April 25, 2007
DPP Defends Prosecutor
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicholas Cowdery has expressed his full confidence in Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, despite her being disqualified from acting in a legal matter before the District Court.
Ms Cunneen had carried the matter known as “MG” since 2001 but the judges held there would be a perception of unfairness if she prosecuted the trial.
A District Court jury found MG not guilty last week of three counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of detain for advantage.
“The decision of the Court of Criminal Appeal to remove Ms Cunneen was based upon what the Court regarded as unusual circumstances in this case,” Mr Cowdery said.
“I am bound by that decision, as by any other decision of the Court.
“My primary concern has been the expeditious completion of the trial, especially considering the fragmented and disrupted history of the proceedings.
He said another experienced and competent Crown Prosecutor was assigned to complete the matter.
“I remain completely confident that Ms Cunneen will continue to perform her duties as a Crown Prosecutor in a competent and professional manner,” Mr Cowdery said, “with great skill, courage, integrity and commitment.”
Non-publication orders in the matter of MG meant that publication of Ms Cunneen’s removal was not permitted until the trial was completed.
Statutory prohibitions continue in relation to the name of the defendant, who was a minor at the time of the alleged offences.
April 25, 2007
Planning Blueprint
To Cut Red Tape
The major projects law has been amended to cut more red tape from the planning system.
The Department of Planning’s Major Project Assessments Executive Director, Chris Wilson said the changes to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) Act 2005 were made in response to feedback from industry groups, Councils and the community.
“The major projects system has already cut large amounts of red tape and increased public consultation on important proposals,” Mr Wilson said.
“These amendments will help to fine-tune the system and make it work more efficiently and consistently.”
He said under the new arrangements, major projects changes would see:
• GST confirmed as being excluded from the determination of the capital investment value of a major project development;
• developments with a capital investment value of $5 million or less within Port Botany and Sydney Harbour no longer considered as a major project;
• certain remediation projects longer be considered as major projects and now to be assessed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change;
• certain minor Sydney Cricket Ground developments such as landscaping, security cameras and signage exempt from major projects provisions;
• temporary non-sporting events such as concerts at the SCG no longer considered as major projects, to bring the SCG into line with Sydney Olympic Park.
• submarine telecommunications cables and attached devices located in NSW coastal waters considered as major projects.
Mr Wilson said proposals assessed under the major projects system would continue to be subject to rigorous environmental assessment and public consultation to ensure acceptable outcomes.
“The adjustments will provide greater consistency and improve the efficiency of the NSW planning system,” he said.
April 25, 2007
Unemployed Targeted
In Defence Job Hunt
A pilot inititave to help unemployed Australians sign up for a Defence Force career has been launched.
Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson and Federal Minister for Workforce Participation, Dr Sharman Stoned said one of the key aims of the a $1 billion overhaul of Defence Force retention and recruitment rates was to extend the reach of the ADF to a broader recruitment market and create more pathways to military careers through linkages with other organisations.
The Ministers said the pilot trial would see the Government funded employment service provider Job Network work closely with Defence to allow its members to inform job seekers about the many and varied ADF career and training opportunities .
“The six-month trial will be undertaken in a number of regions throughout Australia,” Dr Nelson said.
“This initiative will result in more young Australians making an informed choice about the 213 different ADF career options.”
He said the arrangement would also give Defence Force Recruiting a greater reach into the Australian community.
Job Network members were currently being trained on the ADF career eligibility assessment process so that suitable candidates may be referred to Defence Force Recruiting Centres.
Dr Stone said the Defence Forces offered people great career opportunities.
“By linking Job Network members with their Defence Force Recruiters we hope to see more young Australians being made aware of an ADF career,” Dr Stone said
She said applicants referred through the Job Network would still need to meet the standard ADF entry requirements and that enlistment in the full-time or Reserve elements of the Navy, Army or Air Force would remain entirely voluntary.
April 25, 2007
Police Powers To
Cop Investigation
The NSW Ombudsman has published an issues paper inviting submissions on the exercise of preventative detention and covert search warrant powers.
The Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, is required to scrutinise how these powers – given to police and other agencies under the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 – are exercised and report his findings to the Attorney-General and Minister for Police.
“Our review will focus on how the legislation has been implemented by the relevant Agencies and whether those exercising the powers are complying with their legislative obligations,” Mr Barbour said.
“We will also look at whether the legislation is being implemented fairly and effectively, both from the perspective of those exercising the powers and those who are searched or detained.”
He said the issues paper provided background to the legislation, identified issues for discussion and invited submissions from interested members of the community.
Submissions would be received until 15 June and copies of the issues paper could be obtained from the Ombudsman’s website www.ombo.nsw.gov.
Meanwhile, in a report issued in January the Ombudsman found that police powers were generally exercised with due regard to the rights and interests of the people they dealt with.
April 25, 2007
New Safety Website
Has Chemistry
An updated website with information on hazardous materials has been launched by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.
The ASCC said the new Hazardous Substances Information System website was easier to navigate, looked better and was more flexible than the old one, but remained compliant with the IT requirements of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Although the basic structure and operation of the HSIS would be very similar to the first version, ASCC said a number of new features had been introduced.
New features included:
Simplified search screens that can be expanded to “advanced search” when required
Ability to enter CAS numbers with or without dashes
Improved searching where chemical names have a prefix (for example “3-” or “tert-”). The previous system was unable to search directly for a prefix.
Ability to search for records that were amended within a specified date range
A guide to abbreviations and notes used within a particular column of results can be accessed by clicking on the column heading
Access to pdf documents that contained all the hazardous substance records in the database. The consolidated lists would be updated each time there was a change to the records in the searchable database.
Ability to specify the number of search results displayed on the screen
Ability to print search results in pdf format
The new version would be supported by a revised User Instruction Manual and updated guidance material. A dedicated email box for providing feedback on HSIS would also be available at feedback.HSIS@dewr.gov.au
April 25, 2007
Crook Stats Issued
By
Crime Watchdog
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has reported that crime in NSW decreased or remained stable in the 24 months to December 2006.
Apart from a 4.3 per cent increase in malicious damage to property, BOCSAR said the low rates were part of a six-year trend that started around Christmas 2000.
Bureau Director, Dr Don Weatherburn, said the trends could reflect changing law enforcement activity rather than changing crime.
He said the six-year decline in property crime had now begun to level off, with more categories of crime becoming stable and fewer showing substantial declines.
“The picture for violent crime, particularly assault, is quite different,” Dr Weatherburn said.
“After substantial increases in the recorded rate of assault between 15 and 2002, violent crimes had levelled off and over the last five years begun to show some slight signs of decline.”
Over the 24 months to December 2006, the recorded incidence of break and enter (dwelling) fell 4.1 per cent; break and enter (non-dwelling) fell 2.4 per cent; motor vehicle theft fell 3 per cent; and steal from person fell 6.8 per cent.
The remaining 12 major categories of crime (murder, domestic assault, non-domestic assault, sexual assault, indecent assault, robbery without a weapon, robbery with a firearm, robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, steal from motor vehicle, steal from retail store, steal from a dwelling and fraud) remained stable.
The regional picture generally mirrored the State picture across the 154 Local Government areas, with 94.4 per cent of all trend tests showing either stable or falling crime in each of the 17 major categories.
April 25, 2007
Sign of the Times
For Outdoor Ads
New design rules are proposed for outdoor advertising in an attempt to stamp out clutter and blocked views from roadside signage.
Public comment is being sought on a plan to ensure advertising billboards in transport corridors meet tough new guidelines and contribute to transport safety initiatives.
The draft guidelines will set higher standards for billboards and prevent ugly advertising from dominating the roadside.
Current guidelines mean signs were permitted along freeway and tollway corridors if they were compatible with surrounding land uses.
The draft Transport Corridor Outdoor Advertising Guidelines and amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy 64 have been released for public comment until 16 May.
They will apply to advertising in major transport corridors, such as main roads, highways, freeways, tollways, transitways, railway corridors, bridges or road and rail overpasses.
The guidelines will also ensure signs do not become a safety hazard by distracting drivers.
The proposal includes a new requirement for advertisers who place billboards in major transport corridors to contribute to road and rail safety initiatives.
These contributions could support projects such as new pedestrian bridges and safety fences or railings near roads or railways; improved access to railway stations; improved public amenity; and research into traffic safety or increasing public transport use.
The draft guidelines include photographs of untidy signs confronting motorists which would not be acceptable under the new policy.
The proposed changes can be accessed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/drafts.asp.
April 25, 2007
Bright Outlook for
Lighthouse
Keepers
The Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages and their outbuildings at the Cape Byron Lightstation are about to receive a facelift.
Byron Coast Area Manager for the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, Sue Walker said three months of intensive maintenance and repair works were to be undertaken in a bid to conserve and protect the heritage value of the 100-year-old buildings and improve amenity for visitors.
The works, including planning by DECC and the Cape Byron Trust, would cost about $600,000.
Ms Walker said guttering and downpipes would be replaced while painting of the cottages, repairs to timber features, chimneys, plaster walls and asphalt verandahs would be undertaken.
“Works will also include upgrading plumbing and the connection of the Lighthouse Keepers cottages to mains sewerage,” she said.
“The works are the result of 18 months of planning undertaken to identify and prioritise maintenance works and repairs and included drafting of architectural drawings and a site survey of the precinct.
“An electrical upgrade and safety fencing around the perimeter of the Lighthouse Precinct have already been completed.”
Ms walker said the harsh coastal environment had a significant impact on the buildings. Historically, lighthouse keepers undertook running repairs, painting them regularly to protect against the effects of salt-laden winds.
Ms Walker said the works would not affect public access to the site.
April 25, 2007
University Success
Not a Class Act
Research from the Australian Council for Educational Research has revealed that socio-economic background is no indicator of university success.
The report Completing University: Characteristics and Outcomes of Completing and Non-Completing Students examined completion rates among young people who had commenced a university course in the period 18 to 2001.
The report was based on data from more than 3400 university commencing students from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth still in the survey in 2004 when they were aged 23 years.
The report estimated the expected completion rate of young Australians from a university course was around 80 per cent. However, the expected completion rates ranged from 73 per cent, for those with tertiary entry scores of 60-69, to 94 per cent for those with scores of 90 and more.
“This report showed that the tertiary entry score is the strongest influence on completion, followed by gender,” said the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop.
“It also showed that course completion is not affected by students’ socio-economic background and school sector or, generally, by the field of study of their course.”
Ms Bishop said while attending university but not completing did have benefits in terms of very low unemployment amongst university non-completers, they tended to be in lower status jobs than other Year 12 completers at the same age. She said this was related to their later entry into careers.
