Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

Seventy million dollars will be spent in an effort to convert 25 per cent of public schools to the Independent Public School model, with Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne now announcing a special ambassador to help make it happen.

ACCC moves to unnatural funds after numbers fail to fall

Leaders of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are feeling strapped for cash, admitting that ‘natural attrition’ has not thinned its numbers, and it needs more money for redundancies.

Baby tax change could bring bonus on return

The Tax Institute of Australia says there are a range of benefits that would come from making child care tax deductible.

Cadets cut from Feds, spies and Defence intake

Some young graduates with eyes on career in spying or policing will be looking for a new life’s ambition, after budget cuts meant their cadetships were cut short.

Gender reporting costs money, but more is lost without it

The federal government is considering removing the requirement for larger companies to lodge an annual report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Talks of more help to tiny town caught short by closure

An assistance package offered by a mining company to a small town in NT may be expanded with extra Federal Government help.

$6 billion dollar industry at risk from cheap environmental choice

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has, after “rigorous assessment”, approved the disposal of dredge spoil within the Marine Park, making only minor requests in the granting of the dredge permit.

Seeds planted for farm bank plan, no word on sprout times

A Federal Government Minister is pushing for billions of dollars to help workers toiling in some of the worst conditions for decades, and it looks like the Prime Minister is keen to help too.

Two hundred cases do not justify charity watchdog

The public sector union says no good will come from the Federal Government decision to scrap the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission.

Rural airstrips lined-up for $9 million fix

The federal government has put up $8.9 million to upgrade 39 remote airstrips across Australia.

Foreign offices need IT fix to match modern diplomacy

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has asked for hands to be raised to build a $216 million replacement global communications network, as our current diplomatic cables strain under the weight of modern interactions.

Optus bags NBN tender, will handle satellites for five years

Telecommunications provider Optus has secured a multi-year deal to handle satellite access to the National Broadband Network.

Study sees sound result from decade chasing deficiency

More than a decade since reports found Indigenous Australians had the highest rates of painful ear infection in the world; cases of otitis media are dropping across the population.

Billion lost as millions left by the educational wayside

While many complain about the specifics of high school curricula and broad educational ideas, it is worth remembering that for a huge portion of the planet the most basic schooling is out of reach.

Last words coming before reef dump jumps off

One of the last hurdles for dredging near the Great Barrier Reef is being approached today, with the main authority in charge of the marine park set to make its decision on the potentially destructive plan.

All interest and no action as farm fight looms

The National Farmers’ Federation says it wants consumers to pay the right price, but does not want government to decide what that might be.

Cuts take slice from military pocket money

The Federal Government has found a new place to make cost-saving cuts – reducing the allowances of Defence personnel in the Middle East.

Minister says trusting charities is cheaper

The Federal Government is toying with the idea of removing regulation for charities and not-for-profits, hoping to hold them accountable through guilt instead of law.

More work needed on Newstart renovation

An opposition spokesperson has warned an expanded work-for-the-dole program will probably not fix unemployment.

Tax Office wants elite team for industry advice

The Australian Taxation Office will look to cherry-pick new executives from top companies, hoping to bring in the best of the best for handy tax advice.