NSW Government Initiatives on International Education 2010
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The Premier’s Council on International Education, a high-level body and the first of its kind in Australia, will implement the Government’s initiatives and drive further reforms to ensure New South Wales maintains the highest standards of international education and builds on its reputation as the destination of choice for international students."

Australia's Largest Free Trade Agreement Starts
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media release
"Trade Minister Simon Crean today welcomed the commencement of Australia's largest free trade agreement – the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
The historic agreement will span 12 economies with over 600 million people and a combined GDP of $3.1 trillion. AANZFTA is Australia's first multi-country FTA and the most comprehensive FTA ever concluded by ASEAN."

Wine: A Partnership 2010-2015.
Source: SA. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release.
"The South Australian wine industry is joining forces with the State Government to strengthen its position as the nation’s pre-eminent wine producer.
Agriculture Minister, Paul Caica, and Co-Chair of the South Australian Wine Industry Council, Louisa Rose, have released a five year strategy, Wine: A Partnership 2010-2015."

International education rules strengthened
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release. "The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today welcomed the strengthening of rules for education providers of international students by requiring all colleges to re-register under new, stronger criteria by the end of 2010. This will mean that all education and training providers currently registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) will have to re-register under the strengthened criteria by 31 December 2010. Providers will also have to prove that education is their principal purpose and that they are able to deliver that education to a high standard."

Friendly Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release.
"Premier Kristina Keneally co-signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s largest municipality covering trade, health, medical science, energy efficiency and agriculture. The Friendly Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Government Chongqing Municipal People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China and the City of Sydney will help NSW develop closer ties with one of China’s major industrial and commercial hubs."

NEW SUPPORT SERVICE FOR VICTORIA’S INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"A new 24-hour support and welfare service that will make a real difference for international students completing their studies in Victoria has officially opened its doors, Premier John Brumby said. At the opening of the Victorian Government’s new International Student Care Service (ISCS) in Carlton, Mr Brumby said students from overseas would now have greater access to a range of accommodation, counselling, legal, emergency and welfare assistance.“We understand that our visiting international students can feel isolated from family and friends, especially without a strong social network and they can find themselves disoriented in a new community where they might struggle with the language,” Mr Brumby said.“This International Student Care Service – the first of its kind in Australia - is going to make a real difference to all those young people from all over the world who come to Victoria to live, work and study. The service is a one-stop shop where international students can get the help and support they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR QUEENSLAND TRAINING
Source: Queensland. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Anna Bligh said Queensland would now share its successful vocational education and training strategies with one of the world’s richest regions, thanks to the partnership signed today with Abu Dhabi. She said Queensland was already leading the way in offering training to UAE workers, with an agreement reached for up to 200 nurse trainees each year to complete their training at South Bank Institute of TAFE and QUT, with the first intake of 70 to arrive in July."

VICTORIA’S REGIONAL ECONOMIES TO GROW EVEN STRONGER
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional & Rural Development. Media Release
"Victoria’s regional and rural economies are set to grow even stronger after the Brumby Labor Government combined Regional and Rural Development portfolio with Industry and Trade. Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan acquired Industry and Trade and said the economic development super-portfolio would make it easier to attract more investment to regional Victoria as well as ensuring continued investment in metropolitan Victoria.“With both portfolios allocated to one Minister, investors will be more aware than ever before of the incredible opportunities in regional and rural Victoria,” she said.“This will mean more jobs, stronger investment, and secured lifestyles for regional and rural cities and towns.” Ms Allan said regional and rural Victoria was an integral part of Victoria’s industry and trade future."

Productivity Commission review into bilateral and regional trade agreements
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade and Assistant Treasurer.
"The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, and the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, announced a Productivity Commission review into the impact of bilateral and regional trade agreements on trade and on investment barriers. The review will also examine the effects of these bilateral and regional agreements on Australia’s trade and economic performance. The Rudd Government is committed to a strong multilateral trading system as a way of resisting any rise in global protectionist measures, particularly during the global recession and its aftermath. While continuing to push multilateral trade negotiations, Australia has increased its participation in bilateral and regional trade and investment negotiations in recent years. Australia has signed six Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and is in the process of negotiating seven others."

