More Action To Improve Workplace Safety
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Workplace Relations. Media Release
"The Minister for Workplace Relations, Lisa Singh, has called for public comment on a plan to allow authorised union representatives to enter workplaces to support ongoing improvement in occupational health and safety outcomes. Ms Singh said in 2008 there were over 10,000 workplace injuries reported in Tasmania, with over 4000 of these resulting in lost time at work. “While there has been a downward trend in recent years there are still too many Tasmanians and their families experiencing the problems that accompany workplace injury,” she said. “It is imperative that we use all the resources available to continue our impressive record to reduce these injuries.” Ms Singh says providing a formal health and safety role for unions will provide workers with an additional avenue to raise concerns. “Every Tasmanian worker has the right to expect that they will get through the day safely and this approach will support that. Workers are often able to identify safety risks because of their daily contact with their workplace,” Ms Singh said."

Economic Audit Discussion Paper released
Source: Western Australia. Treasury. Media Release
"Treasurer Troy Buswell released an Economic Audit Discussion Paper as part of the Liberal-National Government’s ongoing drive for public service reform. The paper outlines six reform areas to potentially improve the operational and financial performance of the Western Australian public sector. “Value for money for taxpayers and quality service delivery underpin our drive for better public sector performance,” Mr Buswell said. “The recent global economic downturn has amplified the need for significant and wide-ranging public sector reform rather than short-term quick fix measures. Throwing more money at agencies will not lead to better outcomes.”
The earlier work of the Economic Audit led to the adoption of $1.25billion in corrective measures in the 2009-10 State Budget and was the catalyst for the State Government’s new Wages Policy, the Works Reform agenda and the FTE ceiling."
**Access Discussion Paper**

Australia Accedes to the Disabilities Convention Optional Protocol
Source: Australia. Attorney-General. Media Release
"Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, today announced that Australia will accede to the Optional Protocol on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."

Government Welcomes New Uranium Joint Venture
Source: Australia. Minister for Resources and Energy. Media Release
"The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today attended a ceremony to celebrate the signing of a joint venture between Mega Resources and Japan Australia Uranium Resources Development for the Lake Maitland uranium project in Western Australia. "

50,000 New Green Jobs and Green Skills Training Places for a Stronger Greener Australian Economy
Source: Australia. Prime Minister. Media Release
"The Rudd Government today announced 50,000 new green jobs and training opportunities to build a stronger and greener Australian economy.

This $94 million investment in Australia’s future and major reform of Australia’s training system will help support jobs and communities being hit by the local consequence of a severe global recession."

Strengthening Australia's Steel Industry
Australia. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"A Steel Industry Innovation Council will be established to ensure the industry has the best possible access to billions of dollars of public and private sector projects, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr announced today. "

$600,000 to Boost Opportunities for Australian Industry
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Maximising supply opportunities for Australian companies for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games is one of four projects to share in $600, 000 of Australian Government funding.
The funding, awarded under the Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) program, will allow the Industry Capability Network (ICN) to link competitive Australian companies with lucrative supply opportunities in major projects in Australia and overseas. "

$43.8 Million Package to Train More Than 8000 Aged Care Workers
Source: Australia. Minister for Ageing. Media Release
"Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot today announced a $43.8 million education and training package designed to up-skill more than 8,000 aged and community care staff."

Encouraging Health Students to Think Rural
Source: Australia. Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery. Media Release
"Cairns doctors will be able to access retention payments and relocation grants for the first time next year following changes to the way the Federal Government will target its rural workforce programs, the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon announced today."

$10.7M Available to Reduce Indigenous Smoking Rates
Source: Australia. Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery. Media Release
"The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon, today encouraged organisations with expertise in smoking prevention and quitting smoking to join a $10.7 million initiative to reduce smoking amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."

$44 Million to Protect Those Most at Risk From Seasonal Flu
Source: Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing. Media Release
"The Rudd Government has moved to nearly double its seasonal flu protection by extending its free vaccine program for vulnerable groups from next year. "

Agreement To Boost Clean Energy Ties With Singapore
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"A new agreement between the peak clean energy industry bodies in Australia and Singapore will enhance commercial ties between the two countries."

