Independent review of wagering
Source: NSW. Minister for Gaming and Racing. Media Release.
"The Minister for Gaming and Racing appointed Alan Cameron to undertake an independent review of wagering in NSW to provide a framework for future growth and sustainability of the racing industry.
The review will consider, but is not limited to, the following areas:
Racing as a significant industry and employer
Bookmaker structures and operating conditions
Publication of betting odds
TAB fixed odds betting
Pooling
New technology and wagering
Sports betting
Betting exchanges
Advertising laws
Impacts from National Competition Policy

Mr Cameron has released an issues paper and called for public submissions to his independent review of wagering. "

Pilot Project to Help Farmers Adjust to Climate Change
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"A new pilot project will look at techniques to help grain farmers adjust to climate change, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper announced. Speaking at the opening of the VFF Grains Group annual conference in Geelong, Mr Helper said the project would determine what management changes grains farmers were using to boost water use efficiency.“The Brumby Government is aware of the significant change that is occurring in the grains industry in response to climate change at both the industry and farm level,” Mr Helper said. We hope to identify which techniques are more effective at helping Victorian farmers deal with climate change.”

Skills Support for Victorian Builders
Source: Victoria. Minister for Small Business. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has taken significant steps to improve professional development in Victoria’s building industry, Small Business Minister Joe Helper said. Speaking at the HIA Building and Business Conference, Mr Helper said more than 300 small and medium businesses in Victoria had taken advantage of the My Business My People program, including more than 25 in the building industry. “This program helps small and medium Victorian businesses to meet their current and future skills needs,” Mr Helper said.“Each firm is given one-on-one, on-site assistance from a workforce planning specialist, who provides practical guidance with workforce planning, recruitment and staff retention. This is supported by an online kit of human resources and workforce planning tools, templates and guides.“Additionally, the firms can apply for financial assistance ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 to undertake staff training.”

Draft Plan Charts a New Direction for Victorian Waste
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is calling for community comment on a plan for the future of waste in Melbourne. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the draft Metropolitan Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategic Plan – prepared by the Metropolitan Waste Management Group (MWMG), Sustainability Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and EPA Victoria – examines Melbourne’s waste and resource recovery needs for the next two decades and beyond.“The draft plan has identified municipal waste, particularly food and green waste, as priorities if we are to meet our Towards Zero Waste Strategy targets,” Mr Jennings said.“The draft plan shows we are on track to meet our targets for resource recovery and diversion from landfill for commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste. Householders have done a great job recycling, but we can do more to cut municipal food and green waste."

Victorian Carbon Capture Project Heralds Era of Climate Change Solutions
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources. Media Release
"The world-class carbon dioxide storage project launched at Nirranda in Victoria’s south-west has put the international spotlight on the state’s climate change research. Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor marked the beginning of carbon dioxide injections into the vast subterranean reservoirs with the Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson, saying the project was Australia’s first carbon dioxide storage demonstration project to come into operation. “The Brumby Government is taking action on climate change and is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing $6 million for this project, which is conducted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) and will involve the injection of 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide deep underground,” Mr Batchelor said."

Novice driver reforms introduced to Parliament
Source: Tasmania. Deputy Premier. Media Release
"Provisional drivers who disobey driving laws will be forced to re-start their driver training period under major reforms to Tasmania’s novice driver system, the Minister for Infrastructure and Resources, Steven Kons, has announced . Mr Kons said the reforms, introduced to Parliament, would also require learner drivers to hold a learner’s licence for a minimum of 12 months. The reforms not only ensure that our young drivers will be getting as much driving experience as possible before progressing to their full car licence, but also underlines that having a licence carries a significant responsibility, and laws should not be disobeyed, Mr Kons said. Research clearly shows that the most effective way of reducing crashes for young drivers is to reinforce their driving skills in real life situations."

French program to help SA kids stay healthy
Source: South Australia. Minister for Health and Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"A healthy living program pioneered in France to fight childhood obesity will be imported to South Australia. Health Minister John Hill announced that the EPODE program, which is helping French children maintain a healthy weight and get fit, would be introduced across the state to help South Australian kids. Up to 20 sites across the state, likely to be local government regions, will become Eat Well Be Active Communities over the next four years, with almost $2 million allocated over the next 12 months to establish the first five sites."

New system to boost attendance for vulnerable students
Source: South Australia. Minister for Education and Children's Services. Media Release
"Boosting school attendance among the State’s Aboriginal students will be the goal of a new system that allows immediate intervention when regular non-attendance is detected. The new electronic data system, called the Indigenous Student Support System, provides staff in each of the State’s 18 district education offices with a daily picture of attendance patterns. District staff – including Aboriginal education workers and attendance officers – will be alerted when students repeatedly miss school, allowing immediate follow up action to take place. Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the rate of attendance plus explained absence (for reasons such as illness) for Aboriginal students is 90% compared to 97% for non-Aboriginal students."