“Information from this report will be important to career advisers and to supporting agencies associated with Career Advice Australia,” Ms Bishop said.
Career Advice Australia was established in 2006.
April 25, 2007
Chopper squad
Chops Dumpers
State and Local Government environmental officers have taken to the sky by deploying helicopters and sophisticated cameras to ramp up the fight against illegal dumping.
Officers from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney Catchment Authority and Greater Southern Regional Illegal Dumping squad scouted for suspected illegal dump sites in the Wingecarribee, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla council areas.
DECC acting Head of Waste Operations, Julian Thompson, said the operation was the latest in an initiative called “Eyes in the Sky”, which began in 2006.
Mr Thompson said covert helicopter surveillance was warranted because of the callous disregard illegal dumpers showed for the environment.
“Illegal dumpers have always had to look over their shoulders because of community concern about their actions,” Mr Thompson said. “This surveillance means they'll have to look to the heavens as well.”
He said taking to the skies gave officers a better chance of catching illegal dumpers in the act.
“It also allows us to pinpoint and photograph dump sites so that RID squad officers can commence rapid on-ground investigations.”
Overflown areas included some of the most sensitive parts of the State, including national parks, wilderness areas and much of Sydney's drinking water catchment.
“As well as being extremely unsightly, illegal dumping can contaminate these sensitive lands and waterways and jeopardise the health of neighbours and workers.
“DECC has no intention of tolerating this sort of behaviour,” Mr Thompson said.
“Offenders risk $5000 on-the-spot fines or court-imposed penalties of up to $1 million, as well as hefty clean-up costs,” he said.
April 25, 2007
Arty Party Follows Gallery
Sponsorship
The Art Gallery of New South Wales has entered a sponsorship arrangement which will see the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills open to the public at no charge.
Brett Whiteley was one of Australia’s most gifted, best known and controversial artists.
The Art Gallery of NSW manages the studio and has entered into a partnership with JPMorgan.
According to the Director of the Gallery, Edmund Capon, the new relationship would enable free access to the studio, the development of a new website and the publication of the first comprehensive handbook of the studio, containing many unpublished images of Whiteley at work together with details of his early working life.
Whiteley’s wife, Wendy said her late husband would have been thrilled with the sponsorship.
“His creative spirit is truly felt here and what we have tried to achieve is a glimpse into what was Brett’s private world,” Mrs Whiteley said.
“I hope many people will enjoy the experience and I am very grateful to JPMorgan and the Art Gallery of NSW for keeping the inspiration alive.”
The artist bought the former warehouse in 1985 and converted it into a studio and exhibition space. He lived there from 1988 to 12, the year he died in Thirroul.
In 13 the NSW Government purchased the building together with 10 Whiteley paintings. The studio was opened to the public in 15.
Mr Capon said few changes had been made to the building since Whiteley lived there. The furniture, lighting, collections of memorabilia, postcards, photographs and objects are all as he arranged them.
The music that is played at the studio during opening hours is from Whiteley’s collection.
The upstairs area is scattered with sketchbooks, paint and unfinished paintings, reference books, and walls covered with graffiti including inspiring quotes and images.
Downstairs is the gallery space with a series of changing exhibits of the artist’s and others’ works.
April 25, 2007
Young Go For Doctor
Over Privacy Issues
The privacy of medical information - and whether it should be kept confidential from parents - was one of the key concerns raised by young people during a major inquiry into privacy laws being conducted by the Australian Law Reform Commission.
ALRC President, Professor David Weisbrot said research indicated that young people had attitudes to privacy that differed significantly from those of their parents, grandparents and even older siblings.
“We’ve been holding a series of youth workshops - and have set up a special ‘Talking Privacy’ website aimed at young people - to test this theory,” Professor Weisbrot said.
So far, the youth workshops - aimed at 12 to 25-year-olds - had been held in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Hobart. They explored a range of issues, seeking experiences and opinions about how the privacy laws were working, and what changes should be made for the future.
Privacy in cyberspace - particularly in online spaces such as YouTube and MySpace - was another major issue raised by young people.
“While sites such as YouTube and MySpace might seem like a ‘fad’ to older people, for many young people, that has become the normal, everyday way of communicating with friends, relatives, and people they are just meeting for the first time,” Professor Weisbrot said.
“Laws designed to protect privacy in the outside world struggle to cope with the issues raised by online communities.”
He said, for example, that the online publication of photographs - which may be sensitive and revealing - raised new challenges in relation to consent.
He said however that the issue that raised the most concern in workshops was the way in which personal health information was handled.
“While there is no consensus on the age at which young people are entitled to confidentiality, most of the young people we have spoken to seem clear that at some stage in adolescence, they should have the right to consult a doctor in complete confidence, and expect that this will be kept private, even from well-meaning parents,” he said.
Professor Weisbrot said that young people from all over Australia had a chance to contribute to the ALRC’s Privacy Inquiry.
“By logging on to the ALRC’s ‘Talking Privacy’ website you can ‘Have Your Say’ online. This could be a story about an experience with a privacy issue, or a suggestion for change.
“You might just want to alert the ALRC to an issue that has caused you some concern. Or you can respond to the questions in the case studies available on the website.”
April 25, 2007
NSW Landcare Lands
Federal Praise
An innovative recycling system that saved 11,000 litres of water a day for a northern New South Wales dairy farm has been used by the Commonwealth as an example of the benefits of landcare projects.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sussan Ley, made the claim while taking part in the 10th annual Pollie Pedal to raise funds for breast cancer research and inspecting projects around Grafton funded through the Commonwealth’s National Landcare Program and Natural Heritage Trust Envirofund.
“Landcare projects like these in the Northern Rivers region are helping Australian farms be more productive, more profitable and more sustainable by improving the condition of soil, water and vegetation,” Ms Ley said.
One program at the Weatherstone family’s Orana Park dairy involved an effluent management system that contained and recycled all effluent and nutrients generated by the farm.
The waste was spread over 12 hectares of fodder crops, cutting the farm’s water use by 11,000 litres a day, improving soil health and minimising the use of chemicals.
Ms Ley also visited Pauline and Vincent Wallace’s property Boonooloo, part of an Envirofund project in the district that has helped stabilise riverbanks, protect vegetation and plant thousands of native trees, shrubs and grasses.
She said there were groups of land carers all around Australia who were improving their environments.
“It’s the members of these groups who are doing the hard yakka – they are out there weeding and planting and making a difference on the ground,” Ms Ley said.
“The Landcare movement is not only changing the Australian landscape, but may also be a vital factor in helping our agriculture industries and our environment survive climatic changes.”
Both projects near Grafton were developed through the local Waterlands Landcare Group.
Envirofund has committed around $7 million to more than 500 projects in the Northern Rivers region since 2002.
April 25, 2007
Ombudsmen Combine
For Fair Go Forum
The Good Service Committee is to convene a forum on Indigenous consumer issues in Bankstown in May.
An alliance of the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW, Legal Aid NSW, the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, NSW Office of Fair Trading, NSW Ombudsman and Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman, the Good Service Committee will play host to the morning session and in the afternoon help people with individual concerns.
The organisers have encouraged interested people to come along, have a yarn and let fly with their complaints.
Among the morning issues to be canvassed and discussed will be banks, credit cards and loans; businesses, contractors and consumer rights; discrimination; electricity, gas and water companies; Federal Government agencies (such as Centrelink and the Australian Taxation Office); legal issues; State Government agencies (housing, police, child protection, community services and correctional centres); telephone, mobile and internet companies.
In the afternoon Agencies will be available to discuss individual inquiries.
The Good Service Committee was formed to ensure Indigenous Australians become aware of their rights as consumers.
Community welfare workers, Government client support workers who serve Indigenous consumers and members of the Indigenous community itself are encouraged to attend.
Another forum is scheduled for the Coffs Harbour region in August where it will be convened in Lismore.
April 25, 2007
Fire Brigade Scales
Employer Awards
The New South Wales Fire Brigade has been named the State Employer of the Year Award in recognition of its contribution to the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
At a presentation ceremony on-board HMAS Melbourne at Garden Island, the NSW Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council recognised employers who had supported their employees with workplace policies that allowed them to serve in the Defence reserves.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Peter Lindsay, and Chairman of the NSW Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council, John Jobling, presented the awards which recognised a record 35 NSW employers.
Mr Lindsay said to be eligible for an employer support award, organisations must have a supportive leave policy in place and have released their employees for an extended period of reserve service. Awards were presented in the categories of Government, large private enterprise, medium private enterprise and small private enterprise.
“In an environment of heightened operational tempo, the Australian Defence Force Reserves are being called upon to play an increasingly vital part in the fulfillment of Defence objectives,” Mr Lindsay said.
“These awards are our way of publicly saying thank you to employers of reservists for their contribution to ADF capability.”
Award recipients were:
NSW Fire Brigade (state award);
Among other PS agencies to be recognised were:
NSW Police Waratah Station;
Rail Corp NSW;
Western Sydney Area Health Service (award);
Coffs Harbour Health Campus;
Correctional Services Bathurst;
Dubbo Ambulance Service;
NSW Police Katoomba;
NSW Police South-East Asian Crime Squad;
Oberon High School;
NSW TAFE Chullora Campus;
Denison College Bathurst High Campus; and
NSW Ministry of Transport.
April 18, 2007
Efficiency to Pay Higher
Dividend
A 50 per cent increase in the efficiency dividend has been imposed on Departments and Agencies as a means of redirecting Government expenditure to higher priorities.
The 2006-07 Half-Yearly Budget Review contains the increase, raising the total dividend by $100 million in 2008-09 to $300 million and extending it to 2009-10.
The review says the move will focus on reducing unnecessary overheads and accords with an audit report from last year which recommended the efficiency dividend be extended indefinitely.
The Review also announces that public sector superannuation liabilities have been revalued upwards by $1 billion since the Budget and the intention of eliminating the unfunded superannuation liability by 2030 remained on track.
The Review reports the Government carried a net debt at $1.2 billion in June 2006, just 0.4 per cent of Gross State Product which was a significant fall from the 7.1 per cent of GSP carried in 15.
“Based on this, Standard and Poor’s has recently confirmed New South Wales’ AAA credit rating,” the Review says.
It expects this year’s Budget’s bottom line to be $1 million better off than the Budget forecast, recording a $497 million deficit instead of $696 million and has revised the forward years projections.
“Projected State taxation revenues have been revised marginally downwards since the Budget Time,
“Since the Budget, projected net financial liabilities have been revised upwards.”
