Government News

Due to external economic shocks, Victoria's revenue forecasts over the next four years will be $8.3 billion lower than was forecast in late 2010. This is a bigger financial hit than that which occurred during the 2008 global financial crisis.

The Budget attempts to build on measures announced last year to put Victoria's finances back onto a sustainable path through further savings of $1 billion over four years. Measures taken include:

• limiting Parliamentarians' pay increases to 2.5 per cent for the next twelve months and a freeze on their allowances;
• limiting senior public servant salary increases to 2.5 per cent;
• a further reduction of 600 public service positions; and
• additional departmental efficiencies.
• The 2012-13 Budget delivers surpluses exceeding $100 million each year growing to $2.5 billion by 2015-16.

The government's fiscal strategy will stabilise net debt to six per cent of GSP by June 2016.

Through this budget, the  Government has prioritised the following:

• The Government will cut WorkCover premiums by an average of three per cent from July 1 this year.
• As part of the Government's manufacturing blueprint A More Competitive Manufacturing Industry, the 2012-13 Budget delivers $58 million to boost productivity and assist Victorian manufacturing businesses to compete in the global economy.
• The Government will invest a further $1 billion over four years to support future economic growth with a better educated and skilled workforce, to increase productivity and workforce participation.
• The budget provides $13.7 billion to Victoria's hospitals and health system in 2012-13. $1.2 billion is provided over four years in additional funding for health and aged care services. Funding has also been provided for major hospital upgrades in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
• A $200 million school capital program will fund new schools and important facility upgrades.
• The 2012-13 Budget also delivers $1.4 billion in new funding for early childhood development, education and training and $336 million to better protect Victoria's most vulnerable children.
• The 2012-13 Budget delivers on important new infrastructure projects, including $42.2 million for the Western Highway, $35.5 million for the Ballarat Western Link Road and additional regional rolling stock.

The Victorian Government has announced $12.7 million in spending for the state’s local libraries.

Outlined in the state’s 2012-13 budget, the spending also includes $3.1 million per year for the delivery of key library services.

"In addition to the traditional book lending services our public libraries now offer connection to the internet, the ability to borrow DVDs and CDs, support for book clubs, events for seniors and programs aimed at school-age children,” State Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said.

"The Victorian Government is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of Victorian library services and funding arrangements, being led by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries, a bipartisan committee which includes a representative from the Opposition.

"This budget delivers for the more than half of the Victorian population who are currently library members and the many more who will become members in the future," Mrs Powell said.

The Victorian Government has announced a $10 million spending allocation to create the Office of Living Victoria, which will be responsible for overhauling the urban water system to make greater use of stormwater, rainwater and recycled water. 

"The money in today's Budget will establish the Office of Living Victoria (OLV) to reform the urban water sector and improve the way we use water,” State Water Minister Peter Walsh.

Mr Walsh said the OLV would improve water use by ensuring integrated water management is built into greenfield developments during construction.

"We need to make better use of all of our water resources, including rainwater, stormwater and recycled water, to drive change and increase liveability in Melbourne and Victoria's regional cities," Mr Walsh said.

"The OLV will bring together experts from across government who will work to drive the integration of water and urban planning."

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the country’s official cash rate by 50 basis points, bringing the country’s interest rate to 3.75 per cent.

In making the announcement, RBA Governor Glenn Stevens said a slower than expected world economy was key in informing the board’s decision.

Below trend output growth, combined with a slackening CPI increase were also considered major influences in the board’s decision to make the largest cut to the rate since February 2009, where it dropped the rate by 1 per cent.

“In considering the appropriate size of adjustment to the cash rate at today's meeting, the Board judged it desirable that financial conditions now be easier than those which had prevailed in December,” Mr Stevens said.

 A reduction of 50 basis points in the cash rate was, in this instance, therefore judged to be necessary in order to deliver the appropriate level of borrowing rates.”

The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) has stressed the Federal Government to take action to avert an imminent dental health catastrophe after it released figures that show the public waiting list for dental health services has stretched out to 650,000 across the nation. 

