Standard Business Reporting
Source: Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Treasurer announced a new initiative to provide a significant and sustained reduction in business to government reporting burden. This will build upon the business measures announced by the Commonwealth in response to the Banks Report, to increase the scope for innovation, enhance entrepreneurial drive and increase productivity."

Exercise becomes a Multi-Fun Task for Students
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills and Education Services. Media Release
"Education Services Minister Jacinta Allan launched a program aimed, at keeping students entertained, while also keeping them healthy. Ms Allan visited the Port Phillip Specialist School to launch the Ride for Health program through which all special schools in Victoria receive two GameBikes – exercise bikes with video game consoles."

Moves to Make Weapons Penalties Tougher
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"People caught carrying prohibited and controlled weapons will face tougher penalties under new legislation introduced in to State Parliament this week. Police & Emergency Services Minister, Bob Cameron, said the legislation was being introduced as part of a Bracks Government election commitment to double existing weapons penalties."

State Government to consult on non-mains water use
Source: SA. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"The state government is considering an extension of the current statewide water conservation measures to non-mains water resources early in the new year following a period of targeted public consultation. Environment and Conservation Minister, Gail Gago said the current restrictions applied to mains water users only, which could lead to a perception that not all water users are being treated equally."

Review of University Reforms
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced the commencement of a review into the impact of reforms on the higher education sector. Minister Bishop said that the Department of Education, Science and Training will undertake the review, which will investigate the impact on the higher education sector of the higher education reforms enacted through the Act and the 2003 Our Universities: Backing Australia's Future reform package. I will announce priorities for the next phases of the review in due course, Minister Bishop said. "

Government takes broader approach with juvenile justice strategy in Goldfields
Source: WA. Minister for Corrective Services, Women's Interest and Small Business. Media Release
"The State Government is expanding the scope of its remand centre project in the Goldfields to look at different options to deal with juvenile offenders. We are committed to developing a quality juvenile justice solution for the region that has the support of the local community.”

New water initiative launched in Merredin
Source: WA. Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry, the Midwest and Wheat Belt. Media Release
"Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance launched the Merredin Water Initiative, which is using desalinated water for road construction.Mr Chance said the project was an excellent example of an integrated water management approach developed through the combined efforts of the community, business and Government."

Carryover of Water Allocations under Consideration
Source: Victoria. Minister for Water. Media Release
"Irrigators in the Murray and Goulburn systems may be able to keep water that they don’t use in the current season for the next season as part of a drought response measure announced by Water Minister John Thwaites. This proposal would give water users a choice about when they use their scare water during this difficult dry period."

$900M In Property and Business Taxes Cut from January 1
Source: Victoria. Office of the Treasurer. Media Release
"Cuts to stamp duty, payroll tax, business rental duty and an extension of the first home owners bonus will take effect in just 12 days, Treasury John Brumby said."

Improving Tasmania’s Literacy
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
" The State Labor Government will invest an extra $3 million and host a literacy summit in the first half of 2007 to further improve Tasmanian literacy rates. Education Minister David Bartlett said the focus on literacy is part of the back to basics approach to education in Tasmanian Government schools."

Crime Figures Show Long-Term Reductions
Source: NT. Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The latest Crime and Justice Statistics show long-term reductions in property crime across the Northern Territory. "

Reforms to Boost ADF Recruitment and Retention
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce today $1 billion in new funding over the next 10 years for a series of initiatives to boost Australian Defence Force recruitment and retention. "

Minister Announces Major Education Reforms
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, announced a major reform package for public education following six months community consultation on the Government’s Towards 2020: Renewing Our Schools proposal."

Westernport focus of national climate change study
Source: Australia. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. Media Release
"The Victorian community of Westernport is to take part in a nation-wide research project to identify the impact of climate change on Australian communities. Mr Hunt said the research would involve an integrated assessment of the impacts of climate change on settlements in the Westernport region. The research will draw on a range of disciplines, bringing together knowledge from economics, policy and law, social science, and climate change science to provide a better picture of how climate change will affect Australian communities. "

Australia-Japan FTA Negotiation a Valuable Opportunity
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister John Howard and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan that Australia and Japan would commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in early 2007."

Grants to boost Gourmet Food in Regional Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The production of gourmet food in regional Australia, from venison sausages to specialty ice creams, has received a boost with the Government announcing $2 million in grants for a range of food processing projects. Regional food processors make a major contribution to the Australian economy, with 40 per cent of all food processing taking place in regional areas."

New Airport Guidelines Underline Community Consultation
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced the release of new Airport Development Consultation Guidelines which will be an integral part of future developments at Australia's 22 leased federal airports. "

Emerging Communities funding announced
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Disability Services, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests. Media Release
"Migrants and refugees in Western Australia will get increased assistance to access schools, health services, training and jobs under a new Carpenter Government initiative. Specialised liaison officers will help link newly arrived WA residents with community and Government services to enable better settlement and integration."

