Australian first safety program for SA rail network
Source: South Australia. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release.
"Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo says, in an Australian first, visual and audio alarm signals warning pedestrians of the approach of multiple trains are to be installed across the Adelaide rail network. Minister Zollo says the new alarm systems form part of the State Government’s 6 year, $9.2m initiative to increase safety at pedestrian crossings throughout the metropolitan rail network. “The ‘More than One Train’ warning signals will activate when multiple trains are passing through a crossing and will put South Australia at the forefront of rail safety in this country.”

Business support on offer for nursery industry
Source: South Australia. Minister for Small Business and Water Security. Media Release.
"South Australia’s nursery industry will receive tailored business support services to help it manage through the State’s water restriction period. “The Department of Trade and Economic Development has joined with the Nursery and Garden Industry of SA in developing a package of programs and workshops to meet the specific needs of nursery operators,” Minister Maywald said."

Tough new anti-hoon laws pass parliament
Source: Victoria. Police Minister and Attorney-General. Media Release.
"Tougher laws to crack-down on hoon and drug driving and graffiti vandalism have passed through State Parliament and will shortly become law. The new legislation allows:
Police to immediately home-clamp OR impound an offender’s vehicle for up to seven days.
Police to apply to the courts to extend that period to 90 days. This is a concerted attempt to crack down on anti-social behaviour. The courts and police now have the power to deliver the penalties the public expect"

New regulations to target illegal drug labs
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police. Media Release.
"The Minister for Police, Bob Cameron, announced new regulations reversing the onus of proof for those possessing chemicals used in illegal drug manufacture. From 1 August 2007, anyone caught in possession of more than the prescribed amount of 103 chemicals used in illicit drug manufacture, will face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $66,072 or both."

Positive spectator behaviour campaign for kids finals
Source: Victoria. Minister for Sport and Recreation. Media Release.
"So called “ugly parent syndrome” is being tackled with Minister for Sport and Recreation James Merlino today launching a pilot program urging parents and spectators attending the finals’ series for football and basketball to set the right example for their children.Mr Merlino was joined by campaign ambassador and three-time Olympic Basketball Champion Michele Timms in unveiling the Victorian Government’s Encourage the kids and support the game pilot program, which aims to discourage poor spectator behaviour in community sport."

Howard Government Looking to the Future for Public Housing
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release.
"The Howard Government today announced a major shake up of the delivery of public and community housing across Australia to drive an increase in availability. " I am announcing that for the next CSHA from July 2008, we will immediately invite expressions of interest from all parties, including state and territory governments, the non-government sector and the private sector such as major builders and any other interested individuals, groups or organisations, for their proposals and ideas on new and innovative approaches to using the available funds to increase affordable housing supply."This represents an innovative and dynamic shift in approach which will help ensure more effective use is made of Australian taxpayer funds to increase housing supply."

Blacktown Solar City opens for business
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release.
"Blacktown Solar City is now open for business and the local community will soon be able to take advantage of offers that will save energy, save money and cut back on greenhouse emissions.
Speaking at the official launch, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull said the Solar City project was a great opportunity for Blacktown residents, businesses and community organisations to help tackle climate change and save $3 million a year in energy bills. The Blacktown Solar City trial will run over six years and information gained and lessons learned from the project will help develop future climate change policies."

International crime cooperation strengthened
Source: Australia. Minister for Justice and Customs. Media Release.
"International crime cooperation between Australia and the United Arab Emirates has been significantly strengthened, Minister for Justice and Customs, David Johnston said. “Australia welcomes today’s treaty signing with the United Arab Emirates,” Senator Johnston said. “These treaties represent a significant step in strengthening our cooperative ties to tackle transnational crime. “The signing of the extradition and mutual assistance treaties will enhance our ability to effectively combat transnational crime including terrorism, people trafficking, money laundering and corruption."

