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SearchArchives for February 2012
28 February, 2012
Arts Council review
seeks public input
The joint Chairs of a review into the Australia Council for the Arts have launched an online survey to gather public views about the relevance of the Agency and the support it provided the arts, culture and creative industries.
Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean said many of the 450 public submissions received during public consultation on the National Cultural Policy discussion paper had discussed the role of the Agency.
“The Australia Council has a proud history of supporting artists and organisations to develop their talent and showcase their work to national and international audiences,” Mr Crean said.
“Chairs of the Review, Angus James and Gabrielle Trainor, want to follow on from the public consultation and ask the sector if the original purpose of the Australia Council remains relevant today.”
He said the survey had been developed as part of the review which was designed to draw out the sector’s views and see what changes, if any, they would like to see made.
“The Australia Council represents a significant part of our support for the arts and cultural sector and it is vital that the agency continues to play a significant role as we develop the National Cultural Policy,” Mr Crean said.
“The outcomes of the independent review will be considered as part of the National Cultural Policy - which will establish the direction for the Australian Government’s support for the arts, culture and the creative industries for the next 10 years and beyond.”
He encouraged interested people to respond to the online survey which was available at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
Family Court caught
in legal oversight
An administrative oversight during the transfer of certain Family Court powers from the State and Territories to the Commonwealth has thrown a cloud of uncertainty over the status of some orders made by the Court and the Federal Magistrates Court.
The problem was identified by the Attorney-General’s Department.
According to the Department, when jurisdiction for de facto property and maintenance matters was transferred, a Proclamation to set the date from which the Family Court could exercise the jurisdiction was not made
“Due to this oversight, there is some uncertainty around the status of certain family law court orders,” the Department said.
“Orders that might be affected are de facto property and maintenance orders made between 1 March 2009 and 10 February 2012 in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island and orders made between 1 July 2010 and 10 February 2012 in South Australia.
It said Western Australia had not referred its powers to the Commonwealth so wasn’t affected and the uncertainty only impacted on de facto property and maintenance orders.
“Any orders relating to children are not affected,” it said.
“Further, all matters relating to marriages have not been affected.”
The Department said some appeals from Family Law Magistrates in Western Australia affecting orders made between 1 July 2006 and 20 October 2011 could also be affected.
It said proclamations had already been made to avoid any uncertainty about the powers of the family law courts to make such orders into the future.
“The Government intends to introduce retrospective legislation to validate orders that were made by the family law courts before the recent Proclamations,” the Department said.
“This will avoid the need for parties to go back to court and will provide certainty for the current orders.
“In the interim, the Government urges people to continue to comply with any orders made by the family law courts.”
28 February, 2012
Comcover takes chance
on risk benchmarking
Comcover’s annual Risk Management Benchmarking Program has begun for 2012.
Under the program, eligible Agencies get to compare their risk management capability against others; review and measure their risk management capabilities against high achieving agencies; and get to drive a focus on risk management within their Agency.
Comcover said Agencies could also be eligible for up to a 10 per cent discount on their 2012/13 insurance premium.
It said a number of changes had been introduced to the survey, including one which would see Agency reports distributed to both insurance and risk management contacts.
“The Benchmarking Program involves completion of an online self-assessment survey by a nominated contact in each agency (usually the Primary Risk Management contact),” Comcover said.
“The survey is then signed off by the Agency Head/Chief Executive Officer or Chief Finance Officer (known as the Sign-Off Officer).”
It said the Program measured an Agency’s risk management capability against 10 elements in a risk management framework consisting of policy and objectives; accountability and responsibility; integration; review and evaluation; positive risk culture; resourcing; communication and training; risk assessment; risk profiling and reporting; and business continuity management.
“Each element assesses a different aspect of an Agency’s risk management framework, and considers how well the Agency supports its staff to better manage risk at both the operational and strategic levels,” Comcover said.
“The survey responses are analysed by Comcover’s service provider, Deloitte, followed by an audit process to ensure accuracy and transparency of results.”
At the completion of the audit process, participating Agencies are provided with a Participant Report and Survey Responses Report and notified of their premium discount.
28 February, 2012
PS novelist pens
a best seller
By Rama Gaind
Canberra Public Servant Daniel O’Malley has written a supernatural thriller titled The Rook that has landed him on Time’s list (in second place) of seven books to look forward to in 2012.
Daniel, 31, of the Canberra suburb of Garran, admits to “walking around in a haze of delight” after being applauded by authors whom he regards highly like Lev Grossman, Katherine Neville and Jaye Wells.
He was particularly happy when his literary idol, Lev Grossman, a Time book critic and author of The Magicians praised The Rook.
Grossman said in December 2011: “I did my best to ignore it, but simply could not … even this ageing, jaded, attention-deficit-disordered critic was blown away”.
Daniel O’Malley, being the delighted fan, said that having loved his book so much – “you treasure the idea that someone you revere has enjoyed your work”.
The Rook is his first published novel.
Wry observations of the main character are neatly combined with drama, action, humour and horror.
The storyline was the result of boredom and deliberation over how well someone else could assume his identity.
Daniel began writing as a lark “based on my extreme boredom in meetings and wondering if I could cope if someone were suddenly placed in my body”.
He started writing this novel in 2004 and submitted it for consideration four years later. There had been other unsuccessful efforts.
That’s when he decided to think strategically, going for the “agents, not publishers directly” which made a big difference.
“I started The Rook right at the end of graduate school, and about a year later, I joined the Public Service,” he said.
“All up, it took about three years to write, although there were periods where I didn’t do much work on it.”
“Since I’m not a full-time writer, I have to anticipate lots of interruptions and some less productive periods when other things intervene.”
Daniel has already started work on a sequel that will cover a range of supernatural and Governmental themes.
“I’ll be exploring diplomacy (and a lack thereof), a man who has been turned inside out, risk assessments, the perils of dealing with fiends in human form, and the ultimate nightmare that is the production of the Annual Report.”
Daniel was born and schooled in Canberra. After studying world and medieval history in American universities, he returned to Australia in 2004.
He works for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, handling communications connected with investigations of plane crashes and runaway boats.
Daniel also eagerly reaches out to his readers, beyond the internet, by tweeting both as himself and as his protagonist, Myfanwy Thomas.
28 February, 2012
Phone penalties see
numbers go up
Tough new penalties have been introduced for phone and telecommunications companies found to be breaching basic service standards.
Announced by the Minister for Broadband and Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, the penalties relate to infringements of Universal Service Obligations (USO) for payphones and Customer Service Guarantees (CSG) for other consumers.
Senator Conroy said the Telecommunications (Infringement Notice Penalties) Determination 2012 had introduced a graduated scale of infringement notice penalties in relation to CSG and USO performance benchmarks in response to feedback from stakeholders.
“Any failure to meet a performance benchmark is considered serious and can therefore result in a significant financial penalty,” Senator Conroy said.
“However, the Government has adopted graduated penalties, as suggested by a number of stakeholders, to provide appropriate incentives for service providers to maximise their compliance with these key benchmarks.”
He said some stakeholders had suggested lower infringement penalties should apply if benchmarks were not met in rural and remote parts of Australia.
“The Government has not responded to these suggestions, noting a key objective of these benchmarks is to improve consumer safeguards, particularly for regional consumers,” he said.
Senator Conroy said he had also set infringement notice penalties, ranging between $22,000 to $99,000, for breaches of a number of other regulatory requirements relating to the CSG; location and removal of payphones; and marketing of premium-priced mobile services.
“In its submission the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) suggested that a higher penalty could be considered where a telecommunications provider does not comply with the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO) scheme,” he said.
“A number of submissions to the TIO review also separately highlighted the importance of compliance with the TIO scheme, but stakeholders have not provided specific feedback on what penalty would be appropriate.
“Therefore the Government will shortly progress further consultation to inform setting an infringement notice penalty to encourage compliance and assist enforcement with the TIO scheme.”
The consultation paper and submissions received are available at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
Super outcome
for super funds
Up to 6.9 million inactive superannuation accounts are likely to be reunited with their owners under new reforms announced by the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten.
Mr Shorten said the figure emerged from a research project undertaken by the Financial Services Council (FSC) which evaluated plans to automatically roll over inactive super accounts with less than $1,000 in them into their owners’ active accounts.
“This reform will reunite many Australians with lost and inactive super - bolstering their super savings and meaning they can enjoy a more secure and independent retirement,” Mr Shorten said.
“It will also reduce the red tape burden on the industry and mean lower fees for account holders, leaving them with more money to invest in their nest egg.”
Chief Executive of the FSC, John Brogden said the considerable reduction in the number of accounts would significantly improve the efficiency of Australia’s superannuation system and lead to lower fees for consumers.
“There are 28 million superannuation accounts - nearly three for every working Australian,” Mr Brogden said.
“Many people have forgotten they have small amounts of money in super accounts from jobs they had years ago.
“The automatic consolidation of inactive superannuation accounts will make the system more efficient and reduce overhead costs for superannuation funds.”
Mr Brogden said the removal of a quarter of all superannuation accounts from the system underscored the appropriateness of the Government’s auto-consolidation reform.
28 February, 2012
Healthy result for
medical claims
Claims for over 7.6 million In-hospital medical services have already been lodged electronically this financial year.
In only seven months, the number of claims lodged via the Department of Human Services’ Electronic Claim Lodgement and Information Processing Service Environment (ECLIPSE) is close to the total services that were lodged electronically in the past year.
General Manager of the Department, Hank Jongen said ECLIPSE allowed health professionals to submit and retrieve eligibility checks quickly and carry out patient detail checks instantly.
“ECLIPSE eliminates the long wait time for the patient’s Medicare enrolment and health fund eligibility to be verified and processed,” Mr Jongen said.
“A claim can then be submitted quickly and easily via ECLIPSE.”
He said the simplicity and ease of the system was made it increasingly popular with health professionals with almost 60 per cent of In-hospital services now being processed via ECLIPSE.
“ECLIPSE reduces administration and saves health professionals time by allowing them to instantly check the status of the claim, it reduces the chance of rejected claims, and speeds up the processing time, from weeks to days,” Mr Jorgen said.
“Health professionals can be assured ECLIPSE provides a secure connection between public and private hospitals, billing agents, the Department of Human Services and private health insurers.
Meanwhile the Department has also seen its Claim your Medicare Benefit Online initiative take off.
More than 110,000 medical services have been claimed online since the initiative was introduced to at the end of February 2011.
Mr Jongen said online claiming provided convenience for customers.
“Customers can use online claiming to lodge a claim 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
“Claims are processed instantly and payments are generally paid the next business day.”
28 February, 2012
New food report is
food for thought
A new report has found that while Australia’s food industry is diverse and competitive there are still many opportunities for the sector to build on its success and become more innovative.
Minister for Agriculture, Senator Joe Ludwig said the report, FOODmap: An analysis of the Australian food supply chain provided a picture of Australia’s food industry from paddock to plate.
Senator Ludwig said it examined the way the food supply chain was evolving, including the way consumer demands had changed since the global economic situation of 2008.
“It’s clear that flexible and quick adaptation to changing markets is needed if Australian food producers are to remain competitive and at the cutting edge,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Australian Government is committed to assisting the food industry plan for this success and that is why we are developing Australia’s first National Food Plan.”
He said the report showed that changing demographics, consumer aspirations, market preferences and new and emerging technologies meant supply chains were highly dynamic.
“It also highlights that while supermarkets continued to dominate the retailing of food, other food outlets were becoming increasingly important,” he said.
Senator Ludwig said that in 2010-11 total turnover from retail food and liquor sales was $130 billion.
He said supermarkets accounted for 63 per cent of household food expenditure, with 12 per cent spent at specialty and convenience stores, and 25 per cent on eating out.
“We need to remember that Australian families enjoy a world-class food supply and that our country is food secure,” Senator Ludwig said.
“Of the fresh food consumed by Australians, well over 90 per cent is grown and supplied by our own farmers.
“As well as producing high quality, safe food for ourselves, Australia also feeds another 40 million people around the globe.”
He said the report also identified risks for the food sector, including the affects of the high Australian dollar on exports, industry consolidation and energy costs.
“While the strong Australian dollar has impacted on the competitiveness of food produced in Australia, changing demographics and consumer aspirations, and technological advances are factors that will drive future growth,” Senator Ludwig said.
FOODmap can be accessed at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
After school program
delivering results
An independent evaluation of the Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability program has found it to be having a positive impact on teenagers with disability and their families.
Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin said that since the program commenced in 2008 it had given parents and carers more opportunities to work and participate in all aspects of community life.
The program is run by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA),
“More than 80 per cent of parents surveyed said the program provided them with the opportunity to work,” Ms Macklin said.
“It also found that teenagers are being provided with opportunities to participate in developmental, social and recreational activities.
“Importantly, parents and carers felt the program gave them more quality time with their children, while still getting respite to help them continue their caring role.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas said the program was part of the National Disability Strategy and would help to ensure that people with disability had the same opportunities as other Australians.
“This program is giving teenagers with disability the chance to have a social life, be active and develop the life skills that many others their own age take for granted,” Senator McLucas said.
“But, it also gives parents and carers a break from their caring responsibilities, which are generally so much more consuming than for other parents.”
She said carers often told her they needed a break to recharge every now and again, whether to pursue education, their careers or simply have a cup of coffee with friends.
“The program gives carers, who put so much time into their caring roles, opportunities to take some time for themselves,” Senator McLucas said.
More information is available at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
Coffee grounds ground
down tax evaders
The Australian Taxation Office is checking supplies of coffee and hardware purchases for evidence that some taxpayers and businesses might be using cash transactions to evade their tax obligations.
Announcing that the net was closing on tax cheats, Second Commissioner of Taxation Bruce Quigley said the ‘net’ now included coffee suppliers and hardware store trade accounts which showed customers’ purchase information.
“As detailed in the Commonwealth Gazette on 22 February 2012, information received about coffee shops buying more than 15 kilograms of coffee a week from suppliers will be checked by the ATO to ensure they are reporting all their business income,” Mr Quigley said.
“Individuals and businesses holding a hardware store trade account with annual purchases of $10,000 or more will also attract close scrutiny from the ATO, with data on purchases and reported income being cross checked.”
He said ATO strategies to tackle the ‘cash economy’ included publishing benchmarks that provided a guide to the expected profitability of over 100 business industries; educating the broader community about the risks of not getting a receipt for cash jobs; reviewing records of businesses; and acting on information received from the community on suspected tax evasion.
“The focus of this work is on industries which have ready access to cash in their business dealings,” Mr Quigley said.
He said another way of detecting businesses cheating the community was through data matching.
“Data matching is a key program used by the ATO to identify those who are either not lodging returns or who are not reporting all income - with more than 500 million transactions matched in the past year,” he said.
“The message to tax cheats is clear - with increasing sources of information coming to the ATO, if you don’t play by the rules, you are more likely to be caught and penalised.”
28 February, 2012
Fuel tank workers
spark compo search
All F-111 fuel tank maintenance workers have been called on to come forward to check their eligibility for entitlements.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon said it was important to make sure that everyone who work on the fuel tanks had their eligibility for entitlements checked including compensation and health care.
Mr Snowdon said that after the 2010 Budget, an estimated 2,400 additional people gained easier access to entitlements from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 for medical conditions linked to F-111 fuel tank repair.
“The Government wants to identify all F-111 aircraft fuel tank maintenance workers, not just those who are sick,” Mr Snowdon said.
“If you, a family member or a mate undertook F-111 fuel tank maintenance work, please call the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 555 323 as soon as possible.”
He said the Australian Government had committed $55 million over four years to ensure more F-111 fuel tank maintenance personnel had access to compensation and health care for certain conditions.
“For those workers who are unwell as a result of their service, there is a range of benefits available including health care schemes, counselling and compensation,” he said.
“There is also an ex-gratia scheme available to certain personnel who worked in the RAAF’s F-111 formal deseal/reseal programs.”
Mr Snowdon said the Department had undertaken considerable promotion of the F-111 compensation package to date but there were still people who had not yet come forward.
More information is available at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
Court statistics find
defendants going down
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that Magistrates’, Children’s and higher courts in Australia all saw decreases in defendants in 2010-11.
The ABS said the number of defendants finalised by Magistrates’ courts decreased in all States and Territories except Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
“The largest decreases were seen in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory,” the Bureau said, “with a decrease nationally of 12 per cent in 2010-11.
“This is the largest decrease in the Magistrates’ courts in the past six years.”
It also reported a decrease of 12 per cent for defendants finalised in the Children’s courts from 2009-10, and a decrease of 3 per cent in the Higher courts.
“In the Magistrates’ courts, traffic offences continued to be the most common offence type, accounting for 43 per cent of defendants, followed by acts intended to cause injury (11 per cent) and public order offences (8 per cent).
“Those aged under 35 years accounted for over half of the defendants, with 79 per cent of these being male.”
The ABS said for the Higher courts 53 per cent of defendants were males under 35; and in the Children’s courts, 79 per cent of defendants were male.
“The main offences were acts intended to cause injury (22 per cent) and illicit drug offences (19 per cent) in the Higher courts and theft (21 per cent) and acts intended to cause injury (20 per cent) in the Children’s courts,” the ABS said.
More details are available from the ABS publication Criminal Courts, Australia 2010-11 (cat. no. 4513.0) which is available at this PS News link.
28 February, 2012
Joint assessment for
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is to undergo a joint assessment to ensure future development along Queensland’s coastline is well-planned and its unique values are protected.
Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke said the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments had signed a new agreement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on assessment processes to ensure future sustainable development along the Queensland coastline as well as the protection and management of the Reef.
Mr Burke said it was the most comprehensive and complex strategic assessment ever carried out in Australia and considered Federal and State environmental planning issues in a single assessment process.
“Rather than always dealing with one application at a time this allows an assessment of the region as a whole,” Mr Burke said.
“That gives us an opportunity to take into account the cumulative impacts and any indirect impacts such as increased shipping movement.
“In short, it is a better way to protect one of the world’s greatest treasures and I’m glad it’s started.”
Queensland’s Minister for the Environment, Vicky Darling said the agreement reinforced the value of coastal protection measures already instigated by the State Government to protect the Reef and assist with its future management.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s favourite playgrounds, is a $5 billion asset for our economy and supports more than 60,000 jobs for Queensland,” Ms Darling said.
“We have a record of protecting its unique biodiversity and we are going to ensure it stays that way for future generations.”
She said the strategic assessment would not only benefit the environment and local communities, but would also help industry through the streamlining of Government environmental processes.
“This strategic assessment enables us to work hand-in-hand with the Commonwealth Government to ensure development is well-planned and systems are in place to protect the area’s World Heritage values,” Ms Darling said.
