Australia's First Indigenous Governance Diploma
Source: Victoria. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release
"Australia’s first diploma to help build stronger Indigenous organisations and support emerging Aboriginal leaders will be launched in Melbourne tonight by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Richard Wynne. Mr Wynne welcomed students from the Torres Strait Islands, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria to the first Indigenous Diploma in Business (Governance) course in Australia, which is being offered through Swinburne University. The program is the result of a partnership between the Brumby Government and the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (ORATSIC). Swinburne University and Horizons Education and Development have developed the course and training materials. "

Mining Industry Partnership Set to Boost Investment
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Victoria’s $5 billion earth industries sector is set to receive a boost thanks to a new $2.5 million Brumby Government initiative to support increased investment and employment in mining, Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor said. Through the Rediscover Victoria Drilling Project the Brumby Government will work with industry on a strategic drilling program to explore parts of the state where little exploration has occurred,” Mr Batchelor said.“The Brumby Government will provide up to $2.5 million over four years to assist industry with exploration drilling for a range of resources, which will help accelerate the chances of successful discovery."

Helping Kids Stay on Track in Northern Suburbs
Source: Victoria. Minister for Mental Health. Media Release
"An innovative Brumby Government program to be rolled out in schools in Melbourne’s north will help kids to stay on track, Minister for Mental Health Lisa Neville has announced. Ms Neville launched the Austin Health CAMHS & Schools Early Action (CASEA) program at Burbank Primary School in Reservoir. This program is a practical demonstration of the Brumby Government’s commitment to developing the mental health service system and, in particular, to supporting children and families. Difficult behaviours in primary aged children are fairly common and often developmentally normal. Unfortunately for some children these behaviours can interfere with their academic, social and emotional development and they may also be at risk of developing more serious conduct disorders."

Defence Support Industry Development Strategy Launched
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Defence Support. Media Release.
"Northern Territory Minister for Defence Support, Kon Vatskalis, released the Defence Support Industry Development Strategy 2007-2017. Mr Vatskalis said the strategy has been developed through a significant consultative process with Defence and industry representatives locally and interstate. Mr Vatskalis said the Strategy responds well to national policy and operational priorities such as the Defence Capability Plan and the Defence Industry Policy Statement."

Evaluation of the ACT Mental Health Strategy & Action Plan 2003 2008
Source: ACT. Department of Health. Media Release.
"The ACT Mental Health Strategy & Action Plan 2003-2008 is the guiding document for mental health service development and delivery in the ACT. ACT Health has initiated an evaluation process to review the objectives and process of the Plan. This information will inform future planning including the development of the new Mental Health Services Plan. An outcome evaluation will be completed closer to the end of the Strategy in 2008."

Innovative projects help students stay at school longer
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release.
"Six Tasmanian high schools and colleges have received grants worth more than $40,000 for innovative projects designed to help students further their education and training.
The Minister for Education, David Bartlett, said that the recipients received the funding under the Innovative Transition Grants program - a key initiative of the Southern Tasmanian Area Taskforce which has been officially launched. “The Area Taskforce, which began operating this year under the auspices of the Southern Tasmania Council Authority, supports regional stakeholders in helping young people to make a smooth transition from school to further education, training or work."

Laws Now In Place To Stop Hoons And Drink Spikers
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Police and Emergency Management. Media Release.
"Key amendments that will see drink spiking become an offence, longer terms for vehicle confiscation for hoons, and laws surrounding pornography expanded, will take effect.
Drinking alcohol in certain public places will also be banned during specific hours.
Minister for Police and Emergency Management, David Llewellyn, said the recent amendments were made to the Police Offences Act 1935, Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2005, Forensic Procedures Act 2000 and Motor Accidents (Liabilities and Compensation) Act 1973."

Agreement Reached on New Nursing EBA
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release.
"The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, announced that the Government had reached agreement with the ANF and HACSU over a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for Tasmania’s public sector nurses. Ms Giddings said she was pleased that conciliation talks this week had resulted in a three-year agreement which would provide better pay, an increase in staffing, and a review to develop a new workload model."

