Parents: please talk to your kids about drugs
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"Parents are being called on by the Australian Government to talk with their children about drugs – especially the latest drug threats. An updated booklet, Talking with Your Kids about Drugs, is being mailed to all Australian households."

Consultations open for Disability Supported Accommodation options
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The Howard Government is opening consultations to establish the best options for providing 1750 new supported accommodation places for people with disabilities.Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, today said these consultations are part of the Prime Minister's announcement of an extra $962 million to help older carers and their families as part of the Government's $1.8 billion disability package announced in late June."

$16 Million Boost to River Health
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced the Australian Government will provide more than $16 million for seven projects that will improve the health of NewSouth Wales’ rivers."

$14.6 million for Indigenous environmental projects
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"The Australian Government will provide $14.6 million over three years to 10 Indigenous projects delivering environmental services in remote and regional Australia, the Minister for the
Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced. This is the first payment of a four-year $47 million Working on Country programme announced in the Budget to create properly paid jobs for Indigenous people looking after country, Mr Turnbull said."

Getting Young People “Mine Ready”
Source: Australia. Minister for Vocational and Further Education. Media Release
"A new mining industry project will provide training opportunities for Indigenous and unemployed young people in the Mackay region. The Australian Government is investing $154,000 for the Mine Readiness project, which will provide a range of basic skills that will enable participants to gain employment in the mining industry, said Andrew Robb AO MP, Minister for Vocational and Further Education."

$140 million boost for state government schools across Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced the State Governments schools which have been successful in the fourth round of the $1.2 billion Investing in Our Schools Programme. “I am delighted to announce that a further $140 million has been approved to State Government schools, which builds on the $656 million that has already been approved under the Programme, Minister Bishop said."

Making victims feel safe
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"Laws to protect victims from intimidation and further violence have been introduced to Territory Parliament. Amendments to the Bail Act will make it harder for alleged serious sexual offenders to be released on bail. Attorney-General Syd Stirling said victims, whether they live in remote communities or urban areas, have the right to feel safe."

Police get tools to fight new breed of criminals
Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"Police will receive more powers to investigate serious criminal activity and track offenders across borders, in new laws passed by Territory Parliament. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Syd Stirling said the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 will ensure the law keeps pace with the newest technology, and the criminals who use it. "

Government to Look at Grandparental Leave
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The ACT Government will look at formalising grandparental leave for its public servants, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.“As part of its strategy of retaining mature-age workers and improving family-friendly conditions and flexibility I have asked the Commissioner for Public Administration to examine the possibility of granting unpaid leave to enable grandparents to look after grandchildren up to the age of two,” Mr Stanhope said."

Next Stage of Mental Health Act Review
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
" Better laws affecting people with a mental illness moved a step closer today with the release of a Discussion Paper inviting Tasmanians to have their say. The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, released the Discussion Paper, which forms the next stage of the State Government’s major review of the Mental Health Act 1996. "

Education Reforms To Boost Tasmanian Economy
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Ground-breaking new education reforms will help revitalise Tasmania’s economy, the Minister for Education, David Bartlett, said. Speaking at the Telstra Business Awards, Mr Bartlett said that improving retention rates through the Tasmania Tomorrow post-grade 10 strategy would have direct economic benefits for the State. Mr Bartlett said that currently 86 per cent of jobs in Australia require a post-school qualification – in Tasmania only 47 per cent of the workforce has that level of qualification. "

Forward With Fairness - Policy Implementation Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"A Rudd Labor Government will replace Mr Howard’s Work Choices laws, and his unfair AWAs, with a fairer and more flexible system. Federal Labor will foster a strong productive national economy, but an economy which also protects Australian working families. Federal Labor’s industrial relations plan for Australia’s future will balance two core principles:1. Providing flexibility for business, to keep our economy strong and productive. 2. Ensuring fair laws exist which protect Australian working families."

Labor's GP Super Clinics In The Community
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Federal Labor will invest $220 million in the health system to establish GP Super Clinics in local communities – bolstering frontline health care for Australian families.Labor’s investment will ensure more Australian families have access to doctors, nurses, specialists and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, dieticians and psychologists, all in one centre, in their local community where they need them."

Hulls Announces Review of Equal Opportunity Act
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Victoria’s equal opportunity laws will be reviewed with a view to tackling discrimination more effectively, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. “The Equal Opportunity Act 1977 was landmark legislation when it was introduced, outlawing discrimination because of marital status and gender in employment, education, accommodation and the provision of goods and services,” Mr Hulls said.“Since then the scope of the Act has been expanded to prohibit discrimination on many other grounds, including race, impairment, age, and religious or political belief or activity."

