$42 billion nation building and jobs plan
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media release
"The Rudd Government today announced a $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan to support jobs and invest in future long term economic growth.
This historic long term and targeted Nation Building and Jobs Plan is a further decisive step in the Government’s response to the severe global recession.
Treasury estimates that today’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan will support up to 90,000 jobs in 2008-09 and 2009-10."

Energy Efficient Homes - Ceiling Insulation in 2.7 Million Homes
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media release
"To support jobs and set Australia up for a low carbon future the Rudd Government will install free ceiling insulation in around 2.7 million Australian homes.
This investment will support the jobs of tradespeople and workers employed in the manufacturing, distribution and installation of ceiling insulation during a severe global recession.
In addition, under the Energy Efficient Homes investment the Solar Hot Water Rebate will be increased from $1000 to $1600 from today and the Low Emissions Plan for Renters rebate will increase from $500 to $1000."

Small Business and General Business Tax Break
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"To support jobs and Australian businesses – especially small businesses - the Government will fund an investment tax break for all Australian businesses. This temporary business tax break will help Australian businesses boost business investment, bolster economic activity and support Australian jobs."

Building the Country - Boosting business activity and profiles of country towns
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Regional Development. Media Release.
"Minister for Regional Development Phil Costa today called for applications for two funding
programs under the Rees Government’s $85 million Building the Country fund.
Small Chambers of Commerce Fund
Grants of between $2000 and $5000 to established business chambers in country
communities with a maximum population of 5000 people.
Small Communities Awareness Fund
Grants of up to $5000 for communities with a population of 10,000 or less to help develop a
website to promote local businesses and tourism."

NSW GOVERNMENT PAYROLL TAX REBATES TO CREATE 22 JOBS IN UNANDERRA
Source: New South Wales. Minister for State and Regional Development
“This jobs growth will provide skilled employment opportunities, keeping these jobs in
the Illawarra.”The Department of State and Regional Development is supporting Shaw & Bairle PtyLtd through the Payroll Tax Incentive Scheme.
For more information on the Department’s programs, visit
www.business.nsw.gov.au/regionalprograms

Transcript of Joint Press Conference with Treasurer Wayne Swan and Finance Minister Lindsay TannerMain Committee Room, Parliament HouseCanberra
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Treasurer. Joint Press Conference
"The Prime Minister held a joint press conference with the Treasurer and the Finance Minister to annouce the Rudd Government's Nation Building and Jobs plan."

Transcript of Joint Press Conference of COAG MeetingMain Committee Room, Parliament HouseCanberra
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Press conference
"The Prime Minister and the Premiers and Chief Ministers of Australia held a press conference to announce their new national partnership to implement the Federal Government's Nation Building and Jobs Plan."

Letter to Editor on payroll tax cut
Source: New South Wales. Treasurer. Media release.
"Cutting payroll tax has merit – that’s why the Rees Government is already doing it from January 1 this year and indexed the payroll threshold from July 1 last year.
But it’s not a temporary measure – it’s permanent and fully funded. That means that unlike the Opposition’s proposal we won’t be taking it away just as the economy needs it most and when retaining it would most jeopardise NSW AAA credit rating.
The Rees Government is also interested in measures to support the more than 90 per cent of businesses in New South Wales which don’t pay payroll tax, but support a large proportion of the workforce.
Public spending will need to be part of the global economic recovery effort and NSW is doing its share by balancing public spending with responsible debt that is funding a record expenditure of $57 billion on infrastructure."

Legal Profession Reform to Strengthen Australian Economy
Source: Australia. Attorney-General. Media Release
"The Prime Minister has today (3/2/09) announced that legal profession reform will form part of the Government’s ongoing micro-economic reform agenda to strengthen the Australian economy in the face of the global financial crisis. "

Proper penalties for property damage
Source: South Australia. Attorney-General. Media Release.
"The Attorney-General Michael Atkinson will push for more appropriate penalties for arsonists and vandals today by proposing to Parliament changes to property damage laws.
The Statutes Amendment (Property Offences) Bill 2009 seeks to abolish South Australia’s complicated cost-based penalty scheme and give more authority to courts to consider the true price of vandalism and arson when determining a sentence.
“These laws are more than 20 years old and it’s time for a re-think. Victims expect to see penalties that reflect the true cost of the vandalism of their assets – not only the value of repairs."

