Federal Budget 2007-08:Helping hand extended for farm families
Source: Australia. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"Australian farmers in financial difficulty will benefit from an improved Farm Help programme that will provide an additional $92.3 million in assistance over the next four years. "

IR Plan: Forward With Fairness
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"A Rudd Labor Government will ensure a decent and relevant safety net of ten legislated national employment standards and modern simple industry awards for employees.
"Labor’s Forward with Fairness IR plan rewards hard work, gets the balance right between fairness and flexibility, and secures future prosperity…"

Minister Pike Launches Healthy Eating Schools Program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Health Minister Bronwyn Pike says two new initiatives in the fight against child obesity are examples of the community-wide approach needed to combat the growing problem. Ms Pike, speaking at the launch of Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Schools Program, said governments, the community and individuals needed to work together to help Victorian children adopt healthy eating habits. The Budget will commit $11.1 million to introduce free fruit for all primary school children from Prep to Grade 2 to improve their diet and encourage them to establish a lifetime habit of healthier eating."

New Water Recycling Projects for Industry
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The 2007/08 State Budget delivers an extra $136 million for vital water projects around the State, including a number of recycling initiatives in and around Melbourne. Water Minister John Thwaites said the budget also contained new funding to reduce industry water use including initiatives to reduce water use in cooling towers, industrial laundries and to install smart water metres in industry – saving about three billion litres per year by 2008."

Premier Signs Climate Change MOU with Governor Schwarzenegger in California
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Mr Bracks and Governor Schwarzenegger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will create practical links between the States in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. Governor Schwarzenegger has been a leader in the United States in addressing global warming, taking such initiatives as the global warming law which imposes the country's first mandatory statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions."

$66 Million Boost to Innovation in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, announced Victoria would be home to two new world-leading projects that will significantly boost the state’s innovation capabilities. During a visit to BIO2007 in Boston, Mr Bracks announced a $57 million Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) and a $9.5 million Metabolomics Australia Centre would be based in Melbourne. "

New school leaving age for South Australia
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"Plans to lift the school leaving age from 16 to 17 in 2009 and open the first of 10 new Trade Schools for the Future were outlined by Premier Mike Rann as part of wide ranging measures to ensure all young South Australians are in school, training or work."

Statewide boost for problem gamblers
Source: South Australia. Minister for Families and Communities. Media Release
"Clinical therapy services for problem gamblers will be ramped up under a new statewide intervention program, Minister for Families and Communities Jay Weatherill has announced. The Statewide Problem Gambling Intensive Therapy Service will operate from four sites in Adelaide and provide a regular service to eight regional centres."

$500 000 funding boosts regional recycling
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"Environment and Conservation Minister, Gail Gago announced State Government funding of nearly $500,000 for rural communities around the state to help improve their recycling efforts.
The Zero Waste SA grants have been allocated for a range of infrastructure and educational projects which focus on diverting recyclable items, such as paper and cardboard, from landfill, Minister Gago said."

Premier announces new Science and Innovation Council
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Science. Media Release
"Mr Carpenter said the council, to be chaired by Western Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley, would play a major role in positioning science and innovation as one of the key drivers of the State’s economy."

$54million package to transform Western Australia’s training sector
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The Minister unveiled the new package - Skills for Western Australia’s Future: Transforming the Training System - to deliver new and upgraded facilities and equipment for TAFEWA colleges and roll-out initiatives recommended by the Skills Formation Taskforce."

Smarter homes to tackle climate challenge
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Western Australians are set to join the worldwide fight against climate change under a State Government plan to deliver massive savings in household water and energy consumption. Premier Alan Carpenter announced new building standards requiring all new homes to have water and energy saving devices, which have the potential to reduce consumption by approximately 50 per cent and nearly halve household water and energy bills. "

Innovative family and domestic violence prevention project in schools
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"This week, 23 Western Australian high school students have embarked on a training camp where they will learn to deliver information to their classmates about teenage dating violence and family and domestic violence. "

State Water Plan released
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Water Resources. Media Release
"Water Resources Minister John Kobelke set new water efficiency and re-use targets under the State Water Plan 2007. The State Water Plan 2007 is the culmination of several years’ planning and consultation at all levels in the community, ensuring stakeholders and water users throughout the State help to secure our water future.”

