Government focuses on alcohol initiatives
Source: NT. Minister for Health. Media Release
"The Northern Territory Government is continuing the fight against alcohol abuse and misuse with the passing of two pieces of legislation. The Liquor Legislation Amendment Act provides for the establishment of an electronic photo ID system for the purchase of alcohol in Alice Springs and the Katherine region. The electronic ID system is aimed at reducing excessive and harmful consumption of alcohol, the Alcohol Policy Minister Chris Burns said. Under the new legislation licensees will be required to scan all customers’ photo ID before any takeaway alcohol sale.
The system will identify:
those with a prohibition or alcohol intervention order in place
those whose court-imposed bail conditions prohibit alcohol consumption
those with court-imposed domestic violence orders against them prohibiting alcohol consumption"

ACT Homelessness Charter launched
Source: ACT. Minister for Disability and Community Services
"Minister for Disability and Community Services Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA has launched the ACT Homelessness Charter to increase community, government and service recognition of the rights of Canberrans who are experiencing homelessness. Representatives of the homelessness services sector also launched the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Service Guarantee. Ms Gallagher said the ACT Homelessness Charter focused broad principles while the Service Guarantee set out what people can expect from homelessness service providers and clearly defined the services and support available. The charter acknowledges that people who are experiencing homelessness have the same basic human rights afforded to the entire community, she said. It recognises that the right to inclusion, dignity, respect, non-discrimination, safety and freedom, are particularly important to people experiencing homelessness”.

Groundbreaking Approach Unveiled in New Supportive Housing Facility for Melbourne
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"A groundbreaking partnership between the Brumby Government and Melbourne company Grocon would see a $50 million supportive housing facility for long-term homeless people built in Melbourne. Premier John Brumby said the development, to be located at 660 Elizabeth St on the edge of the CBD, would provide a home for up to 120 people, with the support of health services, training and employment help on-site.“This Government is taking action to reduce disadvantage and we understand that for people who are chronically homeless, housing alone is not the answer,” Mr Brumby said.“They also need to be close to the right type of support services, and that is exactly what will be provided through this groundbreaking approach to supportive housing. Homeless people often have complex needs, poor health and possibly substance abuse problems which can result in little if any connection to the community or their family. By using a supportive housing model, residents here will be supported long-term, not be bouncing in and out of the emergency health system, the justice system and a range of social services without ever making real progress."

Affordable housing for needy families
Source: South Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"More disadvantaged families will have a roof over their heads this winter, thanks to a joint project between the State Government and Lutheran Community Care, which will provide eight homes north and south of the city. Housing Minister Jay Weatherill will launch the Calvary Housing Association, which aims to provide affordable housing for families on low to middle incomes. Mr Weatherill said the partnership has helped needy families into new homes. The families can now settle into their new homes knowing they have affordable rent, long term security and a supportive land lord who is committed to helping them move forward with their lives. This project is another step in the State Government’s commitment to providing affordable housing through partnerships with the private and non-government sectors."

Government Looks to Increase Competition Across the Economy with Changes to Foreign Investment Rules
Source: Australia. Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen MP, today announced that the Rudd Government will change the foreign investment policy to extend the timeframe for the development of vacant commercial land from 12 months to 5 years. “This change to the foreign investment policy is aimed at increasing competition in the economy,” Mr Bowen said. “The current time limit on foreign investors discourages new competitors from entering the market and prevents some existing competitors from expanding their business because they cannot secure forward purchases of land in growth areas and ‘Greenfields’ sites. “The change recognises the reality facing commercial land purchasers that 12 months is simply not enough time for completing all the statutory and commercial processes required to enable development to commence. “The Rudd Government believes that a 5 year limit strikes the right balance between encouraging competition while preventing foreign investors from land banking and speculating. This reform creates a more level playing field, and pulls down the barriers to entry to foster competition."

New System to Streamline Energy Reporting
Source: Australia. Minister for Resources and Energy. Media Release
"Company reporting on energy use will be easier under a new streamlined system, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, and Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, announced. Regulations governing the Federal Government's Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program will be amended from 1 July 2008 to enable participating companies to streamline energy use reporting with requirements under the new National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System. The EEO program is a key component of the Government’s push to improve energy use by Australia’s largest energy-using businesses. It requires companies using more than 0.5 petajoules of energy a year to undertake energy efficiency opportunity assessments and report publicly on the results of those assessments and measures planned to reduce energy use. The EEO program covers around 60 per cent of Australia’s total business energy use."

Taskforce to Drive the North's Economic Development
Source: Australia. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Media Release
"The Rudd Labor Government will transfer the $20 million Northern Land and Water Taskforce to the newly created Office of Northern Australia and broaden its terms of reference.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australian, Gary Gray, made the announcement during an address to the True North Conference in Darwin. I am delighted the Rudd Government has decided to place the Taskforce within the Office of Northern Australia and give it a broader sustainability focus," said Mr Gray. This move is an indication of just how serious the new Government is about attracting and encouraging development opportunities across the country's vast north that deliver social, environmental and economic benefits."

Foreign students gain automatic work rights in Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"International students will be eligible to work part-time in Australia automatically under new streamlined visa arrangements introduced this week, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said. Senator Evans said international students can work for up to 20 hours a week while their course is in session but previously had to apply separately for permission to work. Under the new processing arrangements which come into effect from 26 April, all student visas will be granted with work rights attached, removing the need for people to make a separate application, Senator Evans said. 'It means that international students can apply for part-time jobs in Australia as soon as their courses start."

More Health Services For Indigenous Families
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Government announced the first sites for its expansion of Indigenous child and maternal health services, as well as 30 new Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarships to help Indigenous health professionals studying child and maternal health. These initiatives form part of the Government’s $260 million Indigenous early childhood package. The Government will also deliver $18 million in immediate funding to six sites to help boost primary health care service delivery in areas where health services are lacking. By helping tackle disturbing trends in infant mortality, low birth weights and poor access to health care, these initiatives will play an important role in closing the 17-year life expectancy gap within a generation by giving Indigenous kids the best possible start in life. Investing in early childhood health is one of the best investments we can make in Australia’s future."

Rudd Government Acts to Strengthen Laws to Promote Fair Competition
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy. Media Release
"The Rudd Government announced a package of measures aimed at promoting competition and cracking down on anti-competitive behaviour by powerful businesses. The Government will move to further defend small business from predatory pricing and give it a permanent voice in the competition watchdog the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC), amongst other key reform to the Trade Practices Act 1974. Small business and consumers demand nothing less than an effective trade practices regime. Reforming the Trade Practices Act to bring it into the 21st century has been an article of faith for this Government."

Government announces Disability Investment Group
Source: Australia. Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services. Media Release
"The Australian Government has established a Disability Investment Group to explore innovative funding ideas from the private sector that will help people with disability and their families' access greater support and plan for the future. Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, said the group would encourage the private sector to play a greater role in the disability sector. "The Disability Investment Group will look closely at identifying and developing options for private investment in housing, education, employment, equipment and other support for people with disability," Mr Shorten said. There is a real role the private sector can play here, and it is the Disability Investment Group's job to find out what barriers are stopping private investment, and what can be done to remove them."

