Tender released for National Emissions Registry
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"The Department of Climate Change has released a request for tender to set up and manage an
Australian national registry under the Kyoto Protocol and ultimately for an Australian emissions
trading scheme."

$150 Million to Slash Elective Surgery Waiting Listsby Delivering Structural Reform
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Minister for Health. Joint Media Release
"The Rudd Government today (24/5/08) announced a further $150 million to slash elective surgery waiting lists.
This funding builds upon the Government’s initial investment of $150 million for an immediate blitz on elective surgery waiting lists, announced earlier this year.
This new funding will deliver structural reform in the delivery of elective surgery, to ensure that there is lasting change in our hospitals. For example, this funding could be used to buy new, state-of-the-art surgical equipment and construct dedicated elective surgery units."

Melbourne to Host World Conference on Ageing
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"Melbourne has secured the right to host an international conference on ageing in 2010 – one of the largest international gatherings of world experts in the field, Australian Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot announced today (29/5/08). It is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and will inject more than $8 million in to the economy."

Extra funding for outback public toilets project
Source: South Australia. Minister for Regional Development. Media release
"The Outback Areas Community Development Trust will receive nearly $130,000 from the State Government to improve the standard of public toilets in rural and remote South Australia.
The money is from the Upper Spencer Gulf & Outback Enterprise Zone Fund for two projects:
$67,500 for the Marla Septic Tank Effluent Disposal system upgrade and grey water reuse project.
$59,920 for the Outback Public Convenience upgrade project."

$11 million for metropolitan racing infrastructure
Source: South Australia. Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Media release
"$11 million dollars will be committed in this year’s State Budget for the construction of a second turf racetrack at Allan Scott Park Morphettville (ASPM) and redeveloping Gawler Racecourse into South Australia’s second metropolitan thoroughbred racing venue.
Racing Minister Michael Wright says with Victoria Park no longer considered a viable racing option by the SAJC and the impending closure of Cheltenham Racecourse, ASPM will soon be the only recognised metropolitan racing venue in South Australia."

National Child Protection Framework Discussion Paper
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Discussion paper
"The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin has released a discussion paper titled Australia's children: safe and well: A national framework for protecting Australia's children. The Discussion paper proposes better use of early intervention family support to support child protection, including a reference (page16) to the potential use of FRCs to deliver a wider range of services. There is also reference to the promotion of good parenting (page17) and better collaboration between services (page 18). "

New Flinders developments to attract more tourists
Source: South Australia. Minister for Tourism.Media release
'Tourism in the Flinders Ranges and Outback is riding high, as Tourism Minister Jane-Lomax-Smith launches two developments in the region today.
Minister Lomax-Smith says the $1 million upgrade of the Wadlata Outback Centre at Port Augusta and the unveiling of new mountain bike trails at Melrose will boost visitor numbers to the region even further."

Victorian Centre Brings New Technology to Australia
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Victoria has further strengthened its position as a global centre for medical research with the launch of the Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics (VCFG). Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings, officially launched the centre and said the Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics will use new technology to advance research in many areas where Victoria was already a leader. The centre, to be based at the Peter MacCallum (Peter Mac) Cancer Centre, is the only facility in Australia to provide a breakthrough new medical research technology, RNA interference (RNAi), that earned its inventors the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,” Mr Jennings said. "

Local Planning Bodies the Next Step in Growth Strategy
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby announced further action to address Victoria’s population boom, with new joint Local and State Government committees to make planning decisions on key projects in areas of metropolitan significance. Releasing the State Government’s response to the recent Melbourne 2030 audit, Mr Brumby said new local Development Assessment Committees – and new Housing Growth Requirements for all metropolitan councils would ensure Melbourne’s established suburbs helped accommodate the state’s booming population and contribute to better housing affordability. Our new initiatives also lock in a partnership between the State and Local Governments to shape the future of our city. Our estimates are that the new initiatives, combined with our release of land in growth areas this year will provide capacity for around 365,000 new dwellings to address our population boom.”

Students Get Educated on Gambling Issues
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"Victorian students are being given more help to make informed decisions about gambling in a new curriculum kit aimed at students in years seven to 10 and those studying under Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Gaming Minister Tony Robinson launched the comprehensive responsible gambling school-based learning program aimed as part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2008, which runs throughout Victoria this week. “The Brumby Government is talking action to protect Victorians from the harm associated with problem gambling and the learning program aimed to give young people the knowledge, skills and behaviour to make informed decisions about gambling and money management throughout their lives,” Mr Robinsons said."

Inquiry into Regional Centres of the Future Launched
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Media Release
"Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan launched a Parliamentary inquiry into the future investment needs of regional Victoria in State Parliament. Ms Allan said the Regional and Rural Affairs Committee Inquiry into Regional Centres of the Future would examine what additional measures may be needed to build on the Brumby Government’s record investment in regional and rural Victoria. “The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure provincial Victoria has the right investment and infrastructure to support the future needs of families in regional Victoria,” Ms Allan said. The inquiry will focus on the future of provincial Victoria, examining productivity, sustainability and liveability to ensure regional Victoria can meet the challenge of future population growth.”

New Rules to Stop Jurors Making Own Investigations
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Jurors and panel members involved in a lengthy empanelment for trials will be prohibited from making their own enquiries under legislation introduced by Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls. Mr Hulls said the new prohibition on enquiries by jurors and jury pool members was necessary to ensure that those sitting on trials were making decisions based on the evidence seen and heard in court.“In light of advances in technology, there are ever-increasing opportunities for jurors to undertake research relating to trial participants and events,” Mr Hulls said.“There have been appeals in New South Wales which have emphasised the damage caused by undirected juror investigations, not only to the viability of public prosecutions, but also to the peace of mind of victims of crime.“Such investigations can lead to jurors accessing potentially irrelevant and prejudicial material, which will affect the result of the trial. There have been retrials in New South Wales as a result of undirected juror investigations.” Those who breach the new prohibition on enquiries face a fine of up to $13,214, which Mr Hulls hopes will act as a deterrent."