New tourism partnership to sell Western Australia to the world
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Tourism. Media Release.
"Western Australia will be marketed to a global audience thanks to a new partnership between Tourism WA and globally-recognised travel brand, Lonely Planet.Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said WA would feature heavily on Lonely Planet TV and websites, as well as newsletters distributed to more than 200,000 subscribers."

Alinta Given Green Light
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Energy. Media Release.
" The $230 million Alinta Tamar Valley power station will go ahead as planned. Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, said the deal came about after Aurora Energy provided Alinta extra time to negotiate revised commercial arrangements based on alternative gas supplies. “Alinta and Aurora have now reached agreement for a long-term electricity supply contract, paving the way for construction of the 200 MW gas-fired Tamar Valley Power Station. "

Weathering the Change – ACT Climate Change Strategy
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The ACT Climate Change Strategy provides an overview of climate change science, the predicted impacts on the ACT and the Government’s vision and direction for responding to climate change. It has evolved from a discussion paper released in March 2006, to which many submissions from the public, business and community groups were received. It replaces the ACT Greenhouse Strategy 2000. and complements People, Place, Prosperity and the Think Water, Act Water Strategy that addresses long term Territory water needs. "

Helping to Better Protect Victims of Family Violence
Source: Victoria. Minister for Womens Affairs. Media Release
"The Minister for Women’s Affairs, Jacinta Allan, launched a new guide to provide professionals with information on how to better identify and respond to women and children at risk from family violence."

Big Expansion of Industry Water Saving Program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Water. Media Release
"The top 2100 non-residential water users across the State will be required to have water efficiency plans by the end of this year, saving up to five billion litres of water in Melbourne alone by 2008, Water Minister John Thwaites announced. We are introducing this program as a Permanent Water Saving Rule, which means penalties such as fines and restriction of water supply can be imposed, Mr Thwaites said."

Victoria Rocks - New Program to Boost Victoria's Contemporary Music Scene
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Minister for the Arts Lynne Kosky launched a new $7.1 million program to boost Victoria’s contemporary music scene and assist local bands and musicians."

Action Plan Ensures Bouyant Future for Boating
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"Environment Minister John Thwaites launched a coastal action plan to ensure a buoyant future for recreational boating in Port Phillip and Western Port. The Bracks Government’s commitment to protecting and enhancing Victoria’s coastal and marine environments includes investing responsibly to maintain and upgrade boating facilities and services, Mr Thwaites said."

Worthy organisations to be given payroll tax relief
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Mike Rann says organisations such as the Animal Welfare League and the RSPCA are likely to benefit from a new round of payroll tax relief measures being introduced by the State Government. Mr Rann says the new criteria will be included in legislation soon to be introduced into Parliament that will generally reform our payroll tax system and bring it into line with legislation in Victoria and New South Wales."

Step Forward for Virgin Blue International to Operate to the United States
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, welcomed the announcement that Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) had allocated air service capacity to Virgin Blue International Airlines (VBIA) for air services between Australia and the United States of America."

HealthDirect Australia begins operation
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"From 25 July 2007, people in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Western Australia can call a 24 hours a day, seven days a week call centre for health advice. HealthDirect Australia, once fully operational, will allow anyone anywhere in Australia to seek health advice from a registered nurse ensuring people have access to the health information they need, when they need it."

Cape York welfare reform trials to begin in 2008
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, announced $48 million to fund welfare reform trials in Cape York. Mr Brough said the Australian Government's agreement to support the trials followed consideration of the recommendations in the Cape York Institute's From Hand Out to Hand Up report, which was presented to the Australian Government in June."

Australia Joins Forces with the World Bank to Reduce Deforestation
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Australia will contribute AU$11.7 million ($US10 million) to the World Bank’s new Global
Forest Alliance to help protect the world’s remaining great forests from deforestation and to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

New Global System to Monitor Forests
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Australia will lead action to establish a new global system to monitor changes in forest cover
and forest carbon levels as part of its $200 million Global Initiative on Forests and Climate."

