Mortimer Review of Export Policies and Programs
Source: Minister for Trade
This is the most comprehensive review of Australia's approach to trade and international investment in more than a decade. It also includes an assessment of free trade agreements and the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
"I would like to record my appreciation to David Mortimer and John Edwards for their excellent work in reviewing Australia's trade policies and programs and for providing recommendations to the Government to bring about an improvement in Australia's trade performance," Mr Crean said. "The Government is committed to turning our productivity performance around as it is the key to our future economic growth and prosperity. "

Overhaul of the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce
Source: Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia
The Rudd Government today announced an overhaul of the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce to set a new direction for the body with an emphasis on sustainable economic development.
The changes include new membership, removing all politicians from the group, and new terms of reference, tackling the environmental, economic and social challenges facing northern Australia in the 21st century. The new taskforce draws on experience from a diverse range of interests, including business, indigenous, conservation, agriculture, mining and science.

New measures give public a voice on potential PBS medicines
Source: Minister for Health and Ageing
From today, consumers will be able to comment on medicines being considered for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).The new measure will increase the transparency of the PBS listing process and will benefit patients, carers, health professionals and consumer groups, by allowing their input into the decision-making process.The Australian Government subsidises over 3,000 medicines through the PBS. The Government is committed to giving Australians affordable access to medicines they need. To do this, it is seeking direct public input for the PBS listing process, to inform the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and pharmaceutical companies.

New Australian Government Office for Youth
Source: Minister for Youth
The Office for Youth will identify key issues impacting on the lives of young Australians and play a strategic policy advice role to ensure that they are given the best opportunities now and in the future.
Situated within the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Office will provide support and advice to other government agencies to help them better engage with young people. The new Office is one of a number of important steps in the Australian Government’s youth affairs reform agenda.

Historic Deal on Emergency Management
Source: Australia. Attorney-General
Australia and the European Union will work more closely together on emergency management challenges, following the completion of an historic agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Mr Jos Delbeke, Acting Director-General of the European Commission and Mr Tony Pearce, Director General of Emergency Management Australia, will allow for the regular exchange of personnel and information on emergency management issues.

Rudd Government to abolish milk levy
Source: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Rudd Government is seeking to abolish an 11 cents per litre levy on fresh milk, with legislation introduced to Federal Parliament today. Consumers will benefit from a modest saving on the price of fresh milk when the levy ends.

$12.6 Million to Make Our Buildings Greener
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"A $12.6 million Brumby Government boost to sustainable building will help put Victoria at the forefront of building design as the nation transitions to a new carbon economy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced the funding at the World Sustainable Building Conference, saying the new funding took Government spending on sustainable building initiatives to $83 million.“These initiatives are important as we tackle climate change, and important in helping to reduce household energy consumption and bills,” Mr Jennings said. The Brumby Government is taking action on climate change and leading the way nationally when it comes to funding sustainable building initiatives."

$4 Million Grant Fund to Boost R& D in High-Value Manufacturing
Source: Victoria. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"A Brumby Government fund of $4 million will help small and medium-sized manufacturers get better value for their research and development investments in high-tech expansion and create jobs in Victoria. Small Business Minister Joe Helper announced the funding as part of Victoria’s Agenda for New Manufacturing program.Mr Helper said the funding would be available over the next four years and would allow the Victorian Centre for Advanced Material Manufacturing (VCAMM) to double the investments of Victorian manufacturers seeking to bring high-value products to market."

International Student Taskforce Launched
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has launched a taskforce to examine ways to enhance international student’s experience studying and living in Victoria. Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan said the taskforce will look at ways to improve the experience of international students and review what impact the growth in overseas student enrolments has had on the Victorian vocational education and higher education sectors.”Education is now Victoria's largest export and last year we attracted a record 133,000 international students from around the world – up 27,000 compared to 2006. The taskforce will examine key issues such as access to information, coordination of services, safety and accommodation."

