SearchArchives for September 2008
24 September, 2008Recruitment overhaul gets personnel
The rules governing recruitment to the NSW Public Service have been overhauled to take greater advantage of e-recruitment technologies, improve flexibility for Departments and agencies and remove unnecessary or time consuming processes.
The new rules were set out in a Circular from the Department of Premier and Cabinet which says the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 and Public Sector Employment and Management Regulation 1996 had been amended to reflect the findings of a review by the Council on the Cost and Quality of Government last year which recommended sweeping changes to recruitment practices in the NSW PS. The new arrangements came into effect last May.
Included in the changes were simpler requirements for advertising job vacancies, streamlined arrangements for notifying appointments; easier conversion of temporary staff to permanent positions, greater use of applicant pools and cutting the size of selection committees to two people.
The Circular says the Personnel Handbook had been updated to assist Departments and Agencies implement the changes, as had the Merit Selection Guide for the NSW Public Sector: Picking the best person for the job. The Merit Selection Techniques Online Refresher course would also be updated and was expected to be available soon.
An Employment Options chart was included with the Circular as a ready reference for Departments and Agencies, outlining the options available to them (both new and existing), and possible scenarios for their effective application.
“The provisions of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 and Regulation 1996, the Personnel Handbook and other recruitment policies provide significant scope for Agencies to efficiently and effectively attract, recruit and retain quality staff,” the Circular, signed by DPC Director-General, Robyn Kruk, said.
“I urge Agencies to maximise use of both new and existing flexibilities to support workforce planning needs and merit-based employment outcomes.”
Among the specific changes to recruitment processes were:
- Replacing the requirement to advertise vacancies in the Public Sector Notices with a requirement that they be advertised on the Government’s recruitment website www.jobs.nsw.gov.au;
- Departments to share eligibility lists to fill positions that were substantially the same;
- Requiring appointments to be notified on the jobs website and removing the need for them to be distributed to staff who had internet access;
- Removing the need for a temporary employee to be appointed (after 2 years) to a position with the same duties as he/she started in;
- Allowing staff seconded on merit to be appointed to the new position (after 2 years) without advertising; and
- Permitting two people to make up a selection panel with the independent member coming from the same Department.
24 September, 2008
Pay settlement beats inflation
NSW Public Servants employed under the Crown Employees (Public Sector – Salaries 2008) Award are to receive a four per cent pay rise each year for the next three years following a decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
The pay increase will be back dated to 1 July 2008, with the overall award increase being a 12.48 per cent rise, compounded over the three years.
The rise was expected to be above inflation, which was expected to be around three per cent over the next two years.
The decision was reached following a number of preliminary hearings in the Commission since November last year as well as a number of meetings with the Public Service Association of NSW, the Government and other employee representative groups. The meetings with the Commission were chaired by Justice Boland.
According to the PSA, the pay increase was not the only positive outcome for workers.
Full-time employees would now be entitlement to a second period of paid maternity leave on full pay should that second period commence not more than two years after the commencement of the initial period of maternity leave.
There would also now be a “purchased leave” scheme that would allow for an extra four weeks leave per year and the Clerk classification had been extended to absorb the position of clerical officer into a single award.
The parties also agreed to discuss a range of issues both across the Public Sector and at an Agency level, as recommended by Justice Boland.
These discussions were to be held either by the parties directly, through existing consultative processes or with the involvement of Unions NSW.
The payrises would become payable on 1 July in 2009 and 2010.
24 September, 2008
School planning cuts are first class
Planning laws are to be overhauled to cut red tape for schools building essential infrastructure such as halls and gyms.
Premier, Nathan Rees, announced the move saying the Government’s $2 billion funding program for school facilities couldn’t wait for long delays in obtaining planning approval.
Mr Rees said it could take up to 200 days to get planning approval for such school facilities, but he wanted the delays cut back to as little as 10 days.
“Delays of that length simply aren’t good enough,” Mr Rees said.
“By introducing sensible planning reforms we will see some school facilities automatically approved if they meet specified planning criteria.”
He said if a school had a design plan for a hall or gym which didn’t impact significantly on surrounding communities, then it should be given a clearer run through the planning system.
“This can only be of enormous benefit to the state’s 750,000 public school students,” he said.
“I’ve instructed the Minister for Planning to work on a simple process for getting these important school projects moving.”
Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally said the complying development code would consider the distance from a school boundary; overshadowing of adjacent lands; access and parking arrangements; and noise mitigation measures.
Ms Keneally said the reforms would add to the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy which already exempted the Department of Education and Training from the Development Application process when improving schools with new security fences, awnings and rainwater tanks.
“Improving our public schools is a top priority for our Government and it’s common sense to do everything possible to ensure there are no unnecessary delays,” Ms Keneally said.
“The changes will mean that schools will no longer have to factor in up to 200 days lag time when planning for other types of improved facilities.”
President of the NSW Parents and Citizens' Federation, Dianne Giblin welcomed the changes saying students would have access to quality facilities more quickly.
Ms Giblin said the P and C welcomed the Government’s commitment to “provide the best facilities and resources for students of NSW”.
Education Minister, Verity Firth said the changes made it easier to build the 20 gyms and halls already under construction, and the 24 more planned to be built in the next two and a half years.
24 September, 2008
NSW loses custody of break-up laws
The powers to deal with property and maintenance issues for separating de facto couples in NSW have been referred to the Commonwealth in a groundbreaking move that afforded them the same entitlements as married people.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the NSW Act referred power to the Commonwealth to legislate for de facto partners and married couples, with equal access to Family Court services.
He said de facto couples were previously only permitted to use the Federal Courts to resolve issues relating to children, while property and maintenance issues were held in State Courts.
“The NSW Government has acted to ease the burden and stress faced by separating de facto couples by giving them the same access to the Family Court as a divorcing married couple,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“Once the Commonwealth’s legislation is also enacted, they will be able to attend a single Court to resolve all of the disputes that commonly arise at the end of a relationship.”
He said the new laws would save separating couples and the Court time and money, and they did not discriminate between heterosexual and same-sex couples.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Parliament had acted to bring in the laws earlier, but they were rejected by the Commonwealth Government.
“NSW passed legislation in favour of separating de facto couples using the Federal Family Court in 2003,” he said.
“This followed a 2002 proposal from the Standing Committee of Attorneys General.”
He said the new cooperation between the State and Commonwealth delivered practical benefits to all Australians.
24 September, 2008
Mum’s the word on Birth Certificates
Babies born to lesbian couples in NSW would be able to record the names of two mothers on their birth certificates following new laws which came into effect this week.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the new birth certificates were part of a broad package of reforms which gave the children of female de facto couples equal rights.
Mr Hatzistergos said it was important to reflect the rights of children of female de facto couples in their official documentation.
“A child’s birth certificate, which lists two mothers as parents, gives that child the same advantages in life as a child with heterosexual parents listed on their birth certificate,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages had already received more than 100 enquiries about the new birth certificates.
He said the new laws only applied to children conceived through artificial fertilisation who were living in domestic situations where their parents were in a lesbian de facto relationship. He said the laws would be retrospective and thus allow lesbian mothers to be listed on birth certificates for existing children.
“The new laws do not diminish or extinguish the rights of fathers in any way,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“Fathers will not have their names removed from birth certificates, nor will they be prevented from having their names placed on birth certificates.”
He said sperm donors still did not have parental presumptions and would not be listed on birth certificates.
Mr Hatzistergos said the new law brought NSW into line with Western Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory and was consistent with laws in New Zealand and Canada.
“This will give children greater protections in, for example, an emergency health situation where a parent might be required to sign consent forms,” he said.
“It also means female de facto parents will have a responsibility to protect and provide for their children, just like everyone else.”
He said the children of lesbian couples would now have equal rights to children of heterosexual couples with regard to workers and victims compensation payouts, inheritance and guardianship of elderly parents.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government had also reformed almost 50 other laws that extended equal rights and obligations to de-facto couples.
He said the new laws were recommended by the Law Reform Commission which consulted widely with stakeholders.
24 September, 2008
Metrobuses to get fare trial
A 12-month trial of new Route 10 Metrobuses has been announced to run between Leichhardt, Kingsford and the city, starting October.
Premier Nathan Rees joined Transport Minister David Campbell and MP for Balmain Verity Firth to unveil the Metrobuses whose trial would start next month.
A Statement by Sydney Buses said the new Metrobuses were similar to those used in Europe and the United States, and were the future for high volume, short distance routes.
It said the pre-pay Metrobuses would carry more passengers at a greater frequency, and would do away with timetables since they would run every 10 minutes in peak hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak times.
It said the year-long trial would involve a number of different Metrobuses with a variety of seat arrangements and standing room capacity.
The Statement said all the Metrobuses had the latest environmental and security technology, guaranteeing a safe, clean, green way to travel.
It said the buses would travel along the highly popular Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade corridors, via the new Mid-City Transport Interchange precinct in Park Street and would service major shopping areas, transport hubs, sporting venues, entertainment precincts and four universities.
The Statement said key components of the trial were the new high capacity buses; PrePay ticketing for faster boarding times; environmentally friendly transport; high frequency travel without timetables; an on-board next stop display; simple route structure and bus stop numbering; and wheelchair accessible, air conditioned and digital CCTV for passenger safety.
24 September, 2008
Disability website names and shames
The Australian Human Rights Commission has been true to its word and launched a website exposing other Government websites found posting material difficult to access by people with disabilities.
Departments and Agencies found wanting by the Commission are to be named and identified on the site which was publicly accessible.
Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes said he had warned Departments and Agencies that they needed to improve their internet services to people with disabilities and the WebWatch list would help get the message across.
“Last month I said publicly that Government Departments and Agencies needed to lift their game in providing equal access to public information for people with disability,” Commissioner Innes said.
He said the Commission welcomed the passage of a motion in the national Senate that drew attention to the need for ensuring non-discriminatory access to Parliamentary documents. The motion was put by Tasmanian Senator Stephen Parry at the request of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services, Senator Cory Bernardi.
The Senate noted the difficulties experienced by people with a disability, particularly people with vision impairment, in accessing some formats of Senate documents online; and called on the Government and the Department of the Senate to ensure all Hansard and Senate committee documents were made accessible via the Internet to people with a disability as soon as they became public.
“In a democracy it is particularly vital that information from the Parliament itself should be accessible to all,” Commissioner Innes said. “It is good to see the Senate taking a lead on this issue.”
He said the move by Senator Bernardi followed recent concerns expressed by a number of Australians who could not access important documents and sites, such as the Commonwealth Government’s Grocery Watch site and the recently released climate change papers.
WebWatch could be accessed at www.humanrights.gov.au
24 September, 2008
Sheriff hollers for 20 trainees
The NSW Sheriff’s Office has appointed 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees following a State-wide recruitment drive.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said it was the first time the Sheriff had specifically sought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for trainee positions.
Mr Hatzistergos said he expected the new trainees would provide an important link between Indigenous communities and the justice system.
“I welcome the appointment of the 20 new recruits and wish them every success as they begin a rigorous training program,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“Indigenous sheriff’s officers are best placed to understand the cultural identity of Indigenous people.”
He said the trainees would be expected to act as role models, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders who came before the Courts.
He said the State’s 298 Sheriff’s Officers played a pivotal role in the legal system.
“Sheriff’s Officers uphold the security of NSW courts, manage the State’s jury system, serve summonses and enforce writs,” he said.
“The cultural experience of our new trainees will also enable them to help with Indigenous programs such as Circle Sentencing, where community Elders participate in the sentencing of Aboriginal offenders.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the new Sheriff’s Officers would be trained at Dubbo’s Charles Sturt University campus and PCYC, and training had already commenced.
He said they would also visit rural, regional and metropolitan Centres to observe and learn from experienced Sheriff’s Officers as they went about their duties.
He said the new officers would be deployed to Bankstown, Blacktown, Bourke, Broken Hill, Burwood, Campbelltown, Sydney’s Downing Centre, Dubbo, Goulburn, Liverpool, Moree, Newcastle, Orange, Parramatta, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Taree, Wyong and Wollongong.
24 September, 2008
Hotline a hit with violence victims
A new telephone service for the exclusive use of Indigenous victims of crime has been launched by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the free phone line service was established to improve the access of ATSI victims of crime to counselling services and legal advice.
“The support line is staffed by a trained Aboriginal Contact Officer who offers a sensitive response to enquiries about counselling, compensation and the rights Indigenous victims of crime,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said victims of violent crime could apply for free counselling and up to $50,000 in compensation through the Victims Services branch of the Attorney General’s Department, but this offer had not been taken up by many Indigenous victims.
“In many cases, Indigenous victims of crime are not aware of their entitlements,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The Indigenous support line officer will be able to provide preliminary information about the services available and can provide referrals to other agencies.”
He said the support line would operate on weekdays from 8.30am to 5.00pm and the number was 1800 019 123.
“The support line complements Victims Services’ existing free-call services for victims of crime and will provide assurance for Indigenous clients that they are speaking to someone who understands the issues facing their communities,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
24 September, 2008
Local Government on road to Canberra
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has announced the establishment of an Australian Council of Local Government.
Mr Rudd said every Local Government Council in the nation would be entitled to send a representative to the ACLG and the first meeting would be in Canberra in late November.
“This unprecedented gathering of the nation’s 565 local councils will be held on November 28,” Mr Rudd said. He said it was the Government’s next step in forging a new, nation-building partnership with local communities.”
“Local government represents the third arm of the Australian Federation,” he said.
Invitations to the inaugural meeting would also be extended to Local Government peak bodies and the Local Government and Planning Ministers in State Governments.
“This initiative will give local communities a real voice in the future of Australia’s national infrastructure,” Mr Rudd said.