$500,000 To Encourage Innovative Transsport Solutions
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"More than $500,000 will be given to councils throughout Victoria to help alleviate congestion on Victoria’s roads by developing initiatives to encourage the take up of more transport options including walking and cycling and public transport. Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas said the funding, through the Victorian Government’s Local Area Access Program (LAAP) and TravelSmart, would help seven councils complete small-scale infrastructure projects and allow them to develop innovative school travel plans."

A new challenge for SA’s school students
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"The Rann Government has issued a new challenge to South Australia’s school children in a national first initiative to get children active and healthy. The $1.8 million Premier’s be active Challenge, is part of the Rann Government’s efforts to set South Australia’s children on the path to an active and healthy life."

Public to help stamp out hoons
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Community Safety Minister John Kobelke said the new laws would give police the ability to act on public evidence showing hoon activity. From midnight tonight police will be able to impound an alleged hoon’s vehicle for two days in order to put an immediate stop to their anti-social behaviour,” Mr Kobelke said."

Premier announces multi-million dollar package to boost housing affordability
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Federal State Relations. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter has announced a $447million funding boost to help make housing more affordable in Western Australia. Mr Carpenter said subdivisions would be fast-tracked with the aim of halving the time taken for State Government approvals, meaning more land and housing developments would be available to homebuyers."

New initiative to combat depression in older people
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Seniors and Volunteering. Media Release
"A new initiative has been launched to combat depression in older people by increasing the awareness of the condition and where to seek help."

First meeting of Anzac Day Commemoration Council
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Mike Rann says the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council, which has held its inaugural meeting, will help preserve the importance and traditions of ANZAC day. At the request of the RSL, we brought the ANZAC Commemoration Act to parliament, to enshrine in law our responsibilities to the memory of all our servicemen and women, and to give legal protection to ANZAC Day traditions. "

Government wants 90 day home wheel clamping
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Michael Atkinson says he is further strengthening the proposed home wheel-clamping legislation to allow cars to be immobilised for up to 90 days. Mr Atkinson announced in February that the Government would move to home-clamp, impound or forfeit vehicles of offenders involved in a range of offences including hoon driving, drug driving and, for the first time, graffiti vandalism."

Young South Australians to have greater say on road safety
Source: South Australia. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release
"Road Safety Minister, Carmel Zollo, says a Youth Road Safety Taskforce is being established under the Government’s Road Safety Advisory Council, chaired by Sir Eric Neal. "

Govt opens up training jobs to school students
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"School students can now mix classroom studies with paid work in hospitals and other public service agencies under an historic agreement between the Rann Government and unions. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the agreement paves the way for senior school students to undertake school-based apprenticeships with State Government employers."

Victoria to Set up Statewide Relationships Register
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"A register providing proof that people are in a committed relationship could be set up in Victoria by the end of the year, Premier Steve Bracks announced. Mr Bracks said the register would allow people access to existing entitlements without having to prove repeatedly in court that they were in a committed partnership."

Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"Environment Minister John Thwaites launched the start of the Bracks Government’s next major environmental policy initiative, the Land and Biodiversity White Paper. Mr Thwaites said the Land and Biodiversity White Paper would help shape environmental policy and identify investment priorities for the next 20 to 50 years."

New Laws to Help Vulnerable Children and Families
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Putting children first and providing earlier support for vulnerable families is at the heart of tough new child protection laws which have come into effect in Victoria, the Minister for Community Services, Gavin Jennings said. Visiting Footscray to mark the start of the Children, Youth and Families Act, Mr.Jennings said the new legislation was the result of the first overhaul of child protection laws in a generation."