Helping Families Affected by Drug Abuse
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"Eighteen organisations across the country, working with families affected by substance abuse, will receive a $3 million boost over the next financial year as part of the National Illicit Drugs Strategy Strengthening Families program. Harmful drug use by one person within a family can have disastrous health and social consequences for other family members. Substance abuse can wreck lives and destroy families and has far reaching implications for the broader community. The personal cost to families from substance abuse can be devastating often resulting in mental health problems, domestic violence, chronic illness and social isolation. The Australian Government is increasing funding to support children affected by their parent's drug abuse, people trying to deal with a partner's drug abuse and adolescents who are abusing drugs and whose drug use is affecting their siblings. The funding will also help grandparents who find themselves raising grandchildren because the children's parents are abusing drugs."

Government Action to End Delays for Solar Rebate
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"The Rudd Government has taken action to end unacceptable delays experienced by homeowners seeking to access the Federal Government's $1,000 rebate for installing a solar hot
water service. Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, said that the system for processing rebate claims established by the previous government meant in some cases homeowners were waiting up to 26 weeks to be paid their solar rebate. The delays being experienced by home-owners under the previous government’s system are unacceptable and we have taken action to streamline and change the process so that eligible consumers can get their rebate money in their hands a lot quicker.”

Minister Invites Small Business Action on Climate Change
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"The Rudd Government has invited 500 small businesses to participate in a new climate change
initiative designed to provide greater information on private sector energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, said. “Tackling climate change requires gaining a better understanding of all the contributing factors, including energy use in each sector of our society,” Mr Garrett said. “The inaugural Small Business Climate Change Action Initiative will provide a detailed analysis on the behavioural use of energy in the small business sector.” Five hundred small businesses offering a range of different products and services across selected metropolitan and regional areas will undertake energy audits designed to provide the government with information that will shape future policy."

Indigenous program to ease Alice Springs skills shortages
Source: Australia. Minister for Workforce Participation. Media Release
"The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, launched a new training program designed to reduce skills shortages and boost Indigenous employment in Alice Springs.
The Australian Government has provided $80,000 through the Structured Employment and Training Projects (STEP) program to the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) project to train six Indigenous employees in its Technical Skills and Corporate Services areas.
Employees will use the training to qualify the Australian Quality Training Framework for qualified trainers and assessors, allowing them to assess the training needs of individuals and organisations, and to design appropriate accredited training programs for clients."

Boarding boost for Indigenous students
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
" The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has announced that $2 million of funding will be delivered to improve facilities at a boarding school in North Queensland. Mt St Bernard College will receive urgent funding assistance to replace and refurbish outdated boarding accommodation facilities under the Indigenous Boarding Infrastructure program. The college is a co-educational Catholic secondary school that provides boarding accommodation for girls, and is made up of mostly Indigenous students from remote communities. "

New fund to strengthen higher education
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, invited universities to apply for the first round of funding under the new Diversity and Structural Adjustment Fund. This fund promotes greater specialisation among providers, better responsiveness to labour markets and diversification in the higher education sector. The Australian Government has allocated $206 million to encourage greater diversity in the higher education sector by encouraging universities to develop strategies to support their unique missions and areas of strength."

Aboriginal communities get connected
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"Superior broadband services, a new training centre and better emergency response equipment are making life a lot easier in remote Aboriginal communities in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan announced that the provision of high-speed broadband and improved telecommunications in six remote communities was now completed. Mr Logan announced that the second stage of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Telecommunications project would see another six communities connected."

Independent Review of Family Violence Sentences
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"The Sentencing Advisory Council will review sentences handed down by Victorian courts for breaches of family violence intervention orders, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. “The State Government is committed to improving the way the justice system responds to family violence,” Mr Hulls said.“As the Government prepares to introduce a new Family Violence Act, it is timely for the Sentencing Advisory Council to review sentences handed down for these breaches.” The review was recommended by the Victorian Law Reform Commission in its report on family violence laws. The Sentencing Advisory Council will also examine the appropriate maximum penalty for a breach of an intervention order. The Government is introducing a new Family Violence Act to better protect victims of family violence and hold perpetrators to account for their actions. The legislation will be introduced into Parliament later this year."

Easier Access to School Activities for Foster Children
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will make it easier for children in foster care to have access to everyday school activities, under changes announced by Community Services Minister Lisa Neville. Opening Anglicare Victoria’s annual staff conference, Ms Neville said new permissions guidelines would allow foster carers to sign permission forms for school excursions or similar activities without Departmental approval. “It is a common sense approach that will help to ensure children and young people in care get the chance to participate in age-appropriate activities with their peers,” Ms Neville said. Creating a home-like environment for children in foster care is extremely important, and this change will help do that."

Reference Council to Focus on Climate Change
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has established Australia’s first Ministerial Reference Council that specifically deals with climate change adaptation. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the council, which meets for the first time next week (Thursday, 24 April) will advise the Government on the best way to manage the challenges of adapting to climate change in Victoria. “The Brumby Government is ready to take action meet the challenges faced particularly by our regional communities posed by climate change. We won’t let these regions be left behind as we address these important issues facing Victorians,” Mr Jennings said.“The council’s role will include advising the Government on how Victoria can adapt to climate change across all sectors and regions, identifying research priorities and creative solutions. Victoria is a national leader in climate change policy and the council will focus on building the capacity of our communities to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change."

New Plan Aims to Cut Red Tape and Net Green Rewards
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has released a discussion paper seeking feedback on a new regulatory approach which aims to protect the environment as well as cutting red tape for business. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the discussion paper seeks community feedback on proposed environmental offset approaches that will deliver ‘net’ environmental gains.“The Brumby Government is taking action to fight climate change,” Mr Jennings said. “Environmental offsets are about identifying opportunities where governments can work with industry to achieve better environmental outcomes at less cost.“For example, a company can offset a discharge of suspended solids to a river by revegetating and stabilising river banks to prevent erosion and reduce the amount of nutrients and other pollutants entering the river."

Victoria to Trial Plastic Bag Reduction Campaign
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government and the Australian National Retailers Association will embark on a trial to help reduce plastic bag use in Victoria. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said under a pilot project to start in the second half of this year, major supermarket and retailers will voluntarily place a charge on plastic bags at selected sites around Victoria.“The Brumby Government is taking action on environmental challenges and this is the first real action from a state in six years of debate on the plastic bags issue,” Mr Jennings said.“We would like to have a charge that would have a real impact in lowering the number of bags. Figures between 10 cents and 25 cents have been talked about.

New Excellence Program for Tourism Operators
Source: Victoria. Minister for Tourism and Major Events. Media Release
"Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding, is urging tourism operators across Victoria to get involved in the Tourism Excellence program. Mr Holding launched the final module of the program, Participation – Getting Involved, which will focus on nurturing the development of industry leaders. “The Tourism Excellence program provides online training and tools for tourism operators to enable them to get the best from their workforce, deliver the best possible visitor experience and increase visitor numbers and expenditure,” Mr Holding said. “The Tourism Excellence Program provides tourism operators and their staff with the opportunity to develop a competitive edge over other destinations.” Mr Holding said the new module would encourage Victoria’s tourism industry to share information, promote joint regional tourism products and foster professional development."