The one-day meeting would address issues of national and local significance including:
- Building national and local infrastructure to boost Australia’s economic capacity and improve the quality of life in communities;
- Tackling immediate challenges facing major cities and growth corridors, including urban congestion, urban planning and design; and
- Steps towards Constitutional recognition for Local Government.
He said a 2006 consultants’ report estimated a $1.1 billion annual under-spend in community infrastructure renewals by Local Government.
A 2008 Productivity Commission report found that 20 per cent of Local Councils relied on Commonwealth and State grants for half of their revenue.
Mr Rudd said the Government was re-igniting the spirit of cooperative federalism and reaching directly to the level of Government closest to the community.
“This new partnership is the most significant step forward for Local Government since the 1970s when the then Labor Government introduced Financial Assistance Grants to support services at the Local Government level,” he said.
The 28 November meeting will also see the announcement of the ongoing membership and charter of the Australian Council for Local Government.
President of the Australian Local Government Association, Paul Bell, welcomed the establishment of ACLG, saying it marked a new chapter in Federal-Local Government relations.
“The Council heralds the beginning of the Federal Government building a stronger relationship with Local Government and local communities across Australia,” he said.
“Local Government’s aim is to make sure that this is a substantial engagement on important issues that affect the lives of all Australians.”
24 September, 2008
Wetlands Officers get in the swim
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has appointed three new Wetland Conservation Officers to protect wetlands on private property in a number of valleys across the State.
Manager of the Department’s Rivers Environmental Restoration Program (RERP), Jeff Hillan said it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage the wetlands in the most efficient and sustainable way.
Mr Hillan said the new officers would work on wetlands in the Macquarie, Gwydir, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee valleys and they were expected to develop partnerships with private landholders and stakeholders.
"We recognise the significant contribution to the sustainable management of the wetlands landholders are already making,” Mr Hillan said.
“We want to build on this to ensure that wetlands will continue to survive, despite the challenges we are facing."
He said the Program aimed to stop the decline of wetlands through water recovery and effective, active management of environmental water.
He said the three Officers would be based in Dubbo, Moree and Griffith, and would offer landholders assistance through access to advice on training, grazing practices and pest management.
"The NSW Government through the DECC Riverbank Program has already purchased over 35,000 megalitres of general security water entitlement across the Macquarie, Gwydir, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee valleys," Mr Hillan said.
"We want to ensure that wetlands continue to survive and for this to occur we must be working in partnership with landholders that manage these resources.”
Mr Hillan said DECC had contracted an Aboriginal Cultural Liaison Officer to work with traditional owners in the Lower Lachlan and Lowbidgee wetlands.
He said the Department wanted to gather information on the cultural heritage of the wetlands and investigate ways they could be utilised for traditional and contemporary cultural practices.
"RERP has already been active in the Macquarie Marshes, having been a significant contributor in the recent purchase of a portion of the property 'Pillicawarrina', helping to protect the internationally recognised Macquarie Marshes," he said.
Mr Hillan said the Program was jointly funded by the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government’s Water Smart Australia Program.
24 September, 2008
Opposition puts case for list of lobbyists
The NSW Opposition has announced that it had adopted the policy of mandatory registration of Parliamentary lobbyists.
Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell said the Coalition parties had decided to demand the registration to impose tougher disclosure rules on lobbyists and improve Government transparency.
He said the NSW policy went further than the Commonwealth schemes which imposed similar restrictions from 1 July this year.
“It will make government in this State among the most open and transparent anywhere in the world,” Mr O’Farrell said.
He said the new code would include a definition of lobbying based on the Commonwealth model; would require lobbyists to register their name, their client’s name and the subject matter on which they were lobbying; and would require them to list the Minister, Staff, Public Servants and Agencies they contacted.
Mr O’Farrell said the register would be maintained online, updated frequently and which open to the general public.
He said the system would be enforced through annual reviews and an independent watch dog would have the power to remove lobbyists from the register if they contravened the terms of the system.
“We while we recognise that lobbying can be perfectly legitimate activity, there needs to limits to protect the public interest and some form of regulation is warranted,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The public needs to be confident that decisions are merit based and in the community's interest, and are not unduly influenced by sectional, commercial or private interests,” he said.
24 September, 2008
More time for luck in a big city
A proposal to extend the “core time” of cities from 9-to-5 to a 14 hour spread was among the issues to be explored at the 9th World Congress of Metropolis being hosted by the NSW Government in Sydney in October.
Connecting Cities: City Regions, is the work of six leading global academics and urban professionals examining the impact of urban development and the new structures of mega-cities.
The 14 hour Working City by James Calder, Director of the Global Workplace Sector at Woods Bagot Architects is one of the contributions in the report which suggested new ways of sustaining and improving city functionality with the redistribution of jobs and greater use of public transport.
Mr Calder said planners and Governments were starting to realise the climate change crisis was forcing Australians to look at ways to do more with less.
“The internet and virtual connectivity that allows us to work most efficiently in the 24 hour global marketplace presents one solution – the 14 hour working city,” Mr Calder said.
“The 14 hour working city would enable early and late shifts - work times would overlap to spread movement across a far greater number of hours during the day. This may increase productivity for workers and organisations, increase utilisation of public transport, roads and office buildings and end the peak hour rush.”
As a contributor to the report, the Director of Metropolis Congress 2008, Chris Johnson, examined the greater metropolitan centre of Sydney as an example of a “polycentric” structure with independent cities such as Newcastle, Wollongong, Parramatta, Penrith, Gosford and Liverpool now inter-connected with Sydney as part of one city system.
Connecting Cities: City Regions was the second in a series of five research publications being produced in the lead up to Metropolis Congress 2008.
Former NSW Planning Minister, Frank Sartor said the 2008 Metropolis Congress presented a great opportunity to look at Sydney in a global context and help the city’s future by examining issues and challenges universal to all cities.
“Half the world’s population lives in city regions and this is predicted to increase to 75 per cent in less than 50 years, so better management of city regions is critical to long term sustainability,” he said.
A key goal of the NSW State plan was to encourage jobs in our regional cities, closer to where our workers live.
For more information on the Congress and the plans visit www.metropoliscongress2008.com
24 September, 2008
Courts adjourn to Sydney conference
An international forum on optimising the performance of Courts has been held in Sydney with the assistance of a $50,000 grant from the Federal Aid Agency, AusAID.
The initiative was welcomed by NSW Attorney General, John Hatzistergos, who said it was attended by Judicial Officers from 15 countries.
Mr Hatzistergos said 120 delegates took part in the Court Quality Forum at Darling Harbour, including visitors from the United States, France, the Asia Pacific region and New Zealand.
He said the grant enabled delegates from developing countries in the Asia Pacific region to attend and take part in the launch of an International Framework for Court Excellence, which would provide Courts with guidelines to assess and enhance their performance.
“The framework is based on the premise that while there are many different Court systems throughout the world, there are certain values that transcend geographical boundaries such as the need for impartiality, fairness, transparency and timeliness,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“It is designed to be adaptable to all Courts, regardless of their size, location or resources.”
He said the framework would be equally effective in a large urban Court as it was in Courts in smaller rural areas or developing countries.
He said the International Consortium for Court Excellence developed the framework.
Mr Hatzistergos said signatories to the framework included the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (an independent institute with members from all levels of the Australian and NZ judiciary); the Federal Judicial Center (a research and education organisation of the US); the National Center for State Courts (which provided consulting, training and research evaluation to Court systems in the United States); and the Subordinate Courts of Singapore (which have a broad jurisdiction in Singapore).
He said the conference also enabled NSW to showcase its Courts to an international audience.
“NSW Courts already lead the nation in many key performance categories,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The International Framework for Court Excellence will provide further guidance for NSW Courts as they strive to improve their delivery of services to the community.”
24 September, 2008
Comment called on green fees
Public comment has been invited on proposals to remake the Regulation setting fees for environment protection licences and notices.
The Department of Environment and Climate Change proposes to upgrade the 1998 Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation following a review to improve its operation.
The new Regulation would be aimed at ensuring that the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) could be implemented in an efficient and effective manner; that the costs of administering the Act and Regulation could be recovered as part of the polluter-pays principle; and additional incentives would be provided for the reduction of emissions of pollutants.
The current Regulation sets the fees for environment protection licences and notices and also established the Load Based Licensing (LBL) Scheme which introduced the ‘polluter pays’ licence fee framework.
The proposed regulation would link environment protection and licence fees to CPI, change the assessable pollutants and fee rate threshold factors that applied to specific activities under the LBL scheme, remove licensing requirements from central low risk activities and implement changes to load reductions agreements (LRAs).
Two other draft amendment Regulations that made changes to Schedule 1 of the POEO Act were also available for comment.
The first amendment related to delicensing of scheduled activities and licensing of trackable waste and the other dealt with the definition of chemical substances, waste transportation and contaminated soil treatment.
DECC would accept submissions until 17 October and more information could be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au
24 September, 2008
Reclaimed island gets green light
A new campground on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island has been officially opened by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett.
Mr Garrett said Cockatoo Island was the largest island in Sydney Harbour and just eight minutes from Australia’s largest city.
“From a former convict prison and shipbuilding yard this Island is becoming a landmark attraction in one of the world’s most recognisable harbours, surrounded by some of the world’s most recognisable architecture in the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House,” Mr Garrett said.
“In a few short years, the Trust has decontaminated the island and made great progress in conserving and rehabilitating its buildings and facilities.”
He said the campground was the latest venture by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the Trust hoped it would breathe new life into the island and give visitors from around the world a unique camping experience.
He said Cockatoo Island’s reputation as a place to visit had grown in recent years following the success of a number of cultural events including a music festival and the recent Biennale of Sydney which attracted over 80,000 people to the island.
“A visit here to this campground with its state-of-the-art solar powered facilities, is a wonderful way to experience the sights and sounds of Sydney and learn something of the rich history of this Heritage Listed site,” Mr Garrett said.
He said the former convict prison on Cockatoo Island was one of a number of convict sites around Australia nominated for world heritage listing.
He said Cockatoo Island’s history was emblematic of the history of Sydney – it started as a convict prison in the 1840s, became an industrial school and reformatory and reverted to a jail in the late nineteenth century.
Mr Garrett said maritime activity on the island began with the construction of the Fitzroy Dock by convicts in the late 1840s.
He said Cockatoo Island was also the biggest shipbuilding yard in Australia, operating until the early 1990s.
24 September, 2008
Debt call to Councils
The Department of Local Government has called on Councils to disclose any direct exposure to Lehman Brothers Australia Ltd and the effect it may have on Council’s activities.
Lehman Brothers was suspended from the Australian Securities Exchange on 15 September, and the Department was concerned some NSW councils may have exposure to investment products which may result in links to Lehman Brothers or their associated entities.
Fair Trading staff RAP off
Fair Trading staff have travelled to Eden, Bega and Cooma to assist consumers, educate high school students and check on local business practices, as part of the Department’s ongoing Regional Access Program (RAP).
Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge said inspectors visited local home building sites, real estate agents, motor dealers and repairers as well as small businesses.
Ms Judge said Fair Trading Seniors Guides were also delivered to Bega and Cooma Meals on Wheels distributors, providing information on a range of fair trading matters relevant to retirement village living, tenancy and strata issues, and scams.
OECD stats man to speak
The Director of Statistics and Chief Statistician of the OECD, Enrico Giovannini, is to be one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural NatStats08 Conference in Melbourne in November.
The objective of the conference session on Measuring Progress in Societies was to foster the development of sets of key economic, social and environmental indicators to provide a comprehensive picture of how the well-being of a society is evolving.
The outcomes from the session would provide an important regional perspective for the next OECD World Forum which will be held in Korea in late 2009.
Daylight Saving next week
Clocks should be put forward one hour when daylight saving recommences at 2:00 am on Sunday 5 October.
Legislation was announced last year to provide the residents of NSW with extra daylight saving and coordinating the period with other south-eastern States and the ACT.
Daylight saving would run for six months this year, expected to end on 5 April 2009.
Filmmakers to confer
The Australian Director’s Guild Conference and annual Awards are to take place in Sydney again, as heralded by Chief Executive of the NSW Film and Television Office (FTO), Tania Chambers.
Ms Chambers said the Conference would bring together directors and other industry professionals over three days and would allow NSW screen professionals to develop relationships with their international colleagues, and drive innovation and excellence.
Art gallery hangs prize
The Art Gallery of NSW has taken delivery of a prized painting by French artist Cézanne entitled Bords de la Marne, c1888.
President of the Gallery’s Board of Trustees, Steve Lowy said it was a momentous occasion for the Gallery and the painting was by one of the masters of the 20th century.
Centennial park BBQs hot stuff
New barbecues have been installed in Centennial Park, at Musgrave Pond and Learners Cycleway.
The new barbecues would be free, natural gas-supplied, and stainless steel with a larger hot-plate surface area.
They were sited on new concrete slabs that met the Australian Standards for Disabled Access.
Albury Fire Station opened
NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins officially opened the new $1.12 million North Albury Fire Station.
Commissioner Mullins said the station included a double fire engine bay, operations room and Station Commander’s office.
He said it would accommodate 18 retained, or on-call, firefighters, and a number of environmentally-friendly features including a solar hot water system and rain water tanks.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Mullins presented five local firefighters and two retired firefighters with awards in recognition of their dedicated service to the NSWFB and the community.
Chefs cooking with gas
Two regional third-year apprentice chefs have won scholarships to train alongside chefs at some of Sydney’s award winning restaurants.
Nathan Lucas and Breannon Cooper-Roughly from TAFE NSW Riverina Institute’s Albury Campus, have been presented with the inaugural Albury Apprentice Chef Career Development scholarship.
As part of the scholarship, they would work for one week at Sydney restaurants Aria, Becasse and Tetsuya’s.
They were selected from the graduating apprentices at Albury Campus and were chosen for their capacity to become future industry professionals.
