Funding boost for climate change
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"The State Government has committed an extra $8.6million over the next five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across Western Australia. Premier Alan Carpenter announced the funding boost prior to attending Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by Federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd, to be held in Canberra on Saturday."

New legislation to save Western Australian lives
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Western Australian scientists will be able to undertake more potentially life-saving medical research under new laws introduced to State Parliament. Health Minister Jim McGinty said the Human Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2007 would allow research that could lead to improvements in fertility treatments and important medical breakthroughs in the treatment of complex diseases such as breast cancer, type one diabetes and Parkinson’s disease."

Binge drinking under the spotlight at 2007 Leavers Planning Symposium
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Binge drinking by school leavers during traditional end-of-year celebrations will come under the spotlight at a two-day symposium starting. Community Safety Minister John Kobelke said key stakeholders at the 2007 Leavers Planning Symposium would hear from experts and workshop ways to make end-of-year celebrations safer for school leavers and manageable for the community."

New Clinical Guidelines to Treat Ice Addicts
Source: Victoria. Minister for Mental Health. Media Release
"The Bracks Government has continued its pre-emptive strike on Ice and methamphetamines, with the Minister for Mental Health Lisa Neville releasing a new set of guidelines showing frontline workers how to deal with people under the influence of the drug."

Victoria Wins Endorsement of National Plan for Local Government Financial Sustainability
Source: Victoria. Minister for Local Government. Media Release
"A nationally consistent approach to financial sustainability, encouraging local councils to improve their financial management practices has been endorsed by the Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council (LGPMC) in Auckland. Victoria’s Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne, speaking at the LGPMC meeting said that the agreed financial sustainability framework, which is based on asset planning and management will help local communities better understand the financial position of their councils. "

Small Businesses to Help Cut Red Tape
Source: Victoria. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"A new Bracks Government initiative will give Victoria’s small businesses the chance to get involved in cutting government red tape and raise issues with government regulations before they are implemented. Minister for Small Business, Theo Theophanous, said the Business Consultation Database, based on successful bodies in the UK and New Zealand, involves small businesses providing advice to government agencies on how a proposed regulation would impact on its business operations. "

Allan Launches $10 Million Youth Training Initiative
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills. Media Release
"Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment today launched a $10 million initiative aimed at young people across the state who are not in formal education and training. Ms Allan announced the organisations that will deliver the Youth Transition Support Initiative through which 24 support workers will help young people aged 15-19 years to find training and job opportunities."

City West Water to go Greenhouse Neutral
Source: Victoria. Minister for Climate Change. Media Release
"City West Water is set to be the first Australian water authority to go carbon neutral with the Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites announcing a sustainability covenant between the authority and EPA Victoria."

New Scheme will make Families Bigger Energy Savers
Source: Victoria. Minister for Climate Change. Media Release
"The State Government released more details of a scheme that will fight climate change and could help save the average household $100 a year through reduced energy use. Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor and the Minister for Climate Change John Thwaites released an issues paper outlining the design of a new Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme to help families reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut their power bills. "

Research Grant to Focus on Hydrogen Fuelled Cars
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor announced a $1.2 million grant to look further into efficient hydrogen-fuelled car engines."

Victoria Takes Global Lead in Tissue Engineering
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"One of the world’s most advanced research facilities for tissue engineering, the Australian Tissue Engineering Centre (ATEC), was officially opened by the Minister for Innovation, John Brumby. Based at the Bernard O’Brien Institute in Fitzroy, the $12 million Centre will provide preclinical research and testing facilities for cell therapies to tackle chronic and degenerative diseases like leukaemia, diabetes, heart attack and stroke."

Millions More to Drought Proof Victorian Sport
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Local councils across Victoria will be able to share in $4.7 million to help drought-proof their local sporting facilities, the Premier Steve Bracks, said."

Climate Change legislation strengthened
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"The Rann Government’s groundbreaking Climate Change legislation will be strengthened with the introduction of an extra interim target to reduce emissions. Premier Mike Rann said this amendment to the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Bill 2006 will commit the state to return to 1990 emissions levels by 2020."