Graffiti Vandals Will Face Up to Two Years Jail
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Tough new anti-graffiti laws which come into effect will give police greater powers to catch graffiti vandals and mean jail time and hefty fines for offenders. Police Minister Bob Cameron said vandals charged with the new marking graffiti offence could now face up to two years’ jail and a fine of more than $26,000. “Police will be able to issue an on-the-spot fine of $550 to anyone carrying spray paint cans on or adjacent to public transport without a lawful excuse or anywhere a person is trespassing,” Mr Cameron said. Mr Cameron said the new laws were part of a Brumby Government anti-graffiti package giving councils greater powers to remove graffiti from private property and expands a program in which offenders could be forced to clean up graffiti."

Australia's First Body Image Code of Conduct Launched
Source: Victoria. Minister for Youth Affairs. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is leading the way in launching Australia's first-ever code of conduct encouraging the media to use images responsibly and reduce the impact of negative body image on young Victorians.Youth Affairs Minister James Merlino, who launched the Victorian Voluntary Media Code of Conduct on Body Image at Federation Square, said it contained four clauses that he urged the media, fashion and advertising industries to adopt."

$205 Million to Secure the Future Farming in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Premier John Brumby launched the Victorian Government’s $205 million strategy to boost farming services, drive growth and innovation in agriculture and help the sector respond to new challenges.In Horsham with the Agriculture Minister Joe Helper, Mr Brumby said the strategy, Future Farming – Productive, Competitive and Sustainable, was about ensuring Victoria’s farming families, businesses and communities continued to thrive in the face of global challenges."

Men’s health campaign launched
Source: Tasmania. Cabinet Secretary. Media Release
"Cabinet Secretary Graeme Sturges has encouraged Tasmanian men to take heed of a new campaign urging them to take better care of their health.
The AMA Tasmania Foundation, RACT and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia have joined forces to form MISTA – the Men’s Health Information Services Tasmania Alliance. Mr Sturges said the new alliance is behind a campaign to encourage Tasmanian men to talk about their health with general practitioners and pharmacists before serious problems emerge. The campaign will see information about key men’s health issues appear regularly in the media and in publications including the RACT Motor News. This early intervention will hopefully help men live a healthier lifestyle – one which includes regular exercise, nutritious eating and a reduction in risky behaviours like smoking and excessive alcohol intake."

New 'on the spot' fines now in force for anti-social behaviour
Source: ACT. Minister for Police & Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Police & Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, has confirmed that the Magistrates Court (Crimes Infringement Notices) Regulation 2008 and the Magistrates Court (Liquor Infringement Notices) Regulation 2008 have now commenced. With the passing of the Crimes Amendment Act 2008 on 1 April 2008 the Crimes Act 1900 and Liquor Act 1975 have been amended to enable police and other authorised officers to issue infringement notices as an alternative to prosecuting offenders for minor street and liquor offences, Mr Corbell said. Police officers will now be able to issue infringement notices for the offences of urinating in public and failing to follow a noise abatement direction. City rangers and police officers will be able to issue infringement notices for individuals found defacing premises. Offenders will face a fine of $200"

Victims of Crime Act to be reviewed
Source: ACT. Attorney General. Media Release
"ACT Attorney General, Mr Simon Corbell MLA, has announced a comprehensive review of the Victims of Crime Act 1994. The Government recognises that there have been a number of developments in connection with services for victims of crime in the ACT in recent years Mr Corbell said. This review of the Act is an important component of the Government’s commitment to victims of crime and complements other important statutory and administrative developments and reform. The ACT’s law enshrines a model charter of victims’ rights that was agreed nationally by Attorneys‑General in 1993. Since then we have seen the commencement of the Human Rights Act 2004 and the establishment of the Human Rights Commission in the ACT, as well as the amalgamation of victim advocacy and support services in the government agency known as Victim Support ACT, and a range of initiatives as part of the Sexual Assault Reform Program, announced in November 2007. "

2020 in the Northern Territory
Source: NT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"Chief Minister Paul Henderson has used the Northern Territory Government’s first YouTube broadcast to outline the Government’s agenda for the Prime Minister’s 2020 Summit. The Northern Territory is the best place to live work and raise a family, and I want to make it even better,” Mr Henderson said. My vision for 2020 is for the Northern Territory is to be a State, with an even stronger economy and growing population, and where Indigenous Territorians no longer face social and economic disadvantage. "

Building a competitive mental health sector
New South Wales Health.
"New South Wales is tackling the mental health skills shortage by growing its own specialist community workers in the NGO sector Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch said the Iemma Government was working with the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) to train tomorrow's mental health work force."

Iemma Government's tough new anti-smoking measures
Source: New South Wales Health.
"Removing line of sight retail sale of cigarettes, banning all tobacco vending machines and outlawing smoking in cars with children are anti-smoking proposals contained in a discussion paper released today by NSW Premier Morris Iemma."

Securing NSW Future Electricity Supplies
Source: New South Wales. Government
"One of the most significant issues facing NSW into the future is how we secure our energy supplies. The Owen Inquiry into electricity found that NSW would need additional baseload generation capacity by 2013-14."

Iemma Government to introduce Companion Card for carers
Source: New South Wales. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
"People in NSW who have a severe or profound disability will now be able to take a carer on public transport and to events for the prices of a single ticket.
NSW Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, announced today the NSW Government will introduce the Companion Card to assist people with disabilities who need a carer to better participate in the community."

Victims to get their say in Children’s Court
Source: New South Wales. Attorney General.
"Victim impact statements will be introduced to the Children’s Court for the first time, said Attorney General John Hatzistergos.He said that victims of juvenile crime will be able to confront young offenders in court and describe how they’ve been traumatised.“Giving victims the opportunity to formally express themselves in court will help heal the wounds left behind by crime,” Mr Hatzistergos said.Mr Hatzistergos said young offenders should be made to hear the consequences of their actions. “They must be forced to face up to what they’ve done,” said Mr Hatzistergos."

Reducing the environmental impacts of prawn trawling
Source: New South Wales. Department of Primary Industries.
"A major research project looking at ways to minimise the environmental impacts of school prawn trawling without impacting on yields is now underway on the Clarence River."

Outback Carp Muster returns to Brewarrina and Bourke
Source: New South Wales. Department of Primary Industries.
"Carp musters provide an opportunity to raise community awareness about the need to manage carp populations."

Have your say on retail leasing
Source: New South Wales. Department of State and Regional Development.
"NSW retailers are invited to comment on a discussion paper that proposes a series of changes to the Retail Leases Act 1994 to correct the power imbalance between retail tenants and landlords."

Innovative program tackles unskilled labour shortage in the Kimberley
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan met with major tourism operators in the Kimberley region to discuss the possibility of employing temporary workers from East Timor. The proposal to tackle the unskilled labour shortage follows an historic agreement signed between the State Government and East Timor in February, aimed at helping East Timor to manage and plan major infrastructure projects. Ms MacTiernan, who travelled to Dili in March for formal discussions with the East Timorese Government, said a common theme underlying those meetings was the lack of basic skills development to provide the foundation for a modern economy. The State Government proposal involves hiring workers from East Timor to work for a period of six to nine months, providing much-needed labour for Western Australia and skills development for the East Timorese workforce."

