Family Violence Death Review the First in Australia
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"A systematic review of family violence deaths in Victoria will aim to identify prevention strategies and contribute to a reduction of preventable deaths, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. Announcing the review ahead of White Ribbon Day on Tuesday, Mr Hulls said family violence was the leading contributor to preventable death, disability and illness in women under the age of 45. “The Brumby Government is taking action now to make our communities safer and addressing family violence is one of the most important challenges facing our society,” he said. "

Victoria Leading the Way on IPV6 Conversion
Source: Victoria. Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Media Release
"A new Brumby Government initiative to promote the benefits of the next generation internet known as IPv6 is ensuring that Victoria maintains its leading edge in the technology sector. Acting Information and Communication Technology Minister Gavin Jennings said Victoria was at the forefront in the effective use of information and communication technology in Australia by promoting the next generation internet addressing system.“The Brumby Government is taking action to develop the Victorian ICT industry so we remain at the forefront of new technology,” Mr Jennings said.“We are the first state government in Australia to recognise and promote the benefits of shifting to IPv6, providing $350,000 through Building Our Industries for the Future towards a $1.2 million Industry Outreach program, including the development of a virtual testbed with the AiGroup. "

Government Closes Duty Avoidance Loophole
Source: Victoria. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Victorian Government has moved to close a loophole which allowed the use of complex long-term lease arrangements to escape stamp duty liability. The long-term lease schemes allowed a small number of parties to use and control leased land equivalent to ownership without having to pay the appropriate stamp duty. “Effectively, a purchaser can acquire rights which are equivalent to ownership but not pay duty,” Victorian Treasurer John Lenders said today.“It is not fair on the vast majority of Victorians who do the right thing if we are allowing some to slip through loopholes. It’s the ordinary Victorian taxpayer who ends up paying for those who don’t."

Melbourne Targets 155 Litres Per Day
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"Melburnians are being asked to get behind a new water saving campaign to reduce the city’s average residential consumption to less than 155 litres per person per day. Stage 3a water restrictions will also remain in place to support the voluntary Target 155 campaign.
Premier John Brumby said the Target 155 campaign was a balanced way to ensure Melbourne has enough water until the major water projects come online from mid-2009. “Unprecedented drought, climate change and population growth mean Melbourne is facing severe water shortages,” Mr Brumby said. "

Water Smart Parks will be efficient
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Water. Media Release
"Water Minister Dr Graham Jacobs today jointly threw the switch to launch the City of Stirling’s ‘Water Smart Parks’ initiative, promoting efficient watering of parks and reserves. Launching ‘Water Smart Parks’ with Stirling Mayor David Boothman, Dr Jacobs said the State Government was encouraging all local governments to make big water savings without compromising leisure, recreation and active sport activities. “Water Smart Parks is a component of the Department of Water’s Waterwise Council program,” the Minister said. It involves the introduction of hydrozones and ecozones in all parks and reserves."

Water saving goes interactive
Source: South Australia Water. Media Release.
"Householders can calculate their weekly water use and access easy ways to save water around the home through a new interactive website launched this morning by Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald.
Minister Maywald and SA Water Chief Executive Anne Howe unveiled the new SA Water Interactive House and Garden program at the Glen Osmond Primary School.
“The Interactive House and Garden has more than 35 helpful hints and tips for saving water in and around the home, including how to care for our wastewater network,” Minister Maywald said."

Rann Government moves to protect SA racing industry
Source: South Australia State Government. Media Release.
"The Rann Government introduced amending legislation in State Parliament today to ensure South Australia’s three racing codes are not financially disadvantaged because of moves interstate to charge wagering operators a fee for accepting bets on their racing events.
Wagering operators include all TABs, on course totalisators, bookmakers and betting exchanges.
Gambling Minister, Carmel Zollo says the amending legislation to the Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000 will enable South Australia’s three racing codes to ensure a financial contribution is received from wagering operators that take or facilitate bets placed on South Australian races."

Increased safety plans for open water gains buoyancy
Source: South Australia Government. Media Release.
"Reducing the risk of water-related injuries and drowning deaths through ongoing education programs, safety and prevention initiatives will be the focus of the State’s 2008-2010 Water Safety Plan. It provides a framework for a co-ordinated approach to water safety on the beach, lakes, rivers etc between relevant organisations in South Australia."

