30 May 2006
PS Failing to Attract Indigenous Staff
Indigenous employment in the Australian Public Service has fallen significantly in the past few years despite Departments and Agencies working hard to reverse the trend.
    According to Public Service Commissioner, Lynelle Briggs, Indigenous staff now made up just 2.2 per cent of the Public Service establishment compared with 2.7 per cent in 18 and 19.
    Ms Briggs revealed the problem at a launch of the APS’s latest Indigenous employment publications.
    She said that in November last year the Australian Public Service Commission invited all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to express their views about employment in the Public Service through a census survey.
    Over 1500 of the Service’s 2600 Indigenous staff took up the offer, the census findings revealing some notable positive features on APS Indigenous employment but some worrying attitudes and trends as well.
    It reported that job satisfaction rates for Indigenous employees were higher than satisfaction rates among APS employees overall and that most Indigenous staff enjoyed personal fulfilment from their jobs.
    The census also reported that Indigenous staff experienced good working relationships in the APS on the whole; appreciated the chance to make a useful contribution to other Indigenous Australians; valued the flexible working arrangements offered by the APS; and welcomed the opportunities the Public Service afforded to develop their skills.
    Despite this, more than 15 per cent said they planned to resign in the next three years for various reasons.
    Ms Briggs said that working in the APS could be difficult for Indigenous people, noting that some respondents to the census said they would think of leaving the APS because of their lack of job satisfaction, feeling under-valued, a lack of workplace support or poor management.
    She said encouraging Indigenous employees to stay in the Public Service was a considerable challenge.
    “There is little point in attracting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into the APS if we don’t look after them properly when they are here,’’ she said.
    “They will only walk back out the door and that’s what some of them seem to be doing at the moment, as our separation rates are higher than I’d like.”
    She said the APS would gain from using the skills and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in a much greater range of areas than it currently did. 
    As well as unveiling the results of the census, Ms Briggs launched the publications, Getting a Job and Not Just a Job.
    She said Getting a Job aimed to help Indigenous people get that foot in the APS door.  It de-mystified the APS recruitment process and explained how to apply for jobs in the Public Service.  It specifically explained how to address selection criteria – which was often a major barrier to people applying for jobs.
    Not Just a Job told the personal stories of 19 of the census respondents. The stories acknowledge that not only does the APS offer excellent pay and conditions, career development, and diverse and interesting work, but it also provides opportunities to make a real and lasting difference to society.
     There are stories of people finding better futures for themselves and their communities.  They reveal how working in the APS can provide a sense of direction and stability in life.  They encourage others to believe in themselves, to believe that they too can create brilliant careers for themselves if they put their minds to it.
    For more information on the publications or the census, go to the APSC website at http://www.apsc.gov.au/indigenous/index.html

Note: This story was amended on 1 June as statistics quoted in the original, published on 30 May, were incorrect.

30 May 2006
Peacekeepers in Troubled Neighbour far from Timorous
Almost 1800 Australian Defence Force personnel have been sent to Timor Leste following outbreaks of violence in the newly-established nation.
    Commander of the Army’s 3rd Brigade based in Townsville, Brigadier Michael Slater has been placed in command of all Australian forces in Timor Leste in Dili.
    Government officials headed by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, were in Dili when the decision to send troops was made and consulted with the Timor Leste Government on the terms and conditions of the Australian deployment. The Royal Australian Air Force assisted in evacuating Australians and others wishing to leave the country.
    According to the Department of Defence, ground forces in Timor Leste include a Commando Company from the Sydney-based 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and a Rifle Company Group from the Sydney-based 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. They secured Comoro Airport at Dili as a point of entry for further ADF forces.
    Four Black Hawk helicopters from the Army’s Townsville 5th Aviation Regiment were also in Dili and providing air support to the ground forces.
    Further forces from the Sydney-based 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, travelled to Timor Leste by air and sea. 
    The Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Adelaide was on station in Dili Harbour and is ready to support ground operations.
    The Amphibious Landing Ship HMAS Kanimbla was positioned off the south coast of Timor Leste to provide medical, communication, accommodation and various support facilities as required.
    The Heavy Landing Ship HMAS Tobruk and the Amphibious Landing Ship HMAS Manoora were sent to Dili, while the Auxiliary Oiler HMAS Success wais in the Timor Seas providing support to the deployed RAN fleet units.
    The Landing Craft Heavy ships HMAS Balikapan and HMAS Tarakan are also supporting the deployment.
    In addition to the Defence Force personnel being deployed in Timor Leste, an extra 45 Federal Police have also been assigned, taking the total number of AFP officers in the country to 57

30 May 2006
Hockey Goes to Bat for Childcare 
Human Services Minister, Joe Hockey has defended his Department's move to secure childcare places for their staff, suggesting other employers should follow Centrelink's lead.
    Centrelink, part of the Department of Human Services, is negotiating a tender to provide national coverage for childcare places for its staff and the other Human Services agencies, including Medicare.
    Mr Hockey said the Australian Government’s budget announcement uncapping family day care and outside school hours care will assist many families.
    He said every employer, particularly larger organisations, have a responsibility to also provide assistance.
    “I am aware that a number of private sector companies already have similar arrangements,” Mr Hockey said. “With nearly 38,000 staff, I believe I need to lead by example.”
    The Minister welcomed the Opposition’s agreement that offering childcare services to staff was a good thing to do.
    “However I reject the claim that we will be squeezing out other families," Mr Hockey said.
    “We will not allow providers to kick out a child to make a place for a Centrelink employee's child.
    “I also want to make it clear that the arrangement will be done within the current tax system and for the Opposition to suggest that the scheme is dodgy, or that there is a different system for public servants is wrong,” Mr Hockey said.
    He said the aim was to provide greater certainty for childcare providers by confirming leased places and through this, generate more overall places available to their staff and other parents.

30 May 2006
Fat Cats Milking ACT PS?
The Liberal Opposition in the Australian Capital Territory has slammed the ACT Government over the size of the ACT Public Service saying the numbers of senior staff were growing while services to the community were deteriorating.
    Opposition leader, Bill Stefaniak said the people of the ACT were entitled to ask why their services were deteriorating while taxes and charges were likely to rise and public services were growing, especially at the top end.
    Mr Stefaniak said under current ACT Government, the public service had “grown like topsy” from 15,500 to 18,000, an increase of around 16 per cent, Mr Stefaniak said.
    He said much of that growth had been at the “pointy end of the structure,” with numbers of senior executive staff earning more than $120,000 rising from 110 to 163, an increase of 49 per cent.
    "With associated costs factored in, this represented about $10 million just for around 50 senior public servants in one year," Mr Stefaniak said.
    He said an example was the appointment of two new senior executive positions, Director Strategic Finance and Director Strategic Human Resources, advertised last June with a combined package value of $324,000 a year.
    "This was in addition to the 15 senior executives listed in the directory and an existing manager of human resources and the director of finance.
    "Then there is the human rights bureaucracy, established at a cost of $1.29 million, with a new position of president and no less than four commissioners, two of them new positions. "Yet there have been cuts to basic justice services such as the Department of Public Prosecutions which lost around $750,000 or 12 per cent of budget."
    Mr Stefaniak said the top-heaviness of the ACT public service under Chief Minister Jon Stanhope had not delivered any improvement in community services.
    "On the contrary, jobs have been cut from Canberra Connect shopfronts and other service delivery areas," he said.
    Hospital waiting lists were up, school closures were planned, streets, particularly in Civic, were often dirty and many sports and recreation grounds had become unusable as the Government economised by not watering them during the drought, he said.
    "The Chief Minister is apparently surprised to find he has so many public servants and has expressed his alarm.
    "The community is entitled to ask why?" Mr Stefaniak said.

30 May 2006
Defence has Homeowner Scheme in its Sights
The Defence HomeOwner Scheme is to be reviewed and Defence Personnel and their families have been invited to comment.
    The current DHOS is based on legislation and a contract with the National Australia Bank for lending services which have been in place since 11.
    As the contract with the NAB is due to expire this year, Defence has announced it will  take the opportunity of  reviewing the scheme to make sure that it meets the needs of the Defence and ADF members it was set up to serve.
         Head of Defence Personnel Executive, Major General Mark Evans said the issuing of Certificates of Entitlement for the current DHOS was due to end on 31 December, 2006.
    He said that in order not to disadvantage any members while the scheme was reviewed, the legal authority to issue certificates up to 31 December 2007 would be arranged. Agreement had also been reached to extend the contract to that time.
    “In the meantime,” Major General Evans said, “we are looking at how to provide greater choice and flexibility for a member purchasing his or her own home.”
    “A revised scheme should support recruitment, retention and resettlement, and it should be cost effective for Defence. It should also recognise the benefits home ownership provides to both members and Defence.
    Major General Evans said the effects of any changes to the scheme would also have to be considered in light of their impacts on the ADF housing system as a whole.
     “We are asking members and their families to express their views on the current DHOS and to provide comment on the improvements being considered by Defence.”
    He said the DHOS review team had already developed some options under the guidance of the Personnel Steering Group and Defence personnel and their families could view and comment on those options on the ADF Pay and Conditions website.
    Interested personnel who did not have access to the Internet could call 1800 DEFENCE for a fact sheet.
       Comments need to reach the team by June 14 and further information is available on the DHA website at www.dha.gov.au or the DHA Home Owner team on 1800 802 763.

