New trial to reduce conflict between separated parents
Source: Australia. Minister for Human Services. Media Release
"Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced plans for a new trial to help separated parents resolve disputes around care.
Speaking at the Fifth Annual Family Law Conference in Melbourne today, Senator Ludwig said the trial would provide crucial early intervention and prevention strategies for separated families.
“Family separation is difficult for everyone involved, particularly deciding which parent has care of the children and when,” Senator Ludwig said.
“In the past six months, the CSA made about 111,000 care decisions — 18,500 decisions a month — and while most decisions are straightforward and not disputed, approximately 700 decisions each month are considered ‘contentious’ or ‘complex’ because parents cannot agree.”
“The Child Support Agency will soon begin a pilot to refer parents with a disputed care matter to a Family Relationship Centre for early intervention and mediation.”"

Australia’s First Dental Plan for Nursing Homes
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today announced the preparation of the first oral and dental health care plan for nursing home residents.Under the plan, a staff member from all 2,830 aged care homes will be trained in dental hygiene by next year (2010). "

Australia and Korea launch FTA negotiations
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, welcomed the announcement today by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak, that Australia and Korea had agreed to launch bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. "

Australia signs historic regional Free Trade Agreement
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Minister for Trade Simon Crean joined Trade Ministers from the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand in signing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in Hua Hin, Thailand.
This is the largest FTA Australia has ever signed and will reduce or eliminate tariffs across a region that is home to 600 million people and has an annual GDP of A$3.2 trillion."

$1.9 billion for Queensland Housing
Source: Australia. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"Queensland will receive more than $1.9 billion in additional Commonwealth funding for housing over the next five years.Speaking at the Queensland Shelter Conference in Brisbane today, Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek said this additional investment in housing will help low income earners, the homeless, disability and aged pensioners and Indigenous people that are struggling to keep a roof over their heads."This is an unprecedented level of investment in housing in Queensland," Ms Plibersek said."This new funding will build new public and community housing as well as Indigenous housing in remote communities. It will also deliver additional services and specialist accommodation for homeless people."

New Advisory Group to tackle negative body image
Source: Australia. Minister for Youth. Media Release
"The Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, announced the membership of the new National Advisory Group on Body Image at their first meeting in Sydney today.
Advisory Group will be chaired by former magazine editor Mia Freedman and members include model and media identity Sarah Murdoch, Girlfriend magazine editor Sarah Cornish, founder of the Butterfly Foundation, Claire Vickery and body image researcher Susan Paxton."

$32 million for research into Australia's soil carbon and emissions
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The Rudd Government today announced nearly $32 million to research soil carbon and nitrous oxide emissions in Australian agriculture as part of its commitment to address climate change.
Scientists believe soil can store more carbon than forests. Finding a way to boost carbon storage in Australia’s vast pastures and farming land could significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Nitrous oxide accounts for almost one quarter of Australia’s agricultural emissions, or almost four per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2006.
Nearly $12 million has been committed to nitrous oxide emissions research and $20 million has been committed to soil carbon research.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said it would be the most comprehensive research effort into soil carbon and emissions ever seen in Australia."

Federal Government Endorses Vic Skills Reform
Source: Victoria. Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. Media Release
"Victorian students will be the best supported in Australia thanks to historic changes to Australia’s higher education system announced. Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan said today’s announcement by the Federal Government to lift the cap on government–funded university places will ensure Victoria remains the country’s leading education provider.“The Federal Government’s announcement is a strong endorsement of what the Brumby Government is already doing to help more Victorian’s access training places,” Ms Allan said.“The Brumby Government is taking action that will see Victorian students offered the best services through our $316 million Securing jobs for your future: Skills for Victoria package.”“Securing jobs for your future is the single biggest investment ever to be made in our skills system that will make TAFEs eligible for unlimited funding and lifts caps on Victorian Government supported training places."

Meeting our Future Waste Management Challenges
Sources: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government released the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Strategic Plan, setting the future direction for Melbourne’s waste management. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Strategic Plan provides the basis for the Victorian and Local Governments to work together to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and pursue new waste technologies which can turn household waste into renewable energy and products like compost. “The plan examines Melbourne’s waste and resource recovery needs for the next two decades and beyond, and has identified municipal waste, particularly food and garden waste, as priorities if we are to meet our Towards Zero Waste Strategy targets,” Mr Jennings said."

$1 Million for Landholders in Northern Victoria
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"Landholders in part of Northern Victoria will be paid $1 million to protect and improve native vegetation on private properties through the Brumby Government’s BushTender scheme. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said landholders in part of the North Central catchment area are eligible to register their interest now for the Northern Plains BushTender. The new BushTender area runs south of Kerang, through Durham Ox in the west and the eastern boundary runs up close to Rochester. The area also includes Pyramid Hill, Milloo and Gunbower. “The Brumby Government is taking action to protect Victoria’s landscape and biodiversity and this action has become even more important because of the threat of climate change,” Mr Jennings said."

