Geothermal Development Framework Launched
Source: Australia. Minister for Resources and Energy. Media Release
"The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today (1/12/08) released the Geothermal Industry Development Framework and Technology Roadmap: a joint effort between industry, researchers, and governments to identify and overcome the development challenges facing the geothermal industry.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Framework is designed to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in Australia and assist in the development of low cost, reliable, and large scale solutions to the climate change and energy supply challenges we will face in coming years."

The First National Security Statement to the Parliament
Source: Australia. Prime Minister
"This Statement outlines the Government’s national security policy. It describes the scope of national security; our national security interests, principles and priorities; and outlines the Government’s vision for a reformed national security structure."

Aviation Policy Green Paper - Flight Path to the Future
Source: Australia. Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
"On 2 December 2008, the Government released an Aviation Green Paper which describes the initiatives and policy settings the Government is proposing to enable a vibrant and prosperous aviation industry; one that delivers the highest standards of safety and security, competitive aviation markets and services, investment in infrastructure and environmental responsibility."

$5.3 billion to better support people with disability
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
"The Australian Government will provide $5.3 billion over five years for a new National Disability Agreement with the States and Territories to improve and expand services for people with disability, their families and carers.This includes a significant injection of $408 million of new funds for more services and to drive important reforms to create a more effective and accessible disability service system."

Debate begins on sweeping planning reforms
Source: South Australia. Urban Development and Planning Ministry.
"Minister for Urban Development and Planning Paul Holloway said debate began last night in Parliament on legislation that will revolutionise South Australia’s planning system. Mr Holloway says the Development (Planning and Development Review) Amendment Bill will deliver reforms that will save time and money for the average homebuyer by speeding up approvals for 70% of residential planning applications."

New discrimination laws put to Parliament
Source: South Australia. Minister for the Status of Women.
Carers, mentally ill people, breastfeeding mothers and people wearing religious dress are among those set to benefit from new equal opportunity legislation being introduced to State Parliament. Minister for the Status of Women Gail Gago will introduce the legislation today. “The Bill covers new grounds of discrimination such as religious dress, caring responsibilities, and breastfeeding. These laws will avoid unfair treatment in the workplace, the marketplace and at educational institutions,” Ms Gago said."

Tighter controls on telemarketers
Source: South Australia. Consumer Affairs.
"Consumers who purchase goods from telemarketers will have greater protection under new laws introduced into Parliament. Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago said The Fair Trading (Telemarketing) Amendment Bill 2008 provided for a mandatory 10-day cooling off period on contracts entered into as a direct result of telemarketing."

Community-wide plan for asbestos safety in SA
Source: South Australia. Industrial Relations.
"Today (28/11/08) is Asbestos Victims’ Memorial Day and it will be marked in South Australia by the release of an Asbestos Safety Action Plan, designed to prevent death and disease from exposure to asbestos. State Industrial Relations Minister Caica says the Plan has been developed by the Asbestos Advisory Committee in partnership with SafeWork SA, other key government agencies, local government, industry, unions and community asbestos groups, including the Asbestos Victims Association, the Asbestos Coalition and the Asbestos Diseases Society of SA."

Carry-over water to be available in 2009-10
Source: South Australia. Minister for the River.
"Licensed River Murray irrigators will be able to carry-over water not used in 2008-09 for use in the 2009-10 water year. Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald says that while the final details of the 2009-10 carry-over scheme are yet to be finalised, it is likely to be similar to the 2008-09 scheme."

$10.7 million for Natural Resources Management in regions
Source: South Australia. Environment and Conservation Minister.
"Natural resources management projects for communities across regional South Australia will receive more than $10.7 million in State Government funding, Environment and Conservation Minister has announced. Mr Weatherill announced the State Natural Resources Management program during a visit to the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North."

Teachers to benefit from SACE training grants
Source: South Australia. Education Minister.
"Schools throughout South Australia will share more than $3 million in grants next year to prepare their staff to teach the new South Australian Certificate of Education.
Education Minister Jane Lomax Smith says all Government, Catholic, and Independent schools with students enrolled in Years 10 to 12 will receive a professional development grant in 2009.
The grants are part of the Rann Government’s $54.5 million strategy to implement the new South Australian Certificate of Education."