Working Together for Community Learning
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Media Release
"Rural and regional Victorians will have even better access to tailored education programs thanks to an $850,000 Brumby Government funding boost. Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan announced the new Community Learning Partnerships in Wangaratta today and said they support adult, community and further education (ACFE) providers to partner with others in local areas to tackle specific local needs. “Education remains this Government’s number one priority so that’s why the Brumby Government is taking action to support local communities to deliver more learning opportunities for some of Victoria’s hardest to reach, or most isolated learners,” Ms Allan said. Education providers are collaborating with other community-based organisations, schools, local councils and businesses to enter into partnerships which tackle specific local needs."

Home Work to Lure Provincial Tertiary Students
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Media Release
"Up to 100 tertiary students from provincial Victoria will receive assistance to find work in their regions during term breaks under an $800,000 initiative launched by Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan. Ms Allan said the Rural Skills Cadetship Program will help young people from provincial Victoria stay connected to the regions, boosting their chances of returning permanently. Full-time university and TAFE students are eligible for the employment assistance, part of the Moving Forward Update initiative to strengthen key aspects of provincial economies."

Pack a Healthy Lunchbox Online
Source: Victoria. Acting Premier. Media Release
"Children can log on to a healthier future with a new interactive online game promoting healthy eating as part of the Brumby Government’s ‘Go for your life’ program. Visiting the ‘Go for your life’ stand at the Royal Melbourne Show, Acting Premier Rob Hulls officially launched the Government’s new Weigh up your lunch interactive online game.“Healthy eating is essential for the overall health and well-being of everyone, especially children, but motivating kids to eat well can be a struggle,” Mr Hulls said. Recognising this challenge, ‘Go for your life’ now has a colourful and exciting online game that encourages children to eat well. Best of all it’s fun and free.”

Melbourne Set to Host Chinese Teacher Training Centre
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Melbourne is a step closer to securing one of three new Chinese Teacher Training Centres worldwide, with the signing of a landmark agreement this week between the Brumby Government and the Chinese Government. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said, if given the go-ahead, the proposed centre for teachers of the Chinese language would act as a think-tank for experts from China and Australia to explore how best to teach Chinese language and culture. In Beijing this week, Ms Pike said the centre would also significantly boost the number of Victorian students studying this important language."

New Koorie Schools to Help Close Education Gap
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will establish four new Koorie Pathway Schools, targeted primarily at students in the Years 7-10 age range, to help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Acting Education Minister Jacinta Allan said the initiative is part of a statewide strategy to revitalise schools operating under the Victorian College of Koorie Education (VCOKE) and improve education outcomes for all Victorian Koorie students.“Education remains the Brumby Government’s number one priority and through the recent release of our Education Blueprint and today’s announcement, it is clear that we are delivering on our commitment to giving every child the opportunity to have the best start in life through a great education,” Ms Allan said. The new Koorie Pathway Schools will provide intensive, short term support within a specialist school setting, for those Koorie students not in the mainstream system."

First desal water in 2010 – 12mths early
Source: South Australia. The Premier
Premier Mike Rann and Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald today announced the three short-listed bidders to build Adelaide’s new $1.1 billion desalination plant, which they say can be delivered 12 months ahead of the original schedule.
Mr Rann says Cabinet today approved the short-listed three consortia in the expressions of interest process to design, build, operate and maintain the desalination plant at Port Stanvac.

NSW leads the way on de facto law reforms
Source: New South Wales. Attorney General. Media Release
"NSW has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to commence legislation which, with corresponding Commonwealth legislation, will allow separating de facto couples to have their property and maintenance matters resolved in the Federal Family Court. NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the NSW Act refers power to the Commonwealth to legislate for de facto partners and married couples to have equal access to Family Court services in the event their relationship breaks down.“The NSW Government has acted to ease the burden and stress faced by separating de facto couples by giving them the same access to the Family Court as a divorcing married couple,” he said."

Premier Rees to Slash Red Tape for Schools
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"Premier Nathan Rees announced that he would overhaul planning laws to cut red tape in the delivery of essential school infrastructure like halls and gyms. Mr Rees said it can take up to 200 days to get planning approval for these important school facilities. “Delays of that length simply aren’t good enough,” Mr Rees said. “We will invest $2 billion over this four-year term building new and upgraded facilities for our schools. That’s why I want to see some of these approval times improved and cut back to as little as 10 days. "

Family Business Development Manager appointed
Source: South Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release.
"Minister for Small Business Paul Holloway said today a Family Business Development Manager has been appointed by the State Government to design support programs to specifically assist South Australian family businesses.
Mr Holloway says Mike Norman has been appointed as Family Business Development Manager to work with the Department of Trade and Economic Development’s nine Business Enterprise Centres and 13 Regional Development Boards.
The appointment of a Family Business Development Manager is part of the Rann Labor Government’s response to Thinker-in-Residence Dr Dennis Jaffe’s report into the Future of Family Business in South Australia."