Victorians Asked to Save Hot Water and Save the Planet
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government launched a new drive encouraging people to ‘wash clothes in cold water’ to help cut household energy use. Minister for Climate Change Gavin Jennings said it was important to encourage cold water washing as heating water accounted for around 20 per cent of the average home’s greenhouse gas emissions."

Working Families Council Meets for the First Time
Source: Victoria. Minister for Industrial Relations. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will support Victorian families trying to balance their work and home lives with the establishment of Victoria’s first Working Families Council. It will work with industry and community groups to champion the issues of working families and help employers with strategies to improve work and family balance."

Schools prepare for healthier canteens
South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"The healthy eating message is being taken to schools around the State as South Australia prepares for a ban on junk food in school canteens from 2008. Twenty-three ‘healthy eating’ workshops are being held this school term for canteen managers, principals, teachers and parents to reinforce the importance of diet and healthy eating."

Credit laws earmarked for overhaul
South Australia. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"Pay day lenders and Credit Providers who exploit people through unfair practices face a crackdown via proposed amendments to the Uniform Consumer Credit Code and the Consumer Credit Regulations. Minister for Consumer Affairs, Jennifer Rankine, said reforms are long overdue and, if enacted, will address practices considered unjust and exploitative."

New strategy to tackle alcohol problems in the community
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"A strategy designed to help Western Australia’s 142 local governments reduce problems caused by alcohol in their communities has been launched. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, John Hyde, said the Local Government Alcohol Management Package would assist each area to develop a strategy tailored to its own unique alcohol issues."

Telecommunications project to save WA lives
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"All emergency services in Western Australia will soon be linked by one of the biggest and most comprehensive telecommunications networks of its kind in Australia. Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan announced that the Emergency Connect WA project would use state-of-the-art technology to improve the telecommunications capabilities of police, ambulance, fire and rescue services."

Business and community groups win $1million in waste reduction grants
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"The Carpenter Government has awarded more than $1million in funding to industry and community groups who are joining the frontline on the WARR on waste. Environment Minister David Templeman announced 14 businesses and organisations from around the State would receive more than $900,000 in funding under the Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) for projects to reduce waste and promote recycling."

Taking Responsibility - Federal Labor's $2 Billion National Health And Hospitals Reform Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor will establish a $2 billion National Health Reform Plan over four years to improve Australia’s health system and ensure better health services for patients in hospitals. Federal Labor’s National Health Reform Plan will have two central elements:
1. $2 billion in investments to deliver improved health outcomes for patients in Australia’s health care and hospital system.
2. A commitment that a Rudd Labor Government will seek to take financial control of Australia’s 750 public hospitals if State and Territory Governments have not begun implementing an agreed National Health Reform Plan by mid-2009."

Rego reforms to save NSW families money and time
Source: NSW. Road and Traffic Authority. Media Release
"Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal announced major reforms to the car and light vehicle registration process which will save NSW families money and time."

Review of NSW tax system announced
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release
" NSW Premier Morris Iemma has announced a wide-ranging review of state taxation that would deliver recommendations on how to make NSW taxes simpler and more efficient and competitive with other states. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will conduct the review which will include the expertise of noted tax economist Professor Neil Warren. A final report is due next May."

Funding to help patients manage their medication
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"Older patients and people taking multiple medications are set to benefit from better packaging of their medicines by pharmacists. The Commonwealth Government has provided up to $72.9 million to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia through the Fourth Pharmacy Agreement for the Dose Administration Aids program."

Health and Medical Investment Fund
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Howard Government will establish a new Health and Medical Investment Fund to ensure that Australians swiftly receive the benefits of the latest health and medical breakthroughs.The Health and Medical Investment Fund will generate ongoing returns each year which can be directed to new facilities and the latest equipment to treat diseases and save lives. All expenditure from the Fund will be over and above the Federal Government’s standard commitment to provide new health, medical and pharmaceutical services each year under current programs. "

Australia-India trade partnership – Breaking new ground
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Earlier this year, I launched the Utsav Australia (Celebrate Australia) marketing program in India to boost commercial opportunities for Australian business and industry.This program has now been launched into cyberspace. The new business portal, utsavaustralia.in, will showcase Australian industry expertise and service skills to the Indian business community."

Government calls on input from Townsville community
Source: Australia. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"The Australian Government will be consulting with the Townsville community about the best way forward to provide both supported accommodation for people with disability and social housing for north Queensland. Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion and Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay today revealed the public consultation session following the Australian Government's announcement of a $562 million supported accommodation package."

Australian Government Provides Millions to NSW and QLD Water Projects
Source: Australia. Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"A $12 million funding package from the Australian Government will be used to improve flood water management, irrigation efficiency in the cotton industry, and groundwater monitoring and management. The Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, John Cobb, announced the funding from the Australian Government Water Fund for the projects which are worth almost $40.5 million in Queensland and New South Wales."

