Statuatory Review of the Gaming Machines Act 2001
Source: NSW. Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. Media Release
"The Gaming Machines Act 2001 requires a review of the policy objectives of the Act and the terms of the Act after five years. A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in Parliament prior to 19 December 2007. A discussion paper has been prepared by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to give interested parties the opportunity to participate in the review. The Office invites public comment on the discussion paper."

New English language requirements for employer sponsored temporary business visa (the subclass 457) programme commence on 1 July
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"From 1 July 2007, overseas workers must have English language skills equivalent to an average band score of 4.5 in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, unless exempted in certain special circumstances. Applicants must have higher English language skills where this is required for licensing, registration, or membership of a professional association in their nominated occupation. "

Millions to Flow to Secure South Australia's Water Supply
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Media Release
"Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced the
Australian government will provide $34.5 million from the Water Smart Australia Programme with a total value up to $119.3 million to the Waterproofing the South project to enable greater recycling and stormwater reuse in Southern Adelaide."

New Skills Assessment Service for Migrants
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Media Release
"The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, announced the successful provider of a new streamlined and robust service to assess people with trade skills wishing to migrate to Australia. During the second half of this year all prospective migrants with trade skills will be tested to agreed Australian standards before coming to Australia."

Establishment Of Independent EPA
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for the Environment. Media Release
"The NT Government is delivering an important election promise to establish an independent Environment Protection Agency, with the endorsement today of the EPA Board’s Report and recommendations. "

All School Grounds to be Smoke Free
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, announced that all public school grounds will be smoke free from 1 January 2008. Mr Barr said that currently individual college school boards make the decision of whether to designate college grounds smoke free – but that the Government will change this policy."

Federal Labor's Plan For Climate Change Impact On Iconic Areas Including The Great Barrier Reef
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will fast track a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Australia’s World Heritage and iconic areas, including the stunning Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Alps and Kakadu National Park. Under Federal Labor’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan, coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef will be monitored and documented through aerial, satellite and underwater surveys."

Alkimos to become Western Australia’s first carbon-neutral development
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"The State Government has unveiled plans for a new regional centre, between Joondalup and Yanchep, that will set new standards in reduction of greenhouse gasses. Alkimos will become a benchmark carbon-neutral development featuring innovative design measures to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Ms MacTiernan said. Energy-efficient building designs that maximise the use of innovative water and energy technologies will be embedded in the planning for the area."

Choice on the way for WA public sector employees
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Government Enterprises. Media Release
"Western Australian public sector employees will be able to choose their superannuation fund under legislation introduced to State Parliament this week.Government Enterprises Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said the changes would bring the right of State Government workers to choose their superannuation fund in-line with national trends and most Australian employees."

WA wins push for folate fortification
Western Australia. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Western Australia's strong support for better infant health was backed today when the nation's Health Ministers finally endorsed mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid."

Western Australians get greater building protections
Source: Western Australia. Minister for C0nsumer Protection. Media Release
"More Western Australians building homes will be better protected against construction delays and cost increases under new reforms announced today. Consumer Protection Minister Sheila McHale said that from July 2, consumers who signed home building contracts worth up to $500,000 would be able to take contractual complaints to WA’s independent building watchdog."

Learning begins at home
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Parents with children starting public school kindergarten next year will soon receive a booklet full of ideas to help them become involved in their child’s learning. Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the booklet, called Learning begins at home, was an invaluable resource for parents."

Federal Labor Will Put Pearson Plan Into Action
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Statement
"Federal Labor endorsed the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership’s welfare reform plan for Cape York communities. It also agreed to fund and implement the range of initiatives to make family and welfare payments and housing – conditional on school attendance and the proper care of children. Another key recommendation is to establish the first four Family Responsibilities Commissions – a local statutory body which would ensure that welfare benefits go towards the benefit of children."

Labor's National Rainwater/greywater Plan - $250 Million To Save Water In 500,000 Homes Across Australia
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release.
"A Rudd Labor Government will help 500,000 households across Australia install rainwater tanks or grey water pipes to help combat Australia’s urban water shortages through a National RainWater/GreyWater Plan.Federal Labor will invest $250 million over six years to offer a rebate of up to $500 for 500,000 homes to help install new piping for grey water use or rainwater tanks."