The Review says the Government remained on track to deliver on its record capital expenditure program but growth in the State economy would be below the national average due to higher interest rates and the effects of the drought.
“Any further interest rate increases would have a significant negative impact on the NSW economy,” it says.
The report can be accessed and downloaded at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au
April 18, 2007
GST On Moving Staff
Is Taxing Problem
Departments and Agencies have been warned that seconding staff from one Government Agency to another may give rise to a GST liability.
In a recent Treasury Circular, Treasury head John Pierce says the Australian Taxation Office had provided the Government with a private ruling that may assist Agencies understand whether the GST liability exists.
According to Mr Pierce, the secondment of staff is a “taxable supply” when that supply is for consideration - such as when a receiving Agency pays the salaries and on-costs for seconded staff..
An earlier Treasury Circular advised agencies affected by restructures to form “GST Groups” to remove the need to pay GST or claim input credits.
“Where the formation of a GST Group is not practicable or possible then GST must be paid on the remuneration and on-costs,” the Circular says.
The Circular attaches a copy of the ATO’s private ruling and urges Agencies to read it and decide for themselves whether it has application in their case.
“Where there is any doubt, Agencies should consult their own tax advisers and if necessary seek a separate private ruling from the ATO.”
The ATO’s private ruling makes the point that where there are insufficient facts to determine whether or not there has been a supply for GST purposes, “then prima facie there can be no taxable supply.”
April 18, 2007
Libs’ Job Plan Is
Ads
For the Boys
The NSW Opposition has called on the Government to advertise all senior Public Service vacancies.
Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell made the call saying Premier Morris Iemma had made two major appointments without an open recruitment process.
"First Michael Coutts-Trotter was appointed Director-General of the Education Department,” Mr O'Farrell said.
"Now there are reports the former Director-General of the Premier's Department will be replaced by the current Director-General of Health – again without any open and transparent recruitment process.
He said all senior public service appointments should be advertised: “just like the recruitment of the next Police Commissioner,” to ensure the people of NSW get the best individual for the job.
Mr O’Farrell said senior appointments within the NSW public sector should be based on merit and experience and that this wasn’t happening.
"That simply isn't happening and the services for the people of NSW are suffering as a result,” he said.
Mr O’Farrell said the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet was the most senior public servant in NSW.
He said the machinery of Government had not “changed course despite the Premier promising to take new directions.
April 18, 2007
DoCS Reforms Are
Not Kids Stuff
The Department of Community Services has reformed the licensing of children’s services in a bid to improve efficiency, safety and consistency.
The main reform is a move to centralised licensing that will have certain implications for children’s service providers.
Other reforms to be introduced include:
* Children's services licences will now be received, processed and issued centrally at DoCS’ Head Office instead of Regional Offices;
* The Children’s Services Directorate at DoCS’ Head Office will operate as a one-stop shop for all licensing needs
* Regional Children’s Services Advisers will continue to conduct compliance activities and report the outcomes to DoCS' Head Office .
DoCS' Head Office will set up a list of approved Supervisors which will speed up the approval process and involves less paperwork.
Under the new system current forms and processes had been simplified to make the system more accessible, easy to follow and to avoid information duplication. Guides had been developed to assist applicants and licensees complete application forms.
According to DoCS, central licensing started on 2 April 2007 for licensees with more than 20 services across two or more DoCS regions. The rest will be be phased in on a regional basis.
Amendments to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 18 covering the registration of out of school hours care services came into effect on 23 February 2007.
Under the amendments a children's service will have to have two authorised supervisors ; probity checks will be carried out on all people over 14 years living with a family day carer; regulations will be made for out of school hours care; hospitals or health services will be exempt from licensing requirements for informal child minding services; and pre-school services will need to be licensed.
Briefing sessions will be held by DoCS to support schools in meeting regulatory requirements with the implementation of licensing of school based preschools commencing in 2008.
April 18, 2007
Botanists’ Plant
Millionth Record
Botanists from the Royal Sydney Botanical Gardens have been contributing to a data base set up to catalogue all of the world’s living organisms.
Known as the Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, over one million species have now been catalogued in a world-first project which includes plants and animals as well as fungi and bacteria.
Botanist Karen Wilson coordinated contributions to the database from the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.
“One million records is a major milestone for the project and puts us well on the way to cataloguing every known species on earth,” Mrs Wilson said.
“Here at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens our botanists have been contributing information to the Catalogue of Life from their research on cycads, eucalypts and She sheoaks.”
She said the million records milestone was “just the start.”
“The Catalogue of Life is increasingly being used by other projects as the index to all sorts of other information about the world’s organisms. This project takes advantage of internet technology to collate information gathered over centuries from every corner of the globe.”
The making of the Catalogue of Life has involved the work of 3000 biologists and is the result of a worldwide collaboration involving about 50 contributing databases.
The project plans to cover all estimated 1.75 million known species by 2011.
April 18, 2007
Forestry Statue Cut
Down by Vandals
A memorial to NSW’s and Australia’s first professional forester has been attacked and destroyed by vandals.
The memorial to Norman Jolly at Dorrigo Plateau was totally demolished in a random attack recently.
Dorrigo Plateau Area Manager for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dave Hitchcock said it appeared vandals had used a four-wheel drive vehicle to tear the whole structure down by wrapping a chain around the Norman Jolly stone cairn monument.
"It is such a shame to realise there are people in the community with such little regard for local history that they would stoop so low as to damage this site," Mr Hitchcock said.
He said tourism benefits for the entire Dorrigo Plateau community were derived from the popular Moonpar Forest Drive, through Nymboi Binderay National Park, of which the Norman Jolly Memorial Grove is part.
Mr Hitchcock said the memorial commemorated the work of Norman William Jolly who contributed much to the teaching and practice of professional forestry in Australia. It was unveiled in 1957 in what was then Moonpar State Forest.
Holding many positions in his illustrious career, Mr Jolly was South Australia's first Rhodes scholar and served as a lecturer and Professor in Forestry at Adelaide University, Director of Forestry in Queensland and Commissioner of Forests in NSW.
Mr Hitchcock said plans were already underway to have the monument returned to its rightful position amongst a stand of gigantic tallowwood trees in Nymboi Binderay National Park.
April 18, 2007
Radio Broadcast
Makes Waves
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the licensee of commercial radio 2GB Sydney had breached the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice by broadcasting material that was likely to encourage violence.
ACMA also found that the licensee broadcast material on its Breakfast with Alan Jones show that was likely to vilify people of Lebanese background and of Middle-Eastern background on the basis of their ethnicity.
While ACMA found that the material was presented for a purpose that was in the public interest – i.e. a discussion of factors contributing to unrest in the Cronulla area of southern Sydney in December 2005 – I also found that the relevant comments were not presented reasonably and in good faith.
Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan has called on the commercial radio industry to review the code.
“Under the co-regulatory regime, the code was developed by industry in consultation with ACMA,” Senator Coonan said.
“. The regulator applies the guidelines set out under the code.”
She said she was particularly mindful of the talkback radio format which had been the subject of complaints under the Code recently.
“In my view, effective Codes of Practice would apply standards no higher than those which are contained in comparable legislation.”
She called on the industry and ACMA to bring forward a review planned for later this year to allow interested parties to have a voice and ensure good quality broadcasting and programming could continue.
“A review will give the public and the commercial radio industry an opportunity to comment on the Code, and in particular on those parts of it which have been the subject of most recent concern.”
During the investigation, 2GB submitted that ACMA’s analysis of the code and findings raised significant practical problems for commercial radio licensees, especially those that provide talk-back services.
ACMA noted this was the third time that the licensee has been found in breach of the vilification provision of the code in the last six months for broadcasts that occurred in the past two years.
In addition to the breaches relating to Breakfast with Alan Jones, ACMA had also found the licensee to have breached the Code in its Your Sydney Weekend and The Open-Line Show.
In light of the repeated failings, ACMA has indicated it would move to pursue significantly heightened compliance measures in relation to the potential for future breaches.
April 18, 2007
Chemical Control
Close to Solution
A discussion paper on how best to control chemicals that could pose security risks has received widespread public comment over the past three months.
Commonwealth Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock and Federal Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran, said that more than 90 submissions had been received in the consultative period to 1 March 2007 as part of the Council of Australian Government’s Review of Hazardous Materials.
The Ministers said the discussion paper was the first part of a review of the use and supply of chemicals of security concern to prevent their possible use in a terrorist incident.
They said Australia was moving towards arrangements that accounted for the potential risks of some chemicals, however, the key objective was to strike a balance between national security needs and the legitimate access to chemicals by farmers for their day-to-day business.
Submissions were received from a range of stakeholders including:
State and national peak bodies representing different sectors with an interest in chemicals
Australian Government and State government departments
importers and exporters
farmers
chemical manufacturers
chemical distributors and suppliers
chemical users
transport and maritime industries
education and research institutions, and
unions
The review process was being further informed through an Industry Consultation Group, that provided advice to all Governments on workable solutions that achieve the security outcome.
The concerns of farmers, in particular, had been taken on board and they, along with other stakeholders, would be encouraged to take part in a second round of consultations later this year. A report to COAG would then follow.
Implementation of the report’s recommendations was not expected to commence until 2008 at the earliest.
April 18, 2007
Beekeepers Smoked
Out In DPI Sting
The Department of Primary Industries has cracked down on beekeepers in the Young district, finding numerous offences relating to unreported disease, unregistered apiaries and unidentified brood boxes.
The Department however congratulated the beekeepers on a high level of compliance with the NSW Apiaries Act.
DPI regulations specialist, Mick Rankmore, said the Young district had long been recognised as a potential hot-spot for American Foulbrood, the most serious brood disease of honey bees in New South Wales and notifiable under the Apiaries Act. The disease has been found in all States of Australia.
“A possible reason is the fact that orchardists often keep a few hives to assist with pollination requirements for cherries and other fruit and may not be aware of their disease prevention responsibilities,” Mr Rankmore said.
“The operation was intended to raise awareness and to investigate whether breaches were occurring among beekeepers and orchardists.
He said of the 92 properties inspected, which including orchards and urban sites, a compliance rate of 77 per cent was found at the 26 properties with beehives.
“No major incidences of AFB were detected, but some hives were destroyed,” Mr Rankmore said.
While compliance levels were strong, 12 offences were detected that covered failure to notify disease, keeping bees in unidentified brood boxes and keeping bees while unregistered.
Mr Rankmore said investigations were continuing, with some beekeepers likely to face penalties and others to receive written warnings.