Western Australia to join global earth monitoring network
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Land Information. Media Release
"Western Australia will be part of a world-class initiative to gather information about the earth’s surface. Land Information Minister Michelle Roberts announced that a network of 26 continuously operating reference stations (CORS) would be built throughout WA, including Broome.“The CORS are used in conjunction with global positioning system (GPS) technology to monitor seismic and tectonic motion,” Mrs Roberts said. “Put simply, the concrete pillars stationed throughout WA are fitted with satellite receivers which can indicate land movement to the nearest millimetre. The State Government, through Landgate, will contribute more than $2million over five years to fund the CORS project. In addition, the Commonwealth will contribute a further $1million. "

State Government supports community’s call for liquor ban
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Racing and Gaming. Media Release
"The State Government has enacted legislation to ban liquor in a remote indigenous community in the Fitzroy Valley. Racing and Gaming Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich announced the State Government had implemented new provisions under section 175(1a) of the Liquor Control Act to prohibit people from possessing and transporting liquor into the Wangkatjungka Aboriginal Community. Ms Ravlich said the Government implemented the 175 (1a) provisions in response to an approach from the people of the Wangkatjungka community. “I am pleased to be able to implement regulations that enforce significant restrictions on the transportation and possession of liquor in a community which has asked for State Government assistance,” the Minister said."

New training scheme to benefit Aboriginal communities
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Energy. Media Release
"Energy Minister Francis Logan launched a new program to train members of remote Aboriginal communities to assist in the management and maintenance of their own power systems. Mr Logan said the innovative Aboriginal Communities Training Program would help avoid long delays in maintenance and ensure communities were supplied with safe and reliable power supplies. He said the program would also offer a unique employment opportunity for Aboriginal people interested in attaining nationally recognised qualifications within the electricity supply industry."

New initiatives improve taxi travel for the disabled
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced two initiatives aimed at improving safety and access to taxis for people with disabilities. Two programs - a nation-first introduction of Braille and tactile signage in taxis to assist customers who are vision impaired, and a three-month trial of a stand-by Multi-Purpose Taxi (MPT) to service wheelchair jobs - were launched by Ms MacTiernan on the steps of Parliamen. The Minister said the State Government had provided almost $100,000 to fund Braille signages for the entire Western Australian taxi fleet. “This signage means that for the first time, blind customers will be able to identify the taxi they are travelling in and confirm that it is a taxi, which is essential for their personal safety,” she said."

New prison will set benchmark for needs of Aboriginal offenders
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Corrective Services. Media Release
"Plans for the West Kimberley Prison are progressing well with architects now engaged, surveyors on site, one community advisory group established and another in the advanced planning stages. Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk visited the prison site, six kilometres south of Derby, to deliver a project update. “As I have said all along, I am determined that this facility will be different from existing prisons in WA,” Ms Quirk said. “It is being designed to specifically meet the needs of Aboriginal offenders, setting a benchmark for future prisons and the management of Aboriginal prisoners."

WA to head investigation into national container scheme
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Environment. Media Release
"Western Australia will co-chair an investigation into the environmental, economic and social costs and benefits of a national container deposit scheme. At the meeting of the nation’s environment ministers in Melbourne, it was resolved that WA and Queensland would co-chair the working group to report back in 2009. Environment Minister David Templeman said WA would draw on its considerable experience and expertise in exploring its own container deposit scheme. “There is compelling evidence that a container deposit scheme would dramatically reduce litter rates while increasing rates of recycling in WA,” Mr Templeman said. "

Funding available for community initiatives across the regions
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Regional Development. Media Release
"Regional Development Minister Jon Ford called for applications for funding from the Western Australian Regional Initiatives Scheme (WARIS), which provides grants between $10,000 and $250,000 for non-capital works projects designed to deliver cross-regional benefits to country communities. The Minister said WARIS had proven to be an effective catalyst for many new development projects that helped to create new jobs and improve services in regional areas. “The State Government is committed to promoting sustainable regional communities and through the fund, we are able to provide support for a variety of projects that can benefit entire communities,” Mr Ford said. These may include projects relating to tourism and business development, lifelong learning, arts and culture, environment and natural resource management and population retention."

New project will help save lives in regional WA
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"A new telecommunications system to improve the crisis co-ordination capacity of Western Australia’s rural and remote health and emergency service organisations was launched in Bunbury. Bush Medivac WA will use terrestrial and non-terrestrial network infrastructure and innovative applications of broadband technology to improve the voice and data communication capabilities between the State’s regional health and emergency services. "

A National Fuelwatch Scheme
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"Federal Cabinet today (15/4/08) approved the establishment of a National FuelWatch Scheme to promote competition and transparency in the petrol market.
The establishment of Australia’s first National FuelWatch Scheme will help ensure motorists are not paying a cent more than they have to at the bowser.
The National FuelWatch Scheme will help motorists buy the cheapest petrol, at the cheapest petrol stations, at the cheapest times.
Under the National FuelWatch Scheme, petrol stations in metropolitan and major regional centres will be required to:
Notify the ACCC of their next day’s prices by 2pm the day before;
Maintain this advised price for a 24 hour period; and
Apply the scheme to unleaded petrol, premium unleaded petrol, LPG, diesel, 98 RON and biodiesel blends. "

IR expert to oversee temporary skilled migration review
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"The Rudd Government has appointed industrial relations commissioner Barbara Deegan to examine the integrity of the temporary skilled migration program, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said today.
Senator Evans said Ms Deegan will address concerns about the exploitation of migrant workers, salary levels and English language requirements
'Ms Deegan will draw on her extensive expertise in the industrial relations sector to review the Temporary Business Long Stay subclass 457 program and provide options to improve the integrity of the scheme,' Senator Evans said."

Improving mental health services
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Australian Government has announced funding to improve the mental health workforce, by providing training to around 24,000 mental health professionals and encouraging mental health nurses to stay in the workforce. This announcement follows the Government’s release of the National Mental Health Report 2007, which clearly underlines the need to do more in mental health. "

$6.5m palliative care boost for rural areas
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"The Australian Government has announced funding of more than $6.5 million – in the field of palliative care -- to provide more coordinated care for rural Australians with a life-limiting illness. At least 22,000 Australians a year at some point require specialist palliative care and support.Funding would be shared among 36 Divisions of General Practice in all states and territories to support their efforts to develop a coordinated approach to caring for rural people at the end of their lives."

$180 million boost to National Reserve System
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced a $180 million boost to Australia’s National Reserve System, as part of the Government’s $2.25 billion Caring for our Country initiative.
Mr Garrett said $180 million would be rolled out over the next five years, to help partners such as conservation groups, farmers, Indigenous communities and all levels of government to create new reserves and protected areas. "

Establishing Skills Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
" Julia Gillard, Minister for Education, Employment & Workplace Relations, has announced the members of Skills Australia, an independent statutory body that will provide advice on workforce development and future skills needs.
Estimates predict that Australia is currently heading towards a skills shortage of around 240,000 skilled workers by 2016. Skill shortages threaten future economic growth, contribute to higher inflation and high interest rates and limit productivity. They also have the potential to reduce the standard of living of all Australians."