Jobs And Training For Indigenous People In The NT
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Work Relations. Media Release
" The Hon Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Hon Joe Hockey MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, announced a further key step in the Emergency Response being implemented in the Northern Territory.
The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) programme in the
Northern Territory will be progressively replaced by real jobs, training and mainstream employment programmes, complementing the work already in train to lift remote area exemptions.

Australian Government funding for literacy and numeracy
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, welcomed the confirmation from State and Territory Governments that they will participate in the national testing for literacy and numeracy in 2008, as required by the Australian Government under the current schools funding agreement. "

Remote Indigenous communities to benefit from emergency management plan
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"A new strategy to prioritise support to remote Indigenous Communities in times of natural disaster has been unveiled today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock at the coastal Indigenous community of Bidyadanga in Western Australia.
Called ‘Keeping Our Mob Safe’, the strategy is expected to guide governments in the development of emergency management planning and emergency services support."

Increased water efficiency measures brought in
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Water Resources. Media Release
"Water Resources Minister John Kobelke today announced water efficiency measures would be extended across the State."

Securing The Future Of Tasmania's Forestry Industry
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
" Rudd Labor Government will support the principles underpinning the Regional Forest Agreements and work with the Tasmanian Government to implement the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement."

Assisting Our South Pacific Neighbours Prepare For Climate Change
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"A Rudd Labor Government will commit $150 million from Australia’s international aid budget to assist our neighbours prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change.
As a developed country in a region, Australia has an obligation to help our poorer neighbours prepare for and adapt to these and other impacts of climate change. Unless we help our neighbours adapt and act to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the world will see millions of climate change refugees...."

Planning Reforms to Include Review of Heritage Act
Source: NSW. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The NSW Government today announced an independent review of the State’s heritage legislation – as a key feature of its planning reform agenda. "

New dam approval process starts today
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Primary Industries and Water. Media Release
"A new one-stop approvals process for Tasmanian farmers wanting to build dams on their farms has started. The Primary Industries and Water Minister, David Llewellyn, said that the new process ensures that relevant environmental issues are considered as part of a single assessment process. "

Reducing Red Tape for Grain Handling and Storage
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Bracks Government’s commitment to reduce regulation on industry has taken another step forward with changes proposed to the rules governing Victoria’s grain handling facilities, the Minister for Agriculture Joe Helper said."

Victorians to Benefit from Online Planning Services
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"Victoria’s planning system will become more user-friendly with the launch of two new online planning services, the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden announced. Interactive planning maps and a new planning property report service are now available online at the click of a button."

More Police Powers to Protect Family Violence Victims
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Police will be able to issue interim, on-the-spot safety notices under a trial program to provide quicker and more decisive protection for the victims of family violence, the Premier, Steve Bracks, announced. Mr Bracks said the new system would give victims more security at night and on weekends when most incidents occur. Breaching a safety notice will be a criminal offence punishable by up to two years’ jail or up to a $26,428.80 fine, or both."

83,000 books to boost literacy in the early years
Source: South Australia. Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development. Media Release
"Children’s books totalling $1 million have been distributed to 729 preschools and child care centres as part of a State Government project to promote reading and build literacy skills. The $1m books initiative has provided books for every child in childcare centres and preschools in South Australia - a total of 83,000 books."

Independent audit of clients at risk
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Family and Community Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Family and Community Services, Delia Lawrie, has announced an independent audit and risk assessment of all high risk clients within Community Services."

Government seeks input to strengthen child care regulations
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"The State Government is seeking community and industry comment on a review of the State’s child care regulations, to continue to improve the quality, safety and standards throughout the State. Communities Minister Sue Ellery released a discussion paper developed by the Child Care Regulations Consultative Committee to encourage discussion and informed participation in the review."