Under the NSW Apiaries Act, beekeepers must immediately notify NSW DPI if the disease is found.
NSW DPI is the lead agency in relation to prevention of and response to animal and plant disease outbreaks, with regulatory operations playing an important part of its role in the protection of key industries including the honey bee industry.
Involving six regulatory officers, Mr Rankmore said the Young AFB operation proved to be an excellent way to test the Department’s formal training in how to plan and execute a complex team-based operation.
Further operations at various locations across the State have been planned by the DPI.
April 18, 2007
People Power The Key
To Human Capital
The first tranche of reforms under a national plan to improve productivity is to be introduced in NSW, the Premier announcing action plans under the National Reform Agenda.
Premier, Morris Iemma, has confirmed his Government’s commitment to the success of the reform under the Council of Australian Governments’ National Reform Agenda adopted in April this year.
The NRA recognised that investing in human capital would enhance productivity and participation and Mr Iemma said NSW realised the benefits for both the economy and individuals that approach.
He said the NSW action plans for the three priority areas of Literacy and Numeracy, Diabetes, and Early Childhood and Childcare described the Government's policies, programs and other initiatives over the next four years.
He said the plans also recommended complementary actions by the Commonwealth Government.
The Premier said more than $1.2 billion hasdbeen committed under the NSW plans which contained 161 actions and also aligned with and addressed the priorities set out in the NSW State Plan.
Mr Iemma said the NSW Government would continue to give priority to policies and programs relating to the human capital and supported a 10-year program under the NRA.
He said a favourable response from the Commonwealth Government to the recommendations in the NSW action plans would enable more to be done sooner.
April 18, 2007
Fire Brigade Shows
Off Hot New Talent
Twenty three firefighters have graduated as Station Officers in the NSW Fire Brigade after completing a nine-week development program.
NSW Fire Commissioner, Greg Mullins congratulated the graduates saying Station Officers managed fire stations and teams of firefighters, provided leadership and command at all types of emergencies as well as fulfilling specialised management roles.
“Being a Station Officer in the NSWFB is a huge responsibility,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“The course is extremely demanding and they have met every challenge presented to them.
He said each graduating Station Officer had received training in administration, human resource management and specialist skills to lead emergency operations including rescues, chemical spills, bush and building fires and even dealing with the aftermath of a terrorist attack.
As the first officer to rise through the ranks to become Chief Executive Officer of the NSWFB, Commissioner Mullins said he was well aware of the dedication the fire officers had shown.
“The officers have a minimum of nine years’ extensive experience on the front line at fire stations across NSW,” he said.
“The training they have received will enable them to lead their colleagues in any emergency situation.”
The new Station Officers have been assigned to their respective posts and will shortly take up their positions with the NSWFB at the following posts :
Stephen Shields – Burwood; Bruce Gow - The Rocks; Leigh Mackintosh – Pyrmont; Iain McGuire – Parramatta; Glenn Edwards – Burwood; Roger Mentha - Training College; Alex Marschall - The Rocks; Rodney Davis - Hazmat (Greenacre); Cheryl Steer – Bankstown; Stuart Harvey - Hazmat (Greenacre); Jamie Sewell - The Rocks; Bruce McIntosh - Chester Hill; Simon McIntosh – Alexandria; Scott Morgan – Eastwood; Paul Creed – Pyrmont; Daniel Gibson - Work Place Assessor; Jason Murphy – Queanbeyan; Andrew Dadley – Newtown; Hewon Parry – Burwood; Dale Wade-Ferrell – Penrith; Roger Whight – Pyrmont; James Fenech – Parramatta; and Matthew Murray – Burwood.
April 18, 2007
Toolkit to Screw Down
Legal Cases
A new legal toolkit has been released to help people fight back if they feel they have been discriminated against.
Launched by Elizabeth Evatt, QC the toolkit provides easy-to-understand information and tips on how to run a discrimination complaint from start to finish.
“Freedom from discrimination is a basic human right,” Ms Evatt said. “This new toolkit will help people navigate the discrimination law system so they can stand up for that
right.”
The Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre, the Kingsford Legal Centre, Legal Aid NSW and the Australian Institute of Administrative Law joined forces to fund the toolkit and produced it as a partnership.
Legal Aid and the two community legal Centres were key organisations providing anti-discrimination advice and casework services in NSW and identified a gap in the resources available to clients who had experienced discrimination and wished to make a formal complaint.
As a long-time fighter against discrimination, Ms Evatt is aware of the stress and confusion that can arise in people dealing with the legal system, who sometimes did not get the results they want.
She said there had been many changes in the way individuals and organisations treat people that came about because of the discrimination law system.
“This toolkit is timely and sends out an important message – rights are important, but they only work when you know how to pursue them,” Ms Evatt said.
April 18, 2007
Radio Awards
Easy as ABC
The ABC has announced the finalists in its 2007 Local Radio Awards which recognise the talent and dedication of ABC Local Radio staff who deliver radio services to local communities around Australia.
Open to all broadcasters and producers from the ABC’s nine metropolitan and 51 regional radio stations across the country, the categories recognise individual and station excellence and include metropolitan and regional broadcaster and station of the year, sports and rural broadcasting and website production, as well as coverage of significant local community events and outside broadcasts.
Director of ABC Radio and Regional Content, Sue Howard, who was on the Awards judging panel, said she was impressed with both the experienced nominees as well as the performance of finalists who were nominated this year for the first time.
“There are a number of new names and faces in contention for the Awards this year, and that is a reflection of the calibre of new talent emerging across the Local Radio network,” she said.
The winners of the 2007 ABC Local Radio Awards would be announced in Newcastle on Thursday 3 May at a ceremony hosted by 702 ABC Sydney Evenings and ABC TV New Inventors presenter James O’Loghlin.
The Awards would be complemented by a two-day Forum for finalists and Local Radio delegates to discuss a wide range of topics including the future of the ABC over the next five years, building strong local communities and maintaining creativity and energy in the work environment.
April 18, 2007
Warm welcome At
Fire Brigade Party
An open day for the NSW Fire Brigades is to be held on Saturday, 28 April with visiting hours between 10am and 2pm.
Stations across the State will be open for viewing to give members of the public, the opportunity to see gain first hand the workings of the station and the equipment.
Demonstrations will be held at some stations covering a range of activities including firefighting and vehicle rescue techniques.
Visitors will be able to talk with their local firefighters, climb over the fire trucks, check out the fire station, equipment and historic memorabilia, pick up vital fire safety information and join in a sausage sizzle.
Traditionally held a month before winter, the Open Day provides a chance for families to prepare themselves for what is usually the worst season for home fires.
The NSW Fire Brigade said that between 1 June and 31 August 2006, there were 1,328 residential fires, which represented 30 per cent of all home fires (4,433) for 2006.
A range of fire safety information will be provided on Open Day, including where to install smoke alarms and how to maintain them, how to create a home escape plan, how to call the NSW Fire Brigades in an emergency using 000, potential fire hazards associated with faulty electric blankets, heaters and appliances, and other winter fire safety information.
April 18, 2007
Bus Priority Plan
Just the Ticket
The Roads and Transit Authority has confirmed its commitment to installing the Public Transport Information and Priority System across the entire bus network including the North West T-Way.
A spokesperson for the RTA said that contrary to recent media coverage, bus priority measures were already operating on the North West T-way and the full roll out of the PTIPS system would follow in the future.
The spokesperson said satellite technology, already in use around the Sydney area, would assist in identifying problem areas with late-running buses.
“The RTA is working closely with the Ministry of Transport to implement the Public Transport Information and Priority System,” the spokesperson said.
“PTIPS uses satellite technology to identify late running buses and communicates with the RTA’s traffic management system to direct traffic signal priority to late running buses.
The spokesperson said the RTA and Ministry of Transport introduced the technology in 2006 on routes between Hurstville and Miranda, Liverpool and Bankstown and State Transit Route 400.
“The successful introduction of the technology on these routes demonstrated that PTIPS is capable of improving bus service reliability by ensuring that the next service is able to commence on time,” the spokesperson said.
Tenders were called in mid-2006 for the installation of the PTIPS technology on 4000 buses and the RTA now has a shortlist of companies to choose from to install the system.
April 18, 2007
Police Take Blue To
Greener Pastures
The NSW Police Force has taken the award-winning blue light dance party program to youth in the west of the State as part of Youth Week.
As a way of showing its commitment to the program, the NSW Police Force and the Blue Light Unit will be working around the clock to take five discos to five regional locations in just five days.
Free of charge, with prizes and giveaways at each event, the discos are aimed at providing safe places for youth to go for entertainment and fun in the holidays and provide a safe environment free of drugs, alcohol and intimidation.
Three police officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command’s The Entrance Blue Light, the biggest blue light in NSW, have volunteered to head west, taking with them a purpose built trailer with the latest sound system and light displays.
The discos run for three hours from 6.30pm to 9.30pm in each of the five centres and provide canteen facilities for food and drink with the proceeds going back to the local communities.
Top 40 music is played at the venues by DJs and youth are be invited to participate in the dance factory competition — a play station dancing game using two dance mats and a giant screen.
The disco is visiting – or has already been to - Brewarrina, Walgett; Collarenebri, Lightning Ridge and Coonamble.
April 18, 2007
Artists Called to
Pencil In Award
Aboriginal artists have been invited to submit works for the National Parks and Wildlife Service Northern Rivers Region Aboriginal Art Award to be held in collaboration with the Grafton Regional Gallery this year.
The Aboriginal Art will be on show in Grafton from 4 to 12 July with the official opening on Wednesday 11 July from 10am to 12noon.
NPWS Regional Manager, Mark Johnston, said Aboriginal artists living in, or associated with, the Northern Rivers region were invited to submit works exploring the theme Past - Present – Future.
“The art competition aims to raise community awareness of Indigenous artists and culture in the region and provides a locally based opportunity for Aboriginal artists to exhibit work,” Mr Johnston said.
"NPWS works closely with Aboriginal people across the Northern Rivers. The Art Award is an important vehicle for building strong links with the Indigenous community.”
In its sixth year, the Art Award received around 100 entries last year with first prize going to Karla Dickens for her painting entitled "Spirit".
Mr Johnston said the new partnership with regional galleries had been successful in raising the profile of the Art Award.
“Next year the exhibition will be held at Tweed Regional Gallery," he said.
"Exhibiting in a regional gallery is good for artists.
“It provides a great opportunity for artists to gain professional recognition, and winning a prize from a regional gallery is a great boost for an artist's career development."