Burnett Mary to Benefit from 'Better' Funds Package
Source: Australia. Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Member for Hinkler Paul Neville welcomed the launch of a $750,000 environmental package for the Burnett Mary Region, announced in Bundaberg by Assistant Minister for the environment and Water Resources, John Cobb. The Better Burnett Catchment Recovery Pilot targets the region’s key environmental challenges of salinity, biodiversity and weeds, and Mr Neville said it was the largest investment of its type in the Burnett Mary region."

Higher Education Endowment Fund – Further $1 billion Investment
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Australian Government has announced a further $1 billion investment in the centrepiece of this year’s Budget, the Higher Education Endowment Fund. This brings to $6 billion the initial investment in this unprecedented, perpetual growth fund for our universities."

$132.5M to Rescue the Hawkesbury Nepean River
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Commonwealth is prepared to provide the $132.5 million sought by the NSW Government for a project that more comprehensively restores the health of the Hawkesbury Nepean river system."

Making it easier for children to give evidence in sex offence cases
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"It will be easier for children and vulnerable witnesses to give evidence in sexual offence cases, after new legislation was passed in Territory Parliament. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Syd Stirling, said the Evidence of Children Amendment Bill will help increase the number of successful prosecutions against child abusers."

Combating Anti-Social Behaviour
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Police and Emergency Management. Media Release
" The Police Offences Amendment Bill 2007 makes it clear that Anti-Social behaviour will not be tolerated. The Minister for Police and Emergency Management, David Llewellyn, said the Bill addresses modern issues such as intimate covert filming. The amendments also expand existing laws relating to drink spiking and the inappropriate discharging of flares."

Legislation to Protect Children from Smoking
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
" The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, introduced into State Parliament legislation to better protect Tasmanian children from the health risks of tobacco smoking.
Ms Giddings said the Public Health Amendment Bill 2007 would:

ban smoking in vehicles when children under the age of 18 are present, with effect from 1 January 2008;
bring Tasmania into line with Australia’s toughest restrictions on point-of-sale display of tobacco products – reducing the allowable display size for most retailers from four square metres to one; and
prohibit the introduction to Tasmania of fruit and confectionery flavoured cigarettes."

New Plan to Help Families Experiencing Mental Illness
Source: Victoria. Minister for Mental Health. Media Release
"A new strategy will help thousands of Victorian families where a parent has a mental illness, was announced by Minister for Mental Health Lisa Neville. Ms Neville said the Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI) strategy would be supported with an additional $2.4 million in Brumby government funding, part of an $8.7 million package to expand women’s mental health generally over five years."

Abortion Laws to be Referred to Law Reform Commission
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Victorian Government will seek advice from the Victorian Law Reform Commission on options for abortion law reform, Premier John Brumby announced. Mr Brumby said the Government would ask the Commission for advice on removing abortion offences from the Crimes Act and clarifying under what circumstances abortion was legal."

New Rape Laws to Improve Prosecutions
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Tougher, clearer rape laws will be introduced in Parliament by Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls. The laws have been introduced in response to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s report on sexual offences law and procedure. The changes aim to ensure that a person accused of rape cannot avoid conviction simply because they had not turned their mind to whether their victim was consenting to sex. This will also apply to some other relevant sex offences."

$60m Glenelg to Parklands pipeline gets green light
Source: South Australia. Premier and the Minister for Water Security. Media Release
"The State Government is committing $30 million to a new pipeline project that will deliver high quality recycled water to Adelaide’s CBD – and substantially reduce harmful nutrients being released into the Gulf St Vincent. As part of the Glenelg Reuse Scheme, the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant will be expanded and a 30 kilometre pipeline network laid from the plant, past the Adelaide Airport, into the city centre and North Adelaide. "

State Government invests $16million in ‘ice’ fight
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Drug dealers who sell their deadly products around children or near licensed premises will face tougher penalties as a result of recommendations from last month’s Illicit Amphetamine Summit. Announcing that the State Government would implement all 49 of the Summit recommendations, Premier Alan Carpenter said the $16million package was proof the Government was serious about tackling the amphetamine scourge in Western Australia."

Water Bill passes Senate
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release.
"The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources welcomed the passing of the Water Bill 2007 through the Senate. The legislation, passed unamended, will implement the fundamental aspects of the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security. Coupled with the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security the Water Bill 2007 represents the most significant and important reform of water management in Australia’s history."

Raising Children DVD
Source: Australia. The Prime Minister. Media Release.
"The Australian Government is pleased to announce an increase in funding of $2.7 million over the next four years for the development and distribution of key national parenting information resources, the Raising Children DVD and the Raising Children website. The Raising Children DVD launched today will be provided free via an Australian Government New Parent Kit to every parent of a newborn for the next two years. The DVD will enable those without a computer to access information on everything a parent needs to know about raising a child, from birth through to 5 years of age. The DVD is a companion product to the Raising Children website, which has been highly successful in providing practical, reliable and user-friendly information for Australian parents of children 0-8 and those that support them."