FTA With Chile Will Create Trade Opportunities
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Australian Government has decided to proceed with free trade agreement negotiations with Chile, the Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, said. These negotiations offer an excellent opportunity to develop a comprehensive and ambitious bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) which would eliminate barriers to trade in goods, improve conditions for services exports and investment, and offer meaningful commercial opportunities for Australian exporters."

$2.6 Million to Up Skill Water Managers
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced that the
Australian Government will provide $2.6 million for three projects to increase levels of knowledge and capacity to support improvements in Australia’s water management and use."

New Industry Mou
Source: Australia. Minister for Vocational and Further Education. Media Release
"Training and employment outcomes for regional areas across Australia are set to expand after a key Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Melbourne. Under the MOU, the Australian Government will fund three important regional projects through the National Skills Shortages Strategy, and also support the MCA and the NFF to highlight the effectiveness of government initiatives and programmes,” Mr Robb said."

Welfare Payments Reform
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Government will implement two new welfare measures nationally to help address child neglect and encourage school attendance. The central feature of these reforms is to introduce a more targeted form of income management for families not providing for the needs of their children. This will involve Centrelink or an approved non government service provider directing the income support and family payments of some parents to meet essential expenses such as food, clothing and shelter. "

A New Partnership with Indigenous Australians
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"The life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains one of the starkest indicators of inequality in Australian society.
Federal Labor commits to a comprehensive set of policies within the framework of an agreed national objective of closing the 17-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within the next generation..."

Fresh Ideas For Transition From Hospital To Aged Care
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Federal Labor’s plan will make the move from hospital to residential aged care a priority for those older Australians who - more appropriately for their care - need a bed in a nursing home.
Labor will invest $158 million to create up to 2,000 transition care beds for older Australians who are currently waiting in hospital beds for an aged care bed and allow others to return to their home. Federal Labor will also provide $300 million of loans at zero real interest rates to aged care providers to make up to 2,500 permanent residential aged care beds available to older Australians sooner."

Fresh Ideas For The Future Economy And Housing Affordability
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Labor has released a New Directions Paper on Housing Affordability canvassing a number of initiatives to help families reduce their mortgage burden and a series of measures which could help Australians not in the property market to save for their first home. "

Schools to Give Students a Healthy Start
Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"More than 130 Victorian primary schools will be able to install bicycle sheds, create café-style school canteens, establish kitchen gardens, and upgrade their playgrounds in the first round of a $3.5 million Bracks Government program. Education Minister John Lenders announced that 137 government primary schools would receive grants of up to $6,000 as part of a $780,000 first round of the four-year Go for your life Healthy Start in Schools program."

Tough New Police Pursuit Laws
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Police & Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, announced motorists who tried to outrun police face tough new penalties. Mr Cameron said the new laws, introduced in parliament, meant motorists could face jail time and hefty fines."

Launch of $23 Million Skills Training Initiative
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills. Media Release
"The Minister for Skills, Jacinta Allan, launched Victoria’s Skills Stores – a four-year, $23.46 million initiative to encourage Victorians to undertake further education and training, recognise existing skills and help employers meet emerging skill needs."

Central Victoria Solar City energises community
Source: Australia. The Treasurer. Media Release
"Central Victoria is the location of the fifth successful Solar City in Australia, the Treasurer, Peter Costello, and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull announced. Mr Costello said the Australian Government’s Solar Cities programme was an innovative way to bring together solar technologies, energy efficiency, smart metering and better electricity pricing to create more energy sustainable communities."

Boosting the capacity of the Surat Basin Coal Line
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, has announced a radical plan to boost the capacity of the railway line that will link the planned coal mines in Queensland's Surat Basin to the Port of Gladstone. The Surat Basin Railway consortium is about to carry out the detailed engineering and financial planning that is needed to build the line, after receiving an unconditional exclusive mandate from Queensland. The Australian Government will provide up to $3.5 million to extend the planning work to consider the economic and financial viability of dual gauging the line. A dual gauge line would be able to handle huge standard gauge coal wagons as well as the smaller narrow gauge equipment used by Queensland Rail."