Accomplished Indigenous artist, Djon Mundine who is originally from the Grafton area, has accepted an invitation to judge this year's award.
Awards will be presented in several categories, including first prize of $3000, an award for 3 dimensional artwork of $1000, a collaborative award for artworks created by Aboriginal and non Aboriginal artists of $1000, a youth award of $500 and a People's Choice award of $1000 sponsored by Southern Cross University's Gnibi College.
April 11, 2007
Opposition Cuts
PS Slash Policy
The Public Service Association has welcomed the Opposition’s rejection of its plan to slash 20,000 public sector jobs.
New Opposition leader, Barry O’Farrell, announced the party policy had been scrapped following mass rallies against the plan and its prominence in the recent State election.
The job-cut strategy led to former Opposition Leader, Peter Debnam being heavily targeted for promoting it as a key Liberal Party policy.
PSA Assistant General Secretary, Steve Turner said the Liberal party did the right thing by realising the removal of 20,000 frontline support workers would devastate service delivery in NSW.
"We fought a long hard battle to protect public sector workers in the 18 months leading up to the State election,” Mr Turner said.
“We welcome the commitment from Mr O'Farrell to dump job cuts."
The job-cut plan was also unpopular among a number of Liberal party members, with those who were against the policy congratulating Mr O’Farrel for abolishing it.
Mr Turner said he and the PSA were committed to ensuring job security for Public Sector staff and the promotion of better services for the NSW community.
"The message from the voting public on March 24 was very clear - the people of NSW want better services, not job cuts,” Mr Turner said.
"Both sides of politics should think twice before considering any cuts to the public sector," he said.
April 11, 2007
Retirees Anger Over
Future Fund’s Past
Former Commonwealth Public Servants have rejected implications in the recent Future Fund debate that the rich fund had been established solely for their benefit.
The Superannuated Commonwealth Officers’ Association has leapt to the defence its former colleagues, Federal President , Ewan Hazell refuting media claims that the Future Fund was set up to pay billions of dollars in “unfunded liabilities” as pensions for retired Public Servants
“That the Future Fund was established to pay for /Defence pensions is understandable,” Mr Hazell said, “because that is what the (Federal) Government often says.”
“The truth is that these Commonwealth./Defence pensions have historically
been paid from annual revenue collections.”
He said there was ample evidence to show that the Commonwealth would continue to pay the superannuation entitlements of its staff from collections into the future without the need for the Future Fund.
Government documents supported this view, he said, with at least two reporting “that such expenditure will fall significantly as a percentage of gross domestic product.”
He said the true purpose of the Future Fund s was to meet the future costs of an ageing population.
“The Future Fund was established to fund the escalating cost of health and aged care due to Australia’s ageing population,” Mr Hazell said.
He dismissed claims in the newspapers that Commonwealth Public Service pensions were “over-inflated,” pointing out that the average Commonwealth and Defence superannuation pension was $20,649 a year, which was $1200 less than the combined married rate of the aged pension.
“That modest (PS) pension usually supports both members of a couple and is linked to the Consumer Price Index, unlike other Government-funded pensions that go by a more realistic and fairer wage-based index,” he said.
Mr Hazell also made the point that the majority of Commonwealth and Defence superannuants who belonged to untaxed superannuation schemes would receive little or no benefit from the new superannuation taxation arrangements due to be introduced on 1 July.
He said if the Future Fund money was there to pay unfunded superannuation obligations it would be wisest for the Government to invest it in a superannuation scheme.
April 11, 2007
PS Marching to
Union Tune
Public Sector employees were more likely to be trade union members than employees in the private sector according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau has reported that 43 per cent of PS staff were union members compared with 15 per cent of those in the private workforce.
Overall, the Bureau said there had been a fall in the number of trade union members with one in five employees (1.8 million people) signed up to a union for their main job in August 2006, which was a fall of 6.6 per cent from the 1.9 million members recorded in August 2005.
The proportion of total employees who were trade union members also decreased over the 12-month period, from 22 per cent to 20 per cent.
Other findings of the ABS on trade union membership last August 2006 included:
full-time employees were more likely to be trade union members than part-time employees – 22 per cent of full-time employees compared with 16 per cent of part-time employees.
male employees were more likely to be union members than female employees (21 per cent and 19 per cent respectively).
the occupation group with the highest proportion of employees who were in their union was “machinery operators and drivers” (35 per cent).
the industries with the highest proportion of employees who were trade union members were “electricity, gas, water and waste services” and “education and training” (both 39 per cent).
Tasmania boasted the highest proportion of unionised employees (27 per cent) of any State or Territory.
In August 2006, the Bureau said the mean weekly earnings of employees in all jobs was $862, an increase of $55 (6.8 per cent) over the previous 12 months. Mean weekly earnings of employees in their main job was $851. Full-time employees earned on average $1045 per week in their main job, compared with $388 for part-time employees. The mean weekly earnings for full-time male employees was $1122 and for full-time female employees it was $908.
Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of employees had paid leave entitlements in August 2006.
The proportion of full-time employees with paid leave entitlements was 86 per cent, compared with 43 per cent of part-time employees. A higher proportion of male employees had paid leave entitlements than female employees (76 per cent compared with 70 per cent).
April 11, 2007
MPs Investigate
Electoral Office
The Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is to examine the Australian Electoral Commission’s Divisional office structure and report to the Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn.
Mr Nairn requested the Committee enquire into the AEC offices, in particular exploring the advantages and disadvantages of co-locating Divisional Offices, the numbers and levels of staff in Divisional Offices and whether their career prospects where affected.
In the terms of reference the Minister gave the Committee he also asked it to examine:
whether current arrangements met community expectations for the appropriate use of staffing resources;
the level of staffing required to meet ongoing habitation reviews;
whether current APS staffing levels were appropriate for the work of Divisional Offices; and
other issues relating to the staffing of divisional and central offices
The Committee has been asked to respond to the Minister on or before 17 September 2007:
Committee Chair, Victorian MP Sophie Mirabella, said the enquiry would provide a valuable opportunity to review the adequacy and effectiveness of some aspects of AEC’s administration.
“In particular,” Ms Mirabella said, “the Committee will scrutinise the adequacy of co-location of Divisional Offices.”
She said in its 2001 Federal Election report, the Committee questioned the effectiveness of co-locating Divisional offices.
She said in 2003 the committee was unconvinced that the AEC had addressed its concerns about co-location, which included the possible loss of local electoral knowledge; the impact that could have on the accuracy of electoral rolls; the possibility of a reduced service to electors, Members of Parliament and candidates; the possibility that electoral education and similar functions would be reduced, and that there could be a reduced number of permanent staff conducting elections.
The Committee would accept written submissions from the public which could be sent to JSCEM, PO Box 6021, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2601, by Friday, 5 May 2007.
April 11, 2007
ABC Tunes Up For
Birthday Concerts
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is to hold a series of concerts and community events across Australia to commemorate its 75th anniversary this year.
ABC Chairman Maurice Newman launched the program of birthday celebrations at a reception in Parliament House attended by Ministers, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives.
The ABC’s official birthday is Sunday 1 July – 75 years to the day from when Prime Minister Joseph Lyons proclaimed the launch of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
“For 75 years the ABC has been a distinctive part of the Australian way of life,” Mr Newman said.
“As Australia’s only national broadcaster, the ABC has shared its history and development with the growth of our nation – becoming an important part of Australia’s heritage while reflecting the nation’s cultural diversity.”
He said the ABC would open its doors to local communities around the country this year in a program of community Open Days to celebrate the historic occasion. The ABC would host a birthday concert in 14 locations around Australia – in capital cities and regional Australia.
“Celebrations will include studio presentations, classical and jazz concerts, studio tours and visits, and talks from local television and radio presenters, both old and new,” Mr Newman said/
Managing Director of the ABC, Mark Scott said the Corporation expected to celebrate with more than a million Australians as the Open Day program rolled out over the coming months.
“This is a chance for people to celebrate the history of the ABC and to experience their ABC in a unique way,” Mr Scott said.
“With 60 Local ABC Radio stations across the nation, from Broome to Hobart, Cairns to Albany – the ABC is at the heart of many local communities, whether it’s listening to one of our 4 national radio networks, 3 internet radio stations, watching ABC TV or ABC2, or downloading content from ABC Online – the ABC is there informing and entertaining local audiences.”
April 11, 2007
Education Gets ‘A’
In Class Sizes
Class sizes in NSW schools have been cut by four places in the past 10 years according to Education Minister, John Della Bosca.
Mr Della Bosca said the Government had bettered its four-year targets in the early years of schooling which were set in 2003.
He said the goals of reducing class sizes to 20 for kindergarten, 22 for Year 1, and 24 for Year 2 had already been achieved
An audit in March revealed that the average class sizes were now 19.2 for Kindergarten, 21.1 for Year 1, and 22.6 for year 2.
“The successful implementation of the of the final stage of the program means that the typical child starting Year 2 today will enter a class with about four fewer students than in 17,” Mr Della Bosca said.
April 11, 2007
Price Surge Plan
For Electricity
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has released a draft determination that would see electricity prices for residential and small business customers rise by around 5 per cent (plus inflation) each year for the next three years.
Under the determination, prices will vary according to the amount of electricity used but residential customers were expected to pay around $1.40 to $1.80 more per week from July 2007. There will be similar increases in each of the two subsequent years.
Chief Executive of IPART, Jim Cox, said the increases were necessary to ensure NSW’s electricity supplies remained viable.
“Higher electricity prices in NSW are necessary to ensure the residents of New South Wales continue to have access to a safe and reliable electricity supply,” Mr Cox said.
“Wholesale electricity prices need to be set at a level which attracts investment in generation in New South Wales and also enables retailers to meet their obligations to greenhouse gas emissions and purchases of renewable energy.”
He said these included costs associated with the Government’s new renewable energy target scheme.
“Retail prices also need to be sufficient to recover the costs incurred in selling electricity in a competitive market and to compensate retailers for the risks they face.”
NSW electricity consumers had had the option of choosing their supplier and negotiating a contract or staying with the standard retailer on a regulated tariff since January 2002.
Mr Cox said customers who had not negotiated a contract would come under the draft report.
He said factors that impacted on the price rise included:
• Increased energy purchase costs (except for Country Energy)
• The need to improve network reliability
• Increased retail operating costs due to competition
• And increased retail margins.
Mr Cox said electricity retailers would have discretion to set their own prices, subject to an overall maximum price level determined by IPART.
Comments on the draft determination would be received until 2 May 2007, after which IPART would make a final determination and the new prices would take effect on 1 July.