WA first to meet world target for threatened species
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"Western Australia has become the first partner in a global seed conservation program to meet one of the international targets for conserving threatened plants. Environment and Climate Change Minister David Templeman said the achievement positioned WA as a world leader in conservation. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, part of the Convention on Biological Diversity, has set a target for 60 per cent of threatened plant species to be in accessible seed collections, preferably in the country of origin, and for 10 per cent of them to be included in recovery programs by 2010. The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre now holds seed collections from more than 70 per cent of the State’s threatened (declared rare) flora species. “WA is the first place in the world where both aspects of this target have been met,” the Minister said."

WA leads way on franchise industry reform
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"Western Australia is leading the charge in creating greater certainty for both franchisors and franchisees in laws governing the franchising industry, Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk said. Australian State and Territory and New Zealand Small Business ministers at the Small Business Ministerial Council in Christchurch, New Zealand, welcomed the recommendations made by an independent inquiry into WA’s franchise business. “The State Government’s position that consideration should continue to be given to the introduction of a well-defined obligation for parties to bargain and negotiate in ‘good faith’ as part of the franchising code of conduct was endorsed by all ministers,” Ms Quirk said. "

Sex offender assets to be returned to WA community
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The properties of eight sexual offenders and alleged sexual offenders have been frozen, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions considering the confiscation of a further four properties. Attorney General Jim McGinty said properties owned by sex offenders and used in the sexual abuse of minors would be seized under the Criminal Confiscation Act. “We expect the eight properties to yield nearly $5million for the people of Western Australia,” Mr McGinty said.
The community is understandably outraged by these heinous crimes and is demanding tough penalties for these offenders."

$24milllion utility support net catches WA families in crisis
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"Western Australians in financial hardship are set to benefit from a $24million State Government relief package that will reduce their risk of having essential utilities disconnected and provide them with free financial counselling. Child Protection Minister Sue Ellery said the package was a major support net for the increasing number of individuals and families who were finding themselves at the wrong end of the State’s economic boom. “The Government is introducing a Hardship Utilities Grants Scheme to help people pay their overdue utility bills before disconnection, and will provide these people with free financial advice to reduce the future likelihood of disconnection,” Ms Ellery said."

New apprentice card the key to savings
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"More than 8,480 of Western Australia’s 36,278 apprentices and trainees have signed up for a new loyalty card that will provide access to special discounts and offers. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan today launched the Apprentice Edge card, which will give apprentices and trainees access to a range of discounted goods, services and attractions throughout the State.
“Discounts on offer at leading outlets include food, fashion, fitness clubs, haircuts, travel, movie tickets, DVD hire and recreational activities,” Mr McGowan said. “Projections show WA will need an extra 180,000 skilled workers by 2016, and so it is vital to support up-and-coming tradespeople. This new scheme is designed to make life a little easier while they are training."

New digital initiative for artists is an Australian first
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Culture and the Arts. Media Release
"An Australian-first initiative will give Western Australian artists an opportunity to reach and interact with new audiences through ABC television and online. Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale said the iArts project would partner selected WA artists and musicians with WA producers to create interactive works that could be streamed online, podcast, vodcast or broadcast on mobile networks and on ABC TV. “iArts is the first initiative of its kind in Australia and is an excellent example of cross-industry collaboration,” Ms McHale said. It will give WA artists an opportunity to develop critical online business skills which will help them profile their work nationally and internationally."

Getting good teachers into challenging schools
Source: Australian Policy Online. Suzanne Rice
"Australia has relatively high levels of education, and our students perform well in international achievement tests, but there is an unacceptable gap between the performance of our best students and our weakest, many of whom are pooled in schools that are hard to staff. While there are undoubtedly some outstanding teachers in hard-to-staff schools, one way to address this achievement gap is to get more of the very best teachers into the most challenging schools, and this has been behind recent calls to give top teachers salary incentives to work in disadvantaged settings. But is money the only answer?"

Preschool education in Australia
Source: Australian Policy Online.Marilyn Harrington / Information and Research Services, Parliamentary Library
"Following on from its election commitment to ensure preschool access for four-year-old children, the Australian Government is proceeding with its plans to provide access to ‘universal’ preschool education. This commitment is supported by an overwhelming body of evidence attesting to the efficacy of early childhood education for school and later life outcomes, as well as a growing economic argument for greater investment on the basis of productivity gains."

Legislation Toughens Up 40 Km/Hour Limit
Source: Minister for Infrastructure. Media release.
"Legislation to strengthen the enforcement of new 40 km/h electronic speed limit signs through school zones was introduced to State Parliament today.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, said that the legislative amendment would allow the Transport Commission to issue an evidentiary certificate that an electronic speed limit sign was operating on a particular date, at a particular time, at a particular place, and was displaying a particular speed limit.

New Era in Water Management
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Primary Industries and Water. Media Release.
"A project to revolutionise water management in Tasmania moves to the implementation phase, with commercial water-users in four catchments installing approved meters over the coming three months.
Primary Industries and Water Minister, David Llewellyn, said that the system would be efficient, timely, accurate and transparent - providing excellent water management information to both irrigators and DPIW.
Ultimately, all major users extracting water from Tasmanian waterways will be part of the new system, which uses wireless telemetry to provide near real-time water data to a central database."

Safer Northern Suburbs for Territory Families
Source: Northern Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
"A community safety review of Darwin’s largest retail and business precinct and construction of the new Casuarina Police Station is helping to build safer northern suburbs for Territory families, Chief Minister and Police Minister Paul Henderson announced today.
Mr Henderson said the Government has instigated a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) audit at the Casuarina retail and business precinct. ...
“CPTED expert, Mr Tony Lake from AMTAC, is working closely with precinct management, retail owners and staff to identify potential hot spots and areas of concern around the precinct, and an online survey is available for shoppers to have their say. "

New Teacher Housing Closing the Gap
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Employment, Education and Training. Media release.
"Education Minister Marion Scrymgour today announced that the construction of an extra 22 houses for teachers in remote communities was on track to be finished by the end of the dry season.
Ms Scrymgour said increased accommodation for teachers was a key education commitment under the Northern Territory Government’s Closing the Gap package to address Indigenous disadvantage."