Statewide education campaign to kick off bag ban
Source: South Australia Government. Media Release.
"The State Government will launch an education campaign for shoppers, retail workers and businesses to ensure that the plastic bag ban – which has passed State Parliament - has a smooth transition. Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill said the passage of the legislation through the Upper House was another historic moment in the State’s leadership on environmental issues. From January 1 2009, single-use plastic bags can still be provided, but retailers must provide alternatives so that shoppers have a choice and shops will have to display signs informing customers of the changes. After everyone has had a chance to adjust, from 4 May 2009 shops will no longer be allowed to supply light-weight single-use polyethylene carry bags."

Mental Health Bill reintroduced
Source: South Australia. Department of Health. Media Release.
"The State Government’s proposed overhaul of the State’s mental health legislation will continue, with a reform Bill reintroduced into State Parliament this week. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the new legislation aims to transform the requirements around treating people with serious mental illness."

Rees Delivers on Workers Compensation Death Benefits
Source: NSW Government. Media Release.
"Premier Nathan Rees today announced that the NSW Government will deliver on its commitment to increase workers’ compensation death benefits. Mr Rees said that these important changes would proceed despite global financial uncertainty. "We will introduce legislation in the Parliament next week to ensure that the families of people who die as a result of a workplace injury or illness are provided with greater certainty and financial security," Mr Rees said."

Free eye-screening for all 4 year olds in NSW
Source: NSW. Department of Health. Media Release.
"Premier Nathan Rees today launched a state-wide eyesight screening program for every preschooler in NSW. Mr Rees said the State-wide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) program will offer every four year old child in NSW free eye screening at their local preschool, day care centre or Child and Family Health Centre."

Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines
Source: Australia. Dept of Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government
"On 18 November 2008, the Australian Government announced that it is making available $300 million to local government to stimulate growth and economic activity across Australia and support national productivity and community well-being.
One-off funding of $250 million in 2008-09 is being provided to local councils under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.
Additionally, under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program - Strategic Projects, up to $50 million will be available to local government in 2008-09. Councils and shires will be required to meet guidelines in order to receive their share of the $250 million component.
Councils and shires will need to meet guidelines and go through a competitive process in order to have projects selected for funding under the $50 million component."

Young Drinkers Targeted In Ad Campaign
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Australian Government today (21/11/08) launched a series of “in your face” advertisements aimed at tackling the binge-drinking epidemic among young Australians.As schoolies kicks off on the Gold Coast this weekend, this campaign is a wake-up call to young Australians about the dangers of binge-drinking. The theme of the campaign is “Don’t turn a night out into a nightmare”, and demonstrates the violence, injury and humiliation that can result from binge-drinking. "

Encouraging Indigenous home ownership and better infrastructure management
Source: Australia. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Media Release
"A $6 million partnership between the Australian Government and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council will give Aboriginal Australians living on 63 former reserves across NSW the potential to buy their own homes. The funding will cover the costs of surveying the land and conveyancing.Currently, most homes are on communal title and the land has to be subdivided before they can be purchased.Subdividing the land on these reserves is also a vital step towards achieving proper management and funding of infrastructure such as electricity and water. The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin said Walgett, in the State's north-west, would be given priority as one of the first beneficiaries of the joint initiative."

$6.15M to kick-start non-lethal whale research
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"The Rudd Labor Government will invest more than $6 million in 2008-09 in non-lethal whale research and other critical, conservation programs as part of its ongoing strategy to end so-called 'scientific' whaling, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced today (17/11/08).
Mr Garrett said the new funding, including $4 million for whale research and scientific partnerships with other countries, was an unprecedented commitment to the anti-whaling cause."

Government and Industry Partnerships to Train Workers
Source: Australia. Minister for Education. Media Release
"The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today (15/11/08) announced a new partnership between the Rudd Government and industry to pilot training for the existing workforce through a series of National Enterprise Productivity Places Program trials.
The trials will begin over the next six months and will be a joint venture between the national Industry Skills Council network and large national enterprises to offer more than 1250 training places to increase the skills of existing workers."

Tasmanian Waste and Resource Management Strategy
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts
The draft strategy contains objectives including: improving partnerships, coordination and planning for waste management; encouraging waste avoidance and sustainable consumption; encouraging waste minimisation and resource recovery; improving the regulation and management of residual wastes; improving data collection systems; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is expected that local governments, as well as the Tasmanian Government, will develop action plans to achieve the objectives for waste and resource management contained in the final version of the strategy.