Latest Crime Statistics Backs Government Focus On Alcohol
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"The Territory Government is on the right track with its focus on reducing alcohol-fuelled violence, according to Crime Statistics released today by the Department of Justice."

Cutting Tax Costs for Business
Source: Tasmania. Treasurer. Media Release
" The Treasurer, Michael Aird, announced that the State Government will move to significantly cut the administrative costs for businesses associated with compliance with State taxes. Mr Aird said the issue of state payroll tax would be discussed at this week’s meeting of State Treasurers. "
Improving Student Literacy
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
" The State Government will provide an extra $3 million as part of its interim Literacy Strategy to determine what support schools need to further improve literacy levels. Education Minister David Bartlett said the newly established Learning Services Groups will work directly with schools on literacy planning for the future. "

Contact with Lobbyists Code released
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter released the Contact with Lobbyists Code, which will underpin the operations of the Register of Lobbyists. "

Government increases search for child protection workers
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"The State Government has launched an intensive media recruitment campaign to continue to bolster the number of child protection workers in Western Australia. Child Protection Minister Sue Ellery said the State-wide campaign to raise awareness of the drive for new staff was part of the commitment of $51million made last year."

Aboriginal Heritage Act to Ease Development in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release
"Changes to Aboriginal heritage laws are designed to ensure planned developments in designated areas of Victoria can proceed smoothly, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Gavin Jennings said. Mr Jennings said the proposed regulations would ensure that any sites of Aboriginal heritage would be identified as part of the planning process rather than possibly discovered after works have begun."

Allan Announces Aviation Industry Skills Boost
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills. Media Release
"Minister for Skills Education Services and Employment Jacinta Allan announced a program that will significantly boost Victoria’s aviation industry skills base. "

$5.2M For Community Projects to Tackle Obesity
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Acting Health Minister Gavin Jennings has announced $3.6 million for six new community ‘Go for your life’ initiatives to combat obesity by increasing physical activity and healthy eating for children, families and older Victorians. The new projects are part of a $5.2m package that includes $1.6 million to continue existing ‘Go for your life’ projects in Colac, Moreland and Geelong."

Review Underway Into Children's Services Regulations
Source: Victoria. Minister for Children. Media Release
"Victorian parents and other stakeholders are being urged to contribute to the first review of children’s services regulations in Victoria for a decade, the Minister for Children, Lisa Neville, said. Ms Neville said a discussion paper had been released calling for submissions from all interested parties into how children’s services are regulated."

Affordable homes program to address Housing Trust viability
Source: South Australia. Minister for Families and Communities. Media Release
"The State Government has launched an Affordable Homes Program to address the financial viability of the social housing system. Launching the program, Housing Minister Jay Weatherill said it would tackle both the pressures on the Housing Trust as well as provide thousands of opportunities for low and medium income earners to buy their own homes."

State Parliament has passed the toughest D.N.A. laws in Australia
Source: South Australia. Minister for Police and Attorney General. Media Release
"The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Bill will allow forensic procedures to be carried out on a person suspected of having committed an indictable offence or any summary offence punishable by imprisonment. The legislation allows for the permanent retention of all D.N.A. profiles taken lawfully by police."

Minister talks about ‘Talk about weight’
Source: ACT. Minister for Health. Media Release
"ACT Health’s new program for children aged 2–12 years who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight is to be run again IN 2007, ACT Minister for Health, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA said."

Attorney-General Launches Mediation Course To Reduce Violence
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"A mediation and leadership program which combines Indigenous and non-Indigenous approaches to conflict resolution could help reduce violence, family feuding and will improve cross-cultural mediation into the future, said Attorney-General Syd Stirling."

National Focus On Arts, Film And Water
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts. Media Release
"Northern Territory Minister for Natural Resources Environment and the Arts Marion Scrymgour will be holding a series of important discussions over the possibilities for future federal funding partnerships in the arts and film industries. In addition, Ms Scrymgour will be meeting with her federal counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, to discuss progress on investigating northern Australian water resources."