Planning laws to protect major NSW ports
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Planning. Media Release.
"The three major ports - Newcastle, Botany and Port Kembla – are proposed to be identified as State Significant Sites to recognise their economic importance and provide greater consistency of operation.
Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the proposed State Significant Site (SSS) listings detail projects on the three port sites that would automatically come to the Government for assessment under the State’s major projects legislation. "

First electricity legislation introduced to NSW Parliament
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The Iemma Government has today presented to Parliament special enabling legislation to support its plan to secure the state’s future electricity supplies. Premier Morris Iemma said the legislation was an important step in the process, and would pave the way for the vital future changes to the industry. “This is just part of our plan that will deliver energy certainty for NSW into the future – providing the right energy capacity for the state’s future growth. “We all want the cleanest, greenest electricity at the lowest possible cost and our plan is designed to deliver just that.”

$3.9 MILLION TO MEASURE RIVER AND WETLAND HEALTH
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today (21/5/08) announced funding of $3.9 million for projects to improve the monitoring of river and wetland health.
“Supporting healthy rivers is an important part of the Rudd Government’s long-term Water for the Future plan,” Senator Wong said."

GOVERNMENT WATER PURCHASE SECURES RIGHTS TO 35 BILLION LITRES
FOR THE MURRAY DARLING
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"The Rudd Government’s $50 million water buy-back will secure entitlements to 35 billion extra
litres of water for Murray Darling Basin rivers, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator
Penny Wong, announced today (23/05/08)"

NATIONAL BUSINESS NAMES REGISTRATION INITIATIVE A $1BN BONANZA
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation. Media Release
"Commonwealth, State and Territory Small Business Ministers today agreed in-principle to a national business names initiative that promises to deliver Australian businesses $1 billion in benefits over the next 10 years.The breakthrough was one of two major initiatives arising from the Small Business Ministerial Council meeting in New Zealand covering red tape reduction and small business development for indigenous people.The ambitious national business names initiative will establish a one-stop online shop for businesses to interact with government and bring Australia one step closer to a seamless national economy"

CONNECTING AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS: GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES $250 MILLION ENTERPRISE CONNECT NETWORK
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Media Release
"The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, tonight (21/5/08) delivered on a key election commitment by launching the Rudd Labor Government's $251 million Enterprise Connect network in Melbourne.The ten Enterprise Connect centres around the nation will help businesses succeed and help create high wage, high skilled jobs now and for the future.Enterprise Connect will provide Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to the best advice, technology and research. The centres will offer top quality business and management advisory services."

AUSTRALIA’S COASTS TO WIN IN $100 MILLION PACKAGE
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"Australia’s fragile coasts and beaches will benefit from a $100 million Community Coastcare
package launched today (23/5/08) by Environment Minister, Peter Garrett on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The new investment jointly administered by Minister Garrett and Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry Minister, Tony Burke is part of the Rudd Labor Government’s landmark $2.25 billion
Caring for our Country initiative, and will help local communities undertake vital beach and
coastal protection and restoration projects right around the country."

Discussion paper on Indigenous employment reforms
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment Participation. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Joint Media Release
"A discussion paper to encourage debate and ideas on economic development and jobs for Indigenous Australians was released today by the Australian Government.
The Government is developing a new strategy to build the strong foundations necessary for sustainable Indigenous economic development across Australia.
The nationwide consultations, which start tomorrow, will focus on how to reform two existing employment and work-readiness programs – Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) and the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP). "

Building skills for engaging with Asia
Source: Australia. The Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, will launch the Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia Forum, run by the Asia Education Foundation in Adelaide today (19/5/08).
The Rudd Government is committed to building stronger relationships with Asia. In the recent Federal Budget, $62.4 million was allocated to the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program."

Schools program to promote cyber-smart behaviour
Source: Australia. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Media Release
"The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has welcomed an Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) cyber-smart initiative to teach children how to be responsible cyber-citizens.
“Raising awareness of online safety is critical in ensuring children enjoy safe and positive internet experiences, and know how to protect themselves from risks,” Senator Conroy said.
“Cybersmart Detectives is an exciting, interactive online activity where children work online in real-time to solve an internet-themed problem. ACMA will be providing the program free-of-charge to schools.”
The Australian Government has committed $125.8 million to a comprehensive range of cyber-safety measures, including law enforcement, filtering and education, over the next four years."

National Policy Commission on Indigenous Housing
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Australian Government will establish a National Policy Commission to develop innovative proposals to improve the provision of housing in remote Indigenous communities.
In my National Apology speech I committed the Government to the creation of a forum to develop solutions to the problem of overcrowding, health problems, violence and abuse that flow from inadequate housing in remote Indigenous communities.
The establishment of a National Policy Commission aims to meet that commitment."

NSW Government Slashes More Red Tape
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The Iemma Government announced new measures to help untangle the State’s planning system by slashing unnecessary duplications and introducing three-week deadlines for concurrences. Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the reforms would help speed up processing times across the State. “Under the changes, the time taken by State agencies to comment on development applications will be more than halved from current averages to just 21 days,” he said. If the response or concurrence is not received in time, the council will be able to continue without agency advice.”

Amended Planning Reform Bills Submitted to Parliament
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"Landmark reforms tabled in NSW Parliament will create an efficient and transparent planning system for the 21st Century – introducing independent decision-making and streamlining processes for working families. Mr Sartor said the new package included a number of changes, reflecting substantial community consultation. “This package is the culmination of an extended consultation process, involving forums, a discussion paper and Exposure Bills, as well as analysis of national trends,” Mr Sartor said. "

New Liquor Laws
New South Wales. Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. Media Release
"Liquor Law reform overview of new laws to come in 1 July 2008."

