SearchArchives for July 2008
29 July, 2008Freedom the word for information overhaul
The first step towards sweeping changes to Freedom of Information laws have been taken with the Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner announcing that Ministers and Agencies no longer had the power to issue conclusive certificates to deny access to documents.
Senator Faulkner said existing certificates would be revoked.
He said the move was a major advancement towards restoring trust and integrity in the handling of Government information as it meant all decisions to refuse requests would now be subject to an independent review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
“The Government is committed to reforming the FOI Act and promoting a pro-disclosure culture across government,” Senator Faulkner said.
“In terms of existing certificates, they will be revoked if and when new applications are made for those documents which have been the subject of those certificates.
“I do stress, however, that the revocation of existing certificates will not affect the ability of decision-makers to claim exemptions under the FOI act where it is legitimate for them to do so.”
Senator Faulkner said the necessary legislation to make the changes would be introduced during the next session of Parliament and would include a number of additional measures relating to the AAT's procedures for handling FOI reviews, one of which was to have the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security provide evidence on national security documents.
“The abolition of conclusive certificates is the first stage of our proposed FOI reforms,” Senator Faulkner said.
He said the second stage would be unveiled later this year when an exposure draft of FOI reform legislation was released for public comment.
“We expect that after all submissions are considered, the Government will be able to introduce legislation containing the full package of FOI reforms in 2009.”
Among the reforms, which Senator Faulkner described as the most significant overhaul of the FOI Act since its inception in 1982, would be the creation of an FOI Commissioner.
“For the first time, there will be a statutory office-holder with responsibility for oversight of FOI across the Commonwealth,” he said.
“We also recognise that there needs to be more widespread acceptance of greater openness in government. Our reforms will promote that objective.”
In order to speed up the changes, Attorney-General Robert McClelland had asked the Australian Law Reform Commission to shelve the inquiry into FOI it was currently conducting.
“The ALRC was not due to report until December of this year,” Senator Faulkner said.
“Given the Government's proposed timetable, it's more sensible and appropriate that the ALRC review the FOI Act after the Government's reforms have come into operation. By then, the effects of the reforms and changes will be clearer.”
Senator Faulkner said making major changes to FOI was an election commitment.
“The Government's proposed course of action for delivering on its remaining FOI commitments, I believe will make Commonwealth Government more accountable, more open and more transparent.”
29 July, 2008
Defence Force targets women
The Australian Defence Force’s latest recruitment drive is targeting women with more than 200 female service personnel volunteering to share their experiences to attract new members to the Navy, Army and Air Force.
The new drive was launched by Air Commodore Margaret Staib at the 20th Women, Management and Employment Relations Conference, in Sydney recently.
Air Commodore Staib joined senior women in business including the Managing Director of Consumer Finance at the ANZ Bank, Jenny Fagg; Wendy McCarthy from McCarthy Management; and Professor Valerie Pratt from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management to discuss Leadership is Women’s Business – Challenges, Lessons and Anecdotes.
“Who better to discuss the women’s business of leadership and that the ADF equals opportunity, than a current serving one-star officer who is the Director General of Strategic Logistics,” said the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon.
“The ADF offers women work that is challenging, social, rewarding, and family friendly,” Mr Snowdon said, “but we need to do more to promote the possibilities of Defence careers.
“It is that educational campaign in schools and communities which the Alumni servicewomen have taken up.”
He said more than 90 per cent of jobs in the ADF were open to women but they only made up 13 per cent of the regular forces.
“The number of women in the ADF is the same today as it was a decade ago, and the highest recruitment of women was 17.8 per cent of enlistments in financial year 1997-98,” Mr Snowdon said.
“It is time for that to change, and we aim for a 20 per cent intake of women by FY 2009-10.”
He said a strong ADF would harness the full diversity, ethnicity, and potential of the nation.
29 July, 2008
New sex plan has appeal
Progress towards equality of the sexes has stalled in Australia according to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, so a new plan of action was needed and has been released.
Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has outlined a plan of action to build gender equality based on priorities such as paid maternity leave, tackling sexual harassment and bridging the gender gap in retirement savings.
“The stories and ideas that people shared with me during my Listening Tour have shaped my plan of action,” Commissioner Broderick said.
“We have more work to do if we want to ensure women and men live in a fair and equal Australia.”
Speaking at the launch of the listening tour community report Gender equality: What matters to Australian women and men, Commissioner Broderick identified five areas where she would be focussing her efforts to improve gender equality in Australia:
- Increasing the number of women in leadership positions, including a focus on supporting Indigenous women’s leadership;
- Balancing paid work and family responsibilities beginning with the implementation of a national Government-funded paid maternity leave scheme;
- Driving down the incidence of sexual harassment;
- Reducing the gender gap in retirement savings; and
- Strengthening laws to address sex discrimination and promote gender equality.
“I can announce that I have commissioned a national survey to track trends on the extent of sexual harassment in Australia.”
She said there would be concrete programs to address each of the issues on the agenda and progress had already been made in some areas.
She said she would continue pushing for the implementation of a national paid parental leave scheme as part of a broader focus on achieving greater balance between paid work and family responsibilities.
“A federally funded scheme is good for families, good for business and good for the community,” she said.
“It gives mothers the chance to recover from childbirth, establish breast feeding and bond with their babies.
“It also increases the number of women returning to work.”
Both the Government and the Opposition welcomed the launch of the Listening Tour Community Report and the Plan of Action towards Gender Equality.
The Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek said the Commissioner’s work complemented Government priorities, particularly women’s economic security, safety, and full participation in every aspect of Australian life.
“The Government congratulates Commissioner Broderick on the agenda she has set and looks forward to collaborating with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to progress this plan of action,” Ms Plibersek said.
Shadow Minister for the Status of Women, Sussan Ley said the report presented key issues and a framework within which to develop policies that women in Australia need to help them live, work and raise a family.
“I strongly believe that when you have control of your finances, you have control of your life,” Ms Ley said.
“Therefore it is vital that Government develops a strategy for boosting retirement incomes for older women, along with increasing young women’s financial literacy.”
29 July, 2008
Archives sets record in record keeping
The National Archives of Australia has played a leading role in the publication of a global standard for recordkeeping software.
Working with the national archives of 11 nations, the NAA helped develop an agreed set of standards for software products being used to make and keep records.
Under the auspices of the International Council on Archives, the team finalised three related publications under the title Principles and Functional Requirements for Records in Electronic Office Environments.
Director-General of NAA, Ross Gibbs described the achievement as a “milestone for the archives industry.”
“Over the past decade some countries have issued their own requirements for software to manage electronic records,” Mr Gibbs said.
“Now the world’s archival institutions have agreed on a single set of standards.”
He said the collaboration promised significant benefits to the software industry, with an agreed set of requirements eliminating the confusion caused by varying standards.
“The National Archives of Australia is proud to have led the project, in cooperation with our Australian and New Zealand partner institutions, particularly Archives New Zealand and Queensland State Archives.
“We are particularly excited about the guidelines for managing records in business systems, which we feel is the way of the future.”
Mr Gibbs said the drafts generated significant interest from software vendors, consultants and archivists around the world and their comments were incorporated into the final publications.
The standard was launched at the 16th International Council on Archives Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Held every four years, the Congress celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008, and attracted 1200 archivists from 138 countries. The ICA promotes the preservation, development and use of the world’s archival heritage.
The theme of the Congress was “Archives, governance and development: mapping future society.” It provided the NAA with an opportunity to collaborate and explore further ways of creating and preserving digital information.
Mr Gibbs said Australia would host the next (17th) ICA Congress in Brisbane in 2012.
29 July, 2008
Age research is old news
Research results from the Department of Health and Ageing has revealed that by the middle of this century, Australian men and women would live five years longer than they did now.
According to the Department, by 2045-50, Australian women would increase their life expectancy from 83.7 years to 88 and men from 79 to 84.1. Australians already enjoy the second longest life expectancy in the world at 81.4 years – after Japan.
According to the Department, Australian women in some parts of the nation like the Sunshine Coast and agricultural areas outside Perth, have among the longest life expectancies in the world.
It found that about 13 per cent of Australia’s population – around 2.8 million people - was aged 65 years or older and that this was expected to rise to 18 per cent by 2021 and to 26 per cent (around 7 million people) in 2051. The number of people aged more than 80 years would almost double over the next 20 years.
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot released the Department’s data at the Ageing Population Summit and detailed the Government’s response to the challenge of an ageing population.
She said Australian life expectancy rates in Australia were to be celebrated.
“This is wonderful news and can be attributed to healthy lifestyles and medical advances in Australia,” Mrs Elliot said.
She said Government investments in aged and community care over the next four years would reach record levels with almost three-quarters spent on residential aged care.
“This is about planning for Australia’s future and the challenges of the 21st century,” Mrs Elliot said.
“We want to ensure that older Australians can live independent lives and age in their own homes, but also have the option to enter aged care homes if they need to.”
The research showed that centenarians were the fastest growing age segment of the Australian population with their numbers increasing by 8.5 per cent a year over the past 25 years.
The research found that two in every 10,000 Australians were aged at least 100.