Brumby Government Calls for Shovel-Ready Housing Projects for Victoria's $1.5B Nation Building Pro
Source: Victoria. Minister for Housing. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is calling on the housing industry and investors to put forward shovel-ready proposals as Victoria looks to deliver around 5000 new public and affordable homes across the state. Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the plan was part of the Commonwealth Government’s $42 billion nation building investment, which included funding for 20,000 new social housing properties across Australia.“The Brumby Government and the Federal Government are committed to working together to build even better communities and create jobs across Victoria,” Mr Wynne said. The Federal Government has put the money on the table and set us the task of creating thousands of new properties by 2011 at the latest. We will now set about delivering the jobs and the housing outcomes for Victorians."

Public Libraries Get Tech Savvy with $2 Million Grants Program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Local Government. Media Release
"Victoria’s public libraries have received $2 million Brumby Government boost to help them fund initiatives to provide wireless internet services to users, as well as guidelines to ensure internet security. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne launched the Computer Management and Wireless Internet in Public Libraries Grants Program at an information workshop with Library Managers at Thomastown Library. “The Brumby Government is taking action to improve library services across the state, by helping them bring their internet access up to modern standards, while providing information security to the increasing numbers of people going online in our libraries,” Mr Wynne said."

Frankston Police Get Extra Powers to Combat Alcohol Related Crime and Violence
Source: Victoria. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"Frankston police will soon have extra powers to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence in the city’s entertainment precinct. Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson announced the Director of Liquor Licensing has declared Frankston a ‘designated area’ giving police the power to issue banning notices to people suspected of committing certain offences from venues or the entire area for up to 24 hours.The declaration will come into effect on 5 March, 2009. Mr Robinson said the Brumby Government was taking action to protect Victorians from alcohol-related crime and violence by providing police with stronger powers to immediately respond to dangerous incidents.“It is important to strike the right balance between reducing alcohol-related violence and protecting the vibrant nightlife that Victorians enjoy,” he said.“Police will now be able to remove individual troublemakers from Frankston’s entertainment precinct, protecting club and pub patrons looking to enjoy a good night out from harm. “The Frankston community can feel safer knowing police will take direct and immediate action against troublemakers.” Offences warranting banning notices include physical assault, sexual offences, threats to kill, property damage, drunkenness, offensive or obscene behaviour, failure to leave licensed premises and weapons offences. In a designated area, police can also apply for a court order that the ban remain in force for up to 12 months if a person is found guilty of committing a specified offence in the area."

Home Wise, Delivering for Geelong Families
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"An innovative Brumby Government program is delivering real results for Geelong families. Community Services Minister and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville MP saw the positive results of the Brumby Government Home Wise program when she met Belmont woman Kylie Jorgensen at her Mack Court home.Ms Jorgensen showed Ms Neville her new electric hot water service provided though the Program which assists people who are in financial crisis when an essential appliance brakes down by covering the cost of repairing or replacing the item. “Extreme poverty is not prevalent in Australia but it is still estimated that more than one million Australians are struggling to cope,” Ms Neville said. The Brumby Government is taking action to stand up for and help vulnerable Victorians and this program will provide more assistance to people struggling to repair or replace faulty essential appliances like refrigerators, hot water services, heaters and washing machines.’’

Contract Awarded for New Train Communications Systems
Source: Victoria. Minister for Public Transport. Media Release
"A $152 million contract has been awarded for the new Metropolitan Train Safety Communications System Project, helping Melbourne’s rail network to be safer and more reliable. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said work would now start to replace the existing metropolitan train radio system with new technology which will allow transfer of voice and data.“The Brumby Government is taking action to boost safety across the metropolitan rail network and this new system offers greater communication and accessibility to help deal with any incidents on the network,” Ms Kosky said."

From Soul to Sound Art Latest Grants Support Victoria's Diverse Music Sector
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Some of the biggest names of the local music scene and some of the freshest new talent, are to benefit from grants totalling $380,000 as part of the latest round of the Brumby Government’s Victoria Rocks program. Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said the program acknowledges Melbourne and Victoria’s creative strengths in contemporary music and helps acknowledge the challenges that independent artists at all stages of their career can face. “The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure Victoria continues to be the home of contemporary music in Australia. From renowned music venues, diverse music festivals and passionate audiences, Victoria’s vibrant music culture is celebrated right across the community,” Ms Kosky said. Victorian Rocks seeks to further strengthen and develop our diverse contemporary music scene by supporting independent musicians and bands to break into the industry or take their career to the next level.”

Test Drive the Arts - Free Tickets for First Timers
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Victorians have been invited to take the arts for a spin with thousands of free tickets available for first timers, through the Brumby Government’s new Test Drive the Arts program. Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said Test Drive the Arts was designed to encourage more Victorians to experience the state’s vibrant performing arts events. “The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure Victoria continues to be the home to some of the country’s most well respected and exciting artists and arts companies, and hosts a jam-packed calendar of arts events,” Ms Kosky said. Test Drive the Arts gives Victorians a great ‘risk-free’ opportunity to try something new and experience these events themselves.”

