Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

A new report published by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) confirms that the increasingly strong demand for commodities has confirmed the massive infrastructure demand in Australia’s regions.

The Federal Government’s new Commonwealth Procurement Rules have come into effect, providing Government officials with streamlined rules to achieve the greatest value for money when procuring goods and services.

The Federal Government has announced the inaugural members of the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (TUMSA), the new statutory agency that will be tasked with ensuring basic telecommunications services are available to all Australians.

The Federal Government has announced the extension of its Contract for Closure Program, citing ongoing complex negotiations.

The Latrobe Valley Transition Committee (LVTC) has released a report that aims to guide the ongoing diversification of Victoria’s Latrobe Valley economy.

The Australian and Victorian Government has announced a $40 million investment package to assist in the restructure of Alcoa’s Point Henry aluminium smelter in Geelong to ensure its long term economic sustainability and support over 500 local jobs.

The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have agreed to requests by the Tasmanian Forestry Agreement Signatories for additional time through to 23 July.

The Auditor General of Victoria, Des Pearson will chair the Advisory Board for La Trobe University’s Centre for Public Sector Governance, Accountability and Performance (CPSGAP). 

An OECD report into the effectiveness of the Federal Government's My School initiative has helped to provide greater transparency in the country's school system.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has renewed its push for the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution following last week’s High Court decision over the Williams Case, which calls into question the Federal Government’s ability to provide direct funding.

The Federal Government has introduced legislation before Parliament aimed at improving rail safety. The Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Bill 2012 will establish the country’s first rail safety investigator by tasking the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with responsibility for investigating safety events on all metropolitan passenger and freight rail networks.

Australia’s regions are leading the uptake of clean energy programs, with 28 of the fist 63 Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) grants being awarded to regional organisations.

In 2009, four million people in Australia reported having a disability (18.5%), according to new profiles released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of Jane Treadewell as Chief Executive Officer to lead the newly established Centre for Excellence in Public Sector Design.

The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has completed its inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010, concluding that the Federal Government should legislate in favour of marriage equality.

The Federal Government has introduced legislation before parliament that will aim to bolster the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program following the decision of the High Court in the Williams v the Commonwealth of Australia last week.

The Federal Government has invited the community to comment on the next phase of the Caring for our Country imitative.

The Federal Government has passed legislation that will create the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA), which will aim to strengthen Australia’s response to the nation’s skills challenge and boost productivity. The Agency, will be led by industry representatives, and will have a key role in the allocation of a $700 million industry training fund.

The latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows a sharp decline in dwelling commencements in the March 2012 quarter, with the total dwelling rates down 12.6 per cent. The continued fall in the March quarter shows a 24.2 per cent contraction from the same time last year.