It found that by 2050 this would be 23 in every 10,000 people. The number of Australians over the age of 100 was expected to increase from 2,860 today to 78,000 by 2055.
Mrs Elliott said the research also showed an increasing demand for aged care which meant Government expenditure could rise from the current three per cent of total Commonwealth revenues to nine per cent by 2050, if current policy settings remained unchanged.
29 July, 2008
No pay off in wage dispute
Industrial action being taken by Tasmania’s State Public Servants in pursuit of wages parity with other States is continuing with few signs it will be settled soon.
In a statement, Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird said the offer made to staff by the Government was fair and final, and allowed for a pay rise of between 20 and 29 per cent over the three-and-a-half year life of the agreement.
Staff have rejected the offer, saying they would still be behind their interstate counterparts. They have launched industrial action in pursuit of a better offer
The Community and Public Sector Union’s Tom Lynch told the ABC that situation had been brought about by the Government
“They have forced us into this industrial action,” Mr Lynch said, “and now they’re doing absolutely nothing to resolve it.
“They’re not even talking to us about it.”
He said the Government knew each offer it had submitted would be rejected.
“They have already delivered that for themselves. They delivered it for legal practitioners, for health professionals, for a whole range of people and they promised nearly two years ago to deliver to the rest of the Public Sector.”
He said the delays meant the Government would have to increase salaries by around nine per cent to bring them into line with the other States.
“You know the Government’s happy to take that money themselves and for the rest of the areas to get it but we’re going to back down on that,” he said.
“Our members are not going to do that.”
Mr Lynch said CPSU members in the Tasmanian State Public Service had worked hard to keep the State running in very difficult times.
“Now is the time when the good times in Tassie should be shared,” he said.
29 July, 2008
Schools sign up for voter enrolment week
The Australian Electoral Commission’s national Enrol to Vote Week is being held in schools across the country this week.
Over 1,650 secondary schools have registered to participate in the advertising campaign which aims to get eligible young people on the electoral roll and ready to vote in Federal, State or Territory and Local Government elections.
Electoral Commissioner Ian Campbell, said the Australian Electoral Commission was pleased so many schools across Australia were supporting the campaign.
“Elections can happen at any time so it is important for young people to know that they need to enrol and be prepared to vote,” Mr Campbell said.
“We’ve just had a Federal by-election and there are elections at all levels of government happening across Australia in the next 12 months so we are urging young people to enrol to vote during Enrol To Vote Week.”
Mr Campbell said the Australian Electoral Commission supported Enrol To Vote Week by providing enrolment forms, educational resources, promotional materials and other information to schools and online.
“Only three in four 18 year olds are enrolled to vote and we are hoping that Enrol To Vote Week will help boost the number of young people enrolled,” he said.
“Enrol To Vote Week targets 17 year olds too, who can enrol now so that they are ready to vote when they turn 18.”
Mr Campbell said the week would also remind Australians to update their enrolment details if they had changed addresses.
He said all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over were required by law to enrol and vote.
For more information on Enrol to Vote Week or to see a list of participating schools, visit http://enroltovoteweek.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.
29 July, 2008
Water study laps up more time to report
The Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has granted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission more time to develop the water market and water charge rules for the Murray-Darling Basin.
Senator Wong said the extra time would allow for more stakeholder input.
The ACCC has been conducting formal consultations on both the water market and water charge rules in preparation for advising the Minister, as required under the Water Act 2007.
“Since April 2008, the ACCC has been conducting formal consultations on both the water market and water charge rules,” Senator Wong said. “Along the way, stakeholders have indicated that they want more time to consider the draft rules.
“In response to this feedback and at the request of the ACCC, I have decided to extend the deadline for the ACCC to provide its advice to the Australian Government.”
As a result of this extension, the ACCC plans to include an additional stage to consult with stakeholders on the water charge and water market rules.
The extra stage will give stakeholders four to six weeks to comment on a position paper that outlines the ACCC’s early policy position on key issues with respect to the draft rules.
“The ACCC will now adopt a three stage process, consulting on an issues paper, a position paper, and then a draft report and rules, before providing its final advice on the rules to the Australian Government,” Senator Wong said.
“Stakeholders will have a chance to provide feedback on every stage of the process ahead of the ACCC finalising its advice.”
She said as a result of the extension, the ACCC’s advice on the water market rules and the water charge rules would be provided in December 2008 and June 2009 respectively.
“The ACCC’s consultation process will be critical in informing future arrangements in the Murray-Darling Basin,” Senator Wong said.
She said more efficient water markets were an important element in the Government’s Water for the Future plan, which had four priorities: tackling climate change, using water wisely, supporting healthy rivers and securing our water supplies.
29 July, 2008
Bike day gets push from Minister
The Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, has launched National Ride to Work Day by urging all workers in the country to do something for their health.
Mr Garrett said the Federal Government supported Ride to Work Day as part the TravelSmart program which encouraged people to reduce their reliance on cars and when possible make smart travel choices to use public transport, cycling, walking and car pooling.
He said Ride to Work Day would be held on 15 October.
“There are already increasing numbers of people cycling to work and with a target of 50,000 participants this year I would encourage as many individuals as well as employers to get involved this year,” Mr Garrett said.
“This is a great opportunity for novice cyclists to try riding to work with the support of other more experienced riders and potentially making cycling the habit of a lifetime.”
He said as well as the physical benefits that could be achieved by riding a bike, the environmental benefits could also be significant with about 300 grams of greenhouse gas emissions saved per kilometre, for every vehicle that was taken off the road.
“Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint as we tackle the challenges of climate change and adopting two wheeled transportation over four, as often as possible, is a great option,” he said.
Organised by Bicycle Victoria, Ride to Work Day became a national event for the first time last year after running primarily in Victoria for a number of years.
Mr Garrett said people could register for this year’s National Ride to Work Day at: www.ride2work.com.au
29 July, 2008
Car safety system gets green light
The Commonwealth Government has joined an international push to adopt a worldwide standard for a computer-based vehicle stability system which helped drivers keep control of their vehicles in poor driving conditions and wet weather.
Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese said the technology had the potential save hundreds of lives each year and could soon be fitted as standard to all new Australian cars, 4WDs and utes.
“Along with other members of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Standards, Australia has voted to adopt a new Global Technical Regulation on Electronic Stability Control systems,” Mr Albanese said.
“International research has found this technology has the potential to be the greatest innovation since the seatbelt in saving lives and making our roads significantly safer.”
He said research undertaken for the British Government found vehicles equipped with ESC were 25 per cent less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it.
According to the US Department of Transportation, this technology, when fully deployed, could save up to 9600 lives annually. Mr Albanese said from 2011, ESC would be required on all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States.
He said ESC continuously monitored a vehicle’s speed, steering wheel angle, direction of travel and cornering acceleration. If this data shows the vehicle is at risk of skidding or overturning, the system automatically applies individual brakes to correct any deviation from the direction the driver wants to go.
“The new Global Technical Regulation opens the way for a detailed examination of the case for mandating ESC in Australia through the development of an Australian Design Rule (ADR),” Mr Albanese said.
“Within weeks, a Regulation Impact Statement assessing the potential ramifications for industry and the wider community of an ESC mandate will be released for public consultation.”
He said the RIS would look at a range of issues including whether the goal of safer vehicles could be achieved via non-regulatory means.
“If the case for an ADR is established, we expect to get the necessary legislation in place by the end of 2008.
“Already many Australians appreciate the safety benefits of ESC, with almost half of the new cars and 4WDs sold in December fitted with the technology.
“A growing number of manufacturers are voluntarily responding to the needs of the marketplace and including ESC as a standard feature in their latest models.”
Mr Albanese said the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations was a United Nations body charged with administering the 1958 Agreement on the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Vehicles and the 1998 “Global Agreement” on Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts.
He said 50 countries, as well as car manufacturers, consumers and road users, participated in its deliberations.
29 July, 2008
Reading promotion more than words
The annual month-long celebration of reading – Books Alive –has been launched for 2008.
Books Alive aims to introduce all Australians to the joys of reading, and includes a list of recommended books, a giveaway feature title, promotions, advertising and author tours throughout August.
Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, said there was no better time to start reading than during Books Alive.
“I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the Books Alive guide, find a quiet spot, and discover the joys of reading,” he said.
“There are 50 books to choose from and there really is something for everyone.”
He said the books had been hand-picked by book-lovers for their quality, broad appeal and range of interests.
“The majority of books on the list are by Australian authors so it’s also a good opportunity to support our home grown writers.”
He said research commissioned for Books Alive 2008 found that Australia was already a nation of book lovers with around 92 per cent of people reading for pleasure in the past month and 63 per cent going into a bookshop.
The research results were welcomed by the Chair of Books Alive, Sandra Yates.
“While it’s great to see so many Australians love their books, there are many people who by lack of opportunity or inclination we’d like to invite to pick up a book over the next month,” she said.
She said Books Alive featured several exciting initiatives throughout August including:
- More than 8.5 million Australians would read about 50 Books You Can’t Put Down through inserts in newspapers and a guide to be distributed through booksellers.