Trade 2020 to Provide New Vision for Australia's Global Engagement
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"Minister for Trade Simon Crean, today announced Trade 2020-a new series of high-level forums that will generate ideas and vision for Australia's ongoing commercial engagement with the world."

Equal Opportunity Bill passes
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release.
"Carers, contract workers, mentally ill people, breastfeeding mothers and people wearing religious dress are among those set to benefit from new equal opportunity legislation, which passed State Parliament."

Rann Government to crush hoons' cars and spirits
Source: South Australia. Premier. Media Release.
"The Rann Government will bolster its arsenal in its war against hoon drivers by introducing laws to allow police to crush hoon cars. These new laws will also lift drag racing on our streets from a traffic offence to a criminal offence."

Greater consistency for judicial officers
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release.
"New legislation aimed at creating improved removal provisions for judicial officers of the Supreme, District and Magistrates courts has been introduced into Parliament. Attorney-General Michael Atkinson says the Magistrates (Removal from Office) Amendment Bill 2009 provides necessary reforms to the current legislation."

Changes to Fire and Emergency Services Act introduced
Source: South Australia. Minister for Emergency Services. Media Release.
"Minister for Emergency Services, Michael Wright, has introduced amendments to the Fire and Emergency Services Act in preparation for this year’s fire season. Communities will benefit from increased attention to the preparedness, prevention, response and recovery phases of emergency service management, and the emergency services will benefit through a much closer and more efficient working relationship,” Minister Wright said."

New laws to protect runaway children
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release.
"Vulnerable children will become better protected from adults who exploit them through legislation introduced to State Parliament - the Statutes Amendment (Children’s Protection) Bill 2009."

Making child protection everyone's responsibility
Source: South Australia. Minister for Families and Communities. Media Release.
"Sporting and recreational bodies - as well as church groups and health professionals - will be required to strengthen their child protection policies as part of new Rann Government legislation - the Children's Protection (Implementation of Report Recommendations) Amendment Bill 2009.

New public liability provisions passed by Parliament
Source: South Australia. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release.
"South Australians participating in sporting and recreational clubs will soon have a better system governing public liability arrangements that protect their interests and maintain workability for clubs and operators."

New laws target bikie's hip pocket
Source: South Australia. Attorney General. Media Release.
"The Rann Government is now targeting criminal wealth from illegal activity through laws ready to be introduced into Parliament. State Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Serious and Organised Crime (Unexplained Wealth) Bill 2009."

New laws banning mobiles for L and P1 drivers
Source: South Australia. Minister for Road Safety. Media Release.
"The State Government is moving to ban all Learner and P1 platers in South Australia from using any type of mobile phone function, including hands-free or bluetooth units, while they’re driving."

Drive for sustainable growth of forestry industry
Source: South Australia. Minister for Forests. Media Release.
"A drive to sustainably grow the forestry industry in South Australia is getting underway with a new body - the Forest Industry Development Board - now commencing its deliberations. Minister Caica says the forest and forest products sector is entering a new phase, and the Board’s initial principal task is to prepare a strategy to ensure that appropriate planning is undertaken."

Fresh start for Aboriginal offenders
Source: South Australia. Minister for Correctional Services. Media Release.
"The Minister for Correctional Services Tom Koutsantonis opened South Australia’s first prison unit specifically designed to accommodate Aboriginal offenders. The new unit is named Pakani Arangka, which means ‘fresh starting place’ or ‘growing out of’ in Pitjantjatjara. It gives Aboriginal prisoners the chance to reform their lives in a culturally-appropriate environment,” Mr Koutsantonis said."

Taking action to avoid brain drain
Source: South Australia. Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Media Release.
"Minister for Mineral Resources Development Paul Holloway said the Rann Government is acting to prevent the loss of mining expertise from South Australia in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Mr Holloway says $750,000 to support the Geoscientist Assistance Program for two years aims to encourage mining professionals to remain in South Australia to maintain their skills and expertise."