30 May 2006
New Deal is No Deal For ABC Cleaners
Cleaners at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's head office in Sydney are likely to lose their jobs after Corporation entered a new cleaning contract.
    Their union says 19 cleaners have been told that there will be no job for them at the ABC once the existing contract with Baytons Cleaning expires on 1 June.
    Assistant NSW secretary of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers’ Union, Mark Boyd said the new contractor would not guarantee the cleaners a job, but during interviews had asked many whether they would consider becoming sub-contractors for less pay than they receive under the award.
    "That means a significant cut in their take home pay," Mr Boyd said.
    More than 60 cleaners and their supporters had gathered outside the Ultimo office of the ABC to ensure their voices were heard.
    "(The new company) nearly always sub-contracts cleaning jobs when they win them, leading to a cut in wages and a drop in cleaning standards," Mr Baker said.
    "(They) have now confirmed that this will happen at the ABC," he said.  
    Mr Baker said  the cleaners - some of whom have been with the ABC for more than 10 years - rejected the offer of lower wages, less security and sloppier work.
    "The LHMU Cleaners Union, and its Clean Start campaign will be fighting this all the way," he said.
    The LHMU Cleaners Union flagged the possibility that they could seek support from ABC media workers and their union.

30 May 2006
Influx of UK Police Fits The Bill
The South Australian government is looking for English policemen and women who fit the bill to work down under.
    Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone has welcomed moves by the SA Government to recruit up to 70 more UK police officers following two successful recruitment drives in the UK that netted South Australia more than 180 UK officers. “This drive is not just about overcoming skills shortages in a tight labour market,’’ Senator Vanstone said.
    “It’s about making the South Australian community safer.”
    She said the recruitment programs had been successful with the UK police sent to metropolitan and country areas throughout the State.
    “UK officers have a similar policing style to that in Australia so that they can be operational quickly after arrival.
    “Most of the recruits are being employed under the Australian Government’s Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme which attracts English-speaking people under 45-years-old.”
    Senator Vanstone said the Australian Government worked closely with State and Territory Governments and regional authorities to match potential migrants with employers such as SA Police.
    Australia’s global recruitment campaign for skilled workers would return to the UK and Ireland in October after a series of skills expos in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila this month.
    Last year more than 16,000 people attended skilled migration expos in the UK, Europe, India, Melbourne and Perth. Another 16 international and domestic expos are scheduled this year.
    “Australia has a strong economy and an ageing workforce. Skilled overseas workers who meet the skill and experience requirements of employers and state and territory governments are urgently needed for a range of jobs,” Senator Vanstone said.
    “There is a particular demand for skills in the mining and resources industry, building and technical trades and engineering.”
    The Australia Needs Skills expos will be in London during October 14-15; Manchester during October 17-18: and Dublin during October 21-22.

30 May 2006
Disabled enabled under new workplace scheme
The results of a new tender will make it easier for employers to hire a person with a disability according to Workforce Participation Minister, Sharman Stone.
    As part of the Government’s Welfare to Work package, $7.9 million has been provided to expand the Workplace Modifications and Supported Wage Schemes to encourage employers to take on people with disabilities.
    Dr Stone said the funds were for two major initiatives designed to encourage employers to re-assess workplaces so they were suitable for people with a disability, while paying real wages and maintaining productivity.
    "It may be that the office or shop floor needs special computer software, different lighting, ramps or special equipment," Dr Stone said.
    "If these sort of changes are required, the Workplace Modifications Scheme can help employers by covering the cost of any alterations required."
    She said they were also focusing on the Supported Wage Scheme which pays for an independent assessor to look at the job and the employee and determine a fair wage based on the person’s ability to perform in that role.
    "These initiatives ensure that people with a disability are given the opportunity to take up real jobs and receive real wages," she said.
    The request for tender has been issued by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations for qualified individuals and organisations to provide assessment services for both initiatives.
    "We need qualified assessors to work with employers and job seekers to ensure the workplace is properly equipped and that employees are receiving wages commensurate with their abilities.
    "Employers will be the winners when they take on staff who are loyal, reliable and have skills that are in high demand." Dr Stone said
    More information about the tender is at https://www.tenders.gov.au/federal/index.cf

30 May 2006
AFP Leaves Solomons Ship-Shape
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has given three large water cruisers to the Solomon Islands to help in police work.
    The three 13-metre vessels, worth over $2 million, are in the final stages of construction and will be exported to the Solomon Islands over the coming months. Final trials of the first patrol boat are underway at St Helens in north-east Tasmania and should be completed soon.
    National manager of the AFP International Deployment Group, Paul Jevtovic, said the new vessels would substantially boost the capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) to conduct regular patrols around the 920 islands in the South Pacific archipelago.
    “The sheer number and geographical spread of islands that make up the Solomons create many logistical challenges for police in maintaining law and order,” Federal Agent Jevtovic said.
    The islands stretch more than 1800km from east to west and about 900km from north to south, a incredibly vast area for policing.
    "These powerful new boats will help overcome some of the mobility and distance issues and help communities situated outside the major provinces to benefit from enhanced policing patrols," he said.
    The new patrol vessels are made of aluminium, hold 2800 litres of fuel and cruise at 30 knots (60kph) over 550 nautical miles. Each carries a crew of four police with capacity for up to 12 passengers and one tonne of equipment.
    The boats will be based at selected provinces in the Solomon Islands including Gizo, Auki and Honiara and will have the capacity to stay on patrol for up to two weeks at a time.
    The donation of the three cruisers follows provision by the AFP of  20 six-metre rigid hull inflatable boats that were now in use at 13 police posts within the archipelago.
    “As well as the AFP’s participation in the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, a large part of our work in the Solomons involves building capacity among the local police to help them deliver more effective and sustainable policing,” Federal Agent Jevtovic said.
    “These new patrol vessels are an important part of that program, not only boosting policing resources but ensuring the benefits from improved local police practices and training flow through to those living in more remote parts of this unique community.”
    A naming ceremony for the three patrol boats will be held in the Solomon Islands after the last vessel arrives in late September.
    Meanwhile, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has announced it wil decrease its presence in the Solomons following a review of security in consultation with the Solomon Islands Government and other regional military partners.
    The ADF deployed a rapid response group to the Solomons following last month’s civil unrest.
    At its height, the enhanced presence consisted of about 400 ADF personnel reinforcing the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in restoring law and order to the country.
    The revised ADF presence will be one infantry Company from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and associated support elements, giving a total ADF presence of around 140, working alongside the New Zealand Defence Force and Pacific Islands countries military forces.

30 May 2006
Review Council Reviews Review
A report by the Administrative Review Council on the scope of judicial review has been launched by the Chief Justice of the High Court, Murray Gleeson, and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.
    The report, The Scope of Judicial Review, addresses constitutional and policy considerations relevant to the scope of judicial review.
    It reiterates the essential role of such review in maintaining the rule of law and reflects its importance in safeguarding individual rights and maintaining government accountability.
    It delivers a framework of indicative principles providing a succinct guide to circumstances in which the Council decides when it is appropriate to seek to reduce the scope or practical availability of judicial review.
    Mr Ruddock said the report would provide some extremely useful guidance in a complex area.
    “The principles identified by the Council in the report are likely to be of great assistance to government," Mr Ruddock said.
   "It will be a helpful tool for policy officers and drafters in the consideration of the review mechanisms to be incorporated in legislation.
    "The Council’s intention is the principles will complement those for merits review set out in another widely used Council publication, What Decisions are Subject to Merits Review?" he said.
    The Council is a specialist body providing advice to the Attorney-General on improvements that can be made to the Commonwealth administrative law system.
    A copy of the report is available from www.law.gov.au/arc.

30 May 2006
ABC Airs New Manager
Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Donald McDonald has announced the appointment of Mark Scott as the ABC's new managing director.
    Mr McDonald said the ABC Board had resolved unanimously to appoint Mr Scott following a national and international search that produced an outstanding field of candidates.
    The move ends months of speculation since Russell Balding’s unexpected resignation in January to become chief executive of the Sydney Airport Corporation.
    Mr McDonald said Mr Scott was an exceptional media professional with a distinguished academic record. He was currently editorial director at John Fairfax Publications.
    "The ABC is one of Australia's largest and most diverse media organisations and in Mr Scott we have found someone with the media experience and drive necessary to take the ABC confidently into the digital media future.
    "The Board was particularly impressed with his combination of editorial experience, management skills developed in one of Australia's oldest and most distinguished media companies and his proven ability to respond to the challenges of a changing media environment." he said.
    Over the past 10 years, Mr Scott had held a range of senior roles at Fairfax, including editor-in-chief of metropolitan, regional and community newspapers, which included The Sydney Morning Herald, Sun Herald, The Age and Sunday Age.
    At present, he is responsible for editorial direction and management of Fairfax newspapers, publication of its general magazines and expanding the newsrooms into digital media through their websites.
    Mr McDonald said Mr Scott would join the ABC at an exciting time.
    "The ABC is at the forefront of the digital media revolution in Australia, successfully pioneering free-to-air digital multi-channelling with ABC2 and running one of the most successful podcasting trials in the world," he said.
    "The recent budget provided the best outcome for the ABC in more than 20 years, with an additional $88.2m over the next three years to expand our Australian content on television, enhance regional and local programming and enable capital renewal across the corporation."
    Mr Scott said he was excited at the prospect of leading the ABC at a time of challenges and opportunities brought about by the shift to a digital media world.
    "This is a tremendous opportunity to take the helm of a media organisation that is known nationally and internationally for its strong and independent journalism and its innovative programming," Mr Scott said.
    "I am a great believer in a strong and robust national broadcaster. It provides greater media choices for our audiences and can help create new markets through the innovative use of technology."
    "My first priority on starting as managing director in July will be to visit ABC studios around the nation and talk to as many staff as possible about the way we are serving our audiences and the potential for the future," he said.
    Mr Scott said the ABC brand was one of the most recognised and trusted brands in Australia, reflecting the integral role ABC Radio, Television and Online services play in the everyday lives of millions of Australians.
    "One of the great things about the ABC is its geographical reach from the major metropolitan centres out to the most remote parts of the nation, and internationally to the Asia Pacific region through Radio Australia and ABC Asia Pacific.
    "The regional role of the ABC through its 50 non-metropolitan radio stations is a vital element of Australia's media landscape and an information lifeline for many of those communities," he said.
    However, journalist and ABC Board member Quentin Dempster warned that Mr Scott lacked broadcasting experience and was unknown to many ABC staff.
    Mr Dempster also cautioned against cashing in on the ABC's digital output, warning commercialisation would change the nature of ABC business.
    Mr Scott's appointment is for five years.

