August 29, 2007
DPI Staff Stable In
Horse Flu Scare
More than 250 staff of the Department of Primary Industries are working around the clock to stop the spread of equine influenza.
Based in Centres in Orange and Camden and supported by the staff of the Rural Lands Protection Board, the DPI personnel are fighting against time and the odds to stop the spread of the disease.
The Department is urging people moving on and off horse properties to take all necessary precautions not to spread equine influenza.
According to DPI’s Chief Vet, Bruce Christie, the Department was hearing of incidents where farriers, horse dentists and others were moving on and off horse properties without taking adequate hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of EI.
“A farrier had recently shod a horse suffering flu-like symptoms then gone on to shoe horses on other properties,” Dr Christie said.
“Although people do not suffer from equine influenza, they can transfer the infection between horses.”
Dr Christie said that proper cleaning and hygiene could prevent the transfer of the virus.
“The influenza virus can survive on skin, fabrics and the surface of saddlery and horse equipment. But it is easily killed by cleaning and disinfection.”
He said personal hygiene and clean equipment were critically important so the disease was not spread.
“This means showering or washing exposed skin with soap and water, removing and washing clothing after exposure to the horses and cleaning and disinfecting footwear.
“Vehicles and floats also need to be cleaned and disinfected. The virus is readily killed by common disinfectants and soaps.”
DPI is urging horse owners and those with an interest in the horse industry to take advantage of regular updates on equine influenza by registering with the Australian Horse Industry Council at www.horsecouncil.org.au
DPI’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Ian Roth said authorities were relying on the general public reporting horses with a fever greater than 38.5 degrees and respiratory signs.
“I urge horse owners to be responsible and report these signs,” Dr Roth said.
“The main message for horse owners is to not move your horse and to report any flu-like symptoms in your horse to the hotline (02) 4640 6440.”
For more information on Equine Influenza and for details on disinfection call the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 675 888 or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
August 29, 2007
Appeal Nominations
Are GREAT Idea
The Department of Premier and Cabinet is seeking nominations for representatives to the Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal.
The Tribunal hears and determines appeals against decisions relating to the discipline and promotion of employees in the NSW public sector.
Under the GREAT Act, employers are required to nominate between two and 40 representatives to the Tribunal for periods of up to three years.
The Act does not recognise Public Service Departments as separate employers under the Act so they cannot nominate their own representatives but the Director of Public Employment nominates a list to for Departments and Agencies listed under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.
In a Circular issued by DPC, the DPE seeks assistance from Departments and Agencies in building the list of representatives to replace those whose terms expire on 9 October 2007.
It invites Agencies to nominate representatives according to the number of matters they have before the tribunal, with high-use organisations urged to suggest three or four names, medium users two or three with low use Agencies requested to submit none.
Agencies are urged to take account of the need for gender balance in their nominations as well as the need for representation of people from non-English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Recommendations must be received by 10 September 2007 and successful nominees will be advised in writing.
August 29, 2007
PSA in Scrape
Over Care Cuts
The Public Service Association has called for the Department of Community Services to reverse its decision to cut the number of Children’s Services Advisers conducting inspections of childcare facilities.
The PSA wants the Premier, Morris Iemma, to intervene.
According to the Association, the Department plans to reduce the number of Children's Services Advisers from 77 to 47 across the State.
Assistant General Secretary of the PSA, Steve Turner said the cuts could lead to complaints taking longer to investigate and that could place children at risk.
“These workers are responsible for 3951 licensed services plus many more unlicensed across NSW including childcare centres, family day care, occasional day care and pre-schools,” Mr Turner said.
“The DoCS plan is to cut front-line workers while increasing head office staff.”
He said reducing the number of Children’s Service Advisers would mean any problems would take longer to rectify.
“The cuts will mean fewer proactive inspections to identify dangerous practices, longer to respond to complaints from parents and less capacity to take legal action against Centres who are breaching licences,” he said.
He said the cuts were “short-sighted policy making” which represented a downgrading of standards in childcare centres.
“We call on the Premier to immediately intervene and direct DoCS to maintain the current levels of Children's Services Advisers,” Mr Turner said.
August 29, 2007
Police Horses Run
In APEC Handicap
NSW Police were confident their police horses would be able to take part in the security for the upcoming APEC summit with none of them yet exhibiting signs of the troublesome Equine Influenza virus.
Following the outbreak of the virus, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald announced a State-wide lockdown of all horse movements, while Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran imposed a nationwide ban on horse movements, halting horse races and harness racing.
It was feared that the NSW lockdown would prevent mounted police from fulfilling their role during the APEC summit, but NSW Chief Veterinarian Bruce Christie said initial tests of the police horses showed they were not showing any signs of EI.
“The horses from APEC have been examined,” Dr Christie said. “There’s no clinical signs in the horses for APEC at all.”
A NSW police spokesman said it was still too early to determine if the horses would participate in APEC security arrangements with the movement ban still in effect.
Dr Christie said that horses in Sydney and rural areas had been struck down with the virus since the outbreak. He said that most of those horses either remained in, or have travelled from, private stables at Sydney's Centennial Park, spreading the infection to sites at Parkes, Tamworth, the Windsor area and Wyong on the Central Coast and Berry. The others were detected at the Federal Government's quarantine facility at Eastern Creek, in Sydney's west.
According to NSW Police around 34 horses were located at the mounted police facility which is also at Centennial Park.
August 29, 2007
Review to Bring Libraries to Book
An independent review of public library funding in NSW is to be conducted by former chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, Dr Tom Parry.
Beginning immediately, the review is to help ensure libraries retain their important role in local communities.
According to Arts Minister, Frank Sartor, the strategic review would help ensure Government funding was distributed in the most effective way.
“Dr Parry will look at a range of relevant issues including Local Government funding for
public libraries and the areas in greatest need of public funding support,” Mr Sartor said.
He said the review would include consultation with a range of stakeholders such as the Library Council of NSW and its Public Libraries Consultative Committee, the Local Government and Shires Association the NSW Arts Advisory Council, the Metropolitan Public Libraries Association and the Country Public Libraries Association.
Mr Sartor said the Government recognised the important service provided by public libraries, particularly in regional areas.
“Since 15, State Government funding to the public library network has increased by
almost 40 per cent to $23.5million in 2007/08,” he said.
“This review of public libraries funding – in consultation with industry – will help to ensure we are working to the best possible advantage for the community and the arts.”
Mr Sartor said the review would examine and report on:
* Revenue raising potential of local government authorities by local government area (detailed for sources of revenue and demographic factors);
* Options for the most strategic application of State Government funding which would ensure this funding is directed towards areas of greatest need;
* Any regulatory implications associated with these options;
* Transitional arrangements including an implementation plan to guide the migration
to a new, more strategic system of funding;
* Any other means by which library services may be enhanced in NSW; and
* Identification of special issues and anomalies.
Mr Sartor said he expected to receive a report from Dr Parry by the end of the year
and would consider its recommendations.
August 29, 2007
Web Used to Catch
Community Staff
A new website has been launched with the aim of attracting and retaining staff in the community services sector.
Described as the first of its kind in Australia, the new Community Workforce Village website provides the sector with a forum for sharing resources and best practice in attracting and retaining staff.
At its launch during the Community and Disability Services Ministers’ Conference the site was identified as being a valuable addition to the field.
Deputy Director-General of Community Services, Annette Gallard, welcomed the launch of the website saying it was an important step towards enhancing the range of qualified community services staff throughout Australia.
He said the Community Workforce Village would provide Government, non-Government and community organisations with access to a wide range of information and research on attracting and retaining community services staff.
She said the main objective of the website was to allow community services organisations to share their successes.
“Across Australia, innovative work is being done by community services organisations in areas such as children’s services, child protection, disability services and juvenile justice,” a statement from the Department said.
“This website will allow both individual organisations and the States and Territories to share information, develop collaborative approaches and reduce duplication in workforce management strategies.”
It said one of the key reasons for shortages in staff was increasing demand for community services. “In the last decade, both Government and non-Government community service organisations have reported a significant increase in demand.
“This increase in demand has been driven by a range of factors, including population growth, economic and social pressures and changing community expectations.
The Department said the Community Workforce Village was an important step in meeting staffing challenges, and building a highly skilled community services workforce to meet the needs of Australians now and into the future.
The website can be visited at www.communityworkforcevillage.org
August 29, 2007
National OHS Week
To Be a Safe Bet
Safe Work Australia Week has been launched by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council and will be held this year between 21 and 27 October .
The week aims to encourage all working Australians to become involved in, and concentrate on, safety in their workplace to reduce death, injury and disease.
According to the Chairman of the ASCC, Bill Scales, Australia currently ranked in the top five countries for reducing work-related deaths. He said there had been a 13 per cent decrease in accepted compensation claims and a 36 per cent decrease in compensated fatalities since 16.
“While these figures are encouraging, even one injury or fatality in the workplace is still one too many,” Mr Scales said.
He said incorporating safety into everyday work practices and making it a daily consideration not only improved occupational health and safety performance, but had a very significant effect on productivity.
“By organising a safety event in the workplace for Safe Work Australia Week, employers can begin to highlight the importance of safety and the role everyone plays in making safety a priority at work,” Mr Scales said
He said that an online ordering system for free promotional products had been launched to assist employers promote Safe Work Australia Week.
“Workplace events don’t need to cost a lot of money or require a lot of time to plan and the ASCC has made promotional products and resource kits available online to support employers across Australia.”
Mr Scales said there had already been orders from more than 500 organisations nationwide for Safe Work Australia Week promotional products.
He said the promotional products, employer resource kits and activity ideas for Safe Work Australia Week 2007 were available from the ASCC website at www.ascc.gov.au.
August 29, 2007
Spirits Uplifted By
Charity Bra Quest
Staff of Centrelink in Central West NSW have put their weight behind the McGrath Foundation’s Bra Challenge in a fun campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.
In the past six months the staff have collected 750 bras as well as $300 for the Foundation.
According to Centrelink’s organiser, Lana Grey, breast cancer affected about one in 11 Australian women in their lifetime and the donated bras would be used to form a bra chain with a view to breaking a Guinness World Record.
“It’s not just people in their mid 50s that are being diagnosed but also younger people in their mid 20,” Ms Grey said.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and it will have an effect on everyone in every community at some stage.”
She said the response from the people of NSW’s Central West had been overwhelming.
“When we initially started the challenge, we never dreamed the community would get behind it the way it has,” she said.
The bras are now on their way to a central collection point in Queensland thanks to the generosity of local removalists, Dawsons.
Ms Grey said the campaign’s success was built on the motivation of Centrelink staff to get behind the cause.
“The Centrelink staff from our Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Lithgow and Cowra offices, always rally behind causes that help their local communities,” she said.
“They were very involved in the challenge – from collecting bras to raising money through raffles – so it’s nice to be able to give them a pat on the back for their efforts too.”
