Public Sector Commission to deliver a better public service
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Media Release
"A new era of public service management and accountability begins with the commencement of the new Western Australian Public Sector Commission. The commission, headed by long-standing career public servant Mr Mal Wauchope, provide leadership to the public sector, enhancing its independence, professionalism and integrity. The commission fulfils a key 100-day election commitment of the Liberal-National Government. Premier Colin Barnett said the new department and commissioner were positive steps towards better government and a better State. “The separation of functions between the commission and the department gives clearer lines of duty and focus that will result in a more independent and professional public service with the community benefiting from better government as a result,” Mr Barnett said."

Aussie Men Urged to Speak Up About Their Health
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"Australian Government wants Aussie men to start talking – to help it develop Australia’s first ever National Men’s Health Policy.Whether young or old, single or married, in the city or the bush, the Government wants the views of Australian men to help make the policy strong, robust and effective."

Australia comes in from the cold on Women's rights
Source: Australia. Attorney-General and Minister for the Status of Women. Media Release
"Australia has today (24/11/08) formally moved to become a party to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which was opposed by the former Government.Australia has been a party to CEDAW since 1983.

The announcement comes on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek said that by becoming a party to the Optional Protocol, the Government is making a powerful statement that discrimination against women in any form is unacceptable."

Broadband for Seniors roll out
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The Australian Government today (27/11/08) launched a $15 million initiative to get more seniors connected to family and friends through the internet. Broadband for Seniors will establish up to 2,000 free internet kiosks over the next three years in community centres and clubs used by seniors. The kiosks will provide computers, internet connections and training. The Government wants more older Australians to use the internet to stay in touch with family and friends and to access information and services.Only one in five Australians over the age of 65 currently use the internet. Yet it is a great tool for learning more about personal interests, meeting new people, or staying in touch with friends and family."

$40 million for two new water centres of excellence
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"The Rudd Government is calling for proposals to establish two Centres of Excellence to lead the way in building the knowledge and technology required to secure Australia's water supplies.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the Government would provide $40 million to establish the Centre of Excellence in Desalination in Perth and the Centre of Excellence in Water Recycling in Brisbane. "

New Pathway into Teaching
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has announced the Australian Government will fund a new scheme to attract Australia’s best graduates into teaching.

Under the new program, high performing graduates in areas like commerce, law and science will be able to enter teaching through a new pathway that ensures the best and brightest are attracted into the profession."

Schools thinking big about small technologies
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media release
"The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, will today (28/11/08) in Melbourne launch an innovative secondary school resource that will assist science teachers to teach nanotechnology in Australian schools.
AccessNano, a cutting-edge educational resource, is designed to introduce accessible and innovative science and technology into classrooms, and provide an integrated approach to teaching nanotechnolgy.
The Australian Office of Nanotechnology developed AccessNano following feedback from science teachers that children were asking to be taught about nanotechnology, but many teachers did not have the knowledge or resources to be able to teach the topic."

Caring for our Country business plan 2009-10
Source: Australian Government
"In its first five years (from July 2008 to June 2013), the Australian Government will invest $2.25 billion through Caring for our Country to secure improved strategic outcomes across six national priority areas:
the National Reserve System
biodiversity and natural icons
coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
sustainable farm practices
natural resource management in northern and remote Australia, and
community skills, knowledge and engagement.
Caring for our Country will be delivered in partnership with regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, landcare groups and other community groups, and non-government organisations."

School Investment Guaranteed
Source: South Australia. Ministry of Education
"The State Government has guaranteed that its investment in school services officers, school counsellors and teacher-librarians will be maintained under a proposed new funding model. “We’ve already given a rock solid guarantee that every school will receive the same or more funding as they move to this new student-centred model. “This guarantee – to apply in 2010 and 2011 for the life of the proposed agreement – will be matched with millions of dollars in extra funds,” says Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith."

Child restraint laws toughened to protect our kids
Source: South Australia. Road Safety Minister
"The Rann Government will further strengthen its commitment to road safety by adopting new nationally approved changes for the use of child restraints in motor vehicles. Road Safety Minister, Carmel Zollo says the new laws represent a significant change that will provide greater protection for children travelling in vehicles and will go a long way towards reducing road trauma."

Turning the Public Sector Inside Out
Source: South Australia. Premier's Media Release
"South Australians will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of almost 100 public service workplaces as part of Public Sector Week 2008, which begins today (15/11/08). Inside Out 2008 will focus on the variety of jobs done by public servants and will give the community a chance to see the diversity of the state’s largest employer. Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management Jay Weatherill said the event also aimed to attract more people to public sector careers."

South Australians Get Set to Lower Energy Bills
Source: South Australia. Energy Minister
"South Australian householders will be able to lower their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the State Government’s Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) from 1 January 2009. The State Government has released further details of the scheme where gas and electricity providers will offer householders incentives to adopt energy saving measures."

Inquiry into barring system for problem gamblers
Source: South Australia. Gambling Minister
"The State Government today announced a public inquiry into the current gambling sector barring arrangements operating in SA. Gambling Minister, Carmel Zollo says the Independent Gambling Authority will conduct the inquiry and report back to the government by October 31 next year. “The inquiry will review the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing voluntary and non-voluntary barring provisions under South Australian law."

Whitelion Helps Young People to Break the Cycle
Source: South Australia. Government Media Release
"A new initiative to help vulnerable young people overcome learning, training and work challenges so they can live more positive lives has been announced by the State Government. The $217,000 initiative will provide employment and mentoring services to young people who are in the care and guardianship of the State, transitioning from custody, or are at risk of becoming involved in the youth justice system."