Largest Australian free trade agreement to begin in 2010
Source: Prime Minister. Minister for Trade. Joint Media release
"The largest Free Trade Agreement Australia has ever concluded will come into force on 1 January 2010, following discussion between ASEAN leaders today.
The Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) spans 12 economies, with over 600 million people and a combined GDP of $3.1 trillion. "

Helping Australian agricultural industries expand a key export market
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The Rudd Government is helping to promote Australian agriculture to our second largest export market by funding a new round of industry visits to China.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Government would fund six industry visits to China in 2010 and 2011, under the Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement."

New exchange scholarship program for Indian students
Source: Premier of Victoria
Mr Brumby announced the Victorian Government would award five Victorian and five Indian undergraduate and high-level vocational education training students AUD$10,000 scholarships in 2009, as part of a new International Exchange Scholarship program. "Victoria places the highest importance on our relationship with India. Our two cultures share a common commitment to innovation and an energy and optimism to tackle the challenges of the future," Mr Brumby said. "It's crucial that both Victoria and India invest in our next generation of innovators and thinkers, as we forge stronger bonds and new solutions to secure the future. Understanding is a two way process, and we are keen to have Victorian students bring home a fuller understanding of India as well as Indian students of Victoria."

Taking Australian Children's TV to the World
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"A high-powered television trade mission will visit South Korea this week to promote Australian expertise in children's television production.
The mission will be looking for opportunities to partner with Korean companies to deliver content through a range of emerging digital platforms “ including mobile phone technology."

New deal to boost Queensland's clinical trials industry
Source: Queensland. Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Queensland is breaking into one of the world’s major markets for clinical trials of medical and pharmaceutical products and equipment. Trade Minister Stephen Robertson oversaw the signing of an agreement between Queensland Clinical Trials Network Inc. (QCTN) and the Kurume Research Park that will promote and further medical research collaborations between Queensland and Japan. "

New guidelines to ensure local firms get a fair go
Source: Australia. Dept Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
"The Australian Government is seeking comments on proposed new guidelines for import duty concession schemes to encourage a fair go for Australian industry and reduce costs for major projects, businesses and consumers. The proposed changes to the EPBS will encourage greater interaction between major project proponents and Australian businesses by ensuring clearer Australian Industry Participation Plans are in place up-front when projects are being designed."

New Grant Program to Assist Victorian Biotechnology
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"A new $500,000 Brumby Labor Government pilot program will help Victoria’s small-to-medium-sized biotechnology companies compete in global markets, Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings announced today. Mr Jennings said the Biotechnology International Partnering Program (BIPP) would provide grant assistance for eligible Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas biotechnology conferences and trade events. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to ensure Victoria remains at the forefront of the Australian biotech industry by supporting the growth and global potential of our biotechnology companies,” Mr Jennings said. Under the BIPP Victorian companies will be able to participate in international events such as trade fairs and conferences which may have been out of their reach previously. It will also allow them to the select events that best suit their needs."

New protection for SA’s fresh produce industries
Source: South Australia. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release.
"South Australia’s $1.5 billion fresh produce industries will now have greater protection, thanks to new statewide laws coming into effect from this week. The Plant Health Act 2009 tightens import rules for plant and plant-related products and boosts the State’s plant biosecurity measures."

Export cooperation agreement signed as trade Ministers gather in Brisbane
Source: Queensland. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Queensland business will be boosted by the signing of a new agreement that aims to support the State’s export industry and create jobs for Queenslanders. Minister for Trade Stephen Robertson made the announcement following the COAG Ministerial Council for International Trade meeting in Brisbane. “Trade Queensland has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade),” Mr Robertson said.
“It makes perfect sense for two agencies with complementary roles and goals to share information and resources more openly. Improved cooperation between these agencies can only improve export outcomes for the Queensland businesses and this means jobs."

Agreement To Boost Clean Energy Ties With Singapore
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"A new agreement between the peak clean energy industry bodies in Australia and Singapore will enhance commercial ties between the two countries."

Trade 2020 to Provide New Vision for Australia's Global Engagement
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Minister for Trade Simon Crean, today announced Trade 2020-a new series of high-level forums that will generate ideas and vision for Australia's ongoing commercial engagement with the world."