Manufacturing Advisory Council formed
Source: NSW. Department of State and Regional Development. Media Release
"The State Government has announced the formation of a NSW Manufacturing Advisory Council to support the role of manufacturing in the State's economy."

$33.6 Million to boost Sugar Industry's Future
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The Australian Government has announced funding of up to $33.6 million to support sugar industry communities in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. The projects will contribute to securing the future of the sugar industry. The projects are tailored to improve the industry’s efficiency levels and help it pursue options to diversify and innovate."

Grants for Managing Emergencies
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Local governments and volunteer organisations are being invited to apply for grants which help communities develop increased self-reliance in the face of disasters, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said. The funding comes through an Australian Government initiative called Working Together to Manage Emergencies , which has set aside $49 million for projects across Australia. To support this initiative the Australian Government has provided $49 million over four years. "

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Australia's Consumer Policy Framework
Source: Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Treasurer announced that the Productivity Commission will undertake an inquiry into Australia’s consumer policy framework and its administration. The inquiry will be the first substantial review of Australia’s consumer policy framework since 1984 and the Commission has been asked to report on ways to improve the framework to assist consumers to meet current and future challenges. The Commission will also report on ways to improve the harmonisation and coordination of consumer policy and its development and administration across jurisdictions in Australia, as well as ways to avoid regulatory duplication and inconsistency."

Minister releases Broadband Blueprint for Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, released a Broadband Blueprint to provide a national framework for the future of broadband in Australia. It is essential for all levels of government and industry to adopt a strategic and coordinated approach to the rollout of scalable broadband infrastructure."

Release of Draft Defence Industry Policy
Source: Australia. Minister for Defence. Media Release
"All involved with the Defence industry sector are invited to read the Defence and Industry Draft Policy Statement, as it will directly and indirectly affect the way that we do business in the future. Comments on the draft statement can be provided up to 21 December 2006. "

Construction Industry Skills Blueprint for the Future
Source: Australia. Minister for Vocational and Technical Education. Media Release
"The Australian Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, launched a business-led training strategy aimed at securing Australia’s construction industry skills base for the future.The Master Builders Australia (MBA) “Training for the Future: Training Blueprint 2006-2010” calls for a partnership between governments and to ensure training strategies meet skills demand."

Australia and Chile Move towards a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, announced that the Australian Government had agreed in-principle to commencing a bilateral negotiation process with Chile, with a view to developing a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA)."

Australia-Korea FTA Study
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, announced that Australia and the Republic of Korea have agreed to conduct a joint study on a possible free trade agreement. The study will be conducted by private research institutions in both countries. Government officials will then review its findings and make recommendations to the governments."

Expert advice to keep organic R&D on track
Source: Australia. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Media Release
"The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Organic Systems R&D Program relies on advice from a committee of experts to ensure that its R&D investments meet the needs of the rapidly expanding organics industry. A carefully-selected new Advisory Committee for 2006-2009 has been announced."

Bold strategy to conserve WA’s unique biodiversity for the next 100 years
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment, Racing and Gaming. Media Release
"The Western Australian community is being urged to provide feedback on a 100-year draft strategy to conserve the State’s biodiversity. Releasing ‘A 100-year Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Western Australia: Blueprint to the Bicentenary in 2029’, Environment Minister Mark McGowan said today that the draft strategy was bold and challenging."

Government Taskforce cuts apprenticeship red tape
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Employers will find it easier to take on apprentices with a key State Government taskforce recommending that red tape be slashed. Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich welcomed the Skills Formation Taskforce report, which calls for less paperwork and more support for employers."

Help for GPs for mental health and substance-use patients
Source: Australia. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"A new project has been launched to help GPs and health workers to manage patients with substance-use disorders and mental illness. This project has been funded under the National Comorbidity Initiative, which aims to improve the capacity of general practices and divisions to recognise and effectively respond to mental health and substance-use concerns in their community."

Vaile Launches National Drive for Safety
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, launched the Australian Trucking Association's National Drive for Safety 2006."

Australia Leads the Way in Copyright Reform
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Australia's groundbreaking reforms to the Copyright Act have strengthened owners rights and have provided certainty for users in the present digital environment."

Brough outlines blueprint for action in Indigenous Affairs
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, outlined the Government's blueprint for action in Indigenous Affairs in an address for the Indigenous Governance Series hosted by the National Institute of Governance. The Government's blueprint identifies three priority areas for special attention - early childhood intervention; safer communities; and building wealth, employment and entrepreneurial culture. It will link government action to geographic location in urban, remote and regional Australia."