Delivering Australia's First National Curriculum
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has confirmed the membership of the National Curriculum Board, which will see a national curriculum be delivered within three years.
As promised, the new National Curriculum Board is comprised of representatives from each of the States and Territories, and three representatives from the Catholic and Independent sectors.
The Board will oversee the development of a rigorous, world-class national curriculum for all Australian students from kindergarten to Year 12, starting with the key learning areas of English, mathematics, the sciences and history. "

New planning system commences operation in ACT
Source: Environment Business newsletter, April 9th, 2008
"Planning reforms that aim to simplify the ACT’s planning system and make housing more affordable have taken effect in the ACT. The ACT Government’s new planning system includes a new Territory Plan that will place further restrictions on the redevelopment of single and multiple residential dwellings in some of Canberra’s suburbs. The new Territory Plan will provide that no more than three dwellings can be built on individual standard residential blocks of 1400 square metres or more that have a street frontage of 20 metres or less in areas that have been zoned as Residential Core Areas.
The reforms are also intended to improve the design of multi-unit developments to ensure solar access and passive solar orientation, and protect the privacy of adjoining residences.
The two key amendments to the ACT’s Planning and Development Act that aim to simplify the planning process and promote housing affordability under the new planning system include new measures to ensure land that is allocated for housing is used for that purpose and is not left undeveloped; and allowing over-the-counter sales of leases for single dwellings ."

Tasmania to audit whole-of-government greenhouse gas emissions
Source: Environment Business newsletter April 9th, 2008
"The Tasmanian Government has engaged international consultancy Parsons Brinckerhoff to conduct a whole-of government audit of greenhouse gas emissions. The audit is to begin in April 2008 and the company is expected to present its final audit report to the Tasmanian Government about mid-August. Tasmanian Premier, Paul Lennon, says while other state governments have audited some of their operations, by undertaking this audit Tasmania will be the first state to embark on a whole-of government audit of emissions.

The first phase of the audit will monitor emissions generated from government activities such as energy consumption, vehicle and air travel, and core Government administrative areas including Parliament House and ministers’ offices. The audit’s second phase will look at the emissions of other areas of government, including schools, hospitals and fire services. In undertaking the audit, Parsons Brinckerhoff is to recommend actions the Government can take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Parsons Brinckerhoff will also be requested to prepare a program for installing solar hot water systems and electricity generating solar systems in Government-owned buildings."

More ICT support for Aboriginal students
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education and Skills. Media Release
"Tasmanian Aboriginal students and families accessing Distance Education will receive more Information Communications Technology (ICT) support under a new program. The Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, has launched ConnectEd, which provides home-based ICT to help Aboriginal students and families become confident, online learners. Currently, there are 25 Indigenous people – a total of 13 per cent of the total Distance Education Tasmania enrolments - accessing Kindergarten to Grade 10 education, he said. Many of these Aboriginal students, and their families, have limited access to computer-based educational resources and online programs. ConnectEd gives Aboriginal students and families the opportunity of building their skills and confidence in our increasingly digital, unique learning world. Mr Bartlett said that ConnectEd was an innovative way of providing “at the elbow” ICT advice for parents."

Cutting smoking rates in pregnancy
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, today launched a hospital based initiative designed to help tackle high rates of smoking among pregnant women in Tasmania. The Smoke Free Pregnancy Project will provide training to midwives at the Royal Hobart and Launceston General Hospitals on smoking cessation for pregnant smokers during routine antenatal consultations. Pregnant women will also be offered information about the dangers of smoking as well as referral to the Quitline for ongoing counselling and support. Alarmingly, close to 30% of pregnant women in Tasmania smoke during their pregnancy,” Ms Giddings said. I am very concerned that many pregnant women still aren’t heeding the message that smoking is bad for their baby’s health and bad for them."

Landmark housing project for NT Indigenous communities
Source: NT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"A landmark joint housing program between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments will deliver vital construction, refurbishment and infrastructure developments, as well as jobs in 73 Northern Territory Indigenous communities and some urban areas. The Australian Government will contribute $547 million over four years through the Northern Territory Government, and the Territory Government will provide a further $100 million. The program will deliver:

around 750 new houses including new subdivisions; over 230 new houses to replace houses to be demolished ; over 2 500 housing upgrades; essential infrastructure to support new houses; improvements to living conditions in town camps.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the housing program will substantially improve living conditions for around 80 per cent of Indigenous people living in the targeted remote and urban communities."

ACT firearms laws strengthened and modernised
Source: ACT. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell MLA, has introduced the Firearms Amendment Bill 2008. This major work represents the next chapter in the history of firearms reforms since 1996. The Bill implements resolutions contained in the National Firearms Trafficking Policy Agreement and builds on the extensive work already done following the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996 and the Monash University shooting in 2002,” the Minister said. These extensive amendments will strengthen national and local firearms control by addressing the illegal trade in firearms, increasing penalties for firearms offences, and modernising the licensing scheme. The powers exercised by police have also been modernised to ensure that they comply with the Human Rights Act 2004"

Elected body to give real voice to indigenous locals
Source: Chief Minister and Indigenous Affairs Minister. Media Release
"The Government has introduces a Bill that will see an Indigenous representative body elected, to give a stronger political voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans and to advise the Government on the delivery of services. The Bill will establish a body with seven Members, with elections to be held every three years. The first election will take place within weeks of the passage of the legislation. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jon Stanhope said the journey leading to the Bill now before the Assembly had begun in the wake of the abolition of the ATSIC Regional Councils by the former Howard Government, an act that effectively dispensed with an elected Indigenous voice in this country"

New concession rebate for water
Source: ACT. Minister for Disability and Community Services. Media Release
"ACT Minister for Disability and Community Services, Katy Gallagher, has announced an extension of the current ACT Government concessional rebate on the water supply charge to health care cardholders. The Government recognises that Canberra families and individuals are struggling under consecutive interest rate rises caused by the former Howard Government, and is doing what we can to cushion the blow. Currently, a concession of a 65% rebate of the fixed water supply charge per quarter is provided to Centrelink pension concession card holders, Commonwealth Department for Veterans Affairs pension concession card and gold card holders. The Government is now extending this rebate to all health care card holders, as well as those asylum seekers not eligible for Centrelink benefits.”

Children's physical activity foundation launched
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr has launched the Children’s Physical Activity Foundation and confirmed the ACT Government’s commitment of $250,000 to help establish it. Speaking at the launch at Campbell Primary School, Mr Barr said the Children’s Physical Activity Foundation will work to promote physical activity to children and assist schools to get students more active through grants for sporting equipment and the professional development of teachers."

$13.87 Million Plan to Build Better Community Sector
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"A new office dedicated to supporting community organisations, extra funding and the introduction of portable long service leave for community services staff are the centrepieces of a $13.87 million Brumby Government plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the not-for-profit sector. Speaking at the ACOSS Conference, Premier John Brumby said the Victorian Government’s Action Plan: Strengthening Community Organisations would help community organisations grow and prosper as they face new challenges such as population ageing, changing work patterns and rapid population growth. “The community and not-for-profit sector plays an important role in making our communities liveable, inclusive and fair,” Mr Brumby said. “There are about 120,000 community groups in Victoria and about a third of these are incorporated bodies. Community organisations play a major role in helping Victorians to participate in social and economic life, and deliver important services such as aged care, health, education and social services."

PPP Principles Fine Tuned to Secure Infrastructure
Source: Victoria. Office of the Treasurer. Media Release
"Victoria has maintained its status as a world leader in infrastructure delivery by fine tuning its commercial principles to reflect the evolving Public Private Partnerships market. Treasurer John Lenders said the revised Partnerships Victoria Standard Commercial Principles ensured Victoria continued to deliver best policy practices and best possible outcomes. “We believe these updated principles will provide greater efficiencies in our PPP projects with shorter procurement timeframes, lower costs for government and reduced bid costs for the private sector,’’ Mr Lenders said. “The Brumby Government has not only delivered on its commitment to periodically review and revise the principles, but we have reinforced Victoria’s position as a leader in infrastructure delivery in partnership with the private sector.” Mr Lenders said the new principles would help potential bidders understand what the government expected from future projects."