More School Travel Money in Victorian Families Pockets
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Victorian families who need to transport their children to and from school by private car or bus will get more money in their pockets this year thanks to a Brumby Government boost to the Education Conveyance Allowance. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike says that this year the Conveyance Allowance is to be increased by 2.5 per cent meaning Victorian families will receive up to $25 more in additional funding.“The Brumby Government is taking action to support working families,” Ms Pike said.“Some families will receive more than $1000 a year though this scheme and in these increasingly difficult economic times, the Brumby Government recognises it’s important that we do everything that we can to stand up and help families.“Education is the Brumby Government’s number one priority and we are investing in schools, teachers and technology for better student learning because we believe that all children, regardless of where they live deserve every opportunity to shine at school."

Giving Victorian Women a Voice
Source: Victoria. Minister for Women's Affairs. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is leading the way and taking action to increase women’s representation on boards and committees. Women’s Affairs Minister Maxine Morand announced the Brumby Government will commit to further improve representation of women on Government boards and committees.“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure women’s equal participation in all aspects of Victorian life,’’ Ms Morand said. That is why I am proud to announce we now have a target of 50 per cent representation of women for all new appointments to Government appointed boards and committees.’’

$2 Million for Biodiesel Building Infrastructure
Source: Victoria. Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Media Release
"Victorians will soon have easier access to biodiesel, thanks to a $2 million Brumby Government grant for a new Melbourne-based blending and storage facility. Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan announced the funding saying it would go towards the construction of the new $4.3 million Biodiesel Producers Limited (BPL) biodiesel facility in Melbourne.
Ms Allan said the facility would enable Victorians to access locally produced biodiesel from the major distribution channels and could be a large step forward in generating demand for this regionally produced product.“This grant demonstrates the Brumby Government’s commitment to secure jobs in rural and regional Victoria and provides a boost for our economy,” Ms Allan said. "

Social Networkers to Confront Family Violence Online
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will harness the power of Facebook and Bebo in the fight against family violence, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. The $1.5 million family violence public awareness campaign, Family Violence. Victoria has had Enough, began in December and supports the new Family Violence Protection Act. Launching the internet-based component of the campaign, Mr Hulls said Facebook and Bebo would reach a broader and younger audience and increase community awareness of the new family violence laws.“The Brumby Government is taking action to protect young people,” Mr Hulls said."

10,000 Hi-Tech Netbooks Get Students Back to School
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"Ten thousand Victorian Government students who started the 2009 school year will open the window to a portable virtual classroom under a new three-year trial of mobile, mini netbook computers launched by Premier John Brumby. Mr Brumby and Education Minister Bronwyn Pike signalled the start of the school year for Victoria’s 536,800 Government school students by delivering the new mini netbook computers to Hume Central Secondary College. “We’re helping Victorian students take their learning beyond the classroom walls and out into the world as these powerful and compact netbooks will allow students to learn anywhere and anytime,” Mr Brumby said. This Netbook pilot will open the door for thousands of students at more than 344 schools in regional and traditionally lower socio-economic areas to keep pace with all the benefits of modern learning by making 24-hour online access possible for just $1 per week."

Blueprint to Forge New Era of Regional Development
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"A blueprint to drive a new era of growth across regional and rural Victoria will be one of the Victorian Government’s top priorities in 2009. Premier John Brumby said the Blueprint for Regional Growth would be the next-generation plan to ensure the state’s regions were well-placed to continue to grow and thrive. He said the blueprint would position Victoria’s regions to be productive, sustainable and liveable, preparing regional areas for a projected extra 477,000 new residents by 2036."

Brumby Acts on Jobs and Homeless
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby, announced the Victorian Government would introduce new planning reforms to fast-track key building projects and create more jobs to help Victoria through the global financial crisis. Marking the beginning of works on the $57 million Elizabeth Street Common Ground public housing project – which will provide 145 construction jobs and 160 units for disadvantage people when built – Mr Brumby said it was vital for the Government to do everything possible to create more jobs for Victorians. Key reforms to speed up investment and jobs will centre on the State Government undertaking a rolling audit of pending projects and identifying significant projects that will deliver economic and employment benefits while meeting the Government’s planning policy objectives."