April 11, 2007
A Thousand Attend
Grand Ceremony
More than a thousand graduates of the NSW Riverina Institute at Wagga Wagga were presented with their testamurs at a recent 2007 Graduation and Awards Presentation ceremony.
The Awards were a highlight of the 19 campuses in the region and marked the beginning of the Graduation season for the Institute.
Students who achieved outstanding academic results were presented with awards for excellence.
Two students, Karen Hewson and Ian Mount, were also acknowledged for achieving the highest marks in the State.
Ms Hewson completed a Diploma of Accounting and won the Award for Most Outstanding Achievement by a Business Services Student. She is also to receive a State Medal later this year.
Mr Mount, an Automotive Mechanical graduate, was the other State medalist after he scored the highest results at every stage of his course.
Head of Wagga Wagga Campus, Pam Green, congratulated all TAFE graduates for completing their courses and achieving good results.
“We are proud of the skills and knowledge our graduates possess and of the contribution they make to the community,” Ms Green said.
“It is often their skill and creativity which find new ways of doing things and spark the ideas for new businesses and new directions.”
Local dignitaries and industry leaders attended the Awards, including Federal Member for Riverina, Kay Hull; General Manager of the Wagga Wagga City Council, Phillip Perram; Regional Director of Schools, Colin Parker; and Chief Executive of the Riverina Media Group, Wayne Geale.
Ms Green said the support of the community was deserved recognition for the students and their schools.
April 11, 2007
Capital Injection
For Capital Staff
Staff of the Australian Capital Territory Public Service have negotiated a 12 per cent payrise, a three-year deal expected to be finalised soon.
The new salary agreement will cover about 10,000 Australian Capital Territory staff and replaces an agreement that expired earlier this month.
The Community and Public Sector Union, which has been negotiating the deal with the ACT Government since last October, was confident of signing off on the increase shortly.
The union said it had struck the in-principle arrangement during a meeting with Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.
Based on current salaries the agreement could add $90 million to the Territory’s wages bill.
Opposition leader Bill Stefaniak said he hoped the deal would include productivity gains, and asked whether the increase had been budgeted for.
“That’s a hell of a lot of money,” he said.
Mr Stefaniak said the pending agreement contrasted sharply with last year’s long-running teachers’ dispute which sparked 18 months of disputes, strikes and five rejected offers. An independent arbitrator eventually awarded Canberra teachers an 11.5 per cent pay rise over 2.5 years.
The CPSU’s ACT region director, Vince McDevitt, said the new PS agreement had already received “unanimous support” from those public servants who had seen it.
The deal would be the first the ACT Government had negotiated under the WorkChoices legislation.
Mr McDevitt said the three-year agreement included annual pay rises of 4 per cent.
“There's no less of conditions and some enhancements, and no delay,” Mr McDevitt said.
“We think it’s a really good outcome, given that we started our negotiations in October during the post-Budget nightmare, when money was tight.”
Staff included in the deal are Departmental administration, policy and support staff, but not professionals such as nurses and firefighters.
April 11, 2007
Fuel Reduction on
Front Burner
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is to conduct the State's largest hazard reduction burn of the year in the 95,000 hectare Wadbilliga National Park this month, weather permitting.
The National Park straddles the coastal escarpment west of Bermagui on the Far South Coast and is just one of almost 40 burns planned for national parks across southeast NSW in autumn.
The Bega Bushfire Management Committee ahs approved the burning of 7000 hectares in the National Park.
NPWS Far South Coast Regional Manager, Tim Shepherd said the burn would be the largest single fuel reduction burn NSW had seen for some time.
"It will be conducted in two stages,” Mr Shepherd said.
“The first stage will be a 6km ground burning operation along the southern side of the Razorback Firetrail which runs east west across the park. This will be carried out by NPWS and Rural Fire Service fire fighters.
"In the second stage an NPWS helicopter will drop 20,000 aerial incendiaries into the unburnt bushland on the ridgetops to the south beyond the area burnt from the fire trail."
Mr Shepherd said every precaution had being taken and a lot of planning had been done to ensure the burn went smoothly and effectively.
“I expect that this will take at least four days to implement,” he said.
"This burn is the second last from a list of 14 that were planned under the Wadbilliga National Park Fire Management Plan.
Mr Shepherd said upon completion of the burn, almost 20 per cent of the park would have been burned in fuel reduction operations over the last six years.
"There is a key difference however between this burn and the previous ones,” he said. “In that this one will be conducted primarily for ecological reasons, although there is the benefit of reduced fuel loads in another part of the park."
Mr Shepherd said these sorts of burns had to be conducted under very precise conditions and all the necessary steps, no matter how small, needed to be taken to ensure its success.
“We only receive a very narrow window of opportunity to do this at this time of the year so we must take every opportunity that presents itself," Mr Shepherd said.
April 11, 2007
Night Survey Sheds
Light on Fauna
Wildlife surveys carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife staff over a three-night period recently have disclosed an abundance of native animals in the newly gazetted Tuggerah Nature Reserve.
Monitoring native animals in the reserve via a fauna survey is the start of an ongoing plan to provide land managers with essential information on the different species, their habitats and the types of predators they face.
Surveys were conducted at 10 separate sites over the three nights throughout the nature reserve by NPWS staff.
NPWS Regional Manager, Tom Bagnat said volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia, who were visiting from Japan, Germany, Belgium and the UK, assisted NPWS staff with the survey.
"The survey work was very successful and the number of species we found in the reserve was very pleasing," Mr Bagnat said.
"We found an abundance of swamp rats and brown antechinus (both native rodents), reptiles such as swamp snakes, red-bellied black snakes and eastern water skinks, and as you would expect a fantastic variety of water birds.
Mr Bagnat said one of the most exciting discoveries was two powerful owls.
“These threatened raptors are huge birds of prey living in the reserve,” he said.
“Other birds we recorded include Peregrine falcons and white-breasted sea eagles."
Mr Bagnat said different vegetation types including swamp mahogany, swamp oak, melaleuca and spotted gum provided permanent monitoring sites in the reserve.
He said it was hoped the ongoing studies of the area would guide the management of the new reserve and help assess the impacts on native animals, including that of fire and predators.
April 11, 2007
Ambulance Lands
Generous Bequest
The NSW Ambulance Service has honoured Wollongong woman, Isabell McAndrew after she bequeathed a stretch of land for use by the Wollongong Hospital and the Ambulance Service.
Mrs McAndrew died in 1946 but stated in her will that on the death of her adopted daughter, Florence, the estate be divided between the two organisations
.
Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Greg Rochford said a plaque was placed in a purpose-built garden in dedication to Mrs McAndrew’s generosity.
“The Ambulance Service wanted to ensure that the significance of Mrs McAndrew’s generosity was recognised by the Ambulance and the community,” Mr Rochford said. “And her memory honoured in an appropriate way for years to come.
He said the funding from Mrs McAndrew’s bequest would be spent on medical equipment for the station, training facilities for staff, life saving equipment for the rescue helicopter at Albion Park, and the establishment of medical libraries at Wollongong and surrounding sector stations.
“Mrs McAndrew would be well pleased to see that her community had gained so much from her generous bequest,” Mr Rochford said.
A steering committee was formed to ensure the money was spent correctly and the most important needs of the community were met first.
April 11, 2007
ASIC Calculator
For Super Sums
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has launched a new superannuation calculator to help consumers plan their savings in the lead-up to retirement.
ASIC’s Executive Director, Consumer Protection, Greg Tanzer hailed the new calculator as “one of Australia’s most powerful free superannuation calculators for consumers.”
He said it incorporated the new rules about super contributions that take effect from 1 July 2007, under the ‘simpler super’ initiatives and also showed how to take some of the guesswork out of super, and test the long term impact of important choices.
He said the superannuation calculator, together with a comprehensive User Guide, was available from ASIC on its consumer website “FIDO”.
“Ask FIDO to show you the long term effects of making extra contributions within the limits that will be imposed from 1 July 2007,” Mr Tanzer suggested.
“If you enter contributions that exceed the limits, the calculator will automatically adjust them,” Mr Tanzer said.
He said visitors could also work out the long term effects of:
the most common fees charged by various funds
receiving Government co-contributions if eligible
breaking or reducing contributions as a result of time out of the workforce
switching investment strategies or changing funds.
“The calculator brings the future impact of possible choices back to today’s dollars, so you can make comparisons in the light of today’s conditions,” Mr tanzer said.
“That involves some assumptions, which are explained in the accompanying Guide,” he said.
April 11, 2007
Culture Clash on
Collision Course
The Australian Museum has opened an exhibition entitled Colliding Worlds: First Contact in the Western Desert, 1932 – 1984 which explores the journey of one of the last Aboriginal groups to make contact with Europeans.
Mixing research and personal reflections, the exhibition presents a series of first contact episodes on the earliest encounters between Europeans and the Pintupi people over the past 75 years.
When a group of nine Aboriginal people of the Western Desert emerged from their desert home 800 kilometres west of Alice Springs in 1984 they were among the last Indigenous communities to make contact with Europeans.
The Aboriginal groups from this region, including the Pintupi, Ngalia, Walpiri, Luritja, Western Arrernte, Ngatatjara and others, have since played major roles in the development of contemporary Aboriginal art and have achieved international acclaim for their work.
The history of early “cultural collisions” from 1932 until 1984 is charted in Colliding Worlds and encourages a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture which had moved from being disregarded many years ago for having limited cultural achievement to being revered today as one of Australia's most influential art movements.
Anthropology Collection Coordinator at the Museum, Barrina South, said the exhibition allowed a more complete understanding of that episode of Australian history for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal audiences.
"The Australian Museum holds a significant collection of artworks by Senior Pintupi artists including Mick Namerari Tjapltjarri, Timmy Payungka Tjapangardi and Uta Uta Tjangala - all of whom feature in the exhibition,” Ms South said.
“Colliding Worlds provides an opportunity for the Australian Museum to display these early works for the first time."
The exhibition will be on display until 19 August and admission is free after the Museum’s general admission charge.
April 11, 2007
SHSA Blows Trumpet
Over Jazz Festival
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority has engaged a top group of artists to perform at the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival on the June long weekend.
Running from 9 to 11 June, the Festival looks to attract the public with a list of leading Australian and US jazz, blues, hip hop and swing artists, eager for the chance to take centre stage at Darling Harbour.
The Festival is celebrating its 17th year in 2007 and will feature music from New Orleans, Dixieland and everywhere in between.
The Festival attracts large crowds each year, up to 250,000 visiting Sydney’s waterfront to experience the local, national and international musicians and performers.