Victorian Small Businesses to Tackle Climate Change
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Media Release
"Victoria’s small to medium enterprises are being encouraged to join a new program that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings joined the Victorian Chamber and Commerce and Industry and Sustainability Victoria at the official launch of the Carbon Down initiative.“The Brumby Government is taking action to help Victorian business and the wider community to play their part in cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Jennings said.“We are committed to supporting industry in adapting to the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. The business sectors involved in the Carbon Down initiative will include manufacturing, transport and logistics, property management, tourism, and energy."

Australia's First County Koori Court Opened in Morwell
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls launched Australia’s first standalone County Koori Court in Gippsland. Mr Hulls said the pilot program, based at the Latrobe Valley Court complex in Morwell, would build on the success of Victoria’s seven Koori Courts and two Children’s Koori Courts. The County Koori Court’s jurisdiction will be the same as the County Court, however sexual and family violence offences will be exempt.“Victoria’s Koori Courts, and the County Koori Court, do not create a separate justice system – the sentencing options are the same as in the mainstream courts and the judge retains authority,” Mr Hulls said.The County Koori Court will operate in an informal atmosphere which allows for greater participation by the Koori community in the court process through the involvement of Aboriginal Elders and Respected Persons who help identify the cause of the criminal behaviour.”

$245 Million Strategy Boosts Victorian ICT Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Iformation and Communication Technology. Media Release
"Victoria’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector was given a major boost as part of the Brumby Government’s $245 million industry strategy unveiled in Melbourne.

Acting Information and Communication Technology Minister Gavin Jennings said Building Our Industries for the Future, launched by Premier John Brumby, would boost the ICT sector by enhancing skills and capabilities for the businesses of the future.“The Brumby Government is taking action to develop the Victorian ICT industry so we remain at the forefront of new technology,” Mr Jennings said.“Building Our Industries for the Future includes $1.84 million towards a comprehensive ICT skills package, geared at boosting the number of skilled workers in Victoria. We have more ICT students than any other state and many successful programs attracting young people to ICT careers – and we want to extend that lead.”

Confectionary Off the Menu in Victorian Schools in 2009
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Chocolates, lollies and other sugar-rich foods will be off the menu next year in Victorian government schools under sweeping new changes to be introduced by the Brumby Government. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said from the start of 2009 chocolates and lollies such as chocolate bars, marshmallows, jellybeans and sherbet will be banned from government school canteens and vending machines.“Research shows that around 37 per cent of a child’s total energy intake is consumed at school so it’s vital that we have a range of healthy options available to help students make valuable food choices,” Ms Pike said."

Increased Government Accountability with More Parliamentary Sittings
Source: Tasmania. The Premier
The Premier, David Bartlett, will propose measures for the 2009 Parliamentary Year that will provide more scrutiny of Government Ministers, more opportunity for scrutiny of Government policy by opposition parties and more private members time for Opposition parties.
“I am determined to modernise the workings of the Parliament so that the Government is properly accountable to the Parliament. This is part of my ongoing push for greater scrutiny and accountability of Government,” Mr Bartlett said.

Brumby Government Delivering Record Assistance for First Homes in Regional Victoria
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has injected $384 million to help more than 35,000 people buy their first home in regional Victoria, the Premier John Brumby, announced. In Ballarat, Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government was delivering the most generous grants package of any state or territory in Australia, with up to $15,000 available for people who buy a new home in regional Victoria in addition to assistance available from the Commonwealth Government. “Our Government is taking action to make regional Victoria the best place to live, work and raise a family and with record assistance of up to $29,000 for people who buy a newly constructed home in a regional area, there has never been a more attractive reason to live in the country,” Mr Brumby said. "

Fixed term elections legislation
Source: Tasmania. The Premier
Premier David Bartlett today reaffirmed his commitment to fixed term elections.
“March the 20th 2010 will be the date of the next state election. The legislation to introduce fixed terms will be tabled at the earliest opportunity next year after proper consultation with stakeholders, including Opposition parties. I expect the Greens and Liberals to fully support my commitment to consultation before introducing legislation on such an important change to our political system. "