Closing The Gap (Northern Territory Government’s Response to Anderson/Wild Report and Indigenous Generational Plan)
Source. Northern Territory. Chief Minister. Media Statement.
"The Northern Territory Government has announced the most comprehensive package to tackle Indigenous disadvantage in the history of the Territory. Chief Minister Clare Martin said $286 million has been committed and 223 additional positions created over the next 5 years to implement the first stage of its 20 year Indigenous Generational Plan Closing the Gap. The plan addresses all 97 recommendations of the Anderson/Wild Report into Child Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities – and goes further again. It does this by also tackling legislative reform, governance, employment and economic development, remote area policing, health, housing, communication and engagement."

River Murray forest launched
Source: South Australia. The Premier. Media Release.
"Premier Mike Rann launched a State Government initiative to plant 2.5 million trees that will create a River Murray native forest between Morgan and Renmark in the Riverland. At $5.7 million, it will be one of the largest revegetation programs ever seen in South Australia – and an opportunity for the private sector to become involved to help reduce their impact of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment."

Innovative techniques helping save Victorian water
Source: Victoria. Minister of Agriculture. Media Release.
"The Brumby Government was using cutting-edge science to help secure the future water needs of Victorian rural and regional communities, the Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, said.S peaking during a two-day visit to the Goulburn Valley region, Mr Helper said the Government, through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) was developing water systems of the future to demonstrate how science and technology could help save water. “The focus of these projects has been to improve irrigation efficiency and agricultural systems to help protect Victoria’s water future,” Mr Helper said. Mr Helper said current projects included new web-based irrigation system selection and design technologies, to help farmers and catchment management authorities make informed decisions about water use."

Training for safe Australian skies
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Statement
"Safety in Australian skies will be enhanced through a new aviation 'threat and error management' (TEM) training course for passenger and general aviation operations, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced. Mr Vaile said the Australian Government, through the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), had contributed $250,000 to enable the Australian Regional Office of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) to develop a course for improving safety threat and error management skills in the Australian aviation sector."

Labor on terror: ‘Amen’ no more
Australia. The Attorney General. Media Release.
"Rudd Labor has deviated from its typical refrain of ‘Amen’ to Howard Government policy and has moved to weaken terrorism legislation. The House of Representatives passed today the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007 which would allow the Howard Government to act quickly and decisively to remove materials that advocate terrorist acts from circulation. However Rudd Labor has signalled its intent to water down the legislation and delay its passage in the Senate."

Supply of Australian Uranium to India
Source: Australia. The Prime Minister. Media Release.
"I wish to announce that the Australian Government has decided to allow the export of uranium to India, subject to strict conditions. This change in policy is subject to:
conclusion of a suitable safeguards agreement between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) covering all designated civil nuclear facilities; conclusion by India of an Additional Protocol on strengthened safeguards; a consensus decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to make an exception to its guidelines enabling international civil supply to India; conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear co-operation agreement between India and the United States; and satisfactory progress in implementing India's commitment to place designated civil nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in perpetuity."

Renewable energy target in our sights
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Energy. Media Statement
"The construction of one of the nation’s biggest biomass plants in Western Australia’s South-West will ensure the State Government reaches its target of six per cent renewable energy by 2010. Energy Minister Francis Logan announced that Synergy had agreed to purchase 40MW of renewable energy from a biomass plant planned for near Bridgetown. And in a further boost to the renewable energy sector in the State, Mr Logan also announced that legislation would be introduced into State Parliament this week to accommodate geothermal exploration and recovery in WA."

Special website to beam Western Australia to the world
Source: Western Australia. Tourism Minister. Media Statement.
"A new online television website will showcase footage of Western Australia’s key destinations and events to the world. Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the new website, http://www.westernaustralia.tv/ or WATV, was the first of its kind for any Australian tourism government agency."

Responsible Gambling Kit To Educate Students
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release.
" The State Government launched a new program to educate Tasmanian students about problems associated with gambling. What’s the Real Deal?, jointly launched by the Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, and the Minister for Education, David Bartlett, is aimed at students in the first two years of secondary school. Ms Giddings said the years 7 and 8 program was designed to inform students about gambling issues before they became a problem for them."

Federal Labor's $100 Million Investment In Innovative Manufacturing Businesses
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release.
"Federal Labor will invest $100 million over four years in a Manufacturing Network to foster innovation in small and medium Australian manufacturing businesses.Up to 3,000 manufacturing businesses will benefit from the program each year – becoming more productive, better able to compete in global markets, and able to take advantage of new business opportunities arising from the challenge of climate change."