Final preparations are being made to the star-studded line-up but previous artists to perform at the Festival have included James Morrison, Frank Bennett, The Cat Empire, Renee Geyer, Vince Jones and Idea of North, and this year’s event does not look to disappoint in its history of star-studded performers.
With three stages and more than 30 performances, the Festival provides great entertainment for visitors new to jazz, the long time aficionados, those into big bands or the lovers of more intimate blues sounds.
According to organisers, the best part of the weekend is it doesn’t cost the public a cent to view the wide range of old and new talent.
April 4, 2007
New Look For PS
In Gov’t Make-Up
Following the recent State election, the Government has taken the opportunity to modify the structure of the Public Service by abolishing two Departments, creating one more and renaming another two.
The Departments of Natural Resources (DNR)and Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) have been abolished as has the Cabinet office and NSWbusinesslink but a Department of Water and Energy (DWE) has been created as has an Office of Co-ordinator General.
The Department of Environment and Conservation has been renamed the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and the Premier’s Department will now be known as the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).
Staff from DNR involved in vegetation, soil and water management are to be transferred to DECC and those working on environmental water management will go to DWE. Those involved in certain land management schemes will transfer to the Department of Lands and others working on soil conservation, forestry and corporate services will move to the Department of Primary Industries.
The former staff of DEUS engaged in energy or water efficiency funding and renewable energy policy will be transferred to DECC and others working on the accredited service providers program will go to the Office of Fair Trading.
The NSW Greenhouse Office has been moved from the no defunct Cabinet Office to DECC and the Metropolitan Water Directory will go to DWE. A number of Treasury staff engaged on energy policy will also transfer to DWE.
All branches of NSWbusinesslink are to be added to the Department of Commerce and the Marine Park Authority Secretariat will go from Department of Primary Industries to DECC.
A number of staff in DPI working on habitat protection, fisheries management and marine parks will also be transferred to DECC.
The Office of the Co-ordinator General will be established in DPC and include the Infrastructure Implementation Group as well as a number of staff from the Department of State and Regional Development
The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel will remain separate but now come under DPC.
Full details of the changes can be found in a Special Supplement to the Government Gazette.
April 4, 2007
Pollies Face Up To
Portrait Display
An exhibition of portraits of politicians, Parliamentarians and their associates is on display in the Fountain Court Foyer of Parliament House.
Based on the concept of “Power in the House, the exhibition brings together the images of such notable subjects as Senator Helen Coonan, former Olympic Sports Minister Warwick Smith, Dr. Meredith Burgman, Michael Costa, Tanya Plibersek, Andrew Tink, David Parr, Peter Pierce, Anthony Roberts, John Aquilina, Gladys Berejiklan Linda Burney and many others and is made up from works by members of the group Portrait Artists Australia.
Formal and informal portraits are displayed in a range of differing media, styles and treatments, all derived from the central theme.
Many of the subjects are expected to attend the exhibition and provide informal photo opportunities and politically correct commentary on the quality of the images.
Portrait Artists Australia is a non-for-profit association of professional artists with a reputation as one of the nation’s leading group of Portrait Artists. Membership is by invitation.
The Exhibition will run until 27 April.
April 4, 2007
Auditor Cautions On
Young Offenders
The Auditor General has found shortcomings in the way the Department of Juvenile Justice and NSW Police deal with young offenders and has made a number of recommendations to improve outcomes.
The Auditor’s second report into young offenders follows an earlier one in 2005 and was trnsmitted to the Parliament in March.
According to the Auditor General, juveniles are involved in 40,000 criminal incidents in NSW each year and up to 60 per cent of those appearing in court reoffend.
He said the community expected the youth justice system to reduce threats of reoffending but in some cases, moves to help bring about reductions were not being implemented systematically.
“The Department of Juvenile Justice and the NSW Police Force generally work together and with other agencies to identify and address the needs of young offenders,” the Auditor General, Peter Achterstraat, said.
“We found that this is done particularly well for young offenders who end up in detention and under community supervision.”
He found however that for young offenders who didn’t go to Court but were diverted to a youth justice conference or given a Police warning, the agencies were not working as well.
“Currently agencies may be missing the opportunity to help a young person who is at the first point of contact with the youth justice system. Early intervention could prevent both an escalation of the seriousness and frequency of offending by a young person in need of help. It should be pursued wherever possible.”
The Auditor General recognised that both the Department and Police were dealing with some of the State’s most socially disadvantaged and troublesome young people.
“It is hard for them to address what may have been years of dysfunction and neglect,” he said.
Mr Achterstraat made a number of recommendation to tighten procedures for dealing with offenders who did not appear in Court, in particular urging the Department and Police to implement checklists by January next year to identify the needs of the young offenders and predicting the likelihood of their reoffending.
He also recommended the Department complete its review by June this year of a family-based program dealing with problems before they arise.
Both the Department and the Police accepted the Auditor General’s recommendations, Director-General of Juvenile Justice, Jennifer Mason saying she concurred with the findings and Police Commissioner Ken Moroney supporting them.
Statistics collated by the Auditor General showed that the more juvenile offenders came into contact with the youth justice system, the more likely they were to reoffend.
April 4, 2007
Planner Steamrolls
Road Critics
The Director-General of Planning, has written an open letter to a number of Mid-North Coast and North Coast newspapers confirming his Department’s commitment to upgrading the Pacific Highway.
The Director-General, Sam Haddad was prompted to write in response to recent media commentary regarding the Pacific Highway upgrade project.
Mr Haddad said improved safety for NSW motorists was a major concern of the Government which had publicly stated its commitment to upgrading the Highway to dual carriageway.
He said as a major step towards achieving this goal, 13 outstanding projects on the highway would be considered as critical infrastructure to provide a single coordinated environmental assessment process for them.
Mr Haddad rejected claims the new Pacific Highway upgrades did not have to pass noise standards or comply with environmental legislation protecting air quality, water quality and fisheries saying this was definitely not the case.
“I want to make it clear that under the critical infrastructure declaration, the same rigorous environmental standards and guidelines will apply,” Mr Haddad said.
“For example, traffic noise, vibration, air quality and water impacts will be assessed in accordance with state and national guidelines. These are the same standards and guidelines that apply to all major projects dealt with by the Minister, as well as to developments assessed by local councils.”
Mr Haddad said the critical infrastructure declaration did not change the public exhibition, community consultation and participation processes that applied to all major projects.
The proposal must be publicly exhibited for a minimum of 30 days and the community will be invited to make public submissions.
April 4, 2007
Forests Branch Out
For Endurance Ride
Forests NSW has played a leading role in mapping out and assisting a world-class endurance horse ride over Easter in the pine plantations and forests around Tumbarumba.
Regarded as one of the fastest growing horse sports both nationally and internationally, endurance riding has a long association with Tumbarumba.
The Tumbarumba Endurance ride was reintroduced last year and proved a great success with 114 entries, with a similar number competing this year.
Three events were being run from the Tumbarumba Racecourse including a 100 kilometre elevator ride, an 80 kilometre ride, and a 40 kilometre training ride programmed to encourage people to come along and try the sport.
The event of endurance riding evolved following a discussion between clothing pioneer RM Williams and bush poet ,Tom Quilty about the merits of the modern horse over the horses of the past that were able to travel long distances, for example, 100 miles in one day.
The 160 kilometre Tom Quilty Gold Cup was started soon after and the event is rated as Australia’s National Championship Endurance ride.
Endurance riding was a highly professional and competitive horse sport – a bit like marathon running on horseback according to the Secretary of the Tumbarumba Endurance ride, Angelina Patterson.
“You have to be very dedicated because it is not as easy as it may seem to get a horse to the level of fitness to do long distance rides,” Ms Patterson said.
She said the event provided a huge boost to the local economy with each competitor brought their support crews of two to three people to Tumbarumba last year, swelling the town’s Easter population by approximately 400 to 500 people.
The horses are stringently checked by a panel of veterinarians before being allowed to start the ride which covers three legs through State forests and private land.
At the end of each leg they return to the racecourse to be thoroughly vet checked before being allowed to continue on to the next stage.
Forest NSW’s Chris Rhynehart, who is based at Tumbarumba, said endurance riding was a great way to showcase the forests and the timber industry in the region from both a recreational, commercial and environmentally sustainable point of view.
“Forests NSW is delighted to be able to help with the mapping and layout of the courses and we wish the organisers every success,” Mr Rhynehart said.
April 4, 2007
Smog Dog Nothing
to Sniff At
A joint initiative between State and Federal environment bodies will see the emissions from cars’ exhausts measured as they drive past “sniffing points” in Sydney in the coming weeks.
The clever and sensitive emission sensing equipment, affectionately known as 'Smog Dog', is capable of measuring levels of potentially dangerous pollutants using a beam of infrared and ultraviolet light across one lane of traffic.
Department of Environment and Conservation's Director-General, Lisa Corbyn said the machine would essentially 'sniff' and measure pollutants such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide and smoke particles being emitted from a car's tailpipe.
"Part of a joint State and Federal initiative, our aim is to gather as much information as possible about vehicle emissions,” Ms Corbyn said.
“This information will be used to develop a better understanding of the levels of pollutants in the Sydney region and ultimately help us identify new ways to maintain and improve air quality in NSW.
She said a number of “assumed factors” were currently used to calculate motor vehicle pollution emissions and their overall contribution to air pollution in the metropolitan region.
“Smog dog will help to confirm or deny some of those assumptions," Ms Corbyn said.
She assured motorists that results obtained during the two-week operation would not be used for any law enforcement and the information would be kept confidential.
"Understanding which vehicle types are the heaviest polluters is extremely important to our understanding of vehicle pollution in NSW, so at the same time as measuring the vehicle emissions, this new technology will also identify the vehicle's make and model,” she said.
"Understanding the way air pollution in the Sydney region works and where it comes from is vital to our local and statewide programs that aim to maintain and improve our air quality.
"Overall air quality in NSW has improved over the past 30 years despite increases in both the population and the economy, but motor vehicles are still the most significant source of urban air pollution in the Sydney metropolitan region."
Ms Corbyn said however that reducing emissions from all industrial sectors was important to maintain and improve Sydney's air quality.
April 4, 2007
Ferry Service Sinks
Its Cruise Program
Sydney Ferries has suspended its Harboursights Cruises for 12 months from Sunday, April 1.
The action has been taken to focus resources on providing public transport services for commuters, tourists and leisure travelers.
According to the Sydney Ferries Corporation, the move will enable it to release additional vessels and crews for peak hour services and staff training.
