Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed
Source: Australia. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Media Release
"The Rudd Government will revise the migration program for the second half of 2008-09 so that skilled migrants who have a confirmed job, or have skills in critical need will be given priority for a permanent visa to come to Australia.
In a statement tabled in Parliament today (17/12/08), the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the changes, effective from 1 January, will ensure that the Skilled Migration program is driven by the requirements of industry and targets skills in critical need across a number of sectors."

Interacting with Government
Source: Australian Government Information Management Office
"Interacting with Government explores Australians’ use and satisfaction with e‑government services provided through the internet and telephone. It investigates:
* how people contact government by internet, telephone, in-person or mail;
* satisfaction with these means of contacting government, including reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction;
* reasons why people choose to use or not use e‑government services; and
* preferences for future delivery of government services.

This is the fourth in a series of annual studies into Australians’ use and satisfaction with e‑government services. The studies show that the way people interact with government has changed significantly in a relatively short period of time. When the first study was released in 2005, overwhelmingly, Australians made contact with government in person. In 2008, the internet is the most common way people last made contact with government. "

Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Research Report: Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Primary Sector.
Source: Australia.
"Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, today (18/12/08) released the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Research Report: Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Primary Sector.
Lindsay Tanner said: “As part of the Government’s deregulation agenda, we are committed to reducing red tape for all businesses and consumers. The annual Productivity Commission reviews help us to identify red tape in specific sectors of the economy.”"

Electoral Reform Green Paper - Donations, Funding and Expenditure
Source: Australian Government
"On 17 December 2008, the Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon John Faulkner, released the Electoral Reform Green Paper - Donations, Funding and Expenditure for public comment. This paper, the first of two on electoral reform, covers issues relating to the disclosure of political donations, and the funding and expenditure of political parties and others involved in the political process. The Australian Government is seeking public debate on the issues that need to be considered by the Government in improving and modernising the electoral funding and disclosure requirements. Options canvassed in the paper include:
* enhancing disclosure, including tighter timeframes and broadening the definition of the types of donations that should be disclosed;
* banning or capping political donations;
* placing limits on campaign expenditure by political parties and other participants in the political process;
* increasing public funding for participants in the political process; and
* further regulating the involvement of third parties in the political process."

White Paper on Homelessness: The Road Home
Source: Australia. Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
"The White Paper on Homelessness, The Road Home, was launched by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek.The White Paper outlines a plan for reducing homelessness in Australia by 2020, with specific goals to:
* Halve overall homelessness; and
* Provide accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it. There are currently 105,000 homeless people in Australia, of whom around 16,000 sleep rough."

Building Australia's Low Pollution Future with Renewable Energy and New Solar Credits
Source: Australia. Treasurer, Minister for Climate Change. Media Release
"Treasurer Wayne Swan, Minister for Climate Change Senator Penny Wong and Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett today (17/12/08) released details on the Government's 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target and new 'Solar Credits' as part of Australia's move to a low pollution future.
"The Renewable Energy Target (RET) will ensure 20 per cent of Australia's electricity is sourced from renewables by 2020, helping us build the low-pollution economy and jobs of the future," the Treasurer said.
Draft legislation to deliver the RET was released today, following on from the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper on Monday. While the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will help bring renewable energy technologies into the market over time, the policy announced today will dramatically accelerate their use."

New Tobacco Laws to Save Victorian Lives
Source: Victoria. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Bans on smoking in cars with children and point-of-sale tobacco displays will form part of a new Brumby Government strategy to help more smokers butt out and quit. At the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Health Minister Daniel Andrews launched the Victorian Tobacco Control Strategy 2008 – 2013, which aims to reduce adult smoking rates by 20 per cent by 2013. The strategy follows last week’s launch of the $150 million Cancer Action Plan.“The Brumby Government is taking action to tackle cancer and the epidemic of preventable chronic disease, of which smoking is a major risk factor,” Mr Andrews said."

Energy efficiency for commercial buildings-consultation
Source: Australia. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Media Release
"It will be easier for prospective buyers and tenants to find green officespace under a new scheme proposed by Environment Minister Peter Garrett.
“Under this new mandatory disclosure scheme, an energy efficiency rating and advisory report will need to be disclosed at the point of sale or lease for any commercial officespace with a net lettable area of 2000square metres or more,” said Mr Garrett. "

Communities to Get Their Share of Local Facilities
Source: Victoria. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Brumby Government will investigate how to provide greater access to Victoria’s community facilities at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers. Treasurer of Victoria John Lenders said the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) would report on how to allow local residents to use libraries, sporting facilities, meeting rooms and other government infrastructure when they are not being used.“There are many opportunities for Victorians to use local facilities outside their normal operating hours,” Mr Lenders said.“For example many schools are reaping the benefits of making their buildings and sporting grounds available to the local community. There is no reason why other organisations shouldn’t be able to do the same."