New drugs campaign launches with hard-hitting ‘ice’ ad
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release.
"The third stage of the National Drugs Campaign, which aims to prevent young people using illicit drugs, was launched on 16 August by the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, who has Australian Government responsibility for drug policy."

Addressing climate change: first major step in emissions trading
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release.
"Legislation providing the first major plank of Australia’s emissions trading scheme has been introduced into the Parliament today, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull said. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill 2007 lays the foundation for Australia’s emissions trading scheme which will be the most comprehensive trading scheme anywhere in the world. The Bill will establish a single, national reporting framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions and abatement actions by corporations for 1 July 2008."

Australia Contributes $6.5 Million for Global Climate Challenges
Source: Australia. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Media Release.
"Australia will contribute $6.5 million to global environmental initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard water resources across the Asia-Pacific. Australia is significantly scaling up its focus on the environment with the release of the aid program's new strategy, Aid and the Environment: building resilience, sustaining growth. Our new strategy highlights how we will invest resources in three high priority areas: climate change, water and environmental governance."

Toolkit to encourage more diversity in volunteering
Source: Australia. Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues. Media Release.
"An Australian Government funded resource kit will help to encourage more Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds to participate in volunteering in the wider community.
The Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues, Julie Bishop, and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Teresa Gambaro, today released Practical Guide – Involving Volunteers from Diverse Cultural and Language Backgrounds in Your Organisations, produced by Volunteering Australia."

Ipod® tour helps Australians tune into heritage
Source: Australia. Minister for the Arts and Sport. Media Release.
"Visitors to the National Archives of Australia’s Memory of a Nation exhibition will be able to tune into their heritage thanks to an innovative iPod® tour launched in Canberra. Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, and Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, John Cobb, said the joint project brought to life iconic records and key moments in the Australian story."

Fight against crime gains a new weapon
Source: Australia. Minister for Justice and Customs. Media Release.
"The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator David Johnston, today announced that seven out of the eight States and Territories will match DNA data using the National Criminal Investigation DNA Database run by CrimTrac, as a result of an agreement on DNA data sharing signed on 28 June 2007. "

Migration Occupations in Demand List
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration. Media Release
"The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and the Hon, Joe Hockey MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations have announced changes to the Migration Occupations in Demand List."

New online service explains pathology tests
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Commonwealth Government has launched a new Internet-based service to help Australians better understand any one of the hundreds of lab tests used to screen, diagnose or monitor illness and disease."

Providing flexible help to young people in need
Source: Australia. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Young people coming out of institutions like juvenile justice will continue to be supported by the Australian Government with the Minister for Community Services Nigel Scullion announcing a NSW South Coast organisation will now deliver the Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) program nationally."

$49.3M Boost for Drug and Alcohol Services in Communities
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenious Affairs. Media Release
"The Australian Government has approved up to $49.3 million over four years for drug and alcohol services in regional and remote Indigenous communities across four states."

NetAlert: Protecting Australian Families Online
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard MP was joined by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan to announce the Government’s world leading $189 million programme to protect Australian families from online dangers in the increasingly complex internet environment."

Role Models to Promote Importance of School
Source: Northern Territory. Employment, Education and Training. Media Release
"Recruiting extra Indigenous teachers is part of the Northern Territory Government push to boost school attendance rates and educational outcomes for Indigenous Territorians, Education Minister Paul Henderson said. Mr Henderson said the ‘Teaching - You Can Do It’ recruitment campaign was launched as part of the Government’s More Indigenous Teachers plan. "

Land Release Brought Forward to Meet Demand
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The Government will release an additional 1,000 house blocks in 2007-2008 to help meet continuing high demand and the unexpected increase in the size of the Commonwealth public service, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said. In line with commitments made as part of its Affordable Housing Action Plan, the Government has increased its residential land release program for 2007-08 to 3,200 residential blocks, an increase of 1,000 blocks, Mr Stanhope said. "

Brumby Puts Free Fruit on the School Menu
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Students at almost 300 Victorian government schools will be able to enjoy free fresh fruit every Friday from next week thanks to the roll out of an $11 million election promise. Premier John Brumby said the delivery of the first phase of the program would encourage up to 35,000 students to turn to healthy alternatives and avoid food with high levels of fat or sugar."

$3.7m Government investment in SA communities
Source: South Australia. Minister for Urban Development and Planning. Media Release
"Communities throughout South Australia are set to benefit from a $3.7 million Rann Government investment in a range of civic enhancement and open space projects around the State. The Government is committing $3.708 million from the Places for People and Open Space funding schemes to 18 Council projects in metropolitan Adelaide and regional centres."