30 May 2006
Honours All Ours on New Website
The Honours Secretariat has unveiled its new website which is crammed full of significant facts about our nation.
    Did you know, for example,  that the Australian national flag flew for the first time in September 1901 at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, then the seat of the Federal Government? Or that the golden wattle is our national floral emblem? Or that Australia’s distinctive honours system began in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, to recognise service to the nation or humanity?
    These are just some of the facts to be found on the new website, hosted by the  Secretariat which sits within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
    Entitled It’s An Honour. Australia celebrating Australians the site was launched on 25 May and contains a wealth of new information about Australian Honours and Symbols including a searchable database of all Australian honours from 1975.
    The website also includes an Honoured Australians section where visitors can read more about a few of the inspiring recipients and a comprehensive A to Z of Australian honours. Visitors can also listen to the National Anthem, learn more about the National Floral Emblem and view a display of the other Australian flags in use.
    The website is at www.itsanhonour.gov.au.

30 May 2006
ANSTO’s Lesson Plans to Entice More Graduates     
Keen to encourage more students to enrol in science subjects, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has produced a set of five Careers in Science lesson plans for teachers.
    The innovative lesson plans are available online and help teachers encourage students to develop their own unique scientific aspirations.
    ANSTO developed the lesson plans in conjunction with CSIRO, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Defence Science and Technology Organisation and NSW Ministry of Science and Medical Research.
    The resource is tailored to suit both science teachers and careers advisers. It links science studies at school to a wide range of science and non-science careers.
    ANSTO Executive Director, Ian Smith said Australia would benefit both economically and socially if more students studied science and understood its relevance to contemporary life.
    “It is our hope that the Careers in Science initiative will contribute to students becoming more excited about studying science and even encourage them to pursue a science-based career,” Dr Smith said. “Many young people don’t know what they want to do until the end or even after their studies are over."
    Studying science gives them more options for later career choices," he said.
    Chemists, physicists, marine biologists, engineers and veterinary scientists make use of school science studies, as do careers such as finance, teaching, medicine and dentistry, he said.
    “Even if students do not pursue a scientific career, the skills and knowledge gained are valuable for life, as science not only opens the mind, it teaches students to be methodical, disciplined and perhaps somewhat paradoxically, creative."
    Dr Smith said his own career was evidence of the options available after studying science.
    “I began my career at ANSTO, then worked as an engineer in Sweden, at a university, in the mining industry and now back again at ANSTO.
    “The opportunities science has given me are priceless.”
    Careers in Science targets Year 9 and 10 students when key subject decisions need to be made. The initiative complements state and territory syllabuses.
    Lesson plans, brochures and other resources are at www.careersinscience.gov.au.

30 May 2006
Nuclear Changes to Get Green Light
Australia’s nuclear watchdog is in line for strong new powers, a new Bill paving the way for a more active role in the future
    The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation is to have its powers widened to allow it to become involved in a range of issues currently denied it, at a time when the nuclear debate is being fanned and the threat from world terrorism is at its peak.
    The Bill, currently before the Parliament will amend the ANSTO Act 1987 to allow ANSTO to do more to help the Commonwealth and its agencies – and the States and Territories in an emergency – in the management of radioactive materials and waste, beyond those that stem from ANSTO’s own operations.
    Under the current Act, ANSTO can only make its facilities available to other agencies holding radioactive materials or waste if the material was originally manufactured at ANSTO.
    Australian police forces and other emergency authorities lack suitable storage facilities for any radioactive material and should a radiological incident occur, ANSTO’s help would be vital.
       The Government says the Bill will bring Australia into line with international best practice and was called for by law enforcement and emergency management agencies who strongly support the changes.
      If passed, the Bill will permit ANSTO to condition, manage and store radioactive materials and radioactive waste that:

• Are owned by other Commonwealth agencies or contractors
• Is requested by a law enforcement or emergency management agency
• Arises from the overseas reprocessing of ANSTO’s own spent nuclear fuel

    The Bill is expected to be passed within the next few months.
    According to ANSTO, the Bill has the support of most political parties which recognise the importance of the safe handling of radioactive materials and waste. It received bipartisan support on the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee, which enquired into the proposed changes and has the backing of the  Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies and law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

30 May 2006
Action Called for Film Tax Review
Arts Minister, Senator Rod Kemp has announced a statutory review of the refundable film tax offset scheme, which he says aims to ensure Australia remains a key destination for big-budget film and television productions.
    Senator Kemp said the film tax offset plays an important role because it attracts the larger budget offshore-funded productions.
    “This review aims to examine the effectiveness of this scheme in attracting large-budget production to Australia, and the effect of the offset on the Australian production industry," he said.
    “I strongly encourage all interested parties to participate in the review of the film tax offset and I look forward to hearing and considering the views of industry on this scheme," he said.
    The offset review is separate to a broader review of Australian Government support for funding Australian films that was announced in the recent Budget.  However, the findings of the offset review will inform the broader review.
    The offset provides a tax refund worth 12.5 per cent of a qualifying film’s eligible spend in Australia.
    It is the Australian Government’s primary incentive to attract large budget film and television productions to shoot in Australia.
    Senator Kemp said that since its introduction in 2002, 17 film and television programs had been certified for the offset resulting in combined expenditure of more than $885 million in Australia.
    Submissions for the review are due by 7 July 2006

30 May 2006
Write Stuff Wins Australia Council Award
The Australia Council for the Arts has awarded its 2005 Writers’ Emeritus Award to author and historian Dr Ruby Langford Ginibi.
       The $50,000 Writers Emeritus Award is considered the richest and most established career achievement prize in Australian literature and was presented at a ceremony at the Sydney Writers Festival.
    Chief executive of the Australia Council for the Arts, Jennifer Bott said the award recognised Dr Langford Ginibi's lifelong contribution to Australian literature across autobiography, history and politics.
    "Over the past 30 years, Dr Ruby Langford Ginibi has changed the face of autobiographical writing in Australia," Ms Bott said.
    "She has used the spark of her own life story to deliver a fiery condemnation of many of the injustices of Australian society."
    “Anyone who has read Dr Langford Ginibi’s groundbreaking Don't Take Your Love to Town can testify to the power of her stories in giving readers insight into the unique experiences of Aboriginal women," she said.
    Noted for her representations of urban Aboriginality, Dr Langford Ginibi is the author of four non-fiction books as well as numerous essays, poems and short stories.
    Her major works include the groundbreaking Don't Take Your Love to Town (1988), an account of the struggles faced by Aboriginal women; a collection of short stories, Real Deadly (12); her account of her return to her birthplace on the north coast of NSW, My Bundjalung People (14); and the story of experiences of her son and other Aboriginal men in custody. Haunted by the Past (19).
    Dr Langford Ginibi said that as a proud elder of the Bundjalung nation in northeast NSW, she had spent the past 30 years educating white and multicultural Australia about Aboriginal history, culture and politics.
    "It is an honour to be recognised by this award," Dr Langford Ginibi said.
    The Australia Council for the Arts Writers Emeritus Award recognises the achievements of Australian writers over the age of 65 who have made an outstanding contribution to the field and created an acclaimed body of work.
    Past recipients include Vince Serventy, Dorothy Hewett, Bruce Dawe, Judith Wright McKinney and Dr Margaret Scott.

30 May 2006
PS Briefs
Telemarketing hung up
The first steps towards establishing an Australian Do Not Call register have been taken with legislation introduced into Parliament.
    Communications Minister, Senator Helen Coonan said the $33m initiative would allow individuals to opt-out from receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls via a register administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
    ACMA would have the power to issue warnings, infringement notices or commence court proceedings and courts could  impose fines from $1100 to $1.1 million.
    Organisations exempt from the list include charities, registered political parties, members of Parliament and candidates, religious groups, educational institutions, small businesses and Government bodies.

Australia kicks mad cow
Australia has been officially declared free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) – otherwise known as “mad cow” disease.
    Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Bob Biddle, said the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) had given unanimous support for Australia as a country free of BSE, following efforts to be recognised as such by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
    Dr Biddle said the confirmation recognised long accepted international and domestic views that Australia was free of the disease, and acknowledges the effectiveness of BSE control measures over many years to maintain this status.
    He said this status should assist export market access negotiations for beef and beef products.

