State Government provides medical benefits for former police
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Western Australia Police officers will be able to access medical benefits for ongoing work-related conditions after leaving the police service, under new laws that have been finalised. Police and Emergency Services Minister John Kobelke said the legislation, which was being introduced in the next few weeks as a priority, would remove the anomaly of police officers leaving WA Police with work-related injuries and illnesses without any recognition to meet the costs of their ongoing medical treatment. Currently police are not entitled to recover these or other related expenses."

Prisoner issues receive State/Territory endorsement
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Corrective Services. Media Release
"Western Australia is setting the agenda in determining guidelines and standards for the safe and humane transportation of prisoners, Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk has announced. At the Corrective Services Minister’s Conference in Sydney, Ms Quirk gained vigorous endorsement from all her State and Territory counterparts, as well as New Zealand Minister Phil Goff. “WA will host a national conference in August, where a range of issues will be discussed with the aim of improving the efficiency and safety of prisoner transportation,” Ms Quirk said."

New alternative quick-build home options revealed to homebuyer market
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"An innovative new home was built within 14 days, as part of an exciting State Government demonstration housing development which is rapidly taking shape near Armadale. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the quick-build steel panel home was built by 2020 Construction Systems, on Revolution Road at Seville Grove. Ms MacTiernan said the State Government was taking creative action to address housing supply and access to the new homes market and Revolution Road would showcase the possibilities for new home buyers. “This range of new building options is good news for buyers wanting to break into the new homes market,” she said. Markedly reduced construction times will cut home building costs significantly, as owners will need to hold on to a second property, or pay rent, for a much shorter period. "

Tough new restrictions for novice drivers
Source: Western Australia. Premier and the Minister for Community Safety. Media Release
"Provisional drivers will be banned from driving between midnight and 5am during the first six months of getting their licence, under tough new restrictions from June 30. Premier Alan Carpenter and Community Safety Minister John Kobelke outlined new changes to road rules for novice Western Australian drivers. Mr Carpenter said the changes, which included zero Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and night-time driving restrictions for P-plate drivers, were designed to protect young drivers from death or serious injury on State roads. These changes put Western Australia at the forefront of driver safety and will help prepare young drivers for a lifetime of safe driving,” the Premier said."

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND TOURISM SOLUTION
Source: Australia. Minister for Tourism. Media Release
"The Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, has announced $4 million in Federal Government funding for projects to assist the Queensland tourism industry following Qantas’s decision to reduce airline capacity to the state.
Minister Ferguson said: “This package will be welcomed by the industry and it will go a long way toward helping the industry find long-term solutions to the challenges confronting it presently.
“Australian tourism operators are doing it tough, the industry’s concerns are very valid, and the problems faced by tourism nationally have been building for some time."

SMART METERS GET NOD FROM ENERGY MINISTERS
Source: Australia. Minister for Resources and Energy. Media Release
"Smart Meters will be rolled out under a national framework following agreement from the Australian, State and Territory Government Energy Ministers at the 15th Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Energy.
Smart meters are electricity meters which measure energy consumption in half-hour intervals, enabling time-of-day pricing, and providing two-way communication, allowing energy providers to read and control features of the meter remotely. They will also allow communication between the meter and devices in the home, such as air-conditioners, hot-water systems and in-home displays to monitor energy use."

NEW CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS ON MURRAY DARLING CATCHMENTS
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today (10/6/08) welcomed the release of two reports on the effects of climate change on water availability in the Murray Darling Basin.
CSIRO released the reports on the Condamine-Balonne and Moonie regions in the north of the
Murray Darling Basin as part of the Murray Darling Basin Sustainable Yields project being
undertaken on behalf of the Australian Government and the Murray Darling Basin states.
The project looks at the impacts of climate change and land use change across the Basin’s 18
regions."

New national protocol: plan to look after elderly Australians living alone
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing . Media Release
"A new national protocol for community care service providers has been proposed aimed at reducing the number of frail older Australians dying alone at home and reducing delays until deaths are discovered. The protocol was put forward today (13/6/08) by Federal Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot at the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Conference on Ageing held on the NSW North Coast, bringing together the nation’s ministers for ageing."

Older people benefit from local abuse prevention campaign
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing . Media Release
"Older people in the Northern Rivers region of NSW will benefit from a locally developed Elder Abuse Prevention Campaign.Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today (12/6/08) officially launched the $149,041 project funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department. "

$50 million to strengthen mental health
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing . Media Release
"The Rudd Government will invest almost $50 million in strengthening mental health services, including $20 million to help prevent suicide.In any year, nearly 1 in 5 Australians will experience some form of mental illness. These measures will help ensure that people coping with mental illness can get the care they need.The Government is also establishing the National Advisory Council on Mental Health, to provide the Government with independent, expert and balanced advice to help drive national mental health reform."