New Directions In Innovation - Lifting Australia's Productivity
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Labor's New Directions for Innovation, Competitiveness and Productivity paper provides a plan to create long-term productivity for Australia, building on our education and infrastructure policies. Along with investment in people and infrastructure, and reducing unnecessary business regulation, innovation is the fourth critical economic ingredient to support long term growth and jobs in Australia. Labor will appoint a full-time Chief Scientist to raise the importance of research and innovation and provide guidance for business and research sectors..."

Extra support for those with the biggest barriers to getting a job
Source: Australia. Minister for Workforce Participation. Media Release
"The Minister for Workforce Participation, Dr Sharman Stone, announced the release of substantial additional support for some of the most disadvantaged people seeking work. This support will be offered through 3053 new places for the Personal Support Programme. The Personal Support Programme delivers special pre-vocational assistance to help people with multiple barriers to employment, for example, homelessness, drug addiction or mental health issues. "

New service reaches out to WA youth on rail network
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"A new service being trialled in Perth will provide support to intoxicated and other at-risk young people on the urban rail network. The Rail Outreach Project is being run by Drug ARM WA, a non-Government drug and alcohol agency, with the support of the Public Transport Authority."

Cancer, diabetes and heart disease the targets for new clinical trials facility
Source: Western Australia. Premier and Minister for Energy, Resources, Industry and Entreprise. Media Release
"Western Australia will become home to a new multi-million dollar clinical trials facility which has the potential to test new treatments for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Premier Alan Carpenter and Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan today announced funding of $9.95million to allow the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) to establish the facility at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital site in Nedlands."

Bracks Government Calls for Commitment to River and Environmental Health
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment. Media Release
"Environment Minister John Thwaites urged the Commonwealth Government to commit to funding joint natural resource management programs across Victoria."

New Centre Helps Break the Cycle of Crime
Source: Victoria. Minister for Corrections. Media Release
"Minister for Corrections, Bob Cameron, opened the $4.8 million Judy Lazarus Transition Centre - Victoria’s first centre to help prisoners prepare for release back to the community. The Centre, located in West Melbourne, is designed to replicate community living in a secure setting and will house about 25 low risk prisoners nearing the end of their sentence."

New Regulations Ease Development, Protect Heritage
Source: Victoria. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release
"New arrangements to ease development while protecting Aboriginal heritage through a streamlined process were released by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Gavin Jennings. Releasing the draft regulations for public consultation, and the independent report on their impact, Mr Jennings said the new, clearer rules would avoid an estimated $35 million in costs from construction delays when heritage is found."

Government Backs Cleaner, Greener Biofuels Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Media Release
"A new $5 million fund to support Victoria’s developing biofuels industry will help provide cleaner, greener fuel alternatives and create new regional job and investment opportunities, Regional and Rural Development Minister John Brumby said. Mr Brumby announced the new Biofuels Infrastructure Grants (BIG) - to be funded through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund - at the Ethanol 2007 conference in Melbourne."

$12.9m facility to fast-track growth of bioscience business
Source: South Australia. Minister for Science and Information Economy. Media Release
"Construction has now started at Thebarton of Australia’s first purpose-built facility to grow budding, bioscience businesses. SA’s Minister for Science and Information Economy, Paul Caica, ‘turned the first sod’ to mark the start of construction of the 3,000 square metre facility, located on the expanded Thebarton Bioscience Precinct."

Minister Calls On Indigenous Territorians To Join Education Council
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Employment, Education and Training. Media Release
"Employment, Education and Training Minister Paul Henderson has called on people interested in joining the newly established Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council to submit expressions of interest. "The council will provide expert advice to both the Northern Territory and Australian Government ministers responsible for education."

