SearchArchives for September 2009
29 September, 2009Investigators warned
on running PS probes
Public Service Investigators have been warned to take a “step back” when making professional decisions.This was the message given by John Clarke, the Corruption Commissioner who conducted the investigation into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s national Good > Better > Best – Changes in public integrity conference in Canberra, Mr Clarke emphasised the importance of objectivity in the Public Service.
“Decision makers need to step back for some moments and reflect on what they’re going to do and consider if it’s right,” Mr Clarke said.
“Too many decision makers don’t do that and that’s why we get such a proliferation of mistakes.
“In the Haneef case, the person making the decision got too close to the action and got suspicions which, frankly, weren’t justifiable. I know that he thought Haneef was guilty but that, in my view, is because he lost his objectivity.”
Speaking for the first time about his inquiry into the Dr Haneef case, Mr Clarke said conducting a public inquiry into a matter relating to national security had been challenging.
“I recognise that lawyers, judges, everyone who was involved in considering the Haneef case thought hearings in public are the Holy Grail, and I wanted to have a hearing in public, but I only got anywhere when I went to ground and did it privately,” he said.
“Also matters of national security should not be investigated by an investigator with no powers.
“It’s sheer luck if the investigator gets there, and they’re put under enormous pressures. I am concerned that anyone else be as foolhardy as I was to undertake a national security investigation without any power.”
Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan said problems could arise when multiple Agencies were required to cooperate.
Professor McMillan pointed to the Access to Justice report, which was published by the Attorney-General and recommended an Ombudsman role in developing a Charter of Good Administration, a project he said was already underway.
“The report favours a new approach to resolving disputes – one that I strongly support – that places less emphasis on formal justice processes, and more emphasis on prevention and affordable, informal mechanisms for people to resolve disputes,” he said.
29 September, 2009
Retirees not shy
about organising
APS staff nearing retirement age have been urged to join the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers’ Association.The not-for-profit organisation has the aim of increasing awareness of superannuation issues among its members and educates Public Servants about the full facts of super.
It has found that many Public Servants were unaware of the issues surrounding their PS superannuation.
According to the SCOA ‘indexed’ pensions under the Public Sector Superannuation schemes (PSS) and Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) might not keep pace with increasing costs of living.
The Association said CSS and PSS pension income was treated differently from other superannuation income for tax purposes and additional non-superannuation income such as other investments or employment could be taxed at a higher rate.
It said people who received CSS and PSS pensions could also find it harder to qualify for Government benefits and concessions.
As part of its service, SCOA advocated on behalf of retired Public Servants across a wide range of policy areas, including superannuation, taxation, health and seniors’ concessions.
The Association has 16,000 members, and has been operating since 1923.
It has branches across Australia and a central office located in Canberra and more information is available by ringing (02) 6286 7977, visiting www.scoa.asn.au or emailing fedoffice@scoa.asn.au
29 September, 2009
Justice report is
judged necessary
A new report to guide future policy and reforms in Australia’s civil justice system has been released by Attorney-General, Robert McClelland.Mr McClelland released the report, Access to Justice and a Strategic Framework for Access to Justice to help improve the justice system.
“Access to justice is central to the rule of law and integral to the enjoyment of basic human rights,” he said.
“It is an essential precondition to social inclusion and a critical element of a well-functioning democracy.”
Mr McClelland said the Framework was based on five key principles: accessibility, appropriateness, equity, efficiency and effectiveness.
He said the report would support a justice system that aimed to allocate resources more efficiently; promote fair outcomes; encourage early resolution of problems; enable matters to be directed to the most appropriate resolution method; and empower individuals to resolve their own disputes.
“Increasingly, the experience of ordinary Australians dealing with the justice system is marked by confusion and complexity,” he said.
“People often don't understand legal events, what to do or where to seek assistance, while many are excluded because information is complicated or simply difficult to find.”
Mr McClelland said the Framework examined how the justice system operated as a whole and sought to encourage better information, early intervention and improved avenues to dispute resolution without the need for litigation.
“An effective justice system must be accessible in all its parts,” he said.
“Without this, the system risks losing its relevance to, and the respect of, the community it serves.”
The Framework is the central recommendation of the Access to Justice Taskforce, established earlier this year to advise on ways to improve access to justice.
Mr McClelland said the report would be open for public discussion, which would be considered when initiatives were developed to address and improve access to justice.
The report and Framework were available from www.ag.gov.au
29 September, 2009
ACMA hits hard with
cyberbully report
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a new teaching resource to help fight cyberbullying.The new DVD and booklet resource, Let’s Fight it Together is available to all Australian schools for free and aims to teach teenagers about ways to avoid cyberbullying. Chairman of the ACMA, Chris Chapman said cyberbullying was the “use of social networking sites, mobile text messages, instant messaging, email and other websites to bully others.”
Mr Chapman said cyberbullying could be very damaging and was becoming a significant issue for children and schools.
“Cyberbullying can be more pernicious than traditional forms of bullying: hostile messages can be sent at any time from any place; they can be sent anonymously and distributed more rapidly to wider audiences,” he said.
“For the target of the cyberbullying, there can be nowhere to run—places previously considered safe and personal are safe no longer.”
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said educational resources such as Let’s Fight It Together could empower young people.
“This new resource will help raise awareness while providing important advice and support for young Australians, teachers and parents,” Senator Conroy said.
Let’s fight It Together features a short video which presents a cyberbullying scenario derived from real experiences of teenagers who have been cyberbullied.
It includes interviews with the characters in the story - teachers, parents and young people - about their perspective on the cyberbullying scenario.
An accompanying booklet has lesson plans and activities for the classroom.
The ACMA said it already had orders from over 200 schools for Let’s Fight It Together.
Schools can order a free copy of the resource by contacting the Cybersafety Contact Centre on 1800 880 176.
29 September, 2009
Workplace Infoline
getting the job done
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s national Infoline has been recognised for providing excellence in customer service.The national contact centre industry body, the Australian Teleservices Association, accredited the Infoline after thoroughly evaluating the service and the work of staff members.
Executive Director (Customer Contact) of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Michael Clark said the Agency’s 200 Fair Work Advisors took around 4,500 calls each day.
Mr Clark said the Agency had implemented high levels of training and development for advisors to ensure they could handle complex enquiries properly and professionally.
“This underscores the fact that we provide a superior service and supports our continued drive to keep it that way,” he said.
Mr Clark said the Infoline provided advice and assistance about workplace relations issues ranging from wages to anti-discrimination.
He said it was expected that Fair Work Ombudsman Infoline advisors would respond to up to 1.6 million calls this financial year.
Mr Clark said other private and public sector contact centres had expressed interest in the FWO Infoline model.
Callers could contact Infoline for assistance on understanding their rights and obligations from 8am to 6pm on 13 13 94.
Fact sheets and other information were also available at www.fwo.gov.au
29 September, 2009
Defence audit has
shot at Budget
A Defence Budget Audit has recommended two programs be established to ensure a leaner budget and improved productivity.The audit report, which was led by independent consultant George Pappas, also raises the possibility of consolidating Defence bases to create a ‘superbase’ model.
The Department of Defence made the Executive Summary of the report public following a request under Freedom of Information legislation.
The audit found that while various reviews to date had led to improvements in management and the procurement of military equipment, further reform was required.
“Australia’s $22 billion annual spending on Defence is under intense scrutiny and constant pressure,” it says.
“A commitment by Government to a real increase in funding of 3 per cent per annum for the next decade seems insufficient to provide for all of Australia’s defence needs.”
In his summary, Mr Pappas said the real cost of military equipment was continuing to rise, operational demands and strategic challenges remained high and the call on the national budget from other priority areas was considerable.
“The current general economic downturn intensifies these pressures,” he said.
The audit findings propose a “deep reform program” to change the way Defence conducts its business.
Mr Pappas said such a program would involve time and a culture change and he estimated it would take three to five years to implement.
The program would involve challenging targets; establishing strong line ownership and leadership; redesigning the way work is done; and creating expert commercial and high-level capability.
The second major reform recommended by the audit was the establishment of an “outputs-driven budget management model”.
The audit report says this would create the management framework required to implement the reform program and provide incentives for improved productivity.
Mr Pappas said the model would create accountability for Service Chiefs to deliver Defence output, while increasing their authority over budget and operations management. “At the same time, the support functions are given clear accountability and authority to drive down their overhead costs by moving to more efficient service models, while also driving down the cost of their services by negotiating lower input prices,” he said.
The audit also proposed creating Defence ‘superbases’ to reduce subscale base costs, travel and relocation expenses.
“The estimated yearly savings from a superbase model that would meet Australia’s strategic requirements would increase over time (assuming a staged consolidation), and could reach $700 to $1,050 million by 2035 (in 2008 dollars),” the audit report said.
The Government said it had made no decision in relation to the base consolidation proposal.
The audit also raised reducing combat capability costs through the use of Reserves, and reducing procurement costs.
29 September, 2009
IT upgrade locked
in for quarantine
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is set to begin planning for a comprehensive biosecurity IT upgrade.Minister, Tony Burke said the upgrade would replace unreliable and outdated systems that were more than a decade old.
Mr Burke said the upgrade followed the Beale Review into quarantine and biosecurity, which made 84 recommendations that were accepted by the Government in-principle.
“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has advised that a failure in the current inefficient clearance system would halt quarantine processing of trade within days,” he said.
“The technology is increasingly unreliable and involves 75 different systems which need to be streamlined to reduce the potential impact on trade if systems fail.”
He said the Government would also examine the current network of quarantine facilities for plants and animals entering Australia.
“Leases for the current five sites expire in 2015 and a number can't be renewed, meaning work must begin now to look at alternatives and ensure we maintain a rigorous biosecurity system,” Mr Burke said.
He said new legislation was being drafted to replace the century-old Quarantine Act.
In July, Kevin Dunn was appointed interim Inspector General of Biosecurity, while former Chief Economist at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Roger Rose joined the Eminent Scientists Group which has responsibility for reviewing the import risk analyses conducted by security
Mr Burke said DAFF’s biosecurity functions had also been consolidated into a new “one-stop-shop”, integrating the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Biosecurity Australia and other areas in a Biosecurity Services Group.
The establishment of a Biosecurity Advisory Council which would give independent advice to the Minister was also foreshadowed.
“Consistent with the Beale report, the Government has also moved from the previous system of Increased Quarantine Intervention, with inflexible targets, to a genuine risk management system and has maintained the National Sentinel Hive Program,” he said.
“On-going work on the planned IT upgrade, the network of quarantine facilities, legislation drafting and maintaining interim arrangements will be supported with $14.7 million from within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry budget,” Mr Burke said.
29 September, 2009
Comcare puts money
on new OHS laws
Comcare has expressed its support for proposed new occupational health and safety legislation.Chief Executive Officer of Comcare, Paul O’Connor said the model legislation would allow employers to effectively manage workplace safety and work to one set of laws, regardless of their jurisdiction.
Mr O’Connor’s statement was in response to calls by the Chair of the Safe Work Australia Council, Tom Phillips for industry representatives, employers and employees to voice their opinions on the legislation.
The model laws are being driven by Safe Work Australia, in partnership with Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and employer and employee groups.
“Safe Work Australia has made great progress on the model legislation. This reform will help build safer workplaces in the community and increase productivity,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The harmonisation of OHS legislation supports Comcare’s aim – to work in partnership with employers, workers and the community to protect the health, safety and welfare of all workers.”
Mr O’Connor said he expected the Federal Government would be an “early adopter” of the new laws.
Mr Phillips said it was important that people in the community expressed their views to ensure the laws were relevant to all workers.
“This public comment process will give people the opportunity to actively participate in the development of model OHS legislation and ensure their voice is heard,” he said.
“I recognise that committing to the harmonisation of OHS laws will mean changes for all jurisdictions. This will not be at the expense of the safety of Australian workers.”
The documents to be released for public comment include an exposure draft of the model Act, model administrative Regulations and the draft Consultation Regulation Impact Statement.
The public comment period will open in late September and run for six weeks.
Further information was available at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
29 September, 2009
Pension centenary
sparks old-age coin
A commemorative coin to mark the centenary of the Age Pension is being circulated by the Royal Australian Mint.More than five million of the $1 coins have been circulated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the pension.
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the coin was a way of honouring the many pensioners who had made a significant contribution to Australian society.
“The coin symbolises the spirit of the age pension – a commitment to the welfare of older Australians and the recognition of the role they have had in building our country,” Senator Sherry said.
“More than five million coins going into circulation will provide the community with more than five million reminders of just how important and valued our pensioner community is.”
The Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin said the launch coincided with the first day of the administration of new pension payments under the Federal Government's Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms.
Ms Macklin said the reforms would improve the pension's adequacy for the 3.3 million age pensioners, disability support pensioners, carers, wife and widow pensioners and veteran income support recipients in Australia.
“In the 100th year of the Age Pension, the Australian Government has delivered the most significant reforms to the pension since its introduction.”
The coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik.
29 September, 2009
Electoral reformers
bite ballot again
A second consultation paper on national electoral reform has been released by the Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig.Senator Ludwig said the second Electoral Reform Green Paper – Strengthening Australia’s Democracy, featured a range of ideas aimed at improving the country’s national electoral processes.
He said issues raised for public comment included current arrangements for elections in Australia; who is entitled to vote in Australian elections; maintenance of the electoral roll and close of roll provisions; arrangements for casting of votes at elections; and processes for the counting of votes and determination of election results.
“Many of our electoral laws originate from a time before computers or modern communications,” Senator Ludwig said.
“It’s important we take stock of the laws so we have a system that makes sense for the 21st Century.”
Senator Ludwig said the options raised in the paper aimed to deal with changes occurring in the electoral environment, such as population growth, technology advances and opportunities for streamlining laws between the Commonwealth and States and Territories.
He said while the first Green Paper focused on electoral funding and disclosure arrangements, the latest release had a broader scope.
Senator Ludwig said the Government had consulted the States and Territories in developing the Green Paper.
“Since 1918, the Electoral Act has had only one major rewrite, and that was 25 years ago,” he said.
“The Government’s Green Paper process on electoral reform is intended to provide an opportunity for broad engagement across the range of matters relevant to electoral law.”
Senator Ludwig said the success of the process depended on the level of debate and discussion within the broader community.
Public comment on the second Green Paper closes on 27 November 2009, with the paper and further information available from www.pmc.gov.au
An online discussion forum will also be open from 9 to 13 November.
29 September, 2009
Election conference
attracts the numbers
The Australian Electoral Commission has held a one-day colloquium to discuss Australia’s electoral services.Hosted at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, the event was attended by State and Territory Electoral Commissioners and over 100 academics, psephologists, electoral administrators and youth representatives.
Federal Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn said the colloquium marked the 25th anniversary of the AEC’s establishment as an independent statutory body.
Commissioner Killesteyn said the Colloquium generated lively debate about the modernisation of the AEC to ensure it could provide services expected by the Australian community in the future.
He said participants discussed how the AEC could further collaborate with other Australian electoral management bodies and investment needed in AEC staff to help them deliver future services.
Speaking at the event, Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig said the Commonwealth Electoral Act of 1918 played a large role in defining Australia’s democratic functions but had not been the subject of a comprehensive review in 25 years.
Senator Ludwig said the Government’s Green Paper on electoral reform, which looked at who can vote, voting systems for both houses of Parliament, the registration of political parties and election campaigning, was long overdue.
He said he was particularly concerned by a lack of voter participation.
At the previous election he said, over 2.3 million Australians who were entitled to vote did not have their votes counted due to them not being enrolled, casting an informal vote, or not voting at all.
“While we consider the right to vote sacrosanct, there are a large number of provisions that in reality serve to discourage and disqualify electors,” he said.
Senator Ludwig also raised the prospect of better utilising new technologies in the electoral process, such as online voting.
“Internet voting systems have been used in some instances in the United States, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Estonia,” he said.
“There are issues of verification, integrity and audit trails that will need to be addressed in any electronic voting system, but I am sure these options should be explored to see if there is a way that ensures the maintenance of public trust in the delivery of election services.”
29 September, 2009
Glowing welcome for
nuclear partnership
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Australian National University have joined together in a partnership aimed at enhancing the nation’s nuclear science and technology engagement.A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the two research bodies to offer students and researchers greater access to facilities.
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr said the MOU was a unique opportunity for nuclear research and scientific collaboration.
Senator Carr said bringing the ANU and ANSTO together formally would achieve real benefits as they were “Commonwealth institutions with different sets of skills and scientific capabilities.”
“Their areas of expertise include the operation of major Australian accelerator facilities, research into future energy sources - such as fusion - and ways for Australia to promote nuclear non-proliferation around the world,” he said.
“Educational programs in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering and materials science will benefit from this partnership.”
Senator Carr said other benefits of the partnership included the development of future industries and new technologies.
“Collaboration stretches our research dollars further, spreads risk and favours serendipity, boosts skills and builds critical mass,” he said.
ANSTO said it would use its facilities to analyse particles from the dust storm that hit Sydney recently.
Manager of ANSTO’s Accelerator Science Project, Dr David Cohen said ANSTO was the only group in Australia to use accelerator based techniques to measure the mass and analyse the fine particles in the air.
“[The duststorm] was an incredibly unusual event so finding out exactly the concentration and the composition of these dust particles will be exciting, particularly considering the many hundreds of kilometres they have travelled,” Dr Cohen said.
Previously, Dr Cohen and his team had tracked similar dust storms in Hanoi.
“The current ANSTO research along Australia's east cost, in conjunction with ANU and Monash universities, will allow scientists to better quantify and source all major dust movements from inland Australia and across the east coast,” he said.