- More than 200,000 copies of Michael Robotham’s new adult crime thriller Bombproof would be given away with the purchase of any one of the 50 reads;
- National author tours taking in metropolitan and regional centres by Michael Robotham and other Books Alive authors; and
- A range of other bookseller initiatives and nationwide advertising campaigns would promote Books Alive 2008.
The promotion would run from Sunday 27 July to Sunday 31 August.
29 July, 2008
New charge card to deal with parents
Centrelink has begun the roll-out of its new “BasicsCard” to be used by parents in need of income management.
The BasicsCard is to be used for buying essential goods and services through the existing EFTPOS network but would not be able to purchase alcohol, tobacco, pornography or gambling products, or used to withdraw cash.
The card was unveiled jointly by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and the Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig.
Ms Macklin said the Commonwealth was determined to ensure people on income management could buy the essential goods and services they needed to improve the lives of their children and families easily.
“Income management is an important measure for ensuring welfare payments are spent in the interests of children and is a key plank of the Government's strategy to strengthen community safety and improve the protection of children,”Ms Macklin said.
She said income management ensured half of welfare payments were used to buy essential items.
She said a key benefit of the BasicsCard was that it could be reloaded from a recipient’s welfare payment each fortnight without the need to visit Centrelink.
Senator Ludwig said the card would significantly reduce red tape for retailers.
“Using it will involve the same simple process as any other EFTPOS transaction,” he said. “Stores will have special signs so customers can easily tell where they can use the BasicsCard.”
The Ministers said that for most customers, the BasicsCard would replace the existing income management system which used store cards and accounts.
They said parents would still be able to use store cards, direct payment to stores or retailers under certain circumstances.
The BasicsCard would be supported and supplied by the card transaction provider, Retail Decisions which would be responsible for providing the card itself and processing transactions through the EFTPOS system.
“The BasicsCard will provide a simpler system of income management for both customers and shops,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The current system has been difficult to use and costly for Government, imposing red tape on business as well as being time consuming for customers.”
Senator Ludwig and Ms Macklin said work associated with the BasicsCard rollout would begin immediately and the final rollout schedule would be determined in consultation with communities and retailers.
29 July, 2008
AGs to lift lid on suppression orders
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland has welcomed in-principle support for a national register of suppression orders by his State and Territory colleagues at a meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
“A national electronic register would reduce confusion, helping the media to serve the public’s right to know, while reducing the risk of suppression orders being breached,” Mr McClelland said.
“The Rudd Government is delivering on its election commitment to pursue reform in this area.”
He said a national approach would make it much easier for the media to find out whether a suppression order was in place for a particular court case and what jurisdictions would be affected.”
The National Register would be subject to the development of a proper legal and administrative framework.
Attorneys also asked for proposals to be developed on greater harmonisation of suppression order laws.
“In the 21st century, the media should not have to negotiate a maze of different laws and procedures when they are reporting on court decisions from around Australia.”
“A harmonised system for the granting, use and operation of suppression orders would help to avoid this.”
SCAG would examine proposals for the national register and options for harmonisation at its next meeting in November.
29 July, 2008
Melba collection hits right note
The National Library of Australia, in Canberra, has acquired a major collection of music, press clippings and other material shedding light on the life and times of legendary Australian singer Dame Nellie Melba.
The acquisition, from the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, includes music manuscripts, photographs and programs and covers the period from 1891 to 2008. The collection also contains records and manuscripts that link Dame Nellie’s story with the history of the Conservatorium and musical training in Australia.
Director-General of the National Library, Jan Fullerton, described the Melba Conservatorium Collection as one of the most valuable in the country and said it would complement perfectly the Library’s existing Melba collections and its Australian music resources.
“It will also ensure that the collection is available for all Australians to use and appreciate,” Ms Fullerton said.
The Director of the Melba Conservatorium, Professor Mel Waters, said with the closure of the Conservatorium at the end of the year, his primary concern was that all the historical documents, artefacts and memorabilia collected during its 108 years, remained together as the Melba Conservatorium Collection. He said to honour her memory, a new Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust would be created to support the University of Melbourne’s graduate training of opera singers.
“We are delighted that our collection of treasures will be housed at the National Library in perpetuity,” Professor Waters said, “and will receive the highest standards of archival and curatorial preservation and presentation for all time.”
The National Library’s Curator of Music, Robyn Holmes, said the Melba acquisition was more than just a musical story.
“It depicts not only the musical world of Melba, the international star, but shows Melba’s wider contribution to the development of Australian cultural life,” Ms Holmes said.
29 July, 2008
Mustard conference spreads it on thick
A conference on the science of using mustard and similar products to control pests in the soil has been hosted by the CSIRO and attracted participants from 22 countries.
Researchers, growers and industry specialists shared the latest research into the use of Brassica species, such as mustard, radish, or rapeseed, to manage soil-borne pests and weeds – a technique known as biofumigation.
According to the conference convener, CSIRO’s Dr John Kirkegaard brassica plants naturally released compounds that suppressed pests and pathogens, principally isothiocyanates (ITCs), which most people would recognise as the ‘hot’ flavour in mustard or horseradish.
“When ITCs are released in soil by green-manuring, soil-borne pests and pathogens can be suppressed and the yields of solanaceous vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants can be increased by up to 40 per cent in some cases,” Dr Kirkegaard said.
He said the technique was relevant to developed countries seeking alternatives to banned synthetic pesticides such as methyl-bromide, as well as poor farmers in developing countries who often had few alternatives for controlling serious diseases in their crops.
“It can provide economic and social benefits, as improved crop yields lead to increased incomes, as well as a range of environmental and health benefits from a reduced reliance on fumigants and pesticides.”
He said using brassicas to manage soil-borne pests was not new, but modern science was providing new insights and techniques to enhance the reliability of the effect as part of an integrated pest control strategy. He said brassicas could also provide other benefits to the soil as green manures.
Dr Kirkegaard said Australian scientists were at the forefront in this area of research.
29 July, 2008
Crossed lines in ACCC phone warning
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has moved to clarify a consumer warning it issued this month concerning hidden costs for smartphone users exceeding allocated data downloads.
The ACCC had said it was particularly concerned that consumers could be misled if they were not made sufficiently aware that data allocations could be exceeded and that this would come with significant costs.
In its clarifying statement, the Commission said it had referred in interviews to examples of the possible costs consumers could incur, but it was pointed out that some of the references “didn’t compare like with like”.
“The ACCC references were not intended to be seen as comparative or standard excess charges,” the Chairman of the Commission, Graeme Samuel said.
“[It] regrets any confusion this may have caused.”
He said the key message remained that consumers should identify the plan that suited them and keep an eye on their downloads to avoid expensive surprises.
“The ACCC is particularly concerned that consumers may be misled if they are not made sufficiently aware that their data allocations can be exceeded - at significant cost,” Mr Samuel said.
“In the case of smartphones, consumers can download greater amounts of information from the internet than ever before. With this, comes the potential for them to exceed their phone plan value and incur considerable additional charges.”
The ACCC asked carriers to advise how they intended to deal with this issue and what information they would be providing to consumers.
“There are now a number of 3G handsets available which allow consumers to access internet content, including multimedia. They are able to download high volumes of data quickly,” he said.
“Before consumers decide on which handset or plan to buy they should consider their likely data use, seek guidance from the retailer and then choose the most appropriate data plan.”
The ACCC said if consumers had any concerns about the charges associated with their data use, they should contact their service provider.
“The ACCC will remain vigilant in this new area and where it receives concern over inadequate disclosure of terms and conditions of data use, will act quickly,” Mr Samuel said.
He said more information about mobile phones and consumer rights is available from the ACCC website.
29 July, 2008
Compo comparisons
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council has published the latest edition of its Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand.
The Comparison provides a background to the evolution of workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia and New Zealand detailing the schemes, coverage, benefits, return to work provisions, self insurance, common law, dispute resolution and cross-border arrangements.
ASIC picks trainer
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has announced that Learning Advisory Services Australia Pty Limited has been selected as the successful tenderer to administer the ASIC Training Register.
LASA will be responsible for the administration of the ASIC Training Register, which includes assessing applications for entry of courses and assessment services on the register, assessing applications for re-registration of courses and assessment services, and handling enquiries about the ASIC Training Register.
Seacare awards on
The Seacare Awards and Conference, to be held on 16 October as a part of the National Safe Work Australia Week.
The event is also timed to mark the Seacare Authority’s Sea Safe Work Day.
Migrant English paper
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has called for responses to a Discussion Paper on the review of the Adult Migrant English Program.
The AMEP Review aims to address a number of issues associated with the delivery and administration of the program.
The Discussion Paper is a part of the AMEP Review’s consultation process which focuses on key issues raised in focus groups.
Disaster grants
Local communities can now apply for funding under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program.
The Government has invested $18.6 million into the program for 2008-09, with the money available to help communities better protect themselves against the effects of floods, storms, bushfires and other natural disasters.
Organisations eligible for funding include Local Councils, catchment management authorities, fire services and state emergency services and the funding can be used for risk management studies, warning systems, community awareness measures and structural works to protect against damage. The closing date for applications is 29 August 2008.