Making It Easier For Children To Give Evidence In Sex Offence Cases
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Justice and Attorney General. Media Release
"Attorney-General, Syd Stirling, introduced a new law to Territory Parliament making it easier for children to give evidence in sexual offence cases. Mr Stirling said the Evidence of Children Amendment Bill would help to increase the number of successful prosecutions against child abusers. "

Alice Springs Goes Solar
Source: Northern Territory. Chief Minister. Media Release
"Alice Springs will be transformed as a Solar City – the NT Government will provide $4.9m towards the $21 million project, which will include:

· A trial of 200 smart meters in homes and businesses
· Widespread installation of grid-connected Photo Voltaic (PV) systems which convert solar energy into electricity
· Residential and commercial customers will be offered a range of energy efficiency services and products "

Bringing Forward Discovery To Create Jobs For Territorians
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Mines and Energy. Media Release
"The Northern Territory Government will invest $12 million over the next four years to continue to build the Territory’s resource base. The Government’s long term exploration investment attraction strategy has produced excellent results to date."

New Directions: Literacy & Numeracy
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
"Labor’s National Action Plan on Literacy and Numeracy will boost the skills of Australian school children. Teachers will be required to meet necessary skills and standards, and schools and individual students will be targeted to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes."

New Directions for Children's Health & Development
Source: Australian Labor Party. Policy Statement
""Children can’t learn well if they don't feel good at school. Just as education and training are the building blocks for future productivity and prosperity, good health is fundamentally important to successful education. This is why Labor believes we should pay more attention to children's health and development at one of the most important stages of every child's life: the start of school."

More Funding to Combat Illicit Drugs
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Australian Government will target the scourge of Ice in a tough new offensive against illicit drugs. I am pleased to announce additional funding of $150 million to combat amphetamine-type stimulants, strengthening my Government's zero tolerance approach to illicit drugs."

Free Energy Efficient Light Bulbs for Millions of Households Thanks to New Greenhouse Friendly Abatement Provider
Source: Australia. Minister for Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"An Australian company will assist millions of households replace inefficient light bulbs with free energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), after becoming a certified carbon abatement provider under the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative. "

Respite for mental health carers across Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Over 60,000 carers across the country will have improved access to respite services following the launch of the Mental Health Respite Program by Community Services Minister Nigel Scullion. Through funding of $66 million over four years, 54 service providers will purchase respite for carers of people with a mental illness, psychiatric disability or intellectual disability."

Australia and Korea Commence FTA Study
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, announced that a leading consultancy on international trade will be the Australian participant in a major study into a potential Australia-Korea free trade agreement."

NSW action plans for human capital reform
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, Morris Iemma, released action plans setting out the NSW Government's commitment to the first tranche of human capital reform under the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Reform Agenda in April 2007. The National Reform Agenda recognises that investing in human capital will enhance productivity and participation and have benefits for the economy and individuals. The NSW action plans for Literacy and Numeracy, Diabetes, and Early Childhood and Childcare describe the Government's policies, programs and other initiatives in these three priority areas over the next four years. The plans also recommend complementary actions by the Commonwealth Government. "

Drought assistance hits all-time high
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"More than $2 million a day is being provided by the Federal Government in drought assistance payments – doubling the amount that was being spent just six months ago. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said the significant increase in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) payments followed the Government’s announcement in October 2006 extending assistance to all eligible farmers in EC areas, regardless of what they produce."

A bushfire management strategy for the 21st century
Source: Australia. Minister for fisheries, Forestry and Conservation. Media Release
"State based land management agencies need to adopt a new land management approach if we are to avoid increasing numbers of ‘mega fires’ over coming bushfire seasons."

Increased Coronial Co-operation in Australia
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Formal arrangements for coroners across Australia to work together are a step closer after the States and Territories reached agreement at a meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General in Canberra. The Australian Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, described the new model provision as a positive step in handling the aftermath of disaster events."