17 September, 2008
Agencies get fit with disability guidelines
The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has issued new guidelines for State Government Departments dealing with people with disabilities.
Launching the guidelines, DADHC Deputy Director-General, Carolyn Burlew, said there were more than 190,000 people in NSW with a moderate disability and a further 200,000 with a severe or profound disability which affected their ability to communicate, care for themselves, or move about the community.
She said the Government was working to ensure that people with a disability were able to access Government services, facilities and jobs on an equitable basis.
She said the Government was also focused on ensuring the delivery of better services that promoted fairness and opportunity for everyone, and all Agencies had a role to play.
“Disability action plans ensure people with a disability are considered in all areas of an Agency’s operations, from recruitment to service delivery,” she said.
“The new guidelines provide Agencies with a tool to develop action plans that will assist people with a disability.”
She said the new guidelines listed what was required of Agencies in the disability action plans and suggested good practice for developing plans.
She said DADHC had established a disability action planning team to promote and share best practice and to support Agencies in developing their plans by providing training, resources, tools and regular ongoing contact.
She said the Department would also compile an annual whole-of-Government progress report for the Minister for Disability Services outlining what had been achieved in implementing the plans.
Ms Burlew said the number of people with a moderate, severe or profound disability would increase as Australia’s population aged.
“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare forecasts an 11.6 per cent rise in the number of people over 65 with a severe disability aged in the period 2006 to 2010 and a nine per cent increase in the 45 to 64 years age group,” Ms Burlew said.
17 September, 2008
Book blows whistle on whistleblowers
A report published by the Australian Research Council that explores whistleblowing in the Public Service was launched in Canberra recently by the Federal Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner.
The result of a three-year national research project that surveyed more than 7,600 Public Servants from 118 Departments and Agencies in the NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and Commonwealth Public Services, the new report was welcomed by Senator Faulkner as the most substantial research in the area in Australia to date.
Senator Faulkner said the report was prepared from outside Government looking in, and would be carefully considered by governments before they decided how to respond.
He said however PS whistleblowers traditionally paid a high price for doing the right thing.
“The decision to stand up and say ‘enough’ is rarely easy and too often carries heavy costs,” Senator Faulkner said.
“We depend very much on whistleblowers to alert us to misconduct and malfeasance.”
He said people inside organisations were often the first ones to know something was wrong and their actions in raising the alarm could stop a problem before it became a crisis.
He said whistleblowers should not have to risk their careers and their mental and physical health to act in the public interest.
Senator Faulkner said less than three-quarters of Australia’s Government employees were protected by rules and regulations protecting whistleblowers.
Senator Faulkner said the Commonwealth Government, for one, was committed to broadening and strengthening public interest disclosure measures through a pro-disclosure system across the Government sector.
“Public interest disclosure protections are an important part of transparency and accountability, which are in turn critical to both effective and responsible public administration,” he said.
“Good policies to protect those who make public interest disclosures, and to make sure that the issues they raise are dealt with appropriately, support public accountability and good government.”
He said a House of Representatives Standing Committee was conducting an inquiry into whistleblowing protections within the Public Sector with a view to improving their protection.
He said current protection measures should be expanded to include other categories of employees such as consultants and contractors.
17 September, 2008
Wage setters count cost of decisions
The Australian Fair Pay Commission has published a report on the impact of its wage-setting decisions between January and June.
Commission Chairman, Professor Ian Harper, said the Economic and Social
Indicators – Monitoring Report for the period January - June 2008 monitored the impact of the Commission’s wage-setting decisions.
Professor Harper said the labour market had been adjusting to the slowing economy over the past six months and industries that relied on pay scales had experienced higher than average growth, while others had lower than average growth.
“Trends in employment for population groups containing many low-skilled workers have been similar to those of the general population,” Professor Harper said.
“There have been no significant changes in employment rates for these workers closely following the Commission’s first and second wage-setting decisions.”
Professor Harper said the employment of labourers and related workers increased significantly over the six months to May.
“For individuals in a broad range of circumstances, there continues to be significant financial incentives to take up low-paid employment,” he said.
“However, some groups face weaker financial incentives, for example, people contemplating a return to part-time work whose partners are already in low-paid full-time work.”
He said the report compared the cost of living for low-paid households with that of average households as some organisations had expressed concern that the costs in low-paid households were increasing at a greater rate than other households.
He said a cost-of-living index compiled by the Secretariat found only minor differences in average expenditure patterns between low-paid households and the rest of the community.
He said living costs for low-income employees had increased 5.8 per cent for the year to June, while other households had increased 5.7 per cent.
“Wages for the lowest-paid employees have been growing more slowly than for the labour force as a whole,” he said.
“Our modelling also shows that, for Pay Scale reliant employees in a variety of household types earning up to at least $750 per week, the wage rises granted by the Commission and relevant changes to the tax and social security systems have resulted in sustained real increases in disposable income.”
Copies of the report could be found at www.fairpay.gov.au
17 September, 2008
WorkCover contest is wall-to-wall posters
WorkCover NSW has received a record number of entries in its 2008 Young Workers Poster Competition.
Chief Executive, Jon Blackwell said more than 800 poster designs were received for the competition, more than double the number that entered in 2007.
"It is encouraging to see the State's young workers embracing the concept of occupational health and safety,” Mr Blackwell said, “and giving serious consideration to the impact of a workplace injury.
He said this year’s theme was ‘My reason for workplace safety is…’ and the poster's design supported the answer with consideration to the impact of a workplace injury.
Mr Blackwell said last year’s competition was open only to secondary and tertiary students, but this year it was expanded and open to all NSW residents aged between 15 and 25.
"The finalists have been selected by a judging panel made up of WorkCover staff, design industry representatives and young workers with the winning designs to be announced at an awards ceremony at Luna Park on 25 September,” he said.
"Members of the public can now register online to vote for their favourite poster design from the finalists from each category as part of the People's Choice Award.”
Mr Blackwell said online voters would go into a draw to win an Ipod Nano while the poster receiving the highest number of online votes in each category would win the People's Choice Award and a digital camera.
He said young workers were targeted as they were at higher risk of workplace injury because of their inexperience.
"Around14 per cent of all employment injuries and occupational diseases in New South Wales occur among the State's 551,000 young workers with 16 workers under the age of 25 being injured each day,” he said.
"All employers should give support to young workers and provide them with information and training about work hazards and safe work practices, while giving consideration to their age and experience.”
Mr Blackwell said there had been an improvement in occupational health and safety, with the number of workplace injuries at their lowest level in more than 20 years.”
“But there is still more work to be done," he said.
More information, and copies of the posters, could be found at www.youngworkers.com.au
17 September, 2008
Post Office delivers on traineeships
The success of a trial of school-to-work traineeships for 30 Indigenous youngsters in NSW, Queensland and Victoria last year has prompted Australia post to extend the program nation-wide.
The corporation has announced it would now offer 100 of the traineeships over the next 12 months.
Claiming it was already one of the largest Indigenous employers in the country, Australia Post said the 100 new traineeships would provide young indigenous Australians with the chance to work with Australia Post one day a week during the final two years of school.
Managing director, Graeme John said during those two years the trainees would develop their skills at work and have the opportunity to join Australia Post on a permanent basis or continue studying while working part-time.
“We know there is a high risk of kids leaving school in Year 10,” Mr John said.
“Australia Post will offer 100 new traineeships across Australia, building on a successful trial which ran in Queensland, NSW and Victoria last year and involved 30 students.
He said the traineeships would enable Indigenous Australians to join the organisation in a range of entry-level positions and as part of their traineeship, undertake study in various certificate courses relative to their employment such as transport, warehouse distribution, retail management and postal management.
He said at the end of the traineeship, trainees would be ready to move into entry-level positions that aligned with their traineeship.
“Offering genuine and long-term job opportunities has a worthwhile impact on the Indigenous community,” Mr John said.
“The employment of Indigenous Australians is a tangible and practical expression of reconciliation.”
He said this year Australia Post welcomed the 4,000th Indigenous employee hired since 1990 when it launched its program of employing Indigenous Australians.
“There is nothing more Australian than the notion we all get a fair go,” Mr John said, “and I wanted to ensure this was reflected in the way we employ people.”
17 September, 2008
ACE leads pack in life-long learning
Australia had a life-long learning policy in all but name but the Adult and Community Education sector hadn’t grasped that reality yet.
That’s according to the Chair of the NSW Advisory Committee on Community Education, Dr John McIntyre who recently delivered the Bob Frew Oration 2008 during Adult Learners’ Week on the subject: The Future of ACE: the Policy Challenge.
Dr McIntyre said the community education sector was challenged to discover its place in the national policy picture.
He said the future of community education would be worked out on a national level, with the Comprehensive Framework for Education and Training as agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in its human reform report and backed by the Government’s Social Inclusion Agenda.
“In this, the community sector has been accorded a key role,” Dr McIntyre said.
“Though not all in the ACE sector have grasped the reality, Australia now has a life-long learning policy in all but name, signified by COAG’s adoption of a whole-of-life framework for education and training.”
He said the whole-of-life framework, together with the commitment to social inclusion signalled the new terms on which ACE providers would be recognised, valued and funded by Government.
“The proposed Ministerial Declaration on ACE challenges the sector to build ACE’s capacity to contribute to workforce participation and productivity and signals its ‘crucial role’ in re-engaging disadvantaged adults,” he said.
Dr McIntyre said Vocational Education and Training reforms would underwrite the role of community education providers with a strong vocational focus.
He said it was important to examine the new policy consensus and to appreciate that the Aulich vision of the Senate Report had passed into history.
He said the ACE organisations were now expected to meet the high expectations placed upon them by the Government and industry.
17 September, 2008
State Scientist has formula for success
Professor Martin Green from the University of NSW has been named the inaugural NSW Scientist of the Year.
Professor Green is a world leader in the solar energy field and is Executive Research Director at the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Photovoltaics at UNSW. He also won the Environment, Water and Climate Change Sciences Category of the Awards.
The Scientist of the Year Awards are an initiative of the Department of State and Regional Development through its Office for Science and Medical Research. Their aim is to promote NSW research that added economic value through the creation of investment, jobs, skills or health, environmental and technological solutions to significant challenges.
Winners of the nine categories were announced at a reception at Government House on 11 September.
In a statement on its website, the DSRD said, “Professor Green is a pioneering researcher whose innovative and cutting-edge work has placed Sydney and Australia at the forefront of international efforts to develop more effective solar energy technology.”
The Statement said Professor Green’s leadership helped improve the performance of silicon solar cells by over 50 per cent, with his team holding a number of world records for solar cell performance.
It said he also co-invented 'second generation' silicon on glass solar cells which offered enormous potential cost savings over traditional technology.
“Professor Green and his team are now focusing on 'third-generation' thin film solar cells to achieve significant increases in energy efficiency at a time when world demand for viable renewable energy options is at an all-time high,” the statement said.
Other category winners in the Scientist of the Year Awards were Professor Veena Sahajwalla for Engineering Sciences; Dr Chris Nicol for Computer Sciences; Professor Gordon Wallace for Chemistry; Dr Peter Kirkland for Plant and Animal Sciences; Professor Philip Hogg for Biomedical Sciences; Professor Benjamin Eggleton for Physics and Astronomy; Professor Matthew Wand for Mathematical Sciences; and Dr Mark Butler for leadership in Secondary Science Teaching.
The statement said each award winner won $5,000 prize money, while the overall Scientist of the Year Award was valued at $40,000.
17 September, 2008
Farming college digs in for 100
The Department of Primary Industries’ Yanco Agricultural Institute is to celebrate 100 years of service with a weekend of activities on 3, 4 and 5 October.
Institute manager, George Stevens, said Yanco had provided important agricultural research, education, extension and regulatory functions at the Centre since its establishment in 1908.
Mr Stevens said everyone would be welcome to attend the event.
"We invite the past staff, students, residents and the public at large to come along and celebrate this huge milestone," Mr Stevens said.
He said the Institute was founded as Yanco Experiment Farm in 1908 by the Department of Agriculture on 323 acres of ‘North Yanco Station’ and in July of that year the first crops of barley, oats and wheat were sown along with lucerne, grapes, nuts, fruit and olive trees.
"Even the date palms along the main driveway were planted as a variety experiment and are the source of many of the palm trees growing in the Yanco and Leeton districts today," Mr Stevens said.
He said the farm also had a fruit canning plant, drying racks for processing fruit, a pure-bred dairy herd, a stud piggery, and breeding programs for ostriches and mules.
He said the Institute was the first agricultural research centre in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, and had also been used as a boy’s home and a Prisoner of War camp.
He said the property was renamed Yanco Agricultural College and Research Station in 1963 and was now known as Yanco Agricultural Institute.
"World class research continues to be conducted on the site,” Mr Stevens said.
“All rice varieties used by farmers in Australia were bred at Yanco.”
He said the weekend would start with an informal ‘Meet and Greet’ on the Friday at Yanco All Servicemen’s Club, and be followed by open days at the Institute on Saturday and Sunday, along with a Centenary Dinner on the Saturday at the Leeton Soldiers’ Club.
He said the highlight of the celebration would be the official Centenary Ceremony at the Institute with the unveiling of Centenary Plaque and planting of a time capsule.
Mr Stevens said the open days would give visitors the opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances and view photo displays from past eras, while bus and walking tours would feature historic sites and highlight current research and educational facilities.
17 September, 2008
Park milestone shows way ahead
The tenth anniversary of the first national park being returned to Aboriginal ownership in New South Wales was marked with a celebration at the Park, 120km north east of Broken Hill earlier this month.
Director General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Lisa Corbyn congratulated the joint managers who she said had worked hard to protect and enhance the Mutawintji National Park over the past 10 years.
Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the day.
"The milestone recognises the ground breaking work achieved by the traditional owners, Aboriginal Land Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service who have paved the way for the return of national parks to traditional owners," Ms Corbyn said.