“The assessment will also help answer any questions the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has and we will be discussing the assessment further with the delegation visiting in early March.”
28 February, 2012
Tourism studies
just the ticket
Two studies recommending new approaches to tourism development have been released by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson said the Cairns-Townsville and Flinders Ranges Experience Development Strategies were the first studies to focus on the emotional and intellectual benefits of travel for ‘experience seekers’.
Mr Ferguson said ‘experience seekers’ were tourists who enjoyed engaging with locals and valued a variety of travel experiences and the two studies made a series of recommendations on how regions could more effectively cater for them.
“These reports, prepared jointly with the Queensland and South Australian tourism bodies, identify the key ‘wants’ of experience-seeking travellers, and recommend dozens of measures to make both regions more accessible and rewarding to them,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Experience seekers are relatively high earners and spenders, and known opinion leaders who tended to be at the leading edge of tourism trends and are very influential in creating additional visitations by word-of-mouth recommendation.”
He said ensuring tourist regions had the tools to grow through studies such as these created benefits for areas that reached beyond the tourism industry and the economy.
He said among the reports’ recommendations were a suggestion to develop a multi-day walk in the Flinders Ranges similar to the Australian Alpine Walking Track in Victoria/New South Wales; create a series of trails and laneways in the Atherton Tablelands; and develop a major new experience in the Daintree Rainforest.
“These reports will serve as a template for other tourist regions to develop strategies to cater to target markets and develop tourism experiences,” Mr Ferguson said.
The reports can be accessed at this PS News link.
24 February, 2012
Customs watchdog
to be checked
A review has been ordered of the effectiveness of the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity’s (ACLEI) oversight of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for the past year.
Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Jason Clare said the Implementation Review would examine the work ACLEI had been doing with the Customs Service since it was brought under its jurisdiction on 1 January 2011.
Mr Clare said the role of ACLEI was to detect, disrupt and deter potential corruption in Federal law enforcement agencies.
“I have commissioned this Review to ensure ACLEI is implementing this new responsibility effectively and is properly equipped to discharge this crucial function,” Mr Clare said.
“There is no place for corruption and crime in our Public Service.”
He said organised criminals targeted public officials because of the nature of their work.
“That’s why we have to ensure our law enforcement agencies are as corruption resistant as possible,” he said.
“Bringing the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under ACLEI’s jurisdiction has been a significant expansion of ACLEI’s responsibilities.”
Mr Clare said ACLEI and Customs had worked closely over the past 12 months to build a partnership to detect, disrupt and deter corruption.
“After a year of operation, it is important to examine progress and consider improvements,” he said.
Mr Clare said the Review would be undertaken by former senior Public Servant, Peter Hamburger, and report on ACLEI’s effectiveness in managing investigations, using and allocating resources and its Agency relations and communications.
Mr Hamburger is to commence the Review in March and report by the end of April.
24 February, 2012
More jobs to go as
funding faulters
Two major Departments have announced job cuts for the coming year as the Government funding squeeze and efficiency dividend takes hold.
Treasury is to reduce its workforce by 200 and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is to lose 500.
Most of the job losses will be in Canberra.
The Department of Health and the Australian Bureau of Statistics had already announced cutbacks and the National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, Nadine Flood said the funding cuts announced in the mid-year budget review meant job losses were inevitable.
“This is bad news for DEEWR employees,” Ms Flood told the Canberra Times, “but it’s also a concern for the many businesses and organisations that rely on the important work these people do.
“For a Government so focused on employment, cutting 500 jobs from your own employment Department is not a great look.’”
She said the public sector faced losing talented and experienced staff which would take a generation to recover.
“It is a false economy,” she said.
Opposition Senator for the ACT, Gary Humphries described the cuts as “the tip of the iceberg”.
Senator Humphries said Department heads gave “strong hints” of further job losses during Senate Estimates hearings.
“The growing list of Departments predicting job cuts now include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Department of Parliamentary Services, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Federal Police,” Senator Humphries said.
“When a Government Department can’t do what is reasonably expected of them due to financial constraints, it puts the integrity of the whole APS in jeopardy.”
He said he had formally asked every Department and Agency how the cuts would impact their workforce and the answers were due by 30 March 2012.
24 February, 2012
Defence faces
identity trial
The Department of Defence has called for tenders to run a six-month trial of a database of biometric information collected by Defence Force troops in the field.
The system being sought must be capable of storing fingerprints, face recognition, iris and palm images and have the capacity to accept other biometric features that may become available.
According to Defence, similar databases are already in use in the United States and are known as Automated Biometrics Information Systems (ABIS).
The service being sought by Defence is for an Australian equivalent, AS-ABIS, which could ideally be shared with US forces.
The Department said the system would interface with the US database and other national partner databases, and include the ability to detect persons of interest who were on watch lists.
The Department said interfacing AS-ABIS with the US version would allow data from both databases to be swapped and compared, either automatically or manually.
“Collection of biometric data is made possible through existing devices already in use by the ADF.”
It said it was currently using the SEEK (Secure Electronic Enrolment Kit) II collection device which allowed ADF personnel to scan irises, faces and fingerprints.
“US forces already use similar technology to interface with their database.
“Combining these devices with the proposed AS-ABIS will allow personnel to identify whether a person is of particular interest in near-real time, and allow them to upload known details about the person to AS-ABIS.”
It said the proposed database would be required to be capable of handling 500 transactions per day, and a capacity of 365,000 records.
It said tenderers would also need to demonstrate how the system could be scaled up to 5,000 transactions per day and a capacity of 3.65 million records.
The Department is hoping to sign contracts in early May and run the trial using real data collected by ADF personnel.
24 February, 2012
School funding
fails the test
A comprehensive review of school funding across Australia has called for more money to be spent, greater transparency and a simpler system of allocation.
Produced by a panel of eminent experts chaired by Sydney businessman David Gonski, the findings from the 18-month Review of Funding for Schooling were presented to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard earlier this week.
Ms Gillard said the review showed that funding arrangements in Australian schools were complicated, lacked transparency and were failing to get the best results for students.
She said it warned that new arrangements were needed to ensure Australian schoolchildren did not fall behind the rest of the world and the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students did not grow wider.
“To deal with these challenges, the report recommends introducing a Schooling Resource Standard, which would have two elements: a set investment per student, plus additional top-up funding to target disadvantage,” Ms Gillard said.
“While the proposals in the report provide insight into the kind of system that might deliver the resources we need for schools and students, the report also acknowledges a lot more work is needed to develop and test the different elements of the model before we can be sure it would deliver on our goals.”
She said the Government would begin work on the next stages in developing a new funding model for schools with the Commonwealth taking a set of funding principles to the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments.
Ms Gillard said she hoped COAG would elicit commitment to the report’s findings from the States and Territories; establish a number of working groups in key areas to test specific elements of the recommended model; and establish a Ministerial Reference Group to ensure there was ongoing consultation and dialogue with key stakeholders and the public through the process.
“The report also makes a number of other key recommendations including a new approach to capital funding, strategies for promoting philanthropic partnerships with schools, and establishment of an independent National Schools Resourcing Body to set the level of investment needed to provide a high quality education,” Ms Gillard said.
“We will consider each of these in full as we work through the full set of recommendations contained in the report.”
The Review of Funding for Schooling Report is available at this PS News link.
24 February, 2012
The ‘eyes’ have it for
visually impaired TV
A trial of audio description is to be conducted on ABC television in 2012.
Audio description improves access to electronic media for people with a visual impairment by providing a ‘voice over’ which tells the viewer what’s happening on TV.
Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy said the ABC would deliver the closed audio description service using receiver-mixed technology.
“The trial will involve the broadcast of drama, documentary and other content with audio description on ABC1 for 14 hours per week during prime time over a 13 week period commencing in mid 2012,” Senator Conroy said.
He said the trial was intended to generate a greater understanding of the technical and consumer issues associated with establishing and delivering audio description services and was also intended to raise awareness of audio description within the industry, Government and other key stakeholders.
He said the ABC would provide a report to the Government on the trial in the second half of 2012.
“I am also pleased to announce a successful tenderer for a consultancy to conduct research and identify appropriate consumer equipment for decoding receiver-mixed audio description technology has been selected,” Senator Conroy said.
“This consultancy will help people with a visual impairment participate in the trial by identifying digital televisions and set-top boxes capable of receiving audio description and the steps involved in activating this functionality.”
He said the trial would be accessible to any viewer of the ABC’s digital ABC1 service with an appropriate receiver.
“The consultancy will provide its final report in March, well ahead of the trial commencing mid-year, Senator Conroy said.
24 February, 2012
Universities plot
course for China
A joint higher education forum to strengthen collaboration between Australian and Chinese universities has been announced.
The forum is to be held in Australia later this year.
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans said China was an important education partner for Australia, with a strong history of partnerships and joint programs.
“At the end of 2011, more than 97,000 Chinese students were enrolled in higher education courses in Australia, around 40 per cent of international enrolments in higher education,” Senator Evans said.
“At the same time, it is estimated more than 3,000 Australian students were studying in China.
He said the Australia-China joint higher education forum would be held during the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and China.
“The partnership is multi-faceted and built around flows of students, academics and university leaders between both countries, as well as substantial science and research collaboration,” Senator Evans said.
He said both the Commonwealth and the Chinese Government shared the view that the country’s education relationship was critically important.
“We are committed to furthering collaboration between our education institutions,” he said.
“The joint higher education forum will provide a strong platform for Australian and Chinese universities to deepen their engagement and draw on each others’ expertise.”
Senator Evans said education had been one of the pillars of the bilateral relationship throughout the last 40 years and universities from both countries had been important and significant contributors to the strong and mutually beneficial relationship now enjoyed.
24 February, 2012
Tourism scheme
opening doors
The expansion of a tourism quality accreditation program will give tourism organisations such as hotel chains, airlines and restaurant franchises the chance to become recognised for high quality service.
The T-QUAL Accreditation Program was launched in April 2011 and the T-QUAL tick is Australia’s first national tourism quality symbol and a sign to consumers that a tourism business is committed to customer quality.
A trial conducted by the Tourism Quality Council of Australia has now seen the first large tourism organisation to gain T-QUAL Accreditation - Accor Hotels.
With the addition of Accor there are now 12,600 operators accredited under T-QUAL and authorised to display the T-QUAL tick.
Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson said that with so many choices for travellers here and overseas, it was more important than ever for quality tourism businesses to be distinctive.
“A national symbol of quality is good for consumers because value-for-money choices become more visible,” Mr Ferguson said, “and it’s good for those who strive for the rewards that come from reaching the levels of quality and customer service that consumers expect.”
He said schemes such as AAA Tourism’s STAR Rating already gained a competitive edge from T-QUAL Accreditation.
“Hotel chains, airlines, restaurant franchises and other large tourism organisations can also stand to benefit from the expansion of T-QUAL Accreditation,” he said.
“I invite large tourism organisations that apply a quality standard to become T-QUAL accredited and associated with Australia’s national symbol of tourism quality, the T-QUAL Tick.”
More information is available at this PS News link.
24 February, 2012
Building commission
builds successes
The Australian Building and Construction Commission’s (ABCC) Canberra office has celebrated one year of delivering workplace regulation and advice to the ACT’s building and construction industry.
The ABCC opened its Canberra office on 22 February 2011 to expand the ABCC’s capacity to provide advice and assistance for ACT industry participants.
ABC Commissioner, Leigh Johns said the past 12 months had seen the ABCC respond to a number of sham contracting issues in the ACT.
“Two Canberra companies were penalised a total of $39,500 for engaging in sham contracting,” Mr Johns said.
“The ABCC is currently calling for tenders to conduct research that will uncover the extent of sham contracting in Australia’s building and construction industry.”
He said since the Canberra office had opened, ACT inspectors had conducted around 40 site visits within Canberra and the surrounding region.
“The team has received 109 enquiries from local building industry employers and employees, and finalised 68 investigations into issues including non-payment of wages and entitlements, breaches of the Fair Work Act, and freedom of association,” he said.
“A total of $34,150 was recovered for 17 underpaid employees.”
Mr Johns said he was impressed that all identified workplace relations breaches by Canberra-based construction businesses had been rectified voluntarily.
“When employers are willing to work with ABC Inspectors and treat the recovery process as a learning experience, all parties benefit” he said.
“Employers in the construction industry can come to the ABCC if they need help understanding their obligations when it comes to record keeping, pay-slip content, and the correct entitlements for staff.”
More information on the work of the ABCC is available at this PS News link.
24 February, 2012
IPAA conference still open
The Institute of Public administration Australia (IPAA) is still accepting registrations for its inaugural regional conference in Albury next month.
The conference will be held from 15 to 16 March.
More information is available at this PS News link.
Detector dogs turn 20
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has celebrated 20 years of detector dog service in Australia.
The anniversary was launched at on Monday (20 February 2012) by DAFF Biosecurity Deputy Secretary, Rona Mellor.
Refugee experts meet
Experts from across the globe are in Australia as part of discussions on international refugee resettlement services.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Working Group on Resettlement (WGR) meeting has been held in Melbourne throughout the week.
The WGR is a forum for countries that resettle refugees, the non-government organisations which assist in the process, and the UNHCR.
Race to stop nation
Every Australian has been encouraged to watch an ABC-TV program this weekend which explores the issue of organ donation.
The Last Race is to be aired next Sunday evening (February 26) at 6.30pm on ABC1.
The Last Race is a 30-minute drama about a family suddenly faced with a decision of whether to donate the organs of 25-year-old Mike, and a race against time to save a life.
It was made with financial assistance from the Australian Government.
Sports plan online
The Australian Sports Commission’s Strategic Plan is now available online through the ASC website.
The plan, which was approved by the Minister for Sport focuses on partnerships with governments and the sport sector to achieve a shared national vision of more Australians participating and excelling in sport.
The plan is available at this PS News link.
Koalas put off
The decision on whether to add the koala to the list of nationally threatened species has been put off for another 10 weeks.
The Minister for the Environment has requested further information from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee in relation to the precise boundaries of where koala populations were dwindling.
The Committee found that the national koala population was variable, with koalas abundant in some areas such as South Australia and declining in other areas such as Queensland and NSW.
A decision will now be made by 30 April 2012.
Loans going up
The number of affordable loans to people under financial pressure reached 16,409 in 2011, a increase over the10,547 loans written in the previous year.
The loans under the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) and StepUP program assist borrowers purchase essentials for their homes
Both programs are open to anyone who holds a Pension or Health Care Concession card.
Uni boost
Universities are to receive a funding boost of $367 million over the next four years to meet the cost of quality research and training.
The result of indexation, the increase will see the higher education sector receive a total of $1.63 billion for research and research training.
Separately, the number of Commonwealth supported postgraduate places has doubled over the last four years to 33,000 while the number of Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) has doubled.
Guidance for dating schemes
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched guidelines to support efforts by dating and romance websites to combat scammers.
More than 2,100 individuals reporting dating related scammers to the ACCC in 2011, revealing costs of $21 million
According to the ACCC, the average loss for a victim was over $20,000.
The new guidelines are available for download from this PS News link.
Courage exhibition opens
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is hosting the Courage to Care exhibition until 9 April.
The exhibition exposes visitors to the roles of victims, perpetrators and bystanders of prejudice and discrimination by introducing them to survivors of the Holocaust and their rescuers.
It features a free educational program for school students focusing on the importance of standing up to bullying and prejudice whenever it occurs and is free after admission.
Courage to care is open to the public from 2:30pm-5pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends.
Planet lined up
Tourism Australia is to team up with Lonely Planet for a There’s nothing like Australia campaign.
The marketing partnership will highlight ‘only in Australia’ experiences, and utilise the travel publisher’s unique and well-regarded content.
A consumer sweepstakes will be hosted on LonelyPlanet.com with $1,000 worth of books as prizes.
The campaign features Australian travel experiences including visiting the Great Barrier Reef, star gazing at the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru and wildlife spotting on Australia’s nature haven, Kangaroo Island.
Declaration lifted
The Exceptional Circumstance (EC) declaration in the River Murray and Lower Lakes Corridor is to expire as scheduled on 31 March 2012.
The National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) considered that improved seasonal conditions and irrigation allocations in the area gave producers the opportunity to return to typical farm management practices.
NRAC said a majority of the area had undergone a seasonal recovery and this was supported by a 100 per cent allocation against irrigation entitlements for 2011-12.
ABC takes awards
ABC TV has won two 2012 Kidscreen Awards and received more nominations than any other broadcaster across all categories.
Drama series My Place (series two) won the Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series award and Giggle and Hoot hosts, Jimmy Giggle and Hoot from ABC4Kids won the Best On-Air Host or Hosting Team Award.
ABC TV and its commissioned productions were also nominated in the categories of Best Companion Website – Bananas in Pyjamas (ABC TV); Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series – Dance Academy (Werner Film Productions); Best Channel Design – ABC4Kids; and Best Channel Website – ABC4Kids.
Food standards for comment
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a draft nutrition, health and related claims Standard.
The proposed new standard would regulate voluntary statements made by manufacturers on labels about the nutrition content of a food, or a relationship between a food and health.
FSANZ is also seeking comment on the part of the proposal considering regulation of ‘fat free’ and ‘percentage fat free’ claims.
Submissions close on 16 March 2012.
Driver assessments revised
Updated medical standards for assessing whether private and commercial vehicle operators are fit to drive will come into effect on 1 March.
The new edition of Assessing Fitness to Drive has been published by the National Transport Commission and Austroads and contains medical standards to guide health professionals and driver licensing bodies on assessing private and commercial drivers of heavy vehicles, light vehicles and motorbikes.
21 February, 2012
Down to earth guides
for cloud computing
The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) has produced a series of Better Practice Guides for Australian Public Service Agencies looking to use cloud-based computing and IT services.
AGIMO blogger, Glenn Archer said finalised versions of the guides were now available online.
Mr Archer said the guides were developed to reflect the responsibilities of Agencies governed by the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) in the context of the Australian legislative and regulatory environment.
“AGIMO is aware of the global issues surrounding the privacy and security of information in the public cloud and is working internationally and domestically to mitigate the impacts of these issues,” Mr Archer said.
He said the three guides to be published were Privacy and Cloud Computing for Australian Government Agencies, Negotiating the Cloud – Legal Issues in Cloud Computing Agreements and Financial Considerations for Government use of Cloud Computing.
He said AGIMO would also be investigating potential whole-of-Government procurement approaches for cloud computing during 2012 and advised Agencies to monitor its blog for further information.
Mr Archer said the Better Practice Guides formed part of the Cloud Framework which was a Stream One deliverable of the Government’s Cloud Computing Strategic Direction Paper.