Country health reform continues
Source: South Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Consultation with country communities continued last week over the State Government’s planned reform of country health delivery through the proposed Health Care Bill 2007. Stripping away levels of bureaucracy and putting savings into front line health services is one of the major goals of the new legislation, Health Minister John Hill says. "

Government to change double jeopardy law
Source: South Australia. Premier and Attorney General. Media Release
"The State Government is preparing to overturn the ancient legal principle of ‘double jeopardy' so that alleged offenders can be charged and tried for the same offence a second time, where it can be proved that it is in the interests of justice and fresh evidence has emerged."

Tough new laws and rehabilitation on youth offending
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Mike Rann says Cabinet has accepted all 46 recommendations in a report by Social Inclusion Commissioner David Cappo into serious youth offending – and the first 16 identified in the report as urgent will be acted on immediately. "

Record spending for a healthier SA
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Health. Media Release
"The State Government will invest an extra $48 million over the next three years to help more than 8000 South Australians stay healthy and avoid going to hospital. Premier Mike Rann says the expanded Out of Hospital programs aims to keep more than 8000 extra people with chronic medical conditions from having to attend or be admitted to hospital each year."

Treasurer announces final plank in tax reform process
Source: Western Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"Treasurer Eric Ripper set in motion the final stage of a seven-year reform process designed to improve the efficiency of Western Australia’s taxation system. Speaking at a breakfast hosted by the Taxation Institute of Australia, Mr Ripper launched a consultation process seeking public comment on an exposure draft of the rewritten Stamp Act. "

New training project takes trades on road to success
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Environment. Media Release
"The Minister unveiled a new $330,000 project funded by the State Government through the Pinjarra Brunswick Sustainability Strategy that takes trades training off campus and on-site to deliver training to communities outside the major population centres."

Premier announces major police boost for regional and remote WA
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Three specialist Police teams will be created to deal with issues facing Western Australian indigenous communities, including child abuse. In Warmun to open WA’s eighth multi-functional police facility, Premier Alan Carpenter said the primary aim of the Regional Response Teams was to investigate abuse in regional communities, in particular the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance."

Funding a boost for Western Australian tenants
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Consumer Protection. Media Release
"Western Australian tenants will benefit from almost $4million in new funding to be injected into not-for-profit tenant support agencies. Consumer Protection Minister Sheila McHale announced that the State Government would boost current funding of $6million to $10million over five years for agencies who offered education, advocacy and support services to tenants."

State Government moves to attract and retain women in the public sector
Source: Western Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Carpenter Government has released a three-year plan to attract and retain skilled and talented women in leadership positions across government agencies. ‘Taking the Lead: Women in the Workforce’ aims to increase the number of women in leadership roles in the public sector over the next three years."

Satellite navigation and surveillance offers safer, more efficient air traffic management
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, invited the public to comment on proposals to introduce cutting-edge technology to provide Australia with safer, more efficient air traffic management. An industry consultation paper prepared by government agencies proposes to expand the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) avionics for air traffic surveillance and aircraft navigation. The new systems would supplement or replace many of Australia's radar and ground-based navigation aids."

A framework for our next high speed broadband network
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, welcomed the release of draft guidelines from the Expert Taskforce for public comment for the competitive assessment process to build a high speed broadband network in Australia’s capital cities and major regional centres. The draft guidelines are now available for industry and public comment and I encourage all stakeholders to make their views known to the Expert Taskforce. After this consultation, the guidelines will be finalised and industry will then have four months to develop their proposals for a high speed broadband network.”

Smokecheck: $1 million to reduce Aboriginal smoking rates
Source: NSW. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health. Media Release
"The NSW Government will invest $1 million to tackle the alarming rate of smoking within the State's Aboriginal communities. The NSW Government will contribute $1 million to SmokeCheck - a new, innovative training program that will be delivered to Aboriginal Health Workers and other health professionals."

$22 Million for Safer Runways in Remore Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, released guidelines for the Australian Government's $22 million Remote Aerodrome Safety Programme to improve the safety of airstrips in remote and isolated areas of Australia. "

New Laws Ensure More Freedom for Australian Innovators
Source: Australia. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Media Release
"Australian researchers will benefit from amendments to be made to the Patents Act, Bob Baldwin, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources announced. Mr Baldwin said the changes will give researchers greater scope to test fresh ideas and potentially discover something new about an invention without the threat of patent infringement. The changes will mean Australian researchers and businesses can confidently accelerate the pace of innovation."

Additional $300 000 to Combat Marine Menace
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Key tourism sites on the Great Barrier Reef will be better protected thanks to $300 000 funding from the Australian Government to combat crown-of-thorns starfish. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Malcolm Turnbull announced the funding would allow the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators to continue running the crown-ofthorns
starfish (COTS) control programme."