She said the Mutawintji Historic Site, within the Mutawintji National Park had one of the best collections of Aboriginal art in NSW which included rock engravings, murals and paintings.
She said the site held great importance to the local Wiimpatja people and still served as an important ceremonial area.
"The traditional owners and local community celebrated the anniversary with Aboriginal music, traditional dancing, storytelling and cultural tours of the Historic Site," she said.
Ms Corbyn said Mutawintji was managed by the local Aboriginal community in partnership with NPWS since it was returned to its traditional owners in 1998.
She said the anniversary marked a significant achievement and highlighted the importance of Aboriginal people being involved in the protection and conservation of cultural and heritage sites within the State’s parks and reserves.
"Since the Mutawintji agreement the NPWS and Aboriginal communities have entered into 15 joint management or co-management agreements for parks in NSW including Mt Grenfell Historic Site and Mungo and Kinchega national parks, also located in western NSW,” she said.
"Shared management ensures that Aboriginal people have the opportunity to participate in planning and decision making for parks and reserves, while maintaining access to parks for everyone."
Ms Corbyn said there were 123 Aboriginal people formally participating in management Boards and Committees around the State.
17 September, 2008
Violence victims get Court time
New laws to make it easier for victims of violent crimes to present their Victim Impact Statements in Court have been announced by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said amendments to the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 would allow vulnerable witnesses such as sexual assault victims and children to give their statements via Closed Circuit Television for the first time.
“Sexual assault victims and children can already give evidence via CCTV during a trial, so there is no reason why the law shouldn’t allow them to deliver their Victim Impact Statements in the same way,” he said.
“The aim is to reduce any additional trauma for victims by enabling them to be heard in a separate room to their attacker.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the law would be changed to allow photographs and drawings to be included in victim impact statements made to the court.
“Sometimes words aren’t enough to convey the suffering felt by a victim of crime and a picture could carry additional impact,” he said.
“A victim may wish to attach a photo to their statement that shows the court how they or their family were before the incident, while a child might find it easier to express their hurt through a drawing.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the reforms made to victim impact statements included terminology changes, enabling witnesses to give statements, allowing parents or guardians to make a statement on behalf of a child and broadening psychological impacts victims could include in their statements.
He said the Government had made changes to the Young Offender regulation to allow victims to request an apology from young offenders who were being formally cautioned.
Mr Hatzistergos said the changes built on reforms made last year that allowed a statement from the victim to be read to the offender at their formal cautioning.
17 September, 2008
Gardens branch out with art display
The inaugural Florilegium display of botanically accurate plant paintings has been opened at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney.
According to the Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle the Florilegium provided a chance to show off the purpose of the botanic gardens in a creative and captivating way.
He said Florilegia were anthologies of paintings of plants, drawn from life and botanically accurate and were very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries when they portrayed rare and exotic plants brought back to Europe and England from the colonies and further afield.
Dr Entwisle said the paintings on display in the Gardens’ Florilegium at its Red Box Gallery, were produced by 15 of Australia’s most accomplished botanical artists and depicted some of the rarest plants in the world.
“One of the paintings is of ‘Maiden’s Pritchardi’ – a beautiful palm, found at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens,” Dr Entwisle said.
“It’s one of the world’s rarest plants and no longer exists in its natural environment.”
He said one of the Garden’s first Directors, Joseph Maiden collected several plants when botanising in Hawaii between1896 and 1924.
He said Mr Maiden may have collected the plant in some other Pacific Island for there were 37species in the genus scattered on various islands of the region.
“To ensure the survival of rare plants such as Maiden’s Pritchardia, we collect their seed - often having to protect them from predators such as rats, birds and possums - and distribute them to other Botanic Gardens around the world,” he said.
Dr Entwisle said the collection of 17 paintings in the exhibition portrayed plants grown at the Botanic Gardens Trust’s three Gardens: the Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the Mount Annan Botanic Garden near Camden and the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains.
“We join a worldwide revival of florilegium art which has seen the foundation of a number of florilegia, a valuable development which has come from the renaissance of botanical art,” he said.
“All of the Florilegium exhibition paintings are of the highest standards in the genre of botanical art and they represent plants that are accurately observed and painted.”
Dr Entwisle said the exhibition would run until 21 November and was free to enter.
17 September, 2008
Hospital stats show people go for doctor
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released new figures on assaults on hospital premises which reveal a trend downwards.
According to BOCSAR, two thirds of the victims of assault in hospitals did not know their attacker at the time of the incident and in most cases were either a hospital staff member or police officer.
The BOCSAR report said the number of assaults on hospital premises had decreased, after increasing substantially between 1996 and 2001.
It said assaults by strangers were common when the victims were hospital staff or police, but a patient or visitor was more likely to have been assaulted by someone known to them such as a friend or family member.
It said the majority of assaults on hospital premises did not involve weapons and usually resulted in either minor or no physical injury.
The BOCSAR report said almost 40 per cent of offenders were female and most victims were male and the average age of offenders was 32. The average age of victims was 36.
It said the most common time for assault on hospital premises was between 3pm and 9pm, and the most common day was Sunday.
The BOCSAR report said a notable change between 1996 and 2006 was that the proportion of hospital assaults classified by police as mental health related increased from 19.2 per cent to 31.7 per cent over the 10 year period.
It said the percentage of assaults resulting in injury had decreased in the same period, having fallen from 50.9 per cent to 24.1.
It said the proportion of assaults on hospital premises resulting in criminal charges had fallen given the higher number of assaults possibly related to mental health.
The report said in 1996, 60.5 per cent of assaults on hospital premises resulted in criminal charges, while only 49.6 per cent did so in 2006.
17 September, 2008
TAFE does job on recruitment site
NSW TAFE’s Riverina Institute has launched a new online recruitment service which it says would provide a crucial link between training provision and employment in its area.
FutureCareer@RI promises to connect employers and students by offering employers advertising space for job vacancies and industry events, and providing students with a job search and resume building function, interview tips and links to other useful websites.
According to the Director of the Riverina Institute, Rosemary Campbell the new service was all part of the Institute’s ongoing commitment to meeting industry needs.
Ms Campbell said FutureCareer@RI was the next step in serving the region’s students and industry.
“It allows employers to connect directly with a guaranteed calibre of staff - well trained and highly skilled people who have a genuine interest and current qualifications in their particular industry,” Ms Campbell said.
“We’re always consulting with industry when developing our courses, our teachers work in the industries and we make sure our students are equipped with the right combination of theory and experience to suit a fast-paced and demanding workplace.”
She said the web-based service was part of a broader TAFE NSW initiative that allowed employers to recruit via direct access to potentially thousands of TAFE students across the Riverina-Murray regions.
Ms Campbell said some employers had already signed up, including ATEL Employment Services and GTES Apprentices.
She said employers could register for free until the end of the year.
Ms Campbell said the Riverina Institute was the region’s largest vocational education provider with more than 33,000 students enrolled through 19 campuses that covered 154,500 square kilometres.
More information could be obtained by calling FutureCareer@RI on (02) 6938 1225 or by emailing RIFutureCareer@tafensw.edu.au
17 September, 2008
ACMA spreads web on internet
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched a new program to keep the internet safe for children.
ACMA’s Cybersmart Detectives was launched in Queensland with over a thousand students from 26 schools taking part across the country.
According to ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, internet education was vital to ensure children enjoyed safe internet experiences, and knew how to protect themselves from risks.
Mr Chapman said the event was held as part of National Child Protection Week, an initiative of the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
“Making Cybersmart Detectives available to Queensland schools means up to 350 Queensland children a week will have the opportunity to take part in the activity, and think about the cybersafety messages,” Mr Chapman said.
He said the Queensland Police Service supported the launch and had set up a task force responsible for indentifying online predators, known as Task Force Argos.
He said the involvement of the Police underscored the importance of partnerships between Agencies who shared the goal of promoting online safety for young people.
Mr Chapman said that in Cybersmart Detectives, children worked in real time liaising with community professionals to solve an internet-themed problem.
At the launch, the children who took part played the roles of a school deputy principal concerned for the welfare of a new student who was deceived by someone they had met in an internet chat room.
Mr Chapman said the key messages of Cybersmart Detectives were to withhold personal information when chatting online; take a parent when meeting someone face-to-face for the first time; and be aware that people may not be who they said they were in the online environment.
He said Cybersmart Detectives would also run weekly in schools in Western Australian and Victoria and was available for all schools.
He said since its launch, the program has been run in over 191 schools nationally reaching more than 5,500 primary school children aged between 10 and 13.
He said ACMA would make the program available to other States in 2008–09.
17 September, 2008
Planning laws pay out on donations
Planning Minister Kristina Keneally has announced that new laws requiring political donations to be disclosed when people lodged or commented on development proposals were to come into effect on 1 October.
Ms Keneally said the laws were designed to deliver increased confidence in the transparency of the development assessment process in NSW.
She said the new legislation delivered a higher level of accountability from those making political donations and formed part of the Government’s ongoing political donations reform agenda.
“Anyone lodging or commenting on a development proposal will be required to disclose any political donations or gifts they have made in the two years preceding the application,” Ms Keneally said.
“It will allow the public to know whether developers were also donors at the time a proposal was being assessed.”
She said the new laws covered development applications; formal requests to initiate the making of an environmental planning instrument of development control plan; formal request of a development site to be made State significant; and applications for approval of a concept or project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
Ms Keneally said the new laws would impose disclosure obligations on applicants, whether individuals or entities, with a financial interest in those types of proposals.
“The applicant must also disclose donations of $1,000 or more made to, or for the benefit of, a political party, an elected member or a group of candidates within two years before the application or submission is made,” she said.
“The disclosure requirements continue to apply until the application is determined.”
She said a person making an application must also disclose gifts to employees of that Council, and Councils were required to keep a publicly available register of the voting record of all Councillors on all development applications.
Ms Keneally said the Departments of Planning and Local Government would have responsibilities to make the disclosures publicly-available, either on the internet or under arrangements posted on the internet, within 14 days of the disclosure being made.
17 September, 2008
Planners embrace Darling plan
A $560 million redevelopment of the 1.5ha Darling Walk site at Darling Harbor has been announced by Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally.
Ms Keneally said Lend Lease would develop the Government owned old Sega World precinct into a combined commercial office and leisure space.
“In many ways this development will complete the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle of Darling Harbour,” Ms Keneally said.
“Additionally, Lend Lease has fully leased the building’s commercial space to Commonwealth Bank Australia – well before a single brick has been laid at the site.”
She said the lease agreement would bring about 4,500 new workers to the area, giving a significant boost to local and surrounding businesses.
“The redevelopment of Darling Walk will also complement the Barangaroo development, locking in Sydney’s future as a financial services hub in the Asia-Pacific,” Ms Keneally said.
She said the 68,000 square metre Darling Walk project would include up to eight storeys of office space; 600 public and 200 private underground car spaces; retail and leisure facilities; and new public open space.
“The redevelopment of Darling Walk is a major boost for Darling Harbour and for the millions of people who visit it each year.”
She said Lend Lease’s detailed designs for the proposed building and public space would soon be released for public comment.
“A key feature of the project will be a new pedestrian gateway linking Darling Harbour back to the City, and improved pedestrian access across Harbour Street.”
“These new pedestrian links will boost tourism numbers by linking it directly with the CBD,” Ms Keneally said.
She said retailers would be allocated the ground floor of the development and a public space would host a Youth and Children’s Theatre, a pedestrian boulevard, a community green and an active water play area planned as part of the development project.
“The project will also deliver best practice environmental initiatives with Lend Lease committed to achieving a 6 Star Green Star version 2 design rating and a 5 Star National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy rating,” she said.
“Demolition of the existing buildings has already commenced with construction work planned to start in 2009 following design approval.”
Ms Keneally said the project was expected to be completed in late 2011.
17 September, 2008
DPC re-issues travel advice
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has released a Circular reminding Department Heads of the Government’s domestic air travel policy.
The Circular said that economy class should be used for all official domestic travel, except in special cases including long flights by Senior Executives and Public Officials who were required to travel with a Minister or in other exceptional circumstances.
Energy injection at gardens
The Botanic Gardens Trust has announced that Integral Energy is to invest $850,000 in the Mount Annan Botanic Garden to remove African olive weed over the next five years.
It is expected that local provenance species of Eucalyptus and Acacia plus understorey planting and seeding of native shrubs and grasses would replace the Olive.
Integral Energy planned to upgrade power poles at the Mount Annan Botanic Garden to provide improved electrical infrastructure to newly developed suburbs around Camden and Campbelltown.
FTO in spin over washing
Fair Trading Commissioner, Lyn Baker has called for public comment on a review of the by-laws covering the hanging of washing in public.
Commissioner Baker said the model by-law that operated in most strata complexes prevented tenants from hanging their washing in a way that was visible from the outside of the building, other than on lines provided by the owners.
She said submissions could be made online at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Firefighters honoured
Long Service and Good Conduct medals have been presented to 10 firefighters from the Dubbo Fire Station.
NSW Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Mark Brown said the medal was awarded to firefighters who had served for 10 years and clasps were awarded for each additional 10 years of service.
Assistant commissioner brown said two of the firefighters were awarded the First Clasp for 20 years’ service and two others were awarded the Second Clasp for 30 years’ service.
Accident seminars
The Motor Accident Authority is holding seminars to assist the users of the Motor Accidents Assessment Service understand the effects of changes in the Compulsory Third Party scheme.
The seminars would also look at changes to the operations of the Medical Assessment Service and the Claims Assessment and Resolution Service.
The seminars were planned for Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle and more information could be found at www.maa.nsw.gov.au
Miners protected
New workplace safety laws aimed at standardising safety in the NSW mining industry have come into effect.
Under the laws, mining staff and contractors are to be afforded the same basic safety protections as workers in all other industries.
