Way Forward for Funding Services in Growth Areas
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
"The Brumby Government announced it has reached agreement with the peak development industry bodies on a formula for funding vital infrastructure within an expanded urban growth boundary. Planning Minister Justin Madden said it was vital for housing affordability that the Urban Growth Boundary be extended and revenue secured to build infrastructure for new communities. “Both the Government and the development industry recognise the need to plan a long way ahead and ensure our growth corridors develop as compact, sustainable communities,” Mr Madden said.“Through this compromise, developers will pay 30 per cent of the Victorian Government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution when they purchase land, with the remaining 70 per cent being paid in stages as the land is subdivided.”Mr Madden said the Brumby Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Property Council of Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia spelling out the details of how the charge would be restructured to make it acceptable to the industry."

Moratorium to Ensure Smooth Smart Meter Roll-out
Source: Victoria. Minister for Energy & Resources. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government will ensure Victorians are fully aware of new electricity network time-of-use pricing structures associated with smart meters after announcing a moratorium on the scheme. Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor announced the moratorium, which will be effective immediately, after this afternoon's meeting of the Customer Consultation Working Group. “The roll-out of smart meters across Victoria is progressing well, but we are committed to ensuring the transition to a new pricing structure is managed carefully and sensibly,” Mr Batchelor said. “Time-of-use pricing is where customers are charged different rates at different times of the day. This pricing structure will help Victorians control their energy costs but we need to make sure the changes are fully understood across the community before they are introduced.

Garbage-To-Fuel Plan Points Victoria Back to the Future
Source: Victoria. Minister for Industry & Trade. Media Release
"Banana peels, food wrappers, nappies and building waste could one day fuel cars after the Brumby Labor Government cast its support behind a consortium developing the business case for the establishment of a $400 million bio-ethanol plant in Victoria. Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan said the ethanol fuel would be produced from household rubbish and building waste based on special technology developed by consortium partner, Coskata.“Holden, Caltex Australia, Veolia, Mitsui and Coskata have formed a consortium and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brumby Labor Government to investigate building the plant in Victoria, signalling the state’s potential future as fuel producer, creating jobs and significantly reducing petrol use and carbon emissions,” she said."

Police Referrals Support Victims of Crime in Werribee
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"Victims of violent crime will have direct access to practical support and counselling at Werribee police station under a new support service initiative, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said. Mr Hulls said victims of crime would be able to seek direct help from a worker at the police station in a pilot partnership between Werribee Police and the Western Victims Assistance and Counselling Program (VACP). A case manager will be based at Werribee police station, instead of the Western Region Health Centre, for four days a week over the next six months. “It is important for victims of crime to get help as early as possible after a crime has occurred and having support services available at the Werribee police station increases that possibility,” Mr Hulls said. Victims of crime can talk through their concerns in complete confidence with a case manager."

Online Auction the Next Step in Reshaping Gaming Industry
Source: Victoria. Minister for Gaming. Media Release
"Gaming Minister Tony Robinson announced the online auction of gaming machine entitlements will start on 20 April 2010. Mr Robinson said registered hotels and clubs would bid for 10-year gaming machine entitlements in an online auction held over a series of rounds starting on 20 April 2010 and concluding on 10 May 2010 at a one day, final bidding round to be held at the former Melbourne Convention Centre.“Our Government is reshaping the gaming industry in Victoria,” he said.“Under the post-2012 structure, venues will bid directly for 10-year gaming machine entitlements.“The gaming machine industry has matured in Victoria, and the time is right to empower local venue operators to make local decisions about their gaming operations – giving them more responsibility and accountability within their local communities.” Mr Robinson said the online auction system had been purpose-built to allocate gaming machine entitlements in line with Government policies limiting machine numbers across Victoria."

$1 Million Boost to Help Communities Live Sustainably
Source: Victoria. Minister for Environment & Climate Change. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government is providing $1 million to establish “EcoLiving” Centres across Victoria that will help the community learn how to live sustainably. Visiting Ballarat, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced four new projects that will provide information, training programs, demonstrations and displays on sustainable living.
“The Brumby Labor Government is working in partnership with the community to help address climate change,” Mr Jennings said. “The EcoLiving Centres will be located in Ballarat, Wangaratta, Mildura and Melbourne’s South East and will see the development of EcoLiving Centres and hubs. “The centres will provide practical information and advice on how we can make our homes and workplaces greener so we can collectively take action on climate change.
There will be demonstrations on sustainable technologies including solar panels and solar hot water as well as training and information on subjects such as how to complete sustainable renovations.”