Horticulture Expansion In Central Australia
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries. Media Release
"The Northern Territory Government has signed a significant Indigenous Land Use Agreement that will pave the way for a major expansion of our horticulture industry in central Australia."

National Registration for Health Professionals
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"I have written to the Premiers and Chief Ministers urging them to support the establishment of a national health registration and accreditation scheme for health professionals at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in April. COAG will examine the details of a national scheme commencing on 1 July 2008 for nine health professions: medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy, psychology, osteopathy and chiropractors."

$5 million to help farmers tackle climate variability
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The Government has announced up to $5 million to help farmers prepare for the risks associated with climate change. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, who announced the funding at a roundtable in Canberra , said climate variability posed an enormous challenge to Australia’s farm sector."

Forestry’s climate change opportunity
Source: Australia. Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation. Media Release
"The forestry industry is poised to capitalise on the opportunities provided to it by climate change, the Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz, said to the National Association of Forest Industries’ annual conference in Canberra. “Forestry is the only carbon positive sector of the economy”, the Minister said."

More support for Indigenous carers
Source: Australia. Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues. Media Release
"Indigenous carers in Victoria will be the first to benefit from new guidelines designed to provide further support and advice for Indigenous-specific caring roles."

Health Industry to benefit from new training package
Source: Australia. Minister for Vocational and Further Education. Media Release
"The Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, the Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, launched the new Health Industry Training Package in another step towards providing the health industry with skilled workers. The Package, developed by the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council, is the culmination of two years of intensive engagement and consultation with health and community services industry and professionals. "

Virgin First for Carbon Neutral
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Virgin Blue has become the first airline in Australia to offer ‘carbon neutral’ flights under the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative. "

Further support for men and families
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The success of an E-Learning tool to assist organisations working with men at risk of suicide has prompted the Government to expand distribution of the package. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said the Men at Risk of Suicide E-Learning Tool helps Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) providers identify men at risk from suicide as a result of relationship breakdown."

Cairns Group Releases New WTO Proposal on Tropical Products
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, has welcomed the tabling of a new proposal by the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters on so-called 'Tropical and Alternative Products' in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Round of trade negotiations. Mr Truss said that the Tropical and Alternative Products proposal had the potential to provide new commercial opportunities for important commodities such as sugar, rice and a wide range of horticultural products which are amongst the most highly-protected in international trade."

India’s services unlock trading opportunity for Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"A new report from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Economic Analytical Unit highlights the breadth of opportunities India’s rapid economic growth could open for Australian companies, the Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, said."

New Directions: Labor's $2 Billion Green Car Partnership
Source: Australian Labour Party. Policy
""Federal Labor has announced a $500 million “Green Car Innovation Fund” designed to generate $2 billion in investment to secure jobs in the automotive industry and tackle climate change by manufacturing low emission vehicles in Australia. "Under the bold initiative, industry will be asked to match a $500 million government contribution on a one-to-three dollar basis. The Green Car Innovation Fund is a long-term plan designed to secure jobs and protect the environment."

New Directions: Clean Coal
Source: Australian Labour Party. Policy
"Australia is being left behind responding to climate change – and that is bad news for Australian jobs and the economy. "Labor's paper, New Directions For Australia’s Coal Industry, outlines our detailed plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions and create and secure jobs in the coal industry..."

Business.gov.au - Helping Business Go Green
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business and Tourism. Media Release
"The Australian Government's award-winning business website, business.gov.au, now has an Environmental Management Topic to help Australian business go green, reduce global warming and save money. There are now more than 100 pages of advice and information to help businesses go green on www.business.gov.au."

Preschoolers recruited to fight the fat
Source: South Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Children aged under five will become part of the battle against obesity, in a new program being developed by the State Government. The move comes as a new Health Department survey of parents shows that up to 70% of children under 12 are eating junk food, including chips, lollies and chocolate, up to five times a week."

