Enhancing Security Cooperation with Indonesia
Source: Australia. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Media Release
"In Perth, Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Hassan Wirajuda and I exchanged notes to bring into force the Australia-Indonesia Framework for Security Cooperation (the Lombok Treaty).
The Treaty provides a strong overarching framework for strengthening security cooperation by encouraging greater collaboration in areas such as defence, law enforcement, counter-terrorism, maritime security and emergency preparedness. To take this cooperation forward, officials will develop an action plan on jointly agreed priorities."

Government details initial round of savings measures to assist inflation fight
Source: Australia. Minister for Finance and Deregulation. Media Release
"Finance and Deregulation Minister Lindsay Tanner announced an initial round of new savings measures, a move designed to lead the fight against inflation. The savings will result in a $643 million reduction in government spending over the next four years including $243 million in 2007-08. We have made it clear we will do all we can to put maximum downward pressure on inflation. We want to do all we can to help ease the burden on working families under pressure from rising costs and interest rates."

Consultation starts on Rudd Government's First Home Saver Accounts
Source: Australia. Minister for Housing and the Treasurer. Media Release
"The Rudd Government is releasing the First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA) discussion paper outlining the proposed features of the accounts and how they would operate. This follows Cabinet's formal approval of the establishment of the FHSA. The Government is seeking input from the community and industry on the exact detail of the proposal. We want the accounts to achieve our objective of providing a simple and tax effective way for Australians to save a larger deposit for their first home."In recognition of the financial pressures faced by young people and Australian families in purchasing their first home, we announced in the 2007 federal election campaign that we would pursue this policy if elected," Treasurer Wayne Swan said."

Delivering a Digital Education Revolution
Source: Australia. Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
" The Minister for Education has written to all Australian secondary school principals inviting their participation in the Rudd Government’s $1 billion Digital Education Revolution. The Digital Education Revolution will dramatically change classroom education by ensuring that all students in years 9 to 12 have access to information and communication technology. This includes investing in our school infrastructure – including computers in schools and trade training centres, investing in our teachers and establishing a national curriculum. The first $100 million of the National Secondary School Computer Fund will be directed to the schools most in need by June 2008. "

Horse flu assistance extended
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"Australian Government assistance has been extended to people affected by equine influenza (EI) horse movement restrictions. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, said the assistance had been extended for those in restricted zones until 14 March 2008 or until movement restrictions are lifted."

New Fund to Boost Innovation and Investment in Southern Adelaide
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry with the Premier of South Australia. Media Release
"The Australian and South Australian Governments have today announced a $50 million package to support workers and the region affected by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s decision today to close the Tonsley Park vehicle assembly plant at the end of March 2008. The package includes:
up to $10 million for intensive assistance to workers; and
a $40 million South Australian Innovation and Investment Fund to strengthen South Australia's manufacturing base, creating new jobs and boosting new investment in innovation. "

$50 million finance facility for affordable housing
Source: ACT. Chief Minister and Treasurer. Media Release
"A thousand more affordable homes for rent and sale will be built, thanks to a historic agreement entered into by the ACT Government and Community Housing Canberra.
Contracts exchanged on 5 February 2008 provide a $50 million finance facility for CHC to invest in affordable housing – the first time a government in Australia has worked with a community organisation on such an innovative scheme, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.
The exchange of contracts with Community Housing Canberra puts in place another important plank of the ACT Government’s Affordable Housing Action Plan. The finance facility provided by the Government will assist CHC develop 1,000 affordable dwellings for rent and sale over the next ten years."

Tougher sentencing for assaults on bus and taxi drivers
Source: NT. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Media Release
"Transport Minister Delia Lawrie has announced tough new penalties for people who attack bus drivers and taxi drivers. Ms Lawrie said the maximum penalty for common assault on a bus or taxi driver will increase from one to five years. Bus drivers and taxi drivers provide a vital public service and deserve protection,” she said. The Northern Territory Government will introduce the Criminal Code Amendment (Assault on Public Drivers) Bill in the upcoming February sittings. This will mean that a person who commits a common assault on a bus or taxi driver will now face up to five years imprisonment compared to a maximum of one year. Drivers often work by themselves and during the night which makes them more vulnerable to acts of assault."