An important moment in the history of Indigenous broadcasting
Source: Australia. The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release.
"Senator Helen Coonan, helped launch the National Indigenous Television (NITV) service in Sydney. Senator Coonan said the national service would target both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and was a wonderful opportunity for all Australians to see and hear Indigenous stories. “The service will provide Indigenous news, children’s television, drama and other entertainment reflecting the breadth of our Indigenous communities."

Australian government to target cyber-crime
Source: Australia. The Attorney-General. Media Release
"Australian computer users will benefit from a range of e-security projects aimed at protecting them and their information from cyber-attack, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced."

Minister launches regional Problem Gambling strategy
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Racing and Gambling. Media Release
"The State Government has launched a regional advertising campaign designed to raise awareness of services available for problem gamblers.Launching the new campaign in Kalgoorlie today, Racing and Gaming Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said that despite the State’s low problem-gambling rate and the Carpenter Government’s strict ‘no-pokies’ policy, it was important to raise the public’s awareness of the support services available for anyone affected by a gambling problem."

Red tape cut on national greenhouse reporting
Source: Australia. Minister of Environment and Water Resources. Media Release.
"The Australian Government will invest $26.1 million over five years to set up a single, streamlined system for greenhouse and energy reporting by Australian companies, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, confirmed. "This new system, announced today by Prime Minister Howard, will provide nationally consistent
greenhouse gas emissions and energy data,” Mr Turnbull said."

Australia leading the world on climate change
Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Statement.
"The Australian Government will commence work on a world-leading greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme with careful analysis on a long-term goal for emissions reduction, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said. The scheme will cover 70-75% of total emissions, or almost 100% of industrial, energy and mining emissions. By including large emitters alone, the scheme would cover 55% of total emissions, however by including transport and other fuels the coverage of the scheme is significantly increased. "

Climate Change - now it's law
Source: South Australia. The Premier. Media Release
"The nation’s first Climate Change legislation became law on July 3. The Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 makes South Australia the first place in Australia to legislate targets to reduce greenhouse emissions."

New laws to dismantle criminal bikie gangs
Source: South Australia. The Premier. Media Release
"Premier Mike Rann unveiled Australia’s most comprehensive package of laws to tackle head on the menace of criminal bikie gangs. The proposed legislative changes being developed are drawn from national and international experience including from countries such as Canada."

Agreement puts Aboriginal heritage first
Source: South Australia. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Media Release
"In what is believed to be an Australian first, two peak South Australian Aboriginal bodies have today formally agreed to work together to protect and ensure recognition of Aboriginal interests in culture, heritage and native title. The State Government - through the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division and the Attorney General’s Department - have supported the committees in developing the agreement."

Australia and India sign defence information sharing arrangement
Source: Australia. Minister of Defence. Media Release
"Australia’s defence relationship with India has been further strengthened by the signing of an Information Sharing Arrangement between our two countries. The Information Sharing Arrangement will facilitate the sharing of classified information between the two countries’ defence organisations, giving effect to the intent of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to India in March 2006 – especially in the agreed priority areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping."

Tiger leaps into Queensland
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The announcement by Tiger Airways Australia that it plans to commence flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, Mackay and Rockhampton is terrific news for Australian travellers and tourism operators according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile. The decision by Tiger Airways to commence flights to the region and link those with a shuttle service to Brisbane has reinforced Gold Coast Airport's reputation as a key global gateway for the movement of people and products to markets. Tiger's decision to fly to Mackay and Rockhampton similarly should provide tourism operators there with new opportunities."

Vaile announces the B-Triple Road Network
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"From this month, safer and more productive trucks with three trailers, not just one or two, will be able to use an identified network of roads from Townsville in Queensland through to Adelaide, Darwin and Perth. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, released the details of the new road network - the B-Triple network."

