communications contract
Airservices Australia has won a $1.55 million contract to provide marine safety and distress radio communication services for South Australian coastal waters.
   Chief Executive of Airservices Australia, Greg Russell said the High Frequency service would be available 24/7 for all vessels operating off South Australia and was designed to meet the requirements specified for all States under the National Standard for Coast Radio Networks.

Moore Back at ABC
Business journalist Ali Moore will return to the ABC to present a new nightly business news and current affairs program, Lateline Business to launch on 14 August.
    The program would flow directly out of Lateline to form a late-night news hour and would cover and analyse investment and business news, including keynote interviews.
   Ms Moore recently left the Nine Network.

Portrait Gallery builders named
John Holland Pty Ltd has been selected as the construction contractor for the new National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
   One of Australia’s oldest and most experienced contractors John Holland Pty Ltd has a track record of successfully completing large, complex and technically challenging projects including major public projects such as the new and permanent Parliament House.
   The National Portrait Gallery is to be built in Canberra’s Parliamentary Zone, adjacent to the High Court of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

Tax help for those in need
Volunteers trained by the Australian Tax Office were now available to help low-income earners prepare their tax returns free of charge.
   Assistant Commissioner of Taxation, Megan Yong said the volunteers had been trained to help people with straightforward tax returns, baby bonus applications as well as those eligible for franking credits who did not have to lodge a return.
   The volunteer program, which is in its 18th year, helped more than 75,000 taxpayers last year including those from Indigenous or non-English speaking backgrounds and those with disabilities.
   Tax Help would be available by appointment at community-based facilities such as senior citizens clubs, Indigenous and ethnic community centres until the end of October.
   Enquiries can be made on 13 28 61.