He said additional guidance would be prepared for Agencies on other aspects of cloud computing as necessary, possibly including areas such as governance of community clouds and further guidance on business management and procurement practices.
According to the guides, cloud computing agreements - “like cloud computing itself” - appear in a wide variety of forms.
“These can range from simple standardised click wrap agreements to multilayered sets of terms and conditions,” they say.
“There are, however, a core set of legal issues that agencies should consider.”
The guides also say that despite common perceptions, cloud computing had the potential to enhance privacy safeguards used by Government agencies but they needed to be aware of their privacy and security obligations, conduct a risk-based analysis of their information, and ensure that the contractual arrangements they entered with providers adequately addressed their privacy obligations.
The guides also warn that adopting cloud-computing solutions could involve complex financial considerations and advised Agencies to conduct financial modelling to determine the cost-benefits of a cloud-computing solution compared to “in-house” investments and factor in the costs of disaster recovery and delivery of core business.
All the Better Practice Guides can be accessed at AGIMOs’ website this PS News link.
21 February, 2012
Strong performance
by violence campaign
A campaign against domestic violence managed by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has been chosen as a finalist for an international award for innovation.
Minister for the Status of the Women, Julie Collins said The Line campaign was a nominee for the AvonCommunications Awards: Speaking Out About Violence Against Women in recognition of its ‘innovative and unique approaches to communicating about violence against women’.
“The Line connects with young people through the communications channels they use, such as Facebook, other social media and events and music,” Ms Collins said.
“The website speaks to its audience in their language – giving young people the opportunity to talk on their terms about what is ‘crossing the line’.”
She said campaign’s Facebook page had almost 67,000 fans and 550,000 unique visitors to the website.
“In a recent survey, 84 per cent of young people said they were starting to change the way they behave in their relationships and are increasing their awareness of what is ‘crossing the line’,” she said.
Ms Collins said the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children 2010-2022 had been developed in partnership with the States and Territories.
“It is a single, unified strategy bringing together Government efforts to reduce violence against women and is the first of its kind to focus so strongly on prevention,” Ms Collins said.
“Stopping the violence before it happens and changing attitudes and behaviour across our community are vital to making this happen.
“The award nomination shows our efforts to connect and engage with young people on respectful relationships are having a positive impact.”
She said the award winners would be announced at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters next week (28 February) in Washington DC.
21 February, 2012
Drug cheats to fall
at Olympic hurdle
Australian athletes attempting to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to face the most comprehensive anti-doping program ever undertaken in Australia.
Minister for Sport, Mark Arbib said the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority (ASADA) is to conduct more than 1,000 blood and urine tests in the lead up to London.
Senator Arbib said ASADA would invest more than $1 million in the world-class Pure Performance program to give athletes the confidence to proudly compete drug-free on the world stage.
“With five months to the London Games we want to ensure that our athletes belong to a culture free from doping, where performance is based on an athlete’s talent, determination, courage and honesty,” Senator Arbib said.
“We don’t want doping cheats to tarnish the great contribution that sport makes to our nation.”
Chief executive of ASADA, Aurora Andruska said the Authority would apply more than 20 years of anti-doping experience to coordinate programs that deterred doping.
Ms Andruska said the programs would include the best ASADA had to offer in the areas of testing; investigations and intelligence; education and awareness raising; and enforcement.
“We will provide athletes heading to London with the most comprehensive anti-doping program,” Ms Andruska said.
“This means testing anytime and anyplace, including overseas.”
President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), John Coates said the Pure Performance Program had the Committee’s full backing.
“These tests will be part of a global effort to weed out the cheats before and during the London 2012 Games,” Mr Coates said.
“The AOC is not embarrassed when a doping cheat is uncovered.
“It proves the testing and the other procedures in place are working.
“ Our policy has not changed,” he said.
“It is one of zero tolerance.”
21 February, 2012
Merchant banks
face withdrawal
The financial industry watchdog has withdrawn its approval for companies to call themselves ‘merchant banks’.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has reversed its consent for some non-regulated businesses to use the term ‘bank’ after reviewing the guidelines for approval under Section 66 of the Banking Act 1959.
APRA said there were 39 non-regulated financial businesses currently entitled to use the term ‘merchant bank’, although very few of those had actually been using it.
In its review, APRA found that the term ‘merchant bank’ had been overtaken in common language by the term ‘investment bank’, a term it does not allow unauthorised financial businesses to use.
The Authority said it believed the use of the term ‘merchant bank’ could cause confusion in the minds of the public when used by entities that were not authorised to carry on banking business in Australia.
“The global financial crisis has highlighted the importance of a clear demarcation between the regulated banking system and the non-regulated or ‘shadow’ financial sector,” it said.
APRA said it had consulted with relevant institutions on its proposal to revoke the existing consent and had provided appropriate transition to allow those businesses using the term ‘merchant bank’ to revise their promotional material.
21 February, 2012
Computer program
crashes targets
The program designed to provide 786,000 computers to schools and students across Australia has exceeded its target according to the Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett.
Mr Garrett said that so far more than 911,000 computers had been delivered.
“It’s imperative that Australian students have access to world class computers and technology if we are to remain competitive in an increasingly digital world,” Mr Garrett said.
“This is more than just delivering computers.
“It is also about providing the extra digital resources teachers and students need to make the most of the technology, including a $41 million digital package to support the implementation of the Australian Curriculum.”
He said the computer rollout was transforming the way students were learning by enabling them to work autonomously and develop the skills they needed to go on to higher education, into a trade or enter the workforce.
“We’ve delivered the first national curriculum, given parents more information than ever before through My School and invested money in the areas of greatest need through our Low SES and Literacy and Numeracy National Partnerships,” he said.
Mr Garret said under the National Secondary School Computer Fund, State and Territory governments and non-government school systems were responsible for purchasing and delivering the computers in their schools.
21 February, 2012
Regulation review for
impact assessments
An independent review of the Government’s Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process will consider how well the RIA process meets the needs of businesses and the not-for-profit sector.
The Review is to be undertaken by lawyer Robert Milliner and former Secretary of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, David Borthwick, and will be supported by a Secretariat based in the Department of Finance and Deregulation.
Consultation meetings with stakeholders until 7 March 2012.
According to Finance, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has recognised Australia as one of the front running countries in its approach to regulatory reform and praised the quality of Australia’s RIA following its 2010 Review of Regulatory reform in Australia.
It said a range of measures were introduced in July 2010 to strengthen RIA processes, including a requirement that the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) maintain a central website of all Regulation Impact Statements (RISs); publish RIS and OBPR assessments as soon as practicable from the date of the regulatory decision; and ensure there was senior sign-off in Agencies of RISs before they were passed to OBPR for assessment.
Finance said the Terms of Reference for the new review centred on the extent to which the Government’s Best Practice Regulation Handbook (and its interpretation and administration by the OBPR) was consistent with the OECD’s guiding principles for regulatory quality and performance while meeting the needs of business and the not for profit sector.
It said any barriers to the delivery by Agencies of high quality regulatory impact analysis were also included in the Terms of Reference, as were recommendations aimed at improving the quality of regulatory impact analysis and compliance levels.
Written submissions would be received by the review team until 16 March 2012 and the report is due 20 April 2012.
More information, including the Terms of Reference, can be accessed at this PS News link.
21 February, 2012
Taxman wins power
over unhappy returns
New laws have been introduced into Parliament empowering the Commissioner of Taxation to withhold tax refunds until a taxpayer’s claims are verified.
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Mark Arbib said the legislation followed a decision of the Full Federal Court in November 2011 that ruled the Commissioner had no legislative basis for holding on to a refund while verifying that the amount claimed was correct, even in the case of potential fraud.
“Fraud associated with refunds is a compliance risk with the potential to undermine community confidence in the integrity of the tax system,” Senator Arbib said.
“The legislation would provide the Commissioner with legislative discretion to delay refunding certain amounts to taxpayers pending necessary verification of their claims.”
He said refunds played an important role for many businesses and in particular small business.
“The proposed legislation has been drafted to strike an appropriate balance between a taxpayer’s right to a prompt refund and the Commissioner’s responsibilities,” he said.
Senator Arbib said the Commissioner had advised that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) would continue to audit taxpayers who falsely claimed GST refunds and would apply significant penalties to those who claimed incorrect refunds.
He said the ATO would also continue to bring before the courts those who committed fraud.
21 February, 2012
Literacy campaign
to be taken as read
A new national campaign to improve literacy has been launched by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
Ms Gillard said the campaign was designed to tackle taboos around illiteracy by promoting a culture of reading in every home, school and workplace.
She said the Government would contribute $1.3 million towards the campaign which was supported by Australian libraries and their associations, State Governments, community groups and commercial partners.
“Children’s brains develop rapidly in their early years and it is widely recognised that sharing books with them before they start school greatly improves their chances of developing good literacy skills,” Ms Gillard said.
“Other research shows nearly half of all Australians do not have the literacy skills they need to cope with the demands of everyday life and work.
“This means millions of adults find it difficult to do everyday tasks such as reading a timetable or following medical instructions.”
She said the 2012 National Year of Reading campaign would highlight the benefits of reading as a life skill and as a catalyst for well-being through thousands of local community events held in libraries, schools and workplaces.
“Events include children’s competitions, peer-to-peer book reviews, adult book clubs and workplace literacy programs,” she said.
“The campaign includes a call to action for parents and caregivers to share a book with their children for an hour each week or 10 minutes a day.”
Ms Gillard said it would also challenge Australians to read for one hour on Saturday 25 August 2012.
More information on the National Year of Reading can be accessed at this PS News link.
21 February, 2012
Tax concessions for
not-for-profits
A new working group has been set up to look at ideas for delivering better support to the not-for-profit (NFP) sector through tax concessions.
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Mark Arbib said the Government provided the NFP sector with significant support through a range of tax concessions in recognition of the important role it played in the community.
Senator Arbib said the support included concessions for income tax, fringe benefits tax (FBT) and goods and services tax (GST), as well as deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
He said the new working group would consider ideas raised at the Tax Forum.
“The Government is committed to supporting the NFP sector, and it is important that that support is as effective as possible,” Senator Arbib said.
“At October’s Tax Forum, there was discussion about whether the current support provided through tax concessions could be better targeted.
“The NFP Sector Tax Concession Working Group will examine the current range of tax concessions and whether there are fairer, simpler and more effective ways of delivering the current envelope of support.”
Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler said the Working Group would also identify offsetting savings from benefits provided to the NFP sector for any proposals that had a budget cost.
“Consultation with the broad and diverse NFP sector will be critical to achieving lasting reform,” Mr Butler said.
“The Working Group will form part of the NFP Sector Reform Council, and will ensure the Government hears the views of the sector on how we can best support it to do its good work.”
He said the Working Group would be chaired by Linda Lavarch, the chair of the NFP Sector Reform Council, and would include a diverse range of representatives from the NFP sector as well as technical experts.
More information is available at this PS News link.
21 February, 2012
Highway upgrade
on right track
The first six-monthly report card on the total duplication of the Pacific Highway has been issued by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese.
Mr Albanese said the upgrade of the highway was gathering pace and both the Commonwealth and the NSW Governments were determined to provide regular updates to the community on the work underway as well as the timing and staging of what remained to be done.
“We’ve backed up our pledge to complete the job sooner rather than later with a significant increase in State and Federal funding,” Mr Albanese said.
NSW Minister for Roads, Duncan Gay said that last year the NSW Government committed to producing and releasing regular progress reports in response to calls from the community for greater accountability and transparency.
Mr Gay said the inaugural Report Card covered the period between July and December 2011.
“As promised it details all the projects underway as well as those scheduled to begin in the near future,” Mr Gay said.
“Specifically, during this six month period work was proceeding on seven upgrade projects, five were being readied for the start of construction and a further four were in the planning stage.”
Mr Albanese said there were more than 1,600 construction workers on site and they had achieved two milestones with the completion of the upgrade at Glenugie and the opening to traffic of the recently built Crescent Head Road overpass on the new Kempsey Bypass.
“While there’s still much to be done, the good news is that for the first time a modern, safe and fully duplicated Pacific Highway capable of supporting our nation’s economic growth in the decades ahead is now within sight,” Mr Albanese said.
The Pacific Highway Report Card can be accessed at this PS News link.
21 February, 2012
Employment statistics
show work in progress
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that more Australians than ever before now have a job.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten said the findings reflected the underlying strength and resilience of the Australian labour market and the strong fundamentals in the Australian economy.
Mr Shorten said while particular sectors were experiencing pressures, employment surged by 46,300 in January to stand at a record high of 11,463,900.
He said there was a 12,300 increase in full-time employment and 34,000 increase in part-time employment, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points to 5.1 per cent in January, while the participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 65.3 per cent.
Mr Shorten described the figures as a “remarkable result” given the rest of the world had seen the disappearance of around 25 million jobs.
“Australia’s unemployment rate is now less than half that seen in Europe, and significantly lower than many of the major advanced economies,” Mr Shorten said.
He acknowledged that the labour market had been softer in recent months and noted that some industries and regions were still doing it tough, particularly due to global instability and the high dollar.
He said the Building Australia’s Future Workforce Package which included 39 measures to reward work and provide new opportunities to get people into employment through training, education, and improved childcare and employment services, would increase participation among key groups at risk of falling behind.
17 February, 2012
SES stalls under
slow recruiting
The Special Minister of State has revealed that growth in the number of senior executive positions in the Australian Public Service has slowed ‘dramatically’ in the past four years.
The Minister, Gary Gray said the finding followed a report by former senior PS officer Roger Beale which recommended greater discipline in recruiting staff to the Senior Executive Service.
Mr Beale’s review found that growth in the SES peaked in 2005-6 and 2006-7 with senior management ranks growing by 12 per cent and 11.9 per cent respectively.
It found that since 2007 the rate of growth had slowed, recording an increase of just 2.5 per cent in 2010-11.
Mr Gray said the Government had endorsed the recommendations of the Beale report, and its findings demonstrated a level of stability and good governance in the Public Service.
“The report recognises the benefits of greater discipline around the management of SES numbers and of strengthening the design and classification of these roles,” Mr Gray said.
“It recognises the importance of the cap put on SES places in each agency, and recommended its extension for five years.”
He said strengthened arrangements for managing SES classifications recommended by the report had also been endorsed the, including promulgation of the new APS wide SES work level standards, to ensure the APS receives better value from all of its senior officers.
“The Australian Public Service Commission will continue its oversight of SES numbers for a further five years, to ensure that new (and existing) roles meet the expected work level standards,” Mr Gray said.
The Beale report Review of the Senior Executive Service can be accessed at this PS News link.
17 February, 2012
Redundancies on the
charts at Stats
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced it intends offering voluntary redundancies to more than 50 staff members between the APS1 and EL1 levels.
According to the Bureau, a 20 per cent cut in its capital budget combined with the additional 2.5 per cent efficiency dividend left it with more staff than its budget for 2012-13 could afford.
It told the Community and Public Sector Union that the short timeframe available to resolve the matter meant natural attrition was not a viable option.
The Bureau said the majority of the VRs would be offered in its central office since that was where most of the savings needed to be made, but regional office staff could be eligible if their local office had sufficient funds to cover the cost.
The move prompted the CPSU to declare as ‘proof positive’ the Government’s budget cuts were driving job losses.
“It is now absolutely clear that the Government’s budget cuts are directly causing job losses and service reductions,” the National Secretary of the CPSU, Nadine Flood said.
“We expect to see similar announcements in coming months as other public sector Departments struggle to cut their budgets.”
She said that after years of cuts and efficiency measures many agencies had nothing left to cut but jobs and services.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Ms Flood said.
“When a $2.2 billion cut is imposed across the Service, job losses will follow.”
She said the cuts at the Bureau of Statistics would have wide-reaching effects since many industries, businesses and Government agencies relied on the expert statistical reports the ABS produced.
“It is a false economy,” Ms Flood said.
17 February, 2012
PM names HQ
to honour PM
The Head Office of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has been named in honour of the Prime Minister who first established the Department, Andrew Fisher.
Mr Fisher was Prime Minister between 1908 and 1915.
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said the naming of the building formed part of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s centenary celebrations.
“The Prime Minister’s Department, as it was then called, was formed in July 1911 in Melbourne before moving to Canberra in 1927 where it occupied a variety of offices before moving to its current home at One National Circuit Barton in 2007,” Ms Gillard said.
“Today the Department plays a central policy development and coordination role across government, realising Andrew Fisher’s vision of an agency that would support the Prime Minister of the day.”
She said the naming of the building was a fitting tribute to an inspiring individual who started work aged 10 as a coal miner, migrated to Australia and rose through the labour movement to serve as Prime Minister three times from 1908-09, 1910-13 and 1914-15.
“Prime Minister Fisher left a powerful legacy including the foundation of the Royal Australian Navy, the Commonwealth Bank, the transcontinental railway and the national capital in Canberra, along with measures to promote fairness including maternity allowances and workers’ compensation for Commonwealth employees,” she said.
“Mr Fisher was Prime Minister at the outbreak of World War One and famously pledged that Australia would defend Britain ‘to our last man and our last shilling’.”
17 February, 2012
Survey questions
now the answer
The Australian Public Service Commission has released the responses made to last year’s annual employee survey which it used to prepare the State of the Service Report and other statistical analyses of the APS.
It is the first time the responses have been made public.
Announcing the release, the Commission said the State of the Service Report 2010–11 contained information on changing workforce trends and organisational capability.
“It details the human resource management practices and other activities of APS agencies,” the Commission said.
“The report draws on a range of information but one of its main data sources is the State of the Service employee survey.”
It said the 2010–11 employee survey involved a stratified random sample of 17,326 APS employees from Agencies with at least 100 APS employees.
“A total of 10,222 valid responses were received, representing a response rate of 59 per cent.”
It said three publications were produced by the Commission in association with the e State of the Service Report 2010–11. These were the Australian Public Service Statistical Bulletin 2010–11; the State of the Service 2010–11 Employee Survey Results; and the State of the Service 2010–11 At a Glance.
It said the APS Commissioner was required to issue a report each year for presentation to the Australian Parliament, and it must include a report on the state of the APS during the year.
It said a copy of the employee survey instrument was included in the State of the Service 2010–11 Employee Survey Results publication.
All of the publications are available at this PS News link.
17 February, 2012
New voting law
to get the tick
New laws targeting the 1.6 million Australians eligible to vote but don’t do so have been introduced into the Federal Parliament.
Special Minister of State, Gary Gray described the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector Participation) Bill 2012 as one of the most significant reforms to electoral laws proposed since the introduction of compulsory enrolment 100 years ago.
