100 New Australian Technical Colleges
Source: Liberal Party. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will establish an extra 100 Australian Technical Colleges across the nation through an investment of $2.1 billion over 10 years, part of our comprehensive plan to improve the skills of our nation’s workforce.
Improving the skills of the Australian workforce is an important part of the Coalition’s bold plan to reduce unemployment to three per cent over the next three years. "

The Coalition's 2020 Plan for Australia's Local Roads
Source: Liberal Party. Media Release
"Local roads will be significantly improved under a re-elected Coalition Government with a new $300 million programme for development roads and a big boost for existing programmes. Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile, announced the Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Local Roads, which he said would benefit Australians in every corner of the country."

Small Business Training Vouchers
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will introduce a new training voucher for Australian small business owners and their workers as part of our bold plan to reduce unemployment to three per cent over the next three years. "

Preparing for our future: Ageing 2030
Source: NSW. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Media Release
" New South Wales is set to experience a major demographic shift, with the number of people aged over 65 to double by 2030, Minister for Ageing Kristina Keneally told Parliament.
“The Iemma Government recognises that the ageing of the population will have wide ranging social and economic impacts. That is why we are planning now for a long-term response to these issues,” Ms Keneally said. Ms Keneally said the Iemma Government will convene Ageing 2030, a roundtable held at Parliament House on 30 and 31 October to plan for the opportunities and challenges of population ageing."

Statutory review of the Greyhound Racing Act 2002 and Harness Racing Act 2002 NSW
Source: NSW. Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
"The Greyhound Racing Act 2002 and the Harness Racing Act 2002 require the Minister for Gaming and Racing to review the policy objectives and terms of the Acts.
As part of the review process, comments are being sought from greyhound and harness racing industry participants, industry organisations and the public to assist in determining whether the policy objectives of the Acts remain valid, and whether the terms of the Acts remain appropriate for securing those objectives."

Federal Labor's 20 Per Cent By 2020 Renewable Energy Target
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Govern ment will set a 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target for Australia to reach by 2020. This brings Australia into line with most developed nations including Europe, China and many American states. A 20 per cent target is the equivalent of powering Australia’s 7.5 million homes for a year.

New Laws to Protect Children from Deathly Allergies
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"New laws to protect children who suffer life threatening allergies will make children safer, ease the anxiety of parents, reduce hospital admissions and lead to greater community understanding of anaphylaxis, the Premier, John Brumby, said. In an Australian first, the Victorian Government will introduce laws into Parliament this week to mandate minimum safety standards for schools and children services to protect children at risk of anaphylactic shock – a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction."

New Liquor Licensing Laws Introduced in Parliament
Source: Victoria. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"Legislation giving police and courts the power to ban troublemakers from designated entertainment precincts will be introduced in Parliament. The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson, said the Liquor Control Reform Amendment Bill would strengthen the powers of Victoria Police and the Director of Liquor Licensing to tackle alcohol related violence and disorder. The new laws will give police the power to close down licensed premises where violence is occurring or public safety is threatened for up to 24 hours."

New Legislation to Address Problem Gambling
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"Proposed new gambling legislation that will limit the amount of money accessible at clubs and pubs and force venues to provide self-exclusion programs was introduced in Parliament by Minister for Gaming, Tony Robinson. Under the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Problem Gambling and other measures) Bill, ATMs that do not limit withdrawals to $400 a day will be banned from gaming venues from 1 January 2010. This also includes ATMs within 50 metres of the gaming machine area in Crown Casino and within 50 metres of gaming venues at race tracks."

Hoon Style Laws for Level Crossings
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads and Ports. Media Release
"Drivers who recklessly try to outrun trains or trams at level crossings could lose their vehicles or their licenses, under new legislation introduced into Parliament, Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said. Mr Pallas said the Road Legislation Further Amendment Bill would improve road safety by penalising drivers who deliberately or recklessly enter level crossings when the warning devices are operating. "

Major changes to rape laws go to Parliament
Source: South Australia. Attorney General and the Minister for Status of Women. Media Release
"The biggest changes to South Australia’s laws on rape and sexual assault in more than thirty years were announced by Minister for the Status of Women Jennifer Rankine and Attorney-General Michael Atkinson. The Ministers say that, after further extensive public consultation, the laws have been strengthened to provide a clearer definition of offences and what constitutes consent."

New smoking restrictions begin Thursday (1 November)
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Media Release
"Cigarette retailers are being reminded about next Thursday’s introduction of point of sale restrictions on the display of tobacco products. The changes coincide with a complete ban on smoking inside hotels. The laws restrict the size of tobacco displays and require accompanying grotesque graphic warnings to reduce the advertising effect."

