“Battered person” defence to be introduced into Queensland law
Source: Queensland. Premier. Media Release
"A legal defence for people who commit murder as a result of domestic and family violence will be introduced into the Criminal Code, in a serious significant reform announced by the Queensland Government. Premier Anna Bligh and Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the amendment to the Criminal Code would see the introduction of a new partial defence reducing murder to manslaughter, for victims of seriously abusive relationships who kill their abusers.
“The new battered persons defence will provide an important additional protection for victims of seriously abusive relationships who use violence against their abusers,” said Ms Bligh."

Tough new laws to tackle youth crime
Source: Queensland. Minister for Community Services and Housing . Media Release
"Sweeping reforms to tackle youth crime have been passed in State Parliament, Community Services Minister Karen Struthers said.
Minister Struthers said the tough new laws would help make life safer and more secure for all Queenslanders.
Some of the changes to the Juvenile Justice Act include:
- giving Courts wider powers to impose curfews on dangerous young offenders
- giving Courts wider powers to name dangerous young offenders convicted of serious offences; and
- giving police stronger powers to arrest dangerous young offenders who breach bail and supervision orders.
“We’ve listened to the community and have taken their concerns on board. There were tough issues at stake that called for tough measures. That’s what these reforms are all about,” Ms Struthers said."

Positive step towards fairer domestic building contracts
Source: Queensland. Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology. Media Release
"Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Queensland Building Services Authority, the Queensland Master Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association to develop fairer domestic building contracts. Mr Schwarten said during the past six months the BSA, Master Builders and the HIA have been in discussions to develop fairer contracts. “Extensive consultation has occurred between these two associations and the industry regulator, the BSA, and I acknowledge their valuable contribution and cooperation in agreeing upon a series of principles to drive contractual reform in the domestic building sector,” he said. "

Amendments to the Criminal Code clarify the legality of medical procedures
Source: Queensland. Attorney-General. Media Release
"The Queensland Parliament passed the Criminal Code (Medical Treatment) Bill which ensures that Queensland doctors are allowed the same defence for medical treatments as they are currently for surgical operations. Attorney-General Cameron Dick said this amendment was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday night and debated, due to the urgency of ensuring certainty for doctors and nurses who provide medical care in Queensland. “The clarification of this law is designed to ensure that doctors can continue to provide medical care as usual in hospitals across Queensland,” Mr Dick said. "

Legislation passed to benefit victims of crime
Source: Queensland. Attorney-General. Media Release
"Queensland Parliament passed changes to the state’s compensation system for victims of crime. The sweeping reforms to benefit victims, are the most significant changes in more than a decade. Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the Victims of Crime Assistance Bill 2009 provides the legal framework to establish a new scheme called Victim Assist Queensland which will provide more timely and effective support for victims."

Local government reform to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils
Source: Queensland. Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. Media Release
"Expansive reform of Queensland’s local government sector continues, with a review about to get underway into two pieces of legislation covering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils. Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Desley Boyle has announced reviews of the Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act 1978 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984. Both have provisions that are out-of-date and contradict provisions of the Local Government Act 2009. Ms Boyle said some provisions in the two pieces of legislation overlapped including in the areas of hunting and gathering rights and the power of councils to employ community police to enforce local laws."

Australia:The Healthiest Country by 2020 - National Preventative Health Strategy - the roadmap for action
Source: Australia. Dept of Health and Ageing
"The National Preventative Health Strategy provides a blueprint for tackling the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco, and excessive consumption of alcohol. The Strategy's recommendations are directed at primary prevention and will address all relevant arms of policy and all available points of leverage, in both the health and non-health sectors."

Phone Lines Now Open for Free Small Business Support
Source: Australia. Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy. Media Release
"A free service offering small business advice and support over the phone was officially launched by Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson today."