29 September, 2009
Violence report to
strike blow for women
A report examining Federal, State, Territory and New Zealand legislation on domestic violence and sexual assault has been released.The report, Domestic Violence Laws in Australia, is to be used to develop the Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women.
In a joint statement, Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek said nearly one in three Australian women would experience physical violence and nearly one in five would experience sexual violence over their lifetime.
“The Australian Government's position on violence against women is one of zero tolerance,” Mr McClelland and Ms Plibersek said.
“Laws must be strong enough to hold perpetrators to account and offer justice and safety for victims and their families.”
The report, prepared by the Australian Government Solicitor for the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, found there were significant differences in a number of areas.
These included maximum penalties for contravening a domestic violence order; approaches to counselling and rehabilitation programs; and police obligations to take action where domestic violence is suspected.
The report provides an analysis of overlaps and potential gaps between the Family Law Act 1975 and State and Territory domestic violence protection orders.
It also looks at the registration process for domestic violence protection orders and 'portability' between jurisdictions, which Mr McClelland and Ms Plibersek said was a critical issue for women fleeing domestic violence.
“This will be an important input as the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General considers options for a national register of protection orders to better protect victims,” they said.
The report was available from www.fahcsia.gov.au
29 September, 2009
Kids’ TV trade show
wiggles into Korea
A trade mission has visited South Korea to promote Australia’s expertise in producing children’s television programs.Minister for Trade, Simon Crean said Australia had a strong record when it came to children’s television, pointing to successful shows such as Bananas in Pyjamas, The Wiggles, Hi-Five and Blinky Bill.
Mr Crean said a partnership with Korea could boost Australian children’s programs in the broader Asian community and to a wider global audience.
“The world is hungry for television content and we have some of the best children’s shows in the world and some of the most creative people,” he said.
Mr Crean said Korea was considered to be a ‘test market’ given its rapid uptake of new technology, and the trade mission had examined opportunities to partner with Korean companies to embrace emerging digital platforms.
“South Korea is a high-tech nation with a strong animation sector which means there are big opportunities for Australian children’s content production,” he said.
“This hi-tech partnership highlights the potential of Australia’s trade relationship with South Korea.”
Mr Crean said there was great potential in children’s television production. The Wiggles in 2005 were named the Australian exporter of the year and in 2007-8 had grossed $45 million.
Members of the trade envoy included representatives of ABC Television and the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF), supported by Austrade.
The visit from 22 to 24 September was led by Professor Mike Miller, a board member of the AKF, along with AKF Board members; the Director of ABC TV, Kim Dalton; and Australian author, Dr Rodney Hall.
Mr Dalton said Australian children’s content producers could benefit from a closer relationship with South Korea.
“The success of this sector has always relied on Australian producers’ capacity to develop international co-funding and co-production relationships,” he said.
“Helping foster links between Australia and South Korea’s production sectors and public broadcasters will also help build partnerships and create opportunities to reach a wider audience,” he said.
South Korea is Australia’s sixth largest two-way trading partner and Free Trade Agreement talks between the nations began in May this year.
29 September, 2009
Governments wring
out water agreement
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Federal and New South Wales Governments allowing farmers in NSW to sell their water entitlements to the Commonwealth.Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and NSW Premier, Nathan Rees said the bilateral agreement would operate until 2012-2013 and would aid the completion of trades from willing sellers in NSW under the Federal Government’s 2008-09 water purchase tenders.
Ms Gillard and Mr Rees said the MOU would allow for the return of water to the Murray-Darling’s rivers and wetlands.
“To date, the Australian Government has secured the purchase of 545 gigalitres of water entitlements worth $840 million from across the Murray-Darling Basin,” Ms Gillard said.
Mr Rees said NSW had agreed to lift its embargo on water trades associated with purchases of water for the environment as it would provide “certainty and balance” for regional communities in the State.
“The deal is a win for all parties,” he said.
Mr Rees said the MOU also committed both Governments to developing and implementing water shepherding arrangements to ensure environmental water purchases in the northern Basin could be used to meet high priority environmental needs across the system.
Water shepherding enables water to be delivered along the system to high priority environmental assets without enhancing or diminishing the rights of water users along the way.
“This commitment builds on the success of shepherding water from Toorale Station to key wetlands in the River Murray,” Mr Rees said.
He said as a result of the purchase of Toorale station by the NSW Government, arouned 8.7 gigalitres of water had been delivered to environmental sites in NSW, South Australia and Victoria.
Ms Gillard said the MOU complemented the 'Water for the Environment' agreement between the Australian and Victorian Government which promotes the sustainable use of scarce water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.
29 September, 2009
War historians to
fight for medal
The Australian War Memorial has established a new award to promote and develop research into Australian military history.The Bryan Gandevia Award is a biennial prize to be given to an outstanding postgraduate history thesis in the fields of military or military-medical history.
The prize commemorates Professor Gandevia, a former member of the Australian War Memorial Board, respiratory physician and Australian Army Major who served in Japan and Korea.
The initiative was announced at the AWM’s international conference War wounds: medicine and the trauma of conflict, which brought together historians, medical practitioners, veterans and researchers from Australia and abroad to explore the impact of war, wounds and trauma through historical records and personal experiences.
Speakers at the conference included the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin; Professor Jay Winter, an expert on WWI and its impact on the 20th Century from Yale University; and Melbourne historian Dr Marina Larsson.
Major themes addressed by speakers included casualties in war, treatment in the field, medical evacuation, surgical teams and field hospitals as well as soldiers’ and doctors’ perspectives of wounds and treatment.
Other topics discussed were mine casualties, fear of wounds and acute trauma on the battlefield; shell shock, self inflicted wounds; combat fatigue; and the cost of war.
29 September, 2009
IP Council designs
paper on patents
The Advisory Council on Intellectual Property has called for public comment in response to its recently released paper examining what should be patentable.Chair of ACIP, Leon Allen said the paper outlined options for reforming the legal tests for patentable subject matter.
Mr Allen said the paper set out a number of options designed to ensure patents continued to provide an incentive to foster Australian innovation.
“The options proposed by ACIP for public discussion include modernising or replacing the existing test for patentable subject matter,” he said.
Mr Allen said ACIP wanted to hear from interested parties about whether current laws were creating barriers to innovation.
“Some of the options have the intent of allowing researchers and innovators greater clarity and transparency when it comes to ascertaining if their work is patentable,” he said.
“The issue of patentable subject matter is topical. The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs is currently looking at gene patents. That is a specific example of the types of issues that ACIP is tackling more generally.”
Mr Allen said submissions would provide a valuable opportunity for the community to contribute to the reform process.
“The test for patentable subject matter in Australia is linked to legislation introduced in England in 1623 so it really does need addressing within the context of modern research and business,” he said.
ACIP said it expected to submit its final report to the Government following the current round of consultations which end on 13 November.
ACIP is an independent body that was appointed to advice the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on matters relating to intellectual property policy and strategic administration of Intellectual Property Australia.
Submissions could be made at www.acip.gov.au
29 September, 2009
Wages trends out
The newly released Trends in Enterprise Bargaining report has shown that employees on one of the 5,467 agreements lodged in the June quarter have received a wage increase of 3.9 per cent.
In the Public Sector, there was an average wage increase of 3.9 per cent, while across the private sector there was an average increase of 4 percent in the June quarter.
Federal politicians are to receive a 3 per cent salary increase following a decision by the independent Remuneration Tribunal to end the freeze on Parliamentarian’s pay packets, which had been in place since their last pay rise in July 2007.
De Gruchy bows out
The Chief Executive of the Australian Government Solicitor, Rayne de Gruchy has decided not to seek reappointment to the position her term ends on 17 January 2010.
Ms de Gruchy has been the CEO of AGS since its establishment as a government business enterprise in 1999 and has overseen its successful transition to a commercial and competitive business.
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland thanked Ms de Gruchy for her contribution to the AGS.
Tax forum success
Australia has been elected as the inaugural international chair of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange on Information for Tax Purposes.
The Forum is the international body that monitors tax havens, tax preferential jurisdictions and promotes international tax information exchange.
Australia will be the forum’s international chair for a two-year term.
Sports program turns 15
The Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Sports Commission have celebrated 15 years of the National Athlete Career and Education program.
Over the past 15 years the ACE program has helped more than 20,000 elite athletes manage their education, work and sports performance.
Dual Olympic medallist Jared Tallent, who received ACE support during his time as an elite race walker while studying financial planning, joined fellow AIS athletes to mark the occasion.
Disabilities protocol OK
The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has come into force.
The Protocol allows for Australians to make complaints to the UN Disabilities Committee should all domestic remedies be exhausted.
The Commonwealth ratified the Convention in July 2008, making it one of the first Western countries to do so. More than 60 nations are now party to the Convention and over 40 nations that have acceded to or ratified the Optional Protocol.
New attraction at gallery
The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled its latest major acquisition, Portrait of Dr Johann Reinhold Forster and his son George Forster.
The painting, by Jean François Rigaud in 1780, depicts the naturalists Johann and George Forster at work in the field in the course of their voyage with Captain James Cook.
The father-and-son team sailed on the Resolution between 1772 and 1775.
Identity conference
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies is hosting a conference to explore the challenges of asserting Indigenous identity in the city.
Over 220 presenters and 400 delegates are expected to attend the AIATSIS National
Indigenous Studies Conference, Perspectives on Urban Life: Connections and Reconnections.
The conference will be held at the Australian National University from 29 September to 1 October, with further information available from www.aiatsis.gov.au
AIDS agreement signed
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith has signed an agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS to help combat the spread of HIV in developing countries.
Mr Smith said the Commonwealth would provide $25 million to the cause, an increase in Australia’s annual total contribution to UNAIDS of more than 50 per cent from last year.
22 September, 2009
PS burden pulling
infrastructure down
The Productivity Commission has found that bureaucratic rules and regulations were hampering the development of much-needed public infrastructure in Australia.In its Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on business: Social and Economic Infrastructure, the Commission finds that inconsistent and jurisdictional regulations were placing an unnecessary burden on infrastructure businesses, which accounted for 33 per cent of Australia’s GDP.
It recommends regulatory reform to lift the burden on the sector, which includes aged care, child care, construction, and information and communications technology.
The review, which is part of an annual series of studies that the Productivity Commission undertakes to assess the impact of the current stock of regulation on business, looked at a five-year period of regulatory burden.
The social and economic infrastructure service sector is subject to both State and Commonwealth regulations.
“While there is a burden of regulation on all sectors within the economy, the burden
of regulation on the social and economic infrastructure services sector is especially
heavy,” the review said.
It said there was a cost to this regulation and not all of it was necessary.
It identified examples where regulations were introduced for isolated problems, but applied sector-wide.
“The consequences of such excessive attempts to manage risk underpin many of the
concerns raised in this year’s review.
“This excessive risk management can impede innovations in service delivery, increase costs, undermine staff morale and commandeer resources for compliance purposes away from the core aspects of service delivery.”
It said jurisdictional inconsistencies also affected businesses.
“Such inconsistencies can produce multiple reporting requirements to Commonwealth and State Government agencies — even for those businesses that operate within a state or territory,” the review said.
The Commission made 42 recommendations grouped according to industry.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said the Government would consider the findings.
“Reviews such as this have been necessary because in the past there has been no process for regularly scrutinising the cost creep to business from poorly designed or outdated Government regulation,” Mr Tanner said.
22 September, 2009
Leave applications in
poor form says audit
The Auditor-General has discovered that up to one in five applications for annual leave in the Australian Public Service is not approved until after the leave has commenced.In his report The Management and Processing of Annual Leave, Auditor-General, Ian McPhee recommends that this situation be improved.
Basing his findings on an audit of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Department of Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Mr McPhee said the management and processing of annual leave in the APS had improved since his last investigation in 2005.
On that occasion he found problems with high levels of accrued leave, issues with unapproved leave and poor reporting and monitoring of leave balances and made six recommendations. On this occasion he made just one.
“Overall, the three audited organisations had developed and, for the most part, implemented effective arrangements for managing the annual leave entitlements of their staff,” the Auditor-General said.
“Although the controls we examined were generally operating as intended, around 20 per cent of the annual leave applications reviewed by the ANAO were recorded in leave processing systems as being approved after the annual leave had commenced.”
He accepted that there could be valid reasons for this outcome but said it needed to be kept in check and, where possible, minimised.
“In order to reduce the risks that staff may access leave to which they are not entitled, organisations need to routinely monitor the timely approval of leave applications in their leave processing systems,” he said.
His recommendation that APS organisations monitor the approval of annual leave applications and take appropriate action when approvals after commencement become an issue was accepted by all three Agencies but ABS said its Human Resources Management Information System did not possess the monitoring capability.
The Auditor-General’s full report can be accessed at www.anao.gov.au
22 September, 2009
PS on the money
over economy
Public Sector leaders have played a vital role in helping steer Australia through the Global Financial Crisis, according to the Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ken Henry.Speaking at a recent leadership forum in Melbourne organised by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA), Dr Henry said such situations required determined decision making using a comprehensive and multidimensional approach.
The breakfast seminar was attended by more than 240 IPAA Fellows, Members and senior public sector professionals from all three tiers of Government and Dr Henry indicated that the roots of the Global Financial Crisis could be traced back to a failure of financial institutions to identify and manage risk, which led to a collapse in confidence.
When lending came to a halt and financial markets froze, Governments around the world stepped in.
Dr Henry said that in such challenging times, public sector leaders needed to take a holistic approach to the issues raised at all levels of Government.
They should not lose sight of the long-term issues and strategic imperatives.
For example, he said, dealing with climate change and the implications of an ageing population could not be deferred while the economic crisis was solved.
Public Servants needed to learn from past experience while remaining forward looking he said, and during a crisis, information often seemed ambiguous and timelines brutal.
Dr Henry also fielded questions from the floor about the potential of rising inflation, the challenges of federalism and the changing landscape of Australia's international relations.
22 September, 2009
Computer upgrade is
more people power
Centrelink has increased its fleet of self-service computers, making it easier for clients to conduct their business online.Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen said as part of Centrelink’s service delivery reform, the number of self-service PCs had been increased from less than 600 to almost 1,500.
“Customers have told us they want flexibility in the way they deal with Centrelink, so we've developed a suite of phone and online self-service options,” Mr Bowen said.
“The self-service computers previously located in Customer Service Centres were stand-alone PCs connected to the internet, using individual landline connections.
“The new PCs will be on a centrally managed online network that sits within the Centrelink IT infrastructure.
“They will complement Centrelink's current national roll-out of Speaker Verification technology which will allow more customers to do more business over the phone swiftly, securely and at their own convenience.”
Mr Bowen said the new computers were quicker, more responsive and more reliable than their predecessors.
He said they would reduce waiting times at Customer Service Centres.
“Customers will also be able to search government, community, banking, educational and job search websites,” Mr Bowen said.
“When customers choose self-service it means they have more control over when they do Centrelink business.”
He said the full roll-out of self-service PCs would be completed this month.
22 September, 2009
Files opened up in Tax
Office share plan
New laws allowing the Australian Taxation Office to disclose information to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to ensure correct salary levels are being paid to temporary overseas workers have come into force.Other bodies including the Fair Work Ombudsman and occupational health and safety agencies, will also have access to information.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said the new provisions would help ensure overseas workers were being paid the right salary levels, and that their conditions of employment were not being undermined.
Earlier this year, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Fair Work Ombudsman recovered more than $8,000 in back-pay owed to two overseas workers employed in the WA Goldfields on subclass 457 visas.
Senator Evans said the sharing of information between DIAC, the ATO, Fair Work Ombudsman and occupational health and safety agencies would be a deterrent to unscrupulous employers.
He said it would ensure that instances of unfair or unsafe treatment of temporary skilled workers would be uncovered quickly and dealt with appropriately.
“The laws will require that all new workers on subclass 457 visas must be paid market salary rates,” Senator Evans said.
Under the laws, specially trained officers with investigative powers will be able to monitor workplaces and conduct site visits to determine whether employers are complying with the redefined sponsorship obligations. The powers will be similar to the powers of Fair Work inspectors under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Senator Evans said employers found in breach of the obligations in the Migration Regulations may be liable for fines of up to $33,000.
The Department will retain the ability to cancel an employer’s approval as a sponsor or bar them from making applications for approval as a sponsor for a period of time.
22 September, 2009
Updated PM site is
a prime resource
The National Archives of Australia has launched a website allowing people to access information about Australia’s Prime Ministers.The Australia’s Prime Ministers website features both fast facts and authoritative biographical information about the country’s 26 leaders, along with a portal pointing people to original material held in various institutions both here and overseas.
Launching the website, Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy said it would enhance people’s understanding of Australia’s political history.
“Since the original launch in 2002 it has become one of the most popular sites developed by the Archives,” Senator Lundy said.
“What better place to launch the new site than at the Australian Prime Ministers Centre, which was established to provide a national focus for research and scholarship in prime ministerial studies.”
She said people could use the website to access fascinating tidbits of information such as an explanation of why the Prime Minister’s wife is not Australia’s ‘first lady’, and what John and Elsie Curtin got up to after viewing the musical Oklahoma! in New York.
There is also an option to view timelines by various categories and a gallery featuring audio and visual components.
The website was redeveloped with the assistance of the Australian Prime Ministers Centre at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
It can be accessed at primeministers.naa.gov.au
22 September, 2009
Online help for family
homework
The Department of Human Services has launched a new tool to help separated families navigate the Family Law System.Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen said the online resource, My family is separating – what now? would assist families with the legal, financial and emotional issues associated with separation.