Forum Welcomes New Tasmanians
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Community Development. Media Release.
"More than 170 Tasmanians who came to the State as humanitarian entrants attended a forum in Hobart aimed at identifying issues and developing strategies to assist migrant resettlement.
The Minister for Community Development, Michelle O’Byrne, welcomed members of Tasmania’s African community at the Strengthening Families In A New Country Forum, saying Tasmanians understood the difficulties migrants faced when settling into a new country."

New support services for young people with a disability
Source: NSW. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.Media Release.
" The Iemma Government will deliver new and improved services for young people with a disability living in a residential aged care facility.
Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally said an open tender process is being held to identify community organisations to provide specialist disability support services to younger people while they remain in residential aged care facilities.
“These new In-Reach Packages are part of the Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) Program and will provide increased access to services such as day programs, activities and therapy services,” Ms Keneally said."

NSW Innovation Council Announced
Source: NSW.Department of State and Regional Development.Media Release.
"Deputy Premier John Watkins announced the appointment of 10 business and government leaders to the council, which will advise the Government on initiatives to foster innovation-led growth.
"This council will advise the Government on world-leading policies and strategies to build the innovative capacity of the private sector," Mr Watkins said.
"The council includes respected leaders in business and government with expertise in the industry sectors most important to the State’s economic future."
The Innovation Council was one of the promises Premier Morris Iemma made when he released the NSW Government’s Statement on Innovation.
The council will help implement one of the key priorities of the NSW State Plan - to increase investment and build stronger rural and regional economies."

Historic education legislation passed
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education & Children's Services. Media Release.
"All young South Australians will be required by law to be in school, training or full-time work until they turn 17 from 2009, following the passage of historic legislation in State Parliament last night.
Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says South Australia’s new requirement for young people to be ‘learning or earning’ is a major boost for the State’s skills prospects.
“At a time of record high jobs in this State and with even more jobs on the horizon, we cannot afford to have our young people out of school, out of work and out of training."

Navigate with knowledge
Source: South Australia. Minister for Transport. Media Release.
"Boaters can now navigate the River Murray and Lakes with greater safety following the implementation of new interactive web maps.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said the web maps, developed by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI), are an innovative tool for boaters to use prior to undertaking river activities.
“With continuing low-river flows, various objects are presenting a hazard to navigation so boaters need to take care and be aware of hazards before going on the water,” he said."

Parents urged to ‘play by the rules’
Source: South Australia. Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Media Release.
"The Rann Government has launched a new initiative to raise awareness about unlawful and inappropriate behaviour in sport.
Two community service announcements and a special South Australian referral guide have been unveiled to encourage parents to ‘Play By The Rules’.
Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright says inappropriate parent and spectator behaviour at sport can be a big problem, particularly in junior sport.
“Play By The Rules is an important tool in getting parents and spectators to do the right thing. The key message is ‘Relax, sport should be fun’,” he said."

Marine Parks Bill passes Parliament
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release.
"A series of 19 world-class marine parks are approaching reality for South Australia following passage of the Rann Government’s Marine Parks Bill 2007 through Parliament overnight.
Minister for Environment and Conservation Gail Gago says “This is a big step toward securing our precious marine environment while also retaining certainty and security for user groups, such as fishers and tourism operators who contribute to the SA economy and individuals who use the environment for recreational purposes.”
“Each of the 19 parks will be zoned for multiple-use to protect marine and estuarine systems while also allowing for ecologically sustainable use of suitable areas.
“Many South Australians are relieved to realise that activities such as recreational and commercial fishing, aquaculture, tourism operations, boating and diving will still be allowed within South Australia’s marine parks."

Rann Government bans tobacco in unattended vending machines
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mental Health & Substance Abuse. Media Release.
"Smokers will be prevented from buying tobacco products from unattended vending machines from 1 June next year.
Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Gail Gago says the legislative changes, just approved by Parliament, mean tobacco products can only be sold in vending machines that are staff operated or controlled by a token system available over a counter so that staff can verify the age of the purchaser.
The changes also prevent tobacco product purchases from attracting points through customer loyalty and reward schemes, such as supermarket ‘Fly Buys’ and petrol discount vouchers."