New road safety strategy - Arrive Alive 2008 - 2017
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Premier John Brumby has unveiled a range of new road safety initiatives to drive down the road toll, including tougher drink driving laws, more driver education, passenger restrictions for P-plate drivers and mandatory car safety technology. Mr Brumby said the new initiatives were the cornerstone of the Victorian Government’s arrive alive 2008-2017 road safety strategy which aimed to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in the road toll. Launching the strategy Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government was committed to key road safety targets to be achieved by the end of 2017"

Easy energy advice coming to a store...
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"Help is at hand for consumers wanting to buy more energy and water efficient appliances, thanks to a Brumby Government buyer advice campaign in 300 major retail stores across Victoria. The $2 million ResourceSmart retail initiative will help customers compare the purchase price, running costs and environmental performance of household appliances and lighting. Domestic appliances account for 61 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions from a typical Victorian household,” Mr Batchelor said. By buying a ResourceSmart appliance, which uses less energy and water throughout its life, consumers are setting themselves up to reduce their household bills, and their carbon footprint."

More affordable housing for Footscray
Source: Victoria. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"An innovative Brumby Government scheme is providing more affordable housing for families in Footscray, Housing Minister Richard Wynne has announced. Mr Wynne joined tenants and representatives of Melbourne Affordable Housing (MAH) to officially open four, four-bedroom homes in Gordon Street. The Brumby Government is spending an extra $500 million over four years to increase the amount of social housing available for low-income Victorians. Total cost of the project was $1.6 million, with the Brumby Government providing $1.1 million with the Baptist Church and the Victorian Property Fund providing the remainder."

Fast broadband technology using ADSL2+ is to be rolled out by Telstra
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Media Release.
"Fast broadband technology using ADSL2+ is to be rolled out by Telstra to an additional 900 local exchanges serving 2.4 million HOUSEHOLS. Fast broadband with download speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) will be available in more cities and towns throughout Australia. Telstra’s decision to enable new exchanges with ADSL2+ broadband services follows an assurance that it had an appropriate level of regulatory certainty. This advice was provided to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)."

New child protection curriculum rolled out
Source: SA. Minister for Education & Children's Services. Media Release.
"School children will learn how to protect themselves from abuse and harm through a new Keeping Safe child protection program to be introduced in the State’s schools and preschools this year. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says around 10,000 State school teachers have been trained in the program, which is the first update of the child protection curriculum in more than 20 years. “Teacher training and the involvement of parents are fundamental to the program’s successful introduction in schools and preschools,” Dr Lomax-Smith says. “Every teacher who delivers the program must undergo training before it is taught in the classroom."

New seatbelt laws
Source: SA. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release
"From the first of March, drivers in South Australia will be required by law to ensure their passengers belt up, with both drivers and passengers facing penalties for non-compliance." “As of 1 March 2008, drivers will be responsible for ensuring that their adult passengers - aged 16 and over - are properly restrained, in the same way that they are now responsible for passengers aged under 16."“Passengers will also still be accountable, with both drivers and passengers aged over 16 fined if they fail to wear a seatbelt.”

Terms of Reference finalised for Special Commission of Inquiry
Source: NSW. Minister for Health. Media Release
"NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir, confirmed the Terms of Reference for the Special Commission of Inquiry into the delivery of patient care within the NSW public health system and the appointment of Peter Garling SC to lead the Commission. Ms Meagher said the Commission of Inquiry will identify any systemic issues impacting on the delivery of acute care services and make recommendations about changes that will lead to improvements."

Minister launches the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Reconciliation Action Plan
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"Indigenous Affairs Minister Michelle Roberts has launched the Department of Indigenous Affairs' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). A reconciliation action plan is a way for organisations, including the Government, to strengthen relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people."