The chain of bras will have to stretch further than 111km to beat the current record.
August 29, 2007
WorkCover Drinks to
Alcohol Fact Sheet
WorkCover NSW has launched a new fact sheet to help employers address the problem of alcohol and drug use in the workplace.
Chief Executive of WorkCover, Jon Blackwell announced the fact sheet Establishing a policy to manage alcohol and other drugs in the workplace, saying it was astep-by-step guide for small and medium businesses on how to develop a policy for managing the misuse of alcohol and drugs in their workplace.
“The misuse of alcohol and drugs at work is an important issue that affects workers and employers, and can contribute to productivity losses, absenteeism and lateness, anti-social behaviour, and unlawful conduct,” Mr Blackwell said.
“Workers affected by drugs or alcohol at work not only jeopardise their own safety, they place their colleagues and others in the workplace at risk.
He said employers and workers needed to be aware of the potential consequences associated with the misuse of drugs and alcohol, and the potential serious consequences for workplace health and safety, such as an increased risk of injury.
Mr Blackwell said the fact sheet provided practical and workable solutions, and encouraged both employers and workers to manage risks associated with drug and alcohol use by adopting a preventative approach.
“The fact sheet will help employers develop a guide that is tailored to their individual workplace and highlights the importance of developing a written alcohol and other drugs policy in close consultation with their workers,” he said.
“Employers are encouraged to provide education, and to use counselling, treatment services and support programs as appropriate risk management tools for controlling alcohol and drugs in the workplace.
Mr Blackwell said WorkCover was committed to assisting businesses understand and meet their workplace safety and workers compensation responsibilities.
He said that further information on how to establish a workplace alcohol and other drugs policy was available in the Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplaceguide.
The fact sheet and guide were developed in consultation with key industry stakeholders, including employers, unions and health workers. Both documents are available from the WorkCover website.
August 29, 2007
Policy Develops
For Filmmakers
Film makers are to benefit from reduced administration and red tape when filming on Crown land following changes to planning laws gazetted recently.
Acting Arts Minister John Hatzistergos said the changes, which mean that short-term filming on Crown Land will no longer require development consent, will make things easier for film makers.
Until now, State Environment Planning Policy allowed filming without development consent on private land and at iconic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, but the requirements for Crown Land were unclear.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government was delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and ensure NSW remained “open for business.”
“This includes supporting the film industry, which attracts jobs and investment to NSW and promotes our cultural diversity,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The film industry told us that the lack of clarity relating to filming on Crown Land was
creating red tape and inconsistencies for film makers, so we have taken steps to clarify the
process.”
He said that the laws had been changed after consultation with the film industry.
“We will continue working with the NSW Film and Television Office and industry groups to make NSW more film friendly and help to showcase local talent to the world.”
He said a thriving arts and cultural sector, including the film and television production industry, were vital to drive economic growth and innovation.
“The recent State Budget allocated more than $9 million to the NSW Film and Television
Office to support the local film industry with grants and other assistance,” Mr Hatzistergos
said.
Current or recent film productions based in NSW included Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, which was based at Fox Studios and is to be partly filmed in Sydney, and the new ABC drama series East of Everything which was produced from Byron Bay.
The largest Bollywood production ever to come to Australia, Heyy Babyy, was filmed in Sydney earlier this year and would be launched in the city later this month.
August 29, 2007
Indigenous Police
Deal Fits the Bill
The NSW Police Force has updated its Aboriginal Strategic Direction to improve relationships with the State’s Aboriginal communities.
Announced by Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, the new ASD builds on work already done to give Aboriginal people a greater say in how their communities are policed and will establish Aboriginal Consultative Committees in many of the 80 Local Area Commands across the State.
Commissioner Moroney said the Local Area Command Aboriginal Consultative Committees would be made up of the local Police Commander and members of the local Aboriginal communities. They would meet every two to three months to provide a forum for joint decision making and address Aboriginal issues at a local level, allowing Police to better listen to, and understand, the Aboriginal people in their community.
“Having spent half my working life in regional NSW I know that strong locally-based communication can help reduce the incidence of criminal activity,’’ Commissioner Moroney said
“Our Aboriginal Strategic Direction seeks to build on the work started over 20 years ago by former Commissioner John Avery, and reinforced by former Commissioner Tony Lauer, to bridge the gaps between the police and Aborigines, particularly the young people.’’
Commissioner Moroney said the initiative was already having a positive effect on Aboriginal communities.
“Through a variety of programs, effective feedback is helping reduce substance abuse, both legal and illegal, family violence and criminal activity, while at the same time engendering self respect and respect for the rights and property of other people.”
He said that the Aboriginal Strategic Direction set out to divert Aboriginal youths from crime and anti-social behaviour, while reducing the over representation of Aboriginal people in the State’s jails.
He said the Aboriginal prison population in New South Wales was 12 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal people, while Aboriginal defendants faced criminal charges at a rate 13 times higher than non-Aborigines.
He said the policy would also identify the key roles other Government Agencies could play in reducing Aboriginal contact with the criminal justice system.
Copies of the Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2007 – 2011 can be found on the NSW Police Force website at www.police.nsw.gov.au
August 29, 2007
Limited Slips A
Win for Car Rego
Reforms to the registration process which exempt new cars and light vehicles from needing registration pink slips for five years have been announced by Roads Minister, Eric Roozendaal.
Mr Roozendaal said the new system would save the State’s families time and money.
“Under these changes, an extra 600,000 NSW families and businesses will save the cost of a pink slip,” Mr Roozendaal said. “This means a saving of $31.10 a year in pink slip costs on new vehicles until the vehicle is five years old.
“And when it comes time to renew their registration, motorists won’t need to go into an RTA registry – it can all be done over the internet or over the phone.”
Mr Roozendaal said the reforms recognised the improved standard of new cars since the previous extension of pink slip exemptions.
“The mechanical standard of new cars has improved significantly since 1989, when the pink slip exemption period was extended from one to three years.
“New cars are much more reliable, they have much longer warranties – some up to five years – so annual inspection requirements can be extended until a vehicle is five years old without compromising safety,” he said.
According to the Minister the changes would also benefit those using their vehicles for work purposes.
“In a change which will benefit small businesses and tradespeople, utes and vans will also not need an inspection for five years – currently annual inspections are required after only a year,” Mr Roozendaal said.
He said the the key changes, to be brought in from July 1, 2008 would be:
- The five year exemption on pink slips for all new cars and light vehicles purchased in NSW, up from the current three-year exemption.
- The same exemption would apply to all cars and light vehicles under five years old as of July 1, 2008.
- Transmission of pink slips electronically to the RTA meaning motorists will no longer need to wait in a queue to renew their registration but can do so over the internet or phone.
- Motorists will also be able to register their vehicles for shorter periods of three months or six months as well as the current one-year standard.
-Vans and utes will not need a pink slip for five years – up from the current one year exemption.
August 29, 2007
Oral Historians
Tell It Like It Was
A collection of oral histories of Aboriginal women in the Campbelltown area has been launched by the Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, and the MP for Campbelltown, Graham West.
Appearing as a major publication, the Tell Me My Mother, Stories of Campbelltown’s Aboriginal Women shared the stories and memories of 15 local women as part of a community cultural development project undertaken by the Campbelltown City Council in partnership with the Aboriginal community of Campbelltown and funded by the NSW Government
Ms Keneally said the project was established last year and involved the recording of more than 30 Aboriginal older people who lived within the City of Campbelltown.
She said the project aimed to improve the well-being of Aboriginal men and women aged 45 years and older who lived, worked or used services in the Campbelltown area and their intergenerational connection with young people.
“The stories will also be used to promote learning, respect and understanding across generations and within the wider community,” Ms Keneally said.
Mr West said the project provided an opportunity for the community to acknowledge the positive contribution and relevance that older people could have in the lives of younger generations.
“It has allowed for young generations to engage with the experiences of older people and sensitively and skilfully adapt these into artistic representations,” Mr West said.
“The NSW Government is proud to fund this important project and I would like to commend Campbelltown City Council, its Arts Centre and the Aboriginal community for this important and excellent publication.”
The Mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Aaron Rule said Tell Me My Mother, Stories of Campbelltown’s Aboriginal Women was an important resource for the community, particularly younger and future generations.
“We thank all those who have generously given their time and permission for their stories to be told,” Mr Rule said.
“A further publication of Aboriginal men’s stories and educational resources will be developed over the next 12 months and will be launched in 2008.”
August 29, 2007
Numbers are Up In
Court Statistics
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released its latest statistics on the State’s criminal courts, revealing that 147,916 people appeared in NSW Courts in 2006 charged with one or more criminal offences.
According to the statistics, most defendants either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of at least one of the offences for which they were charged.
The statistics showed that the overall conviction rates were 70.8 per cent in the Children’s Court, 87.1 per cent in the Local Court and 83.7 per cent in the Higher (District and Supreme) Criminal Courts.
They revealed the most common offence heard in the NSW Children’s Court was non-aggravated assault, although that Court also dealt with a substantial number of burglary offences. The most common offences dealt with in the NSW Local Court were non-aggravated assault and driving offences, while the Higher Criminal Courts dealt with sexual offences, break and enter, and robbery offences.
The likelihood of a prison sentence (or control order) was shown to vary according to the jurisdiction hearing the case.
In the Children’s Court, 9.7 per cent of convicted offenders received a control or detention order, in the Local Courts 6.8 per cent received a sentence of imprisonment and the corresponding figure in the Higher Criminal Courts which deal with the most serious and persistent of offenders, was 66.7 per cent.
There was a substantial increase (17.4 per cent) between 2005 and 2006 in the numberof persons given suspended sentences in the District Court (from 420 to 493 people) but as a proportion of all penalties handed down by the District Court, the change was only slight.
The proportion of offenders receiving suspended sentences of one kind or another increased by 2.3 per cent between 2005 and 2006, while the proportion of offenders receiving full-time prison dropped by only 2.6 per cent.
In the Higher Criminal Courts the only other notable changes revealed by the statistics were:
- A decrease in the proportion of cases committed for trial that proceeded to trial: from 29.6 per cent to 28.7 per cent
- An increase in the proportion of cases committed for trial but finalised by guilty plea: from 52.8 per cent to 56.4 per cent.
- A decrease in the median delay between committal and outcome for District Court matters where the defendant was on bail and the matter proceeded to trial (from 288 to 271 days).
August 29, 2007
Plain Sailing for
Maritime Seminars
The NSW Marine Parks Authority is to host two important seminars next month to improve the knowledge of local business and tourism operators about Jervis Bay Marine Park.
The Authority said the free seminars were being held to boost services to visitors and to protect the marine park as an environmental and tourism gem on the south coast.
According to Jervis Bay Marine Park Manager, Leigh Harris it was important for everyone who informed visitors about the marine park to have the right information.