SA’s tourism industry tackling climate change
Source: South Australia. Minister for Tourism. Media Release.
"A new program to reduce the tourism industry’s carbon footprint will be trialled first in South Australia, it was announced today.
Ecotourism Australia’s new Climate Change Certification program will allow the travelling public to identify South Australian accommodation and tour operators who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions.
The South Australian Tourism Commission, together with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Protection Authority, is helping to fund this new, Australian-first certification program, which will be trialled in South Australia and Queensland in early 2008."

Housing SA and HomeStart lead the way in finding homes for low income earners and our most vulnerable
Source: South Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release.
"Low-income earners and vulnerable South Australians are being assisted into homes through successful State Government initiatives that have reached a number of milestones over the past financial year.
Housing Minister Jay Weatherill says despite declining Commonwealth support of public housing and the Howard Government’s lack of attention to housing affordability, significant achievements were being made locally in helping homebuyers, locating private rental accommodation and public housing."

Bill targeting repeat offenders passes Parliament
Source: South Australia. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release
"A Bill targeting repeat offenders on our roads has been passed in both houses of State Parliament.
The Motor Vehicles (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2007 is aimed at improving the operation and administration of the Motor Vehicles Act 1959.
The Bill closes a number of loopholes that allow drivers to avoid a licence sanction or a condition placed on their licence.
“Most importantly this Bill improves the way in which licence disqualification notices are issued – people will no longer be able to avoid the law, by claiming they didn’t receive the disqualification notice in the post,” says Minister Zollo. "

South Australia continues to lead in war on bikie gangs
Source: South Australia. Minister for Police. Media Release.
"Minister for Police Paul Holloway today welcomed the final report by the Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang National Working Group and its recommendations for coordination between jurisdictions on communication, intelligence, legislation and investigation. The report makes recommendations for jurisdictions to endorse minimum standards of legislation, and for jurisdictions to consider legislation that targets the ‘organisation’ of outlaw motorcycle gangs across all its levels of criminality.
The ability of agencies across Australia to communicate and exchange information across borders is critical to good coordination. This report recommends the implementation of a three-tiered communication and management framework.
Police Ministers agreed each jurisdiction should review its legislation pertaining to the disruption and dismantling of bikie gangs and serious and organised crime and consider enacting complimentary and harmonised legislation to achieve this outcome."

Teaching scholarships prove popular with university students
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"University students are jumping at the chance to secure teaching careers in public schools, thanks to the Carpenter Government’s recently announced $19million scholarships program.
The program is an innovative longer-term solution to secure teachers for regional schools and for specialty learning areas experiencing shortages. It is expected that more than 1,300 scholarships will be awarded over five years.
For the first round of the program, 184 applications had been received from students. The Minister said a further 44 applications had been received from existing teachers for scholarships to re-train in specialty subject areas and from industry professionals for scholarships to study to become teachers.
Depending on the type and length of the course, successful applicants would receive generous scholarships worth up to $60,000. The scholarship recipients will be signed up for teaching careers in public schools.

New environmentally friendly taxis are now green and more easily seen
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Statement
"The streets of Perth are turning green with the launch of the Western Australia’s distinctive ‘green’ taxi fleet. Patrons would be able to spot the environmentally friendly vehicles on city streets, through their markings and the slogan - ‘Give the Planet a Fare Go’.
Earlier this year it was announced that a $15,000 grant and a 20 per cent reduction in the lease rate would be available for up to 15 full-time taxis which met the fuel efficiency and emission standards of petrol-electric hybrid cars. This initiative will show whether five-star vehicles can operate viably as taxis in Perth."

Federal Labor To Boost The Aged Care Workforce
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor announced a plan to boost the number of qualified nurses and personal care workers in aged care services. Federal Labor will invest $6.6 million over five years to encourage 1,000 qualified nurses who have been out of the health workforce for more than 12 months to work into the aged care sector."

Innovation Future for Australian Industry
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Innovation is a key driver of productivity and economic growth, particularly for advanced
economies such as Australia. Innovation drives the creation of new businesses and sectors
and revitalises existing industries. Problem solving, creative ideas and new technologies are also vital to meeting the social and environmental challenges we face as a nation – from population ageing to climate change.

A key initiative is Federal Labor’s $200 million Enterprise Connect network, aimed at
connecting businesses to new ideas and new technologies.
This will include a national network of Manufacturing Centres, a Clean Energy Innovation
Centre, a Creative Industries Innovation Centre and a Remote Enterprise Centre."

