100 New Australian Technical Colleges
Source: Liberal Party. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will establish an extra 100 Australian Technical Colleges across the nation through an investment of $2.1 billion over 10 years, part of our comprehensive plan to improve the skills of our nation’s workforce.
Improving the skills of the Australian workforce is an important part of the Coalition’s bold plan to reduce unemployment to three per cent over the next three years. "

The Coalition's 2020 Plan for Australia's Local Roads
Source: Liberal Party. Media Release
"Local roads will be significantly improved under a re-elected Coalition Government with a new $300 million programme for development roads and a big boost for existing programmes. Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile, announced the Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Local Roads, which he said would benefit Australians in every corner of the country."

Small Business Training Vouchers
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will introduce a new training voucher for Australian small business owners and their workers as part of our bold plan to reduce unemployment to three per cent over the next three years. "

Preparing for our future: Ageing 2030
Source: NSW. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Media Release
" New South Wales is set to experience a major demographic shift, with the number of people aged over 65 to double by 2030, Minister for Ageing Kristina Keneally told Parliament.
“The Iemma Government recognises that the ageing of the population will have wide ranging social and economic impacts. That is why we are planning now for a long-term response to these issues,” Ms Keneally said. Ms Keneally said the Iemma Government will convene Ageing 2030, a roundtable held at Parliament House on 30 and 31 October to plan for the opportunities and challenges of population ageing."

Statutory review of the Greyhound Racing Act 2002 and Harness Racing Act 2002 NSW
Source: NSW. Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
"The Greyhound Racing Act 2002 and the Harness Racing Act 2002 require the Minister for Gaming and Racing to review the policy objectives and terms of the Acts.
As part of the review process, comments are being sought from greyhound and harness racing industry participants, industry organisations and the public to assist in determining whether the policy objectives of the Acts remain valid, and whether the terms of the Acts remain appropriate for securing those objectives."

Federal Labor's 20 Per Cent By 2020 Renewable Energy Target
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Govern ment will set a 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target for Australia to reach by 2020. This brings Australia into line with most developed nations including Europe, China and many American states. A 20 per cent target is the equivalent of powering Australia’s 7.5 million homes for a year.

New Laws to Protect Children from Deathly Allergies
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"New laws to protect children who suffer life threatening allergies will make children safer, ease the anxiety of parents, reduce hospital admissions and lead to greater community understanding of anaphylaxis, the Premier, John Brumby, said. In an Australian first, the Victorian Government will introduce laws into Parliament this week to mandate minimum safety standards for schools and children services to protect children at risk of anaphylactic shock – a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction."

New Liquor Licensing Laws Introduced in Parliament
Source: Victoria. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"Legislation giving police and courts the power to ban troublemakers from designated entertainment precincts will be introduced in Parliament. The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson, said the Liquor Control Reform Amendment Bill would strengthen the powers of Victoria Police and the Director of Liquor Licensing to tackle alcohol related violence and disorder. The new laws will give police the power to close down licensed premises where violence is occurring or public safety is threatened for up to 24 hours."

New Legislation to Address Problem Gambling
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"Proposed new gambling legislation that will limit the amount of money accessible at clubs and pubs and force venues to provide self-exclusion programs was introduced in Parliament by Minister for Gaming, Tony Robinson. Under the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Problem Gambling and other measures) Bill, ATMs that do not limit withdrawals to $400 a day will be banned from gaming venues from 1 January 2010. This also includes ATMs within 50 metres of the gaming machine area in Crown Casino and within 50 metres of gaming venues at race tracks."

Hoon Style Laws for Level Crossings
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"Drivers who recklessly try to outrun trains or trams at level crossings could lose their vehicles or their licenses, under new legislation introduced into Parliament, Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said. Mr Pallas said the Road Legislation Further Amendment Bill would improve road safety by penalising drivers who deliberately or recklessly enter level crossings when the warning devices are operating. "

Major changes to rape laws go to Parliament
Source: South Australia. Attorney General and the Minister for Status of Women. Media Release
"The biggest changes to South Australia’s laws on rape and sexual assault in more than thirty years were announced by Minister for the Status of Women Jennifer Rankine and Attorney-General Michael Atkinson. The Ministers say that, after further extensive public consultation, the laws have been strengthened to provide a clearer definition of offences and what constitutes consent."