Brumby Government Initiative Will Help Save Victorian Councils Millions
Source: Victoria. Minister for Local Government. Media Release
"Victorian councils could save up to $350 million through working together to change the way they purchase goods and services, under the new Local Government Procurement Strategy launched by the Brumby Government. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said that independent research which had informed the strategy indicated councils could save substantial amounts by purchasing many goods and services in collaboration with each other, which could reduce pressure on rising rates. “The Brumby Government is taking action to help local councils be more efficient and deliver value for money to ratepayers,” Mr Wynne said.“Research suggests that $180-350 million could be saved across the local government sector through councils working together to improve procurement practice."

Brumby Government Untangles Planning Red Tape
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has acted to remove unnecessary planning permits for some residential and commercial work, including rain water tanks and sheds in regional areas.
Acting Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, said the Cutting Red Tape in Planning exemptions are part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to cut planning red tape. “The Brumby Government is taking action to improve Victoria’s planning system and ensure it is efficient and effective, saving residents and council’s time and money,” Mr Wynne said.“It is estimated that up to 2,000 planning applications will no longer be required as a result of these changes ."

Health Benefits Delivered to Farmers Across the State
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"An additional 500 farmers will get access to free health assessments and workshops as part of a Brumby Government commitment to farmer health. Officially opening the Sustainable Farm Families Summit at Dunkeld, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said the Brumby Government would invest $2.18 million over the next four years to ensure the highly successful program continued. As part of the Brumby Government’s $205 million Future Farming Strategy launched earlier this year, funding will be used to run workshops with a focus on practical steps to improve the lives of farm families, targeting families in areas undergoing significant change,” Mr Helper said."

New Criminal Offences to Target Identity Crime
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"New offences targeting the increasing threat of identity crime will be created under legislation to be introduced into Parliament, Acting Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said.
Mr Hulls said the new offences will beef up protection against identity theft and help in the prosecution of identity crime.“Identity fraud affected more than half a million Australians last year and cost big business more than $1.1 billion in 2001/2002,” he said. Identity crime has a significant impact on victims including the loss of savings, and the costs of restoring a person’s transaction records, reputation and credit rating."

Ticketing Changes Make the Travelling Life Easier
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"Victorians will benefit from an improved approach to public transport ticketing from next year, with a range of new ticket options to be introduced on 1 January.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the changes simplified the existing ticketing structure to deliver benefits to Melburnians and tourists who use public transport.“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve access to public transport and this decision to simplify the ticketing system is one way of making choosing the right type of ticket easier,” Ms Kosky said."

Victoria at Forefront for Green Government Buildings
Source: Victoria. Minister for Finance. Media Release
"Finance Minister, Tim Holding, has called for a national agreement to improve the sustainability of Government office buildings around the country.
At a meeting of State and Territory Finance Ministers, Mr Holding challenged his fellow Minister’s to provide leadership in sustainability to the construction and commercial industry.
“Collectively, State Governments manage 4 million square metres of office space and there is an increased urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water and energy and provide healthier buildings that impact less on the environment,” Mr Holding said.
By working towards a National Framework for Sustainable Government Office Buildings, we can ensure time and cost savings, as well as increased benefits for the environment.”

Funding Boost for Community Problem Gambling Programs
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has allocated $2.1 million to 31 Victorian Primary Care Partnerships to fight the causes of problem gambling. Gaming Minister Tony Robinson and Health Minister Daniel Andrews visited Banyule Community Health Service to make the announcement which will see these organisations receive between $10,000 and $53,333 each to help protect against problem gambling and address the risk factors that lead to it.Mr Robinson said the partnership between Gambler’s Help services and the partnership initiative would provide a more holistic approach to social and health issues, including problem gambling.“Victoria is leading the way in tackling problem gambling,” Mr Robinson said. The re-developed Gambler’s Help service system will help increase the community protective factors and reduce the risk factors associated with problem gambling."

