Brumby Outlines Blueprint for Comprehensive National Health Reform
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby, outlined a comprehensive reform proposal for the national health system, detailing a ten-point plan focusing on patients and their needs, disease prevention and more flexible and sustainable resourcing. In a speech to a major health conference in Melbourne today, Mr Brumby released the Victorian Government’s proposal, Next Steps in Australian Health Reform, saying Australia needed to take the biggest leap in health care funding since the introduction of Medicare in the 1970s.“It is my hope that these reform proposals can kick-start a serious national debate and form the basis for negotiation and agreement by the States, Territories and the Commonwealth to move forward on implementing substantial national health reform,” Mr Brumby said. In this new era of cooperative federalism, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape and embrace a new, inclusive approach to health in Australia."

New Problem Gambling Campaign on Track to Protect Consumers
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will use a Melbourne icon - the tram - as the centrepiece of its latest problem gambling advertising campaign to highlight the importance of gambling responsibly. The $950,000 campaign, which is based on new Player Information Standards for gaming machines being implemented in gaming venues across the state, aims to minimise harm associated with the effects of problem gambling. The campaign uses the images and messages from the new standards and encourages Victorians to change high risk behaviour and to identify their own actions when it comes to gambling. The campaign will be featured on billboards and at outdoor locations such as bus and tram stops, on the internet and will also reach culturally and linguistically diverse communities.However both the campaign and the new standards are aimed at all Victorians who choose to gamble – not just those at risk of problem gambling."

Commercial Tenants Make the Switch to Reduce Carbon
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has joined the CitySwitch Green Office program in partnership with the City of Melbourne to help commercial building tenants and owners to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the world-leading environmental program for commercial tenancies helps CBD office tenants play a greater role in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.“It is important to give building owners and tenants a framework for reducing emissions from their buildings,” Mr Jennings said. This program is a great way to implement green initiatives in businesses and also for businesses to begin to prepare themselves for the introduction of a carbon price."

Hoon Truck Drivers Will Have Rigs Impounded
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"Police Minister Bob Cameron has issued a warning to hoon truck drivers to slow down or risk losing their rig for 48 hours. Mr Cameron said police had confiscated the first trucks under Victoria’s tough hoon laws on Monday night on the Monash Freeway. “Victoria Police impounded two trucks with one travelling at 88 kph and the other at 90 kph in a 40 kph works zone on the Monash Freeway,” Mr Cameron said. “Roadworkers were present at the time and there is clear signage leading up to and throughout the work area.”Mr Cameron said travelling at more than 45 kilometres above the speed limit through what is essentially a workplace is unacceptable.“Police will continue targeting 40kph workzones for all motorists who speed not just truck drivers,” Mr Cameron said.“The majority of truck drivers obey the law and do the right thing but those who flout the law will have their trucks impounded and could lose their licence.” Mr Cameron said the tough hoon laws were designed to save lives and had overwhelming support from the community."

On the Spot Fines Trial for Minor Offences
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Police in Victoria will be able to issue infringement fines for seven offences including shop theft of up to $600, careless driving and offensive behaviour from 1 July, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. “This trial, which will be in place for three years, will give police another tool to deal with common breaches of the law,” he said.“Issuing an infringement notice can be an effective deterrent because it provides a prompt, direct and certain response.” Guidelines will assist police in deciding whether issuing an infringement notice or other action, such as issuing a charge and going to court, will be appropriate. The trial will be carefully monitored to gauge the impact of the use of infringement notices for these offences on the courts, vulnerable members of the community, and the outcomes of trial offence matters."

New Plan for Safer Indigenous Communities
Source: Victoria. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release
"An Australian first strategic plan will address family violence in Victorian Indigenous communities over the next ten years.The ten year plan titled Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities was released today by the Minister for Women’s Affairs and lead Minister for Family Violence reform Maxine Morand and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Richard Wynne.Ms Morand said family violence had a devastating effect on the Victorian community and is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women under 45.“The Brumby Government will support the implementation of the indigenous family violence strategic plan through its $8.2 million investment announced in the 2008/09 State Budget,” Ms Morand said."

Free Kindergarten for Victoria's Aboriginal Children
Source: Victoria. Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development. Media Release
"A Brumby Government funding boost is giving three year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children access to at least ten hours a week of free kindergarten. Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand visited Early Learning @ Rosewall in Geelong, speaking to families benefiting from the extension of the $730 kindergarten fee subsidy to three year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children whose parents hold an appropriate concession card.“Accessing a high quality kindergarten program is a vital part of a child’s learning with research indicating long term benefits for children who attend kindergarten,’’ Ms Morand said. The Brumby Government wants to ensure that disadvantage is not a barrier to participating in kindergarten and ensure that every child has the opportunity to benefit from an early learning and development program before school.’’