More Than $5 Million to Protect the Reef
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"The Australian Government will provide $5.46 million in funding for projects to improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Malcolm Turnbull announced 20 Natural Heritage Trust projects – approved under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan – that will markedly improve water quality entering the Reef."

Further enhancements to new Australian film industry incentives
Source: Australia. Minister for Arts and Sport. Media Release
"The Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, released further details of some important enhancements to the Government’s new $282.9 million Australian Screen Production Incentive package. The package, announced in the Australian Government’s 2007–08 Budget, provides generous incentives for domestic and offshore production to strengthen Australia’s film industry."

Licence Condition to Protect the Bush
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan said that the Howard Government will ensure that country mobile phone users are not left high and dry by the closure of the CDMA network. “I have issued a draft licence condition to Telstra that would require them to keep the CDMA network open until the Next G network provides equivalent or better coverage and services, reflecting the public commitments Telstra has already made itself."

Clearer Guidance for Courts on Relocation Cases
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Government has committed to insert provisions within the Family Law Act to provide courts with greater clarity on how to deal with relocation issues arising out of custody arrangements. This commitment is made in the Government’s response to the Family Law Council's Report to the Attorney-General on Relocation. "

New $137m CRC promotes innovation in seafood production
Source: Australia. Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation and Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"Australia’s seafood industry will benefit from a new dedicated research centre based in South Australia that will focus on value-adding seafood products, better management practices, and improved access to premium export markets. The new Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre (Seafood CRC) was officially opened by the Australian Government Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz."

Meeting of Major Economies of Energy Security and Climate Change
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"I welcome the announcement by the United States of dates for a meeting of major economies to take forward President Bush's initiative to build a broader coalition for practical international climate change action. Australia will join 13 of the world's leading economies and the United Nations at the meeting, to be hosted by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Washington DC on 27 and 28 September."

New Focus on Early Childhood and Education for all Victorian Children
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Victorian children will now get an even better start to life with the creation of a new super department to integrate children’s and education services across the State. Premier John Brumby announced the Government would bring the Office for Children into the Department of Education – creating the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development."

Helping Principals Respond to Sexual Assaults
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education Services. Media Release
"Principals in Victorian government schools will be the first in Australia to be provided with a comprehensive manual to strengthen their response to allegations by students of sexual assault. The Minister for Education Services, Jacinta Allan, joined the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, Christine Nixon, to launch Responding to Allegations of Student Sexual Assault – Procedures for Victorian Government Schools."

Brumby Vows to Strengthen Accountability in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Premier John Brumby unveiled a range of reforms to make Parliament, MPs and the Executive more accountable and accessible to the Victorian people. Mr Brumby said the Government had identified six areas, with more to come, to build on the commitment to accountable and accessible Government."

$9 million injection for frontline mental health services
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Media Release
"Front line mental health services in South Australia are receiving a $9 million boost over the next three years to recruit 30 new mental health professionals to work alongside GPs across the state. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister, Gail Gago said the ‘Shared Care with GPs’ program aimed to improve access to health services for a greater number of people suffering from mental health illness."

Students leap into physical activity challenge
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Students are jumping at the chance to be physically active for at least one hour every day and earn rewards for their efforts through the new $1.8m Premier’s Be Active Challenge. One in every four South Australian schools has joined the challenge in its inaugural year, with more than 13,000 Reception to Year 9 students now taking part."

New water initiative to help reduce household costs and meet the climate change challenge
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter has launched a new initiative designed to help Western Australian householders reduce their water use and save money. From this week, Water Corporation accounts will include extra information to better equip householders to use water more efficiently and meet the climate change challenge."

Premier unveils new graffiti strategy
Source: West Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter announced a major crackdown on graffiti. Launching the State Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy 2007, Mr Carpenter said the new strategy included a range of measures to tackle graffiti."

Local and State Governments team up to tackle climate change
Source: West Australia. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"The State Government has joined with local governments in signing a Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership Agreement. This is a groundbreaking initiative that will ensure closer communication and collaboration, and joint action on a diverse range of climate change and sustainability matters that are of mutual interest and concern to both spheres of government."

Stormwater management guide released
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Water Resources. Media Release
"Coinciding with recent heavy rainfall Water Resources Minister John Kobelke today released a stormwater management manual. Mr Kobelke said that the manual was one of a number of initiatives aimed at improving the way the State’s water resources are managed."

Dedicated Aboriginal beds offer better treatment
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"A new $140,000 facility to help Aboriginal people dependent on alcohol or drugs has opened in Perth to encourage more people to seek professional help. We hope this new unit will encourage more Aboriginal people to enter treatment by offering a culturally secure service with dedicated Aboriginal staff, delivered in partnership with Aboriginal agencies.”