New smoking restrictions begin Thursday (1 November)
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Media Release
"Cigarette retailers are being reminded about next Thursday’s introduction of point of sale restrictions on the display of tobacco products. The changes coincide with a complete ban on smoking inside hotels. The laws restrict the size of tobacco displays and require accompanying grotesque graphic warnings to reduce the advertising effect."

Long-term strategic plan for Mid-West development
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment and Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"A landmark strategic framework that will provide for the long-term sustainable development of the Mid-West iron-ore industry has been endorsed by the State Government. The framework was released by Resources Minister Francis Logan and Environment Minister David Templeman. Mr Logan said the framework would deliver the best possible outcome for the State by maintaining a balance between the development of an iron-ore industry and the conservation needs of the region."

Government moves to ‘Design out Crime’
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The State Government has unveiled the latest strategy to combat crime in residential areas through the use of smart urban design principles. Community Safety Minister John Kobelke released the ‘Designing out Crime: Designing in People’ strategy at the Woodbridge Lakes residential precinct in Midland, describing the design of this community as a role model for others to follow.The strategy would be incorporated in all appropriate Statements of Planning Policy as applied by the Western Australian Planning Commission, and would influence the development of regional, district and local structure plans throughout the State."

Community response helps Government’s graffiti crackdown
Source: Western Australia. Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The State Government is helping to ensure graffiti around Perth is being removed quickly with more than 400 calls to the new Goodbye Graffiti hotline since its launch last month. Premier Alan Carpenter said the Goodbye Graffiti hotline (1800 44 22 55 or 1800 GG CALL) was a key part of the $3.6million anti-graffiti strategy.Mr Carpenter said the hotline’s value was already being proven with clean-up teams deployed more quickly to remove graffiti."

Support for Innovative Renewable Energy
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce, as part of the Coalition’s plan to address climate change and a clean energy future, that a re-elected Coalition Government will strongly support innovative renewable energy, through a dedicated $75 million competitive grants programme for new and emerging renewable energy technologies. "

More than 3 million Australians to benefit from Increased Support
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
" I am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will ensure older Australians, people with disabilities and carers share in the benefits of Australia’s strongly growing economy. "

Skills Training for the Future
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce a detailed plan to further encourage the skills training of Australians. A re-elected Coalition Government will commit an additional $392.9 million to skills training which will allow Work Skills Vouchers to be provided on a demand driven basis. This will provide opportunities for thousands of Australians to enter the workforce with practical and marketable skills. "

Federal Labor - New Laws On Freedom Of Information, Whistleblower Protection - Open Government After 11 Years
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor released its plan to reform freedom of information (FOI), journalist privilege, whistleblower protection and privacy laws – under a major plan to foster “open government”.
A Freedom of Information Commissioner will replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in the FOI review process. Federal Labor will preserve the role of Privacy Commissioner and also complete the existing review of the operation of the Privacy Act so that protection and access to personal information across both the Privacy Act and FOI Act regimes are consistent. "

Federal Labor's National Solar Schools Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will invest up to $489 million in a National Solar Schools Plan to make all of Australia’s 9,612 private and public schools “Solar Schools” within eight years. Federal Labor’s National Solar Schools Plan will invest up to $50,000 in every school across Australia."

Federal Labor's Low Emission Plan: Fighting Climate Change In Rental Properties
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will provide a rebate of up to $500 to help landlords install energy-efficient insulation in 300,000 Australian rental homes in a practical measure to help fight climate change. Federal Labor’s $150 million Low Emission Plan for Renters will reduce the power bills and greenhouse gas emissions of 300,000 rental properties."