The figures indicate the average waiting time is in excess of two years for any kind of dental help, with only 11 per cent of those on the list receiving any treatment.

CHF CEO Carol Bennett describes the situation as a national embarrassment, saying that close to two million Australians who urgently needed dental care missed out because they could not afford it, contributing to an estimated national loss of $2 billion in productivity losses.

“More than 30% of all adults and close to 47% of concession card holders are delaying or avoiding dental treatment because of the cost. This is undoubtedly a crisis,” said Ms Bennett.

“We know the community is very concerned about this issue. There needs to be clear leadership from the Federal Government and commitment from State and Territory Governments. Something has gone badly wrong when you have nearly three quarters of a million Australians on a public waiting list with the national average wait time over two years.”

Canberra is set to roll out the country’s first free e-waste recycling service, allowing residents to dispose of their unwanted televisions and computers under a national scheme.

“This is the start of a nation-wide roll-out of services as part of an extremely exciting initiative under the Gillard Government’s landmark Product Stewardship legislation. Services like these will be rolled out across Australia, boosting television and computer recycling rates to 30 percent in 2012-13 and 80 per cent by 2021-22, providing a long-term solution to television and computer waste,” Minister for Sustainability Senator Don Farrell said.

“Televisions and computers contain valuable non-renewable resources, including gold and other precious metals, as well as hazardous materials including lead, bromine, mercury and zinc. By recycling them, we can recover useful materials and at the same time reduce health and environmental risks.”

From the middle of May, DHL Supply Chain will be providing the free, ongoing service for households and small businesses.

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the implementation of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme was an example of Canberra continuing to lead the way in recycling and waste management.

The DHL Supply Chain services will begin on 15 May 2012 and will operate from the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Transfer Stations, which are open from 7.30am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme is funded and implemented by the television and computer industry and regulated by the Australia Government under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and the Product Stewardship (Televisions and Computers) Regulation 2011.

Further information on the scheme can be found atwww.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/ewaste/index.html

The Federal Government has released its report of the demand driven university placement reform, with Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, saying the Government’s work will allow for an unprecedented skills boom to meet increased demand for a variety of labour.

The Demand Driven System: Undergraduate Applications and Offers report details a boom in placements since the Federal Government introduced its demand driven placement reform, recording over 150,000 additional placements offered since the reform took effect.

The report found that 221,765 offers were made this year, an increase by 5.5 per cent compared with the same time last year.

The largest growth in university offers is being seen in health (10.2%), engineering (7.8%) and natural and physical sciences (7.0%).

"The Government set the ambitious target that by 2020, 40 per cent of all 25 to 34-year-olds will hold a bachelor's degree or above and lift the participation levels of disadvantaged students to 20 per cent of undergraduate enrolments,” Senator Evans said at the report’s launch.

"It is an economic imperative that we meet these targets. If we don't, we will consign ourselves to low economic growth and will not be able to compete in the future economy. This report shows we are well on our way to successfully fulfilling these goals."

Offers to applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds have also shown the largest increase (5.8%) compared with offers to applicants from medium socioeconomic backgrounds (5.7%) and high socioeconomic backgrounds (4.9%).

The report can be found here

Teachers in every Australian school will have a yearly performance assessment which will include classroom observation and evidence of student outcomes, under proposals released for consultation today. 

The draft Australian Teacher Performance and Development Framework, developed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), proposes that teachers set performance goals every year and demonstrate how those goals have been met. 

School Education Minister Peter Garrett said the final framework will be implemented in Australian schools from 2013. 

“Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the country. It’s vital that our teachers have the opportunity to both demonstrate their skills and improve their classroom practice through regular and effective feedback, professional growth and development, and performance assessment, but until now this has not been consistently occurring in our schools,” he said. 

“The draft framework will provide the first national set of guidelines for performance assessments for the teaching profession. Teachers will have a clear understanding of what they will be expected to achieve every year, and a clear understanding of how their performance will be measured. 