“There's a lot you have to think about when you separate - practical considerations about where you'll live, finances, child support, legal matters, as well as how your children are coping and your own wellbeing,” Mr Bowen said.
“This online tool is tailored to suit different family circumstances and will provide separating or separated families with information and advice to help them work through these complex matters.
“This website is designed to help families better understand their rights, obligations and the services available to help them and their children.”
Mr Bowen said previously there has been no ‘one-stop shop’ for families to find the support groups or services they could utilise to help them with the separation process.
The concept of My family is separating - what now? came from recommendations made by Child Support Stakeholder Engagement Groups.
Mr Bowen said it was developed and tested in consultation with community service organisations and family law partners, and would be particularly useful for rural families who would otherwise find it difficult to get information and advice about separation.
“With My family is separating - what now? people can access timely and accurate information and appropriate support services at their convenience,” he said.
“By presenting clear pathways for accessing emotional, legal and financial support for separating families we hope to reduce the stress associated with separation and assist them in finding what they need for themselves and their children.”
Mr Bowen said to use My family is separating - what now? parents should go to www.familyseparation.humanservices.gov.au
22 September, 2009
Disability strategy a
strong step forward
A National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy to encourage more people with disabilities into work has been released.The strategy includes $1.2 billion in new employment services for people with disabilities and includes the Disability Support Pension (DSP) Employment Incentive Pilot which will trial a new way of encouraging employers to offer work to people with disabilities and allow DSP recipients to demonstrate their skills.
Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib said from 1 March next year, job seekers would receive more personalised services, while employers of people with a disability would get more support.
“For the first time, services will be demand driven,” Senator Arbib said.
“This means all job seekers with disability will have immediate access to assistance from an employment service helping them to gain skills and employment.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten said employers would receive wage subsidies of up to $3,000 after the job seeker has remained in work for 26 weeks. Normal income taper rates will apply to DSP recipients who participate in the pilot.
“I know that many businesses want to do more to employ people with disability. This is why the Government is supporting this pilot which is expected to provide job opportunities for 1,000 Australians who receive the DSP,” Mr Shorten said.
“Providing fulfilling work and economic independence for people with disability was a key to improving their inclusion in the community.
He said there was no doubt that people with disabilities wanted to work.
“We need to ensure that we remove the barriers and negative attitudes facing people with disability who want to work, and recognise their potential rather than their impairments.”
Copies of the Strategy paper could be obtained by calling 1300 363 079 (TTY 1800 554 609), or emailing employmentstrategy@deewr.gov.au.
The report is available in electronic form at www.workplace.gov.au
22 September, 2009
Safety laws in good hands
Draft documents setting up model occupational health and safety legislation are to be released for public discussion by the Safe Work Australia Council.Chair of the Council, Tom Phillips said the suite of documents represented a “significant development” in the harmonisation of OHS laws around Australia and the Australian community should have six weeks to comment on them.
“We have reached a key milestone,” Mr Phillips said.
“Safe Work Australia is on track to deliver national OHS laws by December 2011.’
He said the documents to be made available included an exposure draft of the model OHS Act, a discussion paper, draft Regulations and a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).
“I believe harmonising OHS laws will benefit workers across all industries by better protecting the lives and health of Australians,” Mr Phillips said.
“This regulatory reform will not come at the expense of the safety of Australian workers.”
He said releasing the documents would allow Australian businesses and individuals to voice their opinion on the new legislation.
He said the final decision on releasing the documents rested with the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) so Safe Work Australia had forwared a recommendation on.
Mr Phillips also announced that 41 organisations had sought to become Safety Partners of national Safe Work Australia Week, which would run from 25 to 31 October. He said the Safety Partners would join 16 Safety Ambassadors to promote safety during the week.
“In agreeing to become Safety Ambassadors, Council members join the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Safety Commissioner in a strong commitment to workplace safety and the benefits of harmonised OHS,” Mr Phillips said.
“We look forward to working together to raise awareness of the benefits of harmonisation and the importance of workplace safety to reduce the incidence of death, injury and disease.”
22 September, 2009
Weather Bureau
settles on book
The Bureau of Meteorology has launched a new book, Climate of Australia. The book features a summary of the main climatic influences in Australia, how they have shaped the landscape and how they determine the way people live in their part of the country.
It includes maps, illustrations, and other images, and an outline of Australia's climate down the ages.
Launching the book, the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett said it was an essential resource for anyone interested in Australia’s climate.
“With the recent history of severe weather events, and our changing climate, our attention has been strongly focused on the importance of monitoring and understanding the trends, patterns and extremes of Australia's climate,” Mr Garrett said.
“Whether your quest is for authoritative climate data for a school project, or a community environmental program, the new-look Climate of Australia, with greatly expanded descriptive material, and is a rich source of information,” Mr Garrett said.
An accompanying CD-ROM features site-specific information for many Australian towns and regions.
Mr Garrett said there were also sections of the book on climate influences, climate elements, and extreme weather events, such as the Federation drought, tropical cyclone Tracy and the Canberra bushfires.
Climate of Australia is available at bookstores.
22 September, 2009
Veterans' Affairs has
shot at survey
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has launched a study into the effects of military service in Timor-Leste on the families of service personnel.Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin said Australian Defence Force families would benefit from the $2 million study, which would gather evidence of the health impacts of deployment on families, and help guide future policy on Government support for Defence families.
“This is the first time the intergenerational impacts of service from a recent deployment have been examined and will provide invaluable data on any differences in the physical, mental and social health of the families of ADF members who served in East Timor,” Mr Griffin said.
While the DVA Family Study Program includes a study into the intergenerational effects of Vietnam service, the Minister said researching more recent experiences and younger children would provide useful results that could be applied to the effects of other recent deployments.
The study will examine risks and protective factors associated with any identified health impacts.
It will also establish whether there is a direct link between any identified distinctive health characteristics and active East Timor service.
The study, being conducted by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH), is to be completed by the end of June, 2011.
Mr Griffin said CMVH has already developed a database of 20,000 ADF personnel who served in East Timor from 1999 to 2005 as part of its work for theDeployment Health Surveillance Program.
He said it was hoped that a number of the families of these veterans would participate when recruitment for the Timor-Leste Family Study begins next year.
The Study will be supported by a Scientific Advisory Committee and an Independent Scientific Adviser, as well as a Consultative Forum to provide a participant perspective.
Mr Griffin said 20 September marked 10 years since Australians were deployed to East Timor and it was important to understand the consequences of deployment given that Australian Military personnel were still there.
“With Australia’s current high level of involvement in peace operations, this study will provide valuable information to help us understand the impact of operational service on families.”
22 September, 2009
Boost for transplants
as donors hit wall
A wall of support has been erected by the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant Authority as a way of promoting awareness and increasing public confidence in organ and tissue donation.The National Communications Charter Signatories Wall has attracted 47 signatories, including the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments as well as agencies and community organisations and was unveiled by the Authority at its offices in Canberra.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler said although Australia was a world leader in transplantation outcomes, organ and tissue donations were low by global standards.
There are around 1800 Australians on the official waiting list at any one time, with on average 200 organ donors each year.
“Every donation is important,” Mr Butler said.
“This sector has over 70 stakeholders and we cannot afford to lose potential donations through public confusion arising from a fragmented approach.
“We know that while the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation, many families do not discuss this in any depth.
“Yet we also know that when people face the decision about donating a family member's organs they want to be sure of that person's wishes.”|
Mr Butler said Charter signatories were working to increase family consent and organ donation rates for transplantation by promoting nationally consistent, evidence-based messages.
Chief Executive of the Authority, Karen Murphy said the key messages were ‘discover, decide and discuss’.
“Our shared goal is to enable Australians to discover the facts on organ and tissue donation, to make informed choices to decide to become donors and to discuss as a family to confidently know each other's wishes in relation to organ and tissue donation," Ms Murphy said.
She said more information was available at www.donatelife.gov.au
22 September, 2009
New citizens call
Australia home
More than 4,500 people became Australian citizens last week on the 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship.Ceremonies were held around the country to mark Australian Citizenship Day, with people from 120 countries taking part.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said the occasion was a chance for all Australians to consider the meaning of citizenship, although this year’s Citizenship Day was of particular historic significance.
“It is an opportunity for all Australians, whether citizens by birth or by choice, to understand the role Australian citizenship plays in building a strong, harmonious and unified nation,” Senator Evans said.
“Australian citizenship was first introduced in 1949 with the enactment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948. Before this, most Australian residents were British subjects.
“The 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship is an opportunity for us to reflect on the changes that have shaped our nation over the past 60 years.”
At Parliament House, politicians were invited to join new citizens and reaffirm there commitment to Australia, while in Sydney 110 people from 35 countries became Australians,
Chinese-born opera singer Sharon Zhai led one of the Sydney ceremonies by singing the national anthem before making her pledge.
Other prominent people to take citizenship included British-born film-maker, Stephen Oliver, who made the documentary Skippy, Australia’s first super star: the remarkable story of how a crime-fighting marsupial conquered the world, and the first US ambassador to Hanoi after the Vietnam War.
Citizenship ceremonies were held in regional Australia as well, with more than 560 people becoming citizens in NSW towns such as Griffith, Tumbarumba and Young.
In Tasmania, one of the first ‘naturalised’ Australians reaffirmed his commitment to mark the anniversary of citizenship. In 1949, Marian Jackiewicz, now 87, was one of 194 Polish ex-servicemen who became citizens in what was then Tasmania’s first and Australia’s biggest citizenship ceremony.
Senator Evans congratulated Australia’s newest citizens.
“Citizenship represents a commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future,” he said.
“It also symbolises our sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or have decided to make our home.
“Australian Citizenship Day provides an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate being part of such a wonderful country.”
22 September, 2009
Citizenship exam
put to the test
Changes have been made to the Australian citizenship test.Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said new citizens would now be quizzed on their understanding of civics and responsibilities rather than general knowledge.
Senator Evans said the overhaul followed an independent review which found the citizenship test could be “significantly improved”.
Launching the revised citizenship test resource book, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, Senator Evans said the new test would be rolled out on October 19.
The resource book, written by educational and civics experts in plain English, is divided into testable and non-testable sections.
Senator Evans said the testable part of the book focuses on the pledge of commitment that new Australians make when becoming citizens and contains information on Australia's democratic laws and Government as well as the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
The non-testable section contains interesting and useful information about Australia's history, culture, sport and notable Australians including Dick Smith, Victor Chang, Eddie Mabo and Sir Donald Bradman.
“The pledge is about our democratic beliefs, our rights and our system of law, and what it means to be an Australian citizen,” Senator Evans said.
“All prospective citizens should understand those concepts so all of the questions in the new citizenship test focus on the commitments that new citizens make in the pledge.
“The test is also designed to assess whether applicants have a basic knowledge of the English language and will be conducted in English only.”
He said the new test will contain 20 multiple-choice questions and take up to 45 minutes to complete. The pass mark will rise from 60 per cent to 75 per cent.
Senator Evans said unlike the current test, the new test would not contain mandatory questions.
“The questions will all focus on the important concepts contained in the Australian Citizenship Pledge, rather than general knowledge about Australia,” he said.
“All questions will have equal weighting.”
“The new citizenship resource book and test will ensure all migrants have a better understanding of their responsibilities and privileges and the best possible opportunity to become Australian citizens.”
An audio-DVD on key parts of the citizenship test was being developed to assist people with low literacy levels, while the resource book will also be translated into 37 languages.
Senator Evans said the citizenship website www.citizenship.gov.au would also be revamped with a new look and plain English content as part of Australian Citizenship Day celebrations.
22 September, 2009
ACMA to disconnect
phone deal rip-offs
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is calling for public submissions on proposed new laws to regulate the premium mobile services industry. ACMA’s Consultation paper relating to the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2009 (No. 1) seeks to make SMS and MMS barring the starting point forall pre-paid and post-paid mobile phone customers.
Following a review of advertisements for the premium services on television, in magazines, on the internet and in other media, ACMA found there were potential problems with the majority of the industry’s ads.
This prompted the Mobile Premium Services Code, which came into effect on 1 July this year, placing obligations on providers regarding advertising and improved customer safeguards.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman, said the results of the investigations were not good.
“The ACMA is disappointed at the initial results,” Mr Chapman said, “and now has 14 formal investigations underway into suppliers of mobile premium services suspected of breaching the new Mobile Premium Services Code.
“Content suppliers are on notice that the ACMA expects them to lift their game to comply with all the rules, especially the provision of clear and legible pricing information in advertisements for mobile premium services.”
He said regulation to allow people to bar mobile premium services would complement the Mobile Premium Services Code.
Mr Chapman said ACMA was considering two ways to implement barring of mobile premium services – “default" barring which would automatically block the use of mobile premium services on all new mobile services until the account holder requested its removal; and "opt-in" barring which would block mobile premium services at the request of the account holder.
“The capability to bar use of mobile premium services can help consumers better manage their mobile expenditure,” Mr Chapman said.
He said under the proposal, all providers would be required to introduce a capability to bar mobile premium services by 1 July 2010.
Public submissions on ACMA’s plans are due by Friday, 23 October 2009.
More information is available at www.acma.gov.au
22 September, 2009
Tax returns for
more tax reform
Public comment has been invited on the second consultation paper outlining reforms to the administration of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the GST administration measures in the paper would improve the operation of the tax law by reducing compliance costs for taxpayers, streamlining the law and removing anomalies.
“The measures address a range of concerns raised by business, large and small,” Senator Sherry said.
He said the announced measures implemented recommendations made by the Board of Taxation in a report to the Government last year.
Key reforms include harmonising the GST law and the income tax self-assessment and rulings regimes; adopting more principled and flexible GST grouping rules; simplifying the GST adjustment provisions; and reforming the GST treatment of sales of going concerns and farmlands.
The second discussion paper includes GST self-assessment, adjustments, general law and tax law partnerships, bare trusts and running balance accounts.
The majority of the measures will apply from 1 July 2010.
Senator Sherry said the feedback from interested parties would be considered when developing draft legislation and explanatory material.
He said stakeholder submissions in response to the first discussion paper were available at www.treasury.gov.au and the latest consultation paper was available on the same website, with consultation closing on 9 October 2009.
22 September, 2009
Certificates gone
A Bill to abolish conclusive certificates has been passed by the Government as part of its Freedom of Information law reforms.
Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig said it was an important step in promoting a culture of disclosure within Government.
“It will restore the principles that underlie the purpose of FOI legislation – to give members of the public a right of access to information held by government,” Senator Ludwig said.
Consumer law delay
Consumer credit reforms are to be deferred by six months to 1 July 2010, following a recommendation by the Senate Economics Committee.
Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen said this would give the credit industry more time to make the necessary changes to move to the new regime.
He said changes to the National Consumer Credit Code would create a single, nationally-consistent regime for consumer credit regulation.
Post delivers on UK passports
Australia Post can now accept British passport applications, making it the first non-British Government agency to be able to do so.
It has received more than 14,000 applications in the first three months.
Group Manager of Financial Services, Andrew Wiseman said with over 1 million residents born in the UK, the service would be relevant to many people.
For further information, contact Australia Post.
Fair Work panels
New legal services panels appointed by the Fair Work Ombudsman are to be used for litigation, advice and corporate legal services.
The Agency has reduced from 19 to five the number of firms on its national panel.
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Chief Counsel, Natalie James said the Agency’s legal activity increased by 15 per cent last financial year, with 78 matters commenced in 2008-09.
Ms James says the new panels had been appointed until 30 June 2012, with an option to extend for two years.
DAFF Award decided
Dr Leah Bradbury has won the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Award, as well as $20,000 from the Department.
She received the accolade for her research into the use of anti-inflammatory drug carprofen for long-term pain relief in sheep.
Dr Bradbury was just one of the winners at the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, with 13 other young Australians receiving grants.
Tax havens unplugged
Parliament has passed new laws to improve the transparency and integrity of the global financial and taxation system.
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2009 would bring into law tax agreements with the British Virgin Islands and the Isle of Man – two important corporate and financial services jurisdictions.
“Together they will support Australia's efforts to combat offshore tax evasion,” Senator Sherry said.
Maritime powers reformed
Reforms designed to simplify maritime enforcement powers have been announced.
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said there were currently over 35 separate pieces of Commonwealth legislation relating to maritime enforcement and that the Maritime Powers Bill – to be introduced in the first half of next year - would bring these laws into alignment.
“The Bill will provide a unified and comprehensive suite of powers that will be available to enforce a diverse range of Australia's laws, including illegal foreign fishing, customs, quarantine and drug trafficking,” Mr McClelland said.
Brand tenders called
Tenders have been called from creative agencies for the Government’s Building Brand Australia project.
Minister for Trade, Simon Crean said the new international brand would promote Australia not only as a great place to visit but also a great place to live, work and invest.
“We want a clear vision of how Australia should be seen by the rest of the world in the 21st century,” Mr Crean said. “We want a brand that captures the vibrancy, energy and creative talents of Australia – a country that has won no less than 10 Nobel prizes.”
He said the successful tenderer would be awarded a $4 million contract over four years and an evaluation panel of senior Public Servants would decide the preferred contractor.
Grandstand grandstanding
ABC Local Radio’s Victorian Grandstand team has been honoured at the Australian Football Media Association Awards.
Senior broadcaster, Gerard Whately was awarded Most Outstanding Caller (Radio) and was highly commended for Most Outstanding News reporter.
Commentator and Saturday Night Spin co-host, Matt Clinch was a joint recipient of the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award, While Austinn (Aussie) Jones was highly commended in the Most Outstanding Special Commentator (Radio) category.
Smuggling upgrade
The Government has contributed $18 million towards the international fight against people smuggling and irregular migration.
