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."