Clever Networks - smart broadband solutions for rural and regional Australia
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, announced that sixteen projects have been successful under the first round of funding for the $113 million Clever Networks program. “The 16 successful Clever Networks projects will use the latest in broadband technology to improve service delivery in the areas of health, education, government and emergency services for communities throughout rural and regional Australia,” Senator Coonan said."

Research Quality Framework Panel Chairs Announced
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, announced the Assessment Panel Chairs for the Research Quality Framework (RQF) – the Australian Government’s innovative model for assessing and funding research. The Minister announced the Australian Government’s decision to implement the RQF in November last year in a move that will restructure the current quantitative-based research funding scheme to a process of expert review which relies on assessors of international standing and representatives of the end-users of that research."

Students moving interstate will no longer face discrimination
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"Australian Education Ministers agreed today that no child moving interstate would be disadvantaged in their progress through the school system as a result of entering another State’s education system.'

A victory for commonsense as States finally agree to a nationally consistent school curriculum
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Science and Training. Media Release
"“State and Territory Governments have agreed to the Federal Government’s request for greater national consistency in school curriculum, testing and reporting,” Minister Bishop said."

Smart Meters to Cut Bills and Help the Environment
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"Smart metering of gas, electricity and water in Victorian households could help in the fight against climate change, save water and cut down on household bills, Premier Steve Bracks announced. Mr Bracks said an Australian first trial had commenced with 50 Melbourne households testing smart water, gas and electricity meters."

Heritage funding strategy looks to the future
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
“Although we will continue to allocate funds for urgent conservation work, looking after heritage is not just about repair and maintenance,” Minister Gago said. Encouraging changes that respect the historic significance of a place, while allowing new uses is the best way of making sure these places will be around for a long time. We are keen to support projects that look at innovative and sustainable uses for our unique heritage places."

State Government widens rainwater tank rebate scheme
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"The State Government has widened its rebate scheme to encourage more homeowners to install and plumb rainwater tanks in their homes. Premier Mike Rann says Cabinet today approved the changes, which enables householders to claim a range of rebates from $200 up to $800 - effectively doubling the original maximum amount of $400."

Business and environment to benifit from new program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Climate and Change. Media Release
"Businesses in Victoria now have ready access to a program to help them cut water and energy use, minimise waste and maximise profits, with the Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites and Treasurer John Brumby today launching the Grow Me the Money program. A joint initiative of VECCI and EPA Victoria, the program provides tools and support to businesses seeking to establish sustainable practices."

Bracks plan to deliver more child care places
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Bracks Government today released a comprehensive reform plan for early childhood services which would create up to 3,000 extra child care places and help tackle a crisis which is keeping 20,000 Victorians out of the workforce."

Victorian research aims to capture lead on emissions
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today announced a $9.43 million round of “clean-coal” research grants that will keep Victoria positioned as a world leader in capturing and storing greenhouse emissions. Mr Bracks said more than half the money would go to projects to help Victorian brown coal generators reach near-zero emissions by capturing emissions and storing them underground."

Green light for $250M wind farm near Ballarat
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
""A 64-turbine wind farm at Mt Mercer, 30 kilometres south of Ballarat, has been given the green light after the Planning Minister, Justin Madden, approved a planning permit. The wind farm will be built by WestWind Energy Pty Ltd on predominantly cleared farm land, and is expected to generate around 160 megawatts -- enough energy to power more than 73,000 homes. The new project will play a key role in meeting the Bracks Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET)."

Child Protection Reforms Six Months On
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
"Health and Human Services Minister Lara Giddings today said a great deal had been achieved to reform Tasmania’s child protection services in the six months since the release of four major reports on 8 November last year. “While we still face major challenges in child protection, it is encouraging that the total number of unallocated cases has reduced from 1,793 to 950 over the three months to the end of March,” Ms Giddings said. “That’s a reduction of more than 800, or 47%, in the total number of unallocated cases, and I thank staff for their hard work over the last six months to achieve such a significant turnaround."