Long-term strategic plan for Mid-West development
Source: Western Australia. Minister for the Environment and Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"A landmark strategic framework that will provide for the long-term sustainable development of the Mid-West iron-ore industry has been endorsed by the State Government. The framework was released by Resources Minister Francis Logan and Environment Minister David Templeman. Mr Logan said the framework would deliver the best possible outcome for the State by maintaining a balance between the development of an iron-ore industry and the conservation needs of the region."

Government moves to ‘Design out Crime’
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The State Government has unveiled the latest strategy to combat crime in residential areas through the use of smart urban design principles. Community Safety Minister John Kobelke released the ‘Designing out Crime: Designing in People’ strategy at the Woodbridge Lakes residential precinct in Midland, describing the design of this community as a role model for others to follow.The strategy would be incorporated in all appropriate Statements of Planning Policy as applied by the Western Australian Planning Commission, and would influence the development of regional, district and local structure plans throughout the State."

Community response helps Government’s graffiti crackdown
Source: Western Australia. Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The State Government is helping to ensure graffiti around Perth is being removed quickly with more than 400 calls to the new Goodbye Graffiti hotline since its launch last month. Premier Alan Carpenter said the Goodbye Graffiti hotline (1800 44 22 55 or 1800 GG CALL) was a key part of the $3.6million anti-graffiti strategy.Mr Carpenter said the hotline’s value was already being proven with clean-up teams deployed more quickly to remove graffiti."

Support for Innovative Renewable Energy
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce, as part of the Coalition’s plan to address climate change and a clean energy future, that a re-elected Coalition Government will strongly support innovative renewable energy, through a dedicated $75 million competitive grants programme for new and emerging renewable energy technologies. "

More than 3 million Australians to benefit from Increased Support
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
" I am pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will ensure older Australians, people with disabilities and carers share in the benefits of Australia’s strongly growing economy. "

Skills Training for the Future
Source: Liberal Party of Australia. Media Release
"I am pleased to announce a detailed plan to further encourage the skills training of Australians. A re-elected Coalition Government will commit an additional $392.9 million to skills training which will allow Work Skills Vouchers to be provided on a demand driven basis. This will provide opportunities for thousands of Australians to enter the workforce with practical and marketable skills. "

Federal Labor - New Laws On Freedom Of Information, Whistleblower Protection - Open Government After 11 Years
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"Federal Labor released its plan to reform freedom of information (FOI), journalist privilege, whistleblower protection and privacy laws – under a major plan to foster “open government”.
A Freedom of Information Commissioner will replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in the FOI review process. Federal Labor will preserve the role of Privacy Commissioner and also complete the existing review of the operation of the Privacy Act so that protection and access to personal information across both the Privacy Act and FOI Act regimes are consistent. "

Federal Labor's National Solar Schools Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will invest up to $489 million in a National Solar Schools Plan to make all of Australia’s 9,612 private and public schools “Solar Schools” within eight years. Federal Labor’s National Solar Schools Plan will invest up to $50,000 in every school across Australia."

Federal Labor's Low Emission Plan: Fighting Climate Change In Rental Properties
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will provide a rebate of up to $500 to help landlords install energy-efficient insulation in 300,000 Australian rental homes in a practical measure to help fight climate change. Federal Labor’s $150 million Low Emission Plan for Renters will reduce the power bills and greenhouse gas emissions of 300,000 rental properties."

Federal Labor's $200 Million Great Barrier Reef Rescue Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
" Rudd Labor Govern ment will implement a $200 million Great Barrier Reef Rescue Plan to help secure the Reef fro m climate change and declining water quality.
Federal Labor’s $200 million Plan will be the largest ever single financial contribution to help secure the long term future of the Great Barrier Reef."

A Tax Plan For Australia's Future - Labor's $2.3 Billion Education Tax Refund
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government’s Tax Plan for Australia’s Future will invest $2.3 billion in financial support to help working families meet the growing costs of educating their children. A Rudd Labor Government will provide a new 50% Education Tax Refund to help families of around 2.3 million school-age children meet the costs of education."

Federal Labor's $1 Billion National Urban Water And Desalination Plan
Source: Australian Labor Party. Media Release
"A Rudd Labor Government will implement a $1 Billion National Urban Water and Desalination Plan to help secure the water supplies of Australia’s major cities. This $1 billion plan will drive major desalination projects across Australia. It will also support water recycling and major stormwater capturing projects nationwide."

Schools to Be More Accountable for Student Results
Source: Northern Territory. Minister for Employment,Education and Training. Media Release
"School principals and teachers will be held accountable for the results of their students under a new plan released by Education Minister Paul Henderson. Mr Henderson said the Accountability and Performance Improvement Framework was about ensuring schools were delivering the best possible education."