Bigger Water Concessions for Low Income Victorians
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Low-income Victorians have access to one of the most comprehensive concessions packages available in Australia under a new range of concessions coming into effect from today.Community Services Minister Lisa Neville said the water and sewerage concession cap increased by 19.6 per cent and will continue to be reviewed annually in line with inflation. This concession provides a 50 per cent discount on water bills, up to the new limit of $189.70, and will benefit 632,000 households.“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure that low-income families can get cheaper access to essential services,” Ms Neville said. We have allocated an additional $41.3 million to enhance our water and sewerage concessions programs and will continue to monitor this, and a range of other concessions, to ensure that low-income Victorians get the support they need into the future.”

Call for Competitive Quotations - Taxi Rank Security 2008
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Transport. Media Release
"The Ministry of Transport is inviting licensed security service providers to submit quotations for providing security guards on two or three nights a week at certain taxi ranks at Coogee, Cronulla, Goulburn, Kiama, Kings Cross (outside Aussie Rules Social Club), Kings Cross Railway Station, and Sutherland. The security guards are expected to provide a safe environment for intending passengers and taxi drivers."

Plan for Sydney's Inner West to Provide for 12,500 New Jobs
Source: New South Wales. Department of Planning. Media Release
" The NSW Government has released draft plans to implement the Metropolitan Strategy in Sydney’s inner west outlining a target of 12,500 new jobs for the subregion between 2001 and 2031, at an average rate of nearly 417 each year. It forecasts 6,000 new jobs for Canada Bay, 4,000 for Burwood, 1,500 for Strathfield, 500 for Ashfield and 500 for Leichhardt LGAs. "

New campaign for drug and alcohol awareness
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Health. Media Release
"NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher launched a new responsible drinking campaign as figures show that 140 young people are taken to public hospital emergency departments every month as a result of alcohol consumption."

Liquor Regulation 2008
Source: New South Wales. Office of Liqour, Gaming and Racing. Media Release
"The new Liquor Regulation 2008 has been made by the Governor, and was published in the 27 June edition of the Government Gazette. The Regulation commences on 1 July 2008 along with the new Liquor Act 2007, and contains laws to support the operation of the Act.
It includes provisions relating to application fees and advertising, community impact statements, licence conditions, signs, responsible service of alcohol training and harm minimisation requirements – along with transitional and other matters."

NSW to appoint Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Science and Medical Research. Media Release
" The NSW Government will appoint a NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer to build on the State's strengths in science, engineering, medical research and innovation.
The Government will also invest in a world-first academic position in Engineering Innovation at the University of Sydney, to ensure the best and brightest young engineers can develop and apply their talents in NSW. Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth said the Government was finding new ways to accelerate scientific research and make sure it is translated into high-skill, high-value jobs and industries for NSW. "The NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer will be a champion for the excellent science undertaken in NSW and a strategic adviser on the best ways it can be used to benefit business, society and the environment," she said."

Government and business continue export push
Source: South Australia. Minister for Industry and Trade. Media Release
"The State Government has reached a new agreement to fund a joint venture with Business SA to assist South Australian exporters to reach international markets. Minister for Industry and Trade Kevin Foley says the Government will provide $200,000 each year over the next three years to Business SA to fund the operations of the Council for International Trade and Commerce South Australia (CITCSA). CITCSA is the umbrella group of organisations representing South Australia’s ethnic Chambers of Commerce and Business Councils, which assist local firms by promoting their interests in the international markets represented by these groups. Mr Foley says the new agreement will allow CITCSA’s existing work to continue while supporting market development for South Australian products and services, through its member chambers and business councils."

Keeping our students safe
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"South Australian school teachers will be offered professional training in managing difficult and disruptive students through a new program being rolled out to the State’s schools. The program, called Your Classroom – Safe, Orderly and Productive, has been developed as part of the Rann Government’s $10 million investment in managing disruptive students, funded from 2007. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith will tell a Parliamentary Estimates hearing today that it’s one of a number of State Government measures to ensure that students can learn in a safe environment. "

Increased financial support for foster carers
Source: South Australia. Minister for Families and Communities. Media Release
"Foster and relative carers will receive up to $2300 more per year under a new support package. Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill outlined the package as part of an appeal for more foster and relative carers. “The number of children in State care has been increasing dramatically – and as the events of last week have graphically demonstrated, we have children in our community who need a safe home,” Mr Weatherill said."