22 July, 2008
Minister softens on PS hard work
The Federal Government has once again congratulated the Australian Public Service on its hard work, long hours and dedication since the change of Government.
Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner assured senior staff of the Government’s gratitude at a meeting last week, recognising the upheaval caused by the change of Government and accepting that success would only be achieved if the Government and PS worked together.
“I acknowledge and appreciate how hard the APS has worked since the change of Government last year,” Senator Faulkner said.
“Over the past seven months I have seen, first-hand, the extraordinary and sustained commitment and dedication of many of you. I can assure you it is sincerely appreciated.”
Senator Faulkner recognised that the politicians who made up the Government came and went on the whim of the electorate but the Departments and Agencies that delivered public services were far more permanent.
“Ministerial tenures are frequently just blips in the life of Departments,” he said.
“Our politicians are elected democratically, our Public Servants never troubled by the need to seek popular approval.”
He described politics as “Hollywood for ugly people” and said the Government relied on a “partnership with the Public Service” to ensure that its policy programs were carried out.
“Politicians may be expert in politics but amateurs in administration beside their Departmental officers.”
He said the necessary partnership was likely to become more important as the future unfolded.
“The ever changing nature of the demands on the Public Service, the ever-changing aspects of government and policy, and the continuing rapid pace of technological and social change have made for a continually evolving range of problems,” he said.
“In the years ahead, our Public Service, and indeed our democracy, will depend increasingly on your ability, as Public Service leaders, to model the APS values, to inspire others to reach new heights of innovation and creativity, and to walk a very straight and steady line across the tightrope of being both frank and fearless and appropriately responsive.”
He said technological advances would make public administration easier in the future, but they would bring with them new demands and expectations.
“To be adaptable and responsive in this shifting environment, public administration must be carried out in innovative ways,” he said.
“Public Servants must be smart and creative, must negotiate the twin requirements of change and tradition.
“Public service leadership is critical in this process.”
Senator Faulkner identified a number of issues he expected would impact on the APS and demand high levels of adaptability such as new Freedom of Information rules, restrictions on political lobbying and learning to work with the new Government.
He said the Government had no choice than to rely on the APS and its capacity for vision, ability to inspire its workers and its commitment to the PS values.
“As you know,” he said, “there is only so much Government can do in changing the way things are done in the APS.”
22 July, 2008
Auditor persuaded on advertising plan
The Auditor-General has issued his first report on a Government advertising campaign, finding that the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ proposed campaign on the child care tax rebate fitted the new guidelines.
Auditor-General, Ian McPhee said he found nothing to suggest the Child Care Tax Rebate Advertising Campaign did not comply with the recently introduced Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by Australian Departments and Agencies.
Under the new rules, Government campaigns can only be approved if the Chief Executive undertaking the campaign certified it complied with the guidelines and relevant policies, and if the Auditor-General provided a report to the relevant Minister on his or her Department’s compliance with the guidelines for all campaigns with expenditure above $250,000.
Ministers could ask the Auditor-General to provide a report on campaigns valued at less than $250,000 or if they were sensitive in nature.
Mr McPhee said under the new guidelines, campaigns could only be approved if they met certain criteria.
“These guidelines state that campaigns should be instigated only where a need is demonstrated, target recipients are clearly identified and the campaign is based on appropriate research,” he said.
Mr McPhee said the campaign material should be relevant to Government responsibilities; presented in a fair, objective and accessible manner; should not be directed at promoting party political interests; should be produced and distributed efficiently; and all advertising must comply with legal requirements.
During his review of the Child Care Tax Rebate Advertising Campaign, Mr McPhee said he examined documents and records and interviewed Departmental staff who were involved with the preparation of the campaign.
“My primary responsibility is to express an independent conclusion as to whether anything has come to my attention to indicate that the campaign does not comply with the guidelines,” he said.
He said in the case of the Child Care Tax Rebate Advertising Campaign, nothing came to his attention.
Mr McPhee said the review was not an audit but was still conducted in accordance with the Australian National Audit Office’s Auditing Standards.
22 July, 2008
Guide presented to guide presentations
Guidelines for the presentation of documents to Parliament have been published by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The 65-page Guide: Guidelines for the Presentation of Government Documents to the Parliament (including Government Responses to Committee Reports, Ministerial Statements,
Annual Reports and Other Instruments) covers all aspects of the presentation process, including why documents were tabled, when they could be tabled and the printing and publishing standards required to be met.
They cover Annual Reports, reports of Royal Commissions, Ministerial Statements, Responses to Parliamentary Reports and more, and provide advice on deadlines, ministerial approvals, overdue reports, Parliamentary Privilege, correcting errors, release prior to tabling and security issues.
The Guidelines say the Tabling Officer at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet would be responsible for coordinating the presentation and tabling of all Government documents with two important exceptions:
- documents required by Statute to be presented by the Speaker and the President, for example, Auditor-General’s reports; and
- documents presented as Deemed documents in the House of Representatives and as Clerk’s documents in the Senate
They say tabling documents in Parliament was an important way of keeping the community aware of Government activities and was a major source of information for MPs and Senators. It also placed information on the public record.
“Documents prepared for tabling are confidential (under embargo) to the Government until they are presented to the Parliament,” the Guidelines say.
“For that reason appropriate security must be in place until the document is tabled.”
It says documents must be appropriately packaged and labelled and delivered to each addressee by hand.
Copies of the Guidelines can be accessed on the PM&C website, www.dpmc.gov.au
22 July, 2008
Watchdog hangs up on Telstra AWA probe
The Workplace Ombudsman has rejected claims that telecommunications giant Telstra pressured hundreds of its workers to sign Australian Workplace Agreements just weeks before the agreements were to be scrapped.
In the biggest workplace rights investigation the Ombudsman had ever undertaken, more than 15,300 Telstra employees were contacted nationally in the six months from December 2007 when the investigation was begun.
The probe was initiated at Telstra’s request following reports that “considerable pressure” was being applied to staff to accept AWAs before they were to be dumped.
According to the Executive Director of the Workplace Ombudsman’s Office, Michael Campbell the Ombudsman “left no stone unturned in this investigation to ensure that Telstra employees have been afforded their workplace rights.”
Mr Campbell said evidence was collected from Telstra, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia.
He said direct contact was made with the Telstra employees who were offered AWAs between 1 September 2007 and 18 January 2008, and those who agreed to comment were either interviewed by phone or made written statements.
Mr Campbell said no evidence was found to support allegations that Telstra had applied any duress to any individual employee or groups of employees who were offered AWAs.
Similarly, he said it did not find evidence that either the ACTU, CEPU, CPSU or APESMA had acted recklessly by making false or misleading statements to Telstra employees.
“There is, however, a prima facie case against a single Telstra manager who allegedly sought to illegitimately influence three employees under his direct control,” Mr Campbell said.
“The Workplace Ombudsman is currently evaluating the evidence associated with the behaviour of this manager.”
Mr Campbell thanked all parties for their co-operation during the extensive investigation.
While the case was now closed, he said if further information came to light that substantiated a breach of the Workplace Relations Act, the Workplace Ombudsman had reserved the right to reconvene its investigations.
22 July, 2008
Payrise welcome in anyone’s language
Centrelink has announced an increase in payments to interpreters and translators who assist it in dealing with clients from non-English speaking backgrounds and translating documents from foreign languages.
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the increase would benefit interpreters and translators who provided Centrelink with on-call services in more than 200 languages.
“It's vital Centrelink customers from non-English speaking backgrounds continue to access quality interpreting and translation services,” Senator Ludwig said.
The Senator said the minimum ‘standard’ and ‘complex’ translation fees would rise by around $2.50 and the minimum booking fee for on-site interpreting would increase by around $6.
He said the fee increase was “well overdue”.
“A comprehensive review of the fee structure conducted earlier this year discovered these on-site fees have been unchanged for nearly 10 years,” he said.
“In deciding to commit these funds, I have also put a process in place to increase interpreting and translation fees in line with the Consumer Price Index each financial year, commencing 1 July 2009,” Senator Ludwig said.
He said the review aimed to ensure the quality interpreter and translator panel for Centrelink's business continued.
He said Centrelink operated an in-house interpreting and translation service to help staff communicate with non-English speaking customers and to provide translation of documents.
“More than a million of Centrelink's 6.5 million customers were born in a country that does not speak English,” Senator Ludwig said.
“This investment of more than $300,000 will position Centrelink well for the challenges ahead as refugees and migrants from Africa bring a level of language diversity not previously seen in Australia.”
Senator Ludwig said Centrelink had developed a range of services for customers from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including bilingual recruitment strategies, a multi-lingual call centre, online resources and a multicultural communication strategy.
“Access to free on-site interpreters and translators are crucial when assisting non-English speaking customers,” he said.
“Centrelink has a long-standing and well deserved reputation for excellence in multicultural service delivery.”
Senator Ludwig said the fees would be paid by Centrelink to interpreters and translators selected from a panel of 2,500 around the country.
22 July, 2008
New program leads to APS leadership
A new study program to help groom future APS leaders has been unveiled with the support of the Australian Public Service Commission and Austrade.