Financial advisers warning
Chairman of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Chairman, Jeffrey Lucy, has reminded consumers that anyone providing financial advice or offering financial products needs to be licensed through ASIC.
    Mr Lucy said recent complaints to ASIC showed people were continuing to invest large sums of money with people who were not authorised to provide financial advice.
    He said ASIC’s website allowed investors to do a quick and easy check to confirm whether the company they were dealing with was licensed and in addition a free booklet Getting Advice produced with the Financial Planning Association could help too.
    More information can be obtained from ASIC’s consumer website, www.fido.gov.au or via the ASIC Infoline on 1300 300 630.

New weather radar for Queensland
Work has started on preparing the ground for a new Bureau of Meteorology weather radar in western Queensland.
    To be located near Dulbydilla, around 100km East of Charleville, the new facility  will be known as the Warrego radar and replace the current radar which has operated from  Charleville since 1983.
    The radar is being replaced as part of a $62.2 million initiative funded over five years by the Federal Government.
    The Bureau is at the mid point of this initiative that will replace 15 obsolete radars in the national network and upgrade a further six.

New Air Force Association HQ
A new home for the Victorian Division of the Royal Australian Air Force Association has been officially opened by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson.
    The new Centre is in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East.
    Mr Billson said the Centre would display significant commemorative artwork and memorabilia for members of the community to learn more about the RAAF story.
       He said facilities within the Centre had been named in honour of places, events and people associated with the RAAF, including the foyer named for World War II flying ace and Australian Rules footballer Squadron Leader Keith “Bluey” Truscott.
 
Mature-age workers supported
Nominations have opened for a new national award for employers who attract, support and encourage older workers.
    Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro said the Government, through the Office for an Ageing Australia, was calling on businesses to nominate for a 2006 Diversity@work Award, in the category of “employment and inclusion of mature aged workers”.
    Senator Santoro said it was good business for employers to encourage older workers to stay on in the workforce.
     “A Diversity@work Award will provide employers the prestige of being recognised as an innovative employer with a belief in diversity,’’ Senator Santoro said.
    Nominations for the 2006 Diversity@work Awards close on 11 August and can be made at www.diversityatwork.com.au.

Playing Catch-up at ABC
Unionists in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation are to go into bat for pay increases that would restore their wages to 16 community relativities in the next collective agreement.
    Their union, the Media, Entertainmnet and Arts Alliance says this would involve an immediate 16 per cent pay increase followed by an annual increase of 5 per cent for the remainder of the agreement.

23 May 2006
Gold-Plated Security for Next Year’s APEC Meetings
Security at next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) in Sydney has been boosted by $70 million plus a further $600,000 for the operating costs of armoured limousines.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said APEC would comprise a series of lead-up meetings at the technical, academic, senior official and ministerial level before  culminating in the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Sydney in September 2007.
    The funds provided would support whole-of-Government security preparations already underway.
The Protective Security Coordination Centre is to receive $56.2 million for security activities for Leaders Week plus a further $4m to buy 10 armoured limousines and manage other security needs.
The Australian Federal Police ware to receive $7.2 million to establish and train 22 firearms and explosives detector canine teams that would conduct searches at Leaders Week and earlier ministerial meetings.
Emergency Management Australia is to receive $900,000 to develop strategy plans for an incident during Leaders Week or earlier meetings.
    Mr Ruddock said APEC would involve 18 separate official events over 100 days, spread throughout the States and Territories.    
"It will be the largest and most complex dignitary protection event in Australia’s history,” he said.
“Security planning will take into account the range of threats that APEC 2007 might face, including possible terrorist threats to attending dignitaries and the event itself as well as protest activity to disrupt some meetings.”
    As well as leaders from the 21 APEC member economies, security arrangements must also cover around 10,000 delegates and thousands of Australian residents.
“It will be important for us to deliver nationally consistent security arrangements to achieve effective security for each APEC 2007 event and particularly APEC Leaders Week,” Mr Ruddock said.
    He said careful planning would provide effective security while minimising impact on the host cities.

23 May 2006
New Leave Deal Not Kids’ Stuff
Parents in the Australian Defence Force will be able to spend more time with their young families after winning an extra two weeks paid parental leave from the Governmnet.
   Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson, announced the new deal saying new parents in the ADF, including adoptive parents, would have access to the extra leave which would further assist them strike a balance between their service and personal lives.
   “Where maternity leave provisions do not apply, this additional provision doubles the previous parental leave entitlement from one week and will enable parents to spend more quality time with their young children,” Mr Billson said.
   “The increased parental leave entitlement commenced on 14 May and coincided with Australia’s celebration of National Families Week.”
   He said other family friendly Defence initiatives included access to childcare, education support, spouse employment, reunion travel from remote localities and access to carers and compassionate leave.
   “The Australian Government is committed to the Australian Defence Force being an employer of choice and will continue to develop family friendly policies that support the needs of military personnel at work and home,” Mr Billson said.

23 May 2006
Military Reserves Not Second Grade
Military Reservists are to receive an attractive range of new benefits and incentives worth up to $7500 a year under plans announced in the 2006 Budget.
    The new measures are designed to attract Active Army and Air Force Reserves into a new High Readiness Reserve (HRR), to eventually comprise 2800 Army and 1400 Air Force personnel. The Army HRR component is to start from July 1.
    Wing Commander Tom Buckham from Defence Reserve Policy said that at the end of their commitment, HRR personnel would receive $5000 for each year's service and an annual health support allowance (HSA) of $2500.
"Army HRR members will have an initial two-year contract," Wing Commander Buckham said.
"Those who sign up will only need to prove they have private top-level hospital and ancillary benefits to qualify," he said.
    The HSA cover is based on an average annual cost for private health insurance of $1200 per year, with the remainder intended to cover the costs of keeping fit and incidentals such as optical and dental needs.
    In addition to the allowances for the HRR, a Reserves Service Allowance of $10 a day will be paid to all personnel up to the rank of Major, while Lieutenant Colonels and above will have their salary adjusted to ensure commonality with permanent force pay rates.
    The new measures are also intended to attract more personnel into the Active Reserves.
Active reservists who meet individual readiness status and complete 20 reserve days annually will receive an additional annual $600 HSA.
    The HRR will comprise personnel who volunteer to transfer from their existing reserve band, commit to fulfil their HRR obligation and are fully trained.
Meanwhile the Air Force is about to make significant changes to the way it relies on its Reservists.
    Extra funding will allow the Air Force to restructure its Reserves, including raising the new High Readiness Reserves (HRR) for both active and Specialist Reservists. There will also be significant enhancements to Reserve pay and conditions.
The HRR of about 1400 active and Specialist Reserve members will strengthen the Air Force, with reserves trained to the same skill levels as the permanent force and posted to wartime establishment positions.
    Chief of Air Force, Air Marshall Geoff Shepherd said it was the most significant change since the 1960s in the way Air Force Reserves would be employed.
He said the move represented the biggest step in recent times to improve Reserve capability to meet Air Force outcomes in times of defence or other emergencies.
    A review conducted for the Air Force some years ago found it needed 6000 Reserves to supplement the Permanent Air Force.
    “From that demand, we are building a Reserve structure that has moved from the traditional one of people used for supplementation to one where Reservists are embedded in Permanent Air Force and tri-Service units, trained at differing levels of preparedness to support contingency operations," the Director-General of Reserves, Air Commodore Peter McDermott said.
    He said the greatest need in the Air Force was for personnel to support aircraft operations, particularly in a forward-operating environment.
    Reservists will be invited to sign up to new wartime establishment positions in the Reserves and can expect postings to be issued later this year.

23 May 2006
Auditor Paints Bright Picture of Artbank
The Auditor-General has found that Artbank is satisfying its charter and satisfying its customers but that there was still room for improvement.
   After auditing the public art rental scheme, the Auditor concluded that Artbank was meeting its obligation to support local arts by acquiring artworks and renting them for display in public places.
   He found Artbank demonstrated particular strengths in managing the collection and rental scheme and that clients admitted a high level of satisfaction with its services.
   The Auditor did, however, find a number of opportunities for improvement in the scheme’s governance arrangements and operational matters.
   He found that Artbank’s  current accountability arrangements needed to be brought into line with legislative requirements and with instructions from DCITA’s Chief Executive and he recommended a number of suggestions for improvements to Artbank’s acquisition criteria and its approach to acquiring artworks and the documentation surrounding acquisitions.
   The Auditor also recommended Artbank consider implementing a searchable collection database on the internet, survey its client satisfaction levels more often and that DCITA develop a framework to classify cultural assets and govern their deaccessioning.
   Artbank is run from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, and has grown since 1980 into the largest Australian contemporary art rental scheme.
   In  2004-05 Artbank enjoyed gross revenue of  $2.3 million and spent  $635,000 on acquisitions. In its 25 years it had accumulated a collection of more than 9300 artworks valued at approximately $24 million, representing the work of 3000 artists and craft people
   The Department agreed with all the Auditor’s recommendations

23 May 2006
Sex, Lawyers and Discrimination at Canberra Forum
A Canberra forum on 1 June will look at practical application of the Sex Discrimination Act in APS employment.
It will be the second annual human resources practitioners forum, designed to foster discussion between Commonwealth staff about emerging issues and developments in employment law.
    The forum will be presented by lawyers from the Australian Government Solicitors Litigation Group and will cover hypothetical case studies involving practical application of the Sex Discrimination Act.
    Topics will include how to deal with requests for particular employment conditions by employees returning from maternity leave, requests for flexible or other working arrangements to meet family responsibilities, the questions you can and can’t ask in interviews and what you can and can’t take into account in the merit selection process.
    The forum will focus on practical ways to address employment matters that raise issues of sex, pregnancy and family responsibilities.
    There will be drinks and a chat following the one hour seminar which will run from 3.30 to 4.30 pm at the Brassey Hotel in Macquarie Street, Barton.
Contact Olive Bassett-Macleod for more information on 02-6253 7247 by 30 May.