Labor's National Plan To Tackle The Water Crisis
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will invest an additional $1.5 billion in water reforms and will bring forward $400 million under the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security to fast-track improvements in water efficiency, significantly invest in key water infrastructure projects and address over-allocation. "

Welcome to secureNSW
Source: NSW. PoliceForce. Web Site
"The Premier releases secureNSW a new counter terrorism website for NSW."

Making Government more inclusive of youth perspective
Source: South Australia. Minister for Youth. Media Release
"The South Australian Government will undertake statewide consultations with young people to feed their views into Government decision-making and achieving the State’s Strategic Plan goals. Youth Minister Paul Caica says the consultations, which have commenced in the State’s South East, are being undertaken by the Office for Youth over the next 12 months.“This is a new approach to making Government policy decisions more inclusive of young people and is part of our wider government reform agenda,” he said. "

Resources infrastructure taskforce to pave road to riches
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Media Release
"A high level taskforce has been set up to ensure South Australia capitalises on a resource sector that is moving rapidly from exploration to extraction. Minister for Mineral Resources Development Paul Holloway said the new Resources and Energy Sectors Infrastructure Council (RESIC) has been established to plan and develop viable, fit-for-purpose infrastructure to support mining operations in South Australia. A focussed group of senior resource sector executives and public servants, this group will identify the issues and plan the way forward in what is an absolutely crucial sector for SA, Mr Holloway says."

Regional project fund tackles key growth areas
Source: South Australia. Minister for Regional Development. Media Release
"Minister for Regional Development Karlene Maywald announced funding for eight projects to support long-term sustainability and growth of regional economies. The $650,000 Regional Project Fund was established to provide a more strategic approach to investment of State Government funds through South Australia’s regional development boards. Projects supported through the fund will tackle issues such as drought and water security, strategic regional infrastructure, regional sustainability, skills development for mining, construction and engineering, and land supply.”

Classroom Technology Revolutionised for Students
Source: Victoria. Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Media Release
"An education revolution is on the mind of technology teachers over the next three days, as the use of iPods and digital video use across the school curriculum is debated at this year’s annual Victorian IT Teachers Association (VITTA) conference in Flemington. The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous, said the Brumby Government was keen to keep Victoria ahead of the game by exploring how today’s generation of ‘digital natives’ will keep pace with the technological revolution around them.“Schools are being kept at the cutting edge of ICT and it’s by working with agencies such as VITTA that we are ensuring our young people are literate in the high-tech skills businesses need,” Mr Theophanous said."

Brumby Government Introduces FOI Reforms
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Freedom of Information applications will be free to lodge under reforms introduced in State Parliament today by the Brumby Government to make access to Government information easier. Premier John Brumby said the changes would dramatically increase the information freely provided on the internet about Government functions."

Supermarkets Opt for Suspension of Liquor Licences
Source: NT. Minister for Alcohol Policy. Media Release.
"The Alcohol Policy Minister Chris Burns has welcomed a Liquor Commission decision allowing two Darwin suburban supermarkets to voluntarily suspend their liquor licences. The voluntary suspensions follow recent amendments to the Liquor Act that prevent supermarkets from operating both a book-up service and a takeaway liquor licence at the same time. The long-term suspensions are in response to recent amendments to the NT Liquor Act. The amendments restrict premises with takeaway liquor licences from retaining debit or credit cards of customers for the use of “book-up”."

Offenders to Pay for Victims’ Services
Source: ACT. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Attorney General, Simon Corbell, introduced the Victims of Crime Amendment Bill 2007 into the ACT Legislative Assembly. “The Bill introduces a $10 levy on all offences where a court fine is imposed. The revenue raised via this levy will fund improved services for victims of crime in the ACT,” Mr Corbell said. Corresponding to this levy, the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) will also increase all traffic infringement penalty amounts by $10. Neither amount will apply to parking offences. The revenue from these new measures will be used specifically to fund enhanced services for victims of crime. "

Government Investigates Possible Scheme to Redistribute Poker Machines
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The Government is investigating how surplus or unwanted gaming machines can be redistributed between clubs, to lessen the pressure for an overall increase in machine numbers as Canberra expands geographically and a demand for new clubs emerges. “I want to spread the number of available machines more equitably, without generating pressure to increase the overall number of machines,” Mr Stanhope said."