The Global Leadership Practices Program (GLP) is being presented by international consultant Yellow Edge in association with the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong in Shanghai and has been designed to enhance participants’ capabilities in line with the APS Integrated Leadership System.
Yellow Edge spokesman, Andrew Simon said the program had been designed for high potential APS Executive Level officers and their State and Territory equivalents.
Mr Simon described the program as “groundbreaking” and said it would broaden personal and professional horizons to improve leadership and strategic capacities.
He said the Australia-China GLP program would concentrate on fostering a deeper understanding of leadership in a global economic and political powerhouse and provide insight into forms of Chinese leadership and their culture which could lead to new leadership methods in Australia.
Mr Simon said a two-day seminar would be held in Canberra and a five-day Global Leadership Practices Residential module at the Leadership Academy Pudong in Shanghai.
He said the module in China would include a study tour to Blue Scope Steel headquarters in Shanghai, Chinese Government agencies, networking sessions with senior Chinese officials and a recreation and cultural program.
Mr Simon said there would be a one-day report-back session in Canberra at the conclusion of the program.
He said the Canberra Global Practices Leadership Seminar would be held from 24 to 25 September, the Shanghai module would be held from 13 to 17 October and the debriefing session would be on 23 October, with the registration fee being $13,000 plus GST.
Further information was available by contacting Mr Simon on (02) 6273 0168 or email andrew.simon@yellowedge.com.au
22 July, 2008
PS strikes out at industrial action
Public Servants in the Tasmanian Government have launched industrial action in support of a wage rise.
Members of the Community and Public sector Union in the island State have imposed work bans focusing on the collection of revenue following a vote that rejected a 20.1 per cent pay increase over four years. The workers were holding out for an additional four per cent.
State Premier, David Bartlett said the offer from the Government was “very good” and blamed the union for its members knocking it back.
“It will see a Public Servant who's currently earning $40,000 by the end of the agreement earning over $50,000," Mr Bartlett said.
"Unfortunately, every day that now ticks by will see 15,000 public sector workers not access those pay rises. They will now be delayed, delayed by the unions.”
General Secretary of the CPSU in Tasmania, Tom Lynch said the main sticking point was that the Government’s pay offer would not bring pay parity with interstate Public Servants for about two-thirds of the State’s PS workers.
He said the planned industrial action would be a blow to the State Government’s revenue raising activities.
“We want the Government to hear loud and clear that public sector workers believe that pay parity should be delivered and should be delivered now and they will take action in pursuit of that," Mr Lynch said.
"One of the things that public sector workers do right across the board is raise money for the Government by collecting tax income from the public, or from billing private companies or collecting money from the Commonwealth Government,
"We've targetted a number of areas where that occurs to cut of the supply of income."
Premier Bartlett disputed the union’s pay parity claims saying the Government wanted to see evidence that the proposed increase would not lead to parity with interstate wages.
"Six weeks ago I asked the public sector unions to provide me in a letter with details of their calculations for their claims that we were not meeting parity,” Mr bartlett said..
“They are yet to produce that data and I'm still waiting on the data and the ball is firmly in their court."
Mr Lynch said the unions had provided the Government with the information.
"Our analysis shows that Tasmanian public sector workers are 9 per cent behind their mainland counterparts," he said.
22 July, 2008
Table advice has legs
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has issued its first Tabling Circular for 2008.
Tabling Circular 1/2008 Tabling of 2007-08 Departmental and Agency Annual Reports has been issued for Parliamentary Liaison Officers and Tabling Officers and sets out the tabling process, delivery and distribution requirements and the important dates for tabling last year’s Annual Reports
According to the Circular, Departments and Agencies are required to make themselves aware of their relevant legislative requirements when arranging to table their Annual Reports but in any case, all reports are to be tabled by 31 October 2008.
The Circular sets out the processes for tabling reports when Parliament was sitting and when it was not.
“To streamline the process for tabling 2007-08 Annual Reports by Departments and Agencies due by the end of October, the same arrangements will apply to Annual Reports submitted out of sitting as apply to those submitted during sitting,” the Circular says.
“Namely, the PM&C Tabling Officer will undertake the internal distribution.”
The Circular includes an information table setting out the days copies of the Annual Reports could be delivered to Parliament House.
“Documents which fail to comply with labeling, weight and delivery requirements will be rejected,” it says. These reports must be repackaged and re-delivered within the appropriate times.
The Circular says Reports that arrive correctly would be tabled in the House of Representatives at about 3.30pm after Question Time Mondays to Thursdays and in the Senate, after Prayers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Documents tabled in the House of Representatives on a Thursday will be tabled in the Senate on the next available tabling day.
“Documents presented out of sitting will be tabled in the House of Representatives on the next Tuesday of a sitting week.”
The Circular, which was available on the PM&C website www.dpmc.gov.au, includes seven attachments including checklists for tabling on sitting days or otherwise; a covering memorandum for the PM&C Tabling Officer; a transmittal letter to the President of the Senate; packaging labels and more.
22 July, 2008
No arguments over complaints policy
The Family Court of Australia has released a Feedback and Complaints Policy to strengthen its commitment to client service satisfaction.
The policy said if the Court failed to follow applicable policy or guidelines, an apology “must be given”, and complainants were to be kept informed of progress through appropriate correspondence.
According to the Court (FCoA), the policy applied to “any complaint made to the FCoA except where the complaint must be dealt with in a special way”.
The policy said complaints to be dealt with in a “special” way were those that involved legal or procedural requirements including staff grievances and complaints, monetary or legal claims against the Court, whistle blowing complaints or complaints regarding breaches to the APS Code of Conduct.
The policy said oral feedback and complaints would be dealt with as soon as possible, and where the matter was complex, complainants would be asked to write or email their complaint to the Court for further investigation.
The policy said any complaints about Court proceedings, including the conduct of judicial officers and delays in judgement, delivery or case results should be addressed to the Chief Justice.
According to the policy, people with complaints that fell outside the FCoA’s responsibility such as those relating to legal representation, solicitor/client costs and legal aid, should be informed of the correct body to make their complaint to.
The policy included a review system for complainants who were dissatisfied with the response they received and a section on how to regularly improve the complaints policy.
Under its policy, the Court is to log feedback and complaints to allow it to monitor the progress of matters, its performance and to identify trends in complaints or compliments.
The policy stated no response would be given to any “vexatious” complaints that lacked substance and supporting evidence.
A copy of the policy was available at www.familycourt.gov.au
22 July, 2008
Compo stats paint sorry picture
Figures released by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council have revealed that 16 out of every 1,000 Australian workers in 2005-06 were off work for a week or more on workers’ compensation.
ASCC Chairman, Bill Scales said the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics Australia 2005-06 reported a fall in incident rates for injury and disease in all industries since 1997-98, however claims for respiratory diseases, mental disorders and cancers had been increasing in recent years.
“The Compendium is an annual publication that provides a detailed analysis of compensated work-related injury and disease among employees in Australia,” Mr Scales said.
“This is the fifteenth report released as part of the Compendium series.”
He said the Compendium and other statistical reports enabled the ASCC to provide the most accurate information available in the area of work-related injury and disease.
He said the preliminary data for 2005-06 showed the top three industries for fatalities were the transport and storage industry with 41, construction with 33 and manufacturing with 28. He said of the total 231 deaths compensated, 93 per cent were men.
Trend data results showed all industries experienced a fall in incidence rates of injury and disease between 1997-98 and 2004-05, with the greatest falls being in mining, 45 per cent; construction, 27 per cent; transport and storage, 20 per cent; agriculture, forestry and fishing , 19 per cent; and manufacturing, 18 per cent.
The report found the proportion of claims for employees aged 45 and above increased from 33 per cent in 1997-98 to 39 per cent in 2004-05.
Mr Scales said the feature article in the latest Compendium explored the factors that influenced the time employees were away from work due to work-related injury or disease.
“The feature article reveals that most serious workers' compensation claims lasted a relatively short period,” he said.
He said 52 per cent of employees who lodged a claim were back at work within 4 weeks, and three-quarters were back within 3 months.
“We can see through findings in the Compendium that notable improvements are being made in some areas and industries,” he said.
“However more can be done to improve safety at work and reduce work-related death, injury and disease.”
Mr Scales said it was time to make workplace safety a priority.
He said ASCC initiative, National Safe Work Australia Week, would be held from 19 to 25 October.
22 July, 2008
Aviation rules hit new high
New rules making it easier for Defence Force aircraft engineers and those trained overseas to get jobs in the Australian aviation industry have been introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
CASA has streamlined the procedures in place to recognise the skills and training of qualified aircraft engineers and thereby help boost the numbers of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.
Chief Executive of CASA, Bruce Byron, said the changes would reduce the time and costs for the engineers to gain approval to work in the Australian civil aviation maintenance industry.
Mr Byron said the new procedures would mean qualifications gained overseas or by Defence engineers could be assessed before they came to Australia or left the Defence Force.
He said CASA would recognise engineers from Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom without requiring further technical examinations.
He said the changes were good news for Australia’s aviation industry.
“The aviation industry always needs engineers and by cutting red tape we can open up new opportunities for new people with the right qualifications to fill critical vacancies,” Mr Byron said.