National Primary Health Care Strategy
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing . Media Release
"The Rudd Government will develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st century, and make sure that families can get the health care they need.The strategy will look at how to deliver better frontline care to families across Australia, with priorities including:
Better rewarding prevention.
Promoting evidence-based management of chronic disease.
Supporting patients with chronic disease to manage their condition.
Supporting the role GPs play in the health care team.
Addressing the growing need for access to other health professionals, including practice nurses and allied health professionals like physiotherapists and dieticians.
Encouraging a greater focus on multidisciplinary team-based care. "

First Ever National Men’s Health Policy
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing . Media Release
"The Rudd Government will develop Australia’s first ever National Men’s Health Policy – in recognition of the fact that men often have poorer health than women, are likely to die earlier, and are at greater risk of suicide.To mark the start of International Men’s Health Week, Minister for Health Nicola Roxon is launching the paper Setting the scene: developing a men’s health policy for Australia."
A copy of the paper on the development of a National Men’s Health Policy can be found at www.health.gov.au/menshealthpolicy

Low-income households a priority for Coburg Solar City
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"A community program exploring how low-income households can become more sustainable will be a highlight of Australia’s latest Solar Cities project.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett today (10/6/08) announced $4.9 million in Australian Government funding for the Coburg Solar City, the 6th in the Solar Cities program.
"I am particularly pleased that a key feature of the Coburg Solar City will be the development of an ‘Energy Hub’, a community enterprise providing energy retrofit services for low income and public housing tenants," Mr Garrett said. "

Review to look at future of higher education in Australia
Source: Minister for Education. Media Release
"Minister for Education, Julia Gillard is urging all interested parties to be part of setting the future direction of higher education in Australia.
The Rudd Government today (10/6/08) welcomed the release of the discussion paper for the Review of Australian Higher Education by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC, Chair of the expert panel leading the review."
Further information and the discussion paper is available a www.dest.gov.au\HEreview

Adult language literacy and numeracy skills discussion paper released today
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"A new discussion paper is calling for comment on the future direction of the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program.
Minister for Education, Julia Gillard released the discussion paper today (13/6/08), and invited all interested parties to comment on the make up of the services in the next contract period of service delivery. "
The discussion paper is available, after 4.00pm, at www.llnp.deewr.gov.au

Experts tackle emerging e-security threats
Source: Australia. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Media Release
"Experts from government, industry and community organisations today (13/6/08) met in Sydney to discuss emerging e-security challenges and how to prepare for the future.
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy and the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland MP, said discussions at the Over the Horizon forum will inform the Government's future e-security policy deliberations."

Planning Reform Passes the Lower House
Source: New South Wales Government. Department of Planning. Media release
"Planning Minister, Frank Sartor said that after months of consultation, reforms to create an efficient and transparent planning system have been passed by the NSW Legislative Assembly.
Speaking at the Annual Shires Association of NSW Conference today, Mr Sartor said the need for planning reform was unanimously recognised and the package would address these problems in a balanced and workable way."

NSW Parliament passes landmark legislation to protect patients
Source: New South Wales Government. Department of Health. Media release
New South Wales now has the strongest legislation in the country to protect patients against misconduct by doctors, after the Medical Practice Amendment Bill 2008 passed through the NSW Parliament last night.
Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the Bill provides a number of important changes, including the introduction of mandatory reporting by medical practitioners of their colleagues in instances of serious misconduct."

High Food Prices - Causes, implications and solutions
Source: Australian Government. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
The rapid rise in food prices has caught the world’s attention. It has been labelled a ‘silent tsunami’ by The Economist magazine (2008) because of the series of sharp rises in the nominal price of the world’s most consumed food commodities. In the past 18 months, the world price of rice has tripled, maize increased by two-thirds and wheat has doubled. Grain is a major input into meat and diary production and these prices have also risen significantly. ....
In this paper the underlying causes of these trends are analysed by examining the changes in demand and supply in agricultural markets. The implications of these changes are assessed, and policy solutions to ensure that food supplies are adequate, produced at least cost and reliable, are discussed."

New Licensing Regulations Make Learning to Ride Safer
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"New regulations for Learner and Probationary motorcyclists are to come into effect on 1 July under the Brumby Government’s new Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Ports, Martin Pakula said the introduction of LAMS in Victoria will contribute to a more consistent approach to vehicle restrictions for learner and newly licensed riders. “Under LAMS, learner and novice riders will have access to a range of motorcycles and scooters suitable for their level of experience,” Mr Pakula said. “Novice riders will only be permitted to ride motorcycles on the approved LAMS list which includes bikes with power-to-weight ratios not exceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne and engine capacities not exceeding 660cc. The scheme will also restrict learners from using high powered, race replica 250cc bikes that are known to be dangerous for inexperienced riders.”

