Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

The Federal Government has announced it will be increasing its support, both domestically and internationally, for greater degrees of transparency in the mining and resources sector.

The Federal Opposition has confirmed it will not oppose the formation of the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The Federal Government has announced the 'next steps' in building the country's first National Food Plan that will see  short, medium and long-term policies put in place.

The Federal Government has announced it will remove tax disincentives in a bid to encourage more private investment in infrastructure projects.

Commsec has published its quarterly State of the States report into the financial health of each of Australia’s states and territories. The report highlights eight key indicators: economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, construction work done, population growth, housing finance and dwelling commencements.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth has petered off according to latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has launched the Federal Government’s Mining for Development initiative aimed at assisting developing countries to use their natural resources to improve their economies.

A new report released by industry research specialist BIS Shrapnel has found that Australia’s mining sector is likely to continue to boom over the next five years.

Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher has announced his resignation after formally meeting with the Governor-General. Mr Asher’s resignation will take effect on the 28^th of October.

The Federal Government has released its State of Australian Cities 2011 report, finding that residents of Australia’s major cities are using less electricity, leaving their car in garage more often in favour of catching public transport, producing less household waste and raising children who are staying at home until an older age.

The Federal Government has announced the full membership of the new Manufacturing Taskforce, announced at last month’s Future Jobs Forum.

The Federal Government is calling for expressions of interest from natural resource management practitioners, scientists, researchers  and members of the community to provide input into a number of grant funding processes.

The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have announced over $1.1 billion in joint funding to assist in the Queensland reconstruction efforts.

Deloitte has published its Asia Pacific Economic Outlook report, which found that Australia’s economic recovery is slower than anticipated. 

The Federal Government has opened the new Crisis Coordination Centre (CCC) in Canberra, which will serve to improve the government’s capability to respond to large-scale natural disasters or acts of terrorism.

The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have announced a new agreement that will deliver the country’s largest irrigation infrastructure renewal project.

The Federal Government has introduced legislation that will create the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) before the Commonwealth Parliament.

The Federal Government has announced the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund has opened, with funds being made available to local businesses.

The seasonally adjusted Australian unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced today. 

The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 20,400 to 11,451,200 in September. The increase in employment was driven by an increase in full-time employment, up 10,800 people to 8,044,200, and an increase in part-time employment, up 9,600 people to 3,407,100.

The number of people unemployed decreased by 3,800 people to 634,200 in September, the ABS reported.

The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed a decrease in September, down 9.4 million hours to 1,615.1 million hours.

The ABS reported a labour force participation rate in September of 65.6 per cent.

More details are in the September 2011 issue of Labour Force, Australia