Government to further strengthen WorkCover laws
Source: South Australia. Minister for Industrial Relations. Media Release
"Industrial Relations Minister Michael Wright will introduce to State Parliament changes to the Government’s proposed WorkCover legislation. Mr Wright says the Government is committed to fixing WorkCover so that the scheme is fully funded, fair to workers and affordable to business. Changes to the WorkCover scheme are aimed specifically at improving the rehabilitation and return to work rates of injured workers and making the scheme more affordable and efficient."

Government gets tough on nuisance callers
Source: South Australia. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"Minister for Consumer Affairs, Jennifer Rankine, will this morning introduce legislation entitling all South Australians to a 10-day cooling‑off period on contracts for goods and/or services that result from a trader making unsolicited contact with people via telephone. Amendments to the South Australian Fair Trading Act will give people the right to the same cooling off periods that already apply to door to door sales. “The burgeoning telemarketing industry has inevitably led to an increase in consumer complaints about telemarketing practices,” Minister Rankine said."

Western Australia at the forefront of housing affordability
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Housing and Works. Media Release
"The Western Australian State Government is leading the nation when it comes to innovative strategies to increase housing affordability. Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts addressed Government colleagues and representatives from the housing and financial industries at the Financial Review Housing Congress in Brisbane. “WA is a prosperous State, which is one of the reasons why about 800 people are choosing to make their homes here each week; it is no surprise housing has become less affordable,” Mrs Roberts said.
In her speech, the Minister outlined the State Government’s groundbreaking strategies to concentrate actions in four key areas:

· providing greater access to home ownership;
· addressing the need for more social housing;
· improving affordability for renters; and
· creating better housing opportunities for indigenous people."

More training to ensure WA jobs are for WA workers
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"The State Government launched a dynamic television and media advertising campaign aimed at increasing the number of apprentices and trainees in Western Australia. Launching the multi-faceted campaign, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said more employers willing to take on apprentices and trainees were needed in the push to skill WA’s workers for the future."

New skills program for WA’s oil and gas industry
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Resources. Media Release
" Western Australia’s engineers and oil and gas specialists will develop better skills for more efficient drilling and production operations through a new program launched in Perth. The National Drilling and Well Control Program is a joint venture between the School of Petroleum Engineering at the University of New South Wales and the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Mr Logan said the program was a significant milestone that would contribute to WA’s international reputation as a leader in oil and gas research and development. "

National campaign to reduce injuries to hospital workers
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Employment Protection. Media Release
"A national inspection campaign aimed at reducing the number of slip, trip and manual handling injuries to hospital workers across Australia will commence. Employment Protection Minister Jon Ford said that the health and community services industry was a key contributor to high levels of slip, trip and manual handling injuries across Australia. “Nationally, 17,400 compensation claims were made by workers in the health and community services industry during 2004-05,” Mr Ford said. “The majority of injuries sustained by these workers were caused by muscular stress due to manual handling or repetitive movement or falls and trips.”
The ‘Safe Steps - National Intervention and Compliance Campaign’ focuses on helping to raise awareness of slip, trip and manual handling risks among non-clinical workers in hospitals."

Plans for Australia’s biggest technology precinct
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Industry and Enterprise. Media Release
"Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan unveiled the blueprint for Australia’s biggest technology precinct and the only one dedicated to information and communications technology (ICT). Mr Logan said the Bentley Technology Precinct would establish Western Australia as a dynamic technology-driven destination and secure its international standing as an innovation leader. The Minister said the precinct would create a culture of innovation, with cutting-edge architecture and eco-friendly services."

New code of conduct for ACT public schools
Source: ACT. Minister for Education and Training. Media Release
"Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr today launched the new Code of Conduct for public schools which outlines the behaviour expected of everyone attending, working at or visiting an ACT public school. Mr Barr said the Code of Conduct is the result of widespread consultation and a partnership between the ACT Government and the Safe Schools Taskforce, the ACT branch of the Australian Education Union (AEU), the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens’ Associations and the ACT Principals’ Association. The new Code of Conduct makes crystal clear the high standard of behaviour expected of all those who are on public school property,” Mr Barr said. Copies of the code will be displayed in schools and will add to the support available to them, while providing a guide for the standards of behaviour expected of those on public school property."

Teaching children to be fire safe
Source: NT. Minister for Employment, Education and Training. Media Release
"An education initiative encouraging children in remote areas to be fire safe, has been launched at Parliament House. Education Minister Marion Scrymgour said the NT Fire and Rescue Service’s Smart Sparx program aimed to reduce the number of burn injuries suffered by children in remote communities. Fire is a regular part of daily life in remote communities and it’s important that children are aware of the dangers,” Ms Scrymgour said.
We don’t want children hospitalised with burns as a result of walking on old camp fires or sleeping too close to a camp fire."

Tourism operators encouraged to make the switch
Source: NT. Minister for Tourism. Media Release
"The Territory’s tourism operators are being encouraged to make the switch to renewable energy under a new grants program designed to reduce carbon emissions. Minister for Tourism, Kon Vatskalis, said the Northern Territory Government will invest $500,000 over the next 15 months, to enable remote tourism operators to replace or offset their existing fossil fuel generation systems. Tourism depends on the Territory’s beautiful and ancient natural attractions, so protecting the environment is crucial for the sustainability of the industry, said Mr Vatskalis."