$14.1M Committed to Indigenous Health and Education
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The ACT Government has committed $14.1 million over the next four years towards Indigenous health and education initiatives, Chief Minister and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jon Stanhope said in the Legislative Assembly. “The ACT Labor Government is committed to improving Indigenous disadvantage in the areas of health and education,” Mr Stanhope said. That’s why the ACT Government will be providing $10.8 million over four years to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific alcohol and drug rehabilitation service."

Nurse Practitioners
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
" The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, has announced the go ahead for employment of Tasmania’s first Nurse Practitioners in the early part of the year.
The House of Assembly passed legislation to enable Nurse Practitioners to prescribe medication in their area of clinical expertise. Ms Giddings said Tasmania’s first Nurse Practitioners would be employed to offer extended clinical services in mental health. "

Better support for Carers
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce important measures to assist the thousands of Australians who provide care for older people and people with disabilities. The Coalition recognises that carers shoulder a heavy burden, both financially and emotionally, in their caring role and the care that they provide means that older Australians and those with disabilities can remain in their homes and in their community. We also recognise that carers need a break with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the person they care for is being looked after by qualified and skilled staff in either their own home or a respite centre. "

Helping families provide more educational opportunities for their children
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
" am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will introduce a new refundable tax rebate for education expenses, including school fees and voluntary contributions and levies, for students from preschool until the end of secondary school. This will help Australian parents to increase education opportunities and invest in their children’s future. The rebate for secondary school will be up to $800 annually for each student. The rebate for primary and preschool (kindergarten in some states) will be up to $400 annually for each child.

Savings for the future
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce a comprehensive plan to make home ownership more affordable for young Australians by boosting their capacity to save for a home and by increasing the supply of affordable land. A re-elected Coalition Government will introduce Tax Free Home Saver Accounts from the 2008-09 financial year to provide a simple, tax effective way to help Australians to save for their first home. Contributions up to $1,000 a year to the accounts will be tax deductible. The contribution limits will be indexed each year. All interest and earnings from the accounts will be tax free. "

$128 million for ICT in Australian Schools
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"Australian schools have been able to apply for computer and technology equipment through the Howard Government’s $1.2 billion Investing in Our Schools Programme. To date, almost $130 million has been provided to schools who have listed computers as a priority for their school. "

The Coalition's plan for better Public Hospitals and Health Care
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce the Coalition’s plan to take the pressure off public hospitals and to provide better health care for all Australians. Australia has an excellent health system by international standards. Our plan includes the restoration of local hospital boards to make decisions about local hospitals; more Australian-trained doctors, nurses and specialists; more alternatives to help take the pressure off public hospitals and more public hospital beds. Local hospital management and more accountability. A re-elected Coalition Government will give local communities control of their local hospitals by requiring that the States and Territories restore local hospital boards for every public hospital with more than 50 beds. "

Tough on Drugs
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am announcing that a re-elected Coalition Government will introduce new laws to prevent welfare payments being used to buy illicit drugs by quarantining and managing 100 per cent of such benefits to people convicted of criminal drug offences. This will ensure that 6,000 people convicted of offences involving hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines cannot spend taxpayers’ money on illicit drugs, cigarettes and alcohol while still being able to pay the bills and buy food and other essentials."

Federal Labor's Clean Energy Plan To Help Tackle Climate Change
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will implement a Clean Energy Plan to help Australian consumers and Australian businesses work together to tackle climate change. Federal Labor’s Clean Energy Plan will help ensure all Australians reap the benefits of the latest clean energy supplies and energy saving technologies. Expanding the cost effectiveness of clean energy will be critical to meet Federal Labor’s science based target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. "

Federal Labor's Education Revolution - A School Computer For Every Student In Years 9-12
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will invest $1 billion over four years to turn every secondary school in Australia into a digital school. Federal Labor’s National Secondary School Computer Fund will allow every Australian student in years 9-12 to have access to their own school computer.
Under Federal Labor’s plan, every secondary school in Australia, Government, Catholic and Independent will be equipped with the education tools of the 21st Century to teach the lessons of tomorrow. "

Labor's Plan for Early Childhood
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor has set out an ambitious and comprehensive plan to address this deficit and provide a stronger platform for our children. Federal Labor will provide national leadership to improve the quality of early childhood services in Australia. "

Labor Support For Allied Health In Rural Areas
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
" Rudd Labor Government will provide $2.5 million over three years for the establishment of an Australian Allied Health Rural and Remote Clinical Placement Scholarship Plan. This plan will provide a much-needed boost to the allied health care workforce in rural Australia."