“There are so many people in the local community, from the corner store owner to the local motel and tourism operator, who are being asked all manner of questions about the marine park by visitors,” Mr Harris said.
“They are being asked straightforward things like directions and marine park regulations but they are also being asked more complex questions about the marine park's natural and cultural values and why the park is so important.
He said for a whole range of reasons it was really important that the information provided was correct and helpful.
Mr Harris said the initiative was designed to assist visitors to the park to get the most from the experience.
“Good information helps visitors have an enjoyable time and raises the marine park's profile as a tourism destination. Both these things encourage more people to visit.
“It also helps people understand how to treat the marine park so that its environmental and tourism values are protected.”
He said the Marine Park Authority’s two seminars would feature leading authorities on the natural values of the park and cover such areas as dolphins and whales, the role and importance of marine parks, and the diversity and significance of the Bay's bird and marine life.
The seminars would be free and will be held on 12 September and 27 September at the Vincentia Golf Club.
To book or to obtain further information call the Jervis Bay Marine Park office on (02) 4441 7752.
August 29, 2007
New FOI Manual a
Mine of Information
The Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Office of the NSW Ombudsman have published the NSW Freedom of Information Manual, a wholly revised update of the Premier’s Department’s 14 FOI Procedure Manual.
According to the Department and Ombudsman, the NSW FOI Manual has been designed to assist Agency and Ministerial staff interpret the Freedom of Information Act 1989 by taking them through the steps for handling FOI applications and related matters, including appeals.
The Department said the NSW FOI Manual also contained an up-to-date and comprehensive statement of the NSW Government's policies relating to the administration of the Freedom of Information Act 1989. Those parts of the NSW FOI Manual that comprised NSW Government policy have been clearly identified as such.
The Department said the policies contained in the NSW FOI Manual were comprehensive, and superseded the policies contained in the Premier's Department's FOI Procedure Manual, as well as other FOI policies contained in earlier Premier's Memoranda and Premier's Department Circulars.
The new Manual will be useful for all Agencies subject to Freedom of Information laws.
The Manual also sets out the revised form for annual reporting of FOI statistics which will apply from the 2007/08 financial year. Annual reports for 2006/07 should continue to be prepared using the current forms.
The Manual will be made available electronically on the publications page of the Department of Premier and Cabinet website and will be updated with revised editions published periodically.
Changes in Government policy introduced between editions would be notified in Memoranda or Circulars and be made available electronically on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
The new NSW FOI Manual supersedes five Ministerial Memoranda and 19 Premier’s Department Circulars.
August 22, 2007
New FOI Manual a
Mine of Information
The Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Office of the NSW Ombudsman have published the NSW Freedom of Information Manual, a wholly revised update of the Premier’s Department’s 14 FOI Procedure Manual.
According to the Department and Ombudsman, the NSW FOI Manual has been designed to assist Agency and Ministerial staff interpret the Freedom of Information Act 1989 by taking them through the steps for handling FOI applications and related matters, including appeals.
The Department said the NSW FOI Manual also contained an up-to-date and comprehensive statement of the NSW Government's policies relating to the administration of the Freedom of Information Act 1989. Those parts of the NSW FOI Manual that comprised NSW Government policy have been clearly identified as such.
The Department said the policies contained in the NSW FOI Manual were comprehensive, and superseded the policies contained in the Premier's Department's FOI Procedure Manual, as well as other FOI policies contained in earlier Premier's Memoranda and Premier's Department Circulars.
The new Manual will be useful for all Agencies subject to Freedom of Information laws.
The Manual also sets out the revised form for annual reporting of FOI statistics which will apply from the 2007/08 financial year. Annual reports for 2006/07 should continue to be prepared using the current forms.
The Manual will be made available electronically on the publications page of the Department of Premier and Cabinet website and will be updated with revised editions published periodically.
Changes in Government policy introduced between editions would be notified in Memoranda or Circulars and be made available electronically on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
The new NSW FOI Manual supersedes five Ministerial Memoranda and 19 Premier’s Department Circulars.
August 22, 2007
Guides Show Way For
PS Decision Makers
The Federal Administrative Review Council has released a series of Best Practice Guides for administrative decision makers in Government Departments and Agencies.
Developed by the ARC with the assistance of Monash University academic, Associate Professor Pam O’Connor, the guides are expected to be of value to all public sector Agencies, including Commonwealth, State and Territory Public Services.
They work chronologically through the information decision makers need to be aware of when they reach key stages in the administrative decision-making process.
There are five guides in the series: Lawfulness, Natural Justice, Evidence, Facts and Findings, Reasons and Accountability.
According to the Council, the Guides are written in clear and succinct terms and provide a valuable benchmark for administrative decision making in any Australian jurisdiction.
The Council expects they will be incorporated into many Departmental and Agency internal training programs and on-line training resources.
“The Guides will allow Government decision makers to acquire and retain a fundamental knowledge of good decision making,” a statement accompanying the Guides said.
Launching the series, Federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock said decisions made by Public Servants in many Government Departments and Agencies could affect the lives of many Australians and cover a multitude of issues, from welfare entitlements to civil aviation safety.
“For this reason, it is important these decisions are made carefully, wisely and prudently," Mr Ruddock said.
“Through the Guides, decision makers now have quality, accurate guidance on best practice in administrative decision making.
"I expect these Guides to become the standard reference tool for public officers performing a decision making function."
The ARC said the Guides could be used as building blocks and supplemented to meet the specific legislative needs of individual departments and agencies.”
It said it was working with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to develop a DIAC-supplemented version of the Guides and the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman was also working on its own versions.
“The Council strongly encourages other Departments and Agencies also to consider this option.”
More information about the Guides is available from the Council’s Executive Director on (02) 6250 5800 or by e-mail at arc.can@ag.gov.au.
August 22, 2007
RailCorp Audit On
The Right Track
The Auditor-General has found that RailCorp has improved the management of its railway signals and that the passenger services it provides have improved as a result.
Reporting on a Performance Audit of signal failures on the metropolitan rail network, the Auditor said RailCorp delivered almost a million metropolitan passenger journeys every day. He said the rail system had 3800 trackside signals, 2900 train stops, 6800 track circuits and 2200 sets of points.
“If there is a signaling failure, the signals go red and trains are brought to a stop or run at reduced speed while staff investigate the problem,” The Auditor-General said.
“Signaling failures can delay many trains and inconvenience many passengers.”
He said effective maintenance and response to signaling failures was therefore “crucial” to achieve on-time running.
The Auditor said that between 2004 and 2006 the number of trains delayed as a result of signaling problems had been reduced, indicating an improved performance and better management.
“The fall in failures is a clear indication of improved performance,” the Auditor said. “RailCorp has improved its management of signal assets and its response to signal incidents.”
He said however, that RailCorp needed to compare its signaling reliability and response management against other networks and work out with more confidence the number and duration of signal failures the system could tolerate.
He said between 2004 and 2006, the number of 24 hour signalling failures on the greater metropolitan network fell by nine per cent; signalling incidents fell by 45 per cent and RailCorp met its monthly signalling failure targets “most of the time.”
He said RailCorp’s performance target was to have 92 per cent of peak hour services running on time.
The Auditor said RailCorp had yet to determine the signaling system required to meet its 2016 patronage projection levels and without additional work, faced the risk of investing in a wrong or inadequate system.
The Auditor made five recommendations.
August 22, 2007
Honours and Awards
For Brave Blue Line
Thirteen members of the NSW Police Force have been awarded Australian Bravery Decorations by the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery.
Four officers received the highest honour, the Bravery Medal; two received commendations for brave conduct; and seven received citations for group bravery.
Those awarded the Bravery Medal were:
* Senior Constable Roland Curll of the Lake Illawarra Rescue Squad, who rescued a man trapped in a house fire at Koonawarra by crawling through almost zero visibility to successfully rescue the trapped man who was lying on his bed.
* Inspector Paul James Devaney from the Northern Beaches LAC who attempted to rescue two men from a burning car at Beacon Hill by ignoring warnings from others that the vehicle might explode and who used several fire extinguishers to eventually extinguish the fire. Regrettably, the two occupants of the car died.
* Detective Sergeant Andrew John Forster of Mount Druitt who helped disarm a man at a Windsor Hotel when he and a colleague who were off-duty at the premises noticed three men, two with weapons, threaten staff and patrons. When the manager was taken at gunpoint to the hotel safe, the two detectives charged and tackled the gunman in the bar.
* Detective Senior Constable David Paul Stuart from the Mid-North Coast LAC was honoured for assisting Detective Sergeant Forster in that incident.
Officers to receive commendations were:
* Constable Mathew Thomas McDougall of Penrith LAC for assisting in the rescue of a boy trapped in a house fire at Kingswood; and
* Constable Rob McMahon of the Lake Illawarra Target Action Group for assisting in the The rescue of a man trapped in a house fire at Koonawarra for which Senior Constable Roland Curll received his bravery award.
The Group Bravery Citation was presented to Inspector Paul James Devany, Sergeant Graeme Hallet, Senior Constable Todd Michael Halliday, Constable Brian Milos Laurich, Constable Michael Jeffrey Ridgeway, Constable Bradley David Thompson, Detective Senior Constable Cara Walls and members of the public who assisted in attempting to rescue the occupants of a burning car involved in the accident at Beacon Hill for which Inspector Paul James Devaney received his bravery award.
August 22, 2007
Councils to Stay
In Water Mix
Local Government in NSW would continue to be a major player in the national water debate according to the Assistant Federal Minister for Water Resources, John Cobb.
Mr Cobb has assured the Local Government and Shires Association they were playing a “crucial” role in helping to improve water use efficiency.
Speaking at the Association’s 2007 Water Management Conference, Mr Cobb said that with much of NSW continuing to be affected by drought, the Commonwealth would continue to work with Local Governments on new water-saving initiatives.
He said the Water Loss Management Program as an excellent example of such work.
The program, supported by $7 million from the Commonwealth’s Water Fund, aimed to reduce wasted drinking water by regional Council water utilities.
He said the there was $400 million available in the program to offer grants to local community organisations to help them save, recycle or improve the health of their local water resources.
He said two rounds of Community Water Grants had been undertaken, with a third recently closed.
"In NSW, the Community Water Grants program has funded 983 projects, totalling about $40 million,” Mr Cobb said.
“Australia wide, the program has funded 475 local government projects, totalling more than $22 million.”
He also told the conference that Australia’s water shortages were not a problem felt solely in rural areas.
“Although the National Plan for Water Security makes provision to address water management issues in Australia’s agricultural heartland, we must also better manage our urban water resources,” Mr Cobb said.
He said that while urban water management was a State and Territory responsibility, the Commonwealth was undertaking a range of work to encourage innovation in integrated urban water management.