Plans for Territory's Future Outlined
Source: Northern Territory. Chief Minister
Mr Henderson announced the establishment of a new Territory Growth Planning Unit in the Department of the Chief Minister. The unit will include demographers, economists, planners and other relevant professionals and provide specialist advice on planning for future growth and demand across the Territory. Also the development of a strategic Housing plan – supporting Territorians to buy or rent at an affordable limit. And implementing a growth planning model for Darwin, Palmerston and the Litchfield area.

Future vision for mental health services up for discussion
Source: ACT. Minister for Health
"This plan provides a blueprint for the ACT to lead the way in establishing a coordinated approach to achieving and sustaining mental health that can be a model for other Australian jurisdictions," Ms. Gallagher said. The draft plan proposes a coordinated and integrated mental health service delivery framework for the ACT that includes both Government and non-government services."
The draft Mental Health Services Plan is available for download from the ACT Health Website at http://www.health.act.gov.au/.

New public liability provisions to strike fair balance
Source: South Australia.
Sporting and recreational clubs – and the people who use them – will be able to enjoy their activities with peace of mind under new public liability provisions being proposed by the State Government. Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago has announced proposed legislative changes that will address the concerns of clubs who have found the current system too complex.

GOVERNMENT RELEASES INNOVATION REVIEW PAPER
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Media Release
"Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, today (9/9/08) released the report of the Review of Australia's National Innovation System, calling it a turning point for the future of innovation in Australia.
The Review was conducted by an expert panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler. The panel analysed Australia's innovation system and made a series of recommendations to revitalise it."

Maternity services discussion paper launched
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"As part of the Rudd Government’s development of a national action plan for maternity services, Health Minister Nicola Roxon today (10/9/08) launched a discussion paper on improving maternity services in Australia.Preliminary figures suggest Australia may be on the cusp of a new baby boom. In 2005, 267,793 women gave birth to 272,419 babies, the second highest number of births in Australia’s history, second only to 1971."

Sydney launches 'Common Ground' in an effort to reduce chronic homelessness
Source: Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"Representatives from government, business, philanthropy and the NGO sector today (9/9/08) launched the 'Common Ground' homelessness initiative in Sydney. Common Ground is an innovative way of housing rough sleepers. The 'street-tohome' initiative means homeless people are provided with their own apartments, enter into rental agreements and pay rent. It is combined with individualised health, support and training employment services and has been running in the United States since 1990. The Common Ground model is now recognised internationally and has won numerous international awards in the field of homelessness. Federal Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek told the launch that Common Ground builds a unique partnership between government on all levels, business, philanthropy and the non-government sector to create a strong foundation for moving people off the streets. "Common Ground is unique in that it identifies the services a homeless Australian needs and provides them at the same time as providing a roof over people's heads," Ms Plibersek said. "

$1.7 million to bolster National Rental Affordability Scheme Foundations
Source: Minister for Housing. Media Release
"The Australian Government will provide close to $1.7 million over the next two years to fund products, activities, resources and tools to help deliver improved housing affordability through a National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) Capacity Building Strategy. The Strategy supports the Rudd Government's commitment to informing, educating and assisting investors, not for profit housing providers and other potential NRAS participants."

CSIRO project to access climage change impact on South-west water supply
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today (9/9/08) launched the South West Sustainable Yields project a comprehensive assessment of water yield out to 2030 in the south-west of Western Australia.
The Rudd Government committed $5.19 million in funding for the CSIRO-led project to assess the future impacts of climate change and other factors on water supply at the March 2008 Council of Australian Government's meeting. "

New climate change study for northern indigenous communities
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today (8/9/08) announced $198,500 for a study to assess how climate change will impact on Indigenous communities in northern Australia.
"Indigenous communities located in the tropical north face particular challenges because of their isolation and socio-economic situation," Senator Wong said.
"Presently, we have a limited understanding of how climate change will affect Indigenous communities, their resilience and their capacity to adapt.
"This study will examine the impacts to health, the environment, infrastructure, education and employment.""