New Bill to Establish Liquor Licensing Compliance Directorate 2009
Source: Victoria. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"A new bill introduced by the Brumby Government would result in better monitoring of licensed venues and an enhanced ability to enforce Victoria’s liquor laws. Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the purpose of the Liquor Control Reform Amendment (Enforcement) Bill 2008 was to establish a civilian liquor licensing compliance directorate early next year.“Establishing a dedicated liquor licensing directorate is part of the Brumby Government’s comprehensive response to reduce irresponsible alcohol consumption and alcohol-fuelled crime and violence,” he said. Currently, enforcing liquor laws is the responsibility of Victoria Police. The new civilian compliance inspectors will provide enforcement support to Victoria Police, working in partnership with them and exercising similar powers to enforce liquor licensing laws. This will free up police resources to focus on more serious breaches of liquor laws and other crimes in and around licensed venues.”

Brumby Government $52M Business Training Program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. Media Release
"Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan and Small Business Minister Joe Helper launched a $52 million program to assist businesses to improve the skills of their workers through vocational education and training. Ms Allan said the new Skills for Growth program is a key element of the Brumby Government’s $316 million Securing Jobs for Your Future skills reform package and would allow workers to make the most of skills development opportunities.“We are beginning to spell out for businesses how they and their workers can benefit from the Brumby Government’s skills reforms, which include Skills for Growth program and the Victorian Training Guarantee,” said Ms Allan.“As part of this historic reform, the Guarantee gives all Victorians the opportunity to access Government-supported training – whether for an initial qualification or to acquire higher level qualifications.“Businesses will be able to access the Guarantee for their workers to meet the current and emerging skills needs of their enterprise.”

Victoria Protects Employees from Unfair Pay Deduction
Source. Victoria. Minister for Industrial Relations. Media Release
"New laws which will protect vulnerable employees from having their pay unfairly docked have come into operation. Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Rob Hulls said the Victorian Workers Wages Protection Act 2007 would safeguard Victorian employees from unscrupulous employers.“These new laws coincide with the onset of the Christmas break, which will see thousands of students seeking temporary jobs over the holiday period,” he said."

Hulls Lauches the State Relationships Register
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"Unmarried heterosexual and same-sex domestic partners can register their relationship from today (28/11/08) under the Brumby Government’s Relationships Register. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the register provided couples who did not want to marry or who were unable to do so with formal recognition of their committed relationship.“This is a significant day for some of the couples who wish to register their relationship, providing them with the chance to formally acknowledge their committed relationship and know that decision is respected in Victoria,” he said. This will make it easier for couples to access their rights under Victorian law and provide certainty to their legal obligations, without having to argue repeatedly that they are in a committed partnership or to have to prove this in court.”

Major Criminal Law Overhaul to Address Court Delays
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"A major overhaul of criminal procedure in Victoria will help speed up court processes and ensure the criminal justice system continues to be more modern and efficient. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls introduced the Criminal Procedure Bill 2008 into Parliament, the first of three Bills to implement the Brumby Government’s commitment to review the Crimes Act 1958. “Fifty years and over 1500 amendments later, the Crimes Act is no longer logical or coherent,” Mr Hulls said. “Many of the provisions are confusing to follow, and in some cases use outdated, sexist or inappropriately gender specific language and expressions.“The Brumby Government is taking action to make our communities safer and this legislation will improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system and address court delays. “The Criminal Procedure Bill will consolidate criminal procedure from three separate Acts governing the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts into one Bill, modernise language and harmonise laws to be consistent across court jurisdictions."

New Structure to Address Discrimination into the Future
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission will have a new governance structure under legislation tabled in State Parliament by the Brumby Government. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the proposed changes would better equip the Commission to manage its broader focus on human rights and addressing systemic discrimination. The Brumby Government has committed to strengthening Victoria’s equal opportunity framework in line with an independent review by former Public Advocate Julian Gardner.“This review will inform a major overhaul of Victoria’s equal opportunity laws and the role of the Commission over the next five years,” Mr Hulls said."