Mr Gray said the Australian Electoral Commission estimated that only 90 per cent of eligible Australian citizens were currently enrolled and while the present law required individuals to initiate their own enrolment, the proposed laws would empower the Electoral Commission to do it for them.
“The Bill is a key recommendation of the Joint Standing Committee on electoral matters which examined the conduct of the 2010 Federal election,” Mr Gray said.
“Currently, one and a half million Australians cannot choose their representatives in Parliament – an average of 10,000 per electorate.”
He said that number equated to roughly one and a half million Australians who were excluded from exercising one of the most important rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
He said the same process had been introduced in Victoria in August 2010 and in NSW in September 2010.
“In NSW, there have been tens of thousands of new enrolments per month.
“Information from reliable sources is already used by the Electoral Commission to monitor the accuracy of the Roll and ultimately to remove a person from the roll through objection action.”
He said rather than using the information to remove a person from the roll, it was expected the Electoral Commission would analyse the most reliable and current data available to facilitate a person’s enrolment.
17 February, 2012
Crime Commission
takes aim at guns
The Australian Crime Commission is to conduct a National Intelligence Assessment of the illegal firearm market and its links to gang activity in Australia.
Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Jason Clare said the Assessment would include tracing the firearms linked to the most recent shootings in Western Sydney and Adelaide.
“What has been occurring across Sydney is extremely serious,” Mr Clare said.
“There is a very real risk that someone spraying bullets at a house will kill an innocent person.”
He said the work would provide police across the country with better intelligence to target criminals who supplied and used firearms.
“The National Intelligence Assessment will include trace analysis of firearms linked to drive by and other shootings across the country in the past 12 months,” he said.
“The Australian Crime Commission will work with the Australian Federal Police, State and Territory Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.”
Mr Clare said the Assessment would also involve harnessing information from the USA’s online firearm tracing system E-Trace, which would help piece together the history of illicit firearms and identify points of origin.
“With modern technology and the powers of the ACC we can link firearms and bullets to criminals and build a better intelligence picture of the firearm black market,” he said.
Mr Clare said the preliminary results of the Assessment would be presented to the Standing Council on Law and Justice in April and the final report and recommendations would be presented to the next national meeting of State and Territory Police Ministers in July.
17 February, 2012
Authority signs on
with Rugby League
A new partnership between the National Rugby League and the Organ and Tissue Authority has been announced to encourage more Australians to become organ donors.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King said the NRL partnership would help to normalise organ and tissue donation as a conversation all families needed to have.
“Very few Australians will die in the specific circumstances in hospital where organ donation is possible,” Ms King said.
“In reality it is a rare event
“That is why every family conversation about donation wishes matters – every conversation could one day save lives.”
Director of Community, Culture and Diversity at the NRL, Trish Crews said the partnership would see DonateLife Week being talked about widely in the community.
“The NRL and One Community are proud to support DonateLife Week 2012 and encourage all Australians, particularly young people aged 18-29, to know their loved ones’ wishes with regards to organ donation,” Ms Crews said.
“Like the many successful community, educational and welfare programs we are involved with, DonateLife Week is all about making a difference to people’s lives – it’s about saving and improving the lives of others.”
Meanwhile, Governor General Quentin Bryce launched this year’s DonateLife Week with the announcement that the DonateLife Book of Life would be gifted to the National Library of Australia.
Published by the Organ and Tissue Authority, the DonateLife Book of Life includes the stories of more than 250 Australians whose loved one became a donor or who received a life-saving transplant, and highlights the importance of families knowing each other’s donation wishes.
DonateLife Week is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of the national reform agenda to increase organ and tissue donation for transplantation.
17 February, 2012
Tests made easier
for student visas
The process for overseas students applying for visas to study in Australia is to be made simpler with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announcing lower grade assessment levels for a range of student subclasses from March.
The Minister, Chris Bowen said the changes were in response to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) 2011 review of student visa assessment level settings, which recommended that a number of assessment levels be changed.
“While it was recommended that some assessment levels be increased, I have decided to only implement the reductions,” Mr Bowen said.
He said he did so to support Australia’s international education sector.
“Lowering the minimum evidentiary requirement for the grant of a student visa for selected countries and visa subclasses is expected to help around 10,500 prospective students.”
He said the changes would particularly benefit the postgraduate research sector, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and vocational education and training (VET) providers.
“The reduction in assessment levels builds on the measures implemented as a result of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program, undertaken by Michael Knight, to ensure Australia remains an attractive study option for overseas students,” he said.
Mr Bowen said assessment levels were an important tool in managing the student visa program as they ensured the efficient delivery of services to a diverse range of students while supporting the integrity of Australia’s immigration program.
“Assessment levels align visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by students from every country and in each education sector,” he said.
“They are regularly reviewed and amended to accurately reflect the risk posed by a student cohort.
“Those countries and sectors that were recommended to be subject to an increase in assessment levels will be placed on notice and reviewed as part of any future reforms to the risk management framework.”
17 February, 2012
Charity paper
no giveaway
Treasury has released a discussion paper on national reforms to fundraising rules which promise to cut Government red tape and provide more certainty to Australians donating money to charity.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury said the paper Charitable fundraising regulation reform examined proposals for a new, nationally-consistent approach to the laws that governed charitable fundraising.
Mr Bradbury said the paper sought the community’s views on a range of issues, including any potential exemptions for smaller charities, regulation of the conduct of fundraisers, the use of internet fundraising and fundraising by third parties on behalf of charities.
“Almost every State and Territory of Australia has a law regulating fundraising by charities,” Mr Bradbury said.
“These differences create a compliance burden for those charities that raise funds in more than one State or Territory.”
He said under the proposals, charities would only need to comply with one law, no matter where in Australia they conducted their fundraising activities.
“The Productivity Commission recommended reform of Australia’s fundraising laws to reduce the regulatory burden on the not-for-profit sector in its 2010 report, Contribution of the Not for-profit sector, and these proposals are now being advanced in the spirit of the National Compact that was made between the Government and the not-for-profit sector,” Mr Bradbury said.
“The Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission (ACNC), the new regulator for the sector, would also have oversight of the national framework and provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for reporting on fundraising by charities.”
He said it was proposed that State and Territory regulators would also continue to play a role in jointly regulating fundraising under a national law.
The discussion paper is available at www.treasury.gov.au and submissions will be accepted until 5 April 2012.
17 February, 2012
University offers
pass the test
New data from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education has shown that more than 220,000 university offers were made this year.
The figures represent an increase of more than four per cent compared to the same time last year.
Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans described it as a tremendous result.
“By removing the restrictions on the number of places available, the Government’s reforms have opened the doors of universities to more students than ever before,” Senator Evans said.
“In 2012 the Government expects to fund more than 500,000 undergraduate places.
“This data proves we are well and truly on track to achieving the target of 40 per cent of Australians aged between 25 and 34 to have achieved a bachelor degree by 2020.”
He said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Gender Indicators data revealed that 40 per cent of women in the 25-34 age bracket had already achieved a bachelor degree or above.
“To have 40 per cent of women qualified to bachelor degree level or above is a tremendous result – not only for those individuals, but also for the economy as we strive to build the skill sets needed to fill the jobs of the future,” the Minister said.
“There are now 35 per cent of 25-34 year olds who have attained this level of qualification, up from 31.9 per cent in 2008.”
Senator Evans said the achievement was an important economic reform.
“Skills Australia has forecast that by 2025 a third of all jobs will require a minimum of a bachelor degree qualification,” he said.
“The jobs of the future are going to require higher levels of skill and knowledge – a university education is a ticket to the high paid, high skilled jobs of tomorrow.
The higher the skills in our workforce, the better the outlook for our economy and productivity.”
17 February, 2012
Defence program unveiled
The 2012 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP) has been announced.
The program gives all Australian Senators and Members of Parliament the opportunity to experience first hand what it is like to serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Parliamentarians are offered a number of ADF attachment options each year ranging from five to 10 days, with 19 attachment options on offer this year.
Parliamentarians often work in uniform beside the men and women of the ADF.
Phone renewals ready
The reissue of spectrum licences for mobile phone and wireless broadband services is being arranged.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is to reissue the licences to incumbent licence holders potentially raising around $3 billion over the next four years.
Details can be accessed at this PS News link.
Protective Officers graduate
Twenty new Australian Federal Police Protective Service Officers have graduated following a 14-week training course.
The training regime included security, defensive tactics, firearms and officer safety training, crime scene preservation, public order management, explosive awareness, and traffic management.
The Officers will be deployed to sites including Pine Gap, Holsworthy Army Barracks, Garden Island Naval Base, Duntroon Military College, The Lodge, Diplomatic Protection Unit Canberra Headquarters Joint Operations Command, and National Parliament House.
Stamps attract technology
Australia Post is celebrating the technological revolution with five domestic rate (60c) stamps featuring the mobile phone, modern refrigerator, flat-screen television, digital media player and the Global Positioning System (GPS).
The Technology – Then and Now stamp issue was designed by Stacey Zass and the stamps are available now.
Language trial for NBN
A three-year trial of virtual English language tuition using the National Broadband Network has been announced.
The trial will initially involve up to 200 new migrants and will complement the Australian Government’s existing Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
The new initiative will be made available progressively from later this year with a comprehensive evaluation in 2013-14.
Country being cared for
Forty-three groups across Australia are to receive increased support under the Caring for our Country program.
Caring for our Country supports volunteers and community groups to make a difference to their local area.
The latest round supports farmers in managing important environmental sites and 11targeted projects to establish local wildlife corridors will also be supported.
The list of successful recipients can be accessed at this PS News link.
Community reps required
Community volunteers have been invited to represent the Regional Development Australia (RDA) committee in the ACT.
RDA committees engage with local communities to maximise economic growth, flexibility, diversity and resilience.
Members of RDA committees have strong relationships with their communities.
People of all backgrounds are encouraged to submit an expression of interest.
More information and EOI forms can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Medals pin down
PS excellence
Departments and Agencies across Australia have presented their Australia Day Achievement Medallions for 2012, acknowledging the outstanding performance of hundreds of staff members.
Administered by the National Australia Day Council, the medallions are normally presented to the recipients at special functions in association with Australia Day events.
The achievers recognised with medallions in 2012 were:
Aboriginal Hostels Limited
Veronica AhWang
Nerida Baker
Tamara Fraser
Fay Halatanu
Sven Mick
Lara Ruttley
Ronald Satour
Cara Smith
Donna Staudinger
Airservices Australia
Tim Dalton
Phil Lascala
Dan Mulherin
John Noonan
Ross Sapwell
Austrac
Paul Amiguet
Shane Campbell
Todd Harland
Jessica Horey
Alistair Sands
Austrade
Marcia Kimball
Australia Bureau of Statistics
Sally Walker
Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Peter Baddiley
Australian Customs & Border Protection Service
Teresa Barnett
Allison Bartolo
Colin Beveridge
Nicholas Brady
Nicholas Brain
Don Brand
Kaye Bunn
Ian Burchfield
Julie Calvert
Catherine Carroll
Christopher Carse
Bonnie Conabere
Elaine Coutinho
Jane Denny
Jonah De Pedro
Peter Dickson
Tonie Differding
Carmel Dinuzzo
Anne Dobney
Cihan Donma
Paul Dutfield
Tammy Evans
Daniela Fekonja
Rhonda Ferraro
Craig Gathercole
Margaret Gaughwin
Tony Gillin
Nick Hallam
Sandi Harris
Louise Homer
Emma Howgate
Taibul Islam
Rosemary Jakovceski
Janeena Jamal
Maree Kaleta
Brigid Keating
Megan Kelly
Brad Kennedy
Lisa Keomany
Alicia Kinna
Janny Knight
Melissa La Mancusa
Michelle Lewis
Stephanie Lillywhite
Brian Madigan
Sheryll Mamangum
Cara McGloin
Peter Metaxas
Allan Miller
Stephanie Mitten
Kate Mollison
Fiona Myers
Jennifer Nielsen
Stephen North
Carol Oakley
Julie Olarenshaw
Candy Olin
Ann Oti
Tanya Parker
Sylvain Pasquier
Mario Pozzulo
Shiranee Rexley
Kylie Rusiniak
Benjamin Scutts
Kerrie Sherwood
Janette Smith
Min Snopkowski
Sarah Summers
Catherine Sutherland
Ron Sutherland
Jo-Anne Tran
Dan Trotter
Ngoc Truong
Michael Turner
Phil Turner
Lesieli Vakauta
Suzanne Vivian
Gavin Wallace
Darren Webb
Kate Whittaker
Julie Williamson
Australian Electoral Commission
Stuart Fraser
Brett Milic
Justin Peisley
Vickie Stevenson
Australian Hearing Services
Shan De Silva
Catherine Hart
Katie Johnson
Suzi Marcos
Jan Welsh
Customer Service Centre Team
Felicity Allan
Cathy Bishop
Anthony Bolger
Karen Burman
Louise Clarke
Jody Davis
David Ford
Lynnette Gallagher
Maureen Goodwin
Russell Kesby
Lyn Latham
Robyn Locke
Helen Morgan
Fiona O’Brien
Vicky Powell
Amanda Ross
Anne Watkins
Renae Watson
Kylie Weaver
Nena Wilkinson
Sue Zwaan
Australian Government Solicitor
Kate Abbott
Peter Benson
Cheryl Brickell
Mary Bryden
Robert Cole
Gemma Creegan
David Crossan
Helen Curtis
Sarah Encel
Jayne French
Bridget Gilmore-Walsh
Narelle Graefe
Christine Hanley
Lici Inge
Catherine Langman
Di Martin
Jessica Miller
Bronwyn Neroni
Robyn Nielsen
Meredith Osborne
Ros Phillips
Susie Popovski
Yvonne Suter
Dale Watson
Steve Webber
Bianca Wellington
Jean Wilkie
Rachel York
Australian National Audit Office
John Hawley
Andrew Huey
John Jones
Tamie Plant
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
John Bowdler
David Garton
Mark Hurry
Dino Ius
Geoffrey Malone
Garry Scott
Rodney Secomb
Margaret Steuart
Australian Public Service Commission
Individual Awards
Melinda Kopilow
Adele Moncur
Team Award – Agency Bargaining Team
Roger Tarlinton
Marco Spaccavento
Lesley Butt
Diane Collins
Kathleen McDevitt
Karen Williams
Margaret O’Brien
Ruth Cain
Sue Williamson
Shannon Wykes
Jillian Prideaux
Phillip Marlan
Australian Securities & Investment Commission
Individuals
Yotta Cominos
Alister Dunne
Paul Eastment
Bernadette Jeynes
Colin Luxford
David Mawson
Murray McKenny
Greg McLeod
Trish Nadebaum
Elizabeth Palmela
Boon Quah
Leah Sciacca
Andivina Uy
Matthew White
Strategic Data Centre team
Fred Dy
Grahame Hawke
Adrian Macri
Maurizio Maiese
Gregory McDermid
Anthony McGrath
Greg Middleton
Benjamin Palmer
Nigel Purdey
Paolo Rech
Ben Tran
Rick Vawser
David Worrall
Conciliation Team - SCT
Paul Anderson
Linda Elliott
Kerry Free
Angelo Moretti
Compulsory Powers Team
Eric Alexiades
Adriana Bianchi
Credit Outreach Team
Hannan Amin
Amanda Barker
Michelle Bonardi
Jillian Burgess
Diane Hayes
Kristiana Kilvert
Duncan Poulson
Lisa Summers
Greg Trengrove
Moneysmart Team