The new rules cover a broad range of nationally agreed standards on manual handling and noise, dangerous goods and hazardous substances and various classes of high-risk work.
Water Centre moves
Sydney Water’s contact call centre has moved to new offices in Liverpool.
Managing Director of Sydney Water, Kerry Schott said more than 80 staff had moved from the former Bigge Street building in Liverpool to the new office on the former Sizzler restaurant site in Macquarie Street.
Dr Schott said the Contact Centre had been based at Liverpool since 1995 and answered around 2,380 calls per day.
Tourist spending down
Spending by international visitors in Australia increased nine per cent last financial year, according to research from Tourism Research Australia.
TRA reported the spending reached $16 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Chinese, Malaysian and Indian markets.
10 September, 2008
Women’s strategy doesn’t skirt issue
A new strategy to improve the recruitment, development and retention of women in the NSWPS has been released by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Making the Public Sector Work Better for Womenis a PS-wide employment and development strategy that committed the NSW Government to achieving important benchmarks by 2012.
These were to:
- Maintain the level of women’s employment in the NSWPS at no less than 60 per cent;
- Increase women’s representation in non-traditional occupations from 16 per cent to 20 per cent; and
- Improve their advancement into senior positions (grade 12 and above) from 28 per cent to 35 per cent.
Director-General of DPC, Robyn Kruk said skill shortages and the ageing population were driving changes to how the PS delivered services to the community and how it attracted, developed and retained its women employees.
“Making the Public Sector Work Better for Women is one of the first steps in doing things differently,” Ms Kruk said.
“The initiatives this strategy will deliver are based on what women in the sector have told us they want and need and what senior women and Agencies have said can be implemented and achieved.”
She said in 2007 more than 300 women took part in Women’s Forums across the State and told DPC what attracted them to the Public Service and what they thought were barriers to developing their careers.
“In response, we proposed a range of programs, taking advice from 120 Senior Women’s Network members as to how they could best be targeted and delivered,” Ms Kruk said.
“The suggestions of human resources, learning and development, equity and line managers from across the sector, and the unions, are also reflected in the strategy.”
Ms Kruk said as a way of supporting the benchmarks set by the strategy, DPC would coordinate a range of programs and initiatives, including:
- Training and resourcing human resources managers to implement flexible work practices;
- An e-mentoring program for women building careers in regional and remote areas, in non-traditional occupations and in senior positions;
- A career mobility program piloted with mid-career finance professionals;
- An annual conference for women building their careers;
- Senior Women’s Network events; and
- Scholarships and a child care subsidy for women undertaking the Executive Fellows Program at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.
“Making the public sector work better for women will help to make the public sector a preferred employer for women,” she said.
“It aligns with the Government’s broader NSW Public Sector Workforce Strategy 2008-2012 which supported the NSW State Plan.
The new strategy could be downloaded from the Department of Premier and Cabinet website www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
10 September, 2008
Freedom Act tied up in discussion paper
The NSW Ombudsman has issued a discussion paper on the operation of the State’s Freedom of Information arrangements as part of a comprehensive review of the Freedom of Information Act 1989.
The Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, has called for public comment on the paper which he described as a detailed document reflecting his Office’s experience in dealing with the issues and challenges of FOI in NSW.
Mr Barbour said the discussion paper formed part of a broader review of the FOI Act, which included investigating the FOI practices and procedures of 18 Government Agencies, a number of Local Councils and the Administrative Decisions Tribunal as well as interviews with FOI staff.
According to the Ombudsman, the current FOI Act was in need of attention.
“The FOI Act is not operating effectively,” he said.
‘It is a complex, confusing and often frustrating piece of legislation.”
He said for the past 15 years his Office had consistently called on Government to commission in independent and wide-ranging review but there had been no response.
“As a result I have decided to conduct my own investigation.”
He said in its 20 years, the Act had been subject to over 60 amendments which had only made it more complex and difficult to navigate.
“We are aware from our work dealing with FOI complaints that both applicants and Agencies find the Act frustrating to use and work with.”
The Ombudsman said since the FOI Act first came into force, his staff had worked closely with members of the public and Government officers to resolve matters as informally, swiftly and satisfactorily as possible.
“Our experience has made us keenly aware of the need for the FOI Act to be clearer and simpler to understand,” he said, “for an effective balance to be found between the public interest in accessing information held by Government and the need to withhold information in certain circumstances.”
The 96-page discussion paper identifies 140 separate issues associated with FOI that the Ombudsman considered worthy of attention
He said the paper would be distributed as widely as possible to provide interested parties with an opportunity to contribute to the review.
“This is an important issue and I would encourage anyone with an interest in FOI to make a submission.”
He said the closing date for submissions was 31 October 2008.
Mr Barbour said copies of the discussion paper could be downloaded from his Office website: www.ombo.nsw.gov.au
10 September, 2008
New workplace for Safety Authority
A new national Authority to improve workplace health and safety has been established.
The Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard has set up Safe Work Australia saying its task would be to lead improvements in OHS and workers’ compensation across Australia.
Ms Gillard said the new body would be independent and comprise representatives of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments as well as employers and unions.
The Commonwealth would fund 50 per cent of the Authority’s $17 million budget with the States and Territories picking up the rest, according to their population.
Ms Gillard said one of the Authority’s key responsibilities would be to develop model OHS legislation to ensure consistent safety standards across the country.
She said an Intergovernmental Agreement for Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety had been signed by the Council of Australian Governments in July and the new Authority stemmed from that agreement.
She said all jurisdictions were committed to a process for the adoption of model OHS laws, and to the development of uniform, equitable and effective safety standards and protections.
Ms Gillard said Safe Work Australia would develop the OHS legislation and harmonised laws would lead to safer workplaces across the nation by ensuring a consistent approach to OHS.
10 September, 2008
New faces in old seats
The NSW Government has unveiled a new Ministry following recent changes in personnel and responsibilities.
The new Ministers are:
Premier, and Minister for the Arts: Nathan Rees
Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change, the Environment and Commerce: Carmel Tebbutt
Minister for Health and the Central Coast: John Della Bosca
Attorney General and Minister for Justice and Industrial Relations: John Hatzistergos
Treasurer: Eric Roozendaal
Minister for Transport and the Illawarra: David Campbell
Minister for Education, Training and Women: Verity Firth
Minister for Planning, Redfern and Waterloo: Kristina Keneally
Minister for Finance, Infrastructure, Regulatory Reform, Ports and Waterways: Joe Tripodi
Minister for Primary Industries, Energy, Mineral Resources and State Development: Ian Macdonald;
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Lands: Tony Kelly
Minister for Community Services; Linda Burney
Minister for Gaming, Racing, Sport and Recreation: Kevin Greene
Minister for Ageing, Disability Services and Aboriginal Affairs: Paul Lynch
Minister for Local Government and Assistant Minister for Mental Health: Barbara Perry
Minister for Juvenile Justice, Volunteering and Youth: Graham West
Minister for Roads: Michael Daley
Minister for Water, Rural Affairs and Regional Development: Phil Costa
Minister for Fair Trading, Citizenship and Assistant Minister for the Arts: Virginia Judge
Minister for Housing and Western Sydney: David Borger
Minister for Small Business, Science and Medical Research, and Assistant Minister for Health (Cancer): Tony Stewart
Minister for Tourism and the Hunter: Jodi McKay
10 September, 2008
Prisoners Court up in statistics
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released its latest report on Criminal Courts statistics which showed further increases in the percentage of convicted offenders receiving a prison sentence.
According to the report, the percentage of defendants receiving a prison sentence from a Local Court increased from 6.8% to 6.9% of all persons found guilty.
The report said that those found guilty in Higher Courts and sentenced to prison increased from 66.7 per cent to 69.9 per cent.
It said the proportion given a control order by a Children’s Court rose from 9.7% of those with a proven offence to 10.3 per cent.
It said there was a small decrease in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons given a prison sentence, from 18.8per cent to 18.1per cent of those found guilty.
The report said there had been a significant increase in the percentage of cases committed to the Supreme Court for trial but finalised by guilty plea, from 31.6per cent to 46.2 per cent.
It also said delays between committal to outcome in the District Court were also shorter with the median length of custody down from 207 to 188 days.
It also said conviction rates remained high.
The report said 87 per cent of persons appearing in the Local Courts in 2007 either pleaded guilty or were found guilty, while the corresponding figure for the Higher Criminal Courts was 83 per cent.
10 September, 2008
Finance sections can be counted on
International accounting firm Deloittes has found Australian Departments of Finance and other Agency finance sections to be among the best in the world for audit and compliance.
In a study entitled Mastering Finance in Government: Transforming the Government Enterprise through Better Financial Management, the company found that the Departments had responded well to change and had moved beyond their traditional role of support by becoming enablers of increasingly complex objectives.
Partner in Deloitte Consulting, Donal Graham said that like their counterparts in other countries, the demands placed on Australian Finance Departments and sections had changed, creating an opportunity to operate at a more strategic level and drive the change agenda.
“Excelling at back-office compliance activities used to be enough,” Mr Graham said, “but every Government Department is facing new challenges and finance has to respond.”
He said many Departments were finding the finance function held the key to unlocking performance improvement and delivering better outcomes.
He said the study found the demands being placed on the public sector included rising entitlement costs, an ageing society, a heightened focus on outcomes and demands for increased transparency.
“All of these initiatives require insight and support from a sophisticated finance function,” Mr Graham said.
He said the study found Canada to be the best performer when compared to the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia.
He said 67 per cent of the respondents saw financial management as a stimulus for change and 52 per cent felt finance was the best-placed unit to move an organisation to a greater focus on value.
10 September, 2008
Polls attract more election questions
The Electoral Commission is to conduct a number of referendums and polls on behalf of 22 Councils to coincide with the 2008 Local Government elections.
Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry said voting in the referendums would be compulsory and the result would be binding on the Councils. He said voting in polls would be voluntary however and the results advisory.
Commissioner Barry said the questions to be asked ranged from reducing the number of Councillors to popularly-electing Mayors, abolishing wards or introducing new ones.
“For a referendum question to succeed there must be an absolute majority for the Yes case otherwise the question will fail,” he said.
“If the referendum succeeds, the result does not take effect until the next elections in 2012 unless changed by another referendum before then.”
He said Election Day was an ideal time for incoming Council to gauge the opinion of the local residents.
He said the Electoral Commission would make sure the referendums were conducted with independence and impartiality, including counting votes and releasing results.
“Voters will be handed separate papers for a referendum or poll and should read the instructions carefully before answering Yes or No,” he said.
“If you are not sure what to do then our election officials will be on hand to answer any questions on how to vote.”
He said not all of the questions were about Councillors, Mayors and wards.
He said among the many questions to be put, Manly voters would be asked whether or not they supported a 4.4% Climate Change Levy, while Auburn residents would vote on whether the area’s name should be changed to The City of Auburn.
Commissioner Barry said results would be published online would be available on election night or the following Monday at the latest.
More information on the election and results could be obtained at www.elections.nsw.gov.au
10 September, 2008
Privacy Act shouts out for review
The Attorney General’s Department has completed a review of the Privacy Act and has handed down a list of recommendations.
The Act required the Department to conduct the review to determine if its policy objectives remained valid and whether the terms of the Act were still appropriate for achieving them.
The Department sought submissions from interested stakeholders and the public to assist in the review and based many of its recommendations on their comments.
“Almost all respondents supported the objectives of the Act,” the department said in its 82-page report entitled Review of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, “but most identified a number of areas where the way in which the Act has been drafted is causing problems in implementation.”
It said the complexities of the Act made it difficult to achieve its objectives and suggested reform in a number of areas, including the structure of the Act, its information protection principles, how personal information was defined and the role of the Privacy Commissioner.
The Department said the Privacy Commissioner should disclose the number and type of complaints the Commission received each year.
“The figures should enable direct comparisons between years,” it said.
The report said the Act should be restructured so that the information and protection principles and exemptions were set out in a Schedule.
It said the Privacy Commissioner should monitor, over a two year period, whether the lack of protection for collections of sensitive personal information caused significant concerns for citizens.
“The Privacy Commissioner should consider the privacy laws that exist in other jurisdictions, with a view to determining their adequacy for the purpose of regulating trans-border disclosures of personal information.”
The report said the definition of sensitive personal information in the Act should include a person’s criminal record.
It said a single set of rules that took into account the existing regimes in the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts relating to the managing of access to, and alteration of information, should be developed and legislated.
“In conclusion, although most respondents thought that the objectives of the Act remain valid, there was considerable concern about the difficulty of achieving these objectives when operating with the existing Act’s regulatory complexities.
“Accordingly, a number of recommendations are made to improve operational efficiency and transparency in the protection of privacy in NSW,” the Department said.
10 September, 2008
Cronulla Reserve breakers new ground
Cronulla Beach has been named the first National Surfing Reserve in Sydney.
Director-General of Lands, Warwick Watkins said the new reserve was one of only five in the world.
Mr Watkins said the reserve would cover 370 hectares of land and water and would include nine kilometres of the Cronulla coastline.
He said seven surfing beaches would be in the reserve, including Sandshoes, Shark Island, Cronulla Point, North Cronulla/The Alley, Greenhills, Merries Reef and Voodoo.
“The Department has committed $100,000 towards signage and to develop a plan of management to guide the future use of the park,” Mr Watkins said.
“This plan of management will include community consultation.”
He said the surfing reserve acknowledged the contribution that Cronulla had made to Australian surfing with its rich historical connections that dated back more than 100 years.
“Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club was established in 1908 and now three surf clubs operate along the coast,” he said.
“Lands has been working in partnership with the National Surfing Reserves Committee, Sutherland Shire Council, Cronulla SRC and the local community to create this reserve under the Crown Lands Act.”