New Structure for Gaming in Victoria Beyond 2012
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby, announced approved hotels and clubs would bid directly for gaming machine entitlements under the new structure for Victoria’s gambling industry beyond 2012. Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government had decided to move to a new structure for the industry, which removes the need for separate gaming machine operators – Tattersall’s and Tabcorp – with venues set to own, operate and maintain electronic gaming machines.“This announcement fundamentally reshapes the gaming industry in Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.“Under the post-2012 structure, venues will bid directly for 10-year gaming machine entitlements.“The Government will enforce a cap on ownership, ensuring that no one venue operator can own more than 35 per cent of machines available to hotels."

States Join Forces on $1 Million Stem Cell Program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Research into new treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injury and diabetes has received a $1 million boost from the Victorian and NSW governments. Each state will provide $500,000 towards a collaborative stem cell research grants program which was jointly announced by Victorian Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings and NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth.“There is already proof of concept that stem cells can restore function to damaged tissues in models of Parkinson's disease and immuno-deficiency,” the Ministers said. “Recent US research has turned embryonic stem cells into insulin producing cells in mice, representing a possible cure for type 1 diabetes.”Announcing the new stem cell research grants program, both Ministers stressed that funding applications would require research collaboration between the two states and must comply with Australia’s rigorous regulatory regime for research involving human embryonic stem cells. Recent changes to legislation in both Victoria and NSW have opened up new opportunities for stem cell research in Australia, including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)."

CBD Workers Encouraged to Flex in the City
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has joined forces with Victorian employers to help their work/life balance for Melbourne CBD workers and cut public transport congestion through the Flex in the City program. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the Brumby Government would support organisations to encourage their employees to work more flexibly – including starting and finishing work earlier or later, working from home one day a week, or cycling or walking to work. “Flex in the City is another innovative Brumby Government solution aimed at making Victoria an even better place to live, work and raise a family – while easing public transport congestion in the process,” Ms Kosky said.“We have partnered with some of the most progressive employers in the Melbourne CBD to improve work/life balance for their employees, by encouraging more flexible work and travel options.“To make the process easier, we are offering a support package of flexible working tools, including car pooling software, walking and cycling maps and evaluation tools."

Grants to Boose Indigenous Input in Legal System
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Grants for innovative legal projects will help address the shortfall of Indigenous people in legal professions, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. Mr Hulls announced $1.1 million in grants for projects and services aimed at improving laws and legal services, enhancing access to justice, and better informing consumers of legal services.“These grants of up to $50,000 will fund projects which will make Victoria’s justice system more accessible,” Mr Hulls said. “Four projects received more than $175,000 to strengthen the ties between the Indigenous community and the legal system.” The grants are among 26 projects funded for the first time through the $1.1 million Legal Services Board Grants Program. Mr Hulls said more than $47,000 had been awarded to a pilot Indigenous Associate Program that would help Indigenous law students undertake training at the Supreme Court."

Raising the Bar on Designing Suburbs of the Future
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"One of the country’s largest residential developers will work with the Brumby Government and planning experts to build Australia’s most environmentally sustainable suburbs in Melbourne. Planning Minister, Justin Madden said the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) the Planning Institute of Australia and developer, Stocklands will build the suburb in Cranbourne East.“This important project will highlight how we can plan new communities that are affordable and sustainable,” Mr Madden said. “Liveability planning in growth areas is different to planning in established suburbs, because these places are growing faster than anywhere else in Victoria and were being planning before construction.”“The Stockland project is the first of its kind involving government, planners and commercial developers. The master plan will focus on a new community beyond individual homes to design healthy communities,” he said. The project will be informed by the latest research into the key elements for making new communities “liveable”. With Melbourne growing at more than 1200 new residents a week, Mr Madden said the Growth Area of the Future demonstration project would lift the benchmark for new residential developments."

Road Speed Limits to be Dropped at 72 Level Crossings
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"Speed limits will be lowered on approach to 72 level crossings across Victoria to give motorists greater reaction time and alert them of rail lines on some of the state’s busiest freight routes. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said almost all sites would have the speed limit dropped from 100km/h to 80km/h.“We know that reducing speeds has a positive road safety impact as it gives drivers more time to respond to hazards,” Ms Kosky said. By reducing the speed limit and supporting this with increased enforcement we hope people will heed the message – slow down, obey the signs and be prepared to stop.”

New truancy crackdown to protect students
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release
"NSW Premier Morris Iemma has announced tough new measures to improve safeguards that ensure NSW children are enrolled and attending school. School attendance is a key indicator in the overall welfare of the state’s children, and helps identify children at risk. “We want to give our children every opportunity in life. The key building blocks are undoubtedly good parenting and a good education,” Mr Iemma said. The Government’s latest measures target parental responsibility."

Iemma Government to strengthen protection against misconduct by doctors
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Health. Media Release
"The Iemma Government has approved draft legislation to introduce mandatory reporting by medical practitioners of their colleagues in instances of serious misconduct. Additions to the Medical Practice Amendment Bill 2008 that will introduce automatic suspensions for doctors who breach conditions on their registration and improve the transparency of medical disciplinary proceedings, were also supported by Cabinet. NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher said the strengthening of the Bill followed the revelations of the handling of complaints about the conduct of Dr Graeme Reeves by regulatory and disciplinary authorities."

Iemma Government package to lend a helping hand to battlers
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Morris Iemma unveiled a multi-million dollar financial rescue package to help struggling families across NSW better deal with cost of living pressures.
The Iemma Government’s measures will be fast-tracked to help thousands of families facing financial difficulties because of rising interest rates and rents, rising grocery prices and higher petrol costs.
The comprehensive package includes:
• An extra $1 million for financial counsellors to offer expert budgetary advice;
• Providing a 30 per cent boost to funds for families under the Mortgage Assistance Scheme;
• An extra $840,000 to allow more families to access interest free loans for essential household items;
• Reviewing all hardship provisions in NSW Government agencies; and
• Requesting all Government agencies consider monthly payment options. "

SA leads national push for container deposit legislation
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"South Australia will be pushing for national adoption of container deposit legislation when Australian and New Zealand Environment Ministers meet in Melbourne next Thursday. Minister for Environment and Conservation Gail Gago says “South Australia took the lead on industry responsibility for clean up and recycling of beverage containers 31 years ago and it’s time for the rest of Australia to catch up.” Minister Gago has recommended Ministers agree to look at how to introduce a national container deposit system, taking into account the success of the SA scheme and the results of investigations undertaken for a similar scheme in WA."

Laser pointers are now controlled weapons
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Laser pointers have been classed as controlled weapons under regulation changes, requiring people to demonstrate a lawful reason for possession. Police Minister John Kobelke said the changes, which came into force at midnight on Saturday, followed a concerning number of reported instances in which laser pointers were used to distract pilots of planes and helicopters in Western Australian skies."