It has provided the funding to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organisation for Migration.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said UNODC would receive $10 million for three projects targeting transnational crime and people smuggling in Asia, while $8 million would go to the IOM to help it maintain its outreach offices in Indonesia over the next four years.
Headspace for portraits
The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled its latest Headspace exhibition, featuring the works of students in Years 10, 11 and 12 from across the country.
This year’s theme was Self identities – making connections, with works exploring self connection to place and family, relationships to objects and possessions, passing of time, moods and emotions, and events that have significant impact on growing up.
Headspace aims to expand secondary students’ understanding of self portraiture, and will be on display until 15 November.
15 September, 2009
Public Service school
gets top marks
A national school for Public Servants has been proposed by the Prime Minister as a way of training future leaders and managers in the Australian Public Service.Speaking to the Australia New Zealand School of Government Annual Conference at the Australian National University recently, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd unveiled his plan for the school as a way of pulling down the ‘thick walls’ he said existed between PS policymakers and Australia’s universities and research institutions.
“Those thick walls do not enhance either the quality of public administration or the quality of academia,” the Prime Minister said.
“I am in the market for ways we can improve how public institutions relate here, so we make the most of the great talent we have in Australia.”
Drawing on the example of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States, Mr Rudd said it was that type of institution that exemplified the approach he had in mind.
He saw a similar collaboration between the Crawford School of Economics and Government at the ANU and the Australia New Zealand School of Government.
“I believe it is time to reinvigorate the Commonwealth’s relationship with the ANU and create a new partnership between the Public Service, ANZSOG and the ANU,” he said.
“That relationship is, in my view, crucial to fostering the development of the next generation of Public Service leaders and ensuring Government draws on the wealth of expertise that exists across the ANU and ANZSOG networks.”
He said the ANU was a university of national and international significance and ANZSOG had shown it could deliver first-rate training for future leaders.
He said the three way partnership could lead to the establishment of a new National Centre of Public Policy and Public Sector Management.
“This Centre would focus on professional development,” Mr Rudd said.
He said graduation from a recognised course could also become a pre-requisite for entry into the Senior Executive Service.
“As part of this, the ANZSOG Executive Master of Public Administration would become a key preparation for a role at the level of Senior Executive Service Band One.
“Public Service executives could either access programs at the ANU, or at one of the other university members of ANZSOG closest to where they work.”
He said other ANZSOG programs could be tailored for those in more senior roles.
Mr Rudd said the proposed new Centre fitted in with his calls for the APS to do more to invest in its staff.
“The Government’s program of Public Service reform above all else is about our people,” Mr Rudd said, “fostering a public service culture where there is a passion for public policy.”
He said people with that passion recognised that there were few more important and rewarding professions than forging public policy that would change and better the lives of all Australians.
15 September, 2009
Workplace watchdog
puts bite into bark
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a culture of “going the extra mile” to resolve workplace issues and was “very serious” about its duty to ensure Australian workplaces were fair, according to the Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson. Mr Wilson told a transport industry forum in Melbourne that his staff were committed to building knowledge and fairer workplaces.
He said although the Agency’s 300 inspectors relied on a voluntary compliance model, they were focused on informing the community of its rights and obligations.
“We aim to build knowledge and awareness,” Mr Wilson said.
“We do not insist there is only one way to achieve compliance and will help industry through the challenge of workplace compliance.
“While we will obviously start with voluntary resolution, we will go to any length to bring about compliance if that alternative does not bring results.”
Mr Wilson said the Agency now had a legislative framework to allow it to use Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative to litigation.
“The policy decision we have taken is that there have to be admissions to our contended breaches; that the admissions have to be public and that both the Enforceable Undertaking and the duties which flow from the agreement are made public,” he said.
Mr Wilson said transport sector employers ranked seventh in terms of industries generating the most complaints to his office and should focus on the sort of workplace they wanted and where their workplace strategy would take them.
15 September, 2009
Mint upgrade is
on the money
A $65 million upgrade to the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has been officially opened by the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.The most substantial overhaul of the facility since it was opened in 1965, the renovations sought to combine the tourism functions of the Mint with its industrial task of producing coins.
Ms Bryce said she was delighted to re-open the Mint.
“Our Mint is an Australian treasure, an important marker of our national identity and history, an icon in our cultural landscape,” she said.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mint, Graham Smith said replacing many of the old walls with glass would allow visitors to get a “hands on” feel for how the Mint operated.
“As one of Canberra’s premier tourist attractions, it is amazing to think that every single coin used in Australia is produced right here, in a factory, in Canberra,” Mr Smith said.
“The design of the building promotes an opening up of workspaces to the public who can now see the inner workings of the factory.”
Mr Smith said the refurbishment project, which has been shortlisted for a Canberra Engineering Award, had introduced new and modern technology such as robotics on the factory floor and refreshed IT business systems.
He said visitors could now see one of the world’s strongest robots, the Titan, hard at work from the observation windows in the visitor gallery.
“The Titan can lift drums of over 250,000 blanks which weigh in excess of 700 kilograms,” Mr Smith said.
“Our visitors are amazed when they see the Titan and our other technologies at work.”
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the new look Mint would host about 200,000 visitors this year and would have economic benefits.
“The Mint has won its first new international contract in five years as a direct result of the refurbishment,” Senator Sherry said.
“The Mint is now able to accept contracts from other countries without encroaching significantly into its normal, day-to-day functions.”
The launch of the refurbished Mint was bittersweet, however, with the news that its Chief Executive Officer, Janine Murphy had recently passed away.
Senator Sherry paid tribute to Ms Murphy, describing her as an exemplary Public Servant who had a distinguished 33-year career.
“Janine served Australia, and our economy, in many capacities and was widely respected by Governments and Ministers on both sides of politics,” he said.
“Janine was also a leader in progressing the prominence of women in the senior ranks of the Australian Public Service and was one of only a small number of female officers ever to be appointed to a Senior Executive Service Band 2 position in the Treasury.
“Janine's warmth, compassion and energy will be missed at the Mint, at Treasury and across the Australian Public Service,” Senator Sherry said.
15 September, 2009
Messages all good for
advertising report
A report from the Australian National Audit Office on the Commonwealth’s new advertising framework has endorsed reforms in the area that cut expenditure and implemented new guidelines on campaign advertising.The report found the new framework resulted in better targeted and supported campaigns.
The Auditor-General examined the operation of the framework in its first year, finding the guidelines were generally holding up well and had been useful in establishing the principles required for relevant Government advertising campaigns.
In his report, Auditor-General, Ian McPhee, said Agencies had started the transition to new administrative arrangements.
“As a consequence, Agency processes are increasingly focusing on the key elements of the guidelines which require documented justification of campaigns on cost, need and relevance to Government responsibilities,” he said.
Mr McPhee said there was “further room” for Agencies to adjust business processes to better align with the guidelines.
He said the ANAO had written to the Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig regarding how the guidelines could be refined or supplemented to provide additional guidance in some areas.
Mr McPhee highlighted the need for greater use of research to inform communication strategies; clearer requirements for cost benefit analyses; and greater clarity on the boundary between ‘business as usual’ communication activities and activities which were subject to the guidelines.
He said some Agencies also needed to refine their administrative processes to ensure all campaign material was presented to the ANAO for review at the same time.
Senator Ludwig welcomed the audit report, saying it was a “pleasing endorsement” of Government efforts to “restore the integrity of Government advertising.”
“I look forward to working together with the ANAO and Agencies to progress any practical suggestion to improve the operation of the guidelines,” Senator Ludwig said.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said Government advertising expenditure had been by $100 million last year.
Mr Tanner said in the 2008 calendar year, campaign advertising expenditure was $86.6 million compared to $254 million in 2007.
He said the Guidelines on Campaign Advertising by Australian Government Departments and Agencies were announced in July 2008 and the Department of Finance and Deregulation had reported on actual campaign costs for the six months between July and December 2008 in the first of what is expected to become a series of ongoing biannual reports.
The first full-year report on campaign adverting for 2008-09 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament at the end of September 2009.
The Auditor-General’s report was available from www.anao.gov.au.
15 September, 2009
Record sharing plan
is top of the tots
A new information sharing process will allow Medicare Australia to pass on information to child protection Agencies to help protect children at risk of abuse or neglect.Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen, and the Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin said the new protocol formalised the process of passing on client details to child protection Agencies in the interests of a child’s health and welfare.
Medicare’s inclusion in the information sharing process followed the adoption of the protocol by Centrelink in January this year.
Mr Bowen and Ms Macklin said including Medicare in the protocol meant important medical information could now be shared between Agencies.
They said if a child was placed into the care of a child protection Agency their medical and immunisation history and Medicare number could now be easily accessed.
“Improved information sharing between Government Agencies, regardless of the level of Government, is a vital tool in the protection of children,” Mr Bowen and Ms Macklin said.
“Sharing information across jurisdictions can prevent vulnerable children becoming lost to child protection Agencies when families move from one location to another.
“Every child has the right to a safe, healthy and happy childhood.”
The new protocol allows child protection authorities to access a child's history of doctor visits, which can help when investigating cases of medical neglect.
The inclusion of Medicare was announced as part of National Child Protection Week, which ran from 6 to 12 September, and focused on child abuse.
The protocol states what information can be requested and under what circumstances it can be provided, although the guidelines are different for each Agency according to the governing legislation and thePrivacy Act 1988.
Since the information sharing process was introduced, child protection Agencies have made almost 2,000 requests to Centrelink, most seeking details of the location of a family where a child is at risk.
Mr Bowen and Ms Macklin said improved information sharing was a key part of the Government’s National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020.
15 September, 2009
New Group to hit
back at violence
A new Advisory Group has been established to provide the Commonwealth with advice on reducing domestic violence and sexual assault against women.The Violence against Women Advisory Group is to be chaired by Libby Lloyd, former chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Ms Lloyd will lead the Group in advising the Government on implementing the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women.
The National Plan is being developed through the Council of Australian Governments and is expected to be released next year.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek said the initiative included establishing a new national domestic violence and sexual assault telephone and online crisis and support service.
Ms Plibersek said ‘Respectful Relationships’ programs would be introduced into school and non-school settings to change the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence.
She said the Federal Government would work with States and Territories to establish a National Centre of Excellence in the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
The Advisory Group will provide advice on issues and recommendations raised in Time for Action: the National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009-2021.
Other members of the Advisory Group include Georgie Gardner, Annie Parkinson, Bess Price, Mick van Heythuysen, Heather Nancarrow, Vanessa Swan, Norman Raeburn, Dr Leigh Gassner, Dr Rae Kaspiew and Victoria Hovane.
The Advisory Group has been appointed for two years.
Mr Rudd also announced the opening of the second round of applications for the Respectful Relationships Program.
Round one of the Respectful Relationships Program is being implemented in 56 school and non-school sites across Australia this year.
15 September, 2009
Refugees escape
charging regime
The practice of charging immigration detainees for the costs of their detention has been abandoned under new laws passed by the Senate.The Migration Amendment (Abolishing Detention Debt) Bill 2009 also waives existing debts for current and former detainees, with the exception of convicted people, smugglers and illegal foreign fishers who will still be liable for the costs of their detention and removal.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said the Bill followed the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration in December 2008 that the Government repeal the liability of immigration detention costs and waive existing debts.
“The detention debt regime has proved to be totally ineffective,” Senator Evans said.
“Less than three per cent of the detention debt invoiced since 2004-05 has been recovered, with the vast majority of debts incurred under this system either waived or written off because they are uneconomical to pursue.”
He said in spirit of the United Nations Refugees Convention, debts would be written off for those who were granted permanent protection or humanitarian visas.
“The detention debt regime has not acted as any form of deterrent nor has it minimised the costs of immigration detention to the Australian community,” Senator Evans said.
He said in the last financial year, a total of $21 million in immigration detention debt was raised, of which $19.6 million was written off as uneconomical to pursue and $400,000 was waived.
Senator Evans said receipts from the repayment of detention debts were less than the cost of nearly $1 million to administer the debts.
During 2006-07 and 2007-08, $54.3 million in detention debt was raised with only $1.8 million being recovered.
A total of $48.2 million was written off while $4 million was waived.
“These figures are clear evidence that the detention debt scheme currently costs the taxpayer more than is returned in receipts,” Senator Evans said.
“This Bill strikes an appropriate balance by abolishing an ineffective system that unfairly penalises detainees with enormous debt burdens, while ensuring that liability for detention costs remains a deterrent for illegal foreign fishers and convicted people smugglers.
“The Government considers that fair and effective immigration detention policies and strong border security measures are not incompatible.”
The liability for costs associated with the removal or deportation of unlawful non-citizens will remain unchanged.
15 September, 2009
Multicultural report
to mix it with policy
A new report into multiculturalism is to be used to guide future policymaking according to the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, Laurie Ferguson.Mr Ferguson said the report, Perceptions of Multiculturalism and Security in Victoria, found that Australians define ‘Australianness’ on behaviour rather than through ethnic origin.
He said the report, which was conducted by Monash University in Victoria, found migrants born overseas were not considered to be “un-Australian.”
“The Monash University report...will be used by the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council and Australian Government in the development of new cultural diversity policies,” Mr Ferguson said.
“‘Australian’ behaviour is defined as obeying the law, respecting others, integrating within communities and developing a working knowledge of English.”
He said the report was based on a group surveys conducted in metropolitan and regional Victoria, which involved around 120 people.
“The vast majority of participants believe that multiculturalism enhances Australia economically, socially and culturally,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Participants believe Australian identity is fluid and dynamic, are supportive of the nation’s diversity, and are optimistic about the country’s ongoing potential for maintaining and strengthening social harmony.”
He said the report reflected public acceptance of diversity and a preference for a whole-of-community perspective on issues and solutions.
However, Mr Ferguson said the research also found the public was concerned about some aspects of multiculturalism.
“Generally participants were very critical of the way the media portrays minority groups such as the Islamic and Sudanese communities,” he said.
“In addition, some people expressed concern that some migrants do not properly integrate into Australian communities, and that settlement services should focus even more on building social inclusion.”
Mr Ferguson said vigilance was needed to protect Australia’s democratic approach to diversity.
“It is essential that we continue programs to bring opportunity to all Australians and support their active participation in community life,” he said.
“We must stand united and reject all forms of racial or religious vilification,” he said.
A full version of the Perceptions of Multiculturalism and Security in Victoria report was available at www.arts.monash.edu.au.
15 September, 2009
Audit report pushes
pollies off perks
The system of managing entitlements for Parliamentarians is to be overhauled following a report by the Australian National Audit Office.In a performance audit of the Department of Finance and Deregulation’s administration of the Parliamentary Entitlements system, the ANAO highlighted concerns relating to the use and management of Parliamentarians’ printing entitlements.
In the ANAO report, the Auditor-General, Ian McPhee said the entitlements framework was “complex and overdue for reform.”
Mr McPhee said the complexity of the system had led to a significant number of items being printed that were “at risk of being outside of the Printing Entitlement.”
“The shortcomings in the entitlements framework have been exacerbated by the approach taken to its administration,” he said.
Mr McPhee said Parliamentarians were expected to ensure any expenses claimed were incurred in the course of their duties.
He said the ANAO had previously recommended a comprehensive review into the entitlements framework after conducting a similar report in 2001-02, but that no such review had been undertaken.
He said one of the key problems was a lack of consistency.
“There is not a consistent approach to specifying the purpose for which entitlements may be used.
“There is no explicit statement that these…are not to be used for election campaigning activities.”
Mr McPhee said this was important because public funding was already provided through the Australian Electoral Commission to assist candidates and parties meet the costs of electioneering.
He said there was limited accountability for entitlements under the system and criticised Finance’s administrative response to invoices that indicated questionable use of entitlements.
“The Department’s procedure has been to invite the Senator or Member to provide a re-issued invoice,” he said.
“Finance has recently changed its approach such that the Department now advises Parliamentarians it is unable to make payment for items that are not consistent with the menu of approved printable items and returns the relevant invoice to the Senator or Member.”
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig said the Government accepted all the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
Senator Ludwig said an independent panel had been established to report on the issue within six months.
He said the panel would be chaired by the former First Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Barbara Belcher and include as members the President of the Remuneration Tribunal, John Conde; General Manager of Corporate and Parliamentary Services of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, Jan Mason; and former Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and current Dean of the Australian New Zealand School of Government, Professor Allan Fels.
“This panel will trace out the path for the next stage of reform and I look forward to receiving their report,” Senator Ludwig said.
He said the reforms would be introduced in two stages, commencing on 1 October 2009, and would include cuts to the current printing entitlements; disallowing the use of printing entitlements for electioneering; combining printing and communications allowances; implementing a vetting system within the Department of Finance; and expanding the reporting system.
The full audit report is available from www.anao.gov.au.
15 September, 2009
Parents warned on
playing with tax
The Child Support Agency has warned separated parents they could create problems for themselves if they fail to lodge their tax returns on time.National Enforcement Services Manager at the Agency, Bill Volkers said as child support assessments were based on both parents’ incomes, it was important for separated parents who earned over $18,808 during 2008-09 to lodge their tax returns soon after receiving their payment summaries.
Mr Volkers said if tax returns were not lodged on time, parents could pay the wrong amount of child support.
He said it was important for separated parents to lodge their tax returns as soon as possible to ensure assessments were accurate and fair.
“If your current child support assessment is based on an estimate of income, it is particularly important to promptly lodge your tax return to help ensure we are using the most accurate income for your assessment,” Mr Volkers said.
“If an assessment is not accurate because the appropriate income details are not available, then a parent may have to make additional payments or pay back child support already received.”