Federal Labor's $200 Million Great Barrier Reef Rescue Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
" Rudd Labor Govern ment will implement a $200 million Great Barrier Reef Rescue Plan to help secure the Reef fro m climate change and declining water quality.
Federal Labor’s $200 million Plan will be the largest ever single financial contribution to help secure the long term future of the Great Barrier Reef."

A Tax Plan For Australia's Future - Labor's $2.3 Billion Education Tax Refund
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government’s Tax Plan for Australia’s Future will invest $2.3 billion in financial support to help working families meet the growing costs of educating their children. A Rudd Labor Government will provide a new 50% Education Tax Refund to help families of around 2.3 million school-age children meet the costs of education."

Federal Labor's $1 Billion National Urban Water And Desalination Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will implement a $1 Billion National Urban Water and Desalination Plan to help secure the water supplies of Australia’s major cities. This $1 billion plan will drive major desalination projects across Australia. It will also support water recycling and major stormwater capturing projects nationwide."

Schools to Be More Accountable for Student Results
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Employment,Education and Training. Media Release
"School principals and teachers will be held accountable for the results of their students under a new plan released by Education Minister Paul Henderson. Mr Henderson said the Accountability and Performance Improvement Framework was about ensuring schools were delivering the best possible education."

Novice Driver Reforms Launched
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Infrastructure. Media Release
" The State Government announced its latest reforms to Tasmania’s novice driver licensing system. The Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox, said the reforms would ensure young drivers got as much driving experience as possible before progressing to their full car licence.
“Young Driver Safety is a strategic direction of the new Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy. Reforms to the novice driver licensing system are a key initiative of the first 3-year Action Plan,” Mr Cox said."

New Script for Future of Victoria's Screen Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings called for tenders to undertake the Victorian Screen Industry Review, the first step in developing a major new strategy to keep growing Victoria’s thriving screen industry. Mr Jennings said the review would explore how the Victorian screen industry is changing and dealing with the impact of factors like digital media, new Commonwealth funding policies, changes in consumer behaviour and shifting global markets."

Victorian Government Backs Water Harvesting Project
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Warracknabeal Leisure Centre will install four 25,000-litre tanks to harvest, store and use rain water for its public amenities, thanks to a $47,018 Victorian Government grant announced by the Premier, John Brumby. It is one of a number of new water saving infrastructure projects that are being supported by the Victorian Government in small towns across Victoria."

Premier Announces $100 Million Drought Relief Package
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Premier John Brumby announced a further $100 million in assistance to help rural communities battling the worst drought on record. Mr Brumby said the package included water rebates for irrigators worth $55 million, a new $10 million program to assist farmers to undertake drought proofing works and to boost future productivity, and further support for mental health services."

Preparing Business for National Emissions Trading
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"Victorian businesses will benefit from a Brumby Government funding boost to encourage financially sustainable and innovative ways to help business meet the challenges of climate change. Speaking at the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Global Roundtable in Melbourne this morning Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said the Brumby Government would fund $250,000 to help Victorian business prepare for a national emissions trading scheme. "

Paedophile register comes in to force
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Michael Atkinson says South Australia’s paedophile register will come into operation, giving police a powerful new tool to monitor child sex offenders. Under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act, police will have access to information about where offenders live, what car they drive, where they work, if they change their appearance in anyway and if they are affiliated to any clubs with child membership."

New statewide gambling therapy service is rolled out
Source: South Australia. Minister for Families and Communities. Media Release
"A new statewide intervention program targeting problem gamblers has been launched by Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill – with a new service opening in Adelaide’s north. The Statewide Gambling Therapy Service is funded by the Gamblers’ Rehabilitation Fund - a joint initiative of the State Government, Australian Hotels Association (SA), Clubs SA and SkyCity."