23 May 2006
Homeless will Come to The Census Say Organisers
Media claims that the Australian Bureau of Statistics was likely to underestimate the number of homeless people on Census night have been rejected by the ABS.
    The claim was made in the press which compared the results of a health service survey of the central business district of Adelaide which found in a four month survey in 2005 that between 311 and 455 homeless people were living there but found on Census night 2001 that only 104 people were.
Census head Paul Williams said the ABS had one of the best procedures for counting the homeless in a Census and was recognised internationally for its expertise.
"Contrary to claims, the ABS does not just leave forms in places where the homeless congregate for them to fill in," Mr Williams said.
"People who work with the homeless - and even homeless people themselves - are recruited and trained by the ABS to be interviewers.’’
He said the Bureau always endeavoured to count the homeless in the Census, but since 16 the ABS has instituted a range of special procedures to count them.
He said the Bureau had continued to refine those procedures.
    The health survey included people moving in and out of homelessness, as well as homeless people who were moving in and out between the city and other places.
    The ABS said there were always difficulties counting a population such as the homeless, but the census takers working with the homeless took their responsibilities very seriously.
    Census night is a cold time of the year, the Bureau said, when many people who may usually be on the streets were staying in shelters, hostels or with friends/acquaintances in private dwellings.
This means they are not included in the primary homeless count, but they could appear in the broader homeless count.
Mr Williams said while the 2001 Census figure for primary homeless was 104, the overall Census figure for homeless in the Adelaide CBD was 712.
    He said interviewers used a shortened version of the Census form to record details from homeless individuals and homeless people unable to be interviewed were also counted.
    The 2006 Census will be held on August 8, and the Bureau had consulted a range of organisations about strategies, procedures and promotional activities for counting the homeless.
"We will do our very best to get an accurate count of the homeless," Mr Williams said.

23 May 2006
Navy Blows Them Away in Defence Safety Awards
The Royal Australian Navy almost scooped the pool in the 2006 Defence Safety Awards, winning two of the four categories and receiving a commendation in a third. The Air Force took one major award and received three commendations.
A portable pontoon won HMAS Anzac’s ship’s company an award for the Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue and the Navy’s Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Activity in Perth took out another for the Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices at Unit or Branch Level.
After careful consideration of the two submissions for the Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System, the judging panel decided to make no award saying it was  “a difficult category to win,” as it demanded a demonstration of “system maturity,” however Navy Safety Systems received a commendation for what the panel described as “excellent work … accomplished to date”.
HMAS Anzac’s Portable Pontoon initiative beat four other submissions, the judging panel saying it was refreshing to see an organisation attacking OHS culture instead of the big stick approach.
The major award for Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety was accepted by former Air Force serviceman-turned-civilian, Rodney O’Connor, of the F-111 Engines Business Unit, Defence Materiel Organisation.
This award attracted 13 submissions, two others commended by the judging panel.
Mr O’Connor’s core responsibility as the EBU Health, Safety and Environment Manager is the implementation and maintenance of safety and environmental management systems.
Mr O’Connor’s contribution included strategies for the health baseline testing and ongoing monitoring of employees to meet Defence Safety Manual requirements.
The judging panel said Mr O’Connor had solved complex OHS issues largely as a result of his professionalism, innovation and leadership.
The RAAF’s F-111 engine business unit’s operation is unique worldwide and exclusively supports the Royal Australian Air Force fleet of F-111 aircraft.

23 May 2006
Survey Organisers Flag Poll
The annual survey of Public Servants is about to get underway.
Conducted on behalf of the Public Service Commission, the annual State of the Service survey collects information on the views and opinions of staff in departments and agencies right across the Australian Public Service.
    The annual survey looks at a variety of issues including work/life balance, learning and development, workplace relationships, job satisfaction, leadership, merit, APS Values, and the general impressions of staff about the APS.
    Last year the survey found that the most important job satisfaction factors for APS employees were good working relationships, flexible working arrangements and salaries.
More than two-thirds of the staff surveyed said their workplace culture supported people to achieve a good work/life balance.
The survey also found that just over half of APS employees thought that their immediate supervisor was highly effective at managing people.
    To ensure results reflected employee views across the APS, participants are randomly selected from the APS Employment Database with about  6500 staff from all classification levels but in agencies with at least 100 employees, will be asked to take part.
    Public Servants selected to take part will receive a letter or email from ORIMA Research on behalf of the Public Service Commissioner inviting them to participate. The letter/email will provide a copy/link of the survey and let participants know the deadline for their response.
    According to the organisers, every response will help to build a more complete picture of the state of the service for 2005–06.
   Responses are anonymous and confidential

23 May 2006
New Weather Website is Fine and Mild
The Bureau of Meteorology’s website has received a welcome makeover.
Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for the weather bureau, Greg Hunt launched a new home page for the site saying weather information was now available upfront on the homepage.
"Navigation around the site has also been simplified with direct links to some of the most visited areas," Mr Hunt said
    He said the Bureau's website was one of the most frequently accessed government sites in Australia, only marginally behind www.yahoo.com.au.
    "The new home page aims to encourage people to feel at ease accessing weather technology,’’ Mr Hunt said.
“There are a range of services available from the Bureau's web site including radar images, severe weather warning tracking and the new seven day forecasts," he said.
"By learning to easily navigate around the Bureau's site people could prevent damage to both life and property during a severe weather event - just through being better prepared by accessing weather warnings online."
     The newly upgraded website is at www.bom.gov.au.

23 May 2006
New Services to Counter Family Feuds
The Federal Government has announced a set of new support services for separated families affected by entrenched conflict.
    Attorney General, Philip Ruddock revealed the location of 31 new services across Australia as part of the Government’s biggest ever investment in the family law system.
The announcement came following the week in which the most significant changes to family law in three decades were passed in the Australian Parliament.
    Mr Ruddock said eight new Parenting Orders Programs (also known as Contact Orders Programs) would be located in rural and regional areas, bringing the total number of services under the program to 20 by the middle of next year.
    He said the services would assist families experiencing high levels of conflict affecting contact between children and parents with whom they no longer live.
    Feedback from parents in a recent pilot indicated 88 per cent of participants had achieved a positive outcome through the program.
    “This program offers intensive and targeted support for parents unable to agree on arrangements for their children despite court orders being issued,” Mr Ruddock said. “The Government believes it is a better alternative for parents than repeatedly going back to court to resolve contact issues.”
    He said another 23 new Children’s Contact Services would also be funded, bringing the total Australia-wide to 65.  Children's Contact Services helped separated parents maintain a relationship with their children by providing a safe, neutral venue where changeover and supervised contact could take place with the other parent or family members.
    “This will relieve pressure for many separated families and avoid situations which can be a flash point for conflict and violence,” Mr Ruddock said.
    A competitive tender selection process wouldl be undertaken to determine new service providers.
    A new Family Relationship Advice Line will start nationally in July to coincide with the opening of the first 15 Family Relationship Centres.  The Attorney-General also announced that Marks & Sands Lawyers in Perth wouldl be providing legal advice services for the new Family Relationship Advice Line which will provide information, referral and advice to families affected by separation or relationship issues.
    Mr Ruddock also revealed that the remaining 50 Centres in the Government’s program would be rolled out progressively over the next two years.

23 May 2006
New Scholarships Take Aussie Aid to the Head of the Class
The Federal Government is to provide nearly $1.4 billion over the next five years in support of education cooperation across the region through an enhanced scholarships program.
   The package is to be known as Australian Scholarships and will include $442.5 million of new funding.
   Australian Scholarships will provide more than 19,000 scholarships during the five year period from 1 July, 2006.
   Australia has long provided scholarships to promote development and foster relationships between Australia and the people of the region.as well as encourage  political and economic reform and good governance. The scholarships also enable regional leaders to develop enduring connections with Australia.
   According to the development assistance agency AusAID, Australian Scholarships will take over existing scholarships programs from the Department of Education, Science and Training.
It will also include a new category of scholarship: “Australian Leadership Awards,” focused on developing future leaders in the region.
   According to AusAID, more than 3000 new Australian Leadership Scholarships will be offered over the next five years for postgraduate study at Australian Universities at PhD and Masters Degree levels and for the development of leaders through a fellowships program.
   These new scholarships will complement the Australian Development Scholarships program - supporting development in the Asia Pacific region at the same time as building links between the region’s current and future leaders.
   The remaining scholarships will be part of DEST’s expanded Endeavour Program, which enables high achievers to undertake study, research or professional development in Australia and for Australians to do the same in the region.
   AusAID said Australian Scholarships will contribute to Australia’s goal to increase its overseas aid allocation to about $4 billion a year by 2010.