Free broadband internet for seniors
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today unveiled the first of the Australian Government's free internet kiosks for seniors at the Melbourne Legacy Club.Under the Australian Government's Broadband for Seniors initiative, $15 million is being invested over three years to install up to 2000 kiosks across the country."

Australian Government Bargaining Framework Released
Source: Australia. Acting Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"The Acting Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Mark Arbib, has today released the new Australian Government Bargaining Framework for the Australian Public Service (APS).
The Bargaining Framework sets out Australian Government policy as it applies to workplace relations arrangements in the APS and is designed to ensure fairness and flexibility."

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s Interim Report: Commonwealth Response
Source: Australia. Attorney-General. Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction. Report
"The Commonwealth today provided its response to the Interim Report of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
The response addresses recommendations of primary relevance to the Commonwealth, with implementation plans for each recommendation as requested by the Commission.
It also outlines actions by the Commonwealth in support of a number of recommendations directed to Victorian Government responsibilities."

More than $1 million extra to fight cane toads
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Joint media release
"The Rudd Government today announced more than $1 million in extra funding to help slow the advance of cane toads into Western Australia, Queensland and NSW."

New Institute to ensure ACT continues to have the best teachers
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training
"All teachers in ACT public and non-government schools will be registered with the establishment of the ACT Government’s Teacher Quality Institute, expected to open in early 2011. The Institute will have responsibility for teacher registration, ensuring teacher’s qualifications meet new minimum national standards and accrediting teacher training courses delivered in the ACT. The ACT Government has taken the first step in establishing the institute, advertising for a Senior Project Manager to work with stakeholders such as the Department of Education and Training, the non-government school peak groups, the University of Canberra and parents groups to scope out possible operating models for the institute."

Companion Card launched in the ACT
Source: ACT Minister for Disability
John Hargreaves has today launched the ACT Companion Card Scheme.
The companion card, funded by ACT Government through the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services - is specifically for people with a significant, permanent disability who require attendant care support from a companion to access community ticketed activities, events and venues. Cardholders can show their card at participating businesses or venues to be issued with a second ticket for their companion at no charge.

Wind turbine decision welcomed
Source: Tasmania. The Premier
Premier David Bartlett and Minister Assisting the Premier on Climate Change Lisa Singh today welcomed the decision by the Sullivan Cove Waterfront Authority (SCWA) to grant a permit for wind turbines on the top of Hobart’s Marine Board building.
“This is the sort of thinking that will allow Tasmania to stamp itself into the global imagination on renewable energy,” Mr Bartlett said.
“We already lead the nation in production of renewable energy and this helps keep Tasmania at the forefront of dealing with the issue of climate change,” he said.

New Tourism Marketing for Tasmania Launched
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Tourism and the Arts,
Michelle O’Byrne, together with Tourism Tasmania’s CEO, Felicia Mariani, today launched Tasmania’s new tourism brand positioning and a national campaign for the coming months, valued at around $2 million. Ms O’Byrne said the new brand positioning and campaign, which will showcase Tasmania’s internationally recognised destinations and experiences to people interstate, will change the way Australian consumers look at our Tasmania and create a sense of immediacy to travel here.
“Tasmania has enjoyed a strong and sustained tourism performance over the past decade. If we want to continue to outperform our national counterparts and build a strong and prosperous tourism industry, we need to create new strengths and give visitors more reasons to visit - and to visit now,” she said.

Joint statement - State Government invests in sustainable transport future.
Source: WA Portfolios of Transport and Commerce
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien today officially launched the State Centre for Research into Energy for Sustainable Transport (CREST) at Murdoch University. Mr O’Brien said the State Government’s $2.29million investment in this important centre would enable Murdoch University to unite the State's leading researchers in transport fuels and technologies.
“Today’s transport industry faces many challenges, particularly with regards to the development and delivery of alternative transport fuels and markets,” he said.
“The State Government is committed to fostering the development of new transport technologies, improving environmental efficiencies and sustainable productivity is one way of doing this.”