18 July 2006
Talking Point
Advancing Leadership Development Practices
    By Ian Harris

I would like to begin by discussing whether leadership is innate or acquired.
             Like many questions, I think there is some truth in both of these possibilities.
    Take, for example, Alexander the Great. He had a pretty good start in life. He was the son of Philip of Macedon and he was a pupil of Aristotle. He fulfilled, so I am told, the fable of the Gordian knot, which I think was a knot attached to an ox cart. It was fabled that whoever undid the knot would be the ruler of Asia.
    Alexander came up with his sword and cut the knot in two, which proved that he was more a person of action than an intellectual deknotter. I think that shows that people who have a good start in life also have the opportunity to acquire and grow in leadership.
    I remember that, as a young boy, one of the films I saw was a film about Disraeli and Gladstone. I remember seeing the speaker on the screen saying: “The eyes to the right; the nose to the left”. I thought it was a pretty funny sort of face that would be split in that way, but from the number of times I have since heard: “The ayes will pass to the right of the chair and the noes to the left”, I have realised that it is an old parliamentary saying.
    Disraeli, I think, was also the person who said: “I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?” There is some truth in this statement.
    My belief is that there are characteristic genetic traits that help people become leaders, and there are certain trappings of office that assist people to perform leadership functions. But the bottom line for me is that leadership can be cultivated and can be learnt.
    The House of Representatives is a 1901 Department and was originally under the Public Service Act.  We are one of three Parliamentary Departments. There are about 185 staff plus 150 Members, and the Department’s main purpose is to support the House of Representatives in all its functions: in its Chamber operations, legislative functions, international relations and committee functions.
    The goal is to provide excellent advice and services through capable and committed staff.
    I gained from the culture of the system as it was when I joined. I suppose I used the system to the maximum advantage to me. But when I became Agency Head I set about to change the culture of the organisation.
    There is a huge outburst of energy within a Department when an Agency Head who has been with the agency for over 40 years retires. I sought to make the most of this outburst of energy to change the culture of the organisation.
    One of the ways I was attracted to do this was through the Investors in People process. This is an internationally recognised standard; an international standard against which we could judge our people initiatives. I do not think it has been marketed quite so well in Australia, and I have to say that we were a little tentative when we first began.
    There are three areas and 10 indicators of performance. These have been outlined in our annual report. We report against Investors in People indicators in our annual report. They are all related to improving the performance of the organisation in planning, performing and reviewing the actions.
    We underwent a diagnosis in August 18.  I must say that some of our senior staff were at that stage very unsupportive of going down the Investors in People path.  We started out very tentatively, but I feel that there has now been an overall acceptance of the whole process. There has been ownership throughout the whole department.
    When we began, we established an Investors in People steering committee. This went across the Department, ranged in classification and areas. We established four working groups - one on leadership, one on planning and evaluation, one on communication and one on training and development. We have an annual audit after accreditation.
    I must say that I think we were a little bit tentative, a little bit frightened of seeking accreditation. I think we were frightened of failing. I think we were frightened of the way that our staff would view us if the management of the Department were to judge itself against an international standard and found to be wanting.
    I wish now, with the benefit of hindsight, that we had been assessed earlier, because not gaining accreditation - and I think we probably would have gained it - is not such a bad thing; it just means that there are other areas that you have to attend to. Gaining accreditation also means that there are areas that you have to attend to.
    Every year we have an annual audit, which is done on a random sample of interviewing staff by the Investors in People organisers, to see how we are keeping up to our goals. I have to say that IiP has been such a success that it is now taken for granted. Many of the new staff who come into the department are impatient, but I think you would all know that with any organisations you have to do lots of new things, but you also have to have respect for the people who are comfortable doing things in the traditional way.
    Every year I give an address in which I tell people where I think the Department is going in the next 12 months, and every year I have to begin by reminding them that that address and many of the things that are operating in the Department are a result of Investors in People. They have become so embedded in the culture that they are now taken for granted at almost every step.
    We did put a big emphasis on leadership in our Investors in People process. An important part of our leadership initiatives is evaluating our leadership.
    In 18, when we started out on the diagnosis, we set out to find out what leadership meant to both us and our staff. We had a staff survey. A random sample of 20 per cent of staff was asked that question. They identified 13 skills and behaviours which were then made available to the wider department for comment. All of this work was done by the Leadership Working Group.
    We asked our staff to rate the importance of the 13 identified skills and behaviours and to rate their supervisor’s performance against each trait, and a five-point scale was used. Some surveys also asked staff for a rating on their individual SES managers and on me as Agency Head.
    The important thing we were doing was measuring the importance of that trait or characteristic to staff and the way the staff saw their leaders performing against particular traits or characteristics. So we were interested in measuring the difference between perception and importance, and then we were publishing the figures.
    In 18 we established our benchmark, because we had in mind making this a long-term project and over time seeing if in fact we were improving and in which areas we were improving. We compared the top two ratings and the average performance was ignored.
    For the first four surveys, we believed it was important to measure staff’s perceived performance of their manager against their own expectations of all skills and behaviours. As I said, the gap between the importance and the performance was the crucial factor.
    So far we have conducted five surveys - in 18, 19, 2001, 2003 and last year. We have taken a consistent approach with our surveys so that we could compare like with like. The 2005 survey only measured the major streams: being effective, having effective working relationships and having personal drive and integrity. We have decided to resume annual surveys from 2006.
    The leadership satisfaction index showed us the measurement of the top of the two points in the performance rating scale. The leadership satisfaction index was established to track staff’s perceived performance over a period of time.
    Hand in hand with these statistics is a Departmental philosophy that leadership extends throughout the Department. The people who often would not see themselves as performing leadership roles have had it stressed to them that, where two or three people are sometimes assembled together, somebody is exercising a leadership role. People have accepted that — have accepted being evaluated and have accepted the opportunity to comment on others in that role.
    We developed a leadership statement in 2002. It is the benchmark. In operating on this basis within our department, we think we have a shared understanding of critical success factors.
    The context of all this is capability and performance, Parliamentary service values and leadership integral to the Parliamentary service values. Many from the Public Service would be aware of the Public Service values. Ours are very similar except that we substitute the Parliament in total, which includes the Government rather than being directed at supporting the Government alone.
    The leadership performance assessment is an integral part of the annual work performance assessment cycle and it is normally completed by the entire working group. However, we are very much aware of the tyranny that can sometimes be exercised in assessments by teams, so we also have the possibility for individuals to submit their own assessments of the leader, and I am aware of at least one example where an individual thought that a senior group did not give enough credit to the manager for certain aspects of the manager’s performance. That individual submitted a separate assessment which built up the assessment and was regarded by the supervisor as well as the group performance, and it is provided to the supervisor’s manager prior to the commencement of the individual assessments.
    I will just conclude with a comment on corporate leadership. One concept that I have been stressing within the Department is corporate leadership, just as Qantas is a corporate leader in safe air travel and McDonalds has one for food that is fast and cheap, the House of Representatives had a reputation for being a corporate leader in accuracy. In 1972, when I joined the organisation, it had a strong corporate record of processing information accurately.
    On Friday afternoons when we were checking legislation after a week of late sitting nights and there was a risk of falling asleep, I was constantly told about a man who was hanged for the lack of a comma.  But I must say that, in just over 100 years, we have sent two pieces of legislation to the Governor-General for royal assent that have had errors in them. That may not seem a lot with the volume of legislation, but for people involved in the process it is two too many - and I must say that one of them happened on my watch.
    So I was keen for the House to maintain its image as a corporate leader in accuracy, but I was also keen for the House to be regarded as a corporate leader in its staff development, including the development of leaders at all levels throughout the organisation. Personally, I welcome growth in individual leadership because through it all of our staff are on the path to corporate leadership.
    To sum up: growth in individual leadership, I think, at whatever level within the Department, is leading to growth in corporate leadership in the Department, and that essentially is what this talk is about - that I do believe that people can grow. People can be educated, people can learn to be leaders and you can evaluate that growth and you can look at ways to improve.
    So I thank you very much for the opportunity to be here with you and I thank you for your attention.