August 22, 2007
Police Crash Into
Internet Car Scam
An internet scam targeting used car buyers has been exposed by NSW Police who have warned potential car owners of the dangers of buying vehicles on-line.
According to the police, over the last two months there has been an increasing number of duplicate ‘for sale’ motor vehicle advertisements on car websites.
Fraud Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Col Dyson, said the price in the duplicate advertisement was for much less than the legitimate owner’s asking price.
“The fraudulent sellers do not have the advertised vehicle and are merely after your money,” Detective Superintendent Dyson said.
“Car buyers are being lured into paying a cheaper price for a vehicle that is not in the possession of the advertiser.
He said either the vehicle or seller is said to be overseas and has a plausible reason for selling the vehicle quickly and cheaply. The scam potentially leaves the buyer with no vehicle and out of pocket for thousands of dollars.
Detective Superintendent Dyson said that all vehicles identified as being duplicated have been advertised for sale in the less than $10,000 category.
He said the incidents were subject to investigation by the NSW Police Force, but that there were steps people could take to reduce their risk of becoming a victim.
His advice was:
* Don’t send money until you have seen the car and verified the validity of the sale;
* If based locally, meet with the seller at a well-populated location to inspect the item.
“Most importantly, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is and you should proceed with absolute caution.”
The Police ask that anyone with information about people involved in this type of scam contact them via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
August 22, 2007
DECC’s Effort Goes
Into Saving Energy
Inspections by environmental experts from the Department of Environment and Climate Change and Wollongong City Council are to be carried out this month to examine the practices of businesses in Unanderra, with a view to helping them reduce their environmental footprint.
The spot checks will assess businesses compliance with environmental protection laws and identify opportunities to use water, energy and other resources more efficiently and to learn from each other.
According to DECC’s Director of Reform and Compliance, Mark Gifford, the visits are part of a series of joint projects DECC is conducting with Councils.
"Between us, DECC and Wollongong City Council are responsible for the environmental regulation of a large number of industrial and commercial premises – roughly 10 per cent of them at Unanderra Industrial Estate,” Mr Gifford said.
"This program will audit their compliance with Government requirements over issues like chemical storage, storm water management and dust and odour emissions."
He said the program would compare businesses’ environmental systems with industry benchmarks in a bid to see best practices being used in the area.
"A key focus will be on encouraging and sharing good performance across industry. For example, one company might be found to have put in place an excellent chemical storage containment strategy which could be implemented by another company in Wollongong if they knew about it," he said.
Wollongong Lord Mayor, Councillor Alex Darling said the program was not a “big stick” approach, but a helping hand to give industry the tools to improve its operation.
"Practices that reduce emissions and waste usually also provide efficiency gains, which mean financial savings,” Councillor Darling said.
“Wollongong has some innovative businesses and I'm sure we'll find some examples of good environmental performance which can be shared."
He said where problems were identified, operators would be required to fix them.
The visits are scheduled to take place in late August and early September.
DECC and the Council have written to businesses to advise them of the program.
August 22, 2007
Schools Compete To
Learn Safety Lesson
The Commonwealth Government has announced a National Safe Schools Competition building on the success of the Safe Schools Week held earlier this year.
Federal Minister for Education, Julie Bishop announced the competition saying students would be encouraged to submit essays on why their school was a leading example of a safe and supportive educational institution.
“National Safe Schools Week 2007 ran from 25 May to 1 June and focused on the efforts of schools to provide students with a learning environment free from all forms of bullying, harassment, violence, abuse and neglect,” Ms Bishop said.
“The competition will acknowledge and celebrate the excellent work that many schools are undertaking to create safe and supportive environments.”
She said the National Safe Schools Competition further celebrated achievements of schools and school communities across Australia.
“The competition is now open and will close at midnight on 30 September.
“I encourage all schools to participate.”
All primary and secondary school students are eligible to enter in Government and non-Government sectors. Prizes would include $5,000 each for the two winning schools, $2,000 each for the eight runner-up schools and iPods for 10 student finalists.
More information on the Competition can be found at www.safeschoolsweek.dest.gov.au
August 22, 2007
PS Author Brings
Violence to Book
A policy advisor with the NSW Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee has written a book encouraging vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to break the silence on violence and other forms of abuse within their families.
Jacqueline Gerber has authored the innovative new activity book, saying it examined sensitive issues surrounding family violence through storytelling and pictures.
Entltled Our Kids: Stay Safe, Stay Strong Children’s Activity Book, the book will be launched next month as part of National Child Protection Week.
According to Ms Gerber, the book holds an important message for children.
“The activity book examines sensitive issues surrounding family violence through storytelling and pictures,” she said.
“The book explains to Indigenous children that they have a right to feel safe and should tell a trusted person if they have witnessed or been the victim of abuse within their family.
She said children who experienced family violence were never to blame but were sometimes too scared to speak out.
She hoped the book’s use of mediums familiar to Indigenous children would help it reach its target audience.
“Aboriginal people have traditionally used stories and art to teach children about their culture; and a drawing or an activity in this book may help children express their feelings,” Ms Gerber said.
The activity book will be distributed throughout NSW to family violence counsellors and specialists in the judiciary, education, health, police and child protection sectors.
Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, Terry Chenery said the book was not just for Aboriginal children at risk.
“This book contains positive messages about family safety that are relevant to all Indigenous children and their communities,” Mr Chenery said.
“Research shows there has been a lack of culturally appropriate resources for Indigenous communities to address issues that contribute to the overrepresentation of our people in jail.
“Through increased awareness of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be in a better position to address the problem.”
The activity book is an AJAC initiative that is supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board.
Our Kids: Stay Safe, Stay Strong Children’s Activity Book will be launched at 10am on 6 September at The Australia Council for the Arts, Ground Floor, 372 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills.
August 22, 2007
Triple 000 Campaign
Is Call for Help
NSW Police, Fire and Ambulance services and the telecommunications giant, Telstra, have joined a national campaign to promote awareness of the Triple Zero (000) Emergency Call Service by warning that lives could be lost if people did not call the number in an emergency.
Telstra is involved because it operates the Emergency Call Service
NSW Fire Brigade’s Chief Superintendent Mark Whybro – who heads up the NSWFB Triple Zero (000) dispatch centre – said the Triple Zero (000) message was simple and saved lives.
“Sit down with your family and make sure that everyone knows that Triple Zero (000) is the number to call in the event of an emergency,” Mr Whybro said.
“It is surprising how many people do not know, or in the heat of the moment can’t remember, the Australian emergency number.
“With so many international programs on television, some people even confuse the American or British emergency numbers with Triple Zero (000)."
Director of the NSW Police Force’s Police Assistance Line, Chris Beatson said it was also important that people knew what to do when they called Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
“Give the operator as much information as you can – for example the house number, street name and a cross street. This will help the emergency services get to you as quickly as possible,” he said.
In addition to raising awareness about the Australian emergency number, the campaign also urges callers not to misuse Triple Zero (000).
For every genuine call to Triple Zero (000) there is another call which is not genuine because it does not relate to an emergency, has been misdialed or is malicious.
General Manager - Operations of the Ambulance Service of NSW, Mick Willis said that residents who made false or misleading calls to Triple Zero (000) placed the lives of others at risk.
“In 2006-07, over 11 million Triple Zero (000) calls were received by the Telstra Emergency Call Service nationally – of these calls, 60 per cent were considered non-genuine,” Mr Willis said.
“These calls have the very real potential to delay the response to genuine calls.”
August 22, 2007
School Science is
Formula for Future
The Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop has moved to make science a more popular option for the nation’s students and teachers.
Ms Bishop has unveiled an action plan to raise the profile of science teaching and learning in Australian schools.
“The Australian School Science Education Action Plan 2008-2012, produced by Professors Denis Goodrum and Leonie Rennie, identifies challenges and opportunities in school science education in Australia, and proposes collaborative national action to address them,” Ms Bishop said.
“Australian students need to know about the importance of science and to have their imaginations sparked by the wonder of science.”
She said the nation needed more scientists to ensure it remained internationally competitive and economically strong.
Ms Bishop said the Plan called for a greater national focus on curriculum development (including digital resources), improved student assessment, innovative approaches to teacher professional development, implementation of teaching standards, improved financial rewards for teachers, and more time devoted in schools to science education.
“In line with many of the Plan’s recommendations, the Australian Government has already invested substantially to improve science education in schools,” Ms Bishop said.
This Action Plan is part of the response to a project to map key school science initiatives across the country, to identify gaps and recommend actions to improve science education.
“I encourage the States and Territories to get involved and to revitalise the teaching of science in schools,” Ms Bishop said.
August 22, 2007
Travel Teacher Wins
Big Ticket Award
A Travel and Tourism teacher at TAFE NSW’s Riverina Institute’s Wagga Wagga Campus has taken out the new Researcher of the Year Award, presented by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
Melanie Bowman won the title following a presentation of her research findings at the Annual NCVER conference which was held at the Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs.
In her presentation entitled, Flying Hearts, Ms Bowman spoke about the research she conducts into the emotional pressures on flight attendants, which is described as "emotional labour".
”Emotional labour manifests from a combination of pressures,” Ms Bowman said.
“There’s the emotion of the job, family and home life plus the corporate branding and aesthetic presentation which is so important to the airline industry.”
Ms Bowman said the emotional pressures caused by fatigue, the demands and expectations of passengers and the responsibility and importance of their role in an emergency all added to the emotional pressures felt by flight attendants.
Her research project used case studies and interviews with flight attendants and trainers from the aviation industry’s leading private college Aviation Australia and several major airlines.
“I’m really interested in and passionate about the airline industry,” Ms Bowman said.
“The conference was certainly a fantastic opportunity to network with other researchers within TAFE and the University sector.”
Ms Bowman has returned to the Institute after a three month secondment to Charles Sturt University’s School of Education in Wagga Wagga, where she was an Associate Lecturer in Vocational Education and Training.
“The position also required a research focus which enabled me to pursue the ‘Flying Hearts’ research project,” Ms Bowman said.
“This research and the time I have just spent in industry, coupled with my background experience, helps me provide a better insight to my students to help them better prepare for the role of flight attendant.
“The more we learn as teachers, the better we are placed to provide our students with leading-edge ideas and the latest techniques so that they can succeed in the work force.”
August 22, 2007
Senior Achievers To
Win Age-Old Awards
Nominations have opened for the 2008 NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards.
Minister for Ageing, Kristina Keneally launched the Awards saying they were an opportunity to celebrate and reward the enormous and diverse contributions seniors made to their local communities across NSW every day.
"I encourage everyone in NSW to consider an organisation or a senior they know, so they can be recognised for their achievements," Ms Keneally said.
She said the Awards were a major part of NSW Seniors Week celebration.
“Sixty State award winners were recognised for their contributions at the Sydney Town Hall during Seniors Week 2007 last March."
