Tackling Climate Change
Source: Tasmania. Labor Member for Denison. Media Release
"“The State Government is planning for the next generation by developing a coordinated response to climate change. The $3 million funding injection for a climate change office to coordinate climate change policy and implement a Tasmanian Climate Change Strategy is the latest step the Government has taken. Ms Singh said the Tasmania-specific Climate Change Strategy is in its final phase of preparation after being circulated very widely for comment in its draft form. "

Education Reforms For The Future
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Education. Media Release
" The Minister for Education, David Bartlett, released research into the planned reforms of Tasmania’s post year 10 learning. Mr Bartlett also gave more details of the changes to be in place by 2009 and outlined the scope of the extensive consultation to be undertaken. "

Tobacco Reform Continues
Source: ACT. Chief Minister. Media Release
"The ACT Government had significantly reformed the laws governing the sale and use of tobacco for the promotion of better health for people living in the ACT, the Minister for Health Ms. Katy Gallagher said. The government has more reforms currently under consideration including further restricting tobacco use in outdoor eating areas, around building entrances, and at under-age functions."

Government Reforms Gaming Machine Limits and Community Benefit Statements with New Laws
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"The Gambling Regulation Amendment Bill 2007 will introduce significant reforms to gaming machine operations, the Minister for Gaming, Daniel Andrews, said. Mr Andrews said the Bill would reform community benefit statements and implement commitments made under Taking action on problem gambling, the Bracks Government’s five-year, $132.3 million strategy to combat problem gambling."

$6.5M Sexual Health Package to Fight HIV and STIS
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health Media Release
"A $6.5 million sexual health package aimed at helping to reduce rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Victoria will help arrest rising rates of infection, the Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike, said. Ms Pike launched the two-pronged campaign, saying it would include targeted advertising campaigns and the new HIV/STI Prevention Taskforce, to spearhead the Bracks Government’s annual $38 million program to treat and prevent HIV and STIs."

Move it! grants to get people more active
Source: South Australia. Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Media Release
"The State Government has opened applications for a $500,000 grants program that encourages more South Australians to Move It!. Move It! aims to increase participation in sport, active recreation and physical activity by addressing the barriers to being active for specific population groups."

More solar funding for more schools
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Energy, Resources, Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"Another twenty schools across Western Australia – including six in regional areas - will receive State Government funding to install their own solar panels. The Carpenter Government has committed an extra $4.1million to the program over the next four years, so that more than 350 of the State’s schools will use renewable energy by 2010.”

New plan to tackle training drop-outs
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The State Government has moved to tackle drop-out rates as high as 61 per cent among apprentices and trainees in key trades. The drop-out rate is hampering the supply of workers to meet the skills shortage."

Teacher taskforce takes it to the people
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The high level taskforce established to advise Government on the long-term issues affecting the teaching workforce, is asking for public submissions in response to a discussion paper recently released. It is important that there is a long-term, strategic approach to dealing with teacher attraction and retention,” he said."

Federal Labor's Solar, Green Energy And Water Renovations Plan For Australian Households
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Federal Labor Government will offer Australian households low interest rate loans of up to $10,000 to help make existing homes greener and more energy and water efficient. "

Minimising Aviation Greenhouse Emissions Without a Ticket Tax
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"Australia had already demonstrated the aviation industry could minimise greenhouse emissions in practical ways without a ticket tax, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, said on World Environment Day. In fact, the aviation industry has been working on minimising aircraft emissions for some time, internationally, through the International Civil Aviation Organization and regionally, with the APEC economies," Mr Vaile said."

Establishment of the COAG Reform Council
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce, in my capacity as chairman of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), that the COAG Reform Council (CRC) has commenced operations. The establishment of the CRC is an important step in the continuing COAG National Reform Agenda (NRA), which encompasses human capital, competition and regulatory reforms, and will help underpin Australia's future prosperity through increasing Australia's productivity and workforce participation."

