And in Other News…

Childcare easy as ABC at Defence
Defence families have been assured that ABC Learning Centres would remain open.
   Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said Defence had a contract with ABC Corporate Care for the management of 18 Defence-owned childcare centres and although administrators had been appointed to the company, families need not worry.
   Mr Snowdon said Defence families could call 180 2003 or visit the Defence Community Organisation and the National Welfare Coordination Centre for more information.

Union elections on
Elections in the Community and Public Sector Unionare to begin on Wednesday 19 November and financial members should be posted ballot papers by the Australian Electoral Commission in the coming week.
   More information on the election, including candidate statements for National Officers, Governing Councillors, Section Secretaries and eligible Section Officers could be found at www.cpsu.org.au

CrimTrac nabs another award
The law enforcement information-sharing Agency, CrimTrac has received another accolade, this time being nominated for an e-Government award at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards.
   The nomination was for CrimTrac’s National Police Reference System which has already won an award for Excellence in e-Government, as well as an i-Award from the Australian Information Industry Association.

Arts council runs with kids’ protocol
The Australia Council for the Arts has made the consultation draft of its protocol for working with children available for public comment.
   The Council has developed a set of protocols to address the depiction of children in artworks, exhibitions and publications that receive Government funding.
   More information could be found at www.australiacouncil.gov.au

Stamp album posted
Australia Post has released its 2008 Collection of Australian Stamps album, which includes the last 12 months of stamps and depicts the year that was.
   A highlight of the 2008 Collection was the Gold Medallist sheetlet which is not available separately in any other philatelic product.
   The Collection was released on 10 November and could be obtained from Australia Post outlets.

Bush telephones installed
Public telephones are to be installed in remote Indigenous communities under the Backing Indigenous Ability (BIA) Telecommunications program.
   Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy said the first wave of installations would see 20 phones for 24-hour community use in remote communities in the Northern Territory by the end of 2008.

Community grants announced
The National Library of Australia has announced $366,800 worth of grants to 70 community organisations and groups under the 2008 Community Heritage Grants program.
   The groups included museums, libraries, archives, historical societies, art galleries and migrant, Indigenous and religions organisations, each of whom received funds to help preserve nationally significant heritage collections.

Shell shocked PM at Archives
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has opened a new exhibition entilted Shellshocked: Australia after Armistice, at the National Archives of Australia.
   The exhibition explores the future impact of World War I on Australians and was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Migrant scheme report issued
A review into the integrity of the temporary skilled migration program has been released by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.
   The review was commissioned in April this year and made a number of recommendations including abolishing the minimum salary level in favor of market rates of pay; developing an accreditation system to ensure rapid visa processing; developing new lists setting out the occupations temporary work visas could be granted for; and allowing visa holders to stay for a maximum of eight years in Australia without permanent residency.
   Senator Evans said paying market rates for temporary workers would ensure they were not used to undermine the wages and conditions of Australian workers.

Champions win funding
Over 1,800 individual athletes between 12 and 18 and over 200 teams across Australia are to be awarded grants under the Local Sporting Champions Program.
   Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis announced that eligible sportspeople could apply for grants of $500 per individual and $3,000 per team to help cover the costs of attending sports events and purchasing equipment, uniforms and accommodation.
   She said the Australian Sports Commission had been charged with managing and coordinating the program.

Better advice for career advisers
Seventy-six careers advisers have been awarded $5,000 ‘Study scholarships’ to undertake post-graduate studies to upgrade their skills and qualifications.
   Another 20 have been given ‘Industry Scholarships’ worth $10,000 each to undertake short-term placements in a range of workplaces, occupations and industries.
   The placements and study opportunities are expected to expand the career advisors’ knowledge of various industries, and should benefit students and other clients assisted by the adviser.

Insurance talks to pay off
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has started to consult with industry on the first of two proposed new statistical publications on life insurance.
   APRA has introduced new reporting requirements for the industry from 1 January 2008, and has called for feedback on the updated Quarterly Life Insurance Performance publication and a new Half-yearly Life Insurance Bulletin.

Wash-up for money laundering
he final set of obligations to be introduced under the first phase of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 is planned to come into effect on 12 December.
   Austrac Chief Executive, Neil Jensen said financial, bullion, gambling and money transfer services would have new obligations under the Act from next month.
   He said the reporting entities would need to incorporate ongoing customer due diligence systems and processes into their AML/CTF programs from this date.

Workers to win student prize
Nominations for the 2008 Australian Vocational Student Prize, which recognises exceptional skill, commitment and achievement while participating in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, have opened.
   School principals can nominate students and up to 500 students could be recognised, with each winner awarded a certificate and a $2,000 prize.
   The most outstanding student recipients would also be eligible to receive the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School.
   Nominations close on 24 December 2008.

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