Smoking in cars
South Australia. Minister for Environment and C0nservation. Media Release
"A ban on smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers is a step closer following passage of legislation in the Legislative Council. Substance Abuse Minister, Gail Gago said the legislation – the Tobacco Products Regulation (Smoking in Cars) Amendment Bill 2006 - would now go to the House of Assembly for consideration with the aim of having it through State Parliament by World No Tobacco Day on May 31 this year."

Literacy Summit To Be Held In Tasmania
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Education Minister, David Bartlett, announced a literacy summit being held in Hobart this year on June 1. Mr Bartlett said the two-day Tasmanian Literacy Summit would bring together experts, classroom teachers and industry leaders to map out a literacy plan for Tasmanians. "

Climate Change in Tasmania
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Primary Industries. Media Release
"Mr Llewellyn said a new climate change and coastal risk management project is now underway, and will assist local planning authorities to incorporate sea-level rise and storm tide inundation issues into their planning and management activities."

State Election NSW Labour Polices
Source: Australian Labour Party. NSW Web site
"Policies for the Australian Labour Party NSW 2007 State Election."

State Election NSW Liberal Polices
Source: Australian Liberal Party. NSW Web Site
"Policies for the Australian Liberal Party NSW 2007 State Election."

Minister welcomes renewed call for single desk poll
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Agriculture and Food. Media Release
"Agriculture Minister Kim Chance has welcomed the decision by Independent Federal MP Tony Windsor to conduct a poll of all wheat growers in Australia on their attitude to the future of the single desk for wheat."

WA Government urged to tackle peak demand
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Energy, Resources, Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"An advisory committee representing residential and business electricity consumers has urged the State Government to investigate ways to manage peak electricity demand in Western Australia. At its recent meeting chaired by Energy Minister Francis Logan, committee members suggested using smart metering technologies and related tariff structures. "

Defence Industry Policy
Source: Australia. Minister for Defense. Media Release
"The new Defence Industry Policy provides a critical framework to guide investment by the private sector and Government in industrial capabilities critical to the long-term support of the ADF. "

New Sports Academies for Indigenous Students
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced that new school-based sports academies for Indigenous students will aim to engage, motivate and lead them into lifelong learning. “Thirteen innovative academies drawing students from secondary schools, including remote areas, will begin operating in five States and Territories over the next few months,” Minister Bishop said."

Additional $100 Million Boost To Clean Coal
Source: Australia. Ministers for Environment and Water Resources, and Industry. Media Release
"The Howard Government is injecting a further $100 million into clean coal technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Victorian-based HRL Limited will receive a $100 million grant for a $750 million clean coal technology project."

FTA negotiations with Japan to kick off in April
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, welcomed the agreement by the Australian and Japanese Governments to hold the first round of negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement in Canberra from 23-24 April."

New incentives for country teaching
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"University students studying to become high school teachers are being encouraged to experience the many benefits of working in a country school, as part of a new scholarship scheme."

Strengthening Integrity in Sports Betting
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"A bill to regulate sports betting, other than betting on racing, will be introduced into Parliament this week by the Minister for Gaming, Daniel Andrews. "

NT Marine Parks Strategy
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage. Media Release
"The Northern Territory Government is one step closer to creating a bigger, better world class parks system with the development of a strategy to establish a system of Marine Parks in the NT. The Northern Territory Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Advisory Committee will meet for the first time to provide input on the development of a draft NT MPA Strategy."

Schools Play Positive Role in Sustainability
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, said ACT schools are playing a role in a coordinated approach to climate change. “In our schools, we promote a “whole of building” approach to design in upgrading existing facilities and building new facilities, which address ecological sustainability and issues of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change,” Mr Barr said."

New Directions for Australia's Coal Industry
Source: Australian Labour Party. Policy
"Labor supports the funding of clean coal demonstration projects, like the proposal from HRL Limited. That is why Labor has committed to establishing a $500 million clean coal fund, to generate further investment in clean coal technology."