World's first temperate network of marine reserves declared
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"The Australian Government announced the legal protection of the world’s first temperate deep sea network of marine reserves, off the south-east coastline of Australia. The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull said the declaration represented a global landmark in marine environment protection."

Careers, Training and Employment Kit for the world of work
Source: Australia. Minister for Workforce Participation. Media Release
"All secondary schools, colleges, TAFEs, universities and youth workers throughout Australia now have the latest guide to careers, training and the world of work, the Minister for Workforce Participation, Dr Sharman Stone announced. The Australian Government’s new 2007 Careers, Training and Employment Kit includes information for students planning their working future."

Defence Update 2007 – Protecting our people, interests and values
Source: Australia. Minister of Defence. Media Release
" A major review of Australia’s national security has been released. Prime Minister John Howard launched Australia’s National Security: A Defence Update 2007 at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Global Forces 2007 conference. The Defence Update 2007 sets out Australia’s strategic outlook and the measures the Howard Government is taking to ensure Australia’s security is maintained."

Planning approval for Western Sydney Water Project
Source: New South Wales. Minster for Planning. Media Release
"Planning Minister Frank Sartor has given the green light to the first stage of the Government’s landmark Western Sydney Recycling Project, a key component of the Metropolitan Water Plan. Water Utilities Minister, Nathan Rees, said the scheme, which has two other components, would eventually also produce recycled water for local industry, irrigation and new housing developments in Western Sydney. "

Cameron announces Hoon Hotline
Source: Victoria. Minister of the Police. Media Release
"Minister for Police, Bob Cameron, announced a new statewide hoon hotline, on the well known Crime Stoppers number: 1800 333 000. Mr Cameron said Bracks Government had provided funding of $250,000 to roll out the statewide hoon hotline after a successful trial in Geelong. Drivers who commit hoon-related offences face the seizure of their vehicle for 48 hours. Second-time offenders risk three months of vehicle impoundment, while third-time offenders could lose their vehicles permanently."

Australian airspace policy statement finalised
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, said he had issued the first Australian Airspace Policy Statement. "The Airspace Policy Statement is a crucial element in the Government's decision to transfer airspace regulatory functions from Airservices Australia to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)," Mr Vaile said. The Australian Airspace Policy Statement is the blueprint for the future administration of a critical national asset - airspace - and brings together current policy with existing and planned initiatives to meet the demands of airspace users. Mr Vaile said the Airspace Act 2007 and the Airspace Regulations 2007 became effective on July 1."

Minister Hockey Launches New Agencies and Fact Sheet
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, will officially launch the two workplace agencies – the Workplace Authority and the Workplace Ombudsman – as well as the workplace fact sheet in Brisbane."

Intelligence Centre opened to combat terrorism
Source: Australia. The Attorney General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty today opened the AFP's ground-breaking Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Data Centre in Canberra. The Australian Government committed $19 million in the 2005-06 Budget for the state-of-the-art centre, which will significantly boost Australia's capability to combat the international threat of CBRN terrorist incidents."

July 1 changes for immigration and citizenship
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"A number of new measures, previously announced by the Australian Government, come into effect from 1 July. The new Australian Citizenship Act commences. The new citizenship act changes the residence requirement for Australian citizenship, removes the age limit for Australian citizenship by descent and resumption, prohibits the approval of citizenship where a person is a threat to national security and strengthens the provisions for Australian citizenship to be revoked. New English language requirements for Employer Sponsored Temporary Business Visa (the Subclass 457) also commence."

More jobs for people with disability
Source: Australia. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"As part of a new package of support for people with disability and their families, the Australian Government has announced a $100.9 million plan to help people with disability find jobs. Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion said the measure would support a further 500 new employment places for people with disability and ongoing funding for 400 targeted support places."