Industry & Government join forces to develop workforce
Source: South Australia. Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. Media Release
"The State Government is boosting its partnership with industry in jointly developing the State’s future workforce, by injecting $9 million over five years into the State’s industry skill boards, a 43 per cent rise in funding. Employment, Training and Further Education Minister, Paul Caica says the industry skill boards, established three years ago, have been instrumental in building awareness with their industry sectors of the critical importance of workforce development and planning. "The State’s nine skill boards have been ideally placed to bring together industry, government and regional groups to identify and meet emerging workforce demands,” Minister Caica said. "

Action to keep SA on track to reduce road trauma
Source: South Australia. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release
"The State Government has released a new Road Safety Action Plan, which reinforces its ongoing commitment to reduce road trauma in South Australia. Road Safety Minister, Carmel Zollo says the South Australian Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2010 is based on national research and analysis of road crash data. It was developed in conjunction with the Road Safety Advisory Council, which is chaired by Sir Eric Neal. The expertise of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, the Road Safety Advisory Council, SA Police, the Health and Education Departments and the Motor Accident Commission were also enlisted."

SA's solar feed-in scheme begins
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release
"South Australia’s solar feed-in scheme has commenced – the first of its type in the country.
Premier Mike Rann, who is also Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said the scheme pays people double the tariff for excess solar power they feed back into the grid. “South Australian householders and small energy consumers using solar panels will be rewarded with a guaranteed credit of 44 cents for every unit of electricity (or kilowatt hour) they feed back into the grid, which could equate to a bonus of nearly $400 annually for the average household,” Mr Rann said."

New bid to connect graduates to jobs in Western Australian public schools
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The State Government will target more than 15,000 final year teaching students across the nation through an email campaign, encouraging them to take up careers in Western Australian public schools. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan launched the Graduate Connection initiative in a bid to secure teaching graduates for jobs next year. “An email, highlighting the benefits of being a teacher in WA, will be sent to practicum co-ordinators across Australia, who will then pass on the email to their graduate students,” Mr McGowan said."

Multi-million dollar fund for contemporary art gets off to a great start
Source: Western Australia. Premier and the Minister for Culture and the Arts. Media Release
"The Art Gallery of Western Australia will build a world-renowned contemporary art collection, thanks to a multi-million dollar acquisition fund campaign now under way. Premier Alan Carpenter launched the campaign with the announcement that four corporations had pledged $4 million in total. These significant donations build on the State Government’s initial commitment of $10million announced in December 2007 as part of the Ignite package designed to transform WA’s cultural landscape. The new acquisition fund is the direct result of a challenge issued to the corporate and private sectors to help the State Government to create an arts legacy for future generations of Western Australians,” Mr Carpenter said."

Carpenter Government injects $6million into low emissions technology
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter announced that $6million would be given to two companies to develop innovative technology to help reduce the State’s greenhouse gas emissions and provide greater energy security into the future. The $6million, from the first round of the State Government’s $36.5million Low Emission Energy Development (LEED) fund, will go towards the construction of a massive solar power station in Kalgoorlie and the development of an oil mallee harvesting machine."

Public transport plays centre stage in Labor’s future vision
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Alan Carpenter has unveiled a massively expanded public transport system as the centrepiece of the State Government’s future vision for Perth. Mr Carpenter told the Labor Party State Conference the visionary blueprint would make Australia’s best public transport system even better. “This is a big vision which lays out a massive infrastructure plan for our growing city,” he said. We have doubled the size of the urban rail network in seven years so the Government has a track record in delivering on these significant projects."

Heritage vandals to face massive penalties
Source: Western Australia. Ministers for Planning and Infrastructure and Heritage. Media Release
"Property owners who illegally demolish heritage-listed places will soon face fines of up to $1million. Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts announced that the Government would significantly increase penalties for illegal demolition and other illegal works affecting heritage-listed places. “The current penalties are woefully inadequate,” Mrs Roberts said. The Government will increase the fines and bring in other penalties, including the power to stop development on the site for a set number of years. "

Public Trustee gets major overhaul after 60 years
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"Financial and estate services offered by Western Australia’s Public Trustee will be expanded to ensure that clients have access to modern financial services and more attractive fees. Attorney General Jim McGinty said amendments to the legislation governing the Public Trustee made its services more competitive with other providers.“The Public Trustee’s legislative framework has remained largely unchanged for over 60 years,” Mr McGinty said. “One of the most important changes will be to allow the Public Trustee to offer clients more options in investing their money.
This legislation will allow the Public Trustee to set up a number of funds with diverse investment strategies to meet the short and long-term needs of the different types of clients it services."