Speak up for education in the 21st century
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Parents, teachers and interested members of the community have an historic opportunity to contribute to the direction of schooling in Australia.
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today (7/9/08) invited people to outline their visions for the future through the third National Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.
Developed by the Ministerial Council for Education, Employment, Training and YouthAffairs (MCEETYA), the declaration is a vital step for all Education Ministers to realise a comprehensive and forward-looking vision for Australian schooling."

RUDD GOVERNMENT PROVIDES NEW SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AFTER SEPARATION
Source: Australia. Attorney-General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Robert McClelland today (6/9/08) announced that the Rudd Government will provide $17 million over the next three years to help fund eighteen new services, which will support children dealing with the breakdown of their parents’ relationship.
These services are part of the Supporting Children after Separation Program, which provides help and support to children whose parents decide they can no longer live together."

Victoria at forefront for green government buildings
Source: Victoria. Minister for Finance
Finance Minister, Tim Holding, has today called for a national agreement to improve the sustainability of Government office buildings around the country.
At a meeting of State and Territory Finance Ministers, Mr Holding challenged his fellow Minister’s to provide leadership in sustainability to the construction and commercial industry.
“Collectively, State Governments manage 4 million square metres of office space and there is an increased urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water and energy and provide healthier buildings that impact less on the environment,” Mr Holding said.

Minister hails Mt Gambier’s environmental leadership
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation
Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill today congratulated the City of Mt Gambier for its strong regional leadership in banning fluorescent lamps and electronic waste from the Caroline landfill. Items banned included computer equipment, televisions and radios and fluorescent lamps, including compact fluorescent lamps.

Major new recycling project to target small businesses
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation
The “Recycling at Work” program is aimed at helping smaller businesses get involved with recycling materials that until now have been going to landfill.
The two-year, $3 million program will offer grants for waste collection companies to help them introduce a wider range of recycling services for small to medium size enterprises.
Mr Weatherill said the program was aimed at getting the practice of recycling to take off in small businesses in the same way it had in households.

Supporting school sport
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Northern Territory Government is supporting school sport and making it easier for students to compete interstate.

Liberals’ new tool to combat anti-social behaviour
Source: Western Australia. Liberal Party. Policy Statement
"A WA Liberal Government will give police, prosecutors and the courts greater ability to prohibit anti-social behaviour of convicted criminals.
Shadow Attorney General Christian Porter said the Liberals will introduce Prohibited Behavior Orders (PBO) as a new tool in the fight against anti-social behaviour, enabling courts to make orders when sentencing offenders for criminal offences with an element of anti-social conduct.
“Where an offender is guilty of crimes with a significant anti social impact, we will introduce legislation allowing police and prosecutors to apply for the sentencing Judge or Magistrate to make a Prohibited Behaviour Order in addition to the sentence they would have otherwise handed down,” Mr Porter said.
These orders will criminalize otherwise lawful conduct which has been shown to contribute to offending. The terms of the orders will be publicised to ensure that the local community are aware of them."

WA’s first suicide prevention plan, minister and commissioner for mental health under Liberals
Source: Western Australia. Liberal Party. Policy Statement
"A WA Liberal Government will fund, develop and test a comprehensive WA State Suicide Prevention Strategy in a bid to stem the tide of 250 suicides a year – a number higher than the state’s road toll. The strategy is a key plank of the Liberal’s practical approach to Mental Health. The strategy will have particular emphasis on implementing culturally specific Aboriginal suicide prevention measures but will also address suicide prevention across other vulnerable groups including young men and Western Australians who live in rural and regional areas of the state. "

Labor's Plan to give Children the Best Start in Life
Source: Western Australia. Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Research has demonstrated the importance of identifying child health behavioural and developmental problems early and commencing interventions in the preschool years.

To give our children the best start in life Labor will ensure that every newborn will be visited by a community child health nurse within two weeks of birth, introduce universal newborn hearing screening and fund a 24-hour helpline for new parents."

2,000 Training Places to Help Carers Working with People from Diverse Backgrounds
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, announces that the first 500 of 2,000 training places for community aged care workers from culturally-diverse or indigenous backgrounds will soon be available."