Tourists and leisure travellers will continue to have access to harbourside attractions through the use of the Sydney Pass ticket, which has included the Harboursights Cruises as a component, as well as via the Sydney Explorer buses and the entire ferry network with the exception of the Manly Jet Cat.
Among the services that will continue to reveal the attractions of the harbour will be:
· The foreshores and waterside cafes on Mosman or Neutral Bay services;
· Historic waterways and architecture along the Parramatta River;
· Inner harbour beaches and restaurants along the Watsons Bay / Rose Bay route;
· Tourist, retail and restaurant strips of Darling Harbour, including the Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, the National Maritime Museum, Star City Casino and many other restaurants and night clubs;
· Historic sites, pubs and Saturday markets of Balmain on the Woolwich route;
· The world renowned Taronga Zoo, via the Taronga Zoo ferry; and
· The famous surf beaches, sidewalk cafes, restaurants and lively pubs of Manly and the Northern Beaches via the Manly ferry.
April 4, 2007
Centrelink Staff Focus
On Glasses
Centrelink staff in the Hunter region are challenging the local community to bring out their old glasses and sun glasses to assist in giving someone the invaluable gift of sight.
Staff in the branches at Kurri Kurri and the King Street Customer Service Centre are collecting the glasses as a way of raising awareness of the eyesight problems that can affect anybody.
Centrelink organiser Maureen Howell said the collection of spectacles by the staff was on behalf of FORESIGHT Australia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention and cure of blindness among underprivileged people in the Asia Pacific region.
"We were really inspired by Fred Hollows and the work he was doing,” Ms Howell said. “That's why we got involved.”
"We're calling on everyone in the region, including all local businesses, schools and hospitals to participate and show what our community is capable of achieving. We want to help those people less fortunate than us, by giving them the precious gift of sight."
Results so far had been very encouraging with over 250 pairs of glasses already received at the Kurri Kurri Centrelink alone with Ms Howell now setting her sights on collecting over 1000 pairs of reading glasses, sunglasses, and frames.
"The charitable people of the Hunter region have previously shown their generosity by donating bras and gold coins during Centrelink's support for the McGrath Foundation's Bra Challenge,” Ms Howell said.
"This new challenge of donating old glasses and frames to give someone in the developing world the gift of sight will surely be no exception."
Collection points that will accept old glasses or sunglasses are the Kurri Kurri and King Street Newcastle Centrelink Customer Service Centres as well as Lions Clubs, St Vincent De Paul stores and Curves Ladies Gym in Kurri Kurri.
April 4, 2007
Consumers Lose Face
in Identity Thefts
Fair Trading Commissioner, Lyn Baker has issued a warning to the public to be alert to scams that attempt to steal one’s identity.
Ms Baker said the intention of identity thieves was to create a new identity, not just to extract money through a scam.
“Once an identity thief has enough of your personal information, they can trick your bank or financial institution into giving them access to your money and other financial accounts,” Ms Baker said.
“Then it is a simple matter to open new accounts in your name, rack up huge debts and ruin your credit rating and reputation.
“But, worst of all, identity thieves may use your name to commit further crimes. What is most tragic is that you may not even know you are the victim of identity theft until long after your good name is ruined.
Ms Baker said the consequences of identity theft were immense for individuals but there were precautionary measures that could be taken.
“This type of fraud takes place by accessing personal details through discarded or lost documents, 'snail-mail', telephone or email scams,” she said.
“It doesn't matter what method they use – the intention is the same.”
Ms Baker offered three tips on how to avoid the scammer’s traps:
1. Never give out personal information to someone you don’t know or trust
Putting together a picture of a person is the start of building up the use of your identity fraudulently.
People that you meet online or casually may not be people you can trust – don’t give them personal information like your phone number or where you live, or important confirming evidence like your children’s, spouse’s and pets’ names or your mother’s maiden name.
2. Don’t just bin it – destroy old bills, records or expired cards
Identity thieves will use all methods to build up a profile on people – including rummaging in your garbage for records of past purchases, expired credit and other cards, and telephone and utility bills.
Destroy these by shredding them before you discard them.
And always check important bills like credit cards and account statements for activities that are not yours.
3. Check your credit report at least once a year
An easy way to make sure that fraudulent use of your identity has not occurred is to check your credit report.
If you find that you have been marked as having unpaid accounts that you have never heard of, you might have become the victim of an identity theft. If you suspect this, download the identity kit from www.ag.gov.au and follow the advice for dealing with this serious problem.
April 4, 2007
Police Cop Awards at
Rotary Club Dinner
Members of the NSW Police’s State Crime Command were honoured during a recent awards ceremony in Sydney with 12 detectives and support staff recognised for their hard work.
The award night was the second annual Rotary Club of Holroyd-NSW Police State Crime Command Excellence Awards Presentation Dinner and was held in Merrylands for staff attached to State Crime Command at Parramatta.
The awards were presented by NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, and Mick Lilley from the Macquarie Bank.
Attended by more than 130 people, including Rotary Club members, State Crime Command detectives and support staff and their families, the event was again sponsored by the Macquarie Bank.
Recipients of the awards are nominated by their peers within each of the 10 squads as well as from the support sections of the State Crime Command.
A formal citation and glass trophy recognising their work was awarded to each recipient.
Formal citations to a further 11 nominees were also presented by President of the Rotary Club of Holroyd, Lyn Tester.
Commissioner Moroney said the calibre and quality of the individuals nominated was of such a high standard the selection committee had an extremely difficult time choosing just 12 winners.
"I am proud to belong to an organisation which shows the sort of leadership reflected in the work of the State Crime Command,” Commissioner Moroney said.
“The standard shown in all 23 nominations is one reason the NSW Police Force is a world leader in policing.
“That leadership is reflected in the level of interest shown by other jurisdictions in the innovation and good practice displayed by NSW Police State Crime Command.”
Assistant Commissioner Graeme Morgan from State Crime Command said those honoured by the Rotary Awards were all very worthy recipients.
“They are held in high regard by their colleagues and each, in their own way, has exemplified the skills, commitment, energy and enthusiasm which distinguish professionals,” Assistant Commissioner Morgan said.
Award recipients were:
• Det Sr Cst Robyn Hunter, Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad
• Det Insp David Laidlaw, Drug Squad
• Det Sr Cst Peter Walke, Firearms and Regulated Industries Crime Squad
• Det Sr Cst Grant Lockley, Fraud Squad
• Det Sgt Bruce Groenewegen, Gangs Squad
• Det A/Insp Michael Ashwood, Homicide Squad
• Det Sgt Peter Mercouris, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad
• Det Sr Cst Mark Voetterl, Property Crime Squad
• Det Sgt George Psaroudis, Robbery and Serious Crime Squad
• Det Sr Cst Andrew Lam, South East Asian Crime Squad
• Ms Alana Sullivan, Intelligence Co-ordination
• Insp Tracy McGregor, Investigations Support
April 4, 2007
Land Council Voters In
Landslide Numbers
Upcoming elections for the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council are expected to attract a record number of voters after a major enrolment drive in recent months.
Some 16,500 Aboriginal people across New South Wales are eligible to vote in the 19 May 19 with one full-time member to be elected to the NSWALC from each of nine regions across the State.
Certified voting rolls for the nine new regions were delivered to the State Electoral Commission last week.
Contained in those rolls were the names of the registered voting members from 116 Local Aboriginal Land Councils across the State, the highest number of voting members ever recorded.
With membership of Local Aboriginal Land Councils and voting entirely voluntary, the result has been a tremendous boost for the organisation.
Nominations for the NSWALC election opened on Friday, March 30 and close on Monday April 23.
With just over 6000 turning out for the last elections in 19 the record numbers anticipated for this year’s elections ensure the voting membership has a solid foundation for a big turnout on 19 May and for consequent elections for LALCs later this year.
According to the NSWALC, strong LALC membership underpins the aspirations and decision-making of land council business throughout New South Wales.
April 4, 2007
Snakes Alive For
Kids At Museum
The Australian Museum is offering a variety of workshops, craft activities and presentations of dangerous animals to keep young and old entertained and fascinated during the upcoming the school holidays.
It will be the last chance to see the popular Eaten Alive: The World of Predators exhibition which closes on 22 April and you can visit Fangs for Nothing - The Venom Workshop between 6 and 22 April.
Everything you ever wanted to know about some of the world's most venomous animals can be discovered through a craft activity and an array of live and dangerous predators including real-life snakes and crocodiles feature in the exciting presentation Once Bitten!
Also during the holidays the new mini-museum for under-5s, Kidspace will be open, featuring five themed cubby house-like pods filled with natural wonders to excite the imagination of the most TV-weary toddler.
Curious kids can explore and discover more about the world around them by feeling feathers, fur, scales and shells; peering through magnifying glasses to observe insects and spiders; and, creating artworks based on their explorations.
Kidspace is free and open every day from 9.30am to 5.00pm vut bookings may be needed and admission charges paid for some of the other attractions.
More information from (02) 9320 6295
April 4, 2007
Kidpower On Show At
Powerhouse Museum
An internationally renowned, interactive playspace that encourages collaborative and cooperative play for 3-6 year olds, will be opening at the Powerhouse Museum this month.
Zoe’s House, designed for early childhood play by La Cité des Sciences and de l’Industrie at La Villette, Paris, has been introduced to encourage problem solving, creative and social skills as kids work together to build a house, using cranes, pulleys and rubble chutes.
The opportunity for youngsters to develop their building skills is provided with Zoe’s House an unfinished project providing plenty of tools for budding builders – a crane, conveyor belt, rubble chute, rail network, wheel barrows, lifts, even hard hats and jackets.
The activity is designed to encourage children to develop their social skills and to finish building a house without the help of adults.
Cogs’ Playground, a state-of-the-art outdoor playground designed by Australia’s foremost playground designer, Fiona Robbe is another new addition to the Powerhouse Museum.
The playground is designed to challenge kids physically and mentally in an exciting but safe environment, made up of a huge climbing frame and seesaw, along with other innovative features.
Aimed specifically at the families, both these initiatives are part of a developing program at the Powerhouse to make the Museum the destination of choice for families seeking activities that entertain while developing children’s skills.
Zoe’s House is named after one of the Museum’s mascots, Zoe, an inquisitive and creative young girl with plenty of imagination and energy and will be officially opened on 12 April by Jamie Durie, Horticulturalist and landscape designer.
The second mascot, Cogs, is a problem-solving robot with an unlimited supply of information about the Museum.
Both mascots have proven to be popular with young visitors, helping to make the Museum a welcoming and fun place to be.