Heidi Baker
Elaine Chang
Andrew Dadswell
Katie Davis
Robert Drake
Louise Evic
Adam Golightly
Kristen Hannah
Nicole Hoschke
Pauline Kaufman
Warren Mak
Shevaune Marchingo
Lyn Morriss
Samantha Reader
Kaylene Rutherford
Judith Waller
Amanda Westcott
Centro Team
Mark Bielecki
Savas Miriklis
Nathalie Pietsch
Scott Purdon
Trio Taskforce – Civil team
Melanie Baxter
Conrad Gray
Thaw Thaw Htin
Cathy Lee
Murray Robertson
Tim Walker
Prospectuses Team
Alphonsus deRoza
Jane Gouvernet
Andrew Kim
Claire LaBouchardiere
Fiona Laidlaw
Daniel Pallaras
Centro Reconstruction Team
Dulce Asensi
Kim Demarte
Anthony Graham
James Grapsas
James Nott
Michelle Reid
ABC Learning Team
Chris Davitt
Paul Dunn
Anna Duong
Helen Falvey
Heather Gibson
David Hayton
Tim Kelly
Kelly Mardon
Sandy Pintamalli
Deborah Richmond
David Watson
Paul Whittaker
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
David Templeton
Australian Sports Commission
Gregory Anderson
Liz Board
Kieran Charge
Sam Ceravolo
Christine Higgisson
Elizabeth Hilhorst
Ivan Hooper
Timothy Jopling
David Martin
Tara O’Hanlon
Mark Pepper
David Purcell
Troy Richards
Christopher Rummery
Amy Stewart
Michael Wachniewski
David Worthy
Australian Taxation Office
Donna Cameron
Jody Douglas
John Leonard
Nicki Pittendreigh
Tracy Robertson
Treasury
John Quinn
Mike Waslin
Attorney-General’s Department
Stephen Abbey
BrankoAnanijevski
Nicole Asman
JoeleneAzzopardi
Catherine Baily
Chloe Baldwin
Tracy Ballantyne
Catherine Barker
JasminBarker-Mitchell
Tanya Boulter
Luke Brown,
Mark Carpenter
Loren Cousins
Simone Davenport
Penelope Davie
Kate Deronne
RobynDevin
JanetteDines,
SharonElliott
KatrinaFairburn
Georgia Flynn
Matthew Ford
Petra Gartmann
Mark Goldsby
Graeme Gunn
Nicholas Halbert-Lillyman
Andrew Haslock,
Mark Hayes
Matthew Hobbs
Rachael Holland
Majda Hordern
Robyn Hunt
Tara Inverarity
Sophie Ismail
Ian Jaggard
Ryan Kennedy
Aaron Kim
Kurt Lindner
Owen Lodge
Eva Logan,
Claire Major
Caroline McGregor
Lee Mills
Daniel Mogaldeanu
Rheannon Nicholson
Ross Oakman
Tracey Pearce
Adam Raszewski
Janean Richards
Elena Rosenman
Douglas Rutherford
Olivia Shen
Stelios Shizas
Mayuran Sivarasa
Christopher Skinner
Jayston Spindler
Geoffrey Thornthwaite
Jane Vucago
Kerry Wallace
Paul Warren
Leith Watson
ShelleyWest
DanicaYanchenko
Bureau of Meteorology
Peter Baddiley
Comsuper
Drew Alsford
Nik Bibrowicz
Kirby Birks
Kylie Black
Katie Bogg
Jarred Brown
Yolanda Chesworth
Trish Collareda
Heather Cooper
Rachel Davies
Kristina Donevska
Fiona Dowling
Bronwyn Edwards
Rhys Fitzpatrick
Nicole Greenwood
Gemma Halliday
Andrew Hambridge
Marlene Leonard
Scarlett McKone
Angela Miller
Maureen O’Connell
Bridie O’Gorman
Sophie Payne
Candice Pese
Karli Ross
James Royle
Tracy Savage
Nicole Sawyer
Jess Tomlinson
Kenneth Turner
Leesa Turner
Kerri Wegener
Siobahn White
Lianne Willis
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Rhonda Anderson
Simon Anderson
Neil Andrews
Briony Backhouse Harris
Hilary Barker
Madeleine Baldwin
Darryl Barbour
Jonathan Barker
Matthew Bartlett
Lisa Borella
Wendy Brigg
Melanie Buckley
James Bullock
Neil Burns
Kylie Calhoun
John Clover
Barbara Cooper
Bill Crowe
Tim Crowe
Robert Curtotti
Helen Delany
Filiz Demirezen
Kal Doshi
Michelle Doumit
Jenny Dunn
Suzanne Eggins
Brendan Finch
Glenda Gore
Geoff Grossel
Ros Harper
Robert Heard
Alyssa Hicks
Tim Ipkendanz
Rob Keane
Marc Kelly
Timothy Lamb
Lucy Lintermans
Live Animal Export Taskforce
Mal Love
Derek Maclean
Oriana Mamone
Gary Maroske
Catherine Mathenge
Chris Miller
Erin Mooney
Tom Parnell
Darren Peck
Amy Phillips
Alex Powell
Michelle Regan
Duane Roberts
Heather Rockwell
Carol Sheridan
Maninder Singh
Matthew Smyth
David Spencer
Ilona Stobutzki
Jonathan Taylor
Andreza Viana-Toledo
Simon Vieira
Patricia Voigt
Galen Waterford
Nathan Welk
Varsha Wesley
Allyn White
Ben White
Jason Widdowson
Anna Willock
James Woodhams
Heidi Young
Department of Defence
David Abery
Matthew Abraham
Thomas Adams
Wendy Alderman
Kate Alston
Paul Anderson
Shane Anderson
Michael Apperley
Bruce Appleby
Steven Atkins
Leith Bache
Michael Bailey
Kevin Bannerman
Elliott Bator
Mathew Bennett
Robert Birse
Craig Blakeley
Bruno Blasi
Michael Bohdal
Anne Borzycki
Vincent Boyle
Nicole Bradley
Gabrielle Burrell
Pamela Buxton-Barber
John Campbell
Simon Carr
Joshua Carter
Melissa Cayzer
Richard Charles
Gregory Cheney
Cameron Clark
Danella Cole
Ian Cole
Kerry Collins
Marie Congdon
Keith Contessa
Arron Convery
Joshua Cooper
Pamela Corby
Ivan Corluka
Amanda Cox
Kylie Cox
Daniel Creech
Karen Creelman
Robert Creelman
Matthew Curtis
Esther Dank
Morea Darroch
Julie Dawson
Samuel Day
Hester De La Guerra
Luke D’elton
Dimitrious Dimas
Janelle Diment
Cassady Distel-Rose
John Drummond
Debbie Dunbar
Melissa Dwyer
Steven Dyer
Judy Elliot
Joseph Elliott
Robyn Enman
Timothy Fagan
Andrew Fletcher
Eric Foster
Gertruida Fourie
Candice Freeman
Craig Gallard
Nicholas Gell
Marie Giannasca
Joel Goodisson
Rachelle Graves
John Gray
James Grey
Anthony Griffin
Laurence Guest
Hilary Hall
Rowena Hall
Robyn Hamstra
Tonia Handcock
Peter Hannan
Norman Harrison
Daniel Harvey
Andrea Hateley
Daniel Hatton
Sean Hawkins
Philip Hay
David Haynes
Kristi Heffernan
Melissa Hennessy
Peter Hetherington
Terence Hetherington
Anthony Highley
Rachel Hinterholzl
Matthew Hitchcock
Kathryn Holdway
Ashley Holland
Brendon Holm
Jennifer Hotham
Andrew Ive
Valent Karlusic
Charles Kearnan
Richard Keepers-Heath
Deborah Kemp
Daniel Kempster
Barbara Kenny
Susanna Kiemann
Pamela Kirby
Dennis Knight
David Knox
Alex Kochevatkin
Josie Kretschmer
David Kumar
Robert Kyle
Robyn Lacey
Mark Layton
Ian Lindsay
Gavin Locke
Kenneth Locker
Christopher Lockwood
Chantal Lorbach
Bronwen Mackenzie
Susan Makkonen
Scott Malone
Geoffrey Malouf
Carina Mangini
Lisa Mansell
Joanne Mazlin
Matthew McConkey
Dion McCrabb
Paul McEwan
Kylie McGuinness
Simon McKechnie
Dene McKinlay
Anthony McLane
Bruce McNeice
Kerry Meagher
Michael Meredith
Graeme Meyer
Peter Midgley
Nathan Minett
Nicholas Mitchell
Sussane Mitchell
Michael Morris
Keith Muller
Bruce Murray
Sandra Nicholson
Janine Nimmo
Janelle Oates
Terence O’Brien
William O’Brien
Robert O’Byrne
Malcolm O’Neill
Barbra Parker
Darren Pay
Ross Peck
Edgar Perks
Kim Perry
Sarah Petchell
Michelle Peterkin
Paul Picker
David Pimm
Alison Poole
Sandra Purnell
John Raptis
Ian Raymond
Ryan Reader
Paul Redfern
Christine Rees
Keira Richards
Macaela Richardson
Antony Rigby
Scott Robbins
Rosalie-Anne Rodrigues
Craig Rohse
Heather Roles
Dale Rule
Maurice Rutherford
Vicki Salmond
Darryl Sanders
Emily Sapwell
Stephane Sarazin
Nadrra Sarkis
Gary Schiffke
Walter Schiller
Brendan Schmidt
Andrew Scholten
Glenn Scott
Paula Sear
Susan Sefton
James Shackleton
Nigel Shaw
Kathryn Shawcross
Colin Sherriff
Lisa Shone
Nicole Smith
Paul Smith
Sharon Smith
Troy Smith
Wade Smith
Bryan Southwell
Louise Southwell
Leah Spratt
Bradley Stagg
Michael Starkey
Sean Starrenburg
Ralph Steffan
Michael Steffens
Fergus Stewart
Tracy Stewart
Michael Stoop
Anne Strode
Merridy Thompson
David Thomson
David Thornton
Meredith Turner
Brendan Twine
Elisha Tyrrell
Dirk Van Dorssen
Matthew Vermey
Suzanne Vincent
Desmond Waddell
Vashti Wadwell
Roderick Waites
Craig Watkins
Andrew Webb
Ian West
Mark Whitburn
Brenton Whitington
Jan Wieczorek
Peter Wilcox
Russell Wylie
Dharma Yonganathan
Tamara Zeck
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Jason Ashurst
Carmen Ball
Lesley Carey
Adam Cason
Tom Guan
Clare Johnson
Caterina Laria
Jane Lloyd
Stuart Malloch
Philip Mason
Andrew Maurer
Lea McAuley
Miranda Ng
Simon Quarrell
Emmanuel Renaut
Kerri Russ
Joseph Sheehan
Christopher Simkus
Daniel Tangri
Gary Williamson
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Silver Achievement Medallion
Australian Embassy, Cairo; Middle East Branch; and supplementary staff
Australian Embassy, Tokyo and the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami Emergency Response Team
Australian High Commission, Wellington
Bronze Achievement Medallion
Monica Hart,
Kenny Mok
Department of the House of Representatives
Catherine Cornish
Barry Gwyther
Maureen Larkham (posthumous)
Department of Health & Ageing
Individuals
Kirrily Harrison
Abel MacDonald
Managers
Simon Cotterell
Lucelle Veneros
Teams
OATSIH Funding agreement taskforce
Mental health reform taskforce
Health reform campaign team
Tobacco reform section
Strategic review taskforce
Aged care complaints scheme
Team responsible for the amalgamation of Cancer Australia and National Breast & Ovarian Cancer Centre (Cancer Services Section)
Department of Human Services
Individuals
Veronica Barwick
Michael Benfield
Sam Butler
Kelly Davis
Jenny Dawson
Paul De Morton
Lijilana Djordjevic
Denise Driessen
Jill Farnbach
Ellen Ferris
Silvana Green
Patsie Gubler
Alison Lane
David Langdon
Sally Martin
Felicity Maymann
Sue Morrison
Blake Murphy
Dianne Newman
Mirko Oklobdzija
Ken Pogson
Yunus Rashid
Doug Scott
Tracey Sheather
Mark Stapleton
Kerrie Terry
Lisa Thirlway
Kurt Tuthill
Mercedes Velez
Teams
CCRT Project Team
Corporate Training Team
Customer Management Project Team
Enterprise Agreement Team
Galleria DHS Service Centre
HR Systems Team
Indigenous Apprenticeship Program
JCA Redesign Project
Service Commitments Project Team
Toowong Teams
Weipa Remote Servicing Team
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
Chris Abell
Celia Acworth
Sonia Agostino
Antonio Balaguer
Di Ballantyne
Krisztian Baranyai
Stuart Boag
Joanne Bright
Sarah Brown
Ian Buchanan
Tris Cattell
Mic Doble
Paul Drake
Melissa eaton
Russell Edwards
Chris Enders
Mara Franco
Darren Goddard
Catrin Goebel
Luke Hendrickson
Nicole Henry
Jan Herrmann
Kristina Huynh
Simone Johnson
Felicity Jones
Malcoom Jones
Gordana Josipovic
Claire Latimer
Alison Manion
Margaret Marshall
Clare McLaughlin
Hal Painter
Steven Playford
Liz Posmyk
Abdul Quader
Rissa Raymundo
Frances Roden
Nishara Somasundaram
Brett Still
Stephen Stoddart
Sharyn Sturgeon
Louise Talbot
Jocelyn Taylor
Gilliam Treloar
Brigit Verey
Izabella Warner
Tony Weer
Kelly West
David Wilson
Nick Yazidjoglou
Edi Zivkovic
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ruth Adam
Emma Baudinette
DanielBolger
LaurenBurke
Julie Campigli
Anne Carnevale
Jennifer Carson
Daniel Casey
Joe Castellino
Catherine Charleson
Rebecca Christie
Virginia Cook
Zoe Cox
Alex Cullum
Gavin Dimond
John Fisher
Kelly Fisher
Jan Fuhrman
Scott Goldsworthy
JessicaHall
Jillian Harding
KatrinaHarmston
Philip Hart
Judi Holgate
Felicity Hugg
JoanneJackson
Adam Jagla
Irene Kilian
Mark Laduzko
Judy Lai
Frank Leverett
Susan Mathew
Emma McCombe
AaronMcDonnell
Melissa Moore
AyeshaNawaz
Sheryl Pedashenko
John Preston
PatrickRayward
Dana Robertson
AllisonRound
Peter Rouse
GarethSebar
Felicity Smith
Sara Smith
GeorgeSteel
Nektarios Tsirbas
David Turvey
Karyn Vance
JanelleWalker
Gillian White
Andrew Willis
DebbieWoods
Lindsay Youman
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Peta Alderman
Belinda Andrews
Elizabeth Atkin
Jenny Avery
Regina Baker
Genevieve Ball
Marilyn Bell
Liam Best
Julie Bicker
Denise Borg
Douglas Breckenridge
Graham Brill
Sally Brunton
Boyd Buffett
Trevor Carles
Shaun Carroll
Merilee Chignell
Dorothy Cross
Rebecca Crowther
Christine Day
Wayne Delahoy
Carol Edward
Brooke Ellis
Brian Emery
William English
Steve Evans
Zanna Evans
Sue Falez
Rebecca Fleming
Sarah Fritz
Matthew Gray
Judith Halligan
Jennifer Hamer
Leo Hammond
Leona Hardman
Jane Henderson
James Higgins
Nicole Hoffman
Hamish Hudson
Greg Joyner
Mariusz Kalinowski
Margaret Kastner
Jennifer Kerven
Mathew Kerwin
Cathy Key
Tenille Kues-Sales
Julie Lahey
Allan Lambden-Stewart
Anne Maas
Kess Mackay
Ariane Mandavy
Glenda Mann
Justine Mannix
Kerrie Martain
Tiffany McIntyre
Julie McRae
Naomi Mulcahy
Luke Murton
Kevin Orr
Marin Page
Robert Pianezzola
Mahaluxmy Ravindran
Colin Riordan
Keira Robinson
Lisa Sampson
Donna Schreder
Andrea Shearer
Judy Shrimpton
Peter Smee
Jessica Southerton
Padmini Srinivasan
Peta Stevenson
Matthew Tai
Addy Tandoh
Anthony Thew
David Thomas
Judie Tough
Elizabeth Townsend
Paw Tsang
Tim Tucker
Paula Turley
Natasha Weatherburn
Tanya Weatherhog
Soloman Weldemichael
Melita Wykes
Joe Zammit
Mark Ziegenfusz
Family Court of Australia
Jolie Lamont
Diane Lojszczyk
Nathaniel George Lozberis.
Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
Emma Crutchfield
Susan Haysom
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Rhonda Banks
Kevin Edison
Josh Gibson
Leigh Gray
Olivia McKenna
Mark Read
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia
Lirazel Cowper
Troy Knowler
Leanne Mallett
Charles Smith
Steven Spears
Glenn Tyler
Megan Urbach
Noel Wharton
IP Australia
Jennifer Bowen-Smith
Amy Lang
Clair McInally
Anne O’Donoghue
Garth Powell
Humayun Quireshi
Terri-Anne Withers
National Archives of Australia
Medallions
Lauren Banks
Barbara Berce
Cristian Contreras
Michaela Forster
Felicity Frost
Khyati Sevak
William Soo
Katharine Stuart
Dave Wilson
Special Commendations
Tatiana Antsoupova
Arlene Binoya
Emma Buckley
Richard Day
Rod Hall
David Hearder
Susan Lillywhite
Matthew Lyons
Marco Wallenius
Brennan Wong
Linda Zakman
National Gallery of Australia
Deborah Hart
Teresita Cashmore
Anna Gray
Kirsti Partridge
Hester Gascoigne
National Library of Australia
Individuals
Anna Abbott
Meredith Batten
Geoff Bramich
Candice Cappe
Helen Franz
Susan Gaw
Paul Hagon
Lydia Preiss
Team Awards
Copies Direct Redevelopment Team
The Main Reading Room Maintenance Team
The Australian Separation Project
National Museum of Australia
Jenny Burgess
Barry Lambert
Michael Pickering
Tikka Wilson
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Sarah Ghali
Ryan McConville
Andrew Solomon
Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor General
Todd Burns
Cathy Burton
Kerry Cox
Nathan McKenzie
14 February, 2012
Black mark for red
tape in audit
An audit of funding arrangements for Indigenous organisations to deliver services on behalf of the Government has found that administrative paperwork and red tape could sometimes threaten the effectiveness of the delivery programs.
In his report Capacity Development for Indigenous Service Delivery, Auditor-General, Ian McPhee says the administrative loads, and other issues could impact on the capacity of the organisations to deliver but the three main Departments that contracted with them evaluated the risks differently, leading to inconsistent policies and uneven results.
He said his audit assessed the extent to which the Departments – Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Health and Ageing (DoHA) – sought to reduce the risks.
“The objective of the audit was to assess the extent to which FaHCSIA, DEEWR and DoHA seek to reduce service delivery risks posed by capacity constraints in Indigenous organisations,” Mr McPhee said.
“Given the overall level of funding, the service delivery capacity of Indigenous organisations is an important element.”
He said the extent of administration associated with individual funding agreements could create a high administration load for organisations, limiting the utilisation of existing capacity for the actual delivery of programs and services.
He said these were likely to present risks to the achievement of service delivery and program outcomes.
Mr McPhee said the three Departments had developed approaches to assessing risk but they tended to focus on identifying and treating risks that were internal to organisations.
“There are opportunities and benefits, within programs and also at a whole of government level, to develop strategies for the medium to longer term that seek to reduce, or mitigate, risk by addressing issues that affect the service delivery capacity of organisations,” Mr McPhee said.
He said there had been some efforts to support and enable capacity in organisations, but they had not been uniform across the departments and progress had been uneven.
“In the absence of an overall strategy, the impact of individual initiatives within programs is likely to be limited, and may lead to duplication in implementation or a piecemeal approach,” he said.
“More attention is required to give fuller effect to the National Indigenous Reform Agreement and better support service delivery capacity in Indigenous organisations.”
The audit made three recommendations including that the departments review their current funding approaches and supporting arrangements, and where appropriate, consider other options such as longer?term partnerships or core support.
The full report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team included Andrew Pope, Sarah Pratt, Phillip Taylor and Emily Wells.
14 February, 2012
Official disaster app
breaks new ground
An official smartphone app that delivers official disaster information has been downloaded more than 10,000 times since its launch in early December.
Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland said the success of the free DisasterWatch app had resulted in fewer calls to Triple Zero for information.
“This frees up Triple Zero to quickly help people who really need it,” Mr McClelland said.
“I encourage more Australians to download this free smartphone app to get quick access to information about emergencies and disasters across the country.”
He said the DisasterWatch app pulled up–to-date disaster information into a user’s mobile device via direct feeds from a range of authoritative State, Territory and national sources.
“Now that the disaster season is underway with recent events across the country, DisasterWatch gives the 4.5 million Australians who currently own smartphones, access to a free and instant source for the latest disaster information,” he said
“Nearly half of all calls to Triple Zero are non-urgent calls and when a disaster happens, calls are often requests for information about the disaster.
“If more people use DisasterWatch we can reduce unnecessary calls to Triple Zero and keep this important service available for emergencies.”
Mr McClelland said app users could also let the Government know what other features they might like to see included by sending their ideas to the Australian Emergency Management Institute.
“There has been considerable interest in this app, and it is great to see so many Australia’s engaging with information on disaster risk through this technology,” Mr McClelland said.
“We are always looking at new ways to provide Australians with emergency management information. I urge people to tell us how we can expand the app.”
He said the feedback line was at this PS News link.