New funding agreement for regional development boards
Source: South Australia. Minister for Regional Development. Media Release
"Minister for Regional Development Karlene Maywald says a new funding agreement for the State’s 13 regional development boards will enable the government to continue driving economic growth in country South Australia. The State Government will provide $18 million and Local Government more than $5 million in a deal which guarantees the delivery of programs and services for another five years. “For the first time, indexation on funding will occur on an annual basis starting with a 2.5 percent increase in the first year,” Minister Maywald said. “Through this funding agreement, the State Government provides a regional point of contact to aid business development as well as providing expertise and support services for regional business communities. “A five-year funding agreement provides further security and a longer-term outlook to plan strategically for sustainable economic development in our regional areas."

Reduced Speed Limit to Save Lives on Popular Shopping Strips
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"A 40 kilometre per hour speed limit will be introduced at five popular shopping strips across Melbourne, under the Brumby Government’s road safety strategy Arrive Alive 2008 – 2017. Roads and Ports Minister, Tim Pallas said the new speed limit initiative follows a recently completed trial of 40 km/h zones at 18 strip shopping sites. “The trial showed a positive safety benefit in areas with high levels of pedestrian traffic,” Mr Pallas said. “As a result, the 18 sites will continue to be 40 km zones, and the Brumby Government will be investing $600,000 to introduce 40 km speed limits at five new sites.” The trial showed that there had been a reduction of around 17 per cent in pedestrian casualty crashes in the trial areas compared with other untreated sites over the same period."

$600,000 To Increase Internet Access for all Victorians
Source: Victoria. Minister for Local Government. Media Release
"Free public internet access is a step closer for thousands of Victorians, thanks to $600,000 from the Brumby Government that will pay for Neighbourhood Houses across the state to install broadband connections and computer hardware. Celebrating Neighbourhood House Week by opening an extension to the Jika Jika Community Centre in Darebin, Local Government Minister Richard Wynne, today announced the latest round of Public Internet Access Program (PIAP) grants, which help to make free or affordable internet access available in public facilities.“The Brumby Government is taking action for communities and the Public Internet Access Program has already provided more than 315,000 hours of free or low cost public Internet access to Victorians who would not otherwise have had access,” Mr Wynne said. A quarter of funding to date has been provided to Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria, making them a vital link in helping to increase computer literacy and ensuring local people have access to computers and the internet.”

New Strategy to Strengthen Victorian Focus on India
Source: Victoria. Minister for Industry and Trade. Media Release
"Victoria will explore new trade and investments opportunities with India as part of a Brumby Government review into strengthening links with the world’s largest democracy. Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous made the announcement at a meeting with the visiting Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath.Mr Theophanous said the review, which will be chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Trade Marsha Thomson, would enable the Brumby Government to provide more strategic assistance to business for both investment and trade. Mr Theophanous said India was the fastest growing of all Victoria’s major markets and the new review would examine the best way to take advantage of that."

Resourcesmart Schools Tackling Climate Change
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government called on all Victorian schools to take this year’s ResourceSmart challenge. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said Victorian schools can take the challenge of tackling climate change by entering the 2008 Victorian ResourceSmart School of the Year Awards.“Many Victorian schools are already doing a lot to reduce their environmental impacts both within their schools and their local communities,” Mr Jennings said.“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to ensure climate change creates a climate of opportunities for Victoria and these awards are yet another example of how we can change behaviours across all sectors of the community.“These awards recognise and celebrate these achievements, and encourage schools to establish ongoing programs and promote behaviour change within our schools and by our future leaders.” Entries for the Awards are now open with all Victorian primary and secondary schools throughout Victoria being encouraged to enter. "

First-time Funding for Aboriginal Arts in Tasmania
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media release.
"The Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced funding of almost $50,000 in grants to Aboriginal artists and organisations working in Aboriginal arts in Tasmania.
The ground-breaking grants represent the first time funding has been provided specifically to support Aboriginal arts in Tasmania."

New opportunities in the IT industry
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education and Skills. Media release.
"Tasmanians will have the opportunity to gain experience in the information technology industry while studying as part of a new pilot program.
The Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, today launched the Cadetships Pilot for the Information Technology Industry, which is available for up to 20 people including those already working in the industry and new entrants.
“The project is the result of research by Skills Tasmania which identified a demand for a cadetship program in the IT industry,” Mr Bartlett said."

Dental waiting list halves
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
In the past 10 months the waiting list for clients of ACT Health’s dental health services has halved, ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, said today.
“For the first 10 months of 2007-08, 1,712 people were added to the waiting list and 2,330 were offered treatment,” Ms Gallagher said.
“This has seen a 50% reduction in the number of clients on the centralised waiting and recall list (CWRL) over the past 10 months.”

Civil partnerships commence
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
"“For the first time in the ACT all couples, irrespective of the gender of either person, can now enter into a legally recognised civil partnership and publically affirm their commitment to each other.
“Civil partnership registrations are now being accepted by the Registrar General, who is available to conduct civil partnership ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples in the ACT who wish to affirm their relationship before friends and families and gain legal recognition of their partnership.”

10,000 greywater hoses given away
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
"The ACT Government has provided 10,000 greywater hoses free of charge to ACT residents, to help households save thousands of litres of precious drinking water, Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Jon Stanhope said today.
The Greywater Hose Giveaway Program, which concludes today, is part of the ACT Government's Think water, act water strategy for sustainable water resource management."

Liberals signal vote against land rent scheme
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
"Labor’s innovative land rent scheme would benefit homebuyers to the tune of about $310 a week in reduced mortgage repayments, compared to a benefit of around $10 a week flowing from the Liberal stamp-duty plan, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.
Mr Stanhope said the Liberals had signalled they would vote against the land rent legislation when it was debated in the Assembly later this year, but that their criticisisms of the scheme were based on ignorance and poor homework."

Public transport offenders could face nine months’ jail
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"Offenders who commit violent acts or criminal damage on Perth trains, buses and stations could face up to nine months’ jail for breaching public transport banning orders. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the Public Transport Authority Amendment Bill 2008 would strengthen the Public Transport Banning Orders introduced by regulation in February this year. Those regulations enabled the PTA to ban repeat offenders from the public transport system for up to three months. Ms MacTiernan introduced the legislation into State Parliament."