He said lodging tax returns on time would help avoid the hassle of having to find money to pay, or pay back, child support later on down the line.
“All kids with separated parents deserve to have the appropriate amount of financial support, and this is more likely to occur if both separated parents promptly lodge their tax return,” Mr Volkers said.
He reminded parents they could lodge their return online for free using the Australian Tax Office’s e-tax software.
Mr Volkers said it was a legal requirement for most people to lodge their tax returns by the end of October.
15 September, 2009
Vic bushfire report
smokes out support
A raft of bushfire preventative measures has been announced by the Commonwealth following the recommendations of the interim report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said a new national telephone emergency warning system was among the measures to be introduced as part of the Government’s response to the Commission.
Mr McClelland said the Commonwealth would provide $15 million to help the States and Territories establish a National Emergency Warning System to deliver warnings to landline and mobile telephones based on billing addresses.
He said the tender process was being managed by Victoria on behalf of all States and Territories.
Mr McClelland said other initiatives included a commitment through the Council of Australian Governments to fund research into technology that would issue warnings based on the location of mobile telephones.
He said the Attorney-General’s Department had organised a national pre-season briefing on bushfires and other hazards that would be held in Canberra on 25 September and involve Commonwealth, State and Territory Agencies and representatives.
He said discussions between Federal and State Agencies and fire services had commenced to identify how Federal assets could be applied more effectively during bushfires.
According to Mr McClelland, fire danger descriptions would also be examined with a National Bushfire Warnings Task Force established to finalise a national warnings model by 1 October.
Mr McClelland said the Bureau of Meteorology would also incorporate a new scale of fire danger ratings into its weather and warning services.
In response to other key recommendations made by the Royal Commission, Mr McClelland has asked State and Territory Emergency Management Ministers to consider ways to improve the Triple Zero emergency phone number system, such as arrangements for managing a surge in calls during major disasters.
Mr McClelland said the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which has operational oversight of Triple Zero, and the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy were working together to tackle the issue.
Initiatives to tackle arson and to reduce the complexity of Australia’s disaster arrangements are also on the agenda.
“The Commonwealth will continue to assist Victoria to ensure measures are in place, to the best extent possible, to help communities protect themselves in future bushfire seasons,” Mr McClelland said.
“The Government also remains committed to cooperating with and assisting the Royal Commission to the greatest extent possible in anticipation of their final report in July next year.”
15 September, 2009
Council signs on
jolly good fellows
A ‘Future Fellowships’ scheme to help keep researchers in Australia is to be managed by the Australian Research Council.Announcing the first 200 “Future Fellows” to be targeted by the scheme, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr said $844 million had been set aside to pay for the program over the next five years.
“The Government established the ARC Future Fellowships scheme to address the gap in opportunities for mid-career researchers in Australia, which forced many of our talented researchers to search for work overseas,” Senator Carr said.
“This first round of the ARC Future Fellowships scheme will see 159 of our best and brightest continue their world-class research at home, boosted by the four-year fellowship, worth up-to $740,000.”
Senator Carr said Fellows would receive up to $135,000 for each of the four years, while administering institutions would receive up to $50,000 a year for associated infrastructure and other costs.
He said 41 Future Fellows would come to Australia to pursue their research, with 19 Australians “lured home” by the scheme and 22 international researchers bringing their talents to our shores.
“All 200 Future Fellows will conduct research into areas of national priority and will advance Australian's international research and innovation standing,” Senator Carr said.
Projects are to include research into improving the quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer; addressing marine environment issues to put Australia at the forefront of research on the adaptation of marine ecosystems to climate change; and generating information about genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils to establish the feasibility of breeding resistant animals for release into the wild.
The Future Fellowships scheme is administered by the Australian Research Council under the National Competitive Grants Program.
15 September, 2009
Defence hits targets
in heritage awards
Awards for making a contribution to environmental and heritage management have been awarded to Defence personnel.Department of Defence Secretary, Dr Ian Watt, and Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston presented the Awards, which were established in 2005 to recognise the commitment of individuals and teams in Defence towards conserving Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.
“These Awards demonstrate that our men and women are achieving first class outcomes for the environment as well as fulfilling Defence’s mission at a time when our operational tempo remains very high,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
Dr Watt said he was “delighted” to see the range of people and projects being acknowledged.
“I congratulate this year’s winners who have demonstrated Defence’s commitment to caring for the environment, whether on the Defence estate, at sea, in the air, and wherever Defence operates in the world,” he said.
Award winners included Royal Australian Air Force Headquarters and Defence Publishing Audio Visual for helping develop the RAAF Environment Awareness DVD; Defence Establishment Berrimah, Central and West Region, for their commitment to detecting and containing Yellow Crazy Ants; and Randwick Barracks, Northern NSW Region, for innovation and contributions to water efficiency.
Other award recipients were the Beaked Whale Research Project conducted by the HMAS Labuan, Navy Headquarters and Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
They won the award for excellent cooperation in minimising the risk of naval activities on marine life in the Coral Sea.
DSG Central and West Region, Fleet Base West and Senior Ranger Trevor Smith also won an Award for their innovative arrangements with the Western Australian Government to ensure shared Defence and public areas at Garden Island were properly managed.
15 September, 2009
Detective program
has all the clues
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has demonstrated its recently enhanced ‘Cybersmart Detectives’ online safety activity as part of National Child Protection Week.More than 500 students from 15 schools across Australia took part in the activity.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said online safety was of particular concern for children and young people.
“Cybersmart Detectives aims to ensure that children have the skills they need to keep safe online,” Mr Chapman said.
“It presents children with an internet-themed scenario they can relate to, which helps them to learn about staying safe online, while having fun.”
Mr Chapman said the award-winning program would be extended to schools throughout the country.
He said the Cybersmart Detectives program targetted children aged 11 to 12 and emphasised four safety messages: don’t disclose personal or identifying information when chatting online; set profiles to private when using social networking sites; be aware that people online may not be who they say they are; and talk to someone trustworthy if you feel uncomfortable online.
Mr Chapman said Cybersmart Detectives ran weekly in schools across Australia and was supported by police, education, industry and child welfare advocates.
He said the initiative saw children work in teams to solve the mystery of what was worrying a fictional student and why.
Mr Chapman said the program included ‘Cybersmart Guides’ who respond to questions and theories posed by the students, and guide teams through each of the ‘clues’.
He said as the scenario unfolded, children were urged to discuss the risks of online and offline behaviours.
Cybersmart Detectives was originally conceived by a police officer in the United Kingdom and operated as Net Detectives until 2005.
It is now independently operated by not for profit organisation, E-ngage Development.
ACMA, through agreement with E-ngage Development, has adapted the activity for use in Australian schools.
15 September, 2009
Mental health plan
making headway
A program that provides support to people living with mental illness in remote Australia is to be extended.The Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMS) program will receive $10.9 million over three years to establish seven new sites.
The sites, which have been identified in consultation with State and Territory Governments, are Tennant Creek and Elliott as well as Papunya in the West Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory; Aurukun, Doomadgee and Yarrabah in Queensland; and Narrogin and Warburton in Western Australia.
Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin said the feeling of isolation from mental illness was often compounded for people in remote locations, making them vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse.
Ms Macklin said the program targeted people who could not manage their daily activities or live independently due to a severe mental illness.
“Personal helpers and mentors work one-on-one with participants helping them achieve their goals - for example, how to manage everyday tasks such as housekeeping,” she said.
“They also work on improving relationships with family and friends and becoming more involved in community life.”
Ms Macklin said personal helpers also ensured participants were connected with essential clinical and support services.
She said a remote delivery model of PHaMs had been designed to help people face with the extra issues brought about by geographical isolation.
Ms Macklin said the model recognised and promoted spiritual, cultural, mental and physical healing for Indigenous Australians living with mental illness.
Three PHaMS sites have already been rolled out in Yuendumu, West Kimberley/Broome and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.
15 September, 2009
Regulator turns on
children’s TV
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued new standards for children’s programs on commercial television which will come into effect on 1 January 2010.The new Children’s Television Standards were released following a review to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said the Authority had “reaffirmed the major decisions” included in the draft standards.
Mr Chapman said children would continue to be “uniquely catered for” through the maintenance of quotas for children’s (C) and preschoolers’ (P) programs.
“The new standards will now also make it possible for broadcasters to create viewing destinations for children through the introduction of block programming arrangements,” he said.
“This gives licensees the option of broadcasting all C programming in minimum 60 minute periods on at least two days per week to fulfil quota obligations.”
Mr Chapman said advertising would continue to be banned during P programs and advertising restrictions had been strengthened during C programs.
He said popular characters could not be used in advertising during C programs unless the character was part of a game or of a non-commercial campaign such as road safety.
No further restrictions on food and beverage advertising have been included under the new standards.
“The public debate about advertising of so-called junk food on television, and indeed in other media, has been enlivened and significantly advanced since the ACMA commenced this review,” Mr Chapman said.
“As the ACMA has indicated previously, it is not a health body and must rely on the evidence from the health research sector.
“There is currently no consensus in the research that the ACMA is aware of as to whether the association between food advertising and obesity is anything more than the 'modest' association identified in the ACMA report that accompanied the release of the draft standards.”
He said there was “limited evidence” pointing to the benefits of banning food and beverage advertising.
“As required by legislation, the ACMA has taken into account the impact of regulation on broadcasters,” Mr Chapman said.
He said the issue remained an “area of continuing interest” for ACMA in determining whether industry could adequately address community concern without the need for additional government regulation.
The new standards and a Final Report of the Review and Explanatory Statement were available from www.acma.gov.au.
15 September, 2009
Super changes raise concerns
The Community and Public Sector Union is concerned that a plan to merge the Public Service and Military superannuation schemes could disadvantage its members.
A plan to merge the schemes was revealed by the Minister for Finance recently.
According to the CPSU current plans would see a member of the military scheme chair the merged Board of Trustees instead of an independent Chair and there would be more employer representative than employee representatives on the Board.
National Secretary of the Union, Stephen Jones said his members were concerned that oversight and governance issues would suffer under the new arrangements
"The Department of Finance is proposing changes that would treat public servants differently from other workers,” Mr Jones said.
“Don't mess with a winning formula," he said.
Interim system for military justice
An interim military justice system will be established after the High Court invalidated the Australian Military Court last month.
The former system of trials by Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrates is to be introduced to ensure Defence Force members are treated fairly.
The Department of Defence and the Attorney-General's Department will work together to develop a new system.
Union elections open
The Community and Public Sector Union has called nominations for Governing Councillors, Section Secretaries and Section Councillors.
Nominations close on 30 September and if required, a ballot will run from 25 November and cto16 December.
The Australian Electoral Commission will send ballot papers to the home addresses of all members who are financial as at 2 September 2009 and all elected positions are honorary and will run to 31 December, 2011.
Further information is available from the AEC website www.aec.gov.au website.
ABC boss rejects Murdoch call
The Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mark Scott has defended public broadcasting from its recent attack by James Murdoch, son of Rupert.
Mr Murdoch had accused the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) of crowding out new and existing rivals because of its guaranteed public funding.
Mr Scott said Mr Murdoch’s comments amounted to a call to destroy the BBC which would be a tragedy for the UK and the world.
He said there should be public funding for public purposes.
OHS conference looks at changes
An Occupational Health and Safety Conference, The SafetyConference, is to be held 27 on October in Sydney to discuss national changes to OHS laws.
The conference will feature experts in the field, including the Chair of Safe Work Australia, the General Manager of WorkCover NSW and the General Manager of Prevention and rehabilitation at Comcare.
The Safety Conference will run during Safe Work Australia Week from October 27 to 29 at the Sydney Showground, with further information available at www.thesafetyshow.com.
Integrity conference coming
A national public integrity conference will be hosted by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan in Canberra on 23 to 24 September.
Presenters at the Good > Better > Best Conference include the Commonwealth Ombudsman; Chair of the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; Chief Ombudsman, Financial Ombudsman Service; Aged Care Complaints Commissioner; Inspector of Transport Security; Coordinator-General for Remote Indigenous Services; Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security; President, Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals; CEO, Australian Council of Social Service; NSW Ombudsman; and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Curtin University of Technology’s Business School.
For more information visit www.ombudsman.gov.au.
Reserve bosses see staff at work
Employers of Defence Reservists will travel to Malaysia to see the benefits of the Service and to encourage support for Reserves staff.
Twenty-one employers will take part in Exercise Boss Lift, where they will visit soldiers from the Perth-based 13 Brigade who are on a three-month deployment.
Employers will have the chance to meet with their Reserve employees and see them in action.
Human rights extended
New human rights laws to protect people at risk of violations such as female genital mutilation and so called ‘honour killings’ betterare to be introduced.
The Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2009 allows all Australia’s international human rights obligations to be considered under the same visa process as claims under the Refugees Convention.
Complementary protection is expected to help in circumstances where a person could be at risk of persecution or harm not covered under the Refugees Convention.
Little things grow big at museum
A new exhibition on the history of Aboriginal activism has opened at the National Museum of Australia.
From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970 highlights the struggle for equal rights by Indigenous Australians.
The exhibition will be on show in Canberra until 8 March 2010. Admission is free.
Stats show Aboriginal growth
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released projections showing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island population could reach between 713,300 and 721,100 by 2021.
This is an Indigenous growth rate of 2.2 per cent per annum between 2006 and 2021, compared with an annual growth rate of between 1.2 and 1.7 per cent for the total Australian population.
The ABS said the higher growth rate was largely due to high levels of fertility in the Indigenous population and an increased number of Indigenous women entering peak child-bearing ages.
8 September, 2009
PS shake-up for
smoother future
Plans for a major overhaul of the Australian Public Service have been announced by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.Citing a litany of shortcomings and deficiencies in the APS, Mr Rudd told the Australia New Zealand School of Government’s Annual Conference in Canberra that the time had come for renewal of the APS and he had asked the Secretary of his Department, Terry Moran, to set up an Advisory Group to guide the process.
According to Mr Rudd, the “systemic challenges” facing the APS such as climate change, security threats ,Indigenous disadvantage and so on demanded the APS be bolder in its thinking and consider the big picture more.
“This means becoming more creative, and not just reactive,” he said.
He listed as concerns the APS’s failure to adopt a culture of innovation, its need to be more ‘citizen-centred’ and more ‘customer-friendly’, its lack of a collective APS identity and its low levels of investment in training and staff development
Quoting statistics from the 2007-08 State of the Service Report, Mr Rudd said “These figures are just not good enough for a professional Public Service.”
He said the APS needed a more sweeping reform to become a world class, 21st century Public Service.
He said the new Advisory Group would approach its task in two steps.
“First, the Group will oversee the completion of an international benchmarking exercise to compare Australian performance with leading bureaucracies around the world.
“Second, the Advisory Group will use the benchmarking study, along with other inputs, to develop the blueprint for reform.”
Mr Rudd said the Group would seek input from the APS and the broader community to assist it in its deliberations
Mr Moran is expected to convene the first meeting of the Advisory Group sometime this month and also release a discussion paper. The Group is to report to the Cabinet Secretary and Mr Rudd by February next year.
Mr Rudd said the Advisory Group would look at reforming the internal structures of the APS to ensure it delivers the best policy advice to Government.
“Importantly, it will assess the core challenge of how to strengthen service delivery and measurement, how to foster a greater sense of cohesion and esprit de corps across the APS, how to attract the best people from outside the Public Service, and how to make the most of the great talent inside the Service,” he said.
“A specific priority will be a renewed and major investment in education and development of staff.”
The planned reforms were welcomed by the Community and Public Sector Union whose National Secretary, Stephen Jones agreed there were problems in the APS.
"We agree with the Prime Minister that the APS currently lacks cohesiveness and flexibility,” Mr Jones said.
“In our view, any review of APS operations must also look at the disparate employment arrangements which have entrenched barriers between Departmental and created silos.
“These systemic barriers must come down."
Mr Moran said membership of the Advisory Group would be announced shortly.
8 September, 2009
New IR framework drives
hard bargain
A new bargaining framework setting out workplace relations arrangements between the Government and the Australian Public Service has been issued by the Acting Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Mark Arbib.Senator Arbib said the new framework was designed to ensure fairness and flexibility.
He said the recent commencement of the Fair Work Act required that the Australian Government Bargaining Framework be amended to ensure consistency with the new legislation.
“The Government amended the Bargaining Framework in February 2008 to end the ability of new or existing Public Servants to be offered Australian Workplace Agreements,” Senator Arbib said.
“The Bargaining Framework now includes a common nominal expiry date of 30 June 2011 for all new APS enterprise agreements to facilitate a smooth transition to more streamlined arrangements.”
He said the Government believed that terms and conditions of employment were best determined at Agency level in the APS and the new Framework would continue to empower agency heads to negotiate terms and conditions.
He said all future pay increases for the APS would be considered according to the new Framework with the Government requiring increases to be fully offset by “genuine, quantifiable productivity improvements” and affordable from within existing agency budgets.
“Under the new arrangements, productivity improvements and affordability of pay increases will be subject to additional scrutiny by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Finance and Deregulation, before approval can be given to a proposed agreement,” Senator Arbib said.
“The new arrangements apply to agreements made on or after 1 September 2009,” he said.
8 September, 2009
Women’s review is
a dressing down
The Agency promoting equal opportunity for women in the workplace is to be reviewed.Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek announced that the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) and its underlying legislation would be examined with a view to establishing their effectiveness and efficiency.
The review was prompted by low rates of female representation in executive roles and the persistent gap between male and female earnings.
"Over the last decade, the EOWA has worked with thousands of large businesses across the country to improve women's opportunities in the workplace," Ms Plibersek said.