New rights for victims in sentencing
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Individual victims and entire neighbourhoods will have the right to have the impact of crimes on them heard in court for a wider range of offences under new legislation being introduced into Parliament by Attorney-General Michael Atkinson.For the first time in the State’s legal history, the Government is giving victim-of-crime advocates the absolute right to make victim impact statements at sentencing hearings in summary offences in which there has been a death or total permanent incapacity of a victim."

SA’s schools going ‘green’
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"From 2008, all education sites will be required to reduce water use by 10% and energy use by 25%, based on targets in South Australia’s Strategic Plan. Schools and preschools have been working hard to reduce their impact on the environment by adopting sustainable water and energy saving strategies,” Dr Lomax-Smith says. "

Food suppliers to learn about new canteen rules
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"The Rann Government's plans to ban junk food in school canteens from next year will be outlined to businesses that supply food and drink to the State's schools and preschools. The Rann Government is investing $1.55m phasing out junk food in canteens and promoting healthier eating by children. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says suppliers will learn how they can work with schools to provide healthy menu options for school students."

New scholarships to boost teacher numbers in the bush
Source: Western Australia. Minister Education and Training. Media Release
"The Carpenter Government will offer 240 new scholarships to the State’s 6,565 education assistants (EAs) and 579 Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEOs) to retrain as early childhood or primary school teachers. Mr McGowan said the scholarships, worth $4.8million over four years, would help boost teacher numbers in key regional areas."

Western Australian teachers at the cutting edge of science
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"A multi-million dollar program has seen a group of science teachers return to university to research and develop new classroom resources for all public secondary schools across Western Australia. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the State Government’s $5million SPICE program had given select public school science teachers the opportunity to work with leading scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA)."

First independent commissioner appointed to protect the rights of children
Source: West Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"Western Australia has taken a major step forward in the protection of children with the appointment of the State’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People. Child Protection and Communities Minister Sue Ellery said the Premier had appointed Public Advocate Michelle Scott for a five-year term."

Federal Labor To Boost Cancer Research
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will invest an extra $15 million – over the next three years – in independent clinical trials of drugs and research into cancer treatment. This will double the amount of Commonwealth funding available annually and will be administered by Cancer Australia. Federal Labor’s Cancer Clinical Trials plan funding will provide extra resources for the outstanding work being carried out by Australia’s national co-operative clinical trials groups. "

Federal Labor's $42 Billion Minimum Schools Funding Commitment: Giving Schools Financial Certainty
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor outlined its minimum schools funding commitment ahead of both the Federal election and formal negotiations with the State, Territory, Catholic and Independent school systems. "

Federal Labor's New Direction For Wheat Marketing
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will introduce major new reforms to wheat export marketing.Labor proposes a new model for exporting wheat which retains a single desk for the control of wheat exports and at the same time increases choice to growers by allowing a number of selling options."

Tough New Bail Laws Passed
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"Legislation to protect victims from intimidation and further violence has been passed in Territory Parliament. Amendments to the Bail Act will make it harder for alleged serious sexual offenders to be released on bail. "

New Police Operation To Tackle Violent Youth Behaviour
Source: Northern Territory. Chief Minister. Media Release
"Chief Minister and Police Minister Clare Martin announced the establishment of a new police operation to tackle youth violence. Speaking with Acting Police Commissioner, Bruce Wernham, Ms Martin said that a dedicated operation to target offenders had been put in place. There will be a strong police response and I am also moving to strengthen the legal tools that police have in dealing with repeat offenders and the parents of children found committing offences in the the streets."

Victorian Vision to Drive International Office Reform
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Victorian Government’s overseas business offices will undergo the most significant transformation since their inception, in line with the major recommendations of the Buckingham Review, Premier John Brumby announce. Mr Brumby said the Government would implement the major recommendations of the review into Victoria’s global networks and will have a stronger presence in Asia, with plans to establish a new international office in South East Asia. Our overseas offices have attracted more than $8.7billion in foreign investment, created thousands of Victorian jobs and attracted thousands of visitors to the state in the last seven years, but we want to extract even more out of our international networks, Mr Brumby said."

