Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - June, 2015
A high-tech consortium led by Boeing has been awarded a $900 million contract to upgrade Australia’s battlefield communications technology.
China deal sees skills needs scrapped
Chinese tradies will not have to undergo the usual skills tests to work in Australia under a “side” deal in the new Australia-China free-trade agreement, unions claim.
Cross-sector roundtable wants real climate moves
An odd coupling of business, union, environmental, investor and welfare groups has come together to push for action on climate change.
Goodwill not enough, Brandis to force ISPs
Attorney-General George Brandis is seeking tough new requirements for Australian telcos.
Hockey makes big deposit in new China bank
Treasurer Joe Hockey says Australia is lining up to become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Big strike could hurt border plan
The Community and Public Sector Union gave a roundup of strike action so far, and threats of more to come, at a half-day strike meeting in Canberra last week.
Liberals post climate 'pause' questions
Rural Liberals want to officially question the validity of climate science, putting concerns on the agenda for its upcoming federal council.
Palmer slams public sector
The Australian Public Service is “totally hopeless” and actually makes the nation's politicians worse, one MP says.
TPP still coming, still criticised
There are strong signs that the Federal Government will soon commit to the controversial 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, despite concerns it could be signing away its freedom.
RET to run on in reduced form
A bill to cut the renewable energy target (RET) has passed Federal Parliament, including measures to use native wood burning as a renewable fuel source.
Twitter study plots leaders' leanings
A study of over 50,000 Twitter posts has shown where Australian politicians ‘really’ sit on the left-right divide.
Government bails on post-baby program
The Federal Government will not extend a funding agreement with states and territories that funds care for women with perinatal depression.
Piracy plan gets late serve from Husic
Labor MP Ed Husic has become one of the first major party members to point out the flaws of the Abbott government's controversial anti-piracy website-blocking bill.
Comcare's hard-line brings compo appeals
Federal workplace insurer Comcare says a tougher approach to workers compensation claims is behind figures showing it has won more than 70 per cent of disputed cases.
Public sector strikes hit nationwide
Around 1,000 federal public servants in the Hunter region of NSW have joined the nationwide strike.
Review could cost jobs ahead of Customs merger
The Immigration Department will undertake external performance reviews ahead of its merger with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
Income gap hurts GDP, IMF says
The gap between rich and poor in advanced economies is now at its highest level in decades.
MDBA says info flows freely
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has been accused of strategically selecting the information it provides to politicians.
ACMA under microscope in deregulatory review
The Federal Government says a new communications industry regulator will be better able to control the ever-changing sector.
Nonsense and non-science invade energy debate
The renewable energy sector has taken another hard hit, this time in the form of thinly-veiled condemnation by Australia’s prime minister.
Shorten's deals stay veiled for now
Opposition leader Bill Shorten is saying nothing about his union history, until he faces the Royal Commission later this year.