DisasterWatch is available for both Android and iPhone and more information is available from this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Parliamentarians see
allowances unseated
New laws scrapping a range of entitlements and perks of office for serving and former Federal politicians have been introduced into Parliament by the Special Minister of State, Gary Gray.
Mr Gray said long-standing expensive travel entitlements would be scrapped or slashed, including the Life Gold Pass, overseas study travel, and post-Parliamentary service travel.
He said the legislation would also limit undesirable windfall superannuation gains resulting from decisions of the independent Remuneration Tribunal.
“After completing a comprehensive work-value study, the Tribunal indicated in its initial report of December 2011 that it would determine that the base annual salary for Federal Parliamentarians should increase from $140,910 to $185,000 per year, once the link between additional pensions provided under the 1948 superannuation scheme and additional salaries payable to Parliamentary office holders and Ministers is severed,” Mr Gray said.
He said the Tribunal’s recommendations included additional salaries for shadow ministers; closure of the Life Gold Pass scheme; termination of the present Overseas Study Travel entitlement; greatly limited severance travel entitlement; severance of the link between pensions under the 1948 scheme and current Parliamentary office holder and Ministerial salaries; and the introduction, consistent with the recommendations made by the Tribunal in 1986, of workers compensation arrangements for Parliamentarians.
Mr Gray said the Tribunal would make its determinations after the passage of the legislation.
He said more information on the remuneration reforms could be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Payrate progress
makes union list
The Community and Public Sector Union has collated a status report on progress towards new Enterprise Agreements across the APS.
The summary, which appears on the CPSU website, sets out the current situations in 13 entities:
Defence
In-principle agreement reached. New offer subject to approval of the Australian Public Service Commission, CPSU members and Secretary of Defence.
Defence Housing Australia (DHA)
Bargaining representatives have returned to negotiations after a no vote in 2011.
CSL Limited
Negotiations to commence in March.
Telstra
The current Telstra Enterprise Agreement expires in September.
ACT Public Service (ACTPS)
All but five agreements in the ACTPS now finalised. Remaining agreements proceeding to all staff votes soon.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
Ballot for protected action closes 16 February 2012. Management has refused to negotiate on key issues.
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
Updated salary on offer and discussions on a one off productivity payment open. CPSU seeking back pay.
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
Bargaining recommenced.
Migration Review Tribunal (the MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (the RRT)
Delegates preparing a ‘vote no’ campaign following membership support for protected action ballot.
National Museum of Australia (NMA)
Bargaining close to conclusion.
Senate
Bargaining began in January.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
Bargaining has commenced.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
ACARA is undertaking its first ever collective bargain.
The full report can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
New energy programs
plugged in
A new package of energy efficiency programs designed to drive smarter energy use in business, Local Government, households and communities for a clean energy future has been launched.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Effiency, Greg Combet said the programs would enable all Australians, regardless of where they lived or how much they earned, to harness the opportunities of a low carbon future.
Mr Combet said the programs would be delivered in partnership with business, councils and community groups.
The programs include the Community Energy Efficiency Program which would be allocated $200 million to assist Local Government, not-for-profit and community organisations to undertake energy efficiency upgrades to community infrastructure; the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program which would have $100 million to support groups of service providers to demonstrate smarter energy use in low income households across Australia; and the Energy Efficiency Information Grants program which will be given $40 million to support small and medium sized businesses and community groups by providing information and advice on making smarter energy choices.
Mr Combet said for regional communities and smaller Councils, the programs would make it easier to access assistance and support in the transition to a low carbon future.
“We are taking action now to ensure a clean energy future, so we can hand the next generation an Australia that is ready to face the challenges of the future,” Mr Combet said.
The guidelines for each of the programs were available and applications opened on 13 February 2012.
More information about the programs can be accessed individually at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
ACCC buys into
consumer rights
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a media campaign urging people to be aware of their consumer rights.
Chairman of the ACCC, Rod Sims said the campaign was in response to research that showed only 10 per cent of consumers understood their rights when it came to a faulty product or a substandard service.
“From Dandenong to Darwin the ACCC is letting people know when it’s not right, use your rights,” Mr Sims said.
He said if it was not right, consumers were entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.
“We now have a single national law so that no matter where you shop in Australia you have the same rights to a repair, replacement or refund for a faulty product or unsatisfactory service,” he said.
“If products don’t work as promised or don’t work at all you have rights as a consumer regardless of whether you bought it online, in a shop, full-price or on sale.”
Mr Sims said these rights were called Consumer Guarantees and were within the Australian Consumer Law.
He said Consumer Guarantees applied to new products, second hand goods and sale items sold through retail and hire outlets or online.
He said the guarantees also covered the supply of services.
“Whether you are buying a watch or a washing machine, brand new or pre-loved, at full price or bagging a bargain, consumers can put their faith in the products they purchase, or expect the retailer or manufacturer to fix the problem,” Mr Sims said.
“Retailers cannot have signs or policies that state ‘no refunds’ as they imply it is not possible to get a refund under any circumstance when this is not the case.
“These Consumer Guarantees are rock solid and apply regardless of any manufacturers or extended warranty.”
Mr Sims said radio and online advertisements would reinforce these messages and help consumers exercise their rights where appropriate to a repair, replacement or refund.
He said if direct contact with the retailer failed to resolve the situation, consumers were urged to contact their local state or territory consumer protection agency or the ACCC.
14 February, 2012
Indigenous Parliament
scouting for members
The Australian Electoral Commission has called for applications from young Indigenous people to represent their communities at the first National Indigenous Youth Parliament to be held in Canberra in May.
Australian Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn said 48 young Indigenous Australians were being sought to represent their community and develop skills that could make a difference in their community.
Mr Killesteyn said the Youth Parliament would bring potential future Indigenous leaders from around the country to Canberra to talk about issues affecting their communities and country, to learn about how laws were made and to have their voices heard by the people who made the laws.
He said six young Indigenous Australians would be selected from each State and Territory.
“Any Indigenous Australian aged 16 to 25 is eligible to apply, and you don’t require any particular skills or experience apart from wanting to have a say in what’s going on in your community and your country,” Mr Killesteyn said.
He said selection would be based on applicants’ community involvement, their ideas and interest in government and the parliamentary process.
“The aim of the Youth Parliament is to help close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation, by promoting youth advocacy, active community leadership and a commitment to democratic processes,” he said.
Applications were now open and would close on Friday 30 March 2012.
The application pack can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Limits placed on
frequency auction
The Minister for Broadband and Communications has ordered the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to impose limits on the amount of radiofrequency spectrum bidders at an upcoming digital auction can purchase.
The Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said the limits would ensure continued competition in Australia’s mobile communications sector.
Senator Conroy said a competition limit of 2x20 MHz would apply to spectrum in the 700 MHz band and a limit of 2x40 MHz of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band.
He said no one would be permitted to purchase more than the limit for each band.
“These limits are designed to ensure there is a choice of providers in the mobile sector for the advanced services that will be provided over the digital dividend spectrum,” Senator Conroy said.
“This is a good outcome for Australian consumers.”
He said the limits had been set to ensure a level playing field for the three bidders most likely to participate in the auction – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia – without precluding the entry of a potential new supplier.
“The 700MHz and 2.5GHz bands are important for the evolution of mobile broadband networks,” he said.
“There are therefore strong incentives for auction participants to seek to purchase more spectrum than they need in order to gain a competitive advantage.”
14 February, 2012
High profile program
faces up to auditor
An audit of the high-profile tax evasion crackdown program “Project Wickenby” has found that despite the project sending 20 people to jail and exceeding its target for tax collections, it had failed to achieve its primary goal of making Australia an unattractive destination for international tax fraud and evasion.
In his report Administration of Project Wickenby, Auditor-General Ian McPhee says the program centred around a cross-agency taskforce set up in 2006 to prevent taxpayers from promoting, facilitating or participating in illegal offshore tax avoidance schemes.
He said the taskforce included representatives of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO); Australian Crime Commission (ACC); Australian Federal Police (AFP); Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); Attorney-General’s Department, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions; and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
It was led by the ATO.
Mr McPhee said the project emerged from an ACC investigation of a Swiss-based promoter of tax schemes which revealed the names of hundreds of Australians potentially linked to his activities.
“The aim of Project Wickenby is to make Australia unattractive for tax fraud and evasion by preventing the abusive use of secrecy havens,” Mr McPhee said.
He said it began with the target of collecting $654 million in additional tax revenue.
“After a slow start, the project has achieved substantial results from its activities.”
Mr McPhee said 20 people were convicted and more than $1 billion in tax liabilities were raised from over 2,300 audits by the Tax Office to 30 June 2011.
“The project has met the Government’s combined ongoing collection targets since mid-2009,” Mr McPhee said.
“Project Wickenby had exceeded its collection commitments to government.”
“Australia is not, however, ‘unattractive’ for international tax fraud and evasion, and the risk posed by secrecy havens remains high,” he said.
He found that the timeliness of audits had been an ongoing problem for the project with the sampled audits taking an average 541 days to complete.
He said the ACC and AFP had worked effectively, together with other taskforce agencies, to investigate and prosecute the participants, however both agencies, but particularly the ACC, could improve elements of their investigation planning and case management
He made six recommendations.
The report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team was Andrew Morris, Damien Brown, David Lacy, Danielle Sheehan, Nathan Callaway, and Dr Tom Clarke.
14 February, 2012
Anzac day groups
take the biscuit
Membership of groups to support the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board have been announced.
The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon said the group members were Australians from all walks of life and included historians, business leaders, academics, singers, teachers, artists and decorated Service personnel.
He said the groups would support the Board in the areas of education and curriculum; military and cultural history; business; ceremonial and commemorations; youth; and engagement with state, territory and local government.
Mr Snowdon said the breadth of experience both on the Board and in the groups would ensure the development of the best possible program for the Anzac Centenary.
“I look forward to the contributions of the members of these groups and the experience, energy and enthusiasm they will bring to our planning for the Anzac Centenary,” Mr Snowdon said.
He said each group would consult within their sectors and report directly to the Board, who would then make its recommendations to the Government.
“The input of the groups will be extremely valuable to the Board, the Government and indeed, the commemorative period from 2014 to 2018,” Mr Snowdon said.
Membership of the groups can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Scooter survey one
step at a time
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has joined with a number of community organisations in a national survey of the use of mobility scooters.
Commissioner with the ACCC, Sarah Court said the number of people injured in accidents associated with mobility scooters was increasing, which is why the ACCC was working with a range of stakeholders, including the NRMA, to look more closely at the issue.
“The aim of the survey is to provide more information about how people are buying and using mobility scooters and what training they also receive,” Ms Court said.
“Motorised mobility scooters are increasingly being used by older people to help maintain their independence and provide physical, social and health benefits.”
Ms Court said CHOICE, EnableNSW and Vision Australia were also in the group launching the national survey.
“The survey results will help us to better understand safety issues surrounding mobility scooters and their users and target any future work in this important area,” she said.
NRMA Director, Coral Taylor said the coalition of organisations involved in the survey were all committed to gaining a comprehensive understanding of how people used mobility scooters in order to make them safer.
“Safe mobility for all road users is an important issue for our NRMA Members,” Ms Taylor said.
“The NRMA has called for people to participate in the mobility scooter survey through its member magazine, Open Road, which generated great interest among older members.”
The survey closes 5 April 2012 and can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 February, 2012
Businesses switched
on to cyber safety
A new report from the Australian Institute of Criminology has been released, setting out the most common computer-based threats to Australian small business and outlining ways to combat them.
Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon used the report to issue a reminder to small businesses and their customers to be vigilant in protecting themselves against cyber crime.
“Most small businesses can’t function without the internet,” Ms Roxon said.
“So it’s important small businesses can identify threats and can put in place measures to protect themselves and their customers.”
The Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Jason Clare said small business accounted for around 95 per cent of all Australian businesses, contributing about 34 per cent of private industry value to the economy.
“Cyber attacks can stop a small business being productive and this can have wider economic implications,” Mr Clare said.
“This report will help arm small business owners with the information about what attacks they are vulnerable to and how they can secure their business against cyber crime.”
Minister for Small Business, Senator Mark Arbib said small business was at the heart of our economy and cyber-crime could have a devastating impact.
“We understand that many small businesses are already stretched and are time-poor, but they can save themselves a large headache by taking a few basic steps to protect themselves from cyber criminals,” Senator Arbib said.
He said to help protect against cyber attacks, small businesses could take action by installing security patches to fix vulnerabilities in computer programs; installing firewalls to provide a barrier between computers and the internet to protect them from unauthorised access.
He said businesses trading on-line could also improve their cyber safety by offering a secure site for customers to enter personal information to authenticate data with a digital certificate; introducing staff internet usage policies and security awareness training; and improving physical security of computers and servers like keeping servers in secure rooms.
“With cyber threats constantly evolving, Australian small businesses need to remain vigilant to protect themselves,” Mr Clare said.
“Investing in cyber security measures now can save small business a lot of money and inconvenience in the future.”
The report can be accessed at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Family law overhaul
to head off violence
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has called for changes to Federal laws relating to domestic and family violence, making 102 recommendations for reform.
In its report Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws — Improving Legal Frameworks, the Commission recommends changes to laws governing child support and family assistance; immigration; employment; social security; and superannuation.
The Commission said its recommendations reflected the Government’s goal of ‘reducing all violence in our communities’, recognising that ‘whatever the form violence takes, it has serious and often devastating consequences for victims, their extended families and the community’, and ‘comes at an enormous economic cost’.
It said it looked at both actual safety from harm as well as financial security and independence through things such as social security payments and entitlements, paid employment and appropriate payments of child support.
“Recommendations in this Report are underpinned by eight principles: seamlessness; fairness; accessibility; effectiveness; self-agency or autonomy; privacy; and system integrity,” the Commission said.
“The ALRC considers that systemic benefits would flow from the adoption of a common interpretative framework across the specified legislative areas, promoting seamlessness and effectiveness in proceedings involving family violence for both victims and decision makers.”
It said consistency should be enhanced across legislative frameworks, reinforced by appropriate and regular training.
“The common interpretative framework recommended in Family Violence - A National Legal Response is based on a core definition of family violence, describing the context in which behaviour takes place, as well as the types of conduct.” It said.
“The context, set out in the first part of the definition, is violent, threatening or other behaviour that coerces or controls a family member or causes that family member to be fearful.”
It said the identification of family violence concerns should result in an appropriate issues management response which could include referral to a Centrelink social worker or other expert service providers.
“To assist with this, and to reduce the need for a customer to re-disclose, the ALRC recommends that the Department of Human Services consider developing and implementing a ‘safety concern’ flag to be placed on a customer’s file,” the Commission said.
The report was released by Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon who said reducing all violence in the community was a key priority for the Government and ensuring the nation’s laws were compatible with that aim was “crucial”.
“The Government will consider this report and respond in due course,” Ms Roxon said.
The full ALRC report can be accessed at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Flood victims flooded
by recovery payments
Disaster recovery payments made to victims of floods in Queensland and New South Wales have been processed faster than any in Australian history according to the Ministers for Emergency Management and Human Services, Robert McClelland and Brendan O’Connor.
They said $1.1 million in payments were made within 12 hours of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) being activated.
Mr McClelland said the payments were made as the floods were still in progress.
“While the floodwaters are settling in some places, the flooding is not over as waters are still moving through north-west New South Wales,” Mr McClelland said.
“In communities like Roma, hundreds of homes and businesses have been flooded and residents are beginning their third clean-up in consecutive years.”
Mr O’Connor said that in past disasters, it had taken a the Government a day or more to begin making payments.
“We have learnt from the experiences of last summer’s natural disasters,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The Government has been working hard behind the scenes to streamline processes to speed up the delivery of these emergency payments.”
He said more than 850 claims were granted on the day the payment was announced for residents in Queensland’s Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo Local Government Areas I and NSW’s Gwydir, Moree, and Narrabri LGAs.
“The payment is available to residents in these areas who have been injured as a direct result of the floodwaters; or whose home has been significantly damaged or destroyed; who were stranded in their home or unable to gain access to their home for at least 24 hours; or whose home was without electricity, water, gas, sewage services or another essential service for a continuous period of 48 hours,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Immediate family members of those who have died as a direct result of the disaster are also eligible for this payment.”
He said more information was available from Human Services at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Advertising audit has
hard-hitting message
An audit of Government advertising arrangements has found widespread failures in the way Departments commission and manage advertising campaigns.
In his report Administration of Government Advertising Arrangements: March 2010 to August 2011, Auditor-General Ian McPhee found there was scope for improved processes for documenting source statements; giving and recording financial approvals; signing-off Ministerial briefs and record keeping.
He also found issues with procurement practices and evaluating the cost effectiveness of the campaigns.
The audit covered five agencies and campaigns including FaHCSIA’s Paid Parental Leave Campaign; Health and Ageing’s Health Reform Campaign; Treasury’s Tax Reform Campaign; the Electoral Commission’s 2010 Federal Election Campaign and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency’s Clean Energy Future Campaign.
Mr McPhee took particular aim at DCCEE’s administration of the Clean Energy Future Campaign suggesting greater discipline could have been be applied in the implementation of key processes.
“In light of its experience in developing the Clean Energy Future Campaign, there would be merit in DCCEE reviewing its campaign certification processes,” he said.
“A review of the certification process could usefully inform the development of future advertising campaigns by the department.
He also examined the role of the Department of Finance in the processes and found it to be largely effective.
“As the central government department responsible for the administration of the campaign advertising framework, Finance has released key documents in a timely manner and has been a source of helpful advice to agencies and the Special Minister of State,” he said.
Finance has also managed a large volume of often complex inquiries well, and has provided support to agencies through a number of useful resources.
“Nevertheless, there would be benefit in Finance reviewing some aspects of its strategy for supporting agencies, and enhancing its reports to Parliament on the campaign advertising framework.”
He said there would be benefit in the Department advising agencies on the interpretation of key terms in the Guidelines.
“Clarity of meaning is particularly important in the context of a regulatory framework relying on formal written certifications,” Mr McPhee said.
The Auditor-General made five recommendations which he said were aimed at strengthening the integrity and transparency of the campaign advertising framework.
His full audit report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team was Jillian Blow, Rachel Palmer, Louise Wallace, Edward McGregor, Sean Neubeck, Anne Svarcas and Dr Tom Ioannou.
10 February, 2012
Character screening
out of character
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has found that allegations of inappropriate vetting practices in the Defence Security Authority (DSA) were true.
In a report released by the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, the Inspector said her inquiries supported the claims made by three former contractors to DSA that incorrect data had been inserted into the security clearance process.
She found this data had been provided to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and used in completing security assessments.