Industry advice reforms under way in new effort to tackle skill shortages
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"New arrangements to better capitalise on high level industry advice to Government on training will come into effect later this year. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan welcomed the final report from the State Training Board on the ‘Review of Industry Training Advisory Arrangements.’ Mr McGowan said that despite having the lowest unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent (as at April 2008) in the nation and the extraordinary growth of apprentices and trainees in training of 96 per cent since 2001, projections showed Western Australia would need an extra 180,000 skilled workers by 2016. “The report maps out changes to the bodies which provide advice to the State Government on training needs,” Mr McGowan said. The new arrangements, which are expected to be in place later this year, will see the consolidation of the current 14 industry training advisory bodies to 10 new Training Councils."

New policy for fairer contributions by land developers
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"A new planning policy that will help local government establish a fair and appropriate basis for charging land developers for the cost of local community infrastructure has been released for public comment. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan released the Western Australian Planning Commission draft State Planning Policy 3.6 Development Contributions for Infrastructure. Ms MacTiernan said the State Government and local government had worked with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), representing land developers to produce the policy. This policy will help local governments identify the cost of local community infrastructure that is directly attributable to new developments in their area."

Government meets the call for overhaul of WA child care
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Communities. Media Release
"Child care services in Western Australia are set to become safer for children and fairer for workers after the State Government today welcomed a comprehensive review of industry regulations. Communities Minister Sue Ellery said the Government had accepted a range of recommendations from the Child Care Regulations Consultative Committee relating to long day care, family day care and outside school hours care. "The Government has endorsed 28 major recommendations to improve the safety and wellbeing of children and the working conditions of staff, as well as to reduce regulatory overload for child care centre operators," Ms Ellery said."

Landmark legislation to revolutionise State’s training system
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Western Australia’s training laws are set for the biggest changes in more than 30 years, with a new Bill introduced into Parliament. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan introduced sweeping changes to update the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and replace the archaic Industrial Training Act 1975 to create a single, modern system for apprenticeships and traineeships. Mr McGowan said the new legislation would significantly improve current laws and pave the way for a more flexible training system which was better able to address skill shortages. "

SA set for world’s toughest anti-bikie laws
Source: South Australia. Premier & Ministers. Media release.
"South Australia will soon have the world’s toughest laws to combat criminal motorcycle gangs after the Government’s anti-bikie legislation last night passed the Legislative Council of State Parliament.
The landmark Serious and Organised Crime legislation is designed to disrupt and dismantle criminal bikie gangs and prevent them from carrying out their illegal activities in South Australia."

Iemma Government increasing mental health bed numbers
Source: NSW Health. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health. Media release.
"The Iemma Government will add more than 300 mental health beds to the State's hospitals over the next three years, NSW Parliament was told today. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch said the extra beds were part of the Iemma Government's record $1.05 billion mental health budget."

'Protecting Children from Tobacco: A NSW Government Discussion Paper on the Next Steps to Reduce Tobacco-Related Harm, 2008'
Source: NSW. Minister for Health. Media Release.
"The NSW Government is looking at the next steps to reduce harm caused to the community from tobacco smoking. The Government is particularly interested in new ideas to prevent the next generation of young people from taking up smoking.
'Protecting Children from Tobacco: A NSW Government Discussion Paper on the Next Steps to Reduce Tobacco-Related Harm, 2008' has been prepared to assist community members to make a submission as part of the public consultation process. "

$200m to rescue the Great Barrier Reef
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts & Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Joint media release
"Threats to the Great Barrier Reef, including the effects of climate change and declining water
quality will be tackled by the Rudd Labor Government’s $200 million reef rescue plan announced in today’s Budget
Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke said the funding will support land management grants to farmers and community groups and fund vital research.
The rescue plan will help protect one of the world’s great natural wonders, while benefiting local
conservation and Indigenous groups, agricultural production and tourism, fishing and aquaculture industries."

Skilling Australia for the Future
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media release
"The 2008-09 Budget delivers the Rudd Government’s commitment to deliver 450 000 new training places over four years. The Budget extends this commitment to invest $1.9 billion over 5 years to fund up to 630 000 new training places.
Skilling Australia for the Future will target skills shortages and lift productivity."

More flexible, better targeted employment services
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment Participation. Media release.
"The Rudd Government will help the most disadvantaged Australians find work through a simpler, more effective, better targeted and modern Employment Services system.
The 2008-09 Budget will provide $3.7 billion over three years to deliver services to help job seekers find suitable employment, drive efficiencies and reduce waste."

Queensland Corrective Services Bill raises human rights concerns
Source: Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission. Media release.
"Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes, said today that the Corrective Services Amendment Bill to be introduced into Queensland parliament next week, which curtails the rights of prisoners to make complaints, raises significant human rights concerns.
The legislation stops prisoners making a complaint of discrimination unless they have exhausted internal processes and complained to the Ombudsman. It also requires consideration be given to whether discrimination is ‘reasonable’ in a way that does not apply to other complaints of discrimination."

The end of temporary protection visas for refugees is a step forward for human rights
Source: Equal Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission. Media release
"The Temporary Protection Visa policy has created an unjust two-tiered system for refugees and has caused undue suffering and distress for many people trying to escape persecution,” said Commissioner Innes. “I congratulate the government for ending this heartless policy and giving refugees and their families permanent protection at last.”

New five year vision for NT tourism industry
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Tourism. Media release.
"The future direction of the Northern Territory’s tourism industry was launched today at the new Darwin Convention Centre.
The Minister for Tourism, Kon Vatskalis, said the new plan will guide the direction and success of the industry over the next five years."

Elected Body Gives Voice to Indigenous Locals
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release.
"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 will be created in the ACT..."

Million-Dollar Building the Future Investment
Source: Australian Capital Territory. Chief Minister. Media release
"The ACT Government will embark on a record billion-dollar Building the Future Infrastructure Investment Program for the Territory, Chief Minister and Treasurer Jon Stanhope announced today."