23 May 2006
Exercises Make Sydney Fit For Counter Terrorism
May is counter-terrorism month as a number of authorities are testing their defences in a range of comprehensive scenarios on and around Sydney Harbour.
    Justice Minister Chris Ellison said the recently completed Exercise Neptune’s Treasure was the first counter terrorism exercise in a series for 2006 that and involved Federal and State agencies.
Senator Ellison said the joint Federal and NSW Government exercise was aimed at testing the tactical capability of NSW Police and the Australian Defence Force in response to a number of incidents.
    “The exercise will see ADF personnel and the NSW Police Tactical Unit responding to a simulated terrorist attack on two vessels on Sydney Harbour," Senator Ellison said. “The exercise is not in response to a specific threat to NSW, it is designed to practise arrangements that operate under the National Counter Terrorism Plan."
    Senator Ellison visited the exercises with NSW Premier Morris Iemma, Police Minister Carl Scully and Justice Minister Tony Kelly.
“The threat of terrorism in Australia is real and the Government is committed to ensuring our security and intelligence agencies are provided with the training and resources they need,” Senator Ellison said.
    He said the importance of a comprehensive exercise program was underlined by the lessons learned from the London terror attacks last July.
    “As a result, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed that Australia should focus more closely on methodical, drill-style exercises to reinforce specific skills and arrangements to respond to terrorist attacks," the Minister said.

23 May 2006
Women Doing the Business With Austrade’s Help
Austrade has launched its Women in Export 2006 program at the very time a national survey showed that one in five senior business people in Australia were female.
Conducted by DHL, the survey of exporters revealed that 28 per cent of businesses in Queensland employed female CEOs, 15 per cent of businesses in Western Australia did so,  12 per cent in NSW and the ACT, 11 per cent in Victoria and Tasmania and seven per cent in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
    Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt said countries did better when women participated in the economy and there were increasingly high tech ways for Australian business women to become part of the exporting community.
“Technology is playing a role in advancing Australia fair," Mr Harcourt said.
    Most of Australia's exporters were small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and being e-ready was helping break down the tyranny of distance, he said.
    Jenny Mathews from Austrade’s Women in Export program said the new Austrade program addressed women’s critical information gaps and barriers.
“Austrade’s Women in Export program provides the answers that women in business need and access to experienced export advisers to increase the speed of achieving international business success,” Ms Mathews said.
    Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Seoul, South Korea, Elisabeth Masamune said that country was Australia’s third largest trading partner and many export opportunities for women were surfacing there.
There were increasing opportunities for business partnerships between Korean and Australian women, Ms Masamune said.
    “A trend has developed where many South Korean women have become involved in sectors such as cosmetics, aromatherapy, child care products and services and training as well as Human Resources related areas.
“A lot of South Korean women working in those sectors share similar experiences to Australian women who’ve built their businesses in a similar way – they’re on the same wave length as Australian women and can become very good partners, particularly if they can co-invest in a brand that an Australian woman has developed."
Austrade is holding seminars for women around Australia this month.

23 May 2006
Media Watchdog Chasing Family Friendly Internet
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is encouraging consumers to double check that their internet service provider is offering information on how to keep families safe online.
   A recent audit of the 24 largest Australian internet service providers (ISPs) by ACMA has found a high degree of compliance with consumer protection obligations under the industry’s content codes of practice but the official media watchdog wants to keep the pressure on.
   According to ACMA’s General Manager of  Industry Outputs, Nerida O’Loughlin, the codes require all internet service providers to display a prominent link to online safety information on their homepage and provide regular information to consumers about filters.
   “This audit has targeted the largest industry members who account for approximately 85 per cent of all Australian internet subscribers,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
   “What we concluded was encouraging, but it is important that all internet service providers continue to provide appropriate consumer safeguards.”
   She said that through ACMA’s ongoing process of random audits over the next 12 months, the Authority would  continue to raise code awareness, including among the smaller ISP’s.
   “And to assist us in this, we’re seeking consumers’ help,” she said.
Ms O’Loughlin said ACMA was encouraging consumers to check whether their ISP offered information about how to:

• manage children's access to internet content
• select, obtain and use industry-approved internet content filters
• make a complaint to ACMA about internet content that may be prohibited
• minimise unsolicited emails that advertise offensive internet sites

Consumers unable to access any of this information via their ISP’s online safety link or feel the information provided is inadequate should contact their internet service provider.
If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, consumers are advised to contact ACMA with their complaint.
   Ms O’Loughlin said that kind of information would assist ACMA’s ongoing monitoring of ISPs and would also contribute to its input into a review of the relevant codes of practice later this year.
   A report of the audit is available on the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au

23 May 2006
Battling Students Win Long Tan Bursaries
Thirty-one university and TAFE students across Australiawith links to the Vietnam Warhave been awarded Australian Government bursaries to support them in their studies.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister, Bruce Billson announced that Long Tan Bursaries were awarded to tertiary students with a parent who served in the Vietnam War, who achieved academically and who overcame challenges to complete their secondary education.
    This year, Long Tan Bursaries worth $6000 each had been awarded to 31 students across Australia.
    Mr Billson said the students had demonstrated an impressive tenacity to achieve and a commitment to excellence.
“I wish them well in all their future endeavours," he said.
"Even more .. students will be eligible for the Long Tan Bursaries in 2007 after the Federal Government announced additional bursaries nationally as part of its 2006-07 Budget.’’
    He said funding would be increased next year to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan with 50 bursaries to be provided, each worth $9000 over three years.
    "The Long Tan Bursaries were named in honour of the brave Australians who fought in the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966, when 150 determined Australian soldiers overwhelmed an enemy of up to 2500 troops after being ambushed in a rubber plantation north of the village of Long Tan," Mr Billson said.

23 May 2006
Pen Beats Sword for Terrorism Contract
Australia and the United States have signed a new bilateral memorandum of understanding covering collaborative research and development for counter terrorism.
    The agreement was signed for Australia by the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Peter Shergold, and the US Assistant Secretary of Defence, Thomas O’Connell.
    Prime Minister John  Howard said the arrangement would allow the Australian research community to collaborate with the US through the Technical Support Working Group. 
The objective is to develop counter-terrorism technology, eliminate unnecessary duplication of work and obtain the most effective outcomes through research and development, the Prime Minister said.
"Australian and US researchers will test and evaluate existing and newly developed prototype technology in the laboratory and in operational settings," Mr Howard said.
    Joint activities will focus on developing technologies and capabilities to deter, detect and identify terrorists, neutralise their weapons and reduce the probability of terrorist incidents.
    He said the arrangement would be managed in Australia through the National Security Science and Technology Unit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

23 May 2006
PS Briefs
New Defence research centre opens
Australia’s first university-based research centre for both defence and security related matters has been opened by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald.
   Senator Macdonald opened the new Defence and Security Applications Research Centre at the Australian Defence Force Academy campus in Canberra.

PBS talks begin
Formal consultations with the pharmaceutical sector over possible changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme have begun.
   Health  Minister Tony Abbott said the PBS system delivered health outcomes in ways that are fair to taxpayers and the Government would do nothing to prejudice its effectiveness.
    He said however the Government would like to achieve further PBS savings by making greater use of generic drugs to allow “headroom” for the expensive, but cost-effective, innovator drugs that were likely to be added to the PBS in the near future.

Ministers drink to new alcohol labels
The NSW and Commonwealth Governments have joined forces to educate the community about safe alcohol limits.
   The NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos and the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne said they hoped a new label scheme would help people consume alcohol more responsibly.
   The new logos would appear as a schooner glass on beer labels, a wine glass on wine bottle labels and a spirit tumbler on spirit containers.

Medicare/CSA get new homes in in Parramatta
Medicare Australia (NSW) and the Child Support Agency are to move into new offices over the next year at 130 George Street, Parramatta.
   Minister for Human Services, Joe Hockey said the move would provide more convenient and accessible Government services for the people of Western Sydney and would be a boost to the local economy.
   He said nearly 900 CSA and Medicare staff were expected to work at the new offices.

New Defence travel centre
A new Defence Business Centre has been opened at Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks.
     The centre will process travel arrangements for Australian Defence Force members and Defence civilians and is expected to improve the quality of services the Department  provides to its customers.
   Lavarack Barracks is one of the largest Defence bases in Australia and home to the Army’s 3rd Brigade and

Red tape cut for Middle East citizens
Applying for an Australian tourist visa will be faster and easier for people from five Middle-Eastern countries, following improvements in visa processing in the Departmnet of Immigration.
   Immigration Minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone said citizens from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait citizens could now obtain visas to travel to Australia without the need to have a label placed in their passports.
   Managing director of Tourism Australia, Scott Morison welcomed the move, saying tourists from the Gulf were among Australia’s highest yielding visitors.

Immigration Move to Gungahlin
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs is to move 400 staff into new offices in the northern Canberra satellite town centre of Gungahlin.
    The Department will be the first agency to establish a significant presence in the town centre.