Mr Watkins said the dedication would legally protect the area as a surfing reserve and provide it with the same status as Victoria’s Bells Beach and NSW’s Angourie, Lennox and Crescent Head national surfing reserves.
“The creation of the new state park would include the Cronulla Beaches Surfing Reserve along with land from Glaisher Point to Captain Cook’s Land Place Historic Site and around into Gunnamatta Bay,” he said.
10 September, 2008
New planning bodies off drawing board
A Planning Assessment Commission has been established to act as a consent authority for projects currently determined by the Planning Minister.
The former Minister announced the new body, saying it was expected to deal with about 80 per cent of projects submitted for consideration.
The former head of the Department of Planning, Gabrielle Kibble, is to chair the Commission.
“Ms Kibble is eminently qualified to serve as the inaugural chair of the PAC and brings a wealth of experience in the public sector, including local government, to steer this new team,” the former Minister said.
He said Ms Kibble was also the current chair of the Heritage Council and an administrator of Liverpool and Wollongong Councils.
Other members of the PAC were Donna Campbell, John Court, Lindsay Kelly, Neil Shepherd, Garry Payne, Janet Thomson and Richard Thorp.
New membership of the Building Professionals Board was also announced following an expansion of its role in enforcing the State’s building standards.
The new Board was formed in the wake of changes to the rules governing accredited certification, including increased penalties for unauthorised works and tighter restrictions on the amount of work a certifier could do for any one client.
The Board’s new president would be Sue Holliday, a former Director-General of Planning NSW and former National President of the Planning Institute of Australia.
“Ms Holliday has consulted for government and business across Australia and brings a valuable national perspective to building regulation in NSW.”
Other members of the Board included the founder of Huxley Homes, Graham Huxley and property law specialist Margaret Hole as well as Geoffrey Douglass, Alison McCabe, Tone Wheeler, Michael Whelan and Michael Wynn-Jones.
The members of PAC and BPB were appointed for a period of three years.
The PAC would sit in panels of three when deciding issues and would conduct public hearings and provide advice to the Minister on planning and development matters.
The BPB was established in March 2007 to regulate and investigate building and subdivision certification and investigate complaints against certifiers.
10 September, 2008
Legal graduates get Court time
The Supreme Court of NSW is offering law graduates the opportunity for a placement to complete their required practical legal training to be eligible for admission as a solicitor.
The Court’s Manager of Support Services said graduates would work with Judges and Associate Judges in a range of legal research tasks.
In a Court announcement the Manager said it was an opportunity for graduates to apply legal knowledge learned over the course of their studies.
Placements in the program were unpaid but flexible working conditions could be arranged.
The announcement said the graduates would be able to fulfill any existing part time employment arrangements and could request how many days a week they would be able to work at the Court.
Applicants must provide their contact details, name of educational establishment where their law degree was completed, requested dates for legal training and any requests for flexibility.
The Manager said the normal study path for entry to the legal profession was by undertaking examinations to obtain a Diploma of Law or a law degree from an accredited law school.
Graduates must complete an accredited program of practical legal training before they can be admitted as a solicitor.
Applications for placements with the Court should be made direct to www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/supreme_court
10 September, 2008
NPWS swoops on magpie warning
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued a public reminder that it was magpie breeding season and people should be aware of swooping birds.
It said the season would continue until November and the birds should be given plenty of space.
NPWS Senior Ranger for the Northern Plains Region, Daniel Trudgeon, said it was important to remember the magpie is just doing what comes naturally.
He said magpies and humans coexisted for most of the year, but magpies in breeding season would defend their territory vigorously.
"People walking past may be seen as a threat to their young, prompting the magpies to fly low and fast over the person clacking their bills as they pass overhead," Mr Trudgeon said.
"Most of us at some stage have been swooped by a magpie and the experience can be quite alarming, but it is usually only a warning.”
He said there had been cases where people received head injuries as a result of dive-bombing magpies.
Mr Trudgeon said birds should not be provoked and anyone who was swooped should move out of the bird’s territory and avoid re-entering the nesting site.
He said wearing a hat or holding an umbrella or stick above one’s head could deter attacks.
“Magpies are protected throughout NSW and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs or harm their young,” he said.
“Both parents feed the young, so removing or harming either adult bird could kill the chicks."
He urged parents to warn children about nesting magpies.
Mr Trudgeon said magpies could be reported to police or the NPWS.
"We encourage people to be patient and aware during the magpie breeding season and remember that for the bird, it is defending its home, not attacking people," he said.
10 September, 2008
Information sessions sow seeds for farmers
Information sessions on the assistance packages available to struggling farming communities are to be held in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone this week, organised by the Federal Welfare Agency, Centrelink.
The seminars were timely as the Central North-North West Exceptional Circumstances declaration was due to end on 30 September.
According to Centrelink Rural Services Officer, Lyn Bryant, alternative programs and payments might be available to assist those no longer eligible for EC income support after the end of the month.
Ms Bryant said representatives from the Department of Primary Industries had been invited to the sessions along with a Centrelink Financial Information Service Officer and Rural Financial Counsellors to ensure participants were aware of all the options.
She said the seminars would focus on the Climate Change Adjustment Program, which helped farmers experiencing financial hardship adjust.
Ms Bryant said the assistance package could include an Advice and Training Grant of up to $5,500 that would be available to be used for professional advice on adjusting a farming business to climate change as well as a Re-establishment Grant for anyone considering selling their property.
“You don’t have to be in an EC-declared area to apply for the Advice and Training Grant," Ms Bryant said.
“To be eligible, farmers must have invested a significant part of their labour and capital into the farm business and must have derived a significant amount of their gross income from the farm, in the immediate two years before applying.”
She said farmers would need to undertake an assessment of their farm’s viability and develop a Climate Change Action Plan as part of the Grant.
Ms Bryant said farmers could also apply for Transitional Income Support.
“This new payment provides up to 12 months’ income support to farmers who need short-term assistance to help them recover from the drought and manage the impacts of climate change,” she said.
“It may help eligible farmers who are still struggling financially because of the drought, and can help pay for daily living expenses such as food and utilities.”
10 September, 2008
National awards show that Councils rate
NSW Local Councils won four awards and received six commendations in the latest round of the 2008 National Awards for Local Government.
The successful Councils have been congratulated by Federal Minister for Local Government, Anthony Albanese, who said Councils from every mainland State and Territory were represented among the category and commendation winner.
He said 71 Councils submitted 114 entries and there were 13 winners in 10 categories with 15 commendations.
“The National Awards have highlighted the wide range of issues facing Local Government, and I encourage them to continue sharing information to improve their capacity and find solutions for their communities,” Mr Albanese said.
He said this year marked the 22nd year of the National Awards and the ongoing theme was Local Government - working hard for Australians.
Mr Albanese said the Awards showcased the resourcefulness and innovation of Australia's hard working Councils who were improving services to their communities.
He said the next and final stage of the awards process would be selecting winners for the overall National Awards, which would be determined by a National Judging Panel later this month.
Hawkesbury City Council won the Award for Innovation in Regional Development, while Murray Shire Council won the same Award but for Councils with less than 15,000 ratepayers.
The Clarence Valley Council won Awards for Youth Engagement and Natural Resource Management.
Those commended were the City of Albury, Nambucca Shire Council, Clarence Valley Council, Campbelltown City Council, Penrith City Council and Newcastle City Council.
Mr Albanese said the National Winners would be determined by a Panel chaired by the former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley towards the end of the year.
He said information about the Awards and the complete list of category and commendations winners could be found at www.infrastructure.gov.au
10 September, 2008
Ambulance’s free ride in rescue restructure
A decision to consolidate responsibility for rescue services in metropolitan areas to the NSW Fire Brigades has been hailed as a major boost to the Ambulance Service with managers claiming it would free up 88 paramedic positions for emergency patient care.
Announced by the former Minister for Health, the transfer took effect on 4 September and reflected best practice in other States and Territories.
The former health minister said the majority of rescue services undertaken in NSW were already provided by the Fire Brigade and other specialist rescue units so it made sense for highly-trained ambulance paramedics to focus on the sort of emergency patient care the community expects.
She said the Ambulance Service provided just 14 of the 325 rescue units across NSW, the majority of which were provided by the Fire Brigade (172).
“The Review of the Ambulance Service of NSW undertaken by Graeme Head earlier this year found that primary rescue work made up just 11 per cent of the work undertaken by ambulance rescue officers,” she said.
“The Review also highlighted the duplication of resources, when an ambulance rescue crew responds to an incident a general ambulance crew is also dispatched to provide patient care and transportation.”
She said sending to ambulance crews to such jobs was a duplication of resources.
Redeployment of ambulance rescue officers allowed by the new arrangements would boost frontline services with an additional emergency crew for the Central Coast; more rapid responders across Sydney; the introduction of rapid responders to Newcastle and Wollongong and expansion of Special Casualty Access Teams to access and treat patients in difficult terrain
Ambulance rescue units at Parramatta, Bankstown, Caringbah, St Ives, Camden, Newcastle, Wollongong and Point Clare would now be covered by Fire Brigades rescue units in the area and there would be no change to the rural and regional ambulance rescue units based at Cowra, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Singleton, Rutherford and Bomaderry which operated on a part time basis.
She assured the community there would be no compromise in rescue services for people who needed help.
Consolidation of metropolitan rescue services to the Fire Brigade had been discussed with the Health Services Union and Fire Brigades and was recommended by the State Rescue Board.
It was approved by the former Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees.
10 September, 2008
Insurers rejected by ACCC policy
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has rejected an insurance industry proposal to adopt a common definition of “inland flood” in its insurance policies, on the grounds that the proposal would not benefit consumers.
ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel said consumers had been caught out during severe floods in recent year by what the term ‘flood’ meant in insurance contracts. The Insurance Council of Australia had proposed a common definition and had sought the ACCC's authorisation
"The ACCC supports efforts to establish a common definition of flood that is widely understood by consumers and can be used as a benchmark for flood cover in insurance policies," Mr Samuel said.
"However, the definition proposed by the ICA is unlikely to achieve this aim.”
He said the ACCC consulted widely on the definition and noted significant concerns raised by consumer bodies.
He said the groups believed the ICA's definition would increase consumer confusion about the meaning and nature of flood cover, rather than improve consumer understanding.
"The ACCC recognises that this is a complex issue and encourages the ICA to work with consumer groups and other interested stakeholders to develop a common definition of flood that will make it easier for consumers to understand," Mr Samuel said.
He said the decision did not prevent the insurance industry from seeking authorisation for a revised proposal in the future.
10 September, 2008
ICAC uncovers more at RailCorp
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has found further cases of RailCorp employees receiving corrupt payments for work they arranged for the Agency.
ICAC has found that one former employee received at least $121,000 from contracting businesses who received RailCorp work worth more than $2.9 million.
It found another who took more than $1 million over four years by falsifying plant hire dockets.
ICAC Commissioner, Jerrold Cripps said the Commission would seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to prosecuting the ex-employees for a range of criminal offences.
Tweed heads inspected
Fair Trading inspectors have travelled to Tweed Heads as part of the Department’s Regional Access Program.
The trip is to educate and inform traders and consumers on fair trading issues and was to include seminars for builders and swimming pool builders,. The investigators were to visit local pawn brokers, motor dealers and travel agents.
On a recent trip to Dubbo, inspectors found most traders to be doing the right thing by consumers.
PM salutes Iemma
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has congratulated outgoing Premier, Morris Iemma on his contribution to public life in NSW over two decades.
Mr Rudd noted Mr Iemma’s abilities, work ethic and leadership skills and wished him and his family all the best for the future.
Hands-on kids at Gardens
Children under five have been invited to Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens every Thursday morning from 16 October.
Dandy Lions: Wild Things aims to allow small children hands-on gardening and craft activities and provide a safe place to play with parents and grandparents.
The theme for October would be Buds & Bloomers and would focus on exploring spring-time seasonal changes in the Gardens.
More information could be obtained by calling 02-9231 8134.
Nowra takes fire title
A team from Nowra Fire Station has won the fourth and final round of the 2008 NSW Fire Brigades Firefighter Championships in Bega.
NSWFB Assistant Commissioner, Graham Dewsnap, said Nowra’s third title of the year placed it as one of the favourites for the State Championships in Tamworth next month.
Assistant Commissioner Dewsnap said engaging the community on fire safety during the competition was as important as the competition itself.
Reconciliation members called
The New South Wales Reconciliation Council has called for nominations for Council and Management Committee members.
The NSWRC was looking for persons who support reconciliation and were interested in leading the direction of the reconciliation movement.
Voting would be held at the NSWRC Annual General Meeting in October/November.
Peace Awards open
Nominations for the United N Association of Australia Media Peace Awards are open.
In their 30th year this year, the awards aim to recognise those in the media whose work highlights and champions humanitarian and social justice issues.
The main categories for awards include best print, best television, best radio, best photojournalism and best online.
More information could be found at www.unaavictoria.org.au
3 September, 2008
Premier persuasive on advertising changes
The rules for Government Advertising have been overhauled and updated and Premier Morris Iemma has issued new Guidelines to all Departments and Agencies.
A Memorandum, circulated to all Ministers by Mr Iemma said the new Guidelines reflected current Government policy relating to official advertising and included recommendations made by the Auditor-General after a Performance Audit in 2007.
He said Government advertising played an important role in promoting public awareness and achieving public policy goals.
“The NSW Government has an obligation to inform all people in New South Wales about their rights, obligations and entitlements,” Mr Iemma said.
“The Guidelines establish a clear set of principles and procedures to be observed by NSW Government Agencies.”
He said the new guidelines incorporated all policy requirements relating to Government advertising into a single document.
“The guidelines apply to all Departments, Statutory Bodies, Declared Authorities and Public Trading Enterprises, as well as Sydney Water Corporation and RailCorp.”