“This will allow our many terrific teachers to demonstrate how well they are performing and the positive results they are producing, while also providing opportunities to improve their skills where needed.” 

Under the draft framework, every teacher will have a set of documented, measurable and specific goals for the year, which will be agreed with their school principal or a delegate. 

Teachers will be able to collect evidence that they are achieving their objectives. This could include improved student results; feedback from students, parents, and their peers or supervisor; and direct observation of their classroom teaching. 

Every teacher will receive a formal review of their performance each year by their principal or delegate, as well as regular informal and constructive feedback and support throughout the year. 

The Labor Government announced the creation of a National Children’s Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said that the new Commissioner will focus on promoting the rights, wellbeing and development of children and young people in Australia.

“For the first time, Australia will have a dedicated advocate focussed on the human rights of children and young people at the national level,” Ms Roxon said.

“The Children’s Commissioner will ensure the voices of children and young people are heard in the development of Commonwealth policies and programs.”

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin said establishing a Federal Children’s Commissioner was key action under the Government’s National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.

“We want every child to grow up safe, happy and well. The new Commissioner will represent the views of children and young people, particularly those most vulnerable, at the national level,” Ms Macklin said.

Minister for Community Services Julie Collins said children and young people need a national advocate to ensure their rights are reflected in national policies and programs.

“The National Children’s Commissioner will have a key role in advocating for the rights of children across Australia,” Ms Collins said.

"The national Commissioner will not duplicate but complement the work of states and territories, particularly the work of other commissioners and guardians.”

The Children’s Commissioner will take a broad advocacy role to promote public awareness of issues affecting children, conduct research and education programs, consult directly with children and representative organisations as well as monitor Commonwealth legislation, policies and programs that relate to children’s rights, wellbeing and development.

The South Australian Government has announced that mining of mineral sands is set to resume at Mindarie in South Australia’s Murray Mallee.

Speaking at the opening of the 11^th South Australia Resource and Energy Investment Conference, State Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis said that approval had been given to the new owners of Murray Zircon to resume mining near Karoonda.

The mineral sands mine has been under care and maintenance since 2009 after the previous operator Australian Zircon announced it was going into voluntary administration.

“Murray Zircon has worked closely with the community during the past year and has committed to a comprehensive technical program to complete rehabilitation of land disturbed by the former mining operations at Mindarie,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

Mr Koutsantonis said the approval of the restarting of works at Mindarie forms part of the State Government’s pro-mining PACE2020 policy package.

The Federal Government has announced the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will start from July 2013 in up to four locations across the country.

Coverage will extend to 10,000 people with significant permanent disabilities by 2013, with that figure set to rise to 20,000 by July 2014.

“The timeframe announced today means the first stage of an NDIS will be delivered a full year ahead of the timetable set out by the Productivity Commission,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement.

The Federal Government has announced it will fund its share of the cost of the initial stage of the NDIS in the coming May Budget.

The initial launch locations will be determined in consultation with the states and territories - who have all agreed their shared responsibility for the fundamental reform of disability care and support.

The South Australian Government has announced an agreement as been reached with the conservation, recreational and commercial fishing sectors on the future zoning approach for South Australia’s marine parks.

Premier Jay Weatherill and State Ministers Paul Caica and Gail Gago released the details of the agreement and plans for the next stage of public consultation to create the parks.

Leaders from the conservation, recreational and commercial fishing sectors met Minister Caica and Minister Gago earlier this month and have agreed on priority areas for conservation after the State Government announced in November it was postponing draft plans to allow further discussions with these groups.

“Through detailed discussions at a two-day forum this month, the sector leaders considered the areas of high ecological significance, research, education and ecotourism value – as well as the social and economic implications and management considerations such as compliance and monitoring,” Mr Weatherill said.

The State Government will now prepare a draft management plan and impact stations to be released for public consultation. 

The New South Wales Government has announced a $100 million blitz of the state’s public transport, with an aim to improve services and undertake much-needed upgrades.