Nominations are being sought in six award categories: Business Mentoring, Community Service/Volunteering, Education/Lifelong Learning, Environment/Science, Health and Wellbeing and Intergenerational Understanding.
Ms Keneally said that an independent panel, including representatives from seniors groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally diverse communities would assess all nominations.
She said nominees must be residents of NSW and aged 60 years or older – or 50 years or older if the nominated senior was Aboriginal or had a lifelong disability.
"Organisations being nominated must be a group contributing to seniors’ initiatives in NSW," Ms Keneally said.
Nomination forms are available from the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care website at www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au or by phoning the Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44.
Nominations close 28 September 2007, with the winners announced during 2008 Seniors Week, which will be held from 6 to 13 April next year.
Ms Keneally said the awards were a major part of NSW Seniors Week celebrations with up to 60 winners to be formally recognised for their contributions to the community at a ceremony in Sydney, on Monday 7 April 2008.
August 22, 2007
Detention Mistakes
Unlock PS Lessons
The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s extensive investigation of wrongful immigration detention cases has been used to support a new publication outlining 10 important lessons he belives are applicable to all Public Service.
Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, told a recent seminar in Canberra hosted by the Institute of Public Administration Australia that every Public Service could learn from the mistakes made by the former Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
His recently-published report examined the reasons why the Department committed 247 cases of wrongful detention between 2000 and 2007, including holding 26 people who were Australian citizens.
Professor McMillan said that while the administrative failures at the Department had, in one case been described as “catastrophic” the fact that they were identified, investigated and consequent recommendations accepted, showed that the system was working.
“Paradoxically, we can draw positive lessons,” Professor McMillan said.
“Strong cooperation between an executive agency and an external oversight body, in exploring and correcting serious administrative error, speaks well of the system of Government.”
He said three decades of complaint handling and administrative investigation had shown the Ombudsman that errors “can and will occur in all administrative systems.”
“Moreover, the errors are usually the same across Government,” he said. “It is therefore important to know the causes of those errors, and how to prevent and lessen them.”
He said his new publication Lessons for Public Administration used the shortcomings at Immigration to illustrate the effects of poor public administration.
“The lessons should come as no surprise and there is nothing new,” Professor McMillan said. “They capture the basic essentials of good administration.”
He said what was new was that his report contained “case study after case study” of how a departure from the principles of good administration can have significant adverse consequences for members of the public.
Professor McMillan’s 10 lessons for the Public Service were:
1 – Maintain accurate, comprehensive and accessible records. 2 – Place adequate controls on the exercise of coercive powers
3 – Actively manage unresolved and difficult cases.
4 – Heed the limitations of information technology systems.
5 - Guard against erroneous assumptions.
6 – Control administrative drift.
7 – Remove obstacles to prudent information exchange with other agencies and bodies.
8 – Promote effective communication in your own agency..
9 – Manage complexity in decision making
10 – Check for warning signs of bigger problems.
Professor McMillan said Agencies should not wait for an external crisis to focus attention on their problems but should pick up the warning signs through internal monitoring and quality control and through internal and external complaint handling.
More information about Lessons for the Public Service is available from www.ombudsman.gov.au
August 15, 2007
Detention Mistakes
Unlock PS Lessons
The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s extensive investigation of wrongful immigration detention cases has been used to support a new publication outlining 10 important lessons he belives are applicable to all Public Service.
Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, told a recent seminar in Canberra hosted by the Institute of Public Administration Australia that every Public Service could learn from the mistakes made by the former Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
His recently-published report examined the reasons why the Department committed 247 cases of wrongful detention between 2000 and 2007, including holding 26 people who were Australian citizens.
Professor McMillan said that while the administrative failures at the Department had, in one case been described as “catastrophic” the fact that they were identified, investigated and consequent recommendations accepted, showed that the system was working.
“Paradoxically, we can draw positive lessons,” Professor McMillan said.
“Strong cooperation between an executive agency and an external oversight body, in exploring and correcting serious administrative error, speaks well of the system of Government.”
He said three decades of complaint handling and administrative investigation had shown the Ombudsman that errors “can and will occur in all administrative systems.”
“Moreover, the errors are usually the same across Government,” he said. “It is therefore important to know the causes of those errors, and how to prevent and lessen them.”
He said his new publication Lessons for Public Administration used the shortcomings at Immigration to illustrate the effects of poor public administration.
“The lessons should come as no surprise and there is nothing new,” Professor McMillan said. “They capture the basic essentials of good administration.”
He said what was new was that his report contained “case study after case study” of how a departure from the principles of good administration can have significant adverse consequences for members of the public.
Professor McMillan’s 10 lessons for the Public Service were:
1 – Maintain accurate, comprehensive and accessible records. 2 – Place adequate controls on the exercise of coercive powers.
3 – Actively manage unresolved and difficult cases.
4 – Heed the limitations of information technology systems.
5 - Guard against erroneous assumptions.
6 – Control administrative drift.
7 – Remove obstacles to prudent information exchange with other agencies and bodies.
8 – Promote effective communication in your own agency..
9 – Manage complexity in decision making
10 – Check for warning signs of bigger problems.
Professor McMillan said Agencies should not wait for an external crisis to focus attention on their problems but should pick up the warning signs through internal monitoring and quality control and through internal and external complaint handling.
More information about Lessons for the Public Service is available from www.ombudsman.gov.au
August 15, 2007
Security Goes West
As Bush Comes East
The decision by US President George W Bush to arrive in Sydney three days before the coming APEC Leaders’ meeting has thrown security planning for the event into turmoil.
Deputy Premier, John Watkins has been reported as saying plans for the event would need to be “rejigged” with street closures, traffic diversions and barricades put in place earlier than expected
“That will, of course, place a very large additional security burden on our city and on keeping this city going,” Mr Watkins said.
"But we have the capacity and preparation to handle that."
Mr Watkins said the NSW Government had already warned of mass disruptions in Sydney for the three days starting on 7 September, and had declared the Friday a public holiday to minimise the number of people in the CBD.
He said Mr Bush's early arrival would mean Sydney had to cope with the extra disruptions during normal business operations on the Wednesday and Thursday before the leaders’ meeting.
Mr Watkins said the Government would make public any disruptions as soon as the information was confirmed.
He said there was nothing to suggest there would be a need to bring forward the closing of the CityRail city circle train line, but other changes would be unavoidable.
Mr Watkins said Mr Bush's arrival date was confirmed only recently with the NSW Government.
He said the changed schedule would create an extra challenge for the NSW Government.
August 15, 2007
Productivity Report
Is Profit of Doom
The Productivity Commission has released its latest scorecard on the financial performance of 85 Australian, State and Territory Government trading enterprises.
The report Financial Performance of Government Trading Enterprises 2004-05 to 2005-06- also examines the effects of different asset valuation methods and rate-of-return measures on performance comparisons and capital management.
The report said that the 85 GTEs monitored in the report controlled just under 3.5 per cent of Australia's non-household assets ($197 billion), and accounted for around 2 per cent of GDP.
The report showed that while, on average, profitability had increased in all sectors (with the largest improvements in the electricity, railways and forestry sectors), 37 per cent of GTEs recorded declines, and 13 per cent did not report a profit at all.
It said about half the monitored GTEs did not achieve commercial rates of return in 2005-06, underscoring a long-term failure of Governments to operate businesses on a fully commercial basis in accordance with their competition policy undertakings.
Commission Chairman Gary Banks said that the efficient operation of GTEs was important both to the wellbeing of the community and to the competitiveness of Australian industry, including export performance.
He said the Commission would continue monitoring GTEs which would assist in evaluating the progress and gains from further infrastructure reforms.
He said financial performance monitoring of GTEs formed part of the Commission’s research into the performance of Australian industries and the progress of microeconomic reform.
The monitored GTEs provided services in key sectors of the economy, including electricity, water, urban transport, railways, ports and forestry.
The full report can be viewed on the Productivity commission’s website: www.pc.gov.au
August 15, 2007
Ambulance Has Chop
At Helicopter Charges
The NSW Ambulance Service has defended itself against claims by the Opposition that it didn’t have the resources and staff needed to maintain its rapid response helicopter service.
In a statement labelling the claims “misinformed and incorrect” the Ambulance Service said the staffing of the helicopter service had in fact been improved since past contractors provided the facility, with an additional paramedic being added to the roster.
Opposition Health spokesperson, Jillian Skinner said the Service had insufficient resources to maintain its rapid response helicopter service, which was sometimes grounded due to the unavailability of staff.
Ms Skinner said the helicopter rescue service had sometimes been grounded because back-up medical teams were waiting ‘on-call’ at home, up to 60 minutes away.
She said the situation was worse when the medical teams travel by road ambulance because the helicopter was grounded by bad weather.
The Ambulance Service said however that staffing for retrieval doctors and paramedics at the new base in Bankstown had not changed, other than for the additional paramedic, and that the new operators were using the same roster base as the previous contractors.
It also said the new helicopters had greater carrying capacity than the former ones and were “capable of carrying two patients or patients who, because of weight restrictions, could not have been carried in the previously contracted helicopters”.
It said the larger helicopters were also more reliable and allowed additional medical equipment to be carried.
“In July this year, the new service saw a total of 42 hours of helicopter downtime through scheduled and unscheduled maintenance,” the Service said.
“This is a significant improvement on July 2006 where rescue helicopters were off-line for 168 hours under the previous helicopter operators.”
August 15, 2007
Privacy Watchdogs
Bark Rights Message
The Office of the NSW Privacy Commissioner is supporting Privacy Awareness Week, giving members of the public the chance to think about how privacy affects them.
The Privacy Commissioners who have initiated the week include those from around the Asia Pacific region such as NSW, the Commonwealth, Victoria and Northern Territory as well as New Zealand, Hong Kong and Korea.
The Commissioners said that during privacy week people would be encouraged to find out more about their rights and responsibilities under privacy legislation.
“If you are an employee of a NSW public sector agency or if you are a health service provider in NSW you may want to familiarise yourself with the Privacy & Personal Information Protection Act 18 (NSW) (PPIP Act) and the Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) (HRIP Act),” they said in a statement.
“The privacy principles in those Acts regulate the way your Agency deals with personal information and health information.
“Just how well your Agency complies with those obligations could well be up to you.”
They said that consumers may wish to take the opportunity during Privacy Awareness Week to find out how the HRIP Act protects the health information of individuals or how a person’s credit history is maintained. They said it could also be useful to find out how on-line computer transactions were protected against hacking.
For more information about consumer privacy rights, visit the Federal Privacy Commissioner's website at www.privacy.gov.au.
August 15, 2007
Air Force Base To
Keep its Wings
The Department of Defence has decided to retain its RAAF Base at Richmond beyond 2010.
The future of the Base has been considered along with other Defence bases and establishments under a program looking at collocations aimed at creating larger, more operationally effective and cost efficient military bases around Australia.