BroadbandNow - Helping all Australians get connected
Source: The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release. "The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan introduced BroadbandNow - a one-stop consumer help centre offering a unique broadband information service to all Australians. “BroadbandNow is especially relevant for people living and working in regional and remote Australia who do not have ready access to information concerning access to broadband,” Senator Coonan said."

Australian National Rugby Academy
Source: The Prime Minister. Media Release.
"I am very pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) with a $25 million capital contribution towards the establishment of the Australian National Rugby Academy (ANRA) at Ballymore in Brisbane. The ANRA will be integral to the continued development and success of Australian rugby. The ANRA will provide state of the art facilities for the ARU to develop and prepare its elite and emerging players, coaches and referees. The centralised facilities will include field skills training, gymnasium, pool and support infrastructure such as accommodation, medical and meeting facilities. The ANRA will also become a centre for excellence for the Asia-Pacific, providing assistance for fledgling rugby bodies in the region."

Crucial DNA Sharing agreement reached
Source: Tasmania. The Attorney General. Media Release
" The State Government has achieved a major breakthrough in its efforts to improve the sharing of DNA information between different jurisdictions, the Attorney-General, Steven Kons, announced. Mr Kons said terms of a single, multi-jurisdictional Ministerial Arrangement for the Sharing of DNA Profiles and Related Information have been agreed to by all jurisdictions across Australia."

Indigenous Australia AFP Recruitment Strategy
Source: ALP Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will increase the number of Indigenous Australians into the ranks of the Australian Federal Police – as a part of a $200 million Australian Federal Policing Plan. The plan will target potential Aboriginal officers with specialist language skills."

Fresh Ideas For Health And The Future Economy: Rudd
Source: ALP Media Release.
"Federal Labor leader, Mr Kevin Rudd delivered his first major speech on the future of Australian health care and its impact on the Australian economy. This is the second in a series of major speeches where Mr Rudd will be outlining fresh ideas for dealing with future economic challenges."

Floriade to move to new water supply in 2007
Source: ACT. Minister for Tourism. Media Release
"Minister for Tourism, Andrew Barr, announced that Floriade 2007, Aussie Icons Myths and Legends will utilise non-potable water supplies from Lake Burley Griffin following approvals from the National Capital Authority (NCA). Water for the event will be drawn from Lake Burley Griffin as soon as new infrastructure arrangements are in place, possibly as early as July."

Roadside drug driver testing a step closer
Source. Western Australia. premier's Office. Media Release
"It is bad news for drug drivers, with roadside drug testing about to bring their dangerous driving to an end. Premier Alan Carpenter said 12,000 roadside drug test kits had been ordered in preparation for the WA Police’s new roadside drug testing initiative due to start in September.The State Government would also spend $2.3million building the purpose built Breath and Drug (BAD) Bus and funding its operation for the first year."

Western Australia to seek Federal agreement on housing affordability
Source. Minister for Housing and Works. Media Release
"Western Australia, with the support of the other States and Territories, is seeking Federal Government agreement to a new six-point plan to tackle housing affordability.Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts said the proposal, to be presented at the National Housing Conference in Darwin next week, outlined the major issues and presented achievable strategies to overcome them."

Major $28million indigenous training and education strategy launched
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release.
"A major $28million strategy to tackle indigenous education and training was unveiled in Broome by Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan.Mr McGowan said the Carpenter Government was investing in a range of initiatives to improve the future prospects for Aboriginal people throughout the State, including an expansion of the highly successful Aboriginal School Based Traineeship (ASBT) program."

Government tackles domestic violence in disabilities sectors
Source. Western Australia. Communities Minister. Media Release
"The State Government has launched a training resource to help people when they assist others with disabilities who are experiencing family and domestic violence. Communities Minister Sue Ellery today launched the training manual, ‘Speaking Out: domestic violence and people with disabilities’, which was produced by the Nulsen Haven Association with funding from the Family and Domestic Violence Unit.