“Overseas aircraft engineers will find Australia a more attractive place to work and Defence Force engineers can move more smoothly into civilian occupations,” he said.
22 July, 2008
Christian tourists are heaven-sent
Tourism Australia has been busy on the internet in recent weeks helping the 125,000 overseas ‘pilgrims’ who visited Australia for World Youth Day plan their travels and also encouraging them to extend their visits.
The Agency plugged into the global networking sites Facebook and Myspace to attract and put its views to the pilgrims.
According to Tourism Australia, the Facebook ‘Australia fan page’ signed up over 10,000 official friends from around the world and was designed specifically to help World Youth Day pilgrims plan their visit.
The page featured hundreds of enthusiastic comments about pilgrims’ Australian travels along with helpful suggestions from locals and Tourism Australia.
The MySpace campaign promoted the Australian Working Holiday Visa program throughout English speaking markets.
It highlighted the opportunity for youths aged 18 to 30 to extend their holiday by taking up short term employment to experience closer community contact.
Managing Director of Tourism Australia, Geoff Buckley, said the Agency had embraced social networking communities to appeal to young travellers via the “digital landscape”.
“To ensure Australia continues to attract young travellers from around the world, we’re committed to establishing opportunities to encourage authentic advocates of Australia to share their real life travel experiences online,” Mr Buckley said.
“For many pilgrims, World Youth Day will be their first visit to Australia and we hope that the same adventurous spirit that has led them half way around the world will entice them to extend their stay and see more of Australia, once the events in Sydney come to an end.”
Figures from the official World Youth Day tour operator, Harvest Tours, showed that 17,400 international travellers had booked pre or post touring through their company.
Destinations such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Alice Springs, Uluru, Kings Canyon and the Blue Mountains proved popular.
Mr Buckley said the ‘Days in the Diocese’ program has also helped to showcase regional Australia, with 50,000 international visitors attending pilgrim events in Adelaide, Bathurst, Brisbane, Broken Bay, Lismore, Newcastle, Melbourne and Wollongong.
“World Youth Day will boost tourism figures in what is traditionally a quieter month for visitor arrivals and has provided a considerable opportunity for the Australian tourism industry,” he said.
“To leverage this, Tourism Australia has made a dedicated effort to communicate with young travellers in ways that will appeal to them most.”
22 July, 2008
New day surfaces for Merchant Navy
A new day to commemorate wartime service and sacrifice has been added to Australia’s calendar of commemorations with the Governor-General proclaiming 3 September each year as Merchant Navy Day.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, announced the proclamation in Adelaide saying it would allow Australia’s merchant seamen who served in war time to be officially recognised for their contribution and efforts.
Mr Griffin said the role of Australia’s merchant mariners in wartime was vital and often dangerous.
“During the Second World War they evacuated civilians from threatened areas, and transported supplies and personnel to and between areas of conflict,” he said.
Mr Griffin said 3 September was chosen as it marked the loss of the first Allied merchant ship on the very day World War II was declared in 1939. He said both the United Kingdom and Canada also commemorated Merchant Navy Day on 3 September.
During the two World Wars, thousands of Australian merchant mariners served on Australian, Commonwealth and Allied ships and merchant ships from other nations.
Mr Griffin said 435 Australians were known to have lost their lives serving in the Merchant Navy and that this year Merchant Navy Day would honour them in a way they deserved.
He said the national day of observance would not be a public holiday and would not detract from the importance of Anzac Day or Remembrance Day.
The MP for Port Adelaide, Mark Butler, and the Port Adelaide Seafarers Memorial Community Committee had already planned a march and commemorative service to mark Australia’s first national Merchant Navy Day.
Further details on other commemorative ceremonies would be published on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website www.dva.gov.au as and when they were confirmed.
22 July, 2008
Food facility gets taste of renovation
The Department of Defence’s Food Science facility in Tasmania is to receive a $3.5 million upgrade.
Run by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the facility focuses on research and development of nutrition for performance enhancement and improved food rations for soldiers. It also produces specialised food items for ADF combat ration packs.
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said Defence was in the process of selecting consultants to prepare a project plan for redevelopment.
“Final approval of the redevelopment plan is expected in October 2009 for works to begin in 2010,” Mr Snowdon said.
He said the proposed funding would enable DSTO to modernise its facilities and equipment to improve and expand its research into the nutrition, health and performance of Australian soldiers.
Mr Snowdon said the chemistry and nutrition laboratories needed upgrading as did the food technology area used for the pilot production of new meal options.
“It’s vital these facilities are upgraded so that DSTO remains at the cutting-edge of nutrition and food technology research, and continues to provide a high level of support to the ADF,” he said.
“A recent example of this support has been the special prototype ration pack developed by DSTO Scottsdale to suit the needs of our soldiers operating in hot climates.”
Mr Snowdon said DSTO was working with the University of Tasmania, CSIRO and local industry to explore opportunities for collaboration on food technology and rationing systems.
22 July, 2008
Red tape closes on disclosure documents
Cutting red tape for first home savers will mean that 100-page Product Disclosure Statements would be reduced to four pages according to the Ministers for Finance and Corporate Law, Lindsay Tanner and Senator Nick Sherry.
The pair welcomed the new, shorter documents which they said were developed in anticipation of new First Home Saver Accounts.
Senator Sherry said many disclosure statements were between 50 and 100 pages long and “as readable as Latin” to the majority of Australians.
“This is unacceptable,” he said.
“Today's new disclosure statement passes my 'Burnie Pub test' as it's clear, simple and will improve Australians' access to cost effective financial advice”
Senator Sherry said the new PDSs would make it easier for people interested in using First Home Saver Accounts to understand and compare the products on offer.
He said key product information was provided in concise, plain English and could be read and understood in just a few minutes.
Mr Tanner said the First Home Saver PDS reforms and examples showed that product disclosure didn’t have to be long, complex and unreadable.
“These PDS examples are refreshingly short, clear and to the point,” he said.
Mr Tanner said the PDS was the first instalment of work from the Financial Services Working Group, which was established shortly after the Government came to office.
“Shorter, clearer disclosure statements will benefit consumers and industry by both improving investor protection and reducing red tape,” he said.
The PDSs were designed and consumer tested by a consultancy in close consultation with the FSWG and its Advisory Panel which consisted of industry and consumer representatives.
Senator Sherry said some members thought “four pages couldn’t be done”, but the FSWG had demonstrated it was possible to have short, simple disclosure that covered the things consumers needed to know before investing in a financial product.
He said the Government would monitor closely how consumers and industry responded to the First Home Saver PDS and apply their observations and findings to developing solutions for other products.
22 July, 2008
Aviation paper attracts a crowd
An issues paper exploring the future of the Australian aviation industry has attracted submissions from over 250 organisations, including Government Agencies.
Minister for Transport and Regional Development, Anthony Albanese said the response reflected the community’s keen interest in the immediate and longer term challenges facing aviation in Australia.
He said the Government issued the Paper in April.
“I am greatly encouraged by the constructive contribution all sections of the industry
and the broader community have made to this important policy development process,” Mr Albanese said, “and the quality of the submissions received.
“Amongst all the submissions, there is a widespread acknowledgement that if
Australia is to continue benefiting from the economic and social advantages of air travel then we need to start planning now.
“The previous short term, ad-hoc, problem by problem approach is longer tenable.” He said the comments received to date provided a valuable collection of views and ideas that would contribute to the a ‘Green Paper’ to be released for community and industry input in September.
“Ultimately, by the middle of next year this two-stage, consultative process will have led to the nation’s first ever aviation White Paper,” Mr Albanese said, “a document that will guide the industry’s growth over the coming decades.”
He said the submissions covered a wide range of issues including airport regulations; noise; safety; security; international and domestic air services policies; skill shortages; and environmental matters.
“More than ever, the aviation industry underpins domestic economic growth and provides an essential gateway to the global economy,” he said.
“At present, it directly supports nearly 50,000 jobs and contributes $6.8 billion to Australia's GDP.”
Submissions received on the paper can be downloaded from
Submissions can be downloaded from: www.infrastructure.gov.au
22 July, 2008
Pay scales published
Pay scale summaries for over 400 of the most commonly used industrial awards have been updated and posted on the internet by the Workplace Authority.
The new rates take effect from the first pay period after 1 October and include the decision of the Australian Fair Pay Commission to increase the standard Federal Minimum Wage by $21.66 per week for all employees on 38 hours per week.
The new pay scales could be accessed at www.workplaceauthority.gov.au
Kemp to head Institute
Former Senator and Minister, Rod Kemp has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Public Affairs as of 1 August 2008.
Mr Kemp served as Senator for Victoria from 1990 to 2008, was assistant Treasurer from 1996 to 2001, and Minister for the Arts and Sport from 2001 to 2007. He was also Shadow Minister for the Environment.
Mr Kemp was the Executive Director of the IPA between 1982 and 1989, and said he was delighted to accept the position of Chairman almost 20 years later.
Durack dies
Former Senator Peter Durack, has died in Perth at 81.
Mr Durack spent six years as Attorney General from 1977 to 1983, held a State seat in Perth from 1965 to 1968 and was State President of the Liberal Party from 1968 to 1971.