New website for public affairs officers
The Walkley Foundation has set up a new website for public affairs staff in both the public and private sectors.
   Bristling with news, resources and useful public relations links, the new site also includes links to professional training programs sponsored by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance such as the Public Impact morning seminars and the forthcoming seventh Annual National Public Affairs Convention.
    Log on at http://publicaffairs.alliance.org.au

16 May 2006
PS Scores Budget Bonanza
The Australian Public Service was one of the big winners in the recently-announced Federal Budget with staff numbers set to increase in a range of Departments and service-wide growth expected to be more than three per cent.
   According to the Budget papers, the Finance portfolio is to get an extra 3513 staff, mainly in Centrelink and Human Services, Defence is to get 911, there will be 712 at Attorney-General's and 624 at Employment.
   The Budget also allows for 503 new staff members in Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, 254 in Health and Ageing, 252 in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and 188 in Foreign Affairs and Trade.
   There will be 154 at Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, 132 at Prime Minister and Cabinet, 117 at Transport and Regional Services, 89 in Industry, Tourism and Resources and 36 at Immigration.
   But among the winners there are losers: Parliament's Department of the Senate is to sacrifice one position; Environment and Heritage loses five; Education loses 64 and Treasury loses 307 (including 1 to go from Tax and a gain of 468 at the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the census).
Canberra-based Liberal Senator Gary Humphries welcomed the boost to Public Service numbers saying the Budget would create 7063 jobs, mostly in Canberra.
   "Invariably, when a budget delivers extra public service jobs it is thought of as a good budget for Canberra," Senator Humphries said. "This brings to almost 15,000 the number of Australian Public Service jobs created since the 2002-03 Budget."
   Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Donald McDonald was also positive about the outcome saying it was the broadcaster's best result in more than 20 years.
He said over three years there would be an extra $30 million for Australian drama and documentaries; $13.2 million for regional and local programming; and $45 million for equipment and infrastructure.
   The Australian Sports Commission was thrilled with its extra $55.7 million I the lead-up to the Beijing and London Olympics. ASC chair Peter Bartels said it would help Australia prepare for the growing challenge from countries pouring money into elite sport.
   The Australian Securities and Investment Commission also welcomed additional funds which would amount to about $234 million over four years.
ASIC Chair, Jeffrey Lucy said the Commission would establish a new electronic registration system for company charges, enhance IT security and develop a presence in non-exchange-based market trading with its extra money.
   For the Community and Public Sector Union however, the good news was tinged with concern.
National CPSU secretary, Stephen Jones welcomed the extra public service jobs but he said they did not ease concern about new industrial relations laws on pay, conditions and rights at work.
Mr Jones said Public Servants were disappointed the Federal Government had again failed to address the efficiency dividend.
   "This continues to cause unnecessary stress over staffing and workloads," Mr Jones said.
He said proposed new superannuation tax arrangements for people over 60 would be well received by some, depending on their circumstances, however the changes were not yet law and the CPSU would provide a submission to the Government inquiry on the matter.
The union also warned of attempts by some agencies to lower the 15.4 per cent employer superannuation contributions.
   "This standard has been hard won by CPSU members and should be maintained," Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones welcomed proposals encouraging hiring of more people with disabilities but slammed changes to employee compensation payments that would remove coverage for Public Servants on journeys to and from work as well as during recess breaks.
   "These proposed cuts are not justifiable given premiums were already low when compared to other jurisdictions," he said.

16 May 2006
Compo Cuts For Consistency Says Minister
The Government has defended changes to workers compensation coverage for Commonwealth Public Servants saying they will lead to greater uniformity and consistency across Australia.
   The trade-off is that Public Servants will no longer be covered for claims on journeys to and from work. Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said the changes would strengthen the connection between work and eligibility for workers compensation, ensuring the Commonwealth scheme was consistent with States and Territories
    "For example, every State and Territory, except the Northern Territory, has a higher legislative threshold than the Commonwealth for the acceptance of injury and disease claims," Mr Andrews said.
    He said workers compensation coverage would be removed for journeys to and from work and for recess breaks where there was a lack of employer control.
He said however, that employees would still be covered for journey claims involving motor vehicle accidents under State and Territory compulsory third-party insurance.
    "These changes demonstrate the Government’s strong support and commitment to implementing greater national consistency in workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia,” Mr Andrews said.
    He said there would also be changes to the calculation of retiree incapacity benefits.
"The deeming rate for interest on superannuation lump sums will be changed in order to reflect more accurately real rates of interest being earned.
"Funeral benefits will also be substantially increased," he said.
   Mr Andrews said that overall, the changes would reduce the pressure for further increases in workers’ compensation premiums paid by Australian Government employers, benefiting taxpayers.

16 May 2006
Union Anger at Workplace Bans
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) claims Public Servants employed by the Australian Capital Territory are up in arms over a management decision to prevent on-site union meetings and ban the distribution of information critical of the ACT Government.
    The meetings were been organised as part of a CPSU campaign to protect ACT Public Service jobs and superannuation, which the union says are directly threatened by potential cuts in the ACT's June Budget.
    CPSU spokesman Vince McDevitt said staff were incensed by Government attempts to gag discussion and prevent workers getting information on a crucial issue.
"There are thousands of people in the ACT PS who are deeply concerned about their jobs, their super and their future," Mr McDevitt said.
He accused the ACT government of refusing to come clean on its intentions, thereby causing widespread anxiety.
    "The decision to revoke permission for these meetings is outrageous,’’ Mr McDevitt said.
“What are management afraid of? Surely ACT government staff have the right to hear what is going on."
The gag follows a week of intense lobbying by the CPSU and staff over job cuts and reduced employer superannuation contributions.
    The union said the meetings would go ahead despite management's attempts to close them down.
"People are very keen to hear what's going on and plan the next stage of the campaign. If that means we need to hold the meetings on the street, so be it," Mr McDevitt said.

16 May 2006
ASIO Warns as Terror Becomes Tiresome
Australians are showing signs of “terrorism fatigue” that could make the nation vulnerable according to the Director of Security, Paul O’Sullivan.
Head of ASIO, Mr O’Sullivan told a conference of senior Government officials that the Australian population was turning off the terrorism message but that the challenge of dealing with the threat remained just as real.
    "Many of you may have seen recent press reporting about a Roy Morgan survey that found people are now much less concerned about terrorism than they were after the London bombings," Mr O’Sullivan said.
“A type of terrorism fatigue, if you will, (has) set in.”
He described the slow down in public concern about terror as “not surprising”, as the topic had rarely been far from centre-stage in the media for the past five years.
“Public attention spans are often short and Australians tend to have an optimistic perception of the security environment," he said.
    He also said Australia had not experienced a recent attack on its soil.
"Unfortunately, such complacency, and the degrading of any sense of urgency, makes us vulnerable."
    Mr O’Sullivan said this growing apathy placed special responsibility on professional security planners and enforcers.
    "As professionals working in the field we are paid to remain vigilant and thorough.
    "Doing all that is reasonable and sensible, for intelligence agencies at least, involves much more than simply accepting that things are as they seem and merely processing the intelligence that comes across our desks," he said.
    Mr O’Sullivan said such work meant more than checking information against databases but involved looking into and behind the information available, anticipating potential sources of threat, translating the lessons drawn from past experience into future possibilities and seeking information that will give us the best chance of preventing an attack from occurring.
    He said Australia now had many more people in more agencies focused on the problem, whether in terms of preventative measures, investigations, or responses to an incident.
He said Australia was better equipped and its understanding of the threat  increased, but there was no sound basis for believing that terrorists had exhausted all avenues to achieve their objectives.
"At least some future threats are likely to remain unknown or hidden from us," he said.
    But attacks could occur without warning, he said.
    The challenge to stay ahead was an intellectual one, not just about preventative measures.
"We must continue to focus our minds on the future and devote our energies in ways that give us the best chance of preventing terrorists, and others who would do harm to Australia and its people from achieving their objectives.
"We need people who are up to this challenge to consider joining the new generation of intelligence professionals by applying to work for agencies such as ASIO," he said.

16 May 2006
Spadework Started on Access Card 
The Health and Social Services Access Card has come another step closer with the Minister for Human Services, Joe Hockey calling tenders to provide key advisory services for its implementation.
   An Office of Access Card is being established in Mr Hockey’s Department to progress planning for the card and eventually implement it and the tenders are the first step towards realising the $1 billion program.
   According to Mr Hockey, the two key advisory roles will be to ensure that the initiative receives the best independent expert advice,  in terms of overall strategy and audit and assurance.
He said the first tender would select a Lead Advisor to provide strategic and independent advice to the Department of Human Services and the Minister for Human Services on the overall delivery of the access card.
   The second would be for Program Monitoring and Assurance services to implement an assurance framework for the access card, monitor and audit progress and provide independent advice on risk management.
   “These appointments signal that the implementation of the access card is very much on track and progressing according to plan,’’ Mr Hockey said.
   “The two key advisory roles will ensure that the initiative receives the best independent expert advice - in terms of both overall strategy and audit and assurance.”
   He also announced that he would soon be advertising for a Deputy Secretary level executive to lead the Office of Access Card and manage the implementation of the initiative.
   “I am also looking for a highly experienced senior manager to lead the implementation of the project and ensure it is delivered on time and on budget. I am looking forward to getting applications from a broad range of qualified people, from both the public and private sector.”
   He said in coming weeks he would be issuing further tenders for other key advisory roles in the project, including Chief Technology Architect.
   “The access card is an important initiative for Australia and we are committed to ensuring we secure the right mix of internal expertise and external advice,” Mr Hockey said.
Applications for the two tenders are available from AusTender and applications for the Deputy Secretary level position will be advertised nationally and close on 25 May.

16 May 2006
Act II For Uni Workplace Rules
Proposed amendments to the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRS) will simplify and ensure consistency with the Workplace Relations Act, according to Education Minister Julie Bishop and Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews.
   An amendment to the Higher education Act last year introduced the Requirements which demand universities enter workplace agreements with all staff.
   Ms Bishop said the workplace requirements on universities would continue to provide choice in agreement making, direct relationships with employees, workplace flexibility, workplace productivity and performance, and freedom of association.
    “The changes require nothing new of universities, rather they reflect the terminology required by the WR Act," she said.
    Mr Andrews said the opportunities in the new system for higher education will enable employers and employees to focus on greater freedom, flexibility and individual choice
    The requirements were introduced last year and since then, there had been progress on building more flexible workplaces in higher education, Ms Bishop and Mr Andrews said.
"As a result of the HEWRRs, Australian universities received an additional $147 million for 2006 and have the opportunity to receive an additional $220 million in funding in 2007," they said.
More details of the amended Requirements can be viewed on the DEST website.

