Australian Government Data Centre Strategy 2010 - 2025
Sourec: Australia. Department of Finance and Deregulation, Australian Government Information Management Office.
"... This Strategy is the proposed whole-of-government approach to future data centre requirements. It contains initiatives and actions to achieve the recommendations of the Review including the avoidance of $1 billion in costs... Data centre requirements will be planned, procured and managed on a whole-of-government basis. Data centre facilities and services will be available via a whole-of-government panel. The panel will be set up in accordance with the normal practices of coordinated procurement policy..."

RESPECT AT WORK TO HELP STAMP OUT BULLYING
Source: Victoria. Minister for Workcover. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will step up an education, awareness and enforcement campaign aimed at stamping out bullying in Victorian workplaces. The new Respect at Work campaign will include a renewed focus on bullying from WorkSafe Inspectors, who undertake 40,000 workplace visits a year, as well as a dedicated team of specially trained professionals to focus on the most vulnerable workers and complex cases. WorkSafe Minister Tim Holding said the Government and WorkSafe will join forces with workers, employers, unions, industry groups and community organisations in implementing the campaign."

Commencement of the Australian Government Fair Work Principles
Australia. Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Minister for Social Inclusion. Deputy Prime Minister. Media release
"The Acting Minister for Workplace Relations, Kim Carr, today released a comprehensive User Guide for the Australian Government’s new Fair Work Principles which commence on 1 January 2010. The Fair Work Principles support the creation of quality jobs and decent work by ensuring that Commonwealth procurement decisions are consistent with the aims of the Fair Work Act 2009 and promote fair, cooperative and productive workplaces...The Fair Work Principles User Guide has been developed following consultation with industry, unions and community representatives via the Australian Government’s Procurement Consultation Committee. The User Guide contains material to assist Commonwealth agencies and suppliers to the Commonwealth implement and comply with the Fair Work Principles."

Victoria backs guide to fair workplaces
Source: Victoria. Minister for Industrial Relations. Media Release
“Industrial Relations Minister Martin Pakula launched a blueprint for fair, safe and positive workplace cultures. Mr Pakula said the Australian Standard of Employment Rights – a How to Guide illustrated that good-faith relationships between bosses and staff were central to ensuring Victoria remained a great place to work. “We all know that the best and most productive places to work in are those with clear and open communication between staff and management,” Mr Pakula said. The Australian Standard of Employment Rights promotes balance and positive workplace relations to achieve better productivity and greater workplace engagement.”

Innovative program strengthens Child Safety workforce
Source: Queensland. Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport. Media Release
"In less than 12 months, more than 300 temporary child safety officers have converted their status to permanent as part of an innovative new program being undertaken by the Bligh Government. Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves said Child Safety Services was committed to strengthening its frontline workforce. “All child protection agencies strive to retain suitably skilled staff as the work can be challenging and confronting,” Mr Reeves said. “However, Child Safety Services is implementing a range of strategies to enhance attraction and recruitment to these roles, and to improve retention in these vital positions.” Mr Reeves said these included initiatives to enhance employee safety, health and wellbeing as well as career progression and development."

Local firms benefit from workforce development initiative
Source: South Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release.
South Australia is leading the country with a pioneering new project to help local businesses develop their workforce. Minister for Small Business Paul Holloway says the Building Business Capability in Workforce Development initiative arose out of the need for metropolitan and regional businesses to better manage the development of their workforce. Speaking after launching a workshop at the Southern Adelaide Business Enterprise Centre, Mr Holloway says the business development program is delivered through ‘hands-on’ training sessions conducted by experienced management consultants. “These sessions cover topics such as creative ways to attract and retain skilled workers, induction, training, development and performance management and reward,” Mr Holloway says. “This is a smart way of addressing a number of workforce challenges in dynamic times, as our population ages and skills are seen as critical to business success.”

Safety DVD to Educate Tasmanian Skippers and Crew
Source: Tasmania. Labor Member for Franklin
Officially launching the Safety at Sea DVD in Hobart, Labor Member for Franklin, Ross Butler, said that Seafood Training Tasmania and Rosny College had developed the DVD, which covers everything from abandoning the vessel to eventual rescue.
“Earning a living from and on the sea can be a dangerous occupation. Coupled with the attractive aspects of working outdoors, clean air and blue skies, there is always the ever-present risk of capsize and drowning,” Mr Butler said. We know that not everyone has completed appropriate occupational health and safety training. Even if training has been undertaken, it may have been so long ago that it may have been forgotten or its relevance questionable. That’s why this new resource is so important.”

Skills Support for Victorian Builders
Source: Victoria. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has taken significant steps to improve professional development in Victoria’s building industry, Small Business Minister Joe Helper said. Speaking at the HIA Building and Business Conference, Mr Helper said more than 300 small and medium businesses in Victoria had taken advantage of the My Business My People program, including more than 25 in the building industry. “This program helps small and medium Victorian businesses to meet their current and future skills needs,” Mr Helper said.“Each firm is given one-on-one, on-site assistance from a workforce planning specialist, who provides practical guidance with workforce planning, recruitment and staff retention. This is supported by an online kit of human resources and workforce planning tools, templates and guides.“Additionally, the firms can apply for financial assistance ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 to undertake staff training.”

ACT Government funds new approach to workplace mental health
Source: ACT. Minister for Health. Media Release
"ACT Government has provided funding of $390,000 to beyondblue: the national depression initiative and The University of Melbourne to develop, implement and evaluate a new approach to workplace mental health promotion, ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has announced. The rollout of the project will coincide with a call for expressions of interest to participate in the research. Ms Gallagher said it combined beyondblue’s National Workplace Program with a job stress intervention. This is a ground-breaking initiative as it combines both early intervention and workplace stress prevention approaches, she said."

Accident Compensation Legislation to be Updated
Source: Victoria. Minister for TAC. Media Release
"Victoria’s Accident Compensation Act will be updated to enhance support for injured workers, the Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident Commission, Tim Holding, announced. Mr Holding said the legislation was being independently reviewed to ensure appropriate support continued to be provided to injured workers. This review builds on the success of the recent reforms to the Occupation Health and Safety Act and is part of the Government’s election commitment to modernising this important area of law, Mr Holding said."