"The EOWA Employer of Choice for Women, the Business Achievement Awards and the Australian Census of Women in Leadership have also been incredibly successful initiatives.”
She said employers were reaping the benefits of equal opportunity programs by attracting and retaining the best talent and enjoying higher workplace morale and increased employee effectiveness.
"At the same time though, we have seen a decline in women in executive leadership roles,” she said.
"The pay gap between male and female full-time earnings is now 17.2 per cent.
"The review will investigate what's working and where we may need a new approach."
Ms Plibersek said the review would include wide community consultation.
“The Government is keen to promote public discussion regarding these issues and to hear from organisations and individuals.”
She said it would begin with an Issues Paper and take several months to complete.
"The review is timely,” she said. “The EOWW legislation needs to keep pace with the economic, social and legislative changes that have occurred since the last inquiry in 1998.”
Ms Plibersek reminded EOWA reporting organisations that while the review was in the wind, they still needed to report this year.
8 September, 2009
Scientists queue up
for Centrelink job
Centrelink has entered a five-year research alliance with the CSIRO to explore new and better ways of delivering the Agency’s services.Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr announced the $25 million deal jointly with the Minister for Human Services Minister, Chris Bowen, both saying it would help shape the long-term future of Centrelink’s service delivery to lead to better outcomes for its clients.
The project has been named the Human Services Delivery Research Alliance.
Senator Carr said CSIRO’s researchers were accustomed to dealing with statistics and trends and were looking forward to studying the way humans engage with government and how it can be improved.
“The Alliance will combine Centrelink’s depth of experience in service delivery with CSIRO’s strengths in research,” Senator Carr said, “to deliver a more efficient and effective National Service Delivery System.”
He said science had the tools and methods to model the services and programs offered by Centrelink and the way people interact with them at various stages throughout their lives.
“Centrelink has more than six million customers on its records at any one time, providing an excellent source of bulk data and information for CSIRO’s researchers, without providing individual customer’s details.”
Mr Bowen said it was “absolutely critical” that Centrelink’s services were both practical and relevant.
“The Government is determined to ensure every Australian has the opportunity to be productive and self-sufficient,” Mr Bowen said.
“CSIRO’s research capabilities will help Centrelink better predict and test which services work best for different groups of people and plan the most relevant and suitable interventions for people in need of support.”
Senatpr Carr said that industries such as mining and manufacturing had drawn on science as a source of innovation for centuries, and he was very pleased that CSIRO’s expertise in understanding complex systems would be applied to service provision.
He said the CSIRO scientists would focus on three research areas: The Human Services Ecosystem, Place Based Services and Technologies for Human Service Delivery.
The landmark agreement was signed in Canberra by the Chief Executives of Centrelink, Finn Pratt, and CSIRO, Megan Clark
8 September, 2009
Communications fail
has message for all
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has found lessons for all APS Agencies in a communications breakdown between the Child Support Agency and Australian Federal Police.The Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, said a computer-related mistake allowed a man who owed more than $50,000 in child support to leave Australia in 2005 despite a Departure Prohibition Order in place to stop him. He was not stopped at the airport because a computer alert about the DPO had expired.
Professor McMillan was highly critical of the agencies’ failure to work together to resolve the case.
According to the Ombudsman, the man’s former wife complained to him in 2007-08 saying the CSA and AFP had, for more than a year, failed to explain what had gone wrong or to settle her claim for compensation.
She believed she had been given the run-around by both agencies.
Professor McMillan said the already significant impact of the mistake on the woman had been compounded by her treatment by the CSA and AFP.
“There were unreasonably long delays by both agencies in looking into the matter when it was brought to their attention,” Professor McMillan said.
“The CSA and AFP were each responsible for ensuring that they had in place
appropriate procedures for administering DPOs,” he said, “but the procedures were ad hoc and no protocol for working together had been agreed upon.
“Each agency blames the other for what happened. Joint responsibility for the problem has not been accepted.”
He said there were lessons to be learned from the case for all Government agencies administering programs or delivering services in cooperation with other organisations.
Professor McMillan said navigating between two or more Government agencies to fix problems could be difficult for members of the public.
He said even his office found dealing with the CSA and AFP to resolve the child support case “challenging” but the complaining wife had found it “impossible”.
Professor McMillan made several recommendations to the CSA and AFP to address the shortcomings the case revealed but while the CSA had accepted his recommendations the AFP was concerned about how responsibility should be allocated across the agencies.
The Ombudsman’s full report Caught between two agencies: The case of Mrs X, can be accessed at www.ombudsman.gov.au.
8 September, 2009
Communications fail
has message for all
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has found lessons for all APS Agencies in a communications breakdown between the Child Support Agency and Australian Federal Police.The Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, said a computer-related mistake allowed a man who owed more than $50,000 in child support to leave Australia in 2005 despite a Departure Prohibition Order in place to stop him. He was not stopped at the airport because a computer alert about the DPO had expired.
Professor McMillan was highly critical of the agencies’ failure to work together to resolve the case.
According to the Ombudsman, the man’s former wife complained to him in 2007-08 saying the CSA and AFP had, for more than a year, failed to explain what had gone wrong or to settle her claim for compensation.
She believed she had been given the run-around by both agencies.
Professor McMillan said the already significant impact of the mistake on the woman had been compounded by her treatment by the CSA and AFP.
“There were unreasonably long delays by both agencies in looking into the matter when it was brought to their attention,” Professor McMillan said.
“The CSA and AFP were each responsible for ensuring that they had in place
appropriate procedures for administering DPOs,” he said, “but the procedures were ad hoc and no protocol for working together had been agreed upon.
“Each agency blames the other for what happened. Joint responsibility for the problem has not been accepted.”
He said there were lessons to be learned from the case for all Government agencies administering programs or delivering services in cooperation with other organisations.
Professor McMillan said navigating between two or more Government agencies to fix problems could be difficult for members of the public.
He said even his office found dealing with the CSA and AFP to resolve the child support case “challenging” but the complaining wife had found it “impossible”.
Professor McMillan made several recommendations to the CSA and AFP to address the shortcomings the case revealed but while the CSA had accepted his recommendations the AFP was concerned about how responsibility should be allocated across the agencies.
The Ombudsman’s full report Caught between two agencies: The case of Mrs X, can be accessed at www.ombudsman.gov.au.
8 September, 2009
Watchdog offers bite
of the action
The Fair Work Ombudsman is calling all workers who believe they may have been underpaid in a previous job to log onto its website to see if they are owed money.Chief Financial Officer in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office, Mark Scully said while the Office had recovered about $70 million for 54,000 or so workers who had been short-changed by employers, it had been unable to locate everyone entitled to receive back pay.
Mr Scully said there were still 3,500 people to be paid and his office was holding more than $1.1 million in unpaid wages owed to them.
He said anyone who thought they may be entitled to a share of the money should log ontowww.fwo.gov.au and enter their family name and either the business name, entity name or ABN number of their former employer.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman will then cross-match the information on its data base to determine if there is a potential match,” Mr Scully said.
He said there had already been some significant back-payments including one worker entitled to $14,000 and others worth $11,000, $10,000 and $9,000.
He said there were seven workers owed up to $8,000 and 20 owed up to $6,000.
8 September, 2009
Athletes score with
immigration changes
Australia’s immigration laws are to be changed to allow some international athletes to represent Australia.Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said the changes would allow elite athletes who moved to Australia to become Australian citizens despite having to travel frequently.
Senator Evans said current legislation made it difficult for some sports people and other specialist professionals who have migrated to Australia to qualify for Australian citizenship due to their international travel commitments.
“Elite athletes, tennis players and professionals such as international airline pilots and offshore oil rig workers often don’t meet the residency requirements for Australian citizenship because they are required to travel extensively outside Australia as part of their employment,” he said.
Senator Evans said under current legislation, people who were out of the country for 90 days or more in the year before applying for citizenship were ineligible for citizenship.
“Due to their professional travel commitments, people who are ordinarily resident in Australia are unable to be present in the country for the required period of time and this effectively excludes them from becoming Australian citizens,” he said.
“These changes will create a smoother path to citizenship for elite athletes and people in specialist professions and enable Australia to benefit from the talents and skills they bring to our country.”
Senator Evans said elite athletes with the potential to represent Australia at events such as the Olympics could not do so without being an Australian citizen.
“The revamped requirements will create a fairer system for people who, due to circumstances beyond their control, are currently ineligible for citizenship,” he said.
“These changes will lead to more gold medals for Australia at sporting events, as well as providing a real win for the national workforce.”
Senator Evans said amendments to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, would mean people in special circumstances, such as elite athletes, would need to have been a permanent resident for two years before applying for citizenship.
He said they must have spent at least six months physically in Australia, require citizenship to represent Australia in their sport and have their application supported by a recognised national peak body such as the Australian Olympic Committee or Tennis Australia.
Senator Evans said specialist professionals would need to have been lawfully resident in Australia for four years before applying, have at least 16 months physically in Australia, travel extensively in the course of their work, and have their citizenship application supported by their current employer.
“They will also be required to meet all other legal requirements for citizenship, including sitting and passing the citizenship test,” he said.
8 September, 2009
Post delivers on
car insurance
Australia Post is to add car insurance to its line-up of on-line and phone-order products.According to the Group Manager of Financial Services with the Post Office, Andrew Wiseman the insurance will be competitively priced and will appeal to car owners looking for ‘value for money’ insurance from an organisation they can trust.
Mr Wiseman said travel, home and contents insurance would be added to the products list in months ahead.
“Australia Post has the trust and expertise to meet the needs of customers,” Mr Wiseman said.
“We already handle 177 million transactions a year and provide financial services for more than 75 financial organisations."
He said insurance was the next logicalstep.
“We are a well-known brand and we have the expertise in the financial services area,” he said.
“The success of this model overseas gives us real confidence in the future of Australia Post Insurance.”
According to Mr Wiseman, other postal organisations around the world offering insurance include those in France, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, the United kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Japan.
“In the UK, for example,” he said, “one in every 200 homes and one in 50 cars are insured with UK’s Post Office.”
Mr Wiseman said Australia Post car insurance would feature a life-time guarantee on all repairs, a Rating 1 protection option, flexible payment terms, choice of repairer, accident hire car option and a choice of agreed or market value.
“It will promote insurance throughout its extensive retail network - the largest in Australia.
“To take up insurance, customers can pick up a brochure at a participating Australia Post retail outlet, call the hotline or visit the website.
He said the Australia Post Insurance brand would be offered in conjunction with A&G Insurance Services.
8 September, 2009
Post delivers on
car insurance
Australia Post is to add car insurance to its line-up of on-line and phone-order products.According to the Group Manager of Financial Services with the Post Office, Andrew Wiseman the insurance will be competitively priced and will appeal to car owners looking for ‘value for money’ insurance from an organisation they can trust.
Mr Wiseman said travel, home and contents insurance would be added to the products list in months ahead.
“Australia Post has the trust and expertise to meet the needs of customers,” Mr Wiseman said.
“We already handle 177 million transactions a year and provide financial services for more than 75 financial organisations."
He said insurance was the next logicalstep.
“We are a well-known brand and we have the expertise in the financial services area,” he said.
“The success of this model overseas gives us real confidence in the future of Australia Post Insurance.”
According to Mr Wiseman, other postal organisations around the world offering insurance include those in France, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, the United kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Japan.
“In the UK, for example,” he said, “one in every 200 homes and one in 50 cars are insured with UK’s Post Office.”
Mr Wiseman said Australia Post car insurance would feature a life-time guarantee on all repairs, a Rating 1 protection option, flexible payment terms, choice of repairer, accident hire car option and a choice of agreed or market value.
“It will promote insurance throughout its extensive retail network - the largest in Australia.
“To take up insurance, customers can pick up a brochure at a participating Australia Post retail outlet, call the hotline or visit the website.
He said the Australia Post Insurance brand would be offered in conjunction with A&G Insurance Services.
8 September, 2009
Jobs taskforce has
job in front of it
A new Taskforce is to be set up to find 70,000 skilled workers needed to build and operate major infrastructure projects planned for Australia over the next 10 years.Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced the National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce saying it would be serviced by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
He said the responsibilities of the Taskforce would include developing the plans needed to deliver skilled workers for the major resource sector projects as well as for supporting industries such as logistics, transport maintenance and hospitality.
“The Taskforce will examine the current pipeline of skilled construction workers such as engineers, boilermakers, welders, concreters, riggers, drillers and divers that will be needed and the areas where additional skills focus will be required,” Mr Rudd said.
“(It) will work with the resources industry, State and Territory governments and education and training providers to develop a workforce plan that delivers skilled labour to meet project construction and timetables.”
He said the Taskforce would include representatives from State and Territory Governments, the resource sector, Skills Australia, as well as universities and the vocational education and the group training sector.
He said the giant Gorgon LNG project in Western Australia, which was the biggest resource project ever planned in Australia, was one of 80 on the drawing boards that would lead to a 70 per cent increase in demand for skilled labour over the next decade.
Gorgon alone will create 6,000 jobs, the PM said.
“Meeting the human capital requirements for this project will require both sourcing available skilled labour and up skilling education leavers and job seekers to ensure that there is a pipeline of workers for the Project,” he said.
“It will also require training and assistance for the local Indigenous population so they can take full advantage of these opportunities.”
Mr Rudd said a Major Project Employment Coordinator would be appointed to work with the Gorgon joint venture partners and the WA Government to match demand for skilled labour with the supply of workers.
According to Mr Rudd, if all the planned projects proceed, an extra 70,000 construction jobs could be created with 16,000 ongoing positions generated by 2020.
8 September, 2009
Rabbits get jump on
pest controllers
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre has revealed that rabbits are making a comeback as major pests and this time they’re not being confined to farms and regional areas.Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke has released new maps showing rabbit populations descending on cities and reportedly damaging urban sportsgrounds, golf clubs and parks.
Mr Burke said the maps pinpointed rabbit populations across Australia for the first time and were based on reports from over 3,000 individual landholders and community groups.
He said the maps were created under the RabbitScan project which has been run by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre with support from the Commonwealth.
The project received reports of rabbits causing significant damage to community facilities and around public buildings in urban areas.
Mr Burke said the Government was investing in research and population control to address the problem.
“Pest animals cost our farmers, cost the environment and cost the community,” he said. “Controlling them is a constant challenge.”
“Rabbits cause the most damage of any pests, including to farming land, native vegetation and increasingly to city sportsgrounds, golf clubs and parks.”
Reports to the RabbitScan project included one from a sports oval manager from the Central Coast in NSW.
He said he had used two tonnes of soil in six weeks to fill-in rabbit holes and that the sports field was currently closed due to the damage.
Another report stated overgrown vegetation around a power station in Melbourne was home to a growing rabbit population.
In the Brindabella Ranges outside Canberra, rabbits are reportedly chewing through plastic tree guards and have destroyed more than 1,000 seedlings.
Rabbits are responsible for an estimated $200 million damage each year through their eating habits and the damage caused by their warrens.
The calicivirus, which was introduced to cull rabbit populations, was initially successful however increasing immunity to the virus has seen rabbit numbers on the rise in recent years.
8 September, 2009
Security in papers for
safety watchdog
Safe Work Australia has released four reports emerging from analysis of the 2005-06 Work Related Injuries Survey.Chair of the SWA Council, Tom Phillips, said the reports added significantly to understanding work-related injuries.
He said the WRIS was conducted every four years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as a supplement to the Labour Force Survey.
He said the analysis presented in the reports concentrated on groups of people either not covered by workers’ compensation or not separately identified in the workers’ compensation data.
“The great thing about these reports is that they investigate areas that we are unable to explore using workers’ compensation data alone,” Mr Phillips said.
“The reports are a very good example of Safe Work Australia’s commitment to making the best possible information on work-related injuries available.”
He said while the reports’ findings showed that progress was being made in some areas, more could be done to ensure safer workplaces for all Australians.
He said the four reports were the Comparison of compensation data with all incurred work-related injuries; The impact of shiftwork on work-related injuries; The impact of employment conditions on work-related injuries; and Factors affecting applications for workers’ compensation.
Mr Phillips said the key findings to come from the reports included:
* Workers’ compensation data only captured 60% of work-related injuries;
* It was however a good picture of the industries involved and types of injury suffered;
* Part-time workers suffered twice the injury rate per hour than full-time workers;
* Shiftworkers had twice the injury rate per hour than non-shiftworkers;
* Female employees were less likely to apply for workers’ comp than males;
Employees;
* Only 43% casual workers applied for workers’ comp compared with 56% for those with cover; and
* Young workers 15 to 24 were most likely to be injured and least likely to apply for workers’ comp.
Mr Phillips said the next WRIS covering 2009-10 was currently being conducted and Safe Work Australia would publish the findings in 2011.
He said the full report could be accessed atwww.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
8 September, 2009
Museums add Guide
to their collection
A new Best Practice Guide has been published to assist Australia’s galleries and museums manage their collections.Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett said the Guide, Collecting cultural material: principles for best practice, would proveinvaluable, particularly for smaller galleries and museums.
Mr Garrett said the Guide outlined important principles and guidelines and drew on the experience of some of Australia's best practitioners and major cultural institutions.
“Despite the best efforts of many collecting institutions, provenance information for some cultural material can be incomplete or unobtainable and this book has been designed to give help and guidance,” he said.
“It is an easy to understand resource setting out a legal and ethical framework for acquiring cultural material and advice regarding due diligence, such as what to do if there are doubts about an object's legal status, or how to deal with a request for return of an object.” Mr Garrett congratulated the members of the Heads of Cultural Institutions (HOCI) who worked on the Guide and online resources.