The Prime Minister had announced in August 18, that the Base would be retained until 2010.
A detailed study conducted under the Force Disposition Program demonstrated that the balance of capability, economic and current community considerations weighed heavily in favour of retaining RAAF Base Richmond.
Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, said the decision would protect Defence’s ongoing presence in the Sydney community while ensuring that the capability provided by the RAAF’s C-130 airlift fleet remained at RAAF Base Richmond.
RAAF Base Richmond remains the only secure point of departure in the Sydney basin, Dr Nelson said.
He said its closure would have left Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra without a secured air point departure for large scale operations.
“Retention of RAAF Base Richmond will enable a continuation of support to Sydney-based specialised Defence Force units, in particular the Tactical Assault Group East, the 4th Battalion (Commando) Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), and the Incident Response Regiment,” Dr Nelson said.
He said the Government was continuing to review the studies that were conducted in relation to the remaining bases under consideration through the Force Disposition Program.
Dr Nelson said these bases were Defence Establishment Berrimah in the Northern Territory, Borneo Barracks in South Queensland, and Elizabeth North Training Depot, Hampstead Barracks and Keswick Barracks, all in South Australia.
No decision had yet been made in on the future of these bases.
August 15, 2007
High Flyer Gets
Airport Role
The Federal Government has appointed an Aviation Community Advocate as part of a range of measures to address the impact of Sydney Airport aircraft operations on the community.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile announced that Tony Williams, the Director of Environmental Impact Reports, would take on the role of advocate with the task of supporting and advising the Sydney Airport Community Forum (SACF) in relation to Sydney Airport issues.
“The Government is committed to fostering productive partnerships between airports and community stakeholders,” Mr Vaile said.
He said SACF was established in 16 as the main body for consultation on the airport’s Long-Term Operating Plan, an initiative unique to Sydney Airport.
Mr Vaile said the Aviation Community Advocate would be responsible for providing expert advice to the members of the Forum and the broader community on aviation matters.
He will contribute to initiatives aimed at minimising the impact of aircraft operations on the community.
“Mr Williams has been involved with the Forum for several years and is well known for his work,” Mr Vaile said.
Mr Williams will take up the role for an initial period of six months once contract arrangements are finalised.
August 15, 2007
Party Lingers For
DECC’s Old Hands
Celebrations for NAIDOC Week at the Department of Environment and Climate Change went well beyond their 15 July end-date with the Department still holding events well into August.
DECC Director General, Lisa Corbyn said the Department’s enthusiastic response was due to the close relationship it had built up with Aboriginal communities across NSW.
“NAIDOC Week celebrations have been marked right across DECC offices in NSW in a number of events that ranged from the light-hearted to the deeply moving,” Ms Corbyn said.
She said the finale to DECC’s celebration of indigenous culture was a two-day event at the Department’s Hurstville office that included an exhibition of Indigenous culture and food, native fauna and flora, profiles of some of DECC’s indigenous staff members, bush tucker talks, recipe competitions and music and dance.
Ms Corbyn said the winner of the inaugural Carol Kendall Award, which recognised the outstanding achievements of female Aboriginal employees was Pamela Young who spoke to staff about her life as a member of the stolen generation.
Ms Young’s intimate and personal speech connected powerfully with this year’s NAIDOC theme of Looking Forward, Looking Blak.
Bush tucker talks by Aboriginal Discovery guide and Elder, Uncle Dave Wright, an Indigenous short film festival and documentaries produced by DECC’s Culture and Heritage Division, were also among the popular features of the event.
The Hurstville function was hosted by the Executive Director of Culture and Heritage Division, Jason Ardler, and Aboriginal community member and Elder, Aunty Nancy Davis, of Gandangarra.
The Local Aboriginal Land Council performed the Welcome to Country and the Deputy Director General of Parks and Wildlife Group, Tony Fleming gave an address outlining DECC’s commitment to building and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal communities.
“With NAIDOC Week behind us we now have time to reflect on the important messages wrapped up in this special celebration and on our own achievements in protecting and supporting Aboriginal heritage and culture across NSW,” Ms Corbyn said.
“While our work with Aboriginal communities strengthens, our own internal Aboriginal staff numbers continue to grow and now exceed 250 people, making celebrations such as NAIDOC Week all the more poignant,” she said.
August 15, 2007
Water Competition
Getting Deeper
Opening Sydney’s water service to competition took another step forward when the Minister for Water Utilities, Nathan Rees addressed key business and Local Government leaders at a briefing organised by Sydney Water recently.
The briefing sought industry feedback on Sydney Water’s draft wastewater agreement for potential private sector competitors.
Mr Rees said that in a first for the management of Australian water and wastewater infrastructure, the introduction of the Water Industry Competition Act had paved the way for the private sector to compete with both Sydney Water and Hunter Water for customers.
Mr Rees said in a statement released after the briefing that the reforms opened up new opportunities for the private sector in the water industry, and since this had never been done before in Australia, it was important to seek comment and feedback from those in the industry.
He said that once the detailed framework for wastewater services had been finalised, Sydney Water would begin consulting with business and Local Government about a framework for private sector and Local Government involvement in the delivery of water services.
“It is important that any agreements developed by Sydney Water are consistent with the regulations being developed under the Water Industry Competition Act,” Mr Rees said.
“Sydney Water will continue to work with organisations interested in the supply of water and wastewater services.”
August 15, 2007
Bowser Power For
Consumer Minister
The Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney has joined Fair Trading inspectors at a service station in Menai to test the accuracy of petrol bowsers and talk to local traders about their rights and responsibilities.
Ms Burney said that Fair Trading inspectors conducted random, unannounced visits to service stations across NSW to check that motorists were getting what they paid for at the bowser.
“Fuel is the second most significant weekly purchase after groceries for most families and when petrol prices are so high it is especially important that consumers get the amount of fuel they have paid for,” Ms Burney said.
“A malfunctioning bowser can misrepresent the amount of fuel being dispensed and lead to overcharging. Where Fair Trading identifies a faulty bowser, operators are directed to close that pump until it is fixed.”
She said over 10,000 bowsers were tested across the State each year and about 96 per cent found to be accurate and working properly. ‘However, it is important to catch those few inaccurate bowsers and set them right” she said.
Fair Trading staff also visited shopkeepers in the area to ensure they were fully aware of their rights and responsibilities to their customers.
They found that some business operators were sure of the rules about registering their business name, refunds, or identifying and dealing with scams that targeted small business.
Ms Burney said visits by Fair Trading staff provided an excellent opportunity for traders to become better informed about issues that were important to them and she was pleased to be able to hear their concerns and feedback first hand.
August 15, 2007
Lands Atlas Brings
Politics to Earth
The Department of Lands is taking orders for its Electoral Atlas of NSW which traces the changing administration of the State’s political processes between 1856 and 2006.
Produced with funding from the Committee for the Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW, the Atlas is a comprehensive collection of maps and history garnered from the NSW Parliamentary Library over 150 years, including details of State politics over that time.
The Department says the Atlas illuminates political history by recreating, from original sources, all electoral mapping, voting systems and results since the introduction of responsible government in 1856.
It covers such areas of electoral interest as:
* The multi-Member electorates of 1889, the votes for Free Trade, Protectionists and the recently-formed Labor Party,
* The rise of Federation in late 1890s,
* The growth and eventual success of the Labor Party from 1904 to 1910,
* The rise and fall of Lang in the 1930s,
* The emergence of the Liberal Party in 1947.
The Department says the Atlas details the “colourful hustings” of the early days, the effect of Federation on State politics, the divisive conscription election, the founding of the Liberal Party, Labor’s long reign in the 1950s, the rise of Premier Askin, the Wranslide, the Coalition’s difficult 80s and the Bob Carr decade.
The Atlas maps historical curiousities such as the Sydney Hamlets, the non-contiguous boroughs, the extensive pastoral districts of the 1850s, the multi-Member electorates of the 1880s and the experimental proportional representation of the 1920s, the maladjustment caused by country weightings and the emergence of one-vote, one-value electorates that we have today.
Produced in hardback form, the Electoral Atlas of NSW is available from the Department of Lands Map Sales for $85 plus $4 postage and handling. Phone: (02) 6332 8123 for more information.
August 15, 2007
Agencies Surf Into
Bayside “Hub”
A Federal Government “Hub” has been officially opened on the South Coast at Batemans Bay with the Commonwealth Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion saying it would greatly improve access to services for the people of the area.
The newly-opened office will house staff from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) and the Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) and provide office facilities for out-posted staff from the Queanbeyan local Indigenous Coordination Centre.
Senator Scullion said the NSW South Coast had a diversity of people with differing economic circumstances and placing dedicated staff in the office would help to extend the Government assistance across the area.
He said there were some 560 service providers funded by FaCSIA in the Wollongong to Eden region, valued at more than $20 million last year.
He said DEST had maintained a presence in Nowra for some years and relocation to Batemans Bay would enable it to better service the area from Wollongong to Eden.
The new Batemans Bay hub is located at the corner of Vesper Street (Princes Highway) and Beach Road.
August 15, 2007
Focus on Photos
As Board turns 30
The NSW Anti-Discrimination Board is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a series of special events, including a photographic competition.
Among the anniversary celebrations area a University Forum, a lunchtime celebration in Martin Place and other events.
Boasting $1000 in prize money, the photographic competition is open to NSW residents only (other than ADB employees and their families) and invites entrants to express their thoughts on the Anti-Discrimination Act, on how equal rights is important to them and the community, and how Australians support equal rights.
Entrants must submit a photo, photo series, design or photo montage – print or digital. The winner and short-listed entries will be exhibited in Sydney and NSW venues and on the Board’s website.
The University Forum will be hosted by Sydney University’s Koori Centre on Thursday 13 September with topics for discussion ‘Thirty Years of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act: Where to Now?’ and ‘The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act and Indigenous Issues’.
The lunchtime celebration in Martin Place will include street theatre, entertainment and cake on Tuesday 23 October between 12 midday and 2pm, and there will be plenty of other events to take part in.
Entries in the photo competition close Monday 15 October 2007 and should be jpegs up to 2Mb in size emailed to ADBcomp@agd.nsw.gov.au or posted to ADB Photo Competition,/ PO Box A2122, Sydney South 1235.
August 15, 2007
Escapees Caught In Museum exhibition
The Australian Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour has opened an exhibition on the Irish Fenian convicts and their bold escape from Fremantle Prison on the US whaler Catalpa in 1876.
According to the Museum, more than 60 convicts belonging to the Irish brotherhood known as the Fenian movement were transported to Western Australia in 1868.
Their leader, John Boyle O’Reilly escaped a year later aboard an American whaling ship to the US, where he and other Fenians hatched a plan to free those members of the brotherhood still imprisoned in Fremantle.
“The Fenians bought a cargo ship, the Catalpa, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and refitted the vessel as a whaler,” the Museum said.