“The Inquiry was unable to determine whether any particular ASIO security assessment had been compromised,” Mr Smith said.
“The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security does however note that ASIO security assessment is only one element of a broader assessment of a person’s suitability to hold a security clearance.”
He said the inquiry found no evidence that staff had acted with improper motives when modifying the data or that they had attempted to subvert or mislead the security clearance process.
He said the Inspector-General did make 13 recommendations however to provide a sound framework for addressing identified shortcomings.
“The Government has accepted all these recommendations,” Mr Smith said.
“Defence has already commenced remediation measures to ensure the integrity of the security clearance process.
“These remediation efforts are focussed in two areas - remediation of vetting processes, and validation of data affected by the inappropriate work practices.”
He said to date, approximately 3,100 high-level security clearances had been validated out of the 5,300 or so applications made during the period of the inappropriate work practices.
“The Government has also agreed to an annual audit of remediation actions to be conducted by the Defence Chief Audit Executive,” Mr Smith said.
He said the Secretary of Defence had written to the three former contractors involved acknowledging that their allegations were true.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Workplace mums
want more work
Some mums want more paid work hours according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The Bureau’s Gender Indicators, Australia publication has shown that the rate of underemployment was twice as high for women (eight per cent) than for men (four per cent).
The publication said in 2006 fathers in full-time employment with children under 15 years spent 10 hours 32 minutes a day (on average) in all forms of work, compared with 10 hours 47 minutes for mothers employed full-time.
The new ABS data also showed that in 2010-11, the underemployment rate for fathers whose youngest child was under six years was 2.8 per cent, while for mothers it was 8.6 per cent.
The data showed that when the youngest child was school-aged, the underemployment rate was much higher for mums at 10.2 per cent.
According to the ABS, in 2010-11 men employed full-time spent four hours more per week working in employment than their female counterparts (41.3 compared to 37.2 hours).
It showed that mothers with children under six and employed full-time worked fewer hours in employment (33.1 hours) but their hours increased when their youngest child was of school age (37.7 hours).
Fathers in full-time employment worked in employment about the same hours, on average, as did all men employed full-time.
The ABS report showed that women also volunteered more than men (38 per cent compared to 34 per cent in 2010).
The rate was highest in women aged 45 to 54 with school-aged children (10 per cent compared to three per cent for men with school-aged children).
The second release of Gender Indicators, Australia, includes new data and commentaries representing the differences between men and women in the major areas of social concern for gender equality.
The new edition includes a summary page of the key indicators of gender equality, and interactive graphs show changes over time.
The full online product can be accessed at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Doctors breathe life
into health network
A new national body to support the newly formed Medicare Locals has been proposed by the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and endorsed by the Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek.
Ms Plibersek said the new body would be formed by the AGPN on 1 July this year as the national body for the Medicare Locals which were the new primary health care networks in the new health system.
She said the Medicare Locals would make it easier for patients to access the services they needed, by linking local GPs, nursing and other health professionals, hospitals and aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, and maintaining up to date local service directories.
“To achieve these objectives, the Australian Medicare Local Network will lead the way in assisting the nationwide network of 62 Medicare Locals as they deliver comprehensive primary health care services for local communities,” Ms Plibersek said.
“The Australian Medicare Local Network will build and expand on AGPN’s current functions supporting divisions of general practice.”
She said it would do this by supporting each Medicare Local to build strong links with Local Hospital Networks; working with a wider range of general practice, health, social care and aged care stakeholders; and promoting and developing Medicare Locals’ potential across the country to deliver locally designed primary health care services to meet community needs.
“The new national organisation’s governance will comprise a skills-based board including clinical and community leaders,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Medicare Locals will improve frontline primary care services for each local community through activities including better linking health services, supporting face-to-face after hours GP services, and identifying local health care needs and coordinating services to address those needs.”
10 February, 2012
Safety package to
support volunteers
A new volunteer assistance package including a dedicated phone line, email and webpage has been launched to provide support to volunteers and volunteer organisations who may be affected by the new work health and safety (WHS) laws.
Chair of Safe Work Australia , Tom Phillips said the package was developed by Safe Work Australia in partnership with Volunteering Australia.
Mr Phillips said the package offered comprehensive information on the new laws and would help dismiss concerns some volunteers may have about holding community events.
“The new laws make sure volunteers receive the same level of protection as any other worker,” Mr Phillips said, “(and) are not exposed to risks or forgotten or excluded from workplace safety standards.
“This greater protection will ensure volunteers are able to continue their great work in the community and return home safely.”
Chief Executive of Volunteering Australia, Cary Pedicini said Safe Work Australia’s new resources would help volunteers better understand the benefits of the new laws.
“Volunteering Australia will continue to work with Safe Work Australia to ensure volunteers are well protected in the workplace,” Mr Pedicini said.
“Information is readily available in a variety of formats to help them understand the benefits of harmonisation.”
He said Safe Work Australia had set up a Volunteer Assistance Line on (02) 6240 4990 and people could call and talk to an expert for advice on how the new laws affected volunteers and their activities.
The volunteer assistance package, which includes fact sheets, frequently asked questions and useful contacts, can be accessed at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
Franchises targeted
for workplace laws
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a new National Franchise Program to provide free advice on how best to promote compliance with workplace laws across the franchise network.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said the program was a worthwhile opportunity for franchisors to enhance their brand by publicly supporting fair workplaces where workers’ rights were valued.
“Franchisors can demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility and position their franchise outlets as employers of choice,” Mr Wilson said.
He said a new webpage had been launched with information and resources specifically tailored for the franchising sector.
He said franchisors participating in the program would work with the Fair Work Ombudsman to discuss their franchise structure and needs and strengthen their existing policies and practices.
He said the program was an initiative of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s National Employer Branch, which had liaised with the Franchise Council of Australia in developing the program.
Mr Wilson said the National Employer Branch assisted large national employers to ensure they met their obligations under the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards and other applicable industrial instruments.
He said franchisors interested in participating in the program could register their interest before 29 February 2012 online at this PS News link.
10 February, 2012
And in Other News
Finance panel goes
The Financial Reporting Panel (FRP) is to be disbanded.
The FRP was established in 2006 to resolve issues between the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and reporting entities over the application of accounting standards to financial reports.
The panel has been wound up due to lower than expected referral rates.
Chairman of the FRP, Ken McKenzie and other Panel members have been thanked for their service.
$5M for Queen’s Jubilee
Up to $5 million has been pledged by the Australian Government to the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, as part of Australia’s commemoration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Prime Minister has written to Premiers and Chief Ministers encouraging them to collectively match the Commonwealth’s contribution.
Commissioner extended
The term of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner is to be extended for two years.
The law is to be changed to allow the extension as the Commissioner’s current term is fixed at five years.
The extension was recommended by the Parliamentary Joint Committee into the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI), the agency whose role is to detect, disrupt and deter potential corruption in Federal law enforcement agencies including the Australian Crime Commission; the Australian Federal Police; the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service; and the former National Crime Authority.
Current Commissioner, Philip Moss’s five-year term is due to expire in July this year.
Copyright study launched
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) is to conduct a review into copyright in the digital environment.
The inquiry will be conducted by the Dean of law at the University of Technology Sydney, Professor Jill McKeough and will consider whether the exceptions in the Federal Copyright Act were adequate and appropriate in the fast paced digital environment.
Draft terms of reference will be released for consultation shortly.
Satellites for NBN
Australians in rural and remote areas are set to benefit from a $620 million agreement to design and build two satellites to deliver high speed broadband to their regions.
The satellites are part of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and will be launched separately in 2015.
Queen congratulated
The Governor-General has congratulated the Queen on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne
“It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the people of Australia, to send Your Majesty loyal and affectionate greetings and congratulations,” Her Excellency, Quentin Bryce, said.
She and her husband wished Her Majesty a “wonderful year ahead.”
Emergency measures
The Minister for Emergency Management has announced natural disaster assistance to communities in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.
The Disaster Response Plan COMDISPLAN has been activated in Queensland as floodwaters forced evacuations and isolated some towns.
Financial assistance has been offered to the NSW communities of Tenterfield, Greater Taree, Moree, Narrabri, Gwydir under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and the Western Australian communities of Broome, Leonora, Meekatharra, Port Headland, Sandstone, Upper Gascoyne and Wiluna are to receive assistance following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Heidi in January.
Free film at Library
A free event at the National Library on 9 February 2012 will take audiences on an adventure to discover what it means to be ‘connected’ in the 21st century.
The film ‘Connected’ is an autoblogography about love, death and technology and will be shown at the National Library Theatrette at 1pm.
The film was recently shown at the State Library of Victoria and entry will be by gold coin donation.
For more information or to register to see the film visit this PS News link.
Secure schools funded
The second round of the Secure Schools Program has been announced offering schools with capital funding to make physical safety improvements.
The program is aimed at schools at risk of racial, religious or ethnically motivated violence, property crime or harassment and funds safety fencing, closed-circuit television and improved lighting.
More information is available at this PS News link.
Indigenous trainees graduate
Eighty-three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged and primary health care trainees from the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program have completed their training.
The new qualifications will help the trainees gain employment in aged care and primary health care services in their own communities.
A second round of 60 trainees commenced their training at the end of 2011.
Reef visits cheaper
Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef are to pay less to visit following a temporary cut to the Environment Management Charge (EMC).
The price cut will see tourists pay only $3.50 for a full day trip to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with a commercial operator, and $1.75 for a part day.
The reduction will be introduced on 1 April 2012 and continue until 31 March 2015.
Brumbies join AIS
The Brumbies rugby union club in Canberra has entered an agreement with the Australian Institute of Sport to use AIS training and recovery facilities, resources, coaching and sports science expertise.
The new arrangement is expected to foster collaboration and information sharing between the two organisations in areas of high performance sport before and during the Super 15 competition.
The team recently announced a sponsorship deal with the nearby University of Canberra.
Drug use plan published
The National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund has released a publication on reducing the methamphetamine problem in Australia.
The Fund said illicit methamphetamine use was a continuing, significant problem, with prevalence rates in Australia among the highest in the world.
The publication can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
National reforms
dragging chain
Reformers with the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) have warned that unless Governments around the country get their acts together, promised national reforms to the economy will not be in place by the deadline of December this year.
According to the COAG Reform Council, 12 major reforms are at risk of not being completed in time.
Chairman of the COAG Reform Council, Paul McClintock said that while COAG had achieved a lot there was concern over some significant reforms yet to be delivered.
“We’re urging COAG to take swift action on these 12 crucial reforms because time is running out,” Mr McClintock said.
He said the national improvements under threat included harmonised occupational health and safety laws; a national trade licensing system; national regulation of the legal profession; consistency on the personal criminal liability of company directors; energy reforms; and better regulation of chemicals and plastics.
He said the reforms impacted on businesses and individuals right across the country and were important for boosting productivity and labour mobility.
“How well COAG delivers their seamless national economy reforms will directly impact Australia’s economic output and competitive advantage for decades to come,” Mr McClintock said.
He said the third report on COAG’s seamless national economy provided an assessment of the progress of the Commonwealth, States and Territories from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
“A great deal has been achieved and governments are nearing the end of the race, but at the moment they’re heading towards a bronze medal instead of gold.”
He said the report also informed Commonwealth Government decisions on whether States and Territories should receive up to $200 million under the first tranche of reward payments for the delivery of the 27 deregulation priorities.
He said in 2008, the Commonwealth, States and Territories agreed to implement regulation and competition reforms under the National Partnership Agreement to Deliver a Seamless National Economy, which now covers 49 separate reforms.
Mr McClintock said the 49 reforms comprised 27 deregulation priorities, 17 areas of competition reform, and reform to regulation making and review processes.
He said in 2009 and 2010 COAG agreed to four additional regulatory reforms.
The report found that 37 reforms had been completed or were on track to be completed by the December deadline.
The Reform Council’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Payrise welcomed by
women’s agency
The Director of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA), Helen Conway has welcomed Fair Work Australia’s decision to improve the pay-rates of community and social services sector workers, but she said there was still a long way to go to breach the gender pay gap.
Ms Conway described the decision as a step in the right direction.
“Fair Work Australia’s decision will benefit some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged workers in our community - the majority of whom are women,” Ms Conway said.
“However the gender pay gap is still a persistent problem across a range of industries and this is totally unacceptable in 2012.”
She said the current gender pay gap of 17.8 per cent was about the same as it was 25 years ago.
“This has serious financial implications for women, most particularly in relation to their retirement savings,” she said.
“It is especially concerning that women are two and a half times more likely to be living in poverty in their old age than men.”
Ms Conway said the Fair Work decision was one small step towards achieving recognition for roles that had been undervalued in the past, however other sectors dominated by females were still underpaying their workers.
“Gender pay equity can be a difficult issue to address and EOWA is committed to assisting employers to take action to achieve equality.”
She said EOWA had a suite of resources and information on its website to help employers address the problem.
7 February, 2012
Comcare updates
compo drug policy
The Australian Public Service workers compensation and rehabilitation agency, Comcare has announced an updated policy on the provision of pharmacy medicines.
The revised Comcare Pharmacy Policy has a new emphasis on safely prescribing medicines – especially those that can be misused - and clarifies injured workers’ entitlements to access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
In a statement Comcare said Schedule 8 medications would need to be prescribed through the PBS to assist in ensuring their use was controlled and the risk for harm, dependence and misuse was reduced.
The updated Policy outlines several key changes that took effect on1 February.
“Comcare can pay for the appropriate cost of medications prescribed by a legally qualified medical practitioner (LQMP) or dentist for the treatment of an injured worker’s compensable condition,” the Policy says.
It outlines the medications Comcare can pay for including those provided by a registered pharmacist; reasonably required due to a compensable condition; provided in accordance with the PBS; and provided as a ‘private prescription’ if the medicine is clinically appropriate and not available on the PBS.
The Policy says that Comcare will not pay for medications for a person other than the injured worker; for which there is no clinical justification; or which were not related to a workplace injury.
The Policy also includes sections on PBS Medications, Maximum Therapeutic Dose, Quantity Restrictions, Schedule 8 Medications (Controlled Medicines), Claiming Pharmacy Expenses, Direct Billing Accounts.
The updated Comcare Pharmacy Policy can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Army aims high with
Reservist campaign
A new recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve is under way around Australia.
Director-General of Defence Force Recruiting, Air Commodore Henrik Ehlers, said the campaign aimed to highlight reservists giving something back to their community and also raised awareness of their involvement in recent disaster relief operations.
“We’re hoping to distinctively raise the profile and awareness of the Army Reserve and the opportunities the Service presents,” AIRCDRE Ehlers said.
He said the campaign would include TV, cinema, newspaper and magazine advertising, and featured everyday Australians pulling apart civilian clothes ‘superman style’ to reveal combat uniforms.
He said Defence Force Recruiting developed the new advertisements to more accurately reflect the varying opportunities and ever-changing role Army Reservists play.
“There was no significant reduction in enlistments, however over time we saw enquiry levels plateau which tends to suggest that a refreshed advertising strategy is required,” AIRCDRE Ehlers said.
“So we’ve taken steps to enhance the Reserves’ position in the community and inspire interest in serving in the Army Reserve.
“Army Reservists are quite rightly proud of their achievements, and we believe the new ads will ignite interest amongst everyday Australians.”
He said the campaign could be used for three years or longer and also featured online and outdoor advertising.
Information about joining the Army Reserve can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Kids belted up in
new road rules
Changes to the Australian Road Rules have been announced requiring the drivers of taxis and minibuses to ensure children are properly restrained while travelling in their vehicles.
Chief Executive of the National Transport Commission (NTC), Nick Dimopoulos said the changes were vital to ensure the Rules kept pace with best practice in road safety and continued to meet the needs of all road users.
Mr Dimopoulos said some of the major changes included the required use of seatbelts in taxis and mini buses for children who were covered by existing exemptions and new requirements relating to the use of warning triangles for heavy vehicles and fallen loads (reflecting the findings of a New South Wales Coroner into a fatal crash involving a disabled heavy vehicle).
He said other changes including an extended parking time allowance for drivers with a valid disabilities parking permit, and the need for a vehicle to remain stopped if a tram drew alongside or passed it and then stopped.
“It’s important for road users to remember that the changes do not come into effect until they are implemented by State and Territory governments,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“We encourage all road users interested in understanding the changes to contact their State or Territory road authority.”
He said the NTC developed the amendments following public consultation including input from the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group, which had representatives from State, Territory and Commonwealth transport and enforcement agencies.
The ninth package of the Model Amendment Regulations- Australian Road Rules can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Sun shines on
solar schools
Nearly 800 schools have been awarded grants to help them install solar and other renewable power systems.
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus said 784 schools around Australia had been awarded the grants of up to $50,000.
Mr Dreyfus said the money would help schools save and generate energy by installing solar and other renewable power systems, as well as rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures.
He said almost 2,000 applications were received for the 2011-12 funding round.
He said applications were assessed using merit-based criteria, requiring schools to demonstrate value for money as well as environmental and educational benefits.
Mr Dreyfus said applications from schools located in remote or low socio-economic areas received additional weighting to allow funding to be directed to schools most in need.
He said to date 3,800 schools across Australia had received grants under the National Solar Schools Program.
He said all schools that submitted an application in the 2011-12 funding round had been notified by email advising whether they have been successful.
Applications for the final round of the National Solar Schools Program (2012-13) open on 13 February 2012.
More information including the list of successful schools can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Council applauds
top Australian
The Australia Council for the Arts has congratulated Geoffrey Rush on being named Australian of the Year.
Chief Executive of the Council, Kathy Keele said the award was a great endorsement of the role Australian artists played in our society.
“As Australian of the Year, Geoffrey will bring an artist’s perspective to important social issues and will help to tell those stories,” Ms Keele said.
“Australians are passionate arts goers and they understand the important role the arts play in our society.
“But maintaining a career as an artist is still extremely difficult, so to have someone such as Geoffrey named Australian of the Year is a wonderful opportunity to put the spotlight on all our talented artists and to generate understanding and support for what they do.”
Ms Keele said with the approach of the new National Cultural policy, 2012 was well on its way to becoming the year of Australian arts.
She said Mr Rush would use his role as Australian of the Year to improve the visibility and credibility for Australian theatre and film.
“It’s also an important opportunity to highlight the strength of Australian arts, as well issues that face the sector such the difficulty for artists in maintaining careers,” Ms Keele said.
“A consummate theatre actor, he (Mr Rush) has continued to choose roles that intrigue and challenge him, as opposed to star vehicles.
“This unpretentious, playful and collegiate approach to working on the Australian stage, has earned him as much respect within the sector as the trophies he has won,” She said.