Sly grogging hurting Western Australian communities
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Racing and Gaming. Media Release
"The State Government has launched a major campaign against ‘sly grogging’ in regional Western Australia. Racing and Gaming Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich made the announcement in Broome and said sly grogging was a significant issue throughout regional WA, particularly in indigenous communities. Sly grogging occurs when people unlawfully sell liquor, generally at highly inflated prices to other members of the community. Ms Ravlich said the campaign highlighted that sly grogging was a crime and aimed to encourage the community to work together to ensure the criminals who drove the practice were brought to justice."

2008 RELEASE OF OFFSHORE PETROLEUM EXPLORATION ACREAGE
Source: Australia. Minister for Resources and Energy. Media Release
"Federal Resources Minister, Martin Ferguson, has announced the release of 35 new offshore petroleum exploration areas in Commonwealth waters.
"The Australian Government is committed to intensifying the mineral, oil and gas exploration effort and the development of new exploration science and technology.", said Mr Ferguson. "The first step of the exploration cycle is the Australian Government's Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release program, forming a key part of the Government's strategy to encourage investment in petroleum exploration."
The 2008 release areas are located across five basins off the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands coastlines. "

DRAFT WATER MARKET REGULATIONS RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has invited members of the public and interested stakeholders to comment on new draft regulations that will help make the Murray Darling Basin water market more efficient."

New health taskforce on prevention - tobacco, alcohol and obesity priorities
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Australian Government has announced the establishment of a new National Preventative Health Taskforce. The taskforce, made up of health experts from around Australia, will develop strategies to tackle the health challenges caused by tobacco, alcohol and obesity, and develop a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009.The Government also announced that it would take immediate action to ensure preventative health measures become a key part of health funding agreements between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. "

$150M to build new homes for the homeless
Source: Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"As part of its commitment to tackle homelessness, the Australian Government has announced the allocation of $150 million to build 600 new homes for the homeless across the nation over the next five years. The A Place to Call Home strategy will see homeless families and individuals move directly into these homes instead of going into refuges. They will also receive tenancy and other support for the first 12 months. Those placed in the new housing will not have to leave at the end of the support period. The homes will be transferred to the general public housing pool and their tenancy extended in accordance with normal arrangements for public housing."

First Footprints in Landmark Study of Indigenous Children
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"A landmark study, starting next week, will track the long-term development of 2,200 Indigenous children from communities across Australia.Australia's Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, Footprints in Time, will give researchers the capacity to look in depth at the early childhood experiences of Indigenous children and how these experiences influence their future.The study will provide policy makers with an unprecedented evidence base to improve the design and delivery of program and policy interventions for Indigenous children in the early years."

Scholarships will give disadvantaged a competitive edge
Source: Minister for Education. Media Release
"Higher education stakeholders will be given a say on how the Australian Government can best roll out the Scholarships for a Competitive Future initiative - a commitment to double the number of Commonwealth Scholarships for undergraduate students by 2012, benefiting those most in need."

NSW welcomes clean coal technology project
Source: New South Wales. Department of Primary Industries. Media release.
"Today’s launch of Australia’s first commercial scale demonstration of CO2 geo-sequestration - the Otway Basin carbon storage project in Victoria - is a clear indication that clean coal is about the future, NSW Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald said today.
"The Iemma Government is committed to reaching an interim target of Year 2000 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2025 and a long term target of a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050," Mr Macdonald said."

Industrial Hemp industry coming soon
Source: New South Wales. Department of Primary Industries.
"Environmentally friendly locally grown industrial hemp could soon be used in everything from dog food to bio-fuel, with plans to introduce a new licensing scheme, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.
Minister Macdonald said a potentially lucrative industrial hemp industry was not far off, following changes which will be introduced by the Iemma Government.
“Industrial hemp fibre produced here in NSW could pave the way for the establishment of a new viable industry that creates and sells textiles, cloth and building products made from locally grown industrial hemp,” Mr Macdonald said."

Strata Bill released for comment
Source: New South Wales. Department of Commerce. Office of Fair Trading. Media release.
"NSW Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, today released for public comment the draft Strata Management Legislation Amendment Bill.
Ms Burney said the draft Bill includes changes to the strata and home building laws that will improve the balance between the rights of strata owners and developers.
“Reforms to strata laws over the last few years have succeeded in limiting the voting powers of developers who own more than half of the units in a scheme, when it became apparent some developers try to control proxy votes as a way of maintaining ongoing control over the building and the other owners,” Ms Burney said."

Government inquiry into exercise treadmills
Source: New South Wales. Department of Commerce. Office of Fair Trading. Media release.
"NSW Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, today announced an inquiry into the safety of domestic treadmills following an increase in severe injuries to young children.
Ms Burney has referred the safety of domestic treadmills to the NSW Products Safety Committee for inquiry and report.
The Committee will examine a number of issues, including whether domestic treadmills are a source of unacceptable injuries, and whether there should be some kind of control placed on the sale of treadmills."

Tenancy skills for young people
Source: New South Wales. Deparment of Commerce. Office of Fair Trading. Media release.
"Coinciding with Youth Week, NSW Fair Trading Minister and Minister for Youth, Linda Burney, today announced the launch of a Gosford-based program providing young people with invaluable information and advice on tenancy.
Ms Burney said the program, Youth Tenancy Skills, is being conducted in partnership with Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS).
“The program will address areas of tenancy most relevant to young people and will provide essential information about financial literacy and obtaining a driver’s licence,” Ms Burney said. "

Minister announces Satellite Navigation Units for all NSW Ambulances
Source: New South Wales Health. Minister for Health. Media release.
"NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher today announced a $1.2 million dollar upgrade of ambulance vehicles to buy state of the art navigation equipment.
Ms Meagher said the NSW Government was committed to having the best ambulance service in the country, which is why additional money had been allocated to install new equipment.
"This funding will allow the installation of satellite navigation units and reversing cameras in all emergency ambulance vehicles.
"Over the past two years we have been using this equipment in the Ambulance Services single officer Rapid Reponse vehicles and it has proved to be very beneficial," said Ms Meagher."

Lack of GP access driving demand on public hospital emergency departments
Source: New South Wales Health. Minister for Health. Media release.
"Declining access to GPs has been identified as a critical factor in the growing demand on public hospital Emergency Departments in a new independent report into emergency department activity across five Australian states.
NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the study by Booz Allen Hamilton of Key Drivers of Demand in the Emergency Department provided a clear picture of the factors driving the increasing pressure on emergency departments."

Release of forensic patients in hands of specialist division
Source: New South Wales Health. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health). Media release.
"A specialist division of the Mental Health Review Tribunal will be established to oversee the release of forensic patients, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch announced today.
Mr Lynch said the specialist division strengthened the role of victims of crime, allowing them to make submissions on key events and decisions.
The establishment of the Forensic Division followed a year-long review into the management and release of forensic patients."

Medical Assessment Units provide specialist treatment for elderly patients
Source: New South Wales Health. Minister for Health. Media release.
"NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, today announced a major step forward in the way our public hospitals treat elderly patients and those with chronic diseases.
Ms Meagher said Medical Assessment Units were being opened in 16 public hospitals to provide faster and better coordinated care for older patients within the hospital, community and home.
"The number of people aged 75 years and older who are going to public hospital emergency departments is rising by 20 per cent each year," Ms Meagher said.
"The key challenge for our health professionals and for Government is to find the best way to provide the right type of care that these patients need."