“In April 1875, Catalpa set sail, initially for the Atlantic whaling grounds, but with a secret mission to fulfill.
“Following confirmation of Catalpa’s arrival off Garden Island WA, six of the remaining Fenians made their getaway from work parties outside Fremantle Prison using two horse-drawn buggies.
The Museum said that at Rockingham the escapes boarded Catalpa’s whaleboatand started a 28-hour ordeal which included riding out a storm before eventually meeting up with the mother ship.
“Alerted to the escape, the coastal steamer Georgette pursued the escapees and made contact with the Catalpa on the following day, firing shots across its stern and bow.
“Catalpa hove to, but commander, Captain Anthony, claimed they were in international waters under the American flag, and challenged the steamer to create a diplomatic incident if it dared.
When the master of the steamer was uncertain if Catalpa was in international waters or not he felt he had no choice but to reluctantly let the ship sail away.
In August 1876, Catalpa triumphantly arrived in New York carrying the Fenian escapees.
The exhibition will continue until 25 November.
August 15, 2007
Statues Gang Up
In Rocks Reprise
Life-size depictions of gang members from the earliest days of The Rocks are to be installed along the cobblestone alleyway of Suez Canal as attractions to the area and an information source for visitors.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Steve Whan announced the resurrection of the gang-members saying they would tell visitors about some of the more infamous activities of The Rocks Push that gave the area its hard and rough reputation.
“In the early 1900s, ‘push’ was another term for gang and local pushes existed all over inner Sydney, but it was The Rocks Push that captured the imagination of staff at The Bulletin magazine,” Mr Whan said.
“The Rocks society, at the time, consisted mostly of middle and working-class people, but it was the gangs of local thugs which dominated public perception of the area.
“The existence of these gangs and their activities meant that lanes such as Suez Canal were places to avoid.”
Mr Whan said the new illuminated characters in Suez Canal would tell visitors about some of the more infamous activities of The Rocks Push that gave the area its hard, rough and in many ways undeserved reputation.
“The NSW State Plan identified getting more people involved in cultural activities as one of the Iemma Government’s key priorities and projects like this one, which aim to bring the city’s history alive, will help us achieve that goal,” Mr Whan said.
August 15, 2007
Premier Lifts Lid
On PS Job Ads
Restrictions have been taken off advertising Public Service positions outside the NSWPS, Premier Morris Iemma announcing that from 1 August, Departments and Agencies no longer needed to obtain an exemption from the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet
Mr Iemma said the Review of Recruitment Practices conducted by the Council on the Cost and Quality of Government had recommended freeing up the recruitment process and this had been endorsed by the Budget Standing Committee of Cabinet.
“Since the recruitment freeze and exemption process was introduced in 19, the Government has implemented a range of measures to ensure that agencies operate within budget and that recruitment is limited to positions essential to the delivery of Government services,” Mr Iemma said in a Ministerial Memorandum.
He said the measures that had been introduced included the further rollout of efficiency dividends, public sector workforce and cost reductions, the setting of corporate service benchmarks and a new ICT strategy.
“Agencies must continue to submit their efficiency improvement plans to NSW Treasury, as outlined in the 2007/08 Budget allocation letters, demonstrating the achievement of savings,” he said.
“The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet will monitor agencies' progress against these plans, ensuring targets are met, including staff reduction targets and that agencies keep within expenditure limits.”
Mr Iemma said Agencies would be required to continue achieving staff reductions identified as part of the commitment to reduce 5000 non-frontline staff by June 2008.
“Agencies will report quarterly to the Department of Premier and Cabinet on identified staff reductions,” he said..
“Matching of displaced employees to positions prior to advertising will continue to ensure that redeployment opportunities are maximised.”
August 8, 2007
Premier Lifts Lid
On PS Job Ads
Restrictions have been taken off advertising Public Service positions outside the NSWPS, Premier Morris Iemma announcing that from 1 August, Departments and Agencies no longer needed to obtain an exemption from the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet
Mr Iemma said the Review of Recruitment Practices conducted by the Council on the Cost and Quality of Government had recommended freeing up the recruitment process and this had been endorsed by the Budget Standing Committee of Cabinet.
“Since the recruitment freeze and exemption process was introduced in 19, the Government has implemented a range of measures to ensure that agencies operate within budget and that recruitment is limited to positions essential to the delivery of Government services,” Mr Iemma said in a Ministerial Memorandum.
He said the measures that had been introduced included the further rollout of efficiency dividends, public sector workforce and cost reductions, the setting of corporate service benchmarks and a new ICT strategy.
“Agencies must continue to submit their efficiency improvement plans to NSW Treasury, as outlined in the 2007/08 Budget allocation letters, demonstrating the achievement of savings,” he said.
“The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet will monitor agencies' progress against these plans, ensuring targets are met, including staff reduction targets and that agencies keep within expenditure limits.”
Mr Iemma said Agencies would be required to continue achieving staff reductions identified as part of the commitment to reduce 5000 non-frontline staff by June 2008.
“Agencies will report quarterly to the Department of Premier and Cabinet on identified staff reductions,” he said..
“Matching of displaced employees to positions prior to advertising will continue to ensure that redeployment opportunities are maximised.”
August 8, 2007
Report on Reports
Finds Shortcomings
The NSW Treasury has published the findings from its annual review of Departmental and Agency annual reports.
Treasury evaluated 34 Agencies for compliance with annual reporting requirements in 2006-07, finding there were “several opportunities for improvement.” The reports were from 14 Departments, 12 statutory bodies and eight State-owned corporations.
Among the Treasury’s findings were the failure of some entities to compare non-financial performance to targets or benchmarks, prompting the comment: “It is difficult for a reader of the report to gauge how well the Agency performed.”
It found that most Agencies adhered to the requirement to report on risk management but that several failed to include statements of their Equal Employment Opportunity strategies, details of consumer complaints received, staffing comparisons for the past three years and detailed information on senior officer performance reviews.
It was particularly critical of Agencies which separated components of their financial statements, especially on websites.
“The financial report (financial statements) and the Independent Audit Report are both integral parts of the annual report,” Treasury said in a Circular.
“During our review, we found that some agencies are not making this clear to users.”
It said on websites, some Agencies showed the headings “Annual Report” and a separate heading “Financial Statements” or “Other Information” that included the financial report.
“This is misleading because it implies the annual report excludes the financial report,” Treasury said.
It reminded Agencies that the Independent Audit Report was not to be altered and was to include the date of the opinion.
In an effort to improve the situation, Treasury has updated its policy paper on non-financial reporting What You Do and Why – An Agency Guide to Defining Results and Services and included a checklist in the Circular for Agencies to use to help avoid failures in future.
On the bright side, it reported that the three winners of the Premier’s Awards for Annual Reports this year were the Legal Aid Commission (Gold), the Audit Office of NSW (Silver) and the NSW Department of Health (Bronze).
In addition, 23 NSW public sector Agencies were honoured in the Australasian Reporting Awards for their 2005-06 annual reports.
August 8, 2007
Anti-Flu Plans Not
To be Sneezed at
The prediction that an influenza pandemic is on the way has prompted the Office of Industrial Relations to publish a Guide and Fact Sheet to help employers and employees plan ahead.
The OIR guide encourages employers to develop a Business Contingency Plan in order to address potential implications in the event of a pandemic occurring.
In planning ahead Departments and Agencies are advised to prepare for such possibilities as absenteeism, employees taking time off to care for sick relatives, disruption to work and interruption to workplace dynamics.
The guide suggests employees and their employer’s work together to combat the spread of an influenza pandemic by planning early for a more effective response and testing the workplace plan before the pandemic occurs. It urges employers to use existing Workplace Relations and Occupational Health and Safety frameworks.
According to OIR, an employer may consider flexible working arrangements in which some employees have the option of working from home.
Flexible hours would limit the number of employees in the office at the same time, reducing the further spread of infection.
Job sharing may be another option to maintain the smooth running of the business while an employee usually in that role, recovers.
As well as a plan in response to an influenza pandemic occurring, there is also a plan for recovery. This includes returning to normal routines in the workplace, restoring essential and community infrastructure to normal service, providing measures to restore emotional and psychological wellbeing and debriefing to learn for future planning in preparation of further waves of an influenza pandemic.
Copies of the guides are available at www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
August 8, 2007
Army of Supporters
Called up for APEC
Up to 1500 members of the Australian Defence Force will be assigned to security support at the upcoming APEC Leader’s Meeting in Sydney, along with an array of military and protection equipment.
Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said a range of capabilities would be put in place during the meeting to support NSW Police and ensure the event was safe, secure and successful.
He emphasised the ADF’s supporting role during APEC by stressing that the NSW Government, the NSW Police were responsible for security at APEC07.
“The ADF’s job is to provide specialised support to the NSW Police, as well as support to the Attorney-General’s Department under the Commonwealth’s standing arrangements for counter-terrorism if that is required,” Air Marshal Houston said.
He said Defence’s commitment would include Blackhawk helicopters and a detachment of F/A 18 Hornet fighters, specialised search teams, a special operations task group, and ships from the Royal Australian Navy. The ships and aircraft would be able to divert aircraft and intercept vessels at sea to counter specific threats should they arise.
ACM Houston said the ADF would also provide liaison offers in key operation nodes throughout the city, as well as niche security support in and around Sydney Harbour through specialist clearance divers.
ADF Reservists would play key roles in the supporting task force by providing an additional layer to complement standing ADF domestic security capabilities.
“I am pleased to see Reserves taking a full part in this operation,” ACM Houston said.
“Some of these troops are part of the Reserve Response Forces that were established three years ago as part of the Government’s commitment to securing Australia against the threat of terrorism. Their contribution to APEC07 will include assisting the NSW Police with tasks such as searching venues and operating vehicle checkpoints, showing just how versatile Australia’s Reserve forces are.”
Air Chief Marshal Houston also congratulated the newly-appointed commander of the ADF’s joint task force supporting the APEC Leader’s Week, Brigadier Andrew Smith.
“Brigadier Smith has a wealth of experience in this type of operation, having led our Task Force supporting the Commonwealth Games in 2006,” he said.
August 8, 2007
Ambulance Workforce
Healthy Says Report
Staff retention rates at the NSW Ambulance Service compared favourably with other emergency services and were significantly better than rates in the wider health system and industry.
The Ambulance Service has issued a report of its staffing situation following claims by the NSW Opposition that it suffered morale problems and that staff were “leaving in droves.”
According to the Service, the attrition rate among Ambulance staff is 6.6 per cent, a level it says is “very low.”
“A career in ambulance offers challenges and rewards and is supported by dedicated colleagues and significant respect from the community”, the Service’s report said.
“Many men and women join the Ambulance Service as a life-long career, with some reaching up to 40 years service.”