Government Rules Out Destination Gaming for Victoria
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will not pursue a destination gaming model in Victoria. Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said the Brumby Government is taking action to protect vulnerable communities from harm associated with problem gambling and has fulfilled its commitment to investigate the potential for destination gaming as a proposal to reduce the harm from problem gambling. “Following consideration of the outcomes of this investigation and subsequent report released today, the Brumby Government believes destination gaming would not be an effective harm reduction measure in Victoria at this time,” Mr Robinson said.“The Brumby Government recently announced the post-2012 gaming industry structure, which will see clubs and hotels operating gaming machines and will deliver greater transparency and accountability to local communities.“This community focused structure will be complimented by a range of new measures to combat problem gambling.”Destination gaming is considered by some problem gambling advocates to be a potential problem gambling harm reduction measure, involving the redistribution of gaming machines into fewer, but larger, gaming venues."

Premium Rate to Solar Powered Victorian Households
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Victorian households with solar power systems will be paid a premium rate for excess electricity that they feed into the state grid under a new scheme announced by the Brumby Government. Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor said the new Feed-in Tariff Scheme was aimed at increasing the number of private households in Victoria generating renewable energy. “Through the new premium Feed-in Tariff Scheme, households will be paid 60 cents for every unused kilowatt hour of power fed back into the state electricity grid, which is almost four times the current retail price for electricity and the highest feed-in tariff offered in Australia,” Mr Batchelor said. The system will encourage more households to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and encourage solar-powered households to be energy efficient and maximise the amount of power fed into the state’s electricity grid for other customers to use.”

Victorians Invited to Comment on Mental Health Reforms
Source: Victoria. Minister for Mental Health. Media Release
"Victorians are being invited to comment on a plan for a new approach to mental health in Victoria. Releasing the consultation paper summary, Because mental health matters: A new focus for mental health in Victoria, Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville said investing services in young people and an approach to treating mental illness based on prevention and early intervention would pay dividends in the longer term. Ms Neville said the community was invited to make submissions on the consultation paper, which would feed into the Mental Health Reform Strategy to be released later this year.“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure Victorians have the best mental health system and the state’s mental health services will undergo significant reform over the next decade, to build on reforms announced in this week’s Brumby Government State Budget,” Ms Neville said."

New role to boost public health workforce
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"A new role has been created in Western Australia’s public health system which will train and place more than 125 Assistants in Nursing in public hospitals by the end of the year. Health Minister Jim McGinty said 34 trainees had already started the course and were receiving on-the-job training at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fremantle Hospital and Bentley Mental Health Service. “Assistants in Nursing will provide vital support to the nursing workforce and public health system by helping with patient meals and bathing, making beds and a wide variety of other duties,” Mr McGinty said. "

Private sector support for State Government’s innovative rental model
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"A groundbreaking State Government plan to increase rental housing supply in the inner city has been backed by the private sector. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced Golden Sea Property Development and Heyspring Land would develop four sites in Northbridge with the potential to provide at least 85 long-term rental units. Under the new model, developers would transform land purchased from the State Government, bound by a contract of sale that ensured the residential component was maintained as dedicated rental housing for a minimum of 10 years. Ms MacTiernan said the new model was believed to be a first in Australia. It showed the State Government was taking a multi-layered approach to the issue of housing affordability."

New study to shine spotlight on South-West youth skills
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"A Western Australian-first study will kick off in a matter of months to look at the training and career options available to South-West youth. Announcing the 12-week study, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the South West Youth Labour Market Study would result in the development of an action plan to better match training services to industry needs.
Mr McGowan said the South-West economy was growing at an unprecedented rate and it was important that the region’s young people were skilled and available to local industries. This landmark project will gather detailed information about the future skills needs in the South- West, and has the potential to be used as the model for studies in other regions around the State,” Mr McGowan said."

Australia Partners with East Timor on Aviation Security
Source:Australia.Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Media release.
"From today the governments of Australia and East Timor will work in partnership to improve aviation security in our region.
The Australian Government will invest $100,000 in the East Timor Aviation Security Project to provide training for more than 250 East Timorese airport and aviation security officials."

$1 Billion in Support for People With a Disability and their Carers
Source:Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media release
"In the upcoming budget the Rudd Government will commit one billion dollars to fund disability services and increase support for carers. This one billion dollar commitment includes an extra $100 million in capital funding, to build more supported accommodation for people with a disability.The extra $100 million in funding for the Rudd Government will provide for up to 35 new facilities accommodating up to six people each."

NSW hospitals performing above national benchmarks
Source: NSW Health.Media release.
"NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today that the state's hospitals are treating people more quickly despite an ongoing rise in emergency department activity."

Nine dementia day-care centres for NSW
Source: New South Wales. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.Media release.
"Nine new dementia day-care centres worth a total of $11.86 million will be built across New South Wales, making life significantly easier for people with dementia, their families and their carers.
Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Kristina Keneally today announced nine new centres that will be jointly funded by the Federal and NSW Governments under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, to provide much-needed dementia services to people across the state."

New guidelines for frontline staff working with people at risk of homelessness
Source: New South Wales.Department of Ageing, Disability, & Home Care. Media release.
"A set of guidelines has been developed to help front line staff from agencies and service providers improve the situation of people living in severe domestic squalor.
The Director General of the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), Brendan O’Reilly, said that this was part of the NSW Government’s efforts to address the issue of homelessness and people at risk of homelessness."

$65m Program to Deliver 339 Affordable Homes
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services; Chair, Tasmanian Affordable Housing Ltd.Media release.
"A landmark $65 million program to build 339 new affordable homes across Tasmania over the next three years was launched today by the State Government and Tasmanian Affordable Housing Ltd. "

Tasmania Wins Bid for 2009 Wildwater World Cup
Source:Tasmania. Minister for Sport and Recreation.Media release.
" Tasmania has secured a major international sporting coup, winning the right to host the 2009 Canoe Wildwater World Cup, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, announced today.
Speaking at the Cataract Gorge today, which is one of several venues around the State that will host the event, Ms O’Byrne, said the World Cup was a massive win for the State.
“No other Australian state or territory has hosted the Wildwater World Cup and it is only the second time the event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere,” Ms O’Byrne said."