Opposition Leader, Julie Bishop, said Mr Durack’s “wise council” would be greatly missed.
Cash and carry trial
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has approved a four-week trial by the Australian National Retailers Association of charging 10 cents for plastic shopping bags.
The trial, due to start in August, would take place at Coles, Woolworths and IGA supermarkets in the Victorian cities of Narre Warren, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.
The ACCC has sought submissions from interested parties by 28 July, with further information available at www.accc.gov.au
Nuclear talk at ANSTO
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation is holding another community discussion to show the public how nuclear science was been utilised to combat pollution and climate change.
The discussion sessions are held twice a year and give residents the opportunity to see what happens at ANSTO, and this time will include descriptions of the dismantling of a small 100 kilowatt research reactor.
The talks will be held on 28 July at the ANSTO’s Education and Tour Centre in Lucas Heights, NSW. More information is available from www.ansto.gov.au
Privacy quest extended
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has encouraged secondary students to enter an international competition being conducted in the Asia Pacific as a part of Privacy Awareness Week.
Entrants to the competition need to submit a two-minute video about an aspect of privacy, such as how it did or did not affect them in their daily life.
The closing date has been put back to 8 August with winners announced during Privacy Awareness week, 24 to 30 August.
For more information visit www.privacyawarenessweek.org
AFP pots dope gene
The National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund has supported the Australian Federal Police, the Australian National University and the Canberra Institute of Technology in compiling a national genetic database of cannabis samples to help track down suppliers.
The database, believed to be a world first, is the result of 15 years research.
It includes 500 plants seized in five States and Territories and could help break organised crime rings and identify legal hemp plantations being used as a cover for drug production.
Digital evangelism
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Director of Television, Kim Dalton, is to chair the not-for-profit ‘Freeview’ organisation, promoting the spread of digital television in Australia.
Freeview has been established with shareholders the ABC, SB, the Seven Network, the Nine Network, Network Ten, Prime, Win and Southern Cross.
An awareness campaign is to be launched in the coming months to ensure consumers were ready when all 15 Freeview channels became available next year.
Dance report on points
A four-year action plan for the Australian dance sector has been launched by the Australia Council for the Arts and Ausdance.
The plan outlines ways in which the sector could be developed to encourage it to become more vibrant, diverse and dynamic by 2012.
To obtain its goals, Dance Plan 2012 includes strategies such as increased investment, participation and education opportunities and providing sustainable career paths.
Climate conference for CSIRO
The Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), is to help host an international conference next year on the extent of climate change impacts on the environment and its resources.
Greenhouse 2009: Climate Change and Resources is to bring climate experts to Perth to discuss climate impacts, mitigation and adaption strategies for industry, government and households.
Conference Convenor, Paul Holper from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, said the conference would be held in March.
15 July, 2008
Review blows whistle for whistleblowers
An enquiry is to be held into managing and protecting whistleblowers in the Australian Public Service.
Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner said the matter had been referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs with a request that it consider and report on a preferred model for legislation that would protect Public Servants making ‘public interest disclosures.’
Senator Faulkner said the Committee’s enquiry would be the first step towards introducing best practice legislation to encourage and protect public interest disclosures in Government ranks.
The move was in response to an election commitment.
Senator Faulkner said whistleblowing was the term commonly used to describe the disclosure of corruption or misconduct.
He said whistleblowing protection was about ensuring that there were appropriate processes in place, and protections offered, to facilitate the making of such disclosures.
“The Committee has been asked to report by 28 February 2009,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The Government will consider the Committee’s recommendations with the aim of developing legislation implementing strengthened whistleblower protections during the course of 2009.”
The Standing Committee has issued a statement on the reference saying it appreciated that evidence could exist which related to specific instances of whistleblowing but its task was to develop a model for future legislation.
“The Committee will not be investigating or pursuing specific cases,” the statement said.
“The Committee will consider such evidence only to the extent that it may assist in general matters of principle, policy or public administration relevant to the terms of reference.”
It invited public submissions, based on the terms of reference, to be lodged by Friday 8 August 2008.
“Whilst the Committee prefers for all information to be on the public record, it may consider, on an individual basis, the receipt of confidential submissions.”
The Terms of reference for the enquiry are available from www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca
15 July, 2008
Maternity leave a motherhood issue
A research project conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has added fuel to the debate over improved maternity leave arrangements for Australian mothers.
The survey, which involved over 3,500 women, showed women with access to maternity leave had a better chance of returning to the workforce after taking time off to have a baby.
Institute Director, Professor Alan Hayes, said there was a need to understand what happened in the months after child birth.
“What women decide to do at this time can have repercussions for their longer term connection to the workforce and financial security, as well as their own wellbeing and that of their child,” Professor Hayes said.
Data drawn from the Parental Leave in Australia Survey, part of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children, represented the first up-dated analysis of maternal employment transitions in over 20 years.
The data found 2 per cent of mothers were in paid employment with a baby under one month old; 11 per cent returned to work by the time their child was three months old; 22 per cent were at work when their child was six months old, 44 per cent returned to work when their child turned one; and 54 per cent had returned to work by the time their child was 18 months old.
The study found women with access to a range of paid leave entitlements had the greatest chance of retaining their employment, as 83 per cent returned to work after 18 months compared to 77 per cent of mothers who had access to unpaid leave.
Around 50 per cent of respondents without access to any form of maternity leave returned to work over the same time period.
Professor Hayes said the participants were asked about their employment before and after having a child and about what type of leave they had taken.
He said the research found women who were not employed when pregnant had a slower shift into employment after having a baby, compared to women who were self-employed.
He said 84 per cent of women who were self-employed before having a child returned to work by the time their child was18 months, compared to 13 per cent of women who were not employed before having a child.
The report’s author, Institute Research Fellow, Jennifer Baxter, said some self-employed mothers were back at work three months after their child’s birth.
“Self-employed mothers may go back to work early because they don’t have access to any paid leave and they may need to keep their business going,” Dr Baxter said.
“Another factor could be that self-employed women have more flexibility and often work very short hours.”
Dr Baxter said by the time a child reached 18 months old, the majority of women who used some leave had returned to work, whether they had used paid or unpaid leave, or a combination.
She said a peak time of return to work was at the child’s first birthday which coincided with one year’s unpaid maternity leave.
“We found that more highly educated women tended to return to work sooner alongside those who were previously employed in the small business sector,” Dr Baxter said.
The study did not include all factors that influenced a mother’s decision to return to paid work.
“We know differences in attitudes are likely to be extremely important in explaining different patterns of return to work, most importantly, parent’s preferences for remaining at home,” Dr Baxter said.
A copy of the report was available from www.aifs.gov.au
15 July, 2008
Immigration powers migrate to delegates
A report that recommends the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship transfer responsibility for determining individual cases to his Department has been released by the Minister, Senator Chris Evans.
Senator Evans said the recommendations would reduce the number of Ministerial interventions and help restore integrity and transparency to the system.
He said he commissioned the report after concerns were raised about the processes used to decide individual immigration cases.
“While the Minister has the personal power under the Migration Act to grant, refuse and cancel visas, those decisions are non-compellable, non-reviewable and non-delegable,” Senator Evans said.
He said the Minister for Immigration was the only Minister to have such powers.
“Under the Act, the Minister is able to delegate most of those decisions to the Department where they are reviewable by Tribunals and the Courts,” Senator Evans said.
Businesswoman Elizabeth Proust was commissioned earlier this year to examine the extent to which the Minister should make personal decisions under the Migration and Citizenship Acts and the Migration Regulations and whether alternative arrangements could be pursued.
Ms Proust made six recommendations focusing on steps that could be taken to manage current processes and identify possible changes for the future.
“The Department has already implemented administrative improvements recommended by Ms Proust that streamline the way requests are made to the Minister and which ensure a timely assessment of such requests,” Senator Evans said.
“I have also taken steps to delegate some of the powers that I am able to delegate to the Department as recommended by Ms Proust.”
Senator Evans said Ms Proust had made recommendations for longer-term change, including transferring responsibility to the Department and the tribunals for individual case decision-making and limiting the scope for people to request an intervention by the Minister.
He said it was appropriate that the Minister retain personal discretionary powers in exceptional circumstances, including where citizenship was to be revoked or where matters of national security were raised.
“Ministerial intervention powers were originally intended to provide an outcome for unique and exceptional cases but there is now an industry in people appealing to the Minister,” Senator Evans said.
“There has been a substantial growth in the use of intervention powers over the last decade to the point where thousands of applications for Ministerial intervention are now made every year.”
Senator Evans said he had personally seen and finalised 472 individual intervention cases which had lead to the granting of 187 visas in the first quarter of 2008.
“Ministers should deal with issues of broad public policy. It is not the job of a Minister to decide thousands of individual visa cases,” he said.
Senator Evans said Ms Proust’s report would enable the use of Ministerial intervention powers to be restored to resolving exceptional and unforeseen cases.
He said he would be discussing the recommendations contained in Ms Proust’s report with relevant stakeholders.