Agreements reached over traditional lands in QLD tropics
Source: Australia. National Native Title Tribunal. Media Release
"Eastern Kuku Yalanji native title claimants in far north Queensland will manage and protect their traditional lands and secure economic development opportunities under 15 indigenous land use agreements being celebrated today."

Certainty for regional broadband projects
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today released further information regarding the operation of the Australian Broadband Guarantee. “These arrangements will give broadband providers clarity regarding the new program and should speed up the rollout of further high speed broadband to consumers to complement the upcoming $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program,” Senator Coonan said."

Australia Expands Efforts to Combat Corruption
Source: Australia. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Media Release
"Australia is to expand its efforts to help partner countries in the Asia Pacific region combat corruption. Our new policy, Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development, will guide Australia's support for partner countries as they strive to make the reforms needed to reduce corruption and improve their governance."

QLD Small Businesses To Benefit From $1.2M In Funding
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"An initiative to provide training and mentoring workshops to young operators in the creative industry export sector is one of five Queensland projects to receive $1.2 million in funding to help improve business performance."

New Online Consultation Site for Small Business
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"A new website to improve consultation with small business - www.consultation.business.gov.au - was launched at the National Small Business Forum in Canberra.
The site allows businesses to be consulted about new or existing regulations. The aim is to reduce the burden of red tape through early consultation."

APEC Economic Leaders Meeting - Climate Change
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"I have written to the leaders of APEC's other 20 economies inviting them to this year's APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and outlining my intention to make clean development and climate change a key topic for discussion in Sydney."

The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Scheme
Source: Victoria. Department of Primary Industries
"The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme is a 2006 election commitment, aimed at helping families to reduce greenhouse gas emission and cut their power bills. The VEET scheme will play a role in achieving the Government's targets of reducing emissions from households by 10 per cent by 2010, and Victoria's overall emissions to 60 per cent below the level it was in 2000 by 2050."

New website to give business a voice on red tape
Source: South Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"The State Government is launching a new website to give business and industry a voice on reducing red tape. Minister for Small Business Karlene Maywald says the new website for the State Government Competitiveness Council will allow industry groups, businesses and individuals to outline what frustrates them about government rules and regulations."

State and Territory Treasurers agree on historic payroll tax reform
Source: Western Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"Treasurer Eric Ripper thanked the Western Australian Department of Treasury and Finance for taking a leading role in the first-ever national overhaul of payroll tax arrangements.'

WA ready to win a bigger slice of lucrative naval shipbuilding pie
Source: Western Australia. Ministers for Industry, Energy and Resources and Education and Training. Media Release
"Western Australia is poised to take on a bigger slice of the lucrative naval shipbuilding pie - committing to train 400 additional apprentices and trainees over three years to meet future industry demand. Announcing the new Defence Industry Skills Unit with Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the initiative would help position WA as the logical choice for future defence contracts."

3 million trees program on track despite drought
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Environment. Media Release
"The Rann Government’s three million tree project to establish a series of urban forests across metropolitan Adelaide remains on track despite the effects of the drought. "

Rann will lobby to change uranium policy
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Mike Rann has vowed to step up his fight to change national Labor’s ‘no new mines’ policy on uranium at the ALP National Conference to be held later next month."

Untangling Red Tape _ Changes in the Pipeline
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"New laws covering Victoria’s thousands of kilometres of oil and gas pipelines will minimise red tape and improve safety, Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor said. Mr Batchelor said the Pipelines Act 2005 and Regulations 2007, which came into effect on April 1, will modernise the rules and regulations for landowners and companies wanting to construct the pipes that carry oil, natural gas and liquid petroleum gas for processing and end use in homes and industry."