Discussion Paper on Community Health Centres Released
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health. Media Release
"A discussion paper looking at options for the governance and accountability of stand alone community health centres in Victoria has been released for comment. Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the discussion paper is being released as part of the Brumby Government’s review of governance and accountability arrangements for these centres that deliver such important services to Victorian families.This review is occurring as a consequence of the Australian Tax Office advice that the precedent established by the Federal Court, as applied to the stand alone agencies, meant that they were too tightly regulated to be regarded as public benevolent institutions. As a result, they would lose Fringe Benefits Tax and other charitable concessions. Victoria has 100 community health centres operating from 400 sites. Around 60 per cent of them operate in association with, or as part of, hospitals and health services."

Australian's First Hybrid Car to be Built in Victoria
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The first hybrid car to be manufactured in Australia will be built at Toyota’s Altona plant securing jobs for Victorian car workers and offering Australians the choice of a locally built green car, Premier John Brumby announced. Mr Brumby said Toyota’s Altona plant would become the regional base for the hybrid Camry with 10,000 cars to be manufactured each year taking the plant’s total production of cars beyond 150,000 annually.“During my recent trip to Japan I met with the President of Toyota, Katsuaki Watanabe, to discuss the prospect of Victoria becoming home to a locally built hybrid car and I am pleased that Toyota has made this decision,” Mr Brumby said.“With car manufacturers moving on a global scale to produce green fuel efficient cars it is crucial that the Victorian auto industry secures a slice of this investment which will add $150 million annually to our economy."

Brumby Government Acts to Strengthen Local Democracy
Source: Victoria. Minister for Local Government. Media Release
"New legislation to strengthen local democracy will include measures to eliminate dummy candidates, prevent sacked councillors from re-nominating within four years and close the loophole which allows some owners of car park spaces and boat moorings in the city from casting votes. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said the Local Government Amendment (Elections) Bill 2008 will reform electoral processes ahead of elections to be held for all 79 local councils in Victoria on November 29 this year.“The Brumby Government is taking action to strengthen local democracy through this legislation, which will ensure that electoral processes are up to date, and that councils have clarification on a number of key issues,” Mr Wynne said."

$9 Million Boost to Make New Communities More Affordable and Liveable
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"A $9 million boost to smooth the introduction of a new Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) across Melbourne’s outer suburbs was announced in the next step of a planning overhaul to improve the quality and supply of new housing. Unveiling a map of the new Urban Growth Zone to fast-track 37 new Melbourne communities, Planning Minister Justin Madden said the planning reforms would significantly simplify and speed-up the supply of new homes and improve the quality of lifestyle in growth areas. “The Brumby Government is taking action to improve planning for our newest suburbs, so they are well serviced by schools, shops and provided with jobs closer to where people live,” Mr Madden said.“This single zone will be used for future growth area developments in conjunction with a single plan for new communities – the Precinct Structure Plan.” As announced by the Premier in March, the UGZ will strip time out of the planning system in new urban developments, saving more than a year in approval times and up to $10,000 for home-buyers on the price of a new house block. "

Comment Invited on the New Gambling Industry Structure
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"The Government is seeking public comment on the competitive bidding phase of the Gambling Licences Review, with the release of three Discussion Papers. Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said the release of the wagering, keno and gaming machines Discussion Papers demonstrated the Brumby Government’s commitment to consultation as part of the review process on the implementation of the new structure for the post-2012 gambling industry.“We want to give the community, stakeholders and those with knowledge of the industry an opportunity to share their views on the next phase of the review,” Mr Robinson said. The release of the Discussion Papers follows the Brumby Government’s decision to reshape Victoria’s gambling industry."

Bongs banned
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media release
The Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has told drug-culture stores they’ll have to shut-up shop or find new lines of business from Sunday.
New laws come into force this weekend banning the sale of equipment used to consume illegal drugs, such as bongs, ice pipes and cocaine kits.
The change reflects concern that the tools of illicit drug use have been freely available from dedicated drug-device shops, tobacconists and some franchise outlets."

Body Piercing Legislation Introduced into Parliament
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Intimate body piercing in Victoria will be banned for people under the age of 18 and parental consent required for non-intimate piercing for people under the age of 16 in legislation to be introduced into Parliament. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the new legislation was designed to involve parents and guardians in decision making with young people about body piercing.“The Brumby Government has an obligation to protect community welfare and this Bill balances the concerns of parents and guardians with young people’s freedom of expression,” Mr Hulls said."

Planning reforms to boost SA's economy
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media release
"Premier Mike Rann has this morning foreshadowed far reaching changes to South Australia’s planning and development system, to be announced by the Minister for Planning, the Hon Paul Holloway, later today.
Mr Rann says the changes will give South Australia the most efficient planning system anywhere in Australia."