Bioprospecting In Tasmania
Source: Minister for Primary Industries and Water
"The State Government is seeking public input in response to a position paper on the management of bioprospecting in Tasmania. Bioprospecting involves the collection and analysis of biological materials for commercial purposes, such as the use of compounds derived from plants or animals in the development of pharmaceuticals.
“In recognition of Tasmania’s potential as a bioprospecting destination, the Government has decided Tasmania required a whole-of-government policy for bioprospecting,” Mr Llewellyn said. "

Funding support for early years initiatives
Source: Tasmania. The Premier
"Mr Bartlett said 26 projects would share more than $310,000 funding provided through the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation 2008-09 Grants Program. “The mission of the Foundation focuses heavily on working in partnership with the community to provide support for children and their families,” Mr Bartlett said. “The grant program is supporting a range of government, non-government and community organisations throughout Tasmania that understand the needs of their communities and have developed projects aimed at meeting those needs.” "

Draft Multicultural Strategy 2009 - 2012 out for community consultation
Source: ACT. John Hargreaves, MLA
"The policy document follows the initial Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009. The recent extensive community consultations resulted in a sharpened focus on four key and critical themes: language policy; ageing and aged care; young people; and access and equity. It will provide a framework for practical solutions to the issues and concerns raised by community groups, individuals, government agencies and peak bodies."

Chief Minister to host procurement roundtable
Source: ACT. Chief Minister.
"This roundtable is a key development arising out of the Economic Stimulus Roundtable meetings held towards the end of 2008, " Mr Stanhope said. "Those meetings established a number of expert groups to further investigate ideas to insulate the ACT economy from the effects of the current global downturn."
"One of the priority areas identified during the Economic Stimulus Roundtable was ensuring that the Government's interaction with industry, particularly through the procurement of goods and services, is conducted as efficiently as possible. "

Income management serves as a tool to work alongside alcohol bans
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Child Protection. Media Release
"Voluntary income management is being embraced in the Kimberley region, with 77 people signing up to the initiative. Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said income management was seen by many community members as being a positive influence on local families. Mrs McSweeney said she supported the alcohol bans that were in place and believed both initiatives served to improve the social wellbeing of Kimberley families. “Income management is helping parents learn how to manage their finances and provide better lives for their children,” she said. “It is designed to target neglect by banning parents from buying products such as alcohol and cigarettes. Income managed families have up to 70 per cent of welfare payments and 100 per cent of lump sum payments quarantined for use on essential needs, ensuring Centrelink funding is used to feed and clothe children."

Government crackdown to reduce excessive regulation and red tape
Source: Western Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Liberal-National Government has announced a raft of measures to reduce the burden of excessive red tape on Western Australian businesses and consumers and to bar the way to unnecessary government regulation in the future. Treasurer and Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said that WA ranked poorest in the nation for its regulation-making practices and the new Government was acting resolutely to correct the state’s performance.

The new measures include:
· the establishment of the Red Tape Reduction Group to consult widely with the community for opportunities to cut down on existing regulation
· a system for Ministers to refer specific regulation for targeted review by the Department of Treasury and Finance
· the introduction of a best practice system of screening new and amending regulation overseen by a regulatory gate-keeping unit within DTF."

New workforce plan for Goldfields-Esperance region
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Training. Media Release
"Training Minister Peter Collier today launched a 40-point action plan to help shape the labour force in the Goldfields-Esperance region until 2018. Mr Collier said the Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Plan looked at existing and anticipated skill and labour shortages for key industry areas in the region. “It also examines major factors which have inhibited the capacity of employers to attract and retain a suitable workforce and identifies ways of addressing this,” he said."

Indigenous skills moving up with new mobile training centre
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Training. Media Release
"Training for indigenous people in the Goldfields has stepped up a gear thanks to a new $500,000 mobile skills training facility. Training Minister Peter Collier today visited Curtin Vocational Training and Education Centre (VTEC) in Kalgoorlie to view the new mobile unit, purchased as part of a $2million State Government initiative to provide skills training for indigenous people in regional and remote areas of Western Australia.“The unit will be taken to communities where a trainer will teach indigenous people pre-apprenticeship skills in mining, building and construction trades, as well as job readiness, literacy, numeracy and health and safety,” Mr Collier said."