NEW ROADMAP SETS OUT RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Media Release
"Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, today (4/9/08)released the Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure outlining Australia's research infrastructure needs over the next five to 10 years.The roadmap was developed by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy committee in consultation with the research community and State and Territory governments."

NEW LAUREATE SCHEME TO ATTRACT WORLD LEADING RESEARCHERS
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Media Release
"Outstanding researchers from Australia and around the world will be attracted to work in Australian universities under a new Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme, announced today (3/9/08) by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.
“Under the new scheme, researchers at the peak of their careers will have the opportunity to develop strong teams of emerging talent – passing on their experience and knowledge to the next generation,” Senator Carr said.
Costing $239 million over five years, the program will be run by the Australian Research Council (ARC) alongside Labor’s new Future Fellowships scheme for mid-career researchers.

$50 million for new water research alliance
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today (4/9/08) launched a joint initiative between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO that will be the largest water information research project in the southern hemisphere.
The Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) is a five-year, $50 million research partnership between Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and CSIRO. It aims to provide a state-of-the-art, national database on Australia's water resources."

Microsoft Partnership to create Indigenous job opportunities
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment Participation. Media Release
"The Australian Government today (2/9/08) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft Australia to create valuable employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians."

Government's plan to increase employment participation outlined
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment Participation. Media Release
"The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, today (1/9/08) outlined how the Rudd Government’s new employment services would help job seekers off income support and into sustainable employment."

Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today (4/9/08) announced that an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement will be introduced to make Australian qualifications recognised and renowned throughout the world.
The Graduation Statement will describe a higher education qualification in an easily understandable way, relating it to the system within which it was issued and describing qualifications in a clear and consistent way to potential employers and other higher education institutions. "

Farmers Reap Rewards for Protecting Environment
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. Jpint media release
"Farmers and other land managers will receive up to 15 years’ financial support to protect nationally significant environmental assets, under a new $37.5 million program launched by the Rudd Government today.The Environmental Stewardship Program is part of the Government’s new $2.25 billion Caring for our Country initiative."

New measures to reduce climate change impacts
Source: ACT. Chief Minister
"The ACT Government will develop a household vulnerability risk assessment tool and best practice utilities hardship policy following the recommendations of a nation-first report into the social impacts of climate change. "

ACT's Green Vehicle Duty Scheme a national first
Source: ACT Chief Minister
"The ACT is the first State or Territory in Australia to charge stamp duty based on the environmental performance of new vehicles," Mr Stanhope said. "Our Green Vehicles Duty Scheme is a significant step towards reducing transport emissions in the ACT, which accounts for 25 per cent of our emissions. "

Liberal Plan for Environmental Sustainability and Water Management
Source: Western Australia. Liberal Party. Policy Statement
"A clean, healthy and strong environment is an essential element of the quality of life all Western Australians expect. Western Australia is home to some of the world’s richest resources deposits as well as being the guardian of some of the world’s most special places. We face the often competing challenges of delivering on the full economic potential of our resources sector, providing for the needs of a rapidly growing population, playing our part in the global response to climate change and protecting our natural heritage. The Liberal Party is prepared to meet these challenges. "

Labor's Plan for Regional Investment
Source: Western Australia. Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Regional Western Australia continues to be a firm priority for Labor.
Labor will:
1. Extend the Regional Investment Fund.
2. Establish a Regional Tourism Development Fund.
3. Increase funding for regional visitor centres."

Labor's Plan for Cool, Green Schools
Source: Western Australia. Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"The Carpenter Government is committed to sustainable schools. It is also committed to improving the working and learning conditions for students and staff.
Labor will:
1. Over the next four year, provide air-cooling to schools that have none.
2. Establish a new, rolling program to install large solar power systems on existing school roofs.
3. Include solar cells and energy efficient air cooling in the design specifications for all new schools."

Labor's Plan to Help Families Save Money and the Environment
Source: Western Australia. Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
" Our plan is to help people save money and the environment.
Labor will:
1. Provide a rebate on the cost of insulating up to 20,000 homes.
2. Extend the Solar Water Heater Rebate for gas-boosted solar water heaters.
3. Extend the Waterwise Rebate Program for another four years.
4. Continue the $1,000 LPG subsidy scheme.
5. Introduce a Residential Photovoltaic Feed-in Tariff.
6. Provide free public transport to age pensioners, State Seniors Card holders and disability support pensioners during weekday off-peak periods and on weekends.
7. Continue the Utility Financial Hardship program to help Western Australian households suffering “utility hardship” and struggling to pay their water, gas and energy bills."