The report said ambulance workload has increased by 11.5 per cent since 2002 and over the past three years there had been a net increase of 327 staff, with 87 Ambulance vehicles including Ambulance, rapid-response and non-emergency patient transport.
It said that at peak times, there were 138 Ambulance crews on the road in the greater metropolitan Sydney and the Service has been allocated $316 million for 2007-08 financial year, a 7 per cent increase over last year.
The report said that regular surveys of Ambulance staff over the past seven years had shown significant improvements in staff perceptions of communications, the work environment and organisational direction. The most recent survey reflected this trend, even with low response rates, with just over 230 responding out of a possible 1000 staff.
It said the Ambulance Service had strong systems for quality and safety with a variety of clinical, peer and management review systems in place.
Every staff member who had a concern about their personal safety, or the care provided to their patients, had an obligation to report these concerns so that a proper review with factual analysis can be undertaken and any corrective action initiated.
August 8, 2007
AGs Homes In On
Missing Persons
The Attorney General’s Department is offering free counselling and support to people across the State as part of its contribution to National Missing Persons Week 2007.
According to the Department, the disappearance of a person could have a devastating impact on their family and friends and Missing Persons Week this year would highlight where help was available.
“Missing Persons Week is consistently one of the busiest times of the year for our counsellors,” said Lee Purches, Senior Project Officer from the Department’s Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit (FFMPU)
“We don’t just offer counselling,” Ms Purches said. “We work with, and on behalf of the families and friends of missing persons who live in NSW or who have had someone go missing from NSW.”
She said the FFMPU provided information, resources, support and referrals to search agencies and worked closely with the NSW Police Force Missing Persons Unit.
FFMPU Counsellor, Niki Ferrar said counsellors could assist with reunions if a person was found and wished to re-establish contact with their family.
“Research shows that for every person that disappears, there will be around 12 people directly affected,” said Ms Ferrar.
She also said there was a significant flow on effect for those left behind, regardless of how long a person was missing.
NSW is the only State or Territory in Australia that provided specialist services for families and friends of missing persons.
More than 10,000 people are reported missing to police each year, with around per cent found within weeks.
This year’s theme is “How do you find someone when they struggle to find themselves?” which Ms Purches said highlighted mental health as a contributing factor for people going missing.
August 8, 2007
Interpreter Symbol
Translates to Help
A new symbol developed by the Community Relations Commission of NSW to indicate where interpreting services were available has been adopted nationally.
The National Interpreter Symbol will be used by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments as a public information guide to tell people with language difficulties where they could expect help.
All
Gover
nment
service organisations are being encouraged to use
the symbol and promote it to their
members and clients so they will recognise when it is displayed.
The symbol represents one person speaking to another through an interpreter standing in the middle. It is to be displayed at public hospitals, police stations, State schools, community centres, housing and employment offices, local councils and migrant resource centres.
It is Government policy that people using NSW public sector services are not required to book or to pay for interpreting services. The responsibility for payment lies with the particular Government Agency or service provider the individual is dealing with at the time.
According to the Community Relations Commission, using an interpreter is just one of a number of ways of helping service providers communicate with people with limited English proficiency. Language assistance may also include translated information, assistance from a bilingual staff member who has had appropriate training, multilingual resources on dedicated websites including multimedia resources on CD-ROM and multilingual telephone information.
August 8, 2007
Town Hall Diggers
Looking for Bodies
Sydney Town Hall is undergoing a preliminary archaeological investigation as
part of a $60 million upgrade of the building and essential services.
The NSW Heritage Council has given approval for archaeologists Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd to carry out a ‘scrape’ of a proposed excavation area beneath Town Hall.
The process involves removing disturbed soil to identify areas that could potentially be gravesites. Sydney Town Hall is built within one of Sydney's first cemeteries, which operated between 1792 and 1820 prior to the new cemetery on the site of Central Railway Station.
Prior to the commencement of the Town Hall’s construction in 1869, some of the graves were moved to Rookwood cemetery but others were left untouched.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore said the utmost respect and care for the site would be shown throughout the testing process because of the social and historical significance associated with the area.
“The City’s work is being guided by the NSW Heritage Council and this scrape will help us discover and protect anything that remains,” Ms Moore said.
“The archaeological investigation is the first part of a five year rescue plan for Sydney Town Hall which involves restoring the crumbling sandstone facade and updating internal services which are out of date and in danger of failing.
She said as custodians of the building the City Council had a duty of care to undertake the extensive works without impacting on the building’s heritage significance.
“Alongside other significant late 19th century buildings such as the Queen Victoria Building, the State Library and the Art Gallery of NSW, it must be protected and restored,” Ms Moore said.
Archaeologist Dr Mary Casey said once the ‘scrape’ is complete, preliminary tests would be conducted to identify if human remains are present in the potential graves.
August 8, 2007
Tastes of Pacific
Tabled at Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum has launched a multi-cultural food festival,
Pacific on a Plate which draws together the culinary traditions of people who have migrated to Australia from communities all around the Pacific basin.
A host of stalls will be set up at the Museum in Darling Harbour, NSW, on 1-2 September offering dishes from as far away as Japan, Canada and Peru, alongside non-stop free entertainment on Pacific themes. The festival will be open to all, will be free to enter, and no plate of food will cost more than $10.
Director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, Mary-Louise Williams said the “delicious” event would highlight the Museum’s core interests in the history of maritime activity on the Pacific and the history of migration to Australia.
“We hope everyone who comes to Pacific on a Plate to taste the food will come inside and explore these themes in the Museum’s exhibitions.”
Ms Williams said Pacific on a Plate was the fourth festival in which the Maritime Museum had focused on food and food history to amplify wider social history themes. This festival has been timed to chime in with Sydney’s APEC Conference, without being directly associated with it.
Dishes on offer will include Japanese takoyaki (dumplings with octopus, prawn or crabmeat); Ceviche from Peru (fish marinated in lemon, onion, garlic, coriander and Peruvian spices); Vietnam’s goi cuon (fresh rice paper rolls with prawns, pork, mint, basil and vermicelli); Russian deliashe (meat and onion pie); Canadian sugar pie (dessert pie with maple syrup filling); and a feast of other samples from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand and more.
The entertainment program, led by prominent food journalist Joanna Savill, will feature cooking talks and demonstrations and music from around the Pacific including the celebrated TaikOz No Wa (Japanese-style taiko percussion troupe), The Real Mexico mariachi band and Polynesian dancing.
August 8, 2007
Architects Drawn to
Low Cost Housing
University of Sydney architecture staff and students have launched designs of low-cost, ecologically sustainable apartments that could be built for as little as $70,000.
Five designs of three-storey urban apartments were unveiled at the Home Ideas Centre in Alexandria and would suit low-income singles and couples.
Senior lecturer in architecture at the university, Col James said the designers had managed to keep construction costs between $70,000 and $100,000 while at the same time including a number of environmental features.
“The designs are for the former Marrickville Hospital site, currently owned by Marrickville Council,” Mr James said.
“The apartment basements would remain council-controlled and be used for parking small cars, scooters and bikes, and for recycling and power generation.”
One hundred and thirty-eight university architecture students were supervised by eight professional architects, in the research and design of the eco-budget apartments.
Mr James said some of the features included open plan living, flexible space and conventional construction by not-for-profit builders, with the use of caravan and boating technology to make the best use of the available space.
Three-storey water storage tanks were implemented as was the use of grey water recycling loos and gardens. Government subsidies for solar technology, rental subsidies and first home purchases were also factored in.
“The young students who worked on the project are in the same age bracket as those they are designing for – an age group that is finding it hardest to own their own homes,” Mr James said.
“But it is also a group that is keenly interested in environmental building technologies.”
The models will be presented to the Marrickville Council, which is currently conducting its own feasibility study for redevelopment of the entire site.
August 8, 2007
WorkCover Lifts
Award Entries
A record number of entries have been received for the 2007 WorkCover NSW Safe Work Awards.
Chief Executive of WorkCover, Jon Blackwell said more than 100 organisations across the State had submitted entries with the number of entrants this year the highest since the awards began in 2004.
“The annual awards showcase innovation and excellence and recognise best practice by highlighting industry achievement in workplace safety,” Mr Blackwell said.
“This year, we have had entries from a wide range of industries including retail, food, finance, construction, health, education and Local Government.”
He said it was encouraging to see many employers highlight their workplace safety achievements by submitting an entry.
Organisations across the public and private sectors were invited to submit written entries in five categories that focused on improvements to workplace health and safety and injury prevention.
“Entries will be reviewed and short-listed by a WorkCover assessment panel with finalists selected following worksite inspections,” Mr Blackwell said.
“The 2007 award winners will be chosen by a finalists judging panel, made up of senior representatives from WorkCover, unions, employer groups and specialist OHS bodies.”
He said winning entries would be automatically submitted for the Australian Safety and Compensation Council’s National Safe Work Australia Awards to be held next year.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced during Safe Work Australia Week at a dinner on Thursday 25 October 2007 at the Waterview Convention Centre, Homebush Bay.
August 8, 2007
Power Exhibit For
PowerHouse Show
The Powerhouse Museum is to open a new interactive exhibition exploring the complex world of nuclear science, medicine and nuclear power, to coincide with National Science Week later this month.
On display in the Museum’s Experimentations gallery will be Nuclear Matters which aims to provide a greater public understanding of what nuclear science is and how it plays a big part in our everyday lives.
Senior Curator, Sciences at the Museum, Dr Jesse Shore said people don’t realise that nuclear science is all around us.
“From the small amount of radioisotopes that we eat and breathe, to the isotopes in the earth that are measured to determine the age of rocks and reveal past climates, it is a very diverse science,” Dr Shore said.
“It is a highly complex science that some people find intriguing and others find concerning. So the aim of the exhibition is to provide enjoyable and meaningful ways to explore the basics of the science and show some of the ways it’s used in our daily lives,” he said.
A feature of the exhibition will be nine imaginative and daring interactives, allowing visitors to have fun whilst learning about various aspects of nuclear science. The exhibition is divided into five areas: Nuclear basics; Nuclear in our lives; Nuclear sciences; Nuclear power generation; and Nuclear perspectives. Some of the highlights include a real ice core from Antarctica that will help show how scientists study climate change.
Nuclear Matters not only looks at science and technology, but changes in social attitudes over the last century.
Nuclear Matters is on display from 21 August 2007, from 10am to 5pm at the Powerhouse Museum in Harris Street, Ultimo. General admission is $10 adult, $5 child, $6 concession and $25 family.
August 8, 2007
Tourist Push Makes
Barrington Tops
A new tourist brochure has been released to lure visitors to the Barrington Tops region.
Unveiled by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Bob Baldwin, the brochure shows off the attractions and delights of the Gloucester, Dungog and Stroud districts and aims to ensure potential visitors are aware of what awaits them should they choose to visit the area.
“The Barrington