All school grounds to be smoke free
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, announced that all public school grounds will be smoke free from 1 January 2008. Mr Barr said that currently individual college school boards make the decision of whether to designate college grounds smoke free – but that the Government will change this policy."

Desalination plant to deliver 150 billion litres of water per year
Source. Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Australia’s largest desalination plant will be built in the Wonthaggi region to boost water supplies for Melbourne, Geelong, Westernport and South Gippsland by the end of 2011. The second phase of the Government’s water strategy, Our Water Our Future was announced by Premier Steve Bracks to deliver the single biggest boost to Victoria’s water supplies in decades. A desalination plant to provide 150 billion litres of water per year will be built in the Wonthaggi region. The plant will cost an estimated $3.1 billion and be completed by late 2011, and includes an 85 kilometre pipeline connecting it to Melbourne."

New upskirting laws introduced into Parliament
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"The Bracks Government has unveiled the details of its new laws to strengthen legislation banning unauthorised intimate photos.The Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, said the new laws, introduced into Parliament this week, created a specific offence for taking photographs up a woman’s skirt without her knowledge or consent."

Marine Parks Bill in Parliament
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"The Rann Government’s commitment to ensuring greater protection for the state’s valuable marine environment takes a significant forward step with the introduction of the Marine Parks Bill 2007 into State Parliament. Environment and Conservation Minister, Gail Gago said the new legislation aimed to establish a world class system of 19 marine parks in coastal waters around the state by 2010. "

$1 million in ‘green school’ grants
Source: South Australia. Education and Children’s Services Minister. Media Release
"South Australian schools and preschools will be encouraged to save water and energy with support from a $1 million Rann Government ‘green schools’ grants fund. Education and Children’s Services Minister, Jane Lomax-Smith, announced 78 schools will receive grants, as part of South Australia’s strategic plan to improve environmental sustainability."

Around Australia in 40 Days Challenge
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Commonwealth Government today launched the ‘Around Australia in 40 Days Challenge’, a new initiative to promote healthy and active lifestyles.The ‘Around Australia in 40 Days Challenge’ is open to teams of junior high school students in years 7, 8 and 9 and requires them to do enough steps to each day to virtually ‘walk’ around Australia in 40 days."

Government amendments to the TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974
Source: Australia. The Treasurer. Media Release.
" following extensive consultation with small business, the Government will introduce the Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2007 (the Bill) to amend section 51AC and section 46 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act). The Bill will improve protection for small business from unconscionable conduct and from the misuse of market power, such as predatory pricing. The Bill substantially implements the Government’s response to the March 2004 Senate Economics References Committee (SERC) report on The effectiveness of the Trade Practices Act 1974 in protecting small business."

Sri Lanka, Australia agree on new air service
Source. Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release.
"New air services arrangements with Sri Lanka would pave the way for daily services between Sri Lanka and Australia, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile announced."

Nats move to protect future of country telecommunications
Source: Australia. Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Media Release
"The Federal Coalition Government has introduced legislation to prevent Labor or any future Government from pinching millions of dollars set aside for improving telecommunications in rural and regional Australia, the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals Mark Vaile said. Mr Vaile said the legislation was vital to safeguard the $2 billion Communications Fund from being raided by Kevin Rudd or any future Government and to protect the interests of country Australia."

New tough penalties strengthen the integrity of the Temporary Skilled Migration Programme
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, introduced legislation into the Australian Parliament to strengthen the obligations of sponsors who employ 457 visa workers. The legislation will impose sanctions and penalties on those employers who fail to comply with their obligations."

Exposure Draft of Access Card Bill
Source: Australia. Minister for Human Services. Media Release
"Australians will have the opportunity to participate in further consultation on the proposed access card, the Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison said. Senator Ellison released exposure drafts of legislation for the access card, including the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007, and the Human Services (Enhanced Services Delivery) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2007. Senator Ellison said the exposure draft provided an opportunity for Australians to see the detail of the access card in its entirety and how the Government proposed to protect their privacy and secure personal information. "