Budget 2008 - Combatting Climate Change and Protecting the Environment
Source:Northern Territory.Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage and the Chief Minister.Media release.
"In a Northern Territory first, dedicated funding will be allocated to combatting climate change as part of Budget 2008."

Brumby Government Addresses Transport Disadvantage
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is leading the way with new initiatives to address transport disadvantage in Victoria and offering free Sunday travel to people with disabilities and carers. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said some members of the community had few or no travel options and it was these people who most needed accessible transport links.“The Brumby Government is taking action to develop policy and create new funding initiatives to reduce barriers to access and mobility,” Ms Kosky said. Rob Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport, launched the ‘Improving Options and Reducing Barriers – Addressing Transport Disadvantage’ report which outlines the Brumby Government’s current initiatives to address transport disadvantage."

Government to Roll Out New Taxi Safety Measures
Sources: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"A range of new measures will be introduced to improve safety for Victorian taxi drivers and their passengers after a successful meeting between the Brumby Government and the taxi industry. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the Government had and will continue to regularly meet with stakeholders from the taxi industry. “We are taking action to ensure that taxi drivers and their passengers travel safely,” Ms Kosky said. Security screens will be fitted to all existing taxis with the Government funding 50 per cent of the cost with individual taxi operators to make up the remainder.“The Brumby Government will subsidise the installation of safety screens in all existing cabs, providing 50 per cent of the cost. Screens will be made available for every driver who requests one,” Ms Kosky said.“The screens will be optional, with drivers able to quickly install and remove the screens if they chose not to use them.They will be installed over the next 12 months, with the aim to have them available by Christmas."

Victorians to Benefit from New Tools to Help Councils Plan for the Future
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"Increased community input will improve local councils’ strategic planning, thanks to an innovative project funded by the Brumby Government. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said that the Guidelines for the Integration of Community Planning and Council Planning were one of 26 statewide projects funded by the Brumby Government’s Local Area Planning Support Program (LAPS). ”Community participation is a vital part of any planning and decision-making carried out by local government,” Mr Wynne said at a conference to mark the completion of the LAPS projects. The Guidelines for the Integration of Community Planning and Council Planning is the result of four LAPS projects which I believe have the potential to be implemented across Victoria.”

Victoria's Alcohol Action Plan to Restore the Balance
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"A five-year, $37.2 million Alcohol Action Plan will address the significant human and economic impact of alcohol abuse by tackling the areas of health, community education, alcohol advertising and enhanced enforcement. A $17.6 million Liquor Licensing Compliance Directorate will be established in the Department of Justice to significantly strengthened enforcement of liquor licensing laws across all of Victoria. Premier John Brumby said the directorate will look at innovative ways of enforcement such as using underage operatives as has been done to prevent tobacco sales to minors. “This directorate will be responsible for the inspection and enforcement of liquor licence laws and will be staffed by 30 inspectors and six lawyers who will operate across the state,” Mr Brumby said. This will free-up local police from doing routine licence checks and enable their liquor licensing squad to focus on licensing issues that are directly causing violence in and around venues. "

Brumby Government Initiatives to Green Victorian Homes
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is leading the way in launching new energy efficiency laws for home alterations and relocations which will help reduce Victorian households’ greenhouse gas emissions. Planning Minister Justin Madden has announced 5 Star standards for home renovations and relocations which came into effect in the Building Code of Australia on 1 May, 2008. “The new energy efficiency laws are important as an anticipated 40,000 homes are renovated, extended or relocated each year,” Mr Madden said. “As we face the reality of climate change, 5 Star energy rating for renovations and relocated homes are crucial as households account for a third of Victoria’s energy use. The new energy efficiency laws for the building fabric of home alterations will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions while delivering greater comfort and lower energy costs to Victorians.”

Land and Biodiversity Community Workshops
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"Community workshops are being held throughout May across all Victorian regions to introduce the Brumby Government’s Land and Biodiversity Green Paper. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the community workshops will allow Victorians to provide feedback on the Land and Biodiversity Green Paper. “Private sector investment in the environment and opportunities for business and farmers are key parts of the Land and Biodiversity Green Paper so it’s vital that the community has an opportunity to comment on it,” Mr Jennings said. “The Land and Biodiversity Green Paper provides a framework for how Victorians will look after the environment over the next 50 years as the effects of climate change place further pressure on our biodiversity and ecosystems. The Green Paper’s vision is that all Victorians will participate in actively restoring and conserving our ecosystems to ensure healthy land, seas and waterways."

Water saving shower trial key to new partnership
Source: South Australia. Minister for Water Security. Media Release
"The State Government and the Local Government Association of South Australia have joined forces to reduce community water use through a new trial showerhead exchange program. The free exchange program - where householders can trade in old showerheads in return for low-flow models - will be trialled in at least five Councils under the new Waterwise Communities program being led by SA Water and the LGA. Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald says the Waterwise Communities program also includes targeted water saving plans, water education programs, community events and shower-timer giveaways. “Our goal is to have all councils participating by the end of 2008 and to make it easy for people to trade old water wasting showerheads, to new low-flow versions,” Minister Maywald said."

$100,000 in grants for active schools
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"More than 200 South Australian schools will share in grants totalling more than $100,000 to help students become more active. Schools were invited to apply for a $500 ‘Getting Started Grant’ as part of the 2008 Premier’s be active Challenge, by registering at least 100 students or 80% of their student population. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith announced in State Parliament that every one of the 202 schools that applied would receive a $500 grant.
In addition, schools that take part in this year’s Challenge will be eligible for sports equipment grants, awarded at the end of the Challenge for outstanding effort."