Land Rights Legislation to Reflect Modern Challenges
Source: South Australia. Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister
"The State Government will review Australia’s oldest land rights legislation to ensure Aboriginal Land can be used to best benefit South Australia’s Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Jay Weatherill announced the review today, saying the State Government remained committed to Aboriginal land rights. South Australia’s landmark Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966 was established 42 years ago."

That Next Drink Could Cost You More Than You Think Source: South Australia. Consumer Affairs Minister
"People who consider themselves moderate drinkers will be targeted by a State Government safety campaign to hit the airwaves on Sunday ahead of the festive season. Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago said the new campaign, entitled That next drink could cost more than you think, also reminds people of the wide range of dangers alcohol can pose, not just behind the wheel of a car."

New Sex Abuse Laws: Consent Must Be Clear
Source: South Australia. Attorney-General
"Attorney-General Michael Atkinson and Minister for the Status of Women Gail Gago have announced that landmark changes to rape and sexual assault laws take effect this weekend. “These laws will better protect victims of sex crimes and ensure that offenders face the full force of the law. There’s no longer wriggle-room for perpetrators of rape and sex abuse,” Mr Atkinson said."

Biodiversity Corridor to Help Tackle Climate Change
Source: South Australia. Environment and Conservation Minister
"The State Government has released the first of its plans for five large-scale conservation corridors to help South Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems survive and adapt to climate change. Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill has launched the East meets West NatureLink Plan – a critical step in establishing the State’s first biodiversity corridor to link isolated areas of habitat in the west of the State."

GMO Ban To Stay Until 2014
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, announced today that Tasmania’s ban on the commercial release of genetically modified food crops will continue for at least another five years from the end of November 2009 to the end of November 2014.
“This will make the State’s primary produce even more desirable,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“Tasmania’s GMO-free status is a key factor in the Tasmanian brand and is therefore vital to Tasmania’s primary producers realising their full potential in international and interstate markets.”

Tasmania Officially ‘Baby Friendly’
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health
Tasmania has become the first Australian State where all maternity facilities have earned the internationally recognised ‘Baby Friendly’ accreditation, Health Minister Lara Giddings announced today. “It means that all Tasmania’s maternity facilities - both public and private - are now fully accredited under the UNICEF/World Health Organisation ‘Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative’. “While there are more than 20,000 ‘Baby Friendly’ facilities worldwide, including 63 across Australia, very few regional areas have achieved 100% accreditation at the global standard. That means all Tasmanian babies are now born in breastfeeding-friendly facilities, giving them the very best start in life by following international best practice standards.”

Next Territory Election August 25, 2012
Source: Northern Territory. Chief Minister
New legislation to set four year Parliamentary terms in the Northern Territory will be introduced to Parliament today. Chief Minister Paul Henderson said if the legislation was passed, the changes would mean that the next Territory election would be scheduled for August 25, 2012.
The reform complements a raft of parliamentary reforms being introduced by the Henderson Government to make Government in the Territory more transparent and accountable. Mr Henderson said in addition to fixed four year terms, there would be three more sittings days per year, live streaming of Parliament, a code of conduct, a modern registry of members’ interests and whistleblowers legislation.

R&D The Key To Sustainability in Victorian Mining Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has invested $1 million into a new effort by Victoria’s minerals research and development sector to cut energy and water use in the mining and minerals industries. Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings launched the Victorian node of the Australian Mineral Science Research Institute (AMSRI) at the University of Melbourne and said it would be at the forefront of research, education and innovation in the minerals industry. “The Brumby Government is taking action to help industry to become more sustainable and protect Victoria’s environment,” Mr Jennings said. The government is investing in the mining and minerals industries’ capacity to conduct research and train the next generation of scientists in the sector."

Expo Seeks Solutions to Reduce Hazardous Waste
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is bringing industry organisations together to find new ways of reducing, re-using, treating and recycling hazardous waste from industrial processes and contaminated landsites. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the HazWaste Expo would connect generators of hazardous waste with organisations that manage waste to develop innovative solutions and better environmental outcomes.“The Brumby Government is taking action to tackle hazardous waste by helping industry to protect Victoria’s environment,” Mr Jennings said. This Expo builds on previous successful Expos that have resulted in reduced waste disposal to landfill, significant cost savings and reduced greenhouse gases."

New Ecotender Launched in Port Phillip Western Port
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has launched a $1.5 million EcoTender demonstration in the east of the Port Phillip and Western Port catchment to improve Victoria’s landscape and biodiversity.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings made the announcement at Loch and said EcoTender allocates funds to private landholders for work that improves the environment on their property and in the surrounding area. “About sixty-five percent of Victoria’s land is in private hands, so we’re developing innovative ways to reward rural landholders for environmental work that could mean fencing or planting native vegetation or removing grazing stock from a part of the property,” Mr Jennings said. The Brumby Government is taking action to enhance Victoria’s environment through initiatives like EcoTender which strike a balance between agricultural production and protecting biodiversity."

Vision for Growth in Thoroughbred Racing Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Racing. Media Release
"Deputy Premier and Racing Minister Rob Hulls has called for the industry to get behind Racing Victoria Limited’s (RVL) vision for the future of thoroughbred racing. Mr Hulls said RVL’s Racing to 2020 provided a strategic direction for the racing industry and was a step towards securing the industry’s success.“Racing to 2020 provides a framework for the direction of the racing industry and it is critical that all stakeholders work with RVL to ensure their future and that of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry,” he said. This is an opportunity for Victoria’s thoroughbred racing industry to be the master of its own destiny, bringing with it the opportunity for change, growth and innovation."