‘Knives Scar Lives' Campaign to Begin this Weekend
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police & Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government’s tough regime to curb weapons-related street crime will step up a gear this weekend with the launch of an advertising campaign warning young people of the perils and penalties of carrying knives. Police Minister Bob Cameron said the outdoor, online and print advertising campaign, which begins on Sunday, would support recent measures to strengthen Victoria’s tough anti-weapons stance.“We are taking strong action to drive down stabbings and tackle knife crimes head on,” Mr Cameron said.“This campaign carries a strong but simple message: If you carry a weapon unlawfully, you’re in trouble.”Mr Cameron said the advertising campaign warned that ‘knives scar lives’, and was just one aspect of the Government’s approach to tackling weapons-related crime."

i-Voting
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The Electoral Commissioner will investigate i-Voting for visually impaired people of New
South Wales improving their democratic right to a secret ballot. Nationally, there are 300,000 people who are blind or visually impaired with a third of them living in NSW.“We want to make sure as many people as possible participate equally in our democratic process – especially in the lead up to next year’s State election,” Ms Keneally said."

Targeted Early Numeracy
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The Targeted Early Numeracy program will pay for 1,000 teachers to receive expert training each year so they can identify and foster students with numeracy difficulties. The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, said the Targeted Early Numeracy intervention program would help to ensure all students were on track with numeracy by the time they finish Year 2."

Metropolitan Strategy Review: Sydney Towards 2036
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"Premier Kristina Keneally announced the beginning of the formal public consultation on Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy. The Sydney Towards 2036 discussion paper is the first stage in an extensive consultation process to review Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy." Discussion Paper.

Hassle Free Nights
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The NSW Government launched a range of new initiatives – including additional late night bus services, new rules on party buses and secure taxi ranks - to help people enjoy their nights out free from alcohol-related violence. The $4 million action plan, Hassle Free Nights will be rolled out to popular nightspots. Hassle Free Nights will be trialled for 12 months. A report will then be provided to the community." Web site. Action Plan. Fact Sheet.

PREMIER FLAGS GO ZONES AND NO-GO ZONES FOR BETTER GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Queensland. Premier. Media Release
"Premier Anna Bligh has launched a new proposal to create “Go-Zones” and “No-Go Zones” to guide urban development in South East Queensland. “The Queensland Growth Management Summit on March 30 and 31 will look at new ways to manage growth in Queensland,” said the Premier. “This proposal is just one of the ideas that I hope can foster debate and get people thinking about new ways to manage the growth we are seeing in our State.” Under the plan state and local government would create new “go zones” - areas along public transport corridors for higher density development. Under the same proposal “no-go zones” - established suburbs would be protected from high density development. “Go Zones could reduce the planning timeline for new developments from years to months,” said Ms Bligh. No-go Zones would give communities in established suburbs certainty that their neighbourhood won’t be transformed by higher density living.”

Queensland supports national standards for patient rights in healthcare
Source: Queensland. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas launched the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, an initiative that outlines the rights of patients. The Charter, a national standard designed to support patients Australia-wide, gives patients, families, carers and service-providers a common understanding of the rights of those receiving healthcare. Mr Lucas said the Charter also outlined the responsibilities of healthcare providers. “At the core of the Charter is this: healthcare and the health system must be centred on the patient,” Mr Lucas said. It allows patients, consumers, families, carers and health care providers to share an understanding of the rights of the people who receive care."

Tasmanian State Election 2010
Source: Tasmania Online
This is a list of electoral resources attempts to be as complete and comprehensive as possible.
It includes links to all the political parties registered to contest the election on March 20th.

Historic Day for Victorian Workers
Source: Victoria. Minister for Workcover. Media Release
"Victoria will become the first place in Australia to provide eligible injured workers with superannuation payments, after the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill 2009 passed through Parliament. The $90 million package, the biggest package ever provided for injured workers, will deliver improved benefits to workers suffering from permanent injuries and the families of workers who tragically lose their lives at work. WorkSafe Minister Tim Holding said the legislation would also support injured workers’ return to work and provide increased flexibility for employers."

Community to Have Input into Maximum Penalties Review
Source: Victoria. Deputy Premier. Media Release
"The community will be asked to have their say as part of a review of maximum penalties for about 250 Victorian crimes. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced he had asked the Sentencing Advisory Council to review the maximum penalties for about 250 Victorian crimes, including drug offences, to ensure penalties were in line with community expectations.“This review will ensure that penalties for crimes under Victorian law reflect society’s views, as well as making the criminal law more consistent and effective,” Mr Hulls said.“Maximum penalties reflect the seriousness with which an offence is viewed – both by the Parliament and the community – and provide a guide for courts when sentencing offenders.” Mr Hulls said the review would be conducted in tandem with the overhaul of the Crimes Act, which is currently underway and is intended to be introduced into Parliament next year."