Victorian Game Developers Get Power Up Funding
Source: Victoria. Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Media Release
"It’s game on for Victoria’s computer games companies thanks to a deal struck between Microsoft and the Bracks Government, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Tim Holding, announced, at the unveiling of Microsoft’s new Melbourne HQ at Southbank. “In an Australian first, the Bracks Government has negotiated with Microsoft for the purchase of eight next generation Xbox 360 games development kits. Our $65,000 contribution means vital resources will be made available to this cutting-edge local industry,” Mr Holding said. "

HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections: A Strategic Framework for the ACT 2007-2012
Source: ACT. Department of Health. Discussion Paper
"ACT Health is seeking your comments on "HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections: A Strategic Framework for the ACT 2007-2012" which has been drafted to guide the local response to the issues of HIV AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Sexually Transmissible Infections."

Australia to Lead the World: Global Initiative on Forests and Climate
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Australian Government launched a Global Initiative on Forests and Climate. This represents a material advance in the global effort to tackle climate change and protect the world's forests. The Australian Government has committed $200 million to kickstart this world leading initiative that will reduce significantly global greenhouse gas emissions. "

Grants to help young innovators
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"Young Australians with innovative ideas to improve the competitiveness of our rural industries are invited to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help develop them. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said a national awards programme – the Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – provided grants for scientific research and work to develop better on-farm technology and practices."

Personal Property Securities Discussion Paper Released
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Philip Ruddock released the second discussion paper on the reform of Australia’s personal property securities laws for public comment."

Legislation to Improve the Native Title System
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Parties in the native title system will have more opportunities to achieve efficient and enduring outcomes following the passage of new legislation by the Australian Parliament this week, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said."

Australia Among First to Sign UN Convertion on the Rights of Persons with Diabilities
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs are pleased to announce that Australia will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in a formal ceremony opening the Convention for signature to be held on 30 March 2007 at the UN Headquarters in New York."

Tightening National Security with Background Checks
Source: Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Australian Government has again delivered on its commitment to national security by passing legislation to enhance background checking in the aviation and maritime sectors, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said."

Australia and South Africa Announce New Climate Change Action
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Australia and South Africa will jointly support three new projects involving research, modeling, and the exchange of world-leading knowledge on managing greenhouse emissions and the impacts of climate change. "

First Forest Sink Project to Become Greenhouse Friendly
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull said that CO2 Australia Limited will plant mallee eucalypt trees to remove carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide absorbed by trees will be able to be sold to businesses to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. "

Australian Government Committed to 21st Century Rail
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced a further $27.6 million for new wireless digital technology for the national rail network as part of his determination to bring rail into the 21st Century. Mr Vaile said the additional funding for new technology based on 3G 850 wireless mobile phone platform brings the Australian Government's commitment to ARTC to deliver its national freight train communications project to $69.6 million."

Australia Outlines Measures to Reduce Aviation Emissions
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile has announced a range of measures to reduce aviation greenhouse emissions to help combat climate change. Some of these measures have already commenced and others will be rolled out as soon as possible."

Takeoff for the General Aviation Industry Action Agenda
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The General Aviation Industry Action Agenda aims to foster industry leadership, help the industry develop strategies for growth, agree on priorities and make commitments to change," Mr Vaile said."

Review of Inefficient State Taxes
Source: Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"As a result of the Australian Government’s tax reforms, the following taxes have been abolished: accommodation tax, financial institutions duty, marketable securities duty and debits tax. In addition, agreement has been reached on a timetable for the abolition of the following: mortgage duty, rental duty, lease duty, stamp duty on unquoted marketable securities, cheque duty and stamp duty on conveyances of non-real non-residential property. "

Labor's National Broadband Network
Source: Australian Labour Party. Policy Release
"In an historic move, Federal Labor will revolutionise Australia’s internet infrastructure by creating a new world class National Broadband Network.
"Labor will invest up to $4.7 billion to establish the National Broadband Network in partnership with the private sector to boost productivity growth and build long-term economic prosperity once the mining boom is over.
"The Network will connect 98 per cent of Australians to high speed broadband internet services – at a speed more than 40 times faster than most current speeds..."