Members of the HOCI include representatives from the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, National Library of Australia, Australian National Maritime Museum, National Film and Sound Archive, Bundanon Trust, National Portrait Gallery, Museum of Australian Democracy, Questacon and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
He said Collecting cultural material: principles for best practicewas available from www.arts.gov.au.
8 September, 2009
Regulator turns on
children’s TV
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued new standards for children’s programs on commercial television which will come into effect on 1 January 2010.The new Children’s Television Standards were released following a review to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said the Authority had “reaffirmed the major decisions” included in the draft standards.
Mr Chapman said children would continue to be “uniquely catered for” through the maintenance of quotas for children’s (C) and preschoolers’ (P) programs.
“The new standards will now also make it possible for broadcasters to create viewing destinations for children through the introduction of block programming arrangements,” he said.
“This gives licensees the option of broadcasting all C programming in minimum 60 minute periods on at least two days per week to fulfil quota obligations.”
Mr Chapman said advertising would continue to be banned during P programs and advertising restrictions had been strengthened during C programs.
He said popular characters could not be used in advertising during C programs unless the character was part of a game or of a non-commercial campaign such as road safety.
No further restrictions on food and beverage advertising have been included under the new standards.
“The public debate about advertising of so-called junk food on television, and indeed in other media, has been enlivened and significantly advanced since the ACMA commenced this review,” Mr Chapman said.
“As the ACMA has indicated previously, it is not a health body and must rely on the evidence from the health research sector.
“There is currently no consensus in the research that the ACMA is aware of as to whether the association between food advertising and obesity is anything more than the 'modest' association identified in the ACMA report that accompanied the release of the draft standards.”
He said there was “limited evidence” pointing to the benefits of banning food and beverage advertising.
“As required by legislation, the ACMA has taken into account the impact of regulation on broadcasters,” Mr Chapman said.
He said the issue remained an “area of continuing interest” for ACMA in determining whether industry could adequately address community concern without the need for additional government regulation.
The new standards and a Final Report of the Review and Explanatory Statement were available from www.acma.gov.au.
8 September, 2009
ANZSOG holds conference
The Australia and New Zealand School of Government has hosted its annual conference in Canberra.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh were among the conference’s guest speakers.
The conference, Governing and Managing in Times of Crisis, addressed leadership during times of crisis and how to best meet future challenges.
Signs need authorising
The Australian Electoral Commission has advised the Commonwealth that some of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan signs could need to be authorised under theCommonwealth Electoral Act.
The Commonwealth will apply authorisation stickers to existing signs to ensure they comply with the Act, will equip all future signs with an authorisation and will make sure no sign is within six metres of the entrance to a polling booth on the day of a Federal election or by-election.
The Department of Finance and Deregulation is to review the current authorisation policy to clarify signage requirements.
Antarctic giveaway
The Australian Antarctic Division is donating excess cold weather clothing to charity organisations and schools.
Much of the donated clothing has been superseded by new technology and includes hundreds of freezer suits, woolen shirts and trousers, polar fleece jackets, gloves, goggles and boots.
The clothing and accessories will be donated to the Sir Edmund Hilary Foundation in Nepal, Inuit communities in America, Antarctic Studies classes in schools and St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army in Tasmania.
Paying dads thanked
Separated fathers who “do the right thing” and pay their child support payments were thanked by the Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen, on Fathers’ Day.
Mr Bowen said 87 per cent of child support payments in Australia were paid by men.
“On behalf of the 1.1 million children in our child support system who benefit from those payments, I want to say ‘thank you’ to the dads who do the right thing,” he said.
Mints to meet
The Royal Australian Mint is to host the16th International Mint Directors Conference in Canberra in 2010.
The prestigious event is expected to attract around 300 participants and 100 partners from mints around the world, related industries, research organisations and coin communities.
The Mint lasted hosted the conference in 2000.
Sports forum set up
A new establishment to provide leadership on Australian sporting issues has been announced by the Minister for Sports, Kate Ellis.
Ms Ellis said the Australian Captains Forum would be developed in partnership with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and would bring together sporting captains to harness their leadership and influence in the field.
Seniors get net
More seniors now have access to free internet following the launch of a free internet kiosk for seniors at the Melbourne Legacy Club.
Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin unveiled the kiosk, saying 42 others were already in operation across Australia.
Over the next three years up to 2,000 kiosks are to be installed across the country to allow people over 50 to remain connected to family, friends and the technological age.
Ms Macklin said free computer training will also be offered.
Phone service for businesses
The Minister for Small Business, Dr Craig Emerson has launched a free phone support service for small businesses.
The Small Business Support Line offers advice to small businesses on how to navigate Government Departments and on specialised services to establish or improve a business.
An online program is expected to be up and running towards the end of 2009, with further information available fromwww.ausindustry.gov.au or by contacting the Support Line on 1800 777 275.
AFL captains discourage drinking
The Australian Football League has received $132,000 in Government funding to continue its work in discouraging alcohol-fuelled violence.
The AFL confirmed it would use the funding to support the Just Think campaign which will see eight AFL team captains work together to discourage violence, particularly amongst youths.
The advertising campaign will be run throughout the AFL 2009 Final Series to send the message that alcohol abuse and reckless violence are not a part of football and are not supported by Australia's sporting heroes.
Migration report
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has released a report into migration to Australia, which found the number of employer-sponsored skilled migrants rose by 60 per cent during 2008-09 compared to the previous year.
The Report on Migration Program 2008-09 found changes introduced in January, such as the Critical Skills List of high value occupations and prioritising employer and State/Territory-sponsored skilled migration visa grants were having a significant impact.
Total migration to Australia during 2008-09 was 171,318 places with 114,777 or 67 per cent of these filled by skilled migrants.
The report was available from www.immi.gov.au.
New coin for Guides
The Royal Australian Mint is to release a new $1 coin to mark the Centenary of Girl Guides.
Around five million Girl Guide Coins will be issued in 2010 to celebrate the valuable contribution Girl Guides has made to Australia since their organisation was set up in 1910.
The coin design is to be developed in consultation with Mint designers and Girl Guides Australia.
BasicsCard reaches $100M
Since the BasicsCard was introduced in September 2008 over $100 million dollars has been spent on food and clothing.
The BasicsCard was introduced to allow people on Income Management to access their funds and to ensure their welfare payments were spent in the interests of children and not on alcohol, tobacco, pornography or gambling products.
There are 964 outlets approved to accept the BasicsCard, 490 of which are inside the Northern Territory.
Paintings to Museum
The National Museum of Australia has added two large paintings by Aboriginal artists to its collection.
Ngurrarai was painted by a team of 24 artists at Pirnini in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia while Martumili Ngurrawas completed at Parrngurr in WA.
The paintings, which document Aboriginal experiences of the Canning Stock route - the longest historic stock route in the world - are to be on display in the Hall of the National Museum.
1 September, 2009
Innovation project to spark bright ideas
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is leading a project to generate innovation across the Public Sector.According to the Department, the cross-Agency project will develop a strategy for fostering a culture of innovation in the Australian Public Service.
The project is being overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the Departments of Innovation, Finance and Deregulation, Health and Ageing, Immigration and Citizenship, the Australia Public Service Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink and the CSIRO.
Innovation has released a discussion paper covering questions on how to promote innovation and current barriers to achieving it.
The Department has encouraged interested parties to have their say on how to promote innovation in the PS, and will also run focus groups with Public Servants in September.
The project will examine how the Public Sector can encourage ‘bottom-up’ innovation; use new technologies to increase collaboration and facilitate innovative practices; use innovative mechanisms such as pilots and trials; draw on external expertise and ideas from citizens and stakeholders; and use these measures to improve service delivery.
It arose from the 2008 report on the Review of the National Innovation System, Venturous Australia – building strength in innovation, which made several recommendations relating to Public Sector innovation.
In May 2009 Powering Ideas: an innovative agenda for the 21st Century was released and advised that the Australian Public Service Management Advisory Committee would examine the recommendations, and the capacity of the Public Sector to implement them.
Innovation has pointed to the work of a number of overseas Governments in the area of Public Sector innovation, including a 2009 report by the UK National Audit Office, Innovation Across Central Government, and a guide produced by the South African Centre for Public Sector Innovation.
The discussion paper and further information on making a submission or being involved in a focus group are available from www.innovation.gov.au, with submissions closing on 11 September 2009.
1 September, 2009
Social inclusion plan includes all Agencies
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has released a social inclusion toolkit for the Australian Public Service.The toolkit was developed by the Social Inclusion Unit in PM&C and was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Inclusion, Julia Gillard.
Ms Gillard said the resource aimed to change APS policy design and delivery to better meet the needs of disadvantaged people.
She said Commonwealth Agencies would be required to use the six-step toolkit which would affect how policies and programs were designed, developed, coordinated and delivered.
Ms Gillard said the toolkit applied to “policies designed primarily to meet the needs of the whole population and those that are focused on meeting the needs of particular disadvantaged groups.”
She said it applied to all major policy areas from health and education to infrastructure, the law, financial services and other economic areas.
The six steps in the social inclusion method of policy design and delivery are:
* identify groups at risk of exclusion;
* analyse the nature and causes of disadvantage and exclusion;
* strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors;
* work with other Agencies to coordinate efforts;
* (re)design delivery systems and promote changes in culture; and
* establish a clear implementation plan and monitor delivery.
Ms Gillard said it was important that all Australians were able to fully participate in the community.
“Being socially included means having the opportunities, the resources and the capabilities to participate in this way - to learn, work, engage in the community and have a voice,” she said.
“This toolkit aims to help in the task of translating social inclusion principles and priorities into the daily practice of Government and public administration.”
The toolkit is described as a “simple and accessible” guide to help APS officers.
It was developed by the Social Inclusion Unit in consultation with other Departments and is based on best practice in Australia and overseas.
1 September, 2009
Super funds merger could pay dividends
The Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner has promoted the benefits of consolidating public sector superannuation boards.In a speech to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, Mr Tanner said consolidating PS superannuation boards would help improve efficiency.
He said since 2001 the number of Public Sector funds had already halved from 81 to 40 and referred last year’s decision to merge the Australian Reward Investment Alliance, the Military Superannuation and Benefits Board and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Authority into a single trustee board from 1 July 2010.
“The consolidation of superannuation boards has obvious benefits in improving efficiency and service delivery, and in creating a greater pool of assets for investment purposes; and we will continue to look at opportunities for further consolidations in the Public Sector,” Mr Tanner said.
The proposal has not been welcomed by public sector unions.
National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, Stephen Jones said amalgamating the Australian Government and military superannuation schemes would result in a board with more employer than employee representatives.
Mr Jones said this would alter current governance oversight arrangements, and remove the rights and protections of Federal Public Servants.
He said the move would limit the ability of the Public Sector superannuation board to comply with legal requirements and would dilute employee oversight of schemes.
“At a time when there is growing community concern over the performance of super funds, we think that reducing employee representation on trustee boards is out of step with public sentiment,” Mr Jones said.
“We don't want to be moving in a direction that could compromise independent administration of super funds.
“Put simply, this plan would result in Public Servants being treated differently to all other employees who are in industry, corporate or Public Sector superannuation funds. And that’s not on.”
Mr Jones said the CPSU had written to Mr Tanner to express its concerns.
He said the Union was also concerned about plans to install a person from the military super board as head of the board of trustees of the amalgamated superannuation scheme, rather than an independent chair.
1 September, 2009
Records managers given the needle
All APS employees have been called on to make sure they understand the importance of their records management responsibilities.Director-General of the National Archives of Australia, Ross Gibbs made the call, saying it was “essential” that good records management practices be regarded as integral to the everyday responsibilities of every officer in the Australian Public Service.
He recommended everyone take part in the Archives’s Keep the Knowledge – make a record!training program.
“Government information is a national resource which must be managed effectively to ensure transparent, accountable and responsive government,” Mr Gibbs said.
“The key message is that everyone working for the Australian Government – from entry level to Agency heads – has a responsibility to make and keep records of their work.”
He said Keep the Knowledge – make a record! had been made available by Archives to every APS Department and Agency and included a slideshow and presenter’s guide as well as online eLearning module, reference card and promotional posters.
He said the package emphasised the management of emails and other digital records that were becoming increasingly important to Government business.
“A culture of good records management promotes operational effectiveness, supports government accountability and helps to protect the rights and entitlements of citizens,” Mr Gibbs said.
“Keep the Knowledge will assist all Australian Government Agencies to reinforce this culture in a simple and straightforward way.”
He said the training package could be accessed online at the Archives website naa.gov.au under the Records Management and Training banner.
Mr Gibbs said it had also been included in the Australian Public Service Commission’s learning and development calendar for this year with sessions currently scheduled for 23 October and 4 December. He said more information was available on the APSC website www.apsc.gov.au.
1 September, 2009
Ombudsman plants horticulture plan
The Fair Work Ombudsman has joined forces with the Australian Workers Union, National Farmers’ Federation and Australian Industry Group to launch a national education program to assist the Australian horticulture industry understand and comply with new workplace awards and employment standards coming into force next year.Fair Work Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson said the aim of the program was to provide
employers and employees in the horticulture industry with all the information and
advice they needed to make a smooth transition to the new award which will kick in on 1 January 2010.
“This is a great example of co-operation between Government, industry and union
bodies to achieve a positive outcome for the horticulture industry,” Mr Wilson said.
He said an easy-to-understand employment guide was at the heart of the
education program and the first stage of the project was to involve all the partners in preparing it.
“The employment guide will be tailored to the needs of the horticulture industry and
will include relevant information on a range of employment-related compliance issues, including migration, superannuation and taxation obligations,” Mr Wilson said.
“The guide will be translated into various languages.”
He said the partners in the program would also conduct seminars and develop a self-audit tool to allow employers examine their time-and-wages records to ensure they complied with their obligations.
Mr Wilson said that once the education activities had been conducted, inspectors
from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office would conduct a national audit to assess the level of compliance.
“As with all our auditing campaigns, the focus will be on educating and assisting
employers to voluntarily rectify any issues identified,” Mr Wilson said.
He said the project partners would review the results of the audit to decide if further education activities were required.
More information was available from the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or by visiting www.fwo.gov.au
1 September, 2009
No lack of hackers for tax attacks
The Australian Taxation Office has reported an increase in the level of cyber attacks on its computers and networks.Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the ATO highlighted the issue in a submission to a Parliamentary Inquiry into Cyber Crime by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications.
“There has been a 31 per cent increase in recent years in scammers and hackers targeting the Tax Office's computer systems,” Senator Sherry said.
“These incidents include attempts to phish for information and malicious software attacks, such as viruses and trojans.”
Senator Sherry said a number of email scams claiming to offer tax refunds had also been reported, phishing for individual victims.
“More than 90 per cent of tax returns are lodged electronically and the use of the internet by taxpayers is continuing to grow - so everyone should be aware of the potential dangers,” he said.
Senator Sherry said the ATO had put a wide range of initiatives in place to counter financial and tax cyber crime and had successfully finalised 35 prosecutions – resulting in 29 custodial sentences – since 1 July 2008.
“Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world - with thieves using your bank accounts and credit card details to steal from you or to commit other crimes in your name,” he said.
“Some tax phishing scams are quite sophisticated - one recent case from a server based in the Ukraine lured victims by a bogus website that looked identical to the ATO website.”
Senator Sherry said the Tax Office was well resourced with specialist IT staff dedicated to detecting, following-up and preventing cyber crime.
He reminded the public that ATO emails or SMS messages would never ask for personal information, such as credit card details, tax file number, date of birth or passwords.
Senator Sherry said anyone who believed they might have been a victim or attempted target of a financial or tax cyber crime should delete suspicious emails immediately, and check the Tax Office website for a list of genuine SMS and email activities.
He urged the public to contact the ATO on 13 28 61 if they had provided any personal tax information or to contact their bank or credit card providers if they provided personal bank information or credit card details.
1 September, 2009
Vietnam war study set to go off
A study into the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on veterans’ families is set to go ahead now that the target number of participants had been achieved.Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said over 13,000 randomly selected Vietnam veterans, Vietnam-era Army personnel who did not deploy to Vietnam and their children had registered in the intergenerational study.
“These are the key groups that were required to take part in sufficient numbers to make the study scientifically robust,” Mr Griffin said.
“Additional partners, siblings, nieces, nephews and other family members of Vietnam veterans and Vietnam-era Army personnel have also registered.”
The study will examine the long term effects of the war and if any health differences could be attributed to it.
“The impact of service in Vietnam, beyond veterans to the impact on their loved ones, has been a concern for many years,” Mr Griffin said.
“This study will help us to better understand what those impacts are and what action should be taken to assist those who need help.
“It will also help us to understand any issues resulting from more recent deployments and the implications for the families of the veterans of today and tomorrow.”
Mr Griffin said the study comprised of several components and work had already commenced on some projects.
An independent scientific advisory committee, chaired by Professor Bryan Rodgers, will ensure the research component of the study is undertaken in a sound scientific manner. Registrations are still open to participate in the study, with further information available from www.dva.gov.au or 1800 502 302.
1 September, 2009
10 out of 10 for fingerprint plan
Under a new agreement with immigration authorities in Canada and the United Kingdom, Australia is to share its ‘biometric data’ and cross-check it with information held in the other countries.Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said the agreement allowed for data-sharing between the three countries, with Australia now able to check fingerprints with Canadian and UK databases.
Senator Evans said the Department currently collected fingerprints from everyone in immigration detention, including irregular arrivals and illegal foreign fishers.
He said fingerprint collection was expected to be progressively rolled out to other people in the immigration caseload in the future.