Government response to Ford Review to revolutionise child protection in WA
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"The State Government has announced it will invest an extra $100million and implement a raft of major structural reforms in one of the biggest overhauls of child protection operations in Western Australia’s history."

$1million boost for respite care
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Disability Services. Media Release
"The State Government has announced a $1million boost for respite care for Western Australians with disabilities and their families."

State Government rewards teachers at the peak of the profession
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Top-tier teachers are being rewarded to retain expertise in the classroom and advance education standards in Western Australian public schools. More than 80 talented teachers had been promoted to the position of Level Three classroom teacher, following extra professional development and a rigorous assessment of their abilities."

Victoria Leading the Way with Green Buses
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"The introduction signals Victoria’s leadership in low-emission bus standards, being the first state to introduce Euro 4 clean diesel buses for public transport. The buses have been purchased by Invicta bus company under the Bracks Government’s $189 million four-year Bus Replacement Program."

New Laws to Tackle Domestic
Source: South Australia. Minister for Justice and the Minister for Womans Status. Media Release
"A comprehensive review of the State’s domestic violence laws has been released and the public’s input has been asked for on how best to deliver appropriate laws from the many recommendations of the review."

13 more Schools to go Solar
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Rann Government’s $1.25m SA Solar Schools program already has provided 97 schools and preschools with solar panels. Now we are extending the benefits to 13 more schools. Solar panels allow schools to generate electricity, assist in the reduction of greenhouse gases and teach students about renewable energy sources."

Review Recommends Major Reform of Indigenous Housing
Source: Australia. Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The report of the independent review of the Community Housing and Infrastructure Programme (CHIP) Living in a Sunburnt Country which recommends major reforms in the funding and delivery of Indigenous housing."

Report spells out a blueprint for change
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The Carpenter Government released the most comprehensive review of literacy and numeracy ever undertaken in Western Australia. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the review, which was prepared by an independent taskforce chaired by Professor Bill Louden, set out a clear blueprint for change."

Small Business Gets Help to Find Skilled Workers
Source: Victoria. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"Finding skilled workers will be easier for Victoria’s 470,000 small businesses operators thanks to a Bracks Government program to recruit the right people for the job. Minister for Small Business, Theo Theophanous, said the $10.6 million My Business, My People initiative was an Australian-first push to help small businesses find the best available employees for their business."

New Program Offers Drought Management Help
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, officially launched a new free and easy-to-use computer program that will assist farmers to better-manage their production, planning, budgeting and drought-recovery costs."

Bracks Government to Focus on Financial Services Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Industry and State Development. Media Release
"The Bracks Government has committed to work with and develop Victoria’s Financial Services Industry by making it the focus of a review of the Parliament’s Economic Development Committee."

Industry Greenhouse Reporting Possible Within Months
Source: Victoria. Minister for Climate Change. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites, welcomed a report that has found company greenhouse gas emissions could be reported and publicly disclosed within months. Mr Thwaites said the independent report compared the existing public database for emissions of pollutants, the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), with a purpose built national reporting mechanism currently being considered by COAG for greenhouse gas emissions."

Review to Cut Red Tape in the Not For Profit Sector
Source: Victoria. Office of the Treasurer. Media Release
"Treasurer John Brumby announced a review to slash red tape in the not-for-profit sector as part of the Bracks Government’s commitment to reduce the burden of regulation in Victoria."

Upping the tempo on music education
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, released the report from the National Music Workshop, which promotes the benefits of music education in Australian schools. "

Securing Our Fishing Future - Final Consultation on Harvest Strategy Policy
Source: Australia. Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation. Media Release
"The consultation period for the Australian Government’s Draft Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy is now open. The Harvest Strategy Policy will provide a framework that ensures a strategic, science-based approach to setting total allowable catch levels in all Commonwealth fisheries."

