Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government

The Federal Government has announced that it will start work immediately with states and territories on measures that will build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, following the release of the Productivity Commission's final report into the matter.

The Federal Government has released a report by a consortium led by AECOM into the implementation of a High Speed Rail network along Australia’s east coast.

The Federal Government has launched its $558 million National Workforce Development Fund with the aim of providing 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.

The Federal Government has announced plans to restructure the Defence Department to improve transparency and accountability.

The Federal Minister for Sustainability, Tony Burke, has released the final national heritage assessment of the West Kimberly region by the Australian Heritage Council (AHC).

Australia could achieve significantly greater than expected emissions reductions by 2020 if the Federal Government passes it successfully implements its carbon package, according to research conducted by environmental think-tank ClimateWorks Australia.

The federal work health and safety regulator, Comcare, has outlined its Work Health and Safety Plan for the current financial year, with the agency saying it will target bullying, drug and alcohol harm at work.

The Federal Government has appointed the members of the independent expert panel that will progress the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution.

The Federal Government has opened the Emerging Rewnables program for promising renewable energy technology projects.

Global recruitment agency Hays has published a research white paper into the skills shortage in Australia, finding that the public sector is suffering the largest shortage in the country.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has slashed its Gross Domestic Product forecast for the 2011-12 financial year by one percentage point.

A report commissioned by Google and published by Deloitte Access Economics shows that the direct contribution of the Internet to the Australian economy is valued at $50 billion, while wider benefits through productivity gains is at $27 billion and the value of benefits to households is at $53 billion.

The Government is seeking comment from the public, stakeholders and legal experts on the details of its Clean Energy Legislative Package.

In March 2011, the Productivity Commission hosted a roundtable on the theme A ‘Sustainable’ Population? — Key Policy Issues. The proceedings have been released to enable public access to the papers and discussion, and the insights that emerged.

The Federal Government has released its feasibility study into the development of a high-speed rail network to connect eastern seaboard cities, finding that such a network could transport passengers from Sydney to Brisbane in under 3 hours for an estimated $75.

The Federal Government has released its first discussion paper for its planned tax reform, described the move as the first step in ‘an ambitious tax reform agenda’.

Commonwealth public servants are planning to strike in over 40 sites in the coming days after pay disputes continue to stall.

The Federal Government has signed off with all states and territories on details of the national health reform, agreed to in principle by COAG in February.

Australia is set to see fewer disputes resolved in court thanks to a suite of reforms made to the federal legal system according to Attorney-General Robert McClelland.  

The National Water Commission will be reviewed to assess the effectiveness and continuing appropriateness of its roles in promoting water reform objectives and outcomes.