He said while Sydney Water and RailCorp were specifically mentioned, Ministers with responsibility for other State Owned Corporations should ensure that their Boards considered voluntarily adopting the new arrangements.
He said among the changes incorporated in the Guidelines were the introduction of:
- Detailed criteria to ensure that publicly-funded advertising did not serve party political interests;
- Consideration by advising agencies to include an audit of compliance in their internal audit processes;
- A requirement that Agencies publish the cost of advertising activities on their websites;
- A requirement that the Department of Commerce publish the total advertising media expenditure in its annual report;
- Clear criteria for the approval of campaigns under Ministerial delegation; and
- Confirmation that a two-month quarantine period would apply before State elections for most campaigns
He said the Guidelines could be accessed from the Department of Commerce website at www.advertising.nswp.commerce.nsw.gov.au
3 September, 2008
Disabled blot on PS document standards
Government Departments and Agencies have been called on to improve access to information for people with disabilities.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, urged Public Service organisations to lift their game and adhere more closely to Government standards and legislation.
Commissioner Innes said Government Agencies had to ensure people were not discriminated against on the basis of their disability when information was released to the public.
He said he was willing to “name and shame” Government publishers if improvements were not made.
“Of all organisations, Government Departments and Agencies know they should be making documents and information accessible to everyone,” he said.
“I’m also telling them that, if this doesn’t begin to improve, we will start to name and shame.”
Commissioner Innes said the repeated lack of consideration for the accessibility of information by Government Departments was worrying.
“We've seen several important reports and papers published recently, all of them initially inaccessible to many people with disability – The Green Paper on Carbon Emissions Trading and the Grocery Watch website are two prominent examples”, he said.
Commissioner Innes said the Green Paper, which was over 500 pages long, could not be read by synthetic speech software.
“Making information as socially important and highly publicised as the Grocery Watch website and the Green Paper on Carbon Emissions Trading inaccessible to a significant sector of the population is, put bluntly, a disgrace,” he said.
Commissioner Innes said he was concerned by the length of time it took to make documents available to people, even when they were requested.
He said the process could take weeks.
“That's not good enough,” he said, “people with disability have an equal right to participate in public debates about important issues, but they need to be able to get access to information when it’s published, not after the debate has moved on for everyone else.”
Commissioner Innes said PDF documents on the internet often resulted in inadequate or zero access for people with disabilities.
“You can use HTML, Microsoft Word, or RTF formats,” he said.
“It’s particularly depressing to see documents created in word-processor formats, which provide very good access, being converted into PDF, which doesn’t, then only being posted in PDF.”
Commissioner Innes said all Government Agencies had policies to ensure compliance with publishing information rules that included the requirements of the Federal Disability Discrimination Act.
“I'm not telling Government publishers that they can't use PDF, but I am telling them that they must provide the same content in other accessible formats alongside the PDFs on their websites,” he said.
3 September, 2008
Workplace injuries suffer deep cut
An interim target to cut workplace injuries across Australia by 10 per cent had been reached according to a report issued by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, recently.
The tenth in a series on Occupational Health and Safety, the Comparative Performance Monitoring Report showed that the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 was ahead of schedule with the incidence of compensated fatalities from injury and disorders between the base period (2000-01 to 2002-03) and 2006-07 exceeding its interim goal.
Ms Gillard said the reduction in incidents was in fact 16 per cent, which was well in excess of the target set.
She praised the States and Territories for working together to improve workplace safety across the nation.
The Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Jon Blackwell, pointed out that NSW was leading the nation in keeping workplace injuries down.
“The report highlights that our State is performing well against the National OHS Strategy – we are only one of four jurisdictions to exceed the interim target of a 20 per cent reduction by June 2007,” Mr Blackwell said.
He quoted the report as saying “NSW has achieved the greatest reduction in the rate of injury and manual handling claims among the State and Territory jurisdictions, with the report estimating a 28.9 per cent improvement since June 2002
“The incidence and frequency rates of claims for serious injuries and diseases across the State are now below the Australian average.”
He said the improvements had saved more than $750 million in compensation insurance costs alone.
The report showed while some areas like NSW had been successful, others needed to be improved.
It said there were 236 compensated deaths in Australia during 2006-07, with 177 resulting from injury and musculoskeletal disorders and 59 from other diseases.
The greatest proportion of claims (42 per cent) arose from “body stressing”, while the manufacturing industry recorded the highest claim rates per 1,000 employees at 27.5, followed by transport and storage (25.9), agriculture, forestry and fishing (25.3), and construction (22.1).
The report found all rates were down from 2005-06.
Seventy-seven per cent of injured workers returned to work within eight to 10 months of sustaining their injury
The CPM report has been complemented by the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics, which provided a more detailed analysis of national workers’ compensation data.
Julia Gillard said the report series could be found at www.workplace.gov.au
The CPM report was launched at the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council meeting in Sydney.
3 September, 2008
Ballot bullet dodged by Election Office
The NSW Electoral Commission has defended itself against claims its cost-recovery policies for the 2008 Local Government elections were improperly designed to return a profit.
Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry denied the accusations and released the findings of an independent audit report that found the NSWEC’s costing methodology was appropriate.
Entitles Review of Local Government Election Pricing, the study was undertaken by audit company Walter Turnbull and found that the accounting systems employed by the NSWEC to capture and apportion costs were “fair and equitable”.
Commissioner Barry said the Local Government and Shires Association (LGSA) had falsely claimed that the elections were a profit-making venture.
“This report endorses our method of establishing and recovering the true cost of these elections,” he said.
“This should put an end to claims of cost shifting by the LGSA.”
Commissioner Barry said voters could be confident the NSWEC would continue to improve transparency by removing the hidden costs and providing Councils with appropriate budgets for their elections.
The audit reviewed the completeness and appropriateness of the budget model, including cost drivers and cost recovery.
It found the NSWEC correctly captured all the associated costs and apportioned them fairly.
It noted that the Activity-Based Costing (ABC) model used at the 2007 State Election had been adjusted for Local Government.
According to the review, $7 million had not been recovered from local Councils, including capital equipment, roll maintenance costs and development costs.
Commissioner Barry said the LGSA had supported the view that the NSWEC should conduct the Local Government elections to the same standard as it did for other tiers of Government.
“Local government elections are important to communities across NSW and conducting them at arm’s length of Councils promotes transparency and increases public confidence in the democratic processes that govern the election of our political representatives at every level,” he said.
A copy of the audit could be found at www.elections.nsw.gov.au
3 September, 2008
Treasury review reports on Reports
Treasury has released the findings of a review of the Annual reports of 37 Agencies and has suggested improvements for the current reporting period.
The review found a number of shortfalls across the Agencies, with some annual reports failing to report in line with mandatory reporting requirements.
Deputy Secretary of the Office of Financial Management, Mark Ronsisvalle released the Circular NSW TC/08 Annual Reporting Update to assist with the current reporting season.
“In this Circular, we discuss the results of the review and provide guidance and suggestions to improve in the preparation of 2007-08 annual reports,” Mr Ronsisvalle said.
“We include links to a number of examples of good reporting.
“We also discuss changes effective this reporting year and provide current executive remuneration rates.”
He said opportunities for improvement included the addition of audited financial reports of the parent and controlled entities in the Annual Report; performance reporting; risk management and insurance arrangements; Equal Employment Opportunity issues; complaints handling disclosure; and submission dates.
The review found most Agencies reported information on outcomes but some did not compare those to targets or benchmarks.
“Consequently it is difficult for a reader of the report to gauge the Agency’s performance,” it said.
The review also found some Agency’s Annual Reports did not adequately disclose their risk management framework and suggested a solution to the problem.
“A key action of the Review is to strengthen the whole-of-Government policy and regulatory framework for governance of internal audit and risk management,” the report said.
“Once implemented, this will require Agencies to observe minimum governance requirements on the composition and operation of audit committees.”
The report also said that all Agencies needed to post their Annual Reports on the internet and that small Agencies – with less than 200 full-time staff – needed only report triennially on EEO, Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statements and waste.
The Circular said that SES remuneration rates also needed to be included in Annual Reports.
A copy of the Circular could be found at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au
3 September, 2008
Women ring bell on after school care
A survey of working women has found that a lack of out-of-school hours care was preventing women from re-entering the workforce or staying there.
Conducted for the community group WIRE – Women’s Information, the survey of 466 women Australia-wide found the biggest problem was with care for secondary students.
Chief Executive Officer of WIRE, Samiro Douglas, said some parents were unwilling to leave their secondary students home alone before and after school and on holidays.
“A number of women said they would have to reduce their working hours, look for a new job, or stop work altogether when their children entered high school for this reason,” she said.
“This in turn means they are not contributing enough into their superannuation. Add this to the gender pay-gap, with women currently earning just 84 cents in the male dollar,
and you have the situation where after a lifetime of working and raising children, women
face the very real fear of an old-age lived in poverty.”
WIRE’s survey found mothers were three times more likely to take children to and from out of hours care than fathers.
It found grandmothers were also more than twice as likely to take children to work or take time off work to care for them.
“We would really like to see fathers share more of this responsibility and become more involved in the child care debate,” Ms Douglas said.
The survey identified other major problems with out of school care, including high costs, availability of places, lack of flexibility and Centre opening hours.
One respondent said their child care costs had increased 46 per cent in the past six years to $190 per day.
WIRE’s findings were consistent with a Newspoll survey revealing one-third of children aged five to 15 spent the holidays alone, and 15% were home alone while their parents worked.
Ms Douglas called for “urgent action” by the Government to address the problem.
She said WIRE had teamed up with the National Foundation for Australian Women and the Australian Federation of University Women to make a submission to the ‘Inquiry into pay equity and other causes of disadvantage for female work-force participation’ being conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment and Work-Place Relations.
Further information could be found at www.wire.org.au and www.nfaw.org and the submission was at www.aph.gov.au
3 September, 2008
Environment cadets get green light
The Department of Environment and Climate Change is now taking applications for its 2009 intake of Aboriginal Cadets and trainees.
DECC Director General, Lisa Corbyn, announced the intake saying Aboriginal cadets and trainees played an important role in the ongoing management and protection of Aboriginal Cultural heritage in NSW.
Ms Corbyn said the positions would give Aboriginal people the opportunity to develop their personal skills while continuing to protect and promote their cultural heritage.
“The eight cadet and 10 trainee positions on offer are located around the State and are part of DECC's ongoing commitment to Aboriginal employment initiatives,” she said.
“The positions will be spread through different areas of the DECC including the Parks and Wildlife Group which includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service.”
Ms Corbyn said cadets would undertake a range of duties and assist with local programs to protect Aboriginal heritage and the environment.
Aboriginal Co-management Ranger, Dennis Barber said he was recruited as a Cadet Ranger in 2002 and now worked permanently in the Blue Mountains region.
“I wouldn't have had the opportunities I have had in recent years if it wasn't for the cadetship, it has been extremely rewarding personally,” Mr Barber said.
“But it's also a win-win situation. The Department is equally rewarded for their investment by gaining the support and ongoing commitment of Aboriginal people.”
Ms Corbyn said Aboriginal representation was over seven per cent in the Department, above the Government’s target.
She said this reflected a commitment to managing and protecting Aboriginal heritage, but she wanted “to do more”.
Ms Corbyn said cadets were required to undertake a full-time degree relevant to the position at a NSW/ACT university which could be completed on campus or by distant education.
She said permanent employment would be offered following successful completion of the cadetship.
Ms Corbyn said the different positions would allow cadets and trainees to help with the enhancement and maintenance of parks, reserves and historic and cultural sites and deliver local discovery and interpretive activities such as walks, tours and guided tours.
She said Cadet positions were based at Hay, Cobar, Forbes, Narooma, the Lower Hawkesbury and Sydney. The Trainee Field Officer positions were based at Nattai, Jindabyne, Queanbeyan, Mutawintji, Hay, Armidale and Nelson Bay. The Trainee Interpretive Assistant would be located at Gosford.
3 September, 2008
Fuel failure sparks NSW trial suggestion
The Federal Government has been urged to trial its controversial petrol pricing program ‘FuelWatch’ in NSW, following its failure at the national level.
Victorian Senator and leader of the Family First Party, Steve Fielding, made the suggestion saying that while his party opposed the program in the Senate and voted against it, it would not oppose a ‘cautious’ approach to testing and implementing the scheme.
Senator Fielding said his Party would support the program if it helped families save money and didn’t drive independent petrol retailers out of the market, but was concerned about the federal Government’s “lack of commitment”.
“Family First is not saying 'no' to FuelWatch – we don't want to frustrate the Government – but we want a sensible approach to test and implement the scheme,” he said.
“The Government is absolutely certain that FuelWatch will help families cut their petrol bills, but Family First is yet to be convinced.”
Senator Fielding said there had been no guarantee FuelWatch would lower petrol prices and there were concerns that it would disadvantage independent petrol retailers who promoted price competition.
He said NSW could provide an ideal testing ground for the program as the National Roads and Motoring Association (NRMA) had been supportive of the measure.
Senator Fielding said if the trial in NSW went ahead, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission could be asked to produce a detailed report on its first year of operation.
”The Government should also convene a panel of independent economists to review the ACCC's modeling of FuelWatch and give public comment on their analysis,” he said.
“If the ACCC's modeling and its report on the trial answers concerns raised about FuelWatch, we can then consider rolling it out across the country.”
Senator Fielding said when FuelWatch was originally proposed the Government argued it would save families an average of 1.9 cents per litre.
“The Government has since backed away from that claim, saying instead the real benefit of the scheme is to help families compare prices between petrol stations,” he said.
“That lack of commitment concerns Family First.”
3 September, 2008
Film Office Plan projects into future
The NSW Film and Television Office has unveiled its draft 5-year Strategic Plan for 2008 – 2013.