Offenders come clean with public transport graffiti problem
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Corrective Services. Media Release
"Offenders are repaying their debt to society through a scheme to remove graffiti and repair the damage caused by vandals on public transport. The Department of Corrective Services’ Repay WA graffiti scheme supplies a team of supervised offenders each week to Southern Coast Transit. The offenders, who are on community-based orders, remove graffiti, repair upholstery and perform other detailing work on buses at Southern Coast Transit’s O’Connor depot. Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk said the aim of the scheme, which had operated since late February, was to get offenders convicted of graffiti and other property damage-related crimes to appreciate the effect of their reckless vandalism."

New five-year plan for WA’s plantations and farm forestry
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Agriculture and Food. Media Release
"The State Government has released a five-year strategy for the development of the plantation and farm forestry sector. Forestry Minister Kim Chance launched the strategy in York and said it focused on the expansion of the forest industry in Western Australia’s medium to lower rainfall areas, helping farmers to diversify their practices. "The plantation and farm forestry industry provides significant, multiple benefits to regional economies, creating new jobs and making regional communities more sustainable,” Mr Chance said."

Police restraining orders successful in tackling domestic violence
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"A review of legislation governing the new on-the-spot police orders has found they have been widely adopted by police - and those working in domestic violence related fields consider them to be successful. Mr McGinty said the State Government had introduced 24 and 72-hour, police-issued orders in 2004 as part of tough new laws to tackle domestic violence. “These on-the-spot orders gave police the ability to provide immediate protection to victims of domestic violence, thereby preventing violence from escalating, often with tragic circumstances,” he said. This was a major achievement because the previous telephone system was cumbersome, with less than one telephone order being issued by police per month in the final year of operation."

TOURISM TAKES MAJOR STEP TO NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
Source: Australia. Minister for Tourism. Media Release
"The tourism industry today took a major step towards voluntary, national accreditation with the inaugural meeting of the National Accreditation Framework Joint Working Group in Parliament House, Canberra.
Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson MP, convened the meeting which included representatives of key tourism industry associations and State and Territory tourism organisations which currently operate accreditation programs.
Minister Ferguson said: "Tourism is Australia's largest export services industry accounting for 3.7 per cent of total Australian GDP and 10.4 per cent of total exports in 2006-07.
"However, the tourism industry faces challenges of an increasingly competitive global tourism market and increasing consumer expectations.
"A widely-endorsed accreditation framework is vital to lifting the standard of the Australian tourism experience."

Rudd Government to invest $12.9 billion in water
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"The 2008/09 Budget will deliver on the Rudd Government’s election commitments in water and establish a $12.9 billion water investment program over ten years.
This includes $1.5 billion in new urban water investment to help secure water supplies for
Australian households and businesses.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong has outlined details of Water for
the Future, the Rudd Government’s plan to secure the long term water supply of all Australians."

UNLOCKING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF OUR URBAN COMMUNITIES
Source: Australia. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government. Media Release
"The Rudd Labor Government has today (30/4/08) taken another decisive step towards making sure Australia's major cities remain places where people want to live, work, raise a family and do business.
The Government will establish and resource a Major Cities Unit within my Department, renewing the Commonwealth's focus on the nation's cities, and more broadly, on urban development."

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE LEARNER DRIVER TRAINING
Source: Australia. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government. Media Release.
"The Rudd Labor Government will provide funding of $17 million to an innovative road safety program which over the next five years will deliver more than 200,000 free driving lessons to learner drivers and their parents.
Later today (1/5/08) I will launch keys2drive in Tasmania (Hobart) - the State in which the program will be fine tuned by the Australian Automobile Association before being rolled out nationally from early next year.
Once implemented, keys2drive will:
Provide learner drivers and a parent or mentor with a free professional driving lesson from an accredited instructor;
Support parents and mentors with instructional material and practical guidance on how to provide effective supervision and training to a learner driver;
Establish an interactive website which will offer short instructional videos, guides for handling various road terrains and weather conditions, and the location of their nearest accredited driving instructor; and
Deliver the country's first ever national accreditation scheme for driving instructors."

New visa to attract superyachts to Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"A new tailored visa for the crews of superyachts will provide a boost to the tourism industry, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today (30/4/08).
Senator Evans said the new superyacht visa fulfilled a Rudd Government election commitment to create a special visa class to support the growing superyacht industry and assist tourism in areas like Queensland's Great Barrier Reef region.
'The superyacht industry is a growing niche market that is an integral part of Queensland's economic and regional development,' Senator Evans said.
'The new multiple–entry visa will allow all crew members to work in Australia for up to 12 months on commercial or private superyachts."

Government timetable for Indigenous employment reforms announced
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs . Media Release
"The Government will shortly begin consultations on Indigenous employment services reforms which will form part of a broader Indigenous Economic Development Strategy to be announced by the end of the year.These employment services reforms will complement the Government's new Job Network arrangements and include substantial reform of the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP)."

Homeworkers' Code of Practice Program - launch
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, has announced the launch of the Homeworkers’ Code of Practice Program.
The new program provides $4 million over four years to develop and promote the Homeworkers’ Code of Practice and the ‘No Sweat Shop’ label.
The Homeworkers’ Code of Practice and ‘No Sweat Shop’ label promote ethical Australian manufacturers and designers and assist consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. "

Ministerial Review of the Private Vehicle Conveyance Scheme
Source: NSW. Minister for Transport. Media Release.
"On Tuesday 29 April 2008, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins released the Interim Report of the Hon Harry Woods Review of the Private Vehicle Conveyance (PVC) Scheme in NSW. The objective of the review is to identify concerns regarding current practice within the PVC Scheme and to examine potential and practical solutions. The aims of the review are to: make the PVC subsidy more equitable, transparent, administratively simple; reduce the risk of overpayments; review the rationale, payment model and procedures; and
make the subsidy more sustainable."

Expert panel established for contentious projects
Source: NSW. Minister for Planning. Media Release.
"Planning Minister Frank Sartor today established an External Advisory Panel to provide independent advice to the Minister on contentious private sector developments. "