$800M Boost to Offshore Petroleum Exploration
Source: Australia. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Media Release
"Australian Resources Minister, Ian Macfarlane, today announced a boost to petroleum exploration in Australian waters, with 11 new offshore permits awarded to exploration companies. A total of 21 bids were received for the 11 areas and these exploration programs are worth more than $800 million."

Tourism Ministers to Discuss Climate Change
Source: Australia. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Media Release
"Australia’s tourism ministers will meet in Canberra on Friday to discuss a strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change on Australia's tourism industry. The tourism industry is at the cutting edge of practical initiatives on climate change, from research on the Great Barrier Reef to eco-tourism resorts with the smallest possible eco-footprint. But more can be done to make Australia a world leader in environmentally responsible tourism," Fran Bailey said."

Australia and Indonesia agree to examine options for a bilateral free trade agreement
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, has welcomed the announcement that a joint feasibility study will be undertaken into the merits of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and Indonesia."

Higher Standards, Better Skills
Source: Australia. Minister for Vocational and Further Education. Media Release
"Training organisations which reach the required level of excellence will be rewarded with less government scrutiny under new guidelines announced by the Federal Government and State governments. Co-operation between the Howard Government and State Education Ministers has resulted in new quality standards for the Vocational Education and Training sector. "

New Clever Network project will enhance educational experience for more than 7000 Queensland students
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan announced that schools in Queensland will benefit from funding of $4.9 million to provide enhanced access to the Learning Place, Education Queensland’s e‑learning environment for schools. The funding will be used to establish the Learning Place Access Enhancement project, which will enhance current broadband telecommunications infrastructure and improve the educational experience for more than 7000 students across regional and remote Queensland."

Clever Networks funding for health care in remote North Queensland
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan announced funding of $5 million to provide high-capacity broadband services to support health care and emergency services to communities in remote North Queensland."

Designing Holistic Health Care for Indigenous Prisoners
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"A report outlining a possible best-practice model for holistic health service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners was released by the Winnunga Nimmityjah health centre. It is vital that we find ways of improving health outcomes for all of those in our corrections system, and we know that Indigenous prisoners have particular needs and particular responses to incarceration,” Mr Stanhope said."

Review of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services
Source: Tasmania. Department of Health and Human Services. Media Release
"A Discussion Paper marking the first part of the State Government’s review of alcohol, tobacco and other drug services (ATOD) in Tasmania was released for comment. “The Discussion Paper provides information on the findings from those processes and outlines a service framework for Tasmania, along with proposals for the future direction for the ATOD sector in Tasmania”, Mr Alderdice said. "

Kevin Rudd's $500 million housing plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"The housing affordability crisis has hit younger families hardest. That's why Labor has proposed a new $500 million Housing Affordability Fund to assist 50,000 homebuyers save up to $20,000 each on their new home."

Leading Scientist to Advise on Directions in Energy
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor announced the appointment of leading energy researcher Professor Frank Larkins to the newly created position of Chief Scientist (Energy) with the Department of Primary Industries. The Victorian Government is committed to establishing Victoria as a global leader in the development of sustainable energy technologies and policies, and to do this we need the best advice and expertise, Mr Batchelor said."

Mental and Physical Health Support for Farm Families
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will deliver $2.9 million over two years for a program to help farm families across Victoria address the physical and mental health impacts of prolonged drought, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, announced. Mr Helper said the Sustainable Farm Families program would focus on improving the physical and mental health of farmers and their families. "

A New Approach to Family Violence in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Minister for Womens Affairs. Media Release
"At the Working together to respond to children and young people affected by family violence forum, the Minister for Children, Lisa Neville, said the Government was taking a lead role in developing new ways to reduce the incidence of and improve the outcomes for those affected by family violence. "

Major boost to Science & Research Fund
Source: South Australia. Minister for Science and Information Economy. Media Release
"The State Government has announced a new direction and significant boost in funding to the Premier’s Science and Research Fund. Science Minister, Paul Caica, says the changes are designed to increase the State’s international competitiveness and retain and attract leading scientists to SA."

New scheme for young Geraldton offenders
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Corrective Services. Media Release
"Juvenile offending in the Mid-West and Gascoyne region will be tackled by a new multi-agency strategy, developed by the Department of Corrective Services in conjunction with the local community. The new services will target young people who are at risk of offending, as well as the high-end, repeat offenders, by working with them and their families.”

Revolutionary plant gives drinking water to Yalgoo
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Water Resources. Media Release
"Water Resources Minister John Kobelke pointed to Yalgoo’s revolutionary new water treatment plant as a water supply solution for other towns that rely on brackish water for their only drinking source. Mr Kobelke said that Yalgoo’s new $2million facility, known as a High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (HERO) plant, was an adaptation of technology patented in the United States to supply ultra-pure water to the electronics industry."