Labor's Plan for Low Emission Fuel Efficient Cars
Source: Western Australia. Australian Labor Party. Policy
"Labor will introduce a “Clean, Green Car Rebate” of $250 per annum for four years on annual Third Party Insurance and motor vehicle licence fees. For the first two years, new purchased passenger vehicles with CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less will qualify, and in the following two
years a higher standard of 120g/km or less will apply. People purchasing green vehicles will save $1000 over four years, in addition to the significant ongoing fuel savings. This policy is expected to increase the take-up of qualifying green vehicles in Western Australia, applying to approximately 10,000 low CO2 emission vehicles by 2012."

Funding for Projects to Cut Hazardous Waste
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has encouraged companies and organisations to apply for funding for innovative projects or technology that will cut the amount of hazardous waste produced in Victoria. The Brumby Government is taking action to cut the amount of hazardous waste in Victoria and is providing funding for projects that reduce, reuse, recycle and treat waste,” Mr Jennings said."

Partnership with Dairy Australia Invests in Gene Research
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will enter a new $2.3 million partnership with Dairy Australia to assist dairy farmers increase production and profitability Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement in Melbourne, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said the project would map genes in cows and use thousands of markers to determine which cows would produce most effectively. Genetic gain currently contributes approximately $15 million to the Victorian dairy industry per year; and this project is expected to raise the value of genetic gain to more than $30 million per year,” Mr Helper said."

Increasing Community Awareness on Body Image
Source: Victoria. Minister for Youth Affairs. Media Release
"The devastating effects of negative body image on young men and women will be tackled through a statewide program thanks to a $100,000 funding boost from the Brumby Government. Youth Affairs Minister James Merlino announced that the funds would go to the Butterfly Foundation for BodyThink, a community awareness and training program for schools and young Victorians.“A pilot for this program was undertaken in 2006 in 10 regional and metropolitan locations and it was successful in helping young people to navigate through some difficult ideas about their bodies,” Mr Merlino said. We are pleased to now build on our partnership with The Butterfly Foundation to deliver this program more widely to young Victorians and their communities.”

New Initiative to Improve the Health of the Yarra River
Source: Victoria. Minister for Water. Media Release
"Innovative new technology will stop 100 million litres of contaminated stormwater from reaching the Yarra River every year. In a Victorian first, Water Minister Tim Holding said the installation of Rivershield would divert contaminated stormwater from the Prahran main drain to the Western Treatment Plant.“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve the health of this iconic Victorian river,” Mr Holding said. “Rivershield will prevent flows from illegal stormwater connections, animal droppings and other contaminants from reaching the Yarra River. Cleaning up stormwater pollution in the lower catchment area of the Yarra is a key priority of the Victorian Government’s $500 million Yarra River Action Plan.”

Techno-Savvy Think Tank Lights Up for Bright Students
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"A new think tank that will bring the world’s leading brains together to explore how to best use technology in the classroom was opened by Premier John Brumby. Mr Brumby said the Ideas Lab in Broadmeadows will be a hub for national and international research into technology and how it can best be used to help teachers and students in the global classroom.“Education is our number one priority and the Victorian Government is taking action to ensure today’s students have the tools to become tomorrow’s innovators,” Mr Brumby said."

Blueprint Makes Victoria Education Revolution Ready
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby, declared Victoria at the forefront of the education revolution, launching a bold, five-year education reform agenda designed to deliver excellence in schools across the State and give young Victorians every opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Premier John Brumby said better leadership throughout schools, better support for parents to involve them in their child’s learning and a restructure of school networks statewide will be the drivers for future excellence in education in Victoria.“Our Government is committed to lifting up all schools to a standard of excellence, so that every child has every opportunity to succeed,” Mr Brumby said.“We are also committed to giving children the best possible start in life, improving the transition from early childhood services to school and giving parents more information about the progress of their children."