Senator Evans said the data-sharing would help to establish the true identities of unknown people.
“It will also help authorities to increase the chance of detecting people with criminal histories and other people of concern, aid in the timely removal of unlawful non-citizens where their identities and/or nationalities were previously unknown or uncertain, and improve detection of fraudulent immigration practices and trends,” he said.
Senator Evans said the partnership was developed at the Five Country Conference, a forum on immigration and border security between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
He said the United States was expected to join the data-sharing arrangement in the future.
“The benefits of international biometric data sharing were highlighted recently when an individual claiming asylum in the UK was found to have previously been fingerprinted in the USA while travelling on an Australian passport,” Senator Evans said.
“The individual was subsequently confirmed as an Australian citizen wanted for sexual assault. The man was removed to Australia to face court, and is now serving a jail sentence.”
He said the new data-sharing arrangements would not affect privacy laws.
1 September, 2009
Finance watchdog gets sharper teeth
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is to receive stronger powers to help regulate financial markets.Under changes announced jointly by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Minister for Financial Services and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen ASIC will be empowered to supervise real-time trading on all of Australia’s domestic licensed markets and be responsible for enforcing laws against misconduct on financial markets.
Mr Swan and Mr Bowen said the changes would enhance the integrity of Australia’s financial markets.
“Australia's financial system has performed better than any other during the global recession and these reforms will ensure that Australia's regulatory arrangements remain among the best in the world,” Mr Swan said.
Mr Bowen said it was more appropriate for a Government Agency to perform these functions, as opposed to the current arrangement, which requires individual financial markets to self-supervise trading on their own markets.
“Having one whole-of-market supervisor will consolidate the current individual supervisory responsibilities into one entity, streamlining supervision and enforcement, and providing complete supervision of trading on the market,” he said.
“Moving to whole-of-market supervision is also the first step in the process towards considering competition between market operators.”
Mr Bowen said under the changes, ASIC would be responsible for supervising trading activities by broker participants taking place on a licensed financial market, while individual markets – such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) - would retain responsibility for supervising the entities listed on them.
“The supervision of listed entities raises a different set of issues,” he said.
“The Government is comfortable that there is no need for the Government to supervise listed entities.
“ASIC and the ASX are working well together in performing this role.”
Mr Bowen said the legislation was expected to be introduced into Parliament next year, with ASIC to begin performing its new functions in the third quarter of 2010.
1 September, 2009
Advocacy report advocates change
An evaluation of a legal advocacy program for Indigenous people has recommended major changes be made to the program.Conducted by the Office of Evaluation and Audit in the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the report examined the effectiveness of the Attorney General’s Law and Justice Advocacy Development Program (LJAD).
The evaluation examined the funding efficiency and monitoring arrangements put in place by AG’s and recommended the program be integrated with the Legal Aid for Indigenous Australians program.
The review also recommended that LJAD’s performance indicators be reviewed to reflect better the medium-term outcomes arising from advocacy, education and research activities.
It said the LJAD was aimed at supporting Indigenous Australians in developing policy, law reform projects and delivering community legal education and information.
“There does not appear to be a shared understanding between program stakeholders about how best to achieve the program’s objectives, and therefore a lack of clarity and agreement about how to measure progress and success,” the report said.
“Providers struggle to measure their progress and to report this progress to the Attorney General’s Department in a way that is meaningful and useful to the provider and to (the Department).”
The evaluation found further collaboration was required to develop an outcomes framework that would make it clear what results the funded activities were expected to achieve, by what means, and how they should be measured.
The Attorney-General's Department has agreed to the recommendations made in the report.
The full report was available at: www.finance.gov.au.
1 September, 2009
Image is everything in brand name search
Australia is to be promoted overseas with a new ‘brand’ that aims to promote trade, investment and education in Australia.Minister for Trade, Simon Crean said $20 million would be spent over the next four years to create the new brand under a program called ‘Building Brand Australia’.
“The new Brand project is about selling Australia to the world,” Mr Crean said.
“We must find a better way to define our identity, and brand it.”
Mr Crean said the initiative would boost Australia’s global image.
“We are much more than a nation of great people and great places. We have won 10 Nobel Prizes and we are a nation bursting with creativity and ingenuity,” Mr Crean said.
“The Australian way is to underplay our achievements but this kind of modesty only surrenders the edge to our competitors.”
Mr Crean said the Government would announce a tender in the coming weeks for creative Agencies to submit their proposals for the project.
“It is time for Australia to more actively promote itself,” he said.
Austrade is to work closely with the private sector and other arms of Federal State and Territory Governments to oversee the development of Building Brand Australia.
The Brand is expected to be launched in February 2010, with an international launch in May at Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
Mr Crean said the successful tenderer would be given the freedom and flexibility needed to develop and deliver a new brand for the nation.
“I have an open mind and do not want to pre-empt the outcome of the creative process,” he said.
“We want our best creative minds on the job and we want them to engage the Australian people in this exciting project.”
1 September, 2009
Police report fits the Bill
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released figures showing police initiated action against nearly 300,000 offenders during 2007-08.In its new publication, Recorded crime – offenders, the ABS looked at data from all States and Territories except Western Australia to detail the number and characteristics of alleged offenders aged 10 years and over.
The ABS found police proceeded against 295,600 alleged offenders during 2007-08, equating to 1,800 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over.
The report found that young people between 10 and 19 years accounted for one third of all offenders proceeded against by police.
Of all age groups, the 15 to 19 age-group had the highest offender rate at 5,900 offenders per 100,000 people.
Over three-quarters of all offenders, 78 per cent, were male.
Twenty-six per cent of offenders were proceeded against more than once during the course of the year, with 4 per cent proceeded against five or more times.
The most common principal offences for offenderswere acts intended to cause injury (330 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over); public order offences (315 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over); and theft and related and illicit drug offences (both at 240 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over).
“This new collection of statistics about offenders in the criminal justice system joins existing collections about victims, defendants appearing in the criminal courts and people under the supervision of corrective services Agencies,” the ABS said in its report.
“With the addition of this new data, the ABS can now provide a more complete view of victims and offenders as they move through the four main stages of the criminal justice system.”
The report was available from www.abs.gov.au.
1 September, 2009
Prime Ministers meet to prime markets
A meeting between the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers in Canberra has led to a renewed focus on the Single Economic Market work program.In their fourth bilateral meeting, Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and his New Zealand counterpart, John Key agreed to a joint statement of intent to “give new intensity and a renewed focus to delivering the practical benefits and outcomes from the Single Economic Market.”
“This work will be guided by key principles designed to deliver more quickly and effectively the benefits of seamless trans-Tasman economy to consumers and businesses in both countries,” the Prime Ministers said.
They said the agreement also listed practical concrete outcomes on economic regulatory matters, including business law and competition policy.
Mr Rudd and Mr Key also agreed to a joint plan to streamline Tran-Tasman travel, which includes the rollout of the automated ‘SmartGate’ passenger clearance system in New Zealand.
The agreement will also see improvements to screening and processing for ‘low risk’ passengers in both countries, as well as trials of direct exit paths for passengers and the transfer of x-ray images between the two countries for improved biosecurity screening.
Other outcomes of the meeting included the endorsement of the Development Coordination Partnership, which pledges “new efforts” by Australia and New Zealand to integrate development assistance activities to improve the effectiveness of aid programs and achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the Pacific.
Mr Rudd and Mr Key said since their last meeting in March, progress had been made in a number of other key areas, including joint trade promotion activities to increase global market shares for the Trans-Tasman economy, particularly in the Asian region.
They also agreed to focus on cooperation between the Australian Productivity Commission and any future New Zealand Productivity Commission, and collaborating on the design, implementation and linking of emissions trading schemes.
The Prime Ministers are expected to meet again early next year.
1 September, 2009
Grants reports are right on the money
The Department of Finance and Deregulationhas released two reports on the administration of Commonwealth grants.The Strategic Review of the Administration of Australian Government Grant Programs was undertaken in two parts and released in separate reports.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said the first report examined the adequacy of grants administrative processes (looking mainly at discretionary grants) and the second report looked at the merits of discretionary grants as a way of delivering Government policy.
The first report, conducted by Peter Grant, made a number of recommendations for improving the current policy framework for the administration of grants with the aim of improving “efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and transparency.”
The second report, completed by Dr Joanne Kelly, looked at problems relating to discretionary grants and identified “electoral and other political factors that are likely to influence decisions on both creating grant programs, and the allocation of grant funding.”
The two reports pointed to “major issues and criticisms” by the Australian National Audit Office of grant administration since 2004-05.
These criticisms included deficiencies in applying the financial framework for expenditure; weaknesses in program planning, design and decision-making processes; problems with adhering to program guidelines; flaws in procedures for selecting grant recipients and projects, and a general lack of transparency.
Mr Grant’s report found problems had accumulated over a number of years as a result of gaps in the whole-of-Government policy framework; a lack of adequate central guidance; excessive growth in grant program numbers; undue haste in implementation; Agency skill gaps; and ineffective management of funding agreements.
“Remedial action is urgently needed, and some useful steps could be taken quickly,” the report said.
“That said, any comprehensive program of reform will inevitably take several years to have effect, especially if it is to tackle the cultural and institutional factors which lie at the heart of many of the problems.”
Mr Grant’s report made five recommendations, including the development of a whole-of-Government policy framework for the administration of Commonwealth grants program.
Dr Kelly’s report focused on how to improve the way discretionary grants were used by the Commonwealth Government to achieve policy objectives.
“It is important that discretionary grants programs are recognised as one of many possible tools for delivering Government policies: they are neither an end in themselves, or necessarily evil,” the report said.
Dr Kelly said discretionary grant programs were more vulnerable to political manipulation than most other Government tools.
“For those reasons, there is a need to pay particular attention to the creation, use, design and evaluation of discretionary grant programs,” she said.
Dr Kelly said stakeholders needed to recognise discretionary grant programs as mechanisms for policy delivery rather than simply funding tools.
Mr Tanner said expenditure on Commonwealth grants had increased dramatically over the last decade while the quality of administration had waned.
He said the recommendations had already begun to be implemented, with new Commonwealth Grant Guidelines put in place on 1 July this year.
1 September, 2009
Green jobs plan gets amber light
A proposal to develop a National Green Jobs Corps has reached the exposure draft stage.Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib released the draft document, saying when it was up and running, the initiative would spend $77.6 million to create 10,000 places for unemployed Australians aged between 18 and 24.
Senator Arbib said the scheme would give youths the “opportunity to contribute to their communities” while increasing their skills by taking part in an environmental work experience and training program.
Parliamentary Secretary for Employment, Jason Clare said the National Green Jobs Corps would commence on 1 January 2010 and run for two years.
Mr Clare said the program would target disadvantaged youth, particularly those who had not finished Year 12, and would give them valuable skills earned and work experience in the green sector.
“National Green Jobs Corps is all about investing in the future of young people,” he said.
“That's why we're focused on providing training to help them gain long-term employment.”
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is to run a tender for the National Green Jobs Corps.
The Request for Tender is expected to be released this month.
The Department will hold information sessions in capital cities in late September.
Senator Arbib said the consultation period and purchasing timeframes were tight, but it was necessary to ensure the scheme was operating by 1 January next year.
Comments or feedback on the draft close on 7 September 2009 and could be submitted toNationalGreenJobsCorps@deewr.gov.au.
The exposure draft of the purchasing arrangements was available at www.deewr.gov.au.
1 September, 2009
Indigenous reps back on track
A Steering Committee led by Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma has called for an independent Indigenous representative body to work with Government, industry and the community to achieve self-determination for Indigenous Australians.The Indigenous Steering Committee was commissioned by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, in December 2008 to undertake consultations and develop a model for a new national Indigenous representative body.
The Steering Committee’s report, Our future in our hands - creating a sustainable national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, proposes an independent body be set up that contains an equal number of men and women in leadership roles and subject to strict ethical standards.
“This model is about a way forward,” Commissioner Calma said, “that is focused on the future and flexible enough to adapt to new or emerging priorities.
“What we are proposing today will be radically different from anything we have ever seen in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. It will certainly not be ‘business as usual’.”
He said the new body should be a private company limited by guarantee and should be funded by the Australian Government on a recurrent basis for an initial five-year period, subject to negotiation thereafter.
Commissioner Calma said it should also be granted Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to enable it to raise corporate support and donations.
Key components of the proposed body include a National Executive led by full-time male and female co-chairs; a National Congress that would be the primary accountability mechanism; an annual congress to set national policies and priorities; an Ethics Council; and an administrative or Executive Support Unit.
“We have proposed a body that will exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and will set a new benchmark for gender equality in national organisations – which all Australians can learn from,” Commissioner Calma said.
Ms Macklin welcomed the report and congratulated the Steering Committee and Commissioner Calma.
She said the Government would consider the report and respond appropriately.
“The proposed model sets a high benchmark for strong, responsible and strategic leadership,” Ms Macklin said.
“They have aimed to create a body which will build a clear vision for a positive future for Indigenous Australians, through research, policy development and advocacy.”
She said the Government would be prepared to provide “modest and appropriate recurrent funding” for the body once it was established and would provide support in its establishment phase.
Ms Macklin said the new body “would not be an ATSIC.”
A copy of the report was available from www.humanrights.gov.au.
1 September, 2009
Skills training deal
Airservices Australia and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute have teamed up to offer trade training skills in the aviation industry.
The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which Airservices will provide $2.8 million over five years for the establishment of a trade-specific curriculum and training at the Riverina Institute campus.
The specially designed course aims to give trainees the skills to maintain Australia’s air traffic control equipment including communications, surveillance and navigation aids, radars and data systems.
Virtual PS teams for workshops
Workshops on Managing Public Sector Virtual Teams are to be held in Perth, Melbourne and Canberra.
The one-day master classes aim to equip managers with the skills to deal with issues ranging from tools and technology to results-based management and relationships and trust.
Workshops will be held in Perth on 14 October; Melbourne on 16 October; and Canberra on 23 October and will be run by the United Kingdom training consultancy, Knowledge Ability.
For more information visit www.pics.com.au
Wheat case dropped
The Australian Federal Police has called off its investigation into criminal activity at the Australian Wheat board.
AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said issues raised by the Cole inquiry into the AWB in 2006 were being pursued by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and a recent review of the AFP case raised questions as to its likely success.
Commissioner Keelty said the AFP would assist ASIC in its investigation.
Byrne passes on
Long-time PS union activist and prominent member of the Australian Labor Party, Barbara Byrne has died at 74.
Ms Byrne was a CPSU delegate in Canberra for more than 30 years.
John retires
The Managing Director of Australia Post, Graeme John is to retire in December.
Mr John joined Australia Post as Chief Manager, National Operations in 1990 and was appointed Managing Director in 1993.
Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner praised Mr John for his “outstanding leadership”.
National President of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Ed Husic wished Mr John well, saying he should be congratulated for his innovation and vision.
New Centre for NATSEM
Construction of a new National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) International Microsimulation Centre has commenced.
Based at the University of Canberra, the Centre will allow NATSEM to extend its work into new areas of public policy such as climate change, transport and infrastructure.
The building will allow NATSEM to provide detailed, evidence-based predictions on the impacts of public policy.
Construction is due to be completed by mid 2010.
New pilot scheme
The Australian Defence Force is to receive a new Pilot Training System that will enhance its training abilities.
The ADF plans to replace almost all its aircraft over the next 10 years with new generation aircraft that require pilots to have more advanced skill-sets.
The project, AIR 5428 Phase 1, will provide student pilots with qualifications to become pilots in the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Books campaign alive
The largest ever Books Alive campaign has been launched to promote the pleasures of reading to Australians of all ages.
During the month-long campaign 1.2 million copies of the new guide, 50 Books You Can't Put Down, will be made available from book retailers and libraries across Australia.
The Books Alive initiative was developed by the Australia Council for the Arts and is now in its eighth year.
Reporting forms released
The release of new Standard Business Reporting (SBR) taxonomy and tools for software developers has been announced by the Minister for Financial Services and Corporate Law, Senator Chris Bowen.
The release means software developers can begin building SBR support into their business and accounting systems covering such reports as the Australian Tax Office’s business activity statement, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s copy of financial statements and reports coversheet and the NSW Payroll tax monthly return.
The SBR program is part of the Council of Australian Governments’ national reform agenda to cut business red tape and increase productivity.
Defence upgrades Lavarack
The Australian Defence Force’s psychological services are to relocate to Lavarack Barracks in North Queensland.
The move is part of a strategy to improve mental health services for ADF personnel in the barracks and is expected to provide better access for ADF members to other health and support personnel including nurses, doctors, social workers, and chaplains.
The move is one step towards implementing a Primary Mental Health Care Multidisciplinary Team at the barracks to give ADF members quick access to care when they need it.
Comment call on bankruptcy
Public comment hasbeen sought on proposals to reform the personal bankruptcy laws.
The Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 aims to modernise personal insolvency arrangements by recognising that the majority of bankruptcies relate to consumer debts and involve people with relatively few assets and little income.
The amendments aim to give those in financial distress a more realistic opportunity to consider their options, reorganise their affairs and where possible, avoid bankruptcy.
Comments on the Bill close 14 September 2009, with further information available fromwww.ag.gov.au.
Directors join Army
One hundred members of the Australian Institute of Company Directors have visited Townsville to experience life in the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
The members viewed water transport assets, inspected military aircraft and participated in a number of other activities.
Defence Reserves Support staff and 11 Brigade soldiers provided information to the AICD members and ensured they understood how the Employer Support Payment Scheme and Office of Reserve Service Protection could help them.