Prevention And Protection: Federal Labor's National Plan To Reduce Violence Against Women And Children
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will implement a National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children to better protect women and children from domestic violence and sexual assault.
This plan builds on Federal Labor’s recent commitment to invest $150 million over five years to build 600 additional houses to accommodate people who are homeless, particularly women and children – many of them escaping domestic violence."

Federal Labor's Commitment To Lift School Standards
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will focus on achieving higher standards, greater accountability and better results from our school system. Federal Labor is determined to lift the standard of every one of our 9,217 schools. Federal Labor will pursue improvements to our school performance that benefit the more than 1.4 million secondary students and almost 2 million primary school students. These reforms are aimed at lifting school retention rates from 75 to 90 per cent by 2020."

Extra Nurses And Specialists For Rural And Regional Areas
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor announced a plan to boost the number of registered nurses and specialists providing outreach services in rural and regional Australia. Under the Rural and Regional Nurses and Specialists Plan:
at least 400 of the additional 1,000 nursing places Labor will offer each year under our $81 million nursing plan will be dedicated to universities offering clinical experience in regional and rural hospitals
an additional $9 million over three years will be provided to support medical specialists delivering outreach services to rural and remote communities."

New research to tackle diabesity
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"Revolutionary research into the early diagnosis and treatment of diabesity is taking place at a new Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine, which was officially launched by Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan. The centre is part of the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) and was established through a three-year State Government investment of $4.5million. "

WA’s ‘throwaway society’ urged to clean up its act
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"Western Australians are being urged to combat climate change by recycling, and thinking twice before buying throwaway items to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill. Environment and Climate Change Minister David Templeman said that the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) Bill would provide a number of important new measures to help improve recycling in WA and promote the shift towards a waste-free society."

New strategy to help retain key public sector workers
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter announced a new scheme aimed at retaining experienced public sector employees. The transition to retirement initiative will encourage individuals aged 55 years and over to remain in the public sector workforce by providing access to superannuation entitlements, while continuing to work full time or changing to more flexible working hours."

State acts to retain experienced teachers close to retirement
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Innovative changes to public sector superannuation have the potential to benefit up to 6,000 teachers over the next five years, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said. Mr McGowan said the changes, which would kick in from January 2008, would allow teachers aged over 55 to access their superannuation while still working. Under the changes, teachers aged over 55 will be able to:
continue working full-time while accessing their superannuation;
opt for part-time or casual work while supplementing their income with superannuation; and
salary package their entire salary and draw on as much superannuation as desired."

New Family Emergency Medical Centres
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will establish 50 Family Emergency Medical Centres run by local General Practitioners and nurses to provide more family-friendly medical care after-hours. Family Emergency Medical Centres will provide a comprehensive after-hours service offering a more family-friendly alternative to public hospital emergency departments. This is especially important on weekends when sporting injuries occur and at nights when children tend to fall ill. "

A Place To Call Home - Federal Labor's Plan To Build More Homes For Homeless Australians
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release

Making Ends Meet - Federal Labor's Plan For Older Australians, People With Disabilities And Carers
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will offer increased financial support to older Australians, people with disabilities and carers to help make ends meet. Federal Labor’s plan - Making Ends Meet - will help around three million eligible Australians, including pensioners and self-funded retirees."