Research project begins for the provision of therapy services in rural and remote NSW
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Aging and Minister for Disability Services. Media Release.
"The NSW Minister for Disability Services Paul Lynch welcomed the start of a major research project into the provision of therapy services in rural and remote NSW. Mr Lynch said the four year project, a joint enterprise between Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and the University of Sydney would focus on the effectiveness of the delivery of psychology and therapy services to people with disabilities living in rural and remote NSW."

The NSW Government Statement on Innovation
Source: New South Wales. Minister for State and Regional Development. Media Release.
"The NSW Government Statement on Innovation outlines how the NSW Government plans to enhance industry innovation as a means of improving productivity and increasing business investment. This statement is based on a paper by Professor Jonathan West, a world expert in innovation and formerly Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, who was asked by the NSW Government to advise on an innovation strategy for NSW. "

Working With Children Check legislation
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Youth. Media release.
"The Minister for Youth, Peter Primrose, reminded employers that tougher measures around the Working With Children Check are now in force in NSW and new forms and guidelines are available on the Commission for Children and Young People’s website. "The Working With Children Check forms and the guidelines that are used by employers to recruit people in child-related employment have been updated to reflect new laws and to make them much easier to use by employers," Mr Primrose said."

First Look at New Melbourne Bike Hire Scheme
Source: Victoria. Minister for Roads & Ports. Media Release
"Melbourne is just a couple of months away from having its first public bike hire scheme, with an early roll-out of the newly named Melbourne Bike Share to be up and running at the end of May, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced today. Mr Pallas was at the City Square with Education Minister and Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike on Ride-2-School Day, where one of the ten first bike stations will be introduced from Monday 31 May. He said the first Melbourne Bike Share stations would be rolled out at ten convenient city locations and house 100 new public bicycles.“The Brumby Labor Government is building a better transport system and we understand how important cycling is as a viable, sustainable and accessible travel option,” Mr Pallas said."

Improving education for children entering care
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Community Services. Joint Media Release.
"Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Community Services announced additional resources to support the education of children and young people coming into care. Minister Firth said $25 million funding over four years has been allocated to implement education initiatives under Keep Them Safe, the NSW Government’s reforms in response to the Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW. "These new education initiatives are about helping children entering care to improve their participation and performance at school," Ms Firth said."

NSW Government Initiatives on International Education 2010
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"The Premier’s Council on International Education, a high-level body and the first of its kind in Australia, will implement the Government’s initiatives and drive further reforms to ensure New South Wales maintains the highest standards of international education and builds on its reputation as the destination of choice for international students."

Proposed Laws to Further Protect Victims
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police & Emergency Services. Media Release
"Proposed new laws introduced to Parliament this week will increase sentencing options within the courts and further protect victims, the Brumby Labor Government said. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 provided broader sentencing options as well as greater protection for victims as part of the Government’s continued commitment to a modern justice system.“One of the outcomes this legislation seeks is to expand the range of offences under which alternative arrangements for giving evidence can be made, which adds to the protection offered to complainants and witnesses in sexual offence cases,” Mr Hulls said.“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to making the court process easier and less traumatic for victims as well as providing a range of options to target and address offending and reduce crime.” The proposed amendments expand the use of case conferences in the summary jurisdiction to resolve issues early and reduce hearing delays, complementing reforms introduced by the Criminal Procedure Act."

New option helps the disadvantaged pay court fines
Source: New South Wales. Attorney General. Media Release.
"Disadvantaged people are now able to pay off NSW court fines by having the money gradually deducted from their Centrelink payments, NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced. "Failure to pay court fines can result in serious consequences such as the cancellation of a driver’s license, personal property seizure or additional fees, so it is important that disadvantaged people are given manageable payment options," Mr Hatzistergos said."

Support for changes to police pursuit laws
Source: New South Wales. Attorney General. Media release.
"Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the NSW Government has secured bipartisan support for changes to the Crimes Amendment (Police Pursuits) Bill 2010. "The Government will introduce an amendment to the bill, recommended to us by the DPP and supported by the Opposition and the Police Association," Mr Hatzistergos said. "From the beginning, the creation of a police pursuit law in response to the tragic death of Skye Sassine has been above politics."