National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
Source: Australia. Dept of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations
"As a part of the Social Inclusion Agenda, the Australian Government is developing a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy is being developed in close consultation with consumers, peak bodies, employers, state and territory governments and experts.
The Strategy aims to address the barriers faced by people with disability and/or mental illness that make it harder for them to gain and keep work.
The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services are jointly overseeing the development of the Strategy. They released the Terms of Reference for the Strategy on 15 February 2008."

Digital Economy Future Directions Paper
Source: Australia. Dept of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
"The Australian Government has made substantial commitments to develop Australia's digital economy, including $4.7 billion investment in the National Broadband Network (NBN), and $1 billion in the Digital Education Revolution. These Government investments represent the ongoing development of Australia's digital economy. However, there is a need for a strategic discussion on how Australian businesses and innovators will build on these initiatives to:
* develop new business models and services;
* address ongoing social and economic challenges;
* build skills and capabilities for effective participation in the digital economy;
* deliver productivity and social benefits; and
* further improve living standards. "

Growth Partnership to Deliver 11 New Victorian Schools
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"A $255 million public private partnership between the Victorian Government and the Axiom Education Victoria consortium would deliver 11 new public schools in Melbourne’s key growth areas, Premier John Brumby announced. Mr Brumby said the exciting project would deliver the new schools in Melbourne’s key growth corridors, opening in 2010 and 2011 and it will also create 1000 jobs for Victorians including construction and maintenance work. “These new schools will open during 2010 and 2011 and will have state-of-the-art facilities, reflecting the latest thinking in school design and sustainability. They will be environmentally friendly, built using ecologically sustainable design principles,” Mr Brumby said."

$150 Million Fight Against Cancer
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Brumby Government is stepping up the fight against cancer with the launch of a $150 million plan to save lives and provide the best cancer care in Australia. At Bob Jane Stadium , Premier John Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews launched Victoria’s Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011, which aims to increase cancer survival rates by a further 10 per cent by 2015. Cancer affects one in three Victorians, and with about 70 Victorians diagnosed with cancer each day, most families know someone who has been touched by the disease,” Mr Brumby said."

More Beds for Patients, Better Pay for Doctors
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"The Brumby Government has funded a $321.5 million beds package to treat up to 63,000 extra patients in Victoria's public hospitals alongside a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with doctors to deliver better healthcare to Victorians. Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the package would improve bed access and patient flows with a balanced investment of acute, sub-acute and critical care beds, plus targeted funding to keep people out of emergency departments."

Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 - Discussion Paper
Source: Australia. Attorney-General
"Attorney-General Robert McClelland today (23/12/08) released a discussion paper on possible minor amendments to the Native Title Act 1993 to encourage more negotiated settlements of native title claims.
The minor amendments will complement the institutional change announced by the Attorney-General in October which will see the Federal Court of Australia assume a central role in managing all claims. "

Comprehensive Response To National Security Legislation Reviews
Source: Australia. Attorney-General. Media Release
"Attorney-General Robert McClelland today (23/12/08) tabled in Parliament the Rudd Government’s comprehensive response to outstanding reviews of national security legislation from the term of the former Government.
At the same time, Mr McClelland tabled in Parliament the public report of the Inquiry by the Hon. John Clarke QC into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef and the Government’s response to that report."
Australian Government responses to other counter-terrorism reviews - December 2008 [PDF 116KB]
Australian Government responses to the Clarke Inquiry - December 2008 [PDF 28KB]

Environmental bond freeze offers relief to miners
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Mines and Petroleum. Media Release
"The State Government has provided much needed financial relief to mining companies by placing a moratorium on a rate rise for environmental bonds. The minimum rate for bonds, which are payable at the start of a mining project, was increased on July 1, 2008 from $10,000 to $20,000 per hectare for a waste dump or tailings facility. Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said the increase reflected a more realistic cost of rehabilitation and was intended to reduce the financial risk of companies not meeting their tenement obligations. “In light of the current global financial crisis, the State Government realised this has created added cost pressure for companies,” Mr Moore said. An industry-wide moratorium on the rate rises will take effect from New Year’s Day until the end of 2009."

Graffiti and hoons targeted as State Government cracks down on crime
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Police and the Attorney General. Media Release
"The State Government has again demonstrated it will crack down on crime with Police Minister Rob Johnson and Attorney General Christian Porter jointly announcing a package of reforms to help solve the community scourges of hoon driving and graffiti. The two ministers said a series of tougher penalties and $6million for a new Community Crime Prevention Program (CCPP) would help stamp out the problems which were left to run rampant under a Labor government that was soft on crime."