Leading the way on climate change
Source: NT. Media Release
"Leading policy development firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, has been appointed to help formulate the Territory’s first comprehensive climate change policy. Chief Minister Paul Henderson said the Territory Government is committed to tackling climate change and making a difference. Climate change is a critical issue that governments across the country and the world are facing – it’s a top priority and I am determined that we lead by example,” Mr Henderson said. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu will play a major role in the development of the Territory’s first Climate Change policy – which aims to ensure we play our part in emerging national policy."

Mentors assist Indigenous tourism operators to achieve accreditation
Source: NT. Minister for Tourism. Media Release
"The Territory Government will spend $60,000 to assist Indigenous tourism operators achieve industry accreditation. Minister for Tourism, Kon Vatskalis, has announced the funding for the new mentoring program that will assist Indigenous businesses in establishing the business systems and plans that are required for accreditation. Indigenous tourism operators are important to the development and growth of tourism in the NT and this Government is working to support those in the industry, said Mr Vatskalis."

MODERN FEDERALISM FOR AUSTRALIA'S ECONOMIC FUTURE
Source: Australia. Treasurer. Media Release
"At today's (26/3/08) Council of Australian Governments meeting the Rudd Government and the States and Territories will substantially advance the Modern Federalism agenda to modernise federal-state relations and underpin growth and prosperity into the future.
After more than a hundred years, the governments of Australia are finally getting it right.
Today's meeting in Adelaide will lay crucial new foundations for reform in key areas of federal-state financial relations in particular.
Governments are expected to agree to a new architecture of cooperative funding arrangements that will replace the inefficient and complex system of grants that has plagued key areas of service delivery for decades.
The new financial architecture will make roles and responsibilities much clearer – so that Australians receive the level of service delivery they expect and deserve."

MURRAY DARLING DEAL DELIVERED
Source: Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Water. Media Release
"Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and First Ministers from across the Murray Darling Basin today (26/3/08) forged an historic deal for the future of the Basin, ending a year long stalemate between the States and the Commonwealth and over a decade of inaction.
In Adelaide for the first COAG meeting of the year, all parties agreed to a new approach to drive
reform in securing water for households, farmers and the long-term health of the Murray Darling
Basin."

Rudd Government Tackles Indigenous Smoking Ratesand Health Workforce in next Down Payments on Closing the Gap
Source: Australia. Prime Minister, Minister for Health and Ageing and,the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Joint Media Release
"The Rudd Government has announced two significant new policy initiatives at today’s (20/3/08) landmark Indigenous Health Equality Summit.
These are important steps in the Government’s commitment to closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people within a generation.
The Rudd Government will:
invest $14.5 million in tackling high rates of smoking in Indigenous communities – a leading cause of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease which contribute to Indigenous people’s low life expectancy; and
invest $19 million in a National Indigenous Health Workforce Training Plan, to get more Indigenous people into the health workforce."

INLAND RAIL ALIGNMENT STUDY UNDERWAY
Source: Australia. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government. Media Release
"The Rudd Labor Government has commissioned an open, extensive study to determine the economic benefits and likely success of a new multi-billion dollar standard gauge inland railway between Melbourne and Brisbane.
We have asked the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to conduct the study - setting aside up to $15 million to ensure this important work is completed by August 2009.
At present, the only north-south rail corridor in eastern Australia runs along the coastline via Sydney. An inland route through the Central West of NSW has the potential to slash the time it takes to move freight from Melbourne to Brisbane by rail from 36 hours to just 21 hours."

A NEW ERA IN 'NATION BUILDING' BEGINS TODAY
Source: Australia. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government. Media Release
"Parliament today approved the establishment of Infrastructure Australia - a new national body that will develop a strategic blueprint for unlocking infrastructure bottlenecks and modernising the nation's transport, water, energy and communication assets.
The establishment of Infrastructure Australia confirms and builds upon Labor's tradition as a nation building party - and delivers on an election pledge.
With today's successful passage of the Infrastructure Australia legislation through the Parliament and our earlier confirmation that Sir Rod Eddington will become its inaugural chair, the Rudd Labor Government is getting on with the job."

COAG to deliver up to 50,000 more frontline health workers
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Rudd Government will invest in up to 50,000 additional health vocational training places to tackle the current health workforce crisis. This commitment will deliver one of the single biggest injections of workers to the health system in Australian historyThe training places will target areas of chronic skills shortage, such as dental health, nursing, and Indigenous health."

Government working on $158 million transition beds – getting elderly into appropriate aged care
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"The Australian Government is working on its election commitment to get 2000 older Australians who are occupying hospital beds into appropriate aged care – freeing up valuable hospital resources for those needing urgent treatment. This is about getting older Australians into the care they need rather than a hospital."

Better protection for frail aged Australians
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"In response to figures on aged care facilities under the previous government, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has outlined a range of tough measures to improve quality to protect frail and aged Australians. The figures are reported in News Limited newspapers. As part of the measures, next financial year, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, the independent watchdog, has been instructed to undertake a record 7000 visits (up from 4000) to aged care facilities across the nation."