The blitz forms part of a wider push by the State Government to deliver integrated transport infrastructure as part of the new Transport Access Program.

The program will see Transport ofr NSW take over the planning and organisation of improvements that were previously delivered under six separate programs by different agencies.

The works that have already been outlined are:

• Stations that are accessible to the disabled, ageing and parents with prams
• Modern buildings and facilities for all modes that meet the needs of a growing population
• Modern interchanges that support an integrated network and allow seamless transfers between all modes for all customers
• Safety improvements including extra lighting, help points, fences and security measures for car parks and interchanges, including stations, bus stops and wharves 
• Signage improvements so customers can more easily use public transport and transfer between modes at interchanges
• Other improvements and maintenance such as painting, new fencing and roof replacements.

As part of a new National Partnership Agreement (NP) on Mental Health, the Labor Government will provide the NSW Government with $57.6 million over 5 years for three new projects that will improve the care and support provided to people living with severe mental illness.

Under the NP, NSW is receiving the largest share of funding of all states and territories.

The following projects will receive Commonwealth funding:

• $35.2 million for the expansion of the existing NSW Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) to enable more people to live in the community in stable and secure accommodation, with links to clinical mental health and rehabilitation services for people who require 16 or 24 hour support.
• $12.3 million for the provision of intensive, family focussed support to mothers with mental illness and their children to keep them together, through the provision of high, medium and low packages of care and short term housing.
• $10.2 million for in-reach support services to boarding house residents who have been assessed as having mental health issues, through the provision of 200 continuous and ongoing new low support packages.

Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler said the NP was a key feature of the Government’s $2.2 billion mental health package.

“Our agreement with NSW will ensure we respond better to the needs of people with severe and debilitating mental illness so they stay well and lead functional lives,” Mr Butler said.

“Together, we’re investing in projects that break new ground and expanding existing services that we know work well. For example, one of the projects we’re funding will ensure that more mothers living with mental illness and their children get intensive, family focussed support and access to stable accommodation.

The Victorian Government has confirmed $4.5 million in funding for a biomass plant that will convert organic waste into electricity.

State Energy and Resources Minister Michael O’Brien said the Government had made the initial offer last year, but an agreement had taken months to finalise for stage payments to Pacific Pyrolysis and its partners for the project.

"This innovative renewable energy technology will access under-utilised waste organics resources," Mr O'Brien said.

The pilot plant will use non-crop organic material such as green waste and waste wood from demolished buildings to power a renewable electricity pilot plant with a capacity of about one megawatt.

The project will offer local employment opportunities, as well as sub-contracting. A site is yet to be selected, but will be in outer metropolitan Melbourne.

The plant will produce a by-product called biochar, which can provide a long-lasting boost to soil fertility and provide a carbon sequestration tool for primary industry.

"The Pacific Pyrolysis biomass pilot plant has the potential to deliver a win-win by producing clean energy as well as providing benefits for Victoria's primary industry sector."

The plant will provide an advanced processing alternative for wood waste and green waste which would otherwise end up in landfill where it would produce greenhouse gases.

Work on Perth’s $440 million redevelopment has commenced after Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett attended a groundbreaking ceremony.

The Premier said the works will see 10ha of prime riverfront land into a vibrant, contemporary development, set around a 2.7ha inlet and connected by promenades and boardwalks.

“This is a very exciting time for Western Australia - a period of significant transformation, renewal and development that will change the face of Perth and ensure our city can accommodate a rapidly growing population,” Mr Barnett said.

“Perth Waterfront will deliver a new destination that continues the public’s use and enjoyment of this area of the city and address the critical need for more residential, commercial and hotel accommodation in the CBD.”

Planning Minister John Day said the State Government had awarded a $50million forward works contract to Georgiou Group - one of two major construction packages for Perth Waterfront.

“Over the next 12-18 months the removal and relocation of trees, demolition and deconstruction of existing structures, road works and service infrastructure upgrades will be completed to prepare the site for construction of the inlet,” he said.