Federal Labor's Low Tax First Home Saver Accounts - Larger Deposits And Higher National Savings
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
" Rudd Labor Government will help aspiring first home buyers save a larger deposit by establishing new, low tax, First Home Saver Accounts. Over the first three years Federal Labor’s First Home Saver Accounts will help around half a million first home buyers save a bigger deposit by establishing superannuation-style low tax savings accounts.Federal Labor’s First Home Saver Accounts will help boost national savings, with the accounts anticipated to hold around $3.5 billion in savings after three years. "

Training To Help Reduce Smoking in Communities
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Families and Community Services. Media Release
"The first of three targeted courses aimed at reducing smoking in Indigenous communities starts in Darwin, Family and Community Services Minister Marion Scrymgour announced.
“More than 27% of all adults in the Northern Territory smoke, which is over 10% higher than the national average,” Ms Scrymgour said.
“However in our Indigenous communities the rate of smoking is on average 55% - this is simply not good enough and the NT Government is committed to investing in strategies to help address this unacceptable rate."

Legislation Introduced for Drug and Alcohol Testing of Police
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Police, Bob Cameron introduced legislation paving the way for a drug and alcohol-testing regime for police. The Police Regulation Amendment Bill 2007 provides legislative power for the Chief Commissioner of Police to direct Victoria Police members to undergo drug and alcohol testing. Mr Cameron said the vast majority of police carried out their job with expertise and integrity but some police members, as in the broader community, suffer from drug or alcohol dependencies."

Public Housing to Lead the Way in Cutting-edge Design
Source: Victoria. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"Public housing tenants in Footscray and Dandenong will benefit from the work of Victoria’s finest architects through a new competition, Housing Minister Richard Wynne announced. Mr Wynne joined local tenants and representatives of the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) to announce two new exciting competitions for architects across Victoria. The Brumby Government is leading the rest of Australia when it comes to providing innovative approaches to affordable housing and these competitions are an important part of this process.”

Victorian Government Getting Greener
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Victorian Government is leading by example with government departments reducing water consumption by 17 per cent, greenhouse gas emissions by 13 per cent and waste production by 13 per cent over the past 12 months. Mr Jennings said the government’s overall environmental performance had been assessed based on data published in departmental annual reports, tabled on October 31 2007."

World's First 360 Degree Feedback Progam for Judicial Officers
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"Victoria’s judges are taking part in the world’s first 360-degree feedback program for judicial officers, Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls said after the tabling of the Judicial College’s annual report in Parliament this week. The Judicial College of Victoria’s 360-degree feedback program has proved so popular that other jurisdictions, from neighbouring states to the Commonwealth and the UK, are now considering developing similar programs,” Mr Hulls said."

Franchising industry inquiry
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk announced the start of an inquiry into the operation of franchise businesses in Western Australia, one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy. The inquiry would invite written public submissions, with public hearings scheduled for metropolitan and regional areas over the coming months."

Teacher pay deal biggest in State’s history
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Western Australia’s Government school teachers are set to become the highest paid in the nation after the Carpenter Government offered a multi-million dollar pay deal to its 22,000 strong teaching workforce. Education Minister Mark McGowan said a special deal - the biggest in the State’s history - was necessary because of the teacher shortage and the ageing of the workforce."

Major changes to Western Australia’s homicide laws
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The charges of wilful murder and murder would be consolidated into one charge and sentencing options expanded as part of a major overhaul of the State’s homicide laws proposed by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia. Attorney General Jim McGinty said the plan to consolidate wilful murder and murder into one offence was part of 45 recommendations made by the commission after a two-and-a-half year review of homicide laws."

Australian Democrats Election Platform
Source: Australian Democrat. Policy Statements
"2007 Election platform for the Democrats"

Greens Policies
Source: The Greens. Policy Documents
"Attached are the policies the Greens have released for the 2007 Election."

More Australian trained Doctors and Nurses
Source: Liberal Party. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce two new plans, the first to provide more Australian trained doctors, nurses and medical specialists and the second to provide, for the first time new home visits to older Australians and Veterans by nurses working in GP surgeries.
Under the Coalition’s comprehensive plan to strengthen Australia’s health workforce the number of university medical graduates will more than double from 1,300 in 2004 to almost 3,000 graduates by 2012. "

Federal Labor To Tackle Waiting Lists For Patients And Demand Tougher Accountability On Elective Surgery
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will introduce a new national public hospital report card system – covering elective surgery waiting times – as part of its $600 million investment to tackle elective surgery waiting lists. Federal Labor will invest an additional $600 million – over four years – to dramatically reduce waiting times for elective surgery such as hip and knee replacements in Australia’s public hospitals. "