FTO Chief Executive, Tania Chambers said the Strategic Plan would allow the Office to stimulate creative and business opportunities in a time of change for the screen industry.
Ms Chambers said the FTO needed to respond to the shifting needs of the industry, where new digital platforms were emerging along with user generated content.
She said the Plan was consistent with priorities outlined in the NSW State Plan and included supporting businesses through investment, cutting ‘red-tape’, education and investment in rural and regional areas.
“The FTO will be a catalyst for the creation of compelling screen experiences and we will provide high quality service to screen practitioners,” Ms Chambers said.
“We view our fundamental role as investing time, energy and resources in the future of a robust, agile and varied screen industry in NSW.”
Ms Chambers said the establishment of Screen Australia and the new campus and direction for the Australian Film Television and Radio School would provide the industry with further opportunities.
“We are also wanting to engage with other industries, other skills and new players,” she said.
“The FTO is moving away from being seen as a gatekeeper to public money to being a catalyst or conduit for enterprise, innovation and partnerships.”
Ms Chambers said the Plan would help the FTO provide a social, cultural and economical contribution to society.
The Plan was unveiled at an industry presentation and was developed in consultation with the NSW screen industry, the Government, the FTO Board and other stakeholders.
The FTO has invited comments which are due by 17 September and would hold industry workshops on 26 and 27 November.
Ms Chambers said that in 2007-2008 the FTO provided production finance of $4.8 million to 29 film and television productions including eight films, six TV series, two telemovies and 13 factual programs.
In the same financial year, the FTO received 48 successful applications for developing funding.
The draft Plan is available from www.fto.nsw.gov.au or by calling (02) 6680 7106.
3 September, 2008
New funding plan in DG’s art attack
The Director-General of the Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation has detailed the 2009 Arts Funding Program in a special message posted on the Arts NSW website.
The DG, Carol Mills said the newly-designed Program would streamline the funding applications process and provide opportunity for collaboration across art forms.
“The focus on regional arts development, promotion and support of Aboriginal arts and cultural activities and initiatives that reflect the cultural diversity of NSW will continue to be supported through the new Program,” Ms Mills said.
She said the new Program introduced a single application for program funding; a cut in funding categories; greater flexibility for new media applicants and cross-art forms; and a results-based feedback for funding programs.
Ms Mills said the new policy direction would improve participation, industry capacity and sustainability through professional development.
“The development of the new Arts Funding Program provides an important contribution to sustaining viable and vibrant arts and cultural industry and infrastructure in NSW, while also fostering greater community engagement in the arts,” she said.
Ms Mills said the Department would provide a Fact Sheet and workshops detailing the changes.
She said briefing sessions in Sydney would be held in early September.
More information could be found at www.arts.nsw.gov.au, Freecall 1800 358 594 or by ringing (02) 9228 5533.
3 September, 2008
Court change makes CTTT more appealing
Appeals against decisions of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) would be easier and cheaper from now on following an announcement by the Minister for Fair Trading that they would be heard in the District Court instead of the Supreme Court.
The Minister, Linda Burney, said the change would allow cheaper and faster appeals.
She said the grounds for appeal had not changed.
“Until today, all appeals to Tribunal decisions have been heard in the Supreme Court, which usually deals with disputes involving large amounts of money or proceedings involving difficult questions of law,” Ms Burney said.
“The District Court deals with less complex disputes and proceedings involving claims of under $750,000, so it is a more appropriate venue to hear appeals about Tribunal decisions.”
She said appeals could only be made someone was dissatisfied with a Tribunal decision based on law and the District Court could transfer proceedings to the Supreme Court if it was warranted.
Ms Burney said to minimise potential delays, matters or appeals lodged with the Supreme Court that had been given a hearing date would be heard by the Supreme Court.
“Any appeals that have not yet been allocated a hearing date will be transferred to the District Court and the Court will advise the parties accordingly,” she said.
The change has formed part of reform package contained in the Courts and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2008 passed by Parliament in June.
Ms Burney said the change of jurisdiction complemented a range of other reforms to the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal Act including the establishment of a Professional Practice and Review Committee and a new Social Housing Division; enhanced qualification requirements; and streamlined administrative procedures.
The Tribunal was set up in 2002 to provide a dispute resolution forum for tenants, landlords, traders and consumers.
3 September, 2008
Liverpool plan is kiss of life
A new Local Environmental Plan that would consolidate Liverpool’s status as one of Sydney’s major ‘regional cities’ has been approved by the Government.
Planning Minister, Frank Sartor said the LEP covered the entire Liverpool Local Government Area in south-west Sydney and established a planning framework that would deliver an additional 35,000 jobs and 20,000 new homes.
Mr Sartor said the new LEP would consolidate medium and high-density residential zones around centres and major transport nodes.
He said it continued the plan to revitalise Liverpool CBD which began with the gazettal of the City Centre LEP last December.
“It preserves a commercial core area in the Liverpool CBD for future business, office and retail growth as well as appropriately expanding local and neighbourhood centres,” Mr Sartor said.
“Importantly for new job creation, it also preserves and increases industrial employment lands to enable local jobs to match residential growth.”
He said the LEP took a number of studies into consideration, including a series of studies Liverpool Council undertook in preparing the comprehensive plan, including the Liverpool Rural Land Study Update, the Liverpool Retail Centres Hierarchy Update and the Liverpool Residential Development Strategy.
Mr Sartor said the LEP was the result of collaboration between the Council and State Government.
“It is also particularly timely with a new Council set to be established at the upcoming Local Government elections,” he said.
3 September, 2008
Fire Chief rings warning bells
The Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigades, Greg Mullins has urged the State’s householders to ‘spring clean” their properties and reduce the risk of fire in the home.
Commissioner Mullins said residents should prepare their homes for the warmer months by clearing out any rubbish, cardboard boxes and unused furniture and ensuring exits were not blocked.
“NSWFB figures show almost 25% of last year’s house fires - or more than 1,076 - occurred between 1 September and 30 November 2007,” he said.
He said half the residential fires began in the kitchen and urged householders to ensure their cooking appliances and range-hoods were clean from excess grease.
Commissioner Mullins said by following a few fire safety precautions and having a working smoke alarm and home escape plan, households would be better protected.
“In particular, household chemicals such as pesticides, pool chemicals, and caustic cleaning agents can accelerate the spread of a fire and produce a lot of toxic smoke,” he said.
“Make sure garden and household chemicals are locked well away from children and check the manufacturer's instructions on the containers regarding storage and use of these chemicals.”
Commissioner Mullins suggested gardens and roof gutters be kept neat and tidy to minimise potential fuel sources and that residents check their power points and power boards to ensure they were not overloaded or damaged.
“We would ask households to take the time to spring clean their smoke alarms by using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust particles, which can hinder the smoke alarms' performance in a fire situation,” he said.
“It's a sad fact that losing property, possessions or worse in a fire is often preventable and with a good spring clean, people stand a better chance of protecting their homes and families from fire,” he said.
3 September, 2008
Recognition grown in agronomist’s paddock
An agronomist with the Department of Primary Industries has received national recognition for his contribution to farmers across southern NSW.
Barry Haskins, 29, from DPI’s Griffith office, has been named joint winner of the Young Agronomist Award by the Australian Society of Agronomy.
Mr Haskins looks after growers in Hillston.
Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald congratulated Mr Haskins saying it was the first time an agronomist from DPI had taken out the prestigious award.
Mr Macdonald said Mr Haskins was highly regarded throughout South Western NSW for his work in conservation farming, which included no tillage cropping and water conservation.
"This is worthy recognition for a hard working and dedicated young agronomist who is committed to the cropping sector and to the DPI," Mr Macdonald said.
"Considering much of this region has been in severe drought for the past 5-6 years, Mr Haskins’ efforts have been particularly timely in helping growers get the most out of their limited natural resources such as water, and keeping soils as healthy as possible.”
He said Mr Haskins’ research and extension components of conservation farming had contributed to the move towards no till farming in his local region and beyond.
“In addition to assisting winter crop producers, he has also applied excellent extension advice for users of overhead irrigation systems,” Mr Macdonald said.
Mr Macdonald said Mr Haskins had joined the Department’s Dubbo office in 2002 as a trainee agronomist, but left to take up the Hillston agronomist position later that year.
He said Mr Haskins would be presented with the award at the National Agronomy Conference in Adelaide.
3 September, 2008
Parra transport gets free ticket to ride
A free transport service to connect tourists, residents and commuters to the commercial, retail and recreational landmarks of Parramatta has been unveiled by the city’s Lord Mayor, Paul Barber.
Cr Barber said the new service, based on a fleet of free buses, was the first of its kind in NSW.
“This is not just a community shuttle bus,” Cr Barber said.
“From the ferry to the city centre to the train, the Loop is a free transport solution.”
He said the set up of buses and the street furniture would cost $1.5 million and the Parramatta Council had budgeted for an on-going running cost of $550,000 per year.
Cr Barber said those funds would come from parking meter income and sponsor support.
“As the sixth largest CBD in Australia, this investment places Parramatta with the other major city centres of Brisbane and Perth with a Local Government serious about the transport needs of its residents, visitors and workers,” he said.
Cr Barber said the 41-seater buses would run every 10 minutes along O’Connell Street, Church Street, Phillip Street, Charles Street, Macquarie Street and back to Darcy Street.
“The Loop is the keystone of Parramatta City Council’s integrated transport plan,” he said.
“I’m very proud that our Council, without any support from outside Parramatta, stepped up to address the increasing transport needs this city,” he said.
3 September, 2008
Park’s tourist award blazes new trail
The Booderee National Park on the South Coast has received a high commendation in the 2008 South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation awards.
According to the park’s Visitor Services Manager, John Harvey, it is now one of the top two tourism attractions on the South Coast.
“The South Coast is a paradise for visitors and Booderee embodies all that the region has to offer,” Mr Harvey said, “white sandy beaches, clear coastal waters, magnificent bushland and vibrant Aboriginal culture for all to enjoy.”
He said the award recognised the huge effort put in at Booderee to increase the Park’s profile and its contribution in the regional context.
He said the Park attracted 400,000 visitors last year, who walked, camped, swam and kayaked in the Park’s grounds.
Community Liaison Officer Wendy Brown and Customer Services Officer Morgan Brown received the award on behalf of the Park and the Wreck Bay Community, which owned the Park and managed it jointly with the Australian Government.
Mr Harvey said the award recognised the efforts of the Park’s staff.
“We are so proud of what Booderee has achieved over the last few years - together we strive to give visitors a memorable experience and share Indigenous culture and knowledge with them,” he said.
Mr Harvey said the Park offered a range of activities for visitors of all ages such as kids’ programs during school holidays, self-guided walks and the Visitors’ Centre.
3 September, 2008
Transport ticketing on the go
The Public Transport Ticketing Corporation has called for Expressions of Interests for a new electronic ticketing system for Sydney.
The new system is to operate over the CityRail networks, bus services and Sydney Ferries’ services.
Further information could be found at www.tenders.nsw.gov.au
Seniors awards open
Applications for the 2009 Seniors Week Grants Program and 2009 Seniors Week Achievement Awards have opened.
The grants are aimed at local community groups wishing to hold activities such as dances, tours and cultural workshops and nominations close on 26 September.
Seniors week is to be held from 15 to 22 March 2009.
More information was available from www.nswseniorsweek.com.au or by calling 13 12 44.
Water rules eased
Exemptions to water restrictions have been announced for gardeners in Sydney, the Illawarra and Blue Mountains.
The rules now allow new plants to be watered-in using a trigger-nozzle hose for 28 days from the date of purchase.
The watering time for the new plants is restricted to between 10am and 4pm and gardeners must have kept proof of purchase.
Ship sinks to reef
The hulk of the decommissioned warship HMAS Adelaide is to be handed over to the State Government from the Commonwealth to allow an artificial reef and dive site to be created off Terrigal on the Central Coast.
A Deed of Gift was signed to facilitate the hand over.
Playtime at park
A new temporary play area for visitors to the Parade Grounds in Centennial Park has been opened while a permanent playground is being built.
The Centennial Parklands Trust announced that the construction of the permanent playground would begin in October during Stage Three of Restaurant Precinct upgrade works and was expected to take around three months to complete.
Immigration officers visit
Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship are to visit Nowra this month as a part of the Department’s outreach program.
The trip would aim to give people in the area the opportunity to discuss immigration related issues face-to-face with immigration officers.
The representatives would be at the Nowra youth Centre on 23 September with bookings available through the Illawarra Multicultural Services Inc on (02) 4229 6855.
ACMA burns Ramsay
The Australian Communication and Media Authority has found coarse language in the television program Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares breached the industry’s code of practice for an M-rated program.
ACMA found the program contained both aggressive and unjustified coarse language after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.
Whilst it found the program was incorrectly classified as M, it was aired in the MA time zone.
Tassie reshuffle
The Tasmanian Government is believed to be planning a major shake-up at the top of its public service.
Experts believe the Head of the Infrastructure Department, Mark Addis is to be replaced by Norm Macilfatrick from the Economic Development Department who in turn would be replaced by the former chief of staff to ex-Premier Paul Lennon, Daniel Leesong.
Current Premier, David Bartlett has not denied the suggestions but said any appointments would be merit-based and follow open selection processes.
Firefighters fire up
The NSW Fire Brigade has been bolstered by 20 recruit graduates completing 16 weeks of intensive training.
The newly qualified recruits have been posted to a number of fire stations across Sydney where they would work for three years to become fully qualified as firefighters.
The recruits came from a range of backgrounds, including carpentry, police and hospitality.
Child protection symposium
The Child Protection Division of the NSW Ombudsman’s Office is to hold a Symposium to mark 10-years since its foundation.
Government and non-Government representatives are expected to join academics and peak bodies to discuss health, juvenile justice, childcare and child protection.
The Symposium is planned for 25-26 May 2009 in Sydney.