Mr Day said the forward works program for Perth Waterfront also included: 

• construction of a new two-way road from under the Narrows Bridge to William Street providing direct access into the CBD from Mounts Bay Road
• demolition of the existing buildings and structures on the Esplanade Reserve
• deconstruction and storage of the Florence Hummerston Kiosk, ready to be rebuilt at a suitable new location
• archaeological investigations
• jetty reconstruction works at Barrack Square
• full reconstruction of William Street (south of The Esplanade) as a two-way street.

The Western Australian Government has announced it has awarded the $22 million contract for road and infrastructure works at Perth’s Riverside project to Broad Construction.

Planning Minister John Day said the next stage of works would stabilise ground conditions and ensure the site was ready for future public spaces and development.

“The Riverside project will create new connections and cater for the growing number of people who will live, work and socialise in the area,” Mr Day said.

“When complete, Riverside will deliver more than 4,000 new dwellings for 7,000 new residents, and 90,000sqm of retail and commercial space for 6,000 new workers in the area. 

Works include site stabilisation and road works that will realign the existing slip lane from Hay Street to the Causeway; the construction of a new two-way road between Trinity College and the WACA; and re-opening Hale Street to private vehicles and two-way traffic.

The Federal Government has announced the country is drought free for the first time in over a decade after the two final Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declarations expire.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig said the expiry of EC declarations in Bundarra and Eurobodalla marks a major milestone for agriculture in Australia.

“Now is the time to progress drought reform. We need to take this opportunity to transition from reacting to crises, to a pro-active policy approach that prepares our farmers for the future,” Senator Ludwig said.

The Federal Government is working with State and Territory Governments to progress new drought policy, with reform a key topic for discussion at the first Standing Council on Primary Industries meeting held in Adelaide.

“As previously agreed with State and Territory Ministers, and recommended by the review of pilot drought reform measures in Western Australia, our reform will see a national framework introduced which focuses on risk management and preparedness, rather than on crisis management,” Senator Ludwig said.

“A major step toward that framework will be phasing out the EC interest rate subsidy, which given the end of the final two EC declarations, will conclude on 30 June this year.”

The development of South Australia’s next major uranium mining development has inched closer after the signing of a 10-year least for the Four Mile site.

State Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis said the lease has been accepted by proponents of the project near the Beverley uranium mine in the state’s far north.

“PACE funding played a crucial role in discovering the resource at Four Mile, one of the most significant uranium deposits anywhere in the world in the past 25 years,” Mr Koutsantonis says.

“The lease accepted by Quasar, an affiliate of Heathgate Resources, the owner and operator of the Beverley Mine, and ASX-listed Alliance Resources allows these joint venturers to develop a mining and rehabilitation program for the Four Mile project.”

The minister said he expects the mine to cater heavily for demand from both China and India.

“China’s domestic production of uranium can only meet a small part of the demand created by its 13 operating nuclear reactors and the 27 more under construction,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“India on the other hand is expected to increase its use of nuclear power from its current three percent of electricity generation to 40 percent by 2050."

The Federal Government has announced it will provide the NSW Government with $57.6 million over five years for three new projects to improve the care and support provided to those living with severe mental illnesses.

Under the new National Partnership Agreement (NP), NSW will receive the largest funding boost of all states and territories.

Outlined in the funding package, the spending will support the following:

• $35.2 million for the expansion of the existing NSW Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) to enable more people to live in the community in stable and secure accommodation, with links to clinical mental health and rehabilitation services for people who require 16 or 24 hour support.
• $12.3 million for the provision of intensive, family focussed support to mothers with mental illness and their children to keep them together, through the provision of high, medium and low packages of care and short term housing.
• $10.2 million for in-reach support services to boarding house residents who have been assessed as having mental health issues, through the provision of 200 continuous and ongoing new low support packages.

Requests for tenders for the initiatives for will be advertised on the NSW Government e-tendering website https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/health/ in May 2012. Interested parties may register on the site to receive e-mail notifications when new tenders are published.