Biotechnology Strategy A Boost For Tasmanian Innovation
Source: Tasmania. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Paul Lennon launched the State’s Biotechnology Strategy, with a target of trebling turnover from the sector in Tasmania by 2015. "

New Regulation for Legal Profession
Source: Tasmania. Attorney General. Media Release
" A Bill establishing a new regime regulating Tasmania’s legal profession has been introduced into State Parliament, Attorney-General Steven Kons said. Mr Kons said the Legal Profession Bill 2007 was the result of significant negotiations with the state’s legal profession and other stakeholders during the past two years. This Bill will see Tasmania adopt the principles of the National Legal Profession Model Laws project, subject to appropriate local variations."

Australia's Review on Economics of Climate Change Begins in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Australia’s first comprehensive study into the national economic impacts of climate change has begun in Victoria, following a meeting between Premier Steve Bracks and Professor Ross Garnaut. The Garnaut Climate Change Review – Australia’s equivalent to the UK Stern Review – will examine the impacts on climate change on Australian jobs and the economy, and recommend mid-term to long-term policies to achieve sustainable prosperity. "

International Business Network Reforms to Boost Victorian Economy
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Premier Steve Bracks outlined the next stage of reforms for the Victorian Government’s overseas offices which will boost Victoria’s economic performance and standing in the global economy. Mr Bracks said the Government would establish an International Coordination Office (ICO), a new central coordination point in government for all of the Victorian Government’s overseas activities."

Big Step Taken Towards National Emissions Trading
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"Australia has taken a big step towards setting up a greenhouse emissions trading scheme after state and territory environment ministers today agreed to a Victorian proposal for mandatory reporting by companies emitting more than 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year."

$8 Million Program Opens Dood for Mental Health and Drug Treatment
Source: Victoria. Minister for Mental Health. Media Release
"Victoria is leading the way in the new $8 million dual diagnosis program for treating people with both mental health and drug and alcohol problems, Minister for Mental Health Lisa Neville said. Ms Neville said the leading-edge dual diagnosis treatment helped to stop people with both mental health and drug problems falling between the cracks."

Sustainable Transport Commitment Signed
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"The Victorian Government has re-affirmed its commitment to developing a sustainable public transport network, signing on to the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) Charter on Sustainable Development."

SA push for national plastic bag ban
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"South Australia continues to lead the push for a national ban on single-use lighweight plastic shopping bags by the end of 2008. Speaking after the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting in Cairns, Environment and Conservation Minister, Gail Gago said all states had agreed to work towards a national regulatory approach on plastic bags and report back by the next meeting in November this year."

Government acts to change road rule for mobile phone use
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Road Safety. Media Release
"The State Government has moved to immediately amend a National Road Rule that relates to the use of mobile phones by road users. Rule 300 will be amended to exclude the words “hand held”, thereby making it possible for people to drive legally with a hand held mobile, so long as it used in a hands-free device."

Schools invited to trial new SACE programs
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"The State’s high schools will help pioneer a new South Australian Certificate of Education for senior students by becoming part of a $3.5 million SACE Pilot Program over the next 18 months.
Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith is inviting Government, Catholic and Independent schools to apply to become one of 42 initial schools chosen to pilot key elements of the new SACE. Principals, staff, students and local communities from the selected schools will be the first to test the new Personal Learning Plan and approaches to improving students’ literacy and numeracy skills."

WA to remain nuclear free: Premier
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Nuclear power stations will be banned in Western Australia under new legislation to be introduced by the Carpenter Government. Premier Alan Carpenter said the anti-nuclear legislation, to be introduced when Parliament resumes in June, would:
prohibit the construction or operation of a nuclear facility in WA;
prohibit the transportation of certain material to a nuclear facility site; and
prohibit the connecting of nuclear generation works to an electricity transmission or distribution system. "

Workforce skills boost for Western Australians
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Thousands of Western Australian workers and employers are set to benefit from a $2million expansion of the State’s skills recognition program. Premier Alan Carpenter said experienced workers would benefit and skill shortages would be eased by streamlining and improving the recognition process."

Western Australians urged to Act Now for the Future
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The State Government has unveiled a virtual one-stop shop for Western Australians wanting to cash in on more than $10million in power and water-saving rebates and learn more about how they can act now for their future. Environment and Climate Change Minister David Templeman said the Act Now for the Future website was a portal for sustainable living that featured comprehensive information and advice for people who wanted to embrace the climate change challenge."