New battery recycling bins for Perth
Source: WA. Dept of the Environment
"Environment Minister Donna Faragher today launched a new recycling initiative to encourage Perth residents to recycle common household batteries. The Metropolitan Household Battery Recycling program, the first community-based program of its kind in Australia, provides householders with the opportunity to safely dispose of and recycle old batteries.
Under the program, being rolled out by Perth’s five metropolitan regional councils, 150 new battery drop-off recycling bins have been installed in public libraries, council administration offices and leisure centres across Perth. From the bins, the batteries are collected, sorted, melted and recycled into new products. "

Industry invited to comment on draft agriculture and food plans
Source: WA. Minister for Agriculture and Food
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has urged Western Australia’s agriculture and food industries to have input into the State Government’s plans to support the future development of their multi-billion dollar sector. Mr Redman today released four draft industry plans and invited feedback on the State Government’s ‘Plans to Support Industry Development’ for horticulture, grains, livestock and food for the next three years.
“The aim of these plans is to set out clearly what Government needs to do to see our agriculture and food industries grow,” he said. “We have one of the most innovative and successful agriculture and food industries in the world. But to maintain our competitiveness, this Government wants to ensure we are continually cutting red-tape and investing in world-class research and development. The draft plans identify some of the opportunities for our industries. For example, the draft plan for grains shows industry has the potential to generate an additional $1billion for the WA economy each year and create 7,600 jobs. I want the final plan to articulate exactly what actions Government can take to help realise that potential.”

Draft Indigenous Economic Development Strategy
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Regional Development
"Some of the key directions within the Draft Strategy include an Action Plan addressing issues such as land access, commercial partnerships, infrastructure and service delivery, business support and work readiness.
Mr Hampton said the new draft strategy builds on the first NT Indigenous Economic Development Strategy launched in 2005."

Wireless Access Boost For All Primary Schools
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Classrooms across Victoria will soon surpass the modern office thanks to a $7 million wireless access point upgrade to all Victorian Government primary schools, the Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, revealed while visiting Merri Creek Primary School. Ms Pike said up to 7,300 wireless access points (WAPs) delivered to schools this month are set to boost network coverage and capacity for students who access the web. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to provide schools with access to the very best modern technology,” Ms Pike said."

Proposed Reforms to Modernise Victoria's Planning Act
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government released five response papers that set out proposed reforms to improve and modernise the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Planning Minister Justin Madden said the proposed reforms were prepared in response to 150 submissions to the discussion paper Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act released in March 2009. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to cut-red tape and improve the efficiency of the Planning and Environment Act 1987,” Mr Madden said."

New Road Rules to Improve Safety on Victoria's Roads
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"Changes to road rules around U-turns, navigation devices and mobile phone use will be introduced in November this year as part of a Brumby Labor Government commitment to improving safety on Victorian roads. Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the changes were the result of a comprehensive assessment of the road rules, focusing on improved safety, consistency and common sense. The changes include tightening regulations around hand-held mobile phone and navigation devices use and provide consistency to overtaking and U-turn rules.”

Efficient Local Government Regulations Focus of Inquiry
Source: Victoria. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission has commenced a review of the impact of local government regulations on Victorian businesses to identify potential opportunities for a more efficient system, Treasurer John Lenders announced. Mr Lenders said the VCEC inquiry demonstrated the Brumby Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to removing unnecessary administrative requirements for the Victoria’s businesses as shown by the Reducing the Regulatory Burden initiative.“This inquiry will consider the scope for further streamlining of regulation and processes administered by local government that impact on business including small businesses, such as home based businesses,” Mr Lenders said."

Government Introduces a Lobbyist Code for Victoria
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Premier, John Brumby, announced the Victorian Government Professional Lobbyist Code of Conduct and Register of Lobbyists would be introduced in Victoria, to further strengthen accountability in the State. Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government was again strengthening the democratic institutions of the State by increasing transparency and accountability among the lobbying industry."