Eltham Station Receives First New Bike Cage
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"Eltham Station has become the first station in Melbourne to receive a next generation bike cage and there are cages for nine more stations on the way soon. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the new cages are further proof of the Brumby Government’s commitment to provide improved facilities for people who choose to combine their train journey with cycling. “The new bike cage is a fantastic addition to Eltham Station and part of a $1 million investment to install up to 20 new bike cages across Melbourne’s train network and at key regional hubs,” Ms Kosky said. The first 10 of these bike cages, expected to be installed by early 2009, will provide around 250 secure new bike spaces for public transport users. The cages provide more secure access than the bike lockers currently in use at Melbourne train stations.”

Farmers Eligible for Drought Funding
Source: Victoria. Minister for Water. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will provide up to $58 million in rebates on fixed water charges for drought stricken farmers. Water Minister Tim Holding said irrigators and stock and domestic farmers who are receiving less than 30 per cent of their water entitlements as of today [1/12/08] were eligible for the rebate. “The Brumby Government is providing financial support and assistance for our farmers, businesses and rural communities who are experiencing the worst drought on record and the impacts of climate change,” Mr Holding said. "

New Approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will establish three new taskforces to provide high-level policy advice on work in HIV prevention, treatment and care, viral hepatitis and sexual and reproductive health. Health Minister Daniel Andrews said that the three taskforces will meet twice a year to form the Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis Forum. This overarching body will further strengthen Victoria’s ability to respond to a range of public health issues."

‘Hot Rocks’ legislation introduced to Parliament
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Resources
A Bill to facilitate and regulate the exploration and extraction of geothermal energy in the Northern Territory has been introduced to Parliament.
Mr Vatskalis said the main value of the ‘hot rocks’ energy to Australia is in the generation of electricity where it has the capacity to provide base load power.

Melbourne @ 5 Million - UGB To Be Redrawn
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Victorian Government will move the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate Melbourne‘s growing population which will reach five million people faster than originally projected. Launching the population projections, Victoria in Future 2008 (VIF) and a planning update, Melbourne @ 5 million Premier John Brumby said an additional 600,000 dwellings would be needed over the next 20 years.“These projections are based on the 2006 Census and predict that from 2006 to 2036 Melbourne will grow by 1.8 million people, and regional Victoria by almost half a million,” Mr Brumby said.“We are attracting record numbers of new citizens, more than anyone imagined even five years ago, because Victoria is an attractive option to live, work and raise a family. “We are seeing fewer Victorians moving interstate and higher birth rates are also contributing to the growth of our population.” Mr Brumby said good planning was the key to ensuring Melbourne retains its status as one of the world’s most liveable cities."

Liberal-National Government moves to scrap Labor’s discount for criminals
Source: Western Australia. Attorney General. Media Release
"The State Government has introduced into Parliament new legislation to scrap the former government’s laws which gave criminals a one-third discount off their sentences. Attorney General Christian Porter said the scrapping of the discount via the Sentencing Legislation (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill 2008 was the first critical step in giving Western Australians the justice system they have demanded for some time. “The previous Labor government’s ‘one-third automatic discount for offenders’ was a law which undermined community confidence in the justice system, eroded the authority of sentencing judges and magistrates and resulted in sentencing practices which failed to deter offenders or punish them adequately,” Mr Porter said."

Minister outlines new commitment for State’s training sector
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Training. Media Release
"Western Australia’s training system is about to enter a new era, as the State Government ensures the sector is well positioned to meet industry needs for the next decade. Training Minister Peter Collier outlined his desire to raise the State’s training sector’s status when he addressed a meeting of TAFEWA College Governing Council chairs and managing directors. The Minister outlined his intent to make some significant changes to the TAFE sector, requiring the re-positioning and re-branding of colleges to create Centres of Excellence. “These changes will be made in close consultation with TAFE leaders and the new State Training Board,” he said. A major element of the Government’s plan for change is the passage of a Bill to amend the Vocational Education and Training Act, which passed through the Legislative Council this week."

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."