Community and Clubs to Benefit from More Transparent Process
Source: Victoria. Office of Gaming. Media Release
"Clubs directing electronic gaming machine revenue back into the community will do so in a more transparent way under the Brumby Government’s changes to Community Benefit Statements, announced. The Minister for Gaming, Tony Robinson, said clubs with electronic gaming machines needed to show on their Community Benefit Statements how they positively contribute to their local communities."

New Push to Attract Skilled Migrants to Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Skilled migrants will be encouraged to move to Victoria, particularly to regional areas, under a new strategy to increase the state’s share of Australia’s skilled migrant intake to 28.5 per cent, from the current 26.8 per cent. The Premier, John Brumby, and the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, Jacinta Allan, released the next stage of the Victorian Government’s skilled migration strategy, which targets skilled and business migrants.Mr Brumby said the new strategy, Global Skills for Victoria, aimed to increase Victoria’s share of the nation’s intake of skilled and business migrants to 28.5 per cent by 2011. "

Kosky, Pallas Launch Transport Legislation Review
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will review laws governing Victoria’s transport system and the community will be able to have their say, Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky and Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, announced. Ms Kosky said a Transport Legislation Review would review the current Transport Act of 1983 to ensure it provided a co-ordinated framework to support and continue to implement the government’s 10-year, $10.5 billion transport blueprint, Meeting Our Transport Challenges."

Report Backs Focus on Schools Most in Need
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Victorian Government has welcomed a report from the Auditor General released which highlights ways to improve Victoria’s schools and today also announced details of new teaching assistants to help Victorian school teachers. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the government would continue to find ways to help schools that need additional support, including an announcement to roll out the first 90 teacher assistants, with the largest allocations going to schools in Melbourne’s North and West."

Government Seeks Feedback on Community Engagement Plans
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Members of the community are being asked to comment on draft regulations that will spell out how mining companies must engage with communities about projects, Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor announced. The proposed changes to the Mineral Resources Development Regulations 2002 aim to provide clarity for mining licensees on the required contents of community engagement plans, which are a new requirement under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, Minister Batchelor said."

Brumby Government Tables Independent Review of Bail Act
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"The Brumby Government tabled in State Parliament the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s review of the Bail Act. This is an extensive review with 157 recommendations aimed at making bail decisions clearer and easier to understand, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Brian Tee said. Bail decisions sometimes are misunderstood by the community and the Government believes that these decisions must be clear and transparent."

Mental Health law reform
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Media Release
"South Australia’s mental health laws will soon undergo their most comprehensive reform in 14 years with a State Government Bill released today for public comment. Minister for Mental Health Gail Gago says The Rann Government is bringing mental health care into the 21st century, in line with its modernisation of public services and facilities. The new legislation transforms the requirements around treating people with mental illness."

$2m in grants to reduce waste going to landfill
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"More than $2 million in State Government funding is available for infrastructure projects that recover materials for reprocessing and reduce waste going to landfill. Environment and Conservation Minister, Gail Gago said applications were now being called for the Regional Implementation Program, the Metropolitan Reuse and Recycling Infrastructure Program and the Social Enterprise Program."

Scholarships to boost Government school teacher numbers
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The State Government has today unveiled a multi-million dollar initiative to offer lucrative scholarships to more than 1,300 university students and existing teachers. Under the scheme, individual students signing up to a Government teaching career for at least four years could receive $60,000. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the scheme, worth more than $19million, would secure teaching graduates for regional postings and for the key shortage areas of maths, science, design and technology and home economics."

Kids benefit from $1.64million funding for injury prevention
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Communities. Media Release
"Western Australian children will benefit from a State Government commitment of $1.64million to fund child safety and injury prevention programs until 2010. Each year around 50 Western Australian children die, 8,000 are admitted to hospital and more than 25,000 young people aged 14 years and younger present to a metropolitan emergency department as a result of an injury."