*Ian Harris is the Clerk of the House, Department of the House of Representatives. The above is an edited version of a speech he gave at a Leadership Development Network seminar: Advancing leadership development practices on 12 April, 2006

11 July 2006
Agency Turns up Heat on Global Warming Crisis
The Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)has found that much more needs to be done to avoid the future impacts of global warming and that Governments had a key role in coming up with the policies and technologies needed.
   Launching the report Technology: Its Role in Economic Development and Climate Change ABARE Executive Director, Brian Fisher said global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions were projected to grow significantly in future as third world countries developed and that steps needed to be taken to expand the use of low emission technologies and the capture and storage of carbon.
   “Collaborative, multilateral technology agreements, such as the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, can play a key role in reducing emissions by increasing the development, uptake and transfer of clean technologies across a range of sectors,” Dr Fisher said.
   He said ABARE’s modelling indicated that if low emission technologies such as hybrid vehicles and advanced electricity generation plant could be expanded worldwide, and key regions were to use carbon capture and storage technologies in the electricity sector, the level of global greenhouse gas emissions expected by 2050 could be reduced by about 26 per cent.
   “This equates to a reduction in global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of about 14 per cent or 110 gigatonnes of carbon equivalent over the period 2001 to 2050,’’ he said.
   Dr Fisher emphasised that while there could be some slowing in the growth of greenhouse gas emission by the use of clean technologies, the ABARE report showed the problem was still expected to grow.
   “In order to achieve emissions cuts greater than are analysed in ABARE’s report, concerted efforts by industry and government would be required to develop and transfer an additional portfolio of technologies across a wider range of sectors than has been analysed,’’ he said.
   Dr Fisher called on Governments to establish international policy environments conducive to the development and transfer of low emissions technologies across all sectors of significant economies, and said future strategies and technologies for adaptation to climate change should become an increasingly important part of measures to address future climate change. 
   “Concerted efforts by industry and government would be required to develop and transfer an additional portfolio of technologies across a wider range of sectors than has been analysed,” Dr Fisher said.

11 July 2006
Super Not Super For Women
The issues affecting women in retirement can be very different from those affecting men according to a new report from the Australian Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program.
   The report said that over the past decade, female participation in the labour force had increased by more than 960,000 new entrants but women were more likely than men to have interrupted career patterns and work on a casual or part-time basis. This could affect women’s ability to accumulate adequate resources for their retirement.
   The report was released by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues, Julie Bishop, at the at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia’s Saving the Future Summit.
   “Aspects of Retirement for Older Women has been produced by Diana Warren for the Australian Government as part of the Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program,” Ms Bishop said.
   “I congratulate Diana Warren for putting together this high quality research publication on such an important topic, and I am confident this research will enable individual women and their advisers to look realistically at how they can improve their lives in retirement.”
   The study is based on the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey which was funded by the Government as a household-based study collecting information about economic well-being, labour market dynamics and family dynamics.
   The report found that:

• More people, particularly women, were transitioning to retirement, rather than working full-time and then retiring full-time. It said this had important implications for superannuation policy and for flexible employment policy.
• There were key differences in men’s and women’s reasons for retirement. While health was the most common reason both men and women gave, it was more common for women to say they retired for family and lifestyle reasons, and men more commonly gave job related or financial reasons.
• Women generally expected to retire at a younger age than men, and partnered women expected to retire slightly earlier than single women.
• A small proportion of men and women retired due to pressure from their employer or others at work or because they could not find another job. A slightly higher proportion retired because they were made redundant. This had important implications for human resources policy in workplaces, particularly in the face of an ageing workforce.
• More women than men were pressured by their spouse to retire.
• Compared to women with partners, women who were separated, divorced or never married had lower levels of life satisfaction, while being widowed did not have a significant impact on life satisfaction in retirement.
• For men, having a partner who was still employed had a negative impact on their life satisfaction in retirement.
• The difference in men’s and women’s situations was largely due to the differences in superannuation savings – a result of women’s career interruptions due to family responsibilities and lower average wages compared to men.
• Compared to couples and single men, it was more common for single women to say they had to sell their home or move to lower cost accommodation because of their financial circumstances.

The report is available in electronic and hard copy formats, from the Government website at http://www.ofw.facsia.gov.au/publications

11 July 2006
New Deal For Returning Soldiers
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston has announced further improvements to the Australian Defence Force’s repatriation procedures for members who die on duty overseas following the completion of Brigadier Liz Cosson’s report following the death of Private Jake Kovco. 
   Brigadier Cosson, assisted by an independent medical specialist Professor Donald Sheldon, was appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishandling of the repatriation of Private Kovco’s body from the Middle East.
   Air Chief Marshal Houston said Brigadier Cosson found that the failure to repatriate the body of Private Kovco was a direct result of two fundamental errors in the repatriation process:

• the wrong body was produced by civilian mortuary staff for identification; and
• the body produced was incorrectly identified as being Private Kovco.

   “The inquiry also found weaknesses in ADF policy and procedures for mortuary affairs which created conditions conducive to failure,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
   “As a result of her findings, I have accepted all of the report’s 28 recommendations which will further enhance the ADF’s procedures for handling the remains of ADF personnel who die whilst on duty overseas.”
   A copy of the final Cosson report has been provided to the Kovco family. Air Chief Marshal Houston said he had once again apologised to them for the distress the error has caused.
   While awaiting the Cosson report, Air Chief Marshal Houston introduced immediate changes to the ADF’s repatriation process, some of which were also been recommended by Brigadier Cosson.  These included: wherever practicable, bodies of ADF personnel be carried on military aircraft, at least two ADF personnel accompany a body being returned to Australia, and, where possible Defence should also avoid using non-military mortuaries in the Middle East. 
   A full copy of the Cosson report has been provided to the Board of Inquiry investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Private Kovco and subsequent repatriation.  The Board is expected to consider the evidence and may make recommendations as part of their deliberations. 
   A copy of the executive summary and the findings and recommendations of the Cosson report can be obtained from www.defence.gov.au/publications/kovco.pdf

11 July 2006
Oh Brother: TV Rules Not OK
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is to undertake a detailed review of the free to air television code of practice and its powers may be enhanced following an incident on the Ten Network’s reality TV program Big Brother.
   Communications Minister, Senator Helen Coonan ordered the review and said also that legislation would be introduced into Parliament to extend content regulation to video streamed on the internet.
   In its investigation into the incident, ACMA noted that because the material had not been broadcast by Channel Ten on television but was instead streamed live on the web around 4.30am on a Saturday night, the standards applying to free to air broadcasts did not apply.
   Schedule 5 of the Broadcasting Services Act (the Act) regulated online content and empowered ACMA to review instances where online content may be inappropriate against the standards set out in the National Classification Code. However, it applies to material stored and made available for viewing on the internet.
          ACMA found that while the live internet stream could have been seen by paid subscribers watching at that time, the material was not stored on the Big Brother website and therefore was not internet content under Schedule 5.
   “A number of other websites and media outlets had subsequently made footage of the incident on the Big Brother set available for viewing,” Senator Coonan said. “However, I am advised that the material was subsequently removed from those websites after I wrote to the relevant news outlets asking that the material be taken down."
   The matter reinforced the need for changes to the Act to ensure new services offered over the internet and mobile devices were subject to the same content restrictions that applied to television broadcasts, she said.
   The Minister said the legislation was being drafted and would be introduced to Parliament as soon as possible.
   “Given the community outrage about this matter, it would appear the codes applying to television program classifications may also be out of step with community standards," she said.
   “I think we need to consider whether the current approach to the classification of reality programming is appropriate.
    “Sexual impropriety and the exploitation and humiliation of women is not a joke, nor is it something that should be used to sensationalise news coverage or garner ratings,” she said.