Territory Harnesses GreenPower
Source: NT. Minister for Essential Services
The Northern Territory Government today launched a scheme encouraging Territorians to buy their electricity from renewable energy sources.
Minister for Essential Services Rob Knight today announced the Territory GreenPower initiative. Power and Water has become an accredited retailer of GreenPower, enabling the corporation to attain renewable energy on behalf of customers through the LMS Shoal Bay Biomass Facility.
“Power and Water is currently trialling a number of renewable energy sources including solar energy, wind, wave, biomass and hydro energy.
“GreenPower is a simple effective way for residential and commercial customers to reduce their environmental impact.

Local firms benefit from workforce development initiative
Source: South Australia. Minister for Small Business. Media Release.
South Australia is leading the country with a pioneering new project to help local businesses develop their workforce. Minister for Small Business Paul Holloway says the Building Business Capability in Workforce Development initiative arose out of the need for metropolitan and regional businesses to better manage the development of their workforce. Speaking after launching a workshop at the Southern Adelaide Business Enterprise Centre, Mr Holloway says the business development program is delivered through ‘hands-on’ training sessions conducted by experienced management consultants. “These sessions cover topics such as creative ways to attract and retain skilled workers, induction, training, development and performance management and reward,” Mr Holloway says. “This is a smart way of addressing a number of workforce challenges in dynamic times, as our population ages and skills are seen as critical to business success.”

Rees Government Puts the Brakes on Fakes
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Roads. Media Release.
"Minister for Roads Michael Daley said teenagers caught using fake ID to get into licensed venues or buy alcohol would now face an extra six months on their provisional licence. Mr Daley said the new measure, announced by Premier Nathan Rees last October, would act as a strong deterrent for teenagers thinking about cheating the liquor licensing system. "The NSW Government is committed to tackling the problem of antisocial drinking and alcohol-related violence and this new measure is testament to this," he said. "From today [1 March], if you are caught using fake ID you will have to serve out an extra six months on your P plates – up from the current 36 months to a minimum of 42 months. "This new rule is about discouraging young drivers from engaging in a highly illegal practice that can place themselves, their mates and the community at risk.

New Aboriginal Health College to help close the gap
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Media Release.
The opening of a new Aboriginal Health College is a significant step in helping close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal people in New South Wales. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch joined Governor Marie Bashir and Member for Maroubra Michael Daley at the opening of the college at Little Bay in Sydney. The College - run by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW - will train Aboriginal health staff to work throughout the State. The opening was followed by the graduation of 80 students trained at a temporary location in Surry Hills. Students are graduating with Management, Health, Alcohol and other Drug work and Training and Assessment. "Graduates from this college will be at the front-line of improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal people in New South Wales," Mr Lynch said. "Aboriginal people are best-placed to identify health and social issues in their communities and deliver the right responses," he said.

New Scheme to Raise Pub and Club Safety Standards
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Gaming and Racing. Media Release.
"The Rees Government has taken further action against alcohol related violence by releasing a detailed discussion paper outlining a new safety rating scheme for the state’s licensed venues. Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene said the proposed safety system is the next step in measures announced last year as a response to community concerns about alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour. "This is about building a rating system to give patrons a transparent guide to safety standards at licensed venues across NSW," Mr Greene said."
See also: Discussion paper - Safety Rating System for Licensed Venues

Doing Green Business in NSW Made Easier
Source: New South Wales. Department of Planning. Media Release.
"NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced a new plan to make it easier to establish clean, renewable energy projects, in a major step to attract green investment and create green jobs in NSW. Speaking at day two of the NSW Jobs Summit, Mr Rees announced a three-point plan to help promote investment in renewable energy in NSW. “The expansion of the Commonwealth’s Renewable Energy Target to 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply by 2020 will drive major new investment in the generation of renewable energy. NSW is doing the work now to ensure we are well-placed to capture a significant share of this investment, representing a huge economic opportunity for the State, particularly in regional areas.”

Government Partners Up With the Community To Get Active
Source: Queensland. Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport. Media Release
" Sporting organisations, community groups, local governments and educational institutions have been awarded $3.3 Million to deliver projects that help Queenslanders get active, eat better and lead healthier lifestyles.
Sport Minister Judy Spence announced 114 applicants have successfully obtained funding under the Eat Well Be Active Community Partnerships Program 2008. The Community Partnerships Program is all about providing funding at the grassroots level to support the development and delivery of healthy lifestyle programs. "The successful applications cover a range of areas including nutrition, physical activity, sport, recreation and healthy lifestyle choices,” Ms Spence said."

Queensland Homes Go Green
Source: Queensland. Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning. Media Release
"All new houses in Queensland will be required to achieve a minimum 5 stars (out of 10) energy equivalent rating from today under new sustainable housing regulations.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the 5-star rating—which will also apply to major renovations where possible—is just one of several new mandatory regulations covering house design and construction, and energy and water fixtures and fittings.
“If we want to build a greener future for Queensland, the change has to start at home,” said Mr Lucas. “One of our targets under the Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland program is to cut the State’s carbon footprint by a third and these measures will reduce the amount of electricity we use. The current minimum rating will be increased to 5 stars instead of the current 3.5 to 4. This rating applies to the building shell: roof, walls, windows and floors."