Top End Secret 2: Orestruck
Source. Northern Territory. Minister for Mines and Energy. Media Release.
"The Northern Territory’s huge mineral and energy potential is set to be further realised in the form of a multi-million dollar Northern Territory Government initiative. Northern Territory Mines and Energy Minister Chris Natt unveiled Top End Secret 2: Orestruck, to assist Australian and international companies tap into one of Australia’s last great exploration frontiers. Mr Natt said as part of Top End Secret 2: Orestruck, the Northern Territory Government has committed $12 million over the next four years to assist explorers to make the next major energy or mineral discovery in the Territory."

Australia to join with United States in defence global satellite communications capability
Source. Australia. Minister for Defence. Media Release.
"Australian Government will enter into a $927 million partnership with the United States to access a world-leading communications capability provided by the new Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) constellation. Under our partnership arrangement, Australia will fund one satellite plus associated ground infrastructure to extend the constellation to six satellites and the US will fund the remaining five. This new partnership will further strengthen the Australia-US alliance. It will enhance the close ties and high level of cooperation that already exists between Australian and US defence force personnel. "

World-leading computer program to protect critical infrastructure
Source. Australia. The Attorney-General. Media Release.
"Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said a computer program to better prepare Australian businesses and communities for natural or manmade disasters is now ‘open for business’.
The world-leading Critical Infrastructure Protection Modelling and Analysis (CIPMA) program identifies any areas of vulnerability within our critical infrastructure and gauges the flow-on effects if one part of it is compromised. ‘The CIPMA capability is a unique collaboration between government and industry, and is initially concentrating on four sectors: communications, energy, water, and banking and finance,’ Mr Ruddock said. Today’s announcement means that these sectors can now ‘task’ the program to examine a scenario or potential disaster, and advise on the flow-on effects across the sectors."

Australia's new Citizenship Test commences today
Source. Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media release.
"From today persons wishing to become Australian citizens will need to successfully pass Australia's new Citizenship Test. The computer-based test comprises 20 multiple choice questions drawn from information in the Citizenship Test Resource Book, Becoming an Australian Citizen."

Establishment of a Third Newcastle Coal Loading Terminal
Source. Australia. The Treasurer. Media Release.
"Today the Australian Government approved, under the Australian Government’s foreign investment policy, the establishment of a major new coal terminal for the Port of Newcastle.
The new coal terminal and shiploading facilities to be built near Kooragang, will include new rail infrastructure, stockyards and a deepening of the Hunter River. The consortium building the terminal facilities – the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) – has estimated the project will create up to 1,000 extra jobs in the Hunter, boosting coal exports by $1 billion and generating up to 5,000 jobs across New South Wales. "

$165 million for Drug Diversion Initiative
Source. Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release.
"New funding of more than $165 million would ensure that the National Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (IDDI) continued until 2010-11. Today’s funding announcement reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring people with drug problems are given every opportunity to get help."

Australia Pledges Support to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Source. Australia. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Media Release
"Australia has made a major new commitment to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the Asia-Pacific region, and to assist sufferers of the diseases. Australia's new pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a specific allocation under the government's existing $1 billion commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS, and will be funded from the future increases in overseas aid announced in the 2007-08 budget."

$300 million to strengthen Australia's innovation system
Source. Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media release.
"Innovation and research received a major boost when the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced that 878 new projects would receive more than $300 million over the next five years under the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Projects scheme. Minister Bishop said the projects would include collaborations with researchers in 75 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, France, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Russia."

Australian Government Strengthens Drought Support
Source. Australia. The Prime Minister. Media release.
"The Australian Government will provide a further $714 million in drought assistance measures to support farmers through the worst drought in our nation's history. Today's funding is in addition to the $430 million announced last week to extend the 38 areas of agricultural production currently receiving Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance until September 2008. These new measures will make it easier for farmers and small business to access EC assistance, provide direct grants to irrigators and help with social pressures facing farming families across rural and regional Australia."