By Angela Dorizas The Federal Government has unveiled its $30.9 billion overhaul of Australia’s health system, which is the most significant reform to the federation in its history. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced the establishment of a National Health and Hospitals Network to be funded nationally and run locally. The national health and hospitals […]
3 March, 2010
Local governments and airport operators in regional Western Australia can now apply for their share of more than $7 million State Government funding to improve airport infrastructure. Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said the Regional Airports Development Scheme funding would allow for essential upgrades in isolated communities. “For many isolated communities air-link is an essential connection […]
18 February, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Queensland Ombudsman has released his review of complaints handling within state agencies. The report by Ombudsman David Bevan found that agencies had significantly improved their complaints management systems since the introduction of his Complaints Management Program to help state government agencies deal more fairly and efficiently with community complaints. “When we commenced this […]
4 February, 2010
By Staff Writer State and local government have been invited to take part in the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards. For the first time, the Awards will include categories for local government, state government and the tertiary sector. Managed by Sustainability Victoria, the awards recognise organisations with outstanding achievement in sustainable use of natural resources. In […]
4 February, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Victoria's Royal Commission into the February 7 bushfires has resumed just days away from the first anniversary of the disaster. The Black Saturday fires killed 173 people and destroyed more than 2000 homes. Royal Commission chairman Bernard Teague said the commission would only sit for three days this week and, as a mark of respect for those […]
1 February, 2010
By Staff Writer New South Wales is the worst state for hospital mishaps and system failures, Queensland spends less per person on its police service than other states and territories, while Victoria has the slowest and most expensive justice system in the nation. They are just some of the findings of the Productivity Commission’s Report […]
29 January, 2010
By Angela Dorizas New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally has unveiled her new cabinet, sworn in today by NSW Governor Marie Bashir. The cabinet reshuffle has seen the return of a number of former ministers to the frontbench. Frank Sartor has returned to cabinet as Minster for the Climate Change and the Environment. Former police […]
8 December, 2009
By Staff Writer The New South Wales Government’s scheme to reward households for the solar energy they produce has been hailed as one of the most generous solar feed-in tarriffs in the country. Premier Nathan Rees said the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme would deliver the most generous payments to families in the country. “A gross scheme is […]
12 November, 2009
By Angela Dorizas South Australian Opposition leader Isobel Redmond said she is prepared to be tasered to demonstrate the worth of providing stun guns to the state's police force. The Opposition has promised to provide 500 tasers to SA police if elected next year. “There is absolutely no doubt in our minds that tasers represent […]
21 October, 2009
By Angela Dorizas The review of Australia’s tax system may include a proposal to replace petrol taxes with congestion charging, according to Treasury secretary Ken Henry. In his speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) last week, Dr Henry indicated that his review is likely to include proposed reform of road taxes. Dr Henry […]
19 October, 2009
By Staff Writer The West Australian town of Bunbury has been awarded as the state’s top town for 2009. WA Tourism Minister Liz Constable said the GWN Top Tourism Town Award recognised the town’s achievements in local tourism. “The judges faced a tough choice in deciding the Top Town Award this year but Bunbury’s great […]
19 October, 2009
By Staff Writer The Federal Government has released the guidelines and operating arrangements for the $25 million Local Government Reform Fund. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, announced the plans at the Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council in Darwin last Friday. Albanese said it was the first time in more […]
12 October, 2009
By Angela Dorizas The global financial crisis has reinvigorated the federalism debate, according to Stephen Loosely. The former Senator for New South Wales and ALP National President said the relationship between the three spheres of government is likely to evolve in the changing global environment. “If Australia is to remain an effective player in shaping international policy […]
2 September, 2009
By Staff Writer The South Australian Greens have launched a new website to track political donations. The website and database is an extension of the long-running NSW Greens
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