Government Bolsters E-Security by Engaging Private Sector
Source: Australia. Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy. Attorney-General. Joint Media Release
"Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today (19/12/08) jointly announced the first outcomes from the E-Security Review 2008. “The Prime Minister’s National Security Statement recognised that e-security is one of the Government’s top national security priorities. New online threats are emerging and it’s imperative that we take steps now to protect critical e-infrastructure,” Mr McClelland said. The Review made a number of recommendations, including: * The development of closer relationships between the Commonwealth and the private sector in the area of e-security;
* Improved engagement with Internet service providers (ISPs) to help create a “security culture” amongst Australian Internet users; and
* Building international partnerships on e-security to promote awareness, marshal expertise, and eliminate safe havens for cyber criminals."

State Government approves small scale commercial GM canola trials
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Agriculture and Food. Media Release
"The State Government approved limited commercial-size trials for genetically modified canola to go ahead in Western Australia. Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the announcement will allow trial crops to be planted in 2009 and involve about 20 farmers and approximately 1,000 hectares. “This decision is a prudent and responsible one - to proceed in a cautious manner by allowing research to continue into the use of GM technology. I firmly believe the role of any Government is to ensure farmers have the choice and the tools to expand their businesses and grow their profitability,” Mr Redman said."

One Biosecurity: a working partnership
Source: Quarantine and Biosecurity Review Panel
"The growing threats of climate change, globalisation and agri-terrorism mean Australia needs to overhaul its biosecurity system, according to a major new report. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke released the detailed report by an expert panel chaired by Roger Beale AO, One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership. It delivers on another key Rudd Government election commitment. The report makes 84 recommendations which represent the biggest reforms to our biosecurity system in more than a century. Key recommendations include:
* Establish a new national authority which brings together the major functions of Biosecurity Australia; the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and parts of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry;
* Establish a new biosecurity standards commission to assess the biosecurity risk of imports, with greater emphasis on risks to human health and the environment;
* Develop new biosecurity legislation to replace the Quarantine Act which is a century old
Appoint an Inspector-General of Biosecurity with broad powers to audit and investigate the Authority’s work;
* Establish a new council of experts to advise government; and
* States, territories, industry and the Commonwealth must coordinate better to monitor biosecurity after goods and people enter the country, not just at the border."

Families in hardship offered energy-efficient future
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Energy. Media Release
"The State Government has launched an $8.4million program to help ease financial pressure on people who find it difficult to pay their household electricity bills. Under the Hardship Efficiency Program (HEP), eligible Synergy customers will be offered energy saving options, such as free energy audits of their homes, insulation and power and water-saving devices. "

Safety DVD to Educate Tasmanian Skippers and Crew
Source: Tasmania. Labor Member for Franklin
Officially launching the Safety at Sea DVD in Hobart, Labor Member for Franklin, Ross Butler, said that Seafood Training Tasmania and Rosny College had developed the DVD, which covers everything from abandoning the vessel to eventual rescue.
“Earning a living from and on the sea can be a dangerous occupation. Coupled with the attractive aspects of working outdoors, clean air and blue skies, there is always the ever-present risk of capsize and drowning,” Mr Butler said. We know that not everyone has completed appropriate occupational health and safety training. Even if training has been undertaken, it may have been so long ago that it may have been forgotten or its relevance questionable. That’s why this new resource is so important.”

Local Ship Builder Diversifies Into Oil And Gas Industry
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Economic Development
Richardson Devine Marine launched its new 24-metre high speed aluminium catamaran workboat Unlimited, specifically designed for the offshore oil and gas industry. The Minister for Economic Development, Michael Aird, said Unlimited is an outstanding vessel from a Tasmanian company that continues to innovate and adopt leading edge technology.
“The size of vessels constructed by Richardson Devine Marine has increased as they adopt new construction methods and work with international naval architects,” Mr Aird said.
“Unlimited is capable of carrying a fully loaded shipping container or a 12- man crew with a service speed of 26 knots.
“The vessel carries over 12,000 litres of fuel, giving it a range of about 3,400 kilometres."

New Era in Art Education Launched
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts
Minister for the Arts, Michelle O’Byrne, launched a new art education program at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) that will put the institution at the national forefront of art education in museums. AccessArt at TMAG heralds a new era in art education that aims to provide the Tasmanian community with access to an engaging and comprehensive art education program. The new initiative has been funded by Detached Cultural Organisation, which has pledged $1 million over four years, including the employment of three new staff.