7 February, 2012
Mental Health gets
new Commission
Australia’s first National Mental Health Commission has been announced by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler.
Mr Butler said the launch was a significant milestone and would give mental health the prominence it deserved at the national level.
“The Commission will put Australia’s mental health services under the spotlight,” Mr Butler said.
“It will bring much needed transparency to our system – it will give us insights into service gaps, where we need to do more and where services are working and working well.
He said the Commission would be chaired by Professor Allan Fels and would include eight Commissioners and had already begun work on Australia’s first National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
“One of the Commission’s first priorities will be to deliver the first annual National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,” Mr Butler said.
“This is important data that will allow us to monitor whether services are working effectively to deliver lasting outcomes for people with mental illness.”
Professor Fels said the new Commission would advocate for the needs of consumers and carers, which should be at the front and centre of policy making.
“We want to ensure these needs are given the priority they warrant by all levels of government,” Professor Fels said.
“Governments need to do better in mental health. We hope to help them do that by more clearly identifying the gaps in the system.
“Our wide variety of relationships and our independence from the agencies that fund and deliver mental health services will give us a unique perspective from which to provide our public reports and advice.”
More information about the new Commission can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
New toilet map
to be a big job
The Department of Health and Ageing has invited tenders for an updated national map of public toilets.
The Department is looking for a supplier to host, maintain, update and support its proposed new Toilet Map and Bladder Bowel websites which are due to splash down on 1 October this year.
The Department says in its tender documents that the project would include collecting new geospatial data on public toilets around the country and logging it into both an interactive website and mobile application.
“The Toilet Map (www.toiletmap.gov.au) assists people with incontinence to lead independent lives by providing locations, opening times and disability access information for over 16,000 publicly accessible toilets across Australia,” the tender says.
“Access is also available via mobile phones and a free Apple iPhone application.”
The tender says the Toilet Map currently attracts over 1,000 users each day, with peaks in excess of 2,000 users in a single day.
“The Bladder Bowel Website (www.bladderbowel.gov.au) provides information about bladder and bowel health to a range of people including those at risk of, or living with incontinence, their carers and families,” the tender says.
The successful tenderer would also need to update the relevant public toilet data set hosted on data.gov.au, as well as provide 24/7 maintenance support services.
The Department is offering an initial two-year contract starting in June, with three 12-month extension options attached subject to performance.
Tender submissions close on 2 March and more information can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
Airservices lands
equipment tests
Airservices Australia has warned the public not to be alarmed if they see low-flying aircraft overhead this month because it could be the agency checking air navigation equipment.
Airservices provides air traffic management services throughout Australia and is responsible for conducting regular flight calibration inspections on approximately 500 navigational aids nationwide.
It says the inspections will see a specially-equipped twin-engine Beechcraft King Airs make several approaches to an airfield to ensure the navigational equipment is operating accurately.
“Using three-dimensional laser measuring equipment and GPS technology, information from the navigational aid is relayed to the aircraft and interpreted by specialist aircrew,” the agency said in its advice.
“The data is then analysed by Airservices maintenance engineers to ensure each aid is operating accurately.”
It said the navigational equipment was crucial to the safe and efficient operation of aircraft at major and regional airports, aerodromes and airstrips.
Airservices will carry out inspections on navigational equipment including terminal area radars, distance measuring equipment, non-directional beacons and instrument landing systems this month at Mt Isa (19-20 February), Cunnamulla (20 February), and Brisbane (25-26 February).
It will also complete checks in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales but has advised that the timetable may be changed if poor weather or other factors prevented the safety checks from going ahead.
7 February, 2012
Strategy paper out
for Defence skills
A new discussion paper on the workforce needs of Australia’s Defence supply industry has been issued by the Minister for Defence Materiel, Senator Kim Carr.
Senator Carr said Skills Australia and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) had been tasked last year with preparing the comprehensive workforce strategy.
He said the group’s first discussion Paper was designed to provoke debate and invite ideas and input from the Defence community.
“On average, about 50 to 55 per cent of Defence acquisition work (by value) has historically been won by highly competitive Australian-based firms including many small to medium enterprises,” Senator Carr said.
“If Australian industry is to continue to be competitive, access to an appropriately skilled workforce will be crucial.”
He said a steady supply of steelworkers, welders, electricians and mechanics was needed, among many other trades.
“Defence suppliers can expect to face significant competition for skilled labour from the resources sector and large-scale infrastructure projects including the National Broadband Network,” he said.
“This competition for skills could create challenges for the Australian Defence industry.”
Senator Carr said the Commonwealth Government would spend more than $200 billion on its Defence force over the next 10 years, including a substantial increase in Defence equipment acquisitions across all Services.
Senator Carr encouraged all to get involved and have a say in the process.
Submissions on the discussion paper close on 5 April with a final report due in June 2012.
More information including a background paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
7 February, 2012
NZ signs up for new
Defence relationship
A new Defence relationship between Australia and New Zealand has been announced by the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith.
Mr Smith said the new Australia-New Zealand Defence Relationship Framework built on the ANZAC tradition and the longstanding Defence relationship that already existed between the two nations.
He said the Framework followed a Review designed to shape future strategic cooperation and set priorities for ANZAC engagement.
“The improved senior dialogue framework and the new 1.5 track Security Dialogue will enhance understanding of the mutual security challenges facing Australia and New Zealand, particularly in our immediate region,” Mr Smith said.
He said the Framework included closer cooperation on capability development and procurement and more efficient burden sharing in the region as well as introducing regular strategic discussions between senior civilian and military personnel, so that policy settings, military capabilities, and defence activities between Australia and New Zealand would be considered in a more orderly, rigorous and comprehensive way.
New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman said the new Framework would facilitate innovative and more cost-efficient cooperation, including the development of complementary military capabilities and sharing experiences of Defence reform.
“In a more complex and expensive strategic operating environment, New Zealand and Australia have to find ways of working more closely together, so that we complement each other’s effectiveness,” Dr Coleman said.
The Ministers met at the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting to discuss the range of strategic issues of mutual interest, including the combined stabilisation operations in the Solomon Islands and East Timor, as well as respective commitments to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
“Australia and New Zealand continue our close cooperation in the Pacific, including recent joint efforts to remove World War II remnants of war from communities in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea,” Mr Smith said.
“This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to jointly address concerns in our immediate neighbourhood.”
7 February, 2012
Military Centre
scores new name
The Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence has been officially renamed the Australian Civil-Military Centre.
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly said the new name was chosen to better reflect Australia’s focus on civil-military issues that impacted upon responses to conflict and disaster management operations in countries both in the Asia-Pacific region and more globally.
“The Australian Civil-Military Centre was established to contribute purposefully to the development of effective civil-military engagement in conflict and disaster management operations throughout the region and beyond,” Dr Kelly said.
He said Australia had a long history of responding to calls for assistance in response to disasters throughout the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to peacekeeping missions around the world.
“It is fitting that the Centre’s name reflects this global focus,” he said.
Dr Kelly said the Centre, based in Queanbeyan NSW, was opened in November 2008 and tasked with improving Australia’s effectiveness in civil-military collaboration for conflict and disaster management operations overseas.
He said the Centre actively engaged with Australian Government departments and agencies to develop and promote best practice on issues of civil-military engagement.
Dr Kelly said the Centre’s staff were drawn from a number of Australian Government departments and agencies including Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney-Generals, AusAID, and the Australian Federal Police.
He said staff had also been seconded from the New Zealand Government, and the Non-Government sector through the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
He said the Centre had contributed to the growing body of knowledge of civil-military issues and had established important links with regional bodies, the United Nations, the African Union and other key international organisations around the globe.
More information about the Centre and its programs can be accessed at this PS News link.
3 February, 2012
Training reforms make
careers to skill for
Major reforms to the Australian vocational education system have been proposed to make it easier for students to learn a skill and get a better job.
The changes would eliminate upfront fees for thousands of vocational education training (VET) students, while others would be guaranteed a subsidised training place worth up to $7,800.
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said the Commonwealth would work to negotiate with the States to establish HECS-style fees for eligible students and ensure that those studying foundation and entry-level courses for careers such as health, business, hospitality, communications, construction, transport and other areas would be guaranteed a Government-subsidised training place.
“These changes would help people get better jobs; help tackle Australia’s skills shortage; take pressure off families struggling to make ends meet; and recognise the increasing importance of higher level skills in Australian vocational education,” Ms Gillard said.
“Currently, Diploma and Advanced Diploma students need to pay upfront fees of up to $2,500 to commence their studies, at a time when they can least afford it.”
She said by removing the cost barrier, students would have more choice about what and where they studied.
“Victoria is currently the only State which offers income contingent loans to VET students on a widespread basis, and there has been strong growth in students doing higher level VET qualifications since 2009,” she said.
“The Government will also seek to introduce a guaranteed entitlement for students to gain skills and achieve a qualification by progressing up to Certificate III level.”
Ms Gillard said the Government new quality measures and benchmarks would also be insisted upon for training providers.
“The Government will also launch a national My Skills website mid-2012, an online database to inform students about their training options,” she said.
3 February, 2012
Legal aid programs
to be reviewed
A review of legal aid programs has been announced by the Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon.
Ms Roxon said the Commonwealth-funded legal services would be scrutinised to ensure they were delivering the most cost-effective legal assistance services to those most in need.
“Our commitment of more than $1.3 billion in legal assistance funding is the largest commitment in over a decade and is making a real difference around the country,” Ms Roxon said.
“Applications are open for organisations to tender to complete the review.”
She said the review would consider legal assistance as a national system and would explore the progress made towards achieving the specific legal aid performance indicators set out in the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services entered with the States and Territories.
“The review will be a collaborative project between the Commonwealth, States and Territories, and will involve extensive consultation with service providers, presenting a strong evidence base to guide the future provision of legal assistance services in Australia,” Ms Roxon said.
“All four Commonwealth legal assistance programs will be included in the review, namely Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services, and family violence prevention legal services.”
She said the review outcomes would contribute to the Government’s broader access to justice and COAG reform agendas, including closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage, assisting those at risk of social exclusion and assisting to alleviate homelessness.
The tender to conduct the review closes on 24 February and more information is available from this PS News link.
3 February, 2012
ICT awards open
for PS initiatives
Nominations are now open for the national Information and Communications Technology Awards that recognise achievements and initiatives in ICT solutions to Government ICT needs.
The awards are open to all government projects and employees at the Federal, State, Territory and Local Government levels.
Nominations can be made in the three categories of Excellence in eGovernment Awards, the Government 2.0 Innovator Award and the ICT Professional of the Year Award.
Special Minister of State, Gary Gray said the awards were now in their seventh year and were expected to attract nominations from all spheres of government.
“We received a record 62 nominations last year and I’m hoping that we can break that record again this year,” Mr Gray said.
He said every nomination received was an acknowledgement of the excellent work that Government did.
“In an ever-changing information technology landscape, community expectations are also continually changing – ‘raising the bar’ so to speak,” he said.
“To meet those expectations we must continue to lead in exploiting the technology available to us.”
Mr Gray said the nominations provided information on how technology was being used by Government Agencies across the country.
“Sharing that information and that knowledge helps us all to deliver the service the community expects from government in the most effective and efficient manner,” he said.
“ICT provides opportunities to create and support sustainable and vibrant communities.
Those opportunities help us to increase productivity and efficiency, streamline processes and improve communication both with and within government.”
Nominations close on 1 March and Award winners will be announced on 23 May.
3 February, 2012
Water Commission
floats new website
The National Water Commission has launched an online water planning resource to provide information on the status of water planning across Australia.
The web application includes a summary of the status of water plans across Australia, including the quality of existing water plans, their implementation, and areas for future improvement.
Chair of the National Water Commission, Chloe Munro said good water planning was the roadmap for how to share water resources and it was critical to build confidence around what were often difficult community decisions.
“This new web resource is intended to promote better practice in water planning and encourage informed national discussion,” Ms Munro said.
“It does so by allowing people to examine the information in the Report Card at a range of levels.”
She said users could compare key elements of water planning at national, State and local levels, across 157 water plan areas.
“‘Clickable’ jurisdictional maps show locations of water plan areas, allowing users to drill down to local plans,” she said.
“A comprehensive search tool allows the user to search by keyword, and filter plans by State or Territory, groundwater or surface water, whether the plan is in the Murray-Darling Basin, the year the plan was completed and any of the 12 assessment criteria.”
Ms Munro said up to four assessments could be compared via the search results, displaying the assessment criteria for the selected plans side by side.
“The Commission has developed this web resource as a contribution to more effective and transparent water planning reporting,” she said.
The new application can be accessed at this PS News link.
3 February, 2012
Minister shoos cattle
out of national park
The Minister for the Environment has vetoed plans by the Victorian State Government to use cattle grazing as a means of reducing bushfire risks in the State’s Alpine National Park.
The Minister, Tony Burke, said the plan was “clearly unacceptable under national environmental law and “will not proceed”.
Mr Burke said the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment had submitted a proposal to the Commonwealth to reintroduce up to 400 cattle to graze in the Alpine National Park for up to five months a year for five years, as a research trial.
“Nine out of the 10 sites selected by the Victorian Government are partly or entirely located within the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves which was included on the National Heritage List in 2008,” Mr Burke said.
“The assessment has shown there is irrefutable evidence that cattle grazing would damage the sensitive natural environment, disturb the remote and wild character of the area, detract from aesthetic values, and erode its heritage values.”
He said despite his strong personal views on the subject in determining his decision he had considered only whether or not the proposed action would be in breach of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
“My decision is based on a thorough and rigorous assessment of the proposal, taking into account the advice of my Department,” Mr Burke said.
“I have accepted the advice of my Department that the proposed action of reintroducing up to 400 cattle would have a clearly unacceptable impact on the listed national heritage values of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves National Heritage Place.”
3 February, 2012
Cybersafety takes
tropical turn
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have joined forces with the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) to launch a new program aimed at improving cyber safety in the Pacific Islands.
The Cyber Safety Pasifika program aims to equip police in the various Pacific Island countries with the knowledge and resources to educate their communities, including young people, teachers and parents, in all aspects of cyber safety.
The Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia will pilot the new program, which may eventually roll out to include the entire Pacific region.
Manager of Cyber Crime Operations with the AFP, Commander Grant Edwards said while the growth of Internet use across Pacific Island communities presented a number of opportunities, internet users needed to be informed of how they could still enjoy the benefits and minimise risks online.
“This course is an integral part of building the capacity of Pacific Island law enforcement to deliver cyber safety messages to their communities,” Commander Edwards said.
“The AFP is dedicated to preventing internet users from becoming victims of crime no matter where they are located.”
Education and Welfare Manager with the NRL, Nigel Vagana said the NRL had worked with the AFP across all clubs and had seen how valuable such programs had been with players and staff.
“The players wanted to share their knowledge to help educate their communities,” Mr Vagana said.
“This new Pacific program is exactly what the players have been looking for and there was no hesitation in working again with a familiar partner in the AFP.”
He said with some high profile Pacific players already involved in the pilot, the new Cyber Safety program would continue to support the work done already and help promote positive and safe messages, not only throughout the Pacific, but the wider community.
3 February, 2012
Graffiti framed by
proceeds of crime
Three million dollars from the Proceeds of Crime Fund has been allocated to help Local Councils clean up and prevent graffiti.
Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Jason Clare said graffiti was the scourge of a lot of local communities.
“We are using money confiscated from criminals to clean up the mess caused by others who break the law,” Mr Clare said.
“This money will help Local Councils with great ideas to help clean it up and prevent it coming back.”
He said grants of $50,000 to $150,000 would be offered to Local Governments to pay for a number of measures including cleaning up graffiti; reducing graffiti, improving lighting and introducing CCTV in graffiti hotspots; and prevention measures such as better education.
“Councils are able to apply for more than one grant as part of an anti-graffiti strategy,” he said.
“The Government will write to local councils across Australia inviting applications for funding by 16 March.”
Mr Clare said the Proceeds of Crime Fund enabled money confiscated under Commonwealth laws to be returned to the community to prevent and reduce crime across Australia.
“In October and November 2011 the Government called for applications for funding under POCA for specialist services providing crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence, and for Police and Community Youth Centres and Blue Light organisations across Australia,” he said.
Mr Clare said applications received in the previous funding rounds were currently being considered and the successful projects would soon be announced.
3 February, 2012
Broadband network
to help sick kids
A new online video-based program delivering specialist medical services to children with hearing or vision impairments in rural and remote areas has been launched by the Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin.
The new Remote Hearing and Vision Services for Children Initiative is to be provided by the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Launching the program, Ms Macklin said it would deliver services to about 125 additional children in regional and remote Australia, building on the 100 already supported by the Government.
“The NBN gives children with disability and their families the opportunity to get the best possible start to life, regardless of where they live,” Ms Macklin said.
“If there is no specialist close to where they live, a child with disability can access ‘real time’ support and advice through these new online services.
“For example, a child will be able to meet with a speech pathologist in Brisbane and have a therapy session online through this new video conferencing service.”
She said the service would make a real difference in the lives of children with disability and help reduce the stress and pressures on families trying to access specialist services that were only available in large towns and cities.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas said the funding would deliver early intervention for children with disabilities, giving them the best chance of reaching their full potential.
“We know it’s critical that we support children with hearing or vision impairment as early as possible, because without it, they are more likely to fall behind at school and miss key development milestones,” Senator McLucas said.
“This funding is in addition to the almost $580,000 the Government currently provides to the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children for the Teleschool initiative each year.”
3 February, 2012
IPAA VP honoured
National Vice President of the Institute of Public administration Australia (IPAA), Yehudi Blacher has been honoured with a Public Service Medal.
Mr Blacher PSM received the award for outstanding public service in the instigation, promotion and implementation of innovative reforms in public administration.
He is a former Secretary of the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development.
ACMA looks at TV future
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking industry and community comment on the future evolution of digital terrestrial television.
ACMA hopes to identify the drivers of future technological change in the industry.
A discussion paper has been prepared on the topic and is available at this PS News link.
Submissions close on 30 March.
Online visas extended
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is to extend online visa facilities to tourists from Brazil and Argentina.
Travellers from those countries will be able to apply for the e676 electronic tourist visa from 15 February.
The visa does not require a visa label to be placed in a passport but applicants could print a copy to carry with them if they wished.
Soybean plan for comment
Submissions have been called on an application to change the Food Standards Code to allow food derived from a genetically modified soybean.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand said the application had been submitted by BASF Plant Science Company GmbH and details could be obtained from this PS News link.
The period for submissions on the application closes on 6 March.
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