Tougher penalties for hydroponic cannabis, amphetamines
Source: South Australia. Attorney-General. Media release.
"Attorney-General Michael Atkinson today announced plans to legislate to increase penalties against the cultivation of hydroponic cannabis and require courts to treat amphetamines alongside the most serious category of illicit drugs.
Mr Atkinson gave notice to Parliament that he will introduce the Controlled Substances (Controlled Drugs, Precursors and Cannabis) Amendment Bill 2008, the latest step in the Government’s largest review of drug laws in 25 years.
“These reforms will make it more difficult for the drug barons to source the chemical ingredients needed to fuel their death dealing drug labs,” the Attorney-General says."

Funding model for desalination plant announced
Source: South Australia. Treasurer and Minister for the River Murray. Media release.
"Treasurer Kevin Foley says the State Government has decided that Adelaide’s desalination plant will be financed by SA Water – and not by a Public Private Partnerships (PPP) scheme.
Mr Foley and Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald made the announcement today about the 50 gigalitre desalination plant which the Government expects to be delivering water to the people of Adelaide by the summer of 2011/12.
Mr Foley says the Government has chosen to use a procurement option more commonly known as Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) following an extensive review by consultants KPMG."

Major review of adult literacy & numeracy programs
Source: South Australia. Minister for Employment, Training & Further Education. Media release.
"The State Government will embark on a major review of the delivery of adult literacy and numeracy programs across South Australia.
Announcing this today, Further Education Minister Paul Caica says the aim of the initiative, Secret Codes, is to boost employment opportunity and workforce participation.
“We recognise that literacy and numeracy skills are fundamental building blocks for people to be able to fully participate in community life and in the workforce. And we also recognise that there are too many adults in Australia whose literacy levels are considered too low to work in a knowledge-based economy or meet the demands of everyday life*”, he says. "

Recycled water use first for Victor Harbor
Source: South Australia. Minister for the River Murray &Minister for Water Security. Media release.
"Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald will today launch South Australia’s first private rural living domestic wastewater reuse scheme near Victor Harbor.
A group of 20 householders, led by former Premier Dean Brown, have formed a cooperative to pipe recycled water from the Victor Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant network to their homes for outdoor use.
The householders, called the Finniss Road Recycled Water Group, have each spent about $1200 on average to construct a network of pipes to transport 20 million litres of treated wastewater a year from the plant to their properties."

Free computer access to help tenants and homebuyers
Source: South Australia. Minister for Housing. Media release.
"Tenants and homebuyers can now access free computer terminals at Housing SA offices to help them find the accommodation and housing services they need.
Housing SA has launched a new website, www.housing.sa.gov.au, which has links to information as wide-ranging as affordable homes on the market to concessions available to Housing SA tenants.
To make these services more accessible to its customers, Housing SA has installed free computers in its major Housing SA offices for customer use. "

Housing SA listens to tenants’ concerns about shared meters
Source: South Australia. Minister for Housing. Media release.
"Housing SA is making changes to its new water use charges to address the concerns raised by public housing tenants with shared meters.
Housing Minister Jay Weatherill has announced that Housing SA will pay for the first 30 per cent of water used by tenants with shared water meters. "

Students’ literacy results go digital
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education & Children's Services. Media release.
"State school teachers have online access to the literacy and numeracy test results of their students through a new electronic ‘data-mart’, now available in South Australian schools.
The initiative is part of the Rann Government’s efforts to support teachers to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of South Australia’s school students."

Government takes earth hour long term
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"The Australian Government today (29/3/08) announced new steps to deal with climate change and sustainability, as more than 100 of its departments and agencies sign-up to switch-off for
Earth Hour 2008.
A whole of government taskforce will work on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
waste, energy and water use in Government operations, as well as the sustainable use of
Commonwealth land.
Known as the Inter-Departmental Committee on Government Leadership in Sustainability, it
will report to the Prime Minister in June, with an ongoing role in overseeing the
implementation of Government action on sustainability."

Government To Fund Wound Management Research
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"Improved wound management in aged care has been made a high priority by the Rudd Government, with plans announced for wound management research projects worth up to $500,000.With over 270,000 older Australians suffering from chronic wounds, this research will develop best practice in wound management that will be able to be translated across the sector – allowing for shorter stays in high care facilities and hospitals and much greater comfort to residents and patients."

Government Holds Homelessness Roundtable
Source: Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"The Rudd Government today brought together experts from across the country to discuss new approaches to addressing homelessness as part of a forum of key stakeholders in Sydney.Convened by Homelessness Australia, the forum comprised representatives from peak homelessness, health, social housing, youth and welfare agencies, homeless service providers, state, territory and local government agencies, academics and Indigenous organisations."

Action to protect our biodiversity from climate change
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"The Federal Government will make up to $250,000 available for work to identify climate
change refuges for Australia’s native plants and animals, Minister for the Environment,
Peter Garrett, said today (30/3/08).
The need to identify refuges for species threatened by a changing climate is one of the
key recommendations of a CSIRO report, Implications of climate change for the National
Reserve System, released today."

Gillard Launches National OHS Review
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, today (4/4/08) announced the commencement of a National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Laws."

Government Releases Reform Road Map On Skills
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Minister For Employment Participation. Treasurer. Joint Media Release
"The Skilling Australia discussion paper launched today (1/4/08) sets out the delivery of the Rudd Labor Government’s additional 450 000 training places.
It highlights a new industry demand driven approach to training delivery rather than the old supply driven approaches of the Howard Government."

Planning reform exposure bill released following community feedback
Source: NSW. Minister for Planning. Media Release.
"State Plan Priority P3: Cutting Red Tape
Planning Minister Frank Sartor today released a draft exposure bill – the first legislative step towards reinvigorating the NSW planning system.
Mr Sartor said the Bill outlined major reform initiatives including an independent commission to determine major proposals, tougher penalties for rogue accredited certifiers and new anti-corruption measures.
“This is an important step towards creating a transparent, modern planning system,” Mr Sartor said.
A discussion paper titled Improving the NSW Planning System was placed on public exhibition for a ten-week period in late 2007 and early 2008, attracting 538 submissions. "

New sex laws for disabled people
Source: NSW. Attorney General. Media Release.
"Stroke victims and people suffering from Alzheimer’s will be better protected from sexual predators under tough new laws, said NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos.The new laws will use the term “cognitively impaired” rather than “intellectually disabled,” so many more people who are vulnerable to being manipulated into have sex because of their condition will be protected.“Taking advantage of a cognitively impaired person for sexual gratification is absolutely despicable,” said Mr Hatzistergos."

Tenders called for 24-hour mental health line
Source: NSW. Minister assisting the Minister for Health. Media release.
"A new 24-hour Mental Health access line to provide instant assessment and referral services will be established by the NSW Government.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch said the State-wide line would be staffed by mental health professionals. Mr Lynch said it was expected to be available to rural communities in late 2008. The line would then be rolled out across the State within the next 12 months. Mr Lynch said the mental health line was part of the Iemma Government's record commitment to people living with a mental illness.

Race Club Facility Grant Program
Source: NSW.Minister for Gaming and Racing. Media Release.
"Minister West has announced a $2 million Race Club Facility Grant Program to assist rural and regional race clubs develop their facilities and recover from the Equine Flu crisis. Eligible applicants under this program are incorporated not-for-profit organisations, affiliated with Racing NSW, Harness Racing NSW and Greyhound Racing NSW wishing to develop facilities that will directly assist racing in rural and regional areas. "