16 May 2006
AIS on the ball with Socceroos
The Australian Institute of Sport’s reputation for developing high quality international football players has once again been confirmed with the announcement of the Australian Socceroos World Cup squad.
   The 23-player Socceroos World Cup squad selected by national coach Guus Hiddick contains 12 former scholarship holders of the AIS Men’s soccer program: Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Marco Besciano, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Josip Skoko, Luke Wilkshire, John Aloisi, Josh Kennedy, Mile Sterjovski and Mark Viduka.
   AIS Director, Professor Peter Fricker said the Institute, in partnership with the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), continues to help strengthen men’s soccer through the development of talented athletes.
   “The AIS is a world leader in elite athlete development, and the Institute’s men’s football program has played a significant role in building that reputation,” Professor Fricker said.
   “The Institute’s proud record of preparing players for national and international representation is testimony to the quality of the program.
   “We are delighted that just over 50 per cent of the team are former scholarship holders and they will be representing Australia next month on football’s biggest stage in Germany.”
   The head coach of the AIS/Australian Men’s Football program, Steve O’Connor, said the AIS soccer program continued to be a critical component in the development of talented young athletes.
   “The AIS Men’s Football Program aims to teach outstanding young players the mental, physical and technical skills needed to perform at the national and international levels,” Mr O’Connor said.
   “The 12 former Institute athletes that came through our program all possess those qualities, which is why they have advanced so far in the sport.
   “The exciting news is that we have players within our current squad who are demonstrating similar skills, which augurs well for the future.
   He said following the recent Asian qualifying games against Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan Australia now had 16 scholarship holders who were members of the Australian Under-20 squad.
   He said the AIS soccer program was established in 1981 and was funded by the Federal Government through the Australian Sports Commission.

16 May 2006
Peacekeepers Targeted In Women's Study

Women who served overseas as peacekeepers are being targeted in a new study of health and wellbeing, according to a report in Air Force News.
   Two doctors from Victoria University -  Susan Feldman and Clare Hanlon - are seeking 120 women with peacekeeping experience to determine how they adjusted to life back in Australia.
   The research will focus on the women’s health and wellbeing after life in an overseas conflict zone and is being launched in Albury-Wodonga. It is believed to be the first study investigating how stress or illness from war zones affects women.
   Dr Feldman told Air Force News that the research was needed as more women joined the armed forces and took part in peacekeeping and peacemaking roles.
   “These peacekeepers have chosen to go to serve in places where they feel that they can make a real difference," Dr Feldman said.
   "They may have seen human degradation and misery on a large scale, seen dead bodies, or have been in danger of being killed or injured.”
   Often, she said, after returning home the women feel a sense of being let down when other people fail to understand the stresses and strains they have experienced.
   “How do they adjust back from overseas service with the military into caring roles at home?” she asked.
    The project will visit Melbourne and Townsville in May, travel to Brisbane in June, Sydney and Newcastle in July and Canberra in September.
    Dr Feldman said health issues surrounding male Vietnam veterans had already  been well-documented.
   "We know about things such as relationship breakdowns and post traumatic stress disorder, but little work had been done specifically with women veterans who have seen conflict as peacekeepers and peacemakers."
   The study was made possible with a $129,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the research proposal has been cleared by the Australian Defence Force Human Research Ethics Committee.
    Current and former servicewomen who would like to take part in the study can contact Dr Feldman on 03-9362 0332 or research assistant Alison Herron on 03-19 1183.

16 May 2006
Mandarin Tribute Has Plenty of Tange
A new book about distinguished Public Servant Sir Arthur Tange has been launched by Defence Minister Brendan Nelson.
    The book, Sir Arthur Tange: Last of the Mandarins, was written by Dr Peter Edwards.
According to the Minister, the book looks at the life of the man who headed Defence from 1970 to 1979, implementing far reaching reforms amalgamating five departments into one despite strong internal opposition.
"He was effectively the architect of the modern Department of Defence," Dr Nelson said.
    Dr Nelson said lessons from the Tange era remained relevant to the modern department.
"He initiated Defence’s continuing focus on rigorous, strategy-led planning and acquisitions and was instrumental in the development of the US alliance, now the cornerstone of Australian defence policy.”
    Sir Arthur Tange spent 20 years as a Department Secretary. He headed the Department of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs) from 1954 to 1965, playing a role in many of the major events in our foreign relations history, from Australia’s delegation at Bretton Woods to the development of the Colombo Plan.
    The Department of Defence commissioned Dr Edwards to produce a biography of Sir Arthur in 18. He was able to interview his subject in great detail, working in Sir Arthur’s home and study, with access to his notes and papers and to previously unreleased Defence documents.
    Dr Edwards is the official historian of Australia's involvement in Southeast Asian conflicts 1948-1975 and a member of the Order of Australia.
   Dr Nelson said he had done an outstanding job in preserving the memory of one of the most influential figures in Defence’s history.

16 May 2006
Homecoming for Hicks in New Court Deal
The Australian and United States Governments have reached agreement on the possible transfer of prisoners sentenced by US Military Commissions. 
    The arrangement was signed in Washington on 9 May by Australian Ambassador to the US, Dennis Richardson, and the US Legal Advisor to the Appointing Authority, Office of Military Commissions, Brigadier General Thomas Hemingway.
    The new agreement could have implications for Australian man, David Hicks, being held without trial on a US army base in Cuba. If Mr Hicks is found guilty of a crime by a US Military Commission he could apply to be transferred to Australia to serve his sentence in accordance with Australian and US law.
   Under the newly signed arrangement, transfers would need to be approved by both Governments and would only be possible after the final judgment of the US Military Commission.
Sentences would be enforced by Australian law but must maintain the legal nature and duration of the original sentence. 
    The arrangement is consistent with the requirements of the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 17 and complements existing arrangements with the United States.

16 May 2006
Medals Add Brass to Protective Service
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Deputy Commissioner John Lawler presented service medals to nine AFP Protective Service Officers in Alice Springs recently.
   Medals including the National Medal, Clasp and the Police Overseas Service Medal were presented in a ceremony at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
    Deputy Commissioner Lawler congratulated the award winners, thanking them for their valuable efforts in protecting the community.
    “By formally recognising the work of our members at events like today we validate their commitment and acknowledge the personal sacrifices they make,” he said.
     The AFP Honours and Awards Program was established in 2004 to recognise formally employees making outstanding contributions to the organisation, Government and community.
   The National Medal was one of the first three elements of the Australian system of honours and awards introduced in early 1975 to recognise 15 years diligent service by members of the Defence Force, Australian police forces and fire and ambulance services.
   Progressively, members of the Australian Protective Service and correctional and emergency services have become eligible to receive the National Medal.
   Clasps to the National Medal are awarded for additional periods of 10 years of diligent service with the AFP, the Australian Protective Service or another approved Government organisation.
   Deputy Commissioner Lawler presented Protective Service Officer Albert Kramer with two clasps to the National Medal, recognising two additional periods of 10 years diligent service, a total of 35 years service.
   Deputy Commissioner Lawler also presented eight other officers with the Police Overseas Service Medal.
   This medal was established on 25 April 11 to recognise service by members of Australian police forces in international peace-keeping operations.
.   Deputy Commissioner Lawler presented Police Overseas Service Medals to:
Protective Service Officer Andrew Hull, Protective Service Officer Scott Macpherson, Protective Service Officer Samuel Allen Odom, Protective Service Officer Geoffrey Alan Porter, Protective Service Officer Brett Peter Sayer. He also presented medals to Former Protective Service Officers Gary Robert Schnitzer and  Luke Marcus Wilkinson.
   The awardees received their medals for service while part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

16 May 2006
Archive’s Award Winners Plan Art Attack
Steven Miller and Eileen Chanin will use their 2006 National Archives of Australia Ian Maclean Awards to track down lost artworks in the archives of the nation's art schools.
    Director-General of the National Archives, Ross Gibbs, said the pair would undertake a groundbreaking project to recover the neglected archival records of Australia’s art schools.
Steven Miller is an archivist at the Art Gallery of NSW, while Eileen Chanin is an established art curator.
    "Both Steven and Eileen will reclaim this knowledge so that in future we can build a more accurate picture of a segment of Australian art history that defines us as a nation," Mr Gibbs said.
    The $15,000 Ian Maclean Award is made annually to provide individuals with paid opportunities to conduct research that would benefit the archival profession, he said.
    The early days of art training in Australia saw lessons conducted on a studio basis by individual artists, with some courses run in mechanics institutes. The Artisan’s School of Design, founded in Melbourne in 1867, was the first public art school and among the pupils and teachers there were Louis Buvelot, Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts. Melbourne’s National Gallery School was founded three years later in 1870.
    The award- winners’ project will identify and locate valuable records of art schools around Australia and where and how items can be accessed.
   The final inventory of relevant archival collections will be published online and be accessible through the National Archives website www.naa.gov.au and a visual arts portal being constructed by the University of NSW.

The Art Gallery of NSW will also lend in-kind support to the project.

16 May 2006
Learner Drivers Steer Department to e-Government Award
A website that lets Canberra residents sit for exams to get their learner drivers’ permits online has won the inaugural national award for e