Copies of the Proust report were available at www.minister.immi.gov.au
15 July, 2008
Mortgages the pay-off in ADF home scheme
The new Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme has commenced operation offering serving Members of the Defence Forces up to $705 a month to assist with mortgage repayments for 20 years.
Based on the length of their service and the cost of the property, the new DHOAS replaces the Defence Service Home Loans scheme and the Defence Home Owner Scheme and was being administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
According to the scheme’s project director, Robert McComas quoted in the Defence media, the new scheme was more flexible than the old and could be used to buy, build or renovate a house.
He said personnel who had served four years would be eligible to have their mortgages subsidised by $353 a month; eight years, $529 a month; and 12 years, $705 per month. Reservists would also qualify although their periods of required service would be longer.
Director of Housing and Removal Policy at Defence, Robert McKellar said the new scheme moved with interest rates and property prices, giving it significant advantages over the old schemes.
“They lost value over a period of time and were also restricted to a single provider and single loan product,” he said,
He said the new scheme offered a choice of three lenders who promised that their DHOAS loans would be better than, or at least equal to, other products they sold.
Mr McKellar said investment properties could be financed through the new scheme and first home buyers could roll some of their subsidy into a lump-sum which could be used as a deposit.
He said it would be easy for personnel to transfer to the new scheme and information sessions would be conducted around bases until September, explaining the scheme and answering questions.
More information about DHOAS was available from www.dhoas.gov.au or by phone on 1300 430 427.
15 July, 2008
Finance fee Circular fits the PS bill
The Department of Finance and Deregulation has issued a Circular detailing changes in the review and reporting arrangements for cost recovery proposals.
Circular 2008/08 has been issued to help Departments and Agencies understand the revised review and reporting processes and to comply with them. The new arrangements apply to all Agencies covered by the Financial Management and Accountability Act and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act.
According to the Circular, the policy of cost recovery, introduced in 2002, has not been changed but the review and reporting arrangements have to improve Ministerial oversight of cost recovery activity and to increase the transparency of Cost Recovery Impact Statements (CRIS).
The changes took effect on 1 July.
Under the new arrangements, Agencies will be required to produce a CRIS for all new cost recovery plans expected to raise income of more than $10 million; their Ministers will be required to agree to the CRIS; and the Expenditure Review Committee will review it.
All CRISs should be published on the Agency’s website.
The Circular says that a CRIS would not be required if the cost recovery plan was not considered ‘significant,’ but it would still need to comply with the cost recovery policy.
The Finance Minister is able to require an Agency to produce a CRIS, but usually for activities that had not been considered before, were inconsistent with the cost recovery policy or which had not been considered for some time.
The Finance Circular can be accessed on the Finance website www.finance.gov.au
15 July, 2008
Handbook hands out handy advice
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has published an updated edition of its handbook for practitioners to promote high quality outcomes and consistent practice.
DIAC Secretary, Andrew Metcalfe, said the handbook would improve the Department’s engagement with stakeholders and promote high quality outcomes and consistent practice.
“The department needs to ensure we are working closely with relevant sections of the Australian and international community to take into account their views and experience,” Mr Metcalfe said.
“Stakeholders can help significantly in both regards if our relationships are robust.”
He said while the Government decided policy, the Department needed to optimise policy implementation practices and its advice to Government.
“It is a significant boost to the support available to staff to ensure quality outcomes in this aspect of the Department’s work,” he said.
Mr Metcalfe said the handbook was based on last year’s edition, but drew upon an international standard in stakeholder best-practice and was developed following substantial consultation.
He said eight departmental case studies were included to provide practical examples.
He said it also incorporated current thinking and Departmental practices and was produced as a part of an approach to identify key departmental stakeholders and emphasise the importance of their views.
A steering committee chaired by the Secretary oversaw the stakeholder management approach while business areas were responsible for their own engagement activity.
Mr Metcalfe said the efforts of the business areas were supported by agency mapping of stakeholders and identification of key issues to be integrated into planning.
He said training was provided and a series of internal seminars recently initiated.
Mr Metcalfe said community and stakeholder confidence was a high priority for the Department and that staff work and quality relationships built up that confidence.
“The handbook will also be useful for DIAC stakeholders, because it will provide them with a clear picture of the DIAC role, objectives and expectations in the engagement process,” he said.
Mr Metcalfe said the handbook was available from www.immi.gov.au
15 July, 2008
Finance Ombudsman is insurance policy
The Government has announced the creation of a new Ombudsman service for the Australian financial industry.
Minister for Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry, said the new Financial Ombudsman Service would take over from three separate non-Government dispute resolution schemes: the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman, the Financial Industry Complaints Service, and the Insurance Ombudsman Service.
Senator Sherry said the merger would mean independent dispute resolution services for up to 80 per cent of Australian banking, insurance and investment disputes could be provided under one roof.
“The merger means that consumers - or for that matter, industry members who are unsure about where they can get information about dispute resolution - can be quickly referred to the service best suited to handle their complaint,” he said.
Senator Sherry said the Government was determined to update the regulation of financial services for the 21st century.
He said external dispute resolution services provided independent, free, fair and accessible dispute resolution for consumers who were unable to resolve a dispute directly with their financial service provider.
“Importantly, external dispute resolution services allow consumers to have complaints that would not normally be brought before a Court, due to the cost of legal proceedings, aired and resolved.”
He said mergers such as the Financial Ombudsman Service were backed by the Productivity Commission, which, in its Review of Australia’s Consumer Policy Framework, recommended the Government improve the effectiveness of external dispute resolution for consumers by consolidating existing bodies.
“Our financial services regime is based on the principles of transparency, fairness and consistency,” Senator Sherry said.
“External dispute resolution schemes like the new Financial Ombudsman Service play an important role in keeping the regime on a level playing field.”
15 July, 2008
Aviation workforce lands 5-year plan
Airservices Australia has released its five year workforce planning strategy, setting out the organisation’s challenges and strategies to attract and retain the skilled personnel it needs to service the aviation industry.
Chief Executive Officer, Greg Russell, said the strategy followed three years of intensive analysis of the labour market, world and domestic employment trends and their relationships with Air Traffic Control, Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting and technology and engineering professions.
“This document is a blueprint that explains our workforce challenges and, more importantly, our strategy to build the workforce,” Mr Russell said, “including skills we will need to meet future service delivery and satisfy aviation industry demands.”
He said the new planning strategy was a commitment to Airservices Australia staff, customers and stakeholders.
“It covers the program of what I describe as ‘people initiatives’ that are now established priorities in our change program,” he said.
Mr Russell said Airservices was set to put $27 million back into the industry in 2008 due to continued strength in airways activity with the payment of a rebate to be brought forward to August this year.
The workforce strategy was released during the aviation industry conference, ‘Waypoint 2008’ which also featured the announcement of the winners of the Inaugural Chairman’s Awards for Professional Excellence.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, Chairman David Forsyth and Mr Russell presented winners David Bargen, Jenni Birdsall, Vicki Huggins, Adam Martens, Pete McMahon, John Moores, Ken Owen and Adam Watkin with their awards.
15 July, 2008
Seasonal adjustment for economist’s book
A book by Austrade’s Chief Economist, Tim Harcourt has reached the Top Ten bestseller list for business books in Australia.
The Airport Economist, an informative and witty ‘tour guide’ offering Australian business people the motivation and advice necessary to help achieve export success, is - according to its author, Mr Harcourt - Australia’s answer to the US best seller, Freakonomics but with an export angle thrown in.
“The Airport Economist is fundamentally about Australians successfully engaging in the global economy,” Mr Harcourt said, “from Mary Nenke, a Yabbie farmer in Kukerin, to Kath & Kim, Australia has plenty to be proud of in our export success.”
Mr Harcourt said many of Australia’s 44,000 exporting companies had demonstrated Australia could compete internationally.
He said export success abroad meant better living standards for those back home, accounting for the title of the final chapter: ‘Exporting makes you effluent”.
“But even with a high dollar, increasing global fuel prices and geo-political instability out there, exporters and would-be exporters need to know that they are not alone,” Mr Harcourt said.
“Help can be provided by Austrade, EFIC and the like, and as The Airport Economist shows, exporters who stick at it, do succeed.”
Mr Harcourt said it was a matter of showing persistence and using Government architecture when needed – particularly in emerging markets.
He said increasing global engagement was good for businesses, workers and the Australian community as a whole.
“As a labour market economist I have found that exporters, on average, pay higher wages, provide better working conditions, invest in education and training and provide more job security than non-exporters,” Mr Harcourt said.
The Airport Economist was arranged as one continuous journey from Sydney to Singapore and ending up in Santiago by trekking through Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
It concluded with a focus on how award winning comedy show Kath and Kim had become the latest Australian export gem.
The book offered a combination of economic research, empirical observations, anecdotes and interviews with exporters, business people, celebrities, government officials and sports people and tried to break down economic jargon for students and aspiring small business exporters.
“I believe that economics education is very important for the future of this country,” Mr Harcourt said.
“Economics should be accessible, easy to read and most of all exciting and I hope that The Airport Economist helps demonstrate this.”
The Airport Economist, published by Allen & Unwin,was available at all book stores around the country.
15 July, 2008
Treasurer cashes in on IMF commentary