Hoons and speeding drivers to face tough new penalties
Source: Western Australia. Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Hoons, speeding drivers and people not wearing seatbelts will face some of the harshest penalties in the country under new road safety measures announced by the State Government. Premier Alan Carpenter said the new measures were in direct response to last year’s horror road toll and community outrage at the continued poor and inexcusable behaviour of some drivers on Western Australian roads."

First Steps Taken To Deliver Standard Business Reporting Programme
Source: Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"We are pleased to announce that, with the tender process going out for Standard Business Reporting programme core services infrastructure, the first steps have been taken to meet the Rudd Government’s commitment to reducing the burden of red tape on Australian businesses. The Standard Business Reporting Programme is focussed on harmonising the definitions, procedures and reporting requirements for information provided to governments.
These measures will reduce the reporting burden imposed on the business community, freeing up resources for other more profitable activities."

Boost for Youth Activities in Northern Territory
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The Australian Government will deliver $2.6 million for 30 youth activity projects aimed at young people living in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the Government is committed to addressing drug and alcohol abuse in Indigenous communities. "The Government is working hard to keep young Indigenous people engaged in healthy, safe activities," Ms Macklin said. All 30 projects support activities for young Indigenous people in the Northern Territory."

Australian Government to Apologise to Members of the Stolen Generations
Sources: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, announced that a formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations would be made on Wednesday, 13 February, 2008. Ms Macklin said the apology would be the first item of business for the new Parliament. "A national apology to the Stolen Generations and their families is a first, necessary step to move forward from the past," Ms Macklin said. The apology will be made on behalf of the Australian Government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people."

Paving the Solar Highway for Businesses in Blacktown, NSW
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett opened the largest single
roof mounted solar power system in New South Wales. “The rooftop solar highway here at Cadbury Schweppes is truly spectacular – if you stood its 640 solar panels end to end they would tower above Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower,” Mr Garrett said. The Cadbury Schweppes factory in Sydney’s Blacktown is the first business to take up the
commercial solar power offer under the Blacktown Solar City project.
“This solar system is a great example of the innovative approaches Solar Cities is enabling across
Australia,” Mr Garrett said."

Minister Announces Terms Of Reference For Comcare Review
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
" The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has today announced the terms of reference for a review of the Comcare scheme and has invited written submissions from interested parties. The Comcare scheme provides workers’ compensation and OHS arrangements for Australian Government employees and for the employees of certain private corporations which self-insure under the scheme. The purpose of the review is to ensure that Comcare is a suitable OHS and worker’ compensation system for self insurers and their employees. "

Launch of the Defence Export Unit
Source: Australia. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement. Media Release
"The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, the Hon Greg Combet MP, officially launched the Defence Export Unit at the Pacific 2008 International Maritime exposition.
Mr Combet said that “the Defence Export Unit will work closely with Australian defence companies planning to enter the defence export market and will continue to support those companies that have already broken into overseas defence markets”.
“The DEU demonstrates the Government’s commitment to working with Australian defence industry and it will make a real difference to the volume and value of Australian defence exports”. The Unit’s work will include identifying future overseas opportunities for Australian defence companies and coordinating with other Australian Government agencies including Austrade."

Government to set agenda on homelessness for the next decade
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Minister for Housing. Media Release
"The Rudd Government will develop a comprehensive, long-term plan to tackle homelessness as a matter of national priority. The Government will build on its $150 million election commitment to construct new homes for Australians in crisis accommodation by developing a White Paper on how Australia can systematically reduce homelessness over the next decade.
Given the urgency the Rudd Government attaches to reducing homelessness, the Prime Minister has directed that the White Paper be completed by August."

First Steps towards a National Curriculum
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Prime Minister and Minister for Education, announced the appointment of Professor Barry McGaw as Chair of the government’s new National Curriculum Board.
The Board will be established by 1 January 2009, and will oversee the development of a world-class curriculum for all Australian students from kindergarten to Year 12, starting with the key learning areas of English, mathematics, the sciences and history."