Funding to Advance Water Recycling and Better Urban Water Management
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water. Media Release
"The Australian Government will invest $2.475 million to support six water recycling and urban water management projects across Australia, worth $3.2 million. "

Government Invests Millions to Further Develop Water Trade
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water. Media Release
"The Australian Government will invest $5.6 million to accelerate the development of water trading in Australia."

Funding to the states for HPV vaccination program
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Commonwealth Government will provide an additional $100 million over four years to support state and territory governments in the implementation of the National HPV Vaccination Program."

Pilot Program to Help Business Innovate
Source: Australia. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Media Release
"Australian Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, launched a $4 million pilot program to improve small and medium businesses' access to innovation. The Intermediary Access Program will reduce the cost of SMEs engaging in innovative activity by helping businesses to adapt knowledge and technology and collaborate with industry partners."

Nationals Delivering on Delivering on Broadband for Regional Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile said regional Australians can be confident of a continued roll-out of broadband services under the Australian Government's new $162.5 million Australian Broadband Guarantee program, that has been announced."

Government Tackles Driver Distraction
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"In its latest commitment to reducing the state’s road toll, the Bracks Government will address the issue of driver distraction and its effect on road crashes. Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, said as a result of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Road Safety Committee, more thorough research would now be undertaken in Victoria to find ways to reduce distractions for drivers. "

New Legislation Another Step Towards Reconciliation
Source: Victoria. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release
"New legislation to protect Victorian Aboriginal cultural heritage is set to come into effect on 28 May 2007, bringing Victoria another step towards reconciliation. Announcing the proclamation date, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings said the new Aboriginal Heritage Act will replace existing legislation with a more modern, consistent and effective process."

Victoria's First Home to Help Younger People Move Out of Aged Care
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Victoria’s first specialist home for young people with a disability will be built in Alphington, Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings announced. Mr Jennings said the Bracks Government was investing $2.2 million a year to run the 10-bed unit to give younger people with a disability an alternative to living in residential aged care."

State Government Invests $1.6B in A Fairer Victoria
Source: Victoria. Minister for Victorian Communities. Media Release
"Minister for Victorian Communities Peter Batchelor said the Bracks Government broadly supported the thrust of the Jesuit Social Services report on social disadvantage, and had invested $1.6 billion in disadvantaged communities through the Fairer Victoria program. Mr Batchelor said the State Government had used the concept of “place-based disadvantage” to inform its social welfare policies for several years and had adopted a targeted approach to addressing disadvantage through A Fairer Victoria."

NSW & Victorian Governments Cut Red Tape With Historic Payroll Tax Reform
Source: Victoria. Office of the Treasurer. Media Release
"Red tape for thousands of businesses in Victoria and NSW will be drastically cut following the announcement of an historic cross-border payroll tax reform. NSW Treasurer Michael Costa and Victorian Treasurer John Brumby said the far-reaching reforms would halve payroll tax paperwork for around 8,000 businesses with operations on both sides of the Murray. "

Education Legislation Takes Shape
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Draft regulations for the new Education and Training reform Act are now on display for public comment, the Minister for Education, John Lenders, said. The Act replaces 12 education and training Acts and sets up the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, which will regulate schools and training and higher education providers other than established universities.”

$400,000 To Improve The Skills Of Manufacturing Workers
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The State Government has established a new program to improve the skills of existing workers in the manufacturing industry. Education Minister, David Bartlett said the $400,000 Competitive Manufacturing Skills Program would fund training and skills development that supports best practice in Tasmania’s manufacturing industries."

$2 Million For Innovative Housing Ideas
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"The Northern Territory Government’s latest $2 million housing project will deliver innovative lowcost houses for people in the bush. Housing Minister Elliot McAdam said the Northern Territory Government is looking for builders and construction companies with innovative ideas for low-cost housing solutions in Indigenous communities. "

Federal Labor's Plan For A National Curriculum For Australian Schools
Source: Australian Labour Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will set up a National Curriculum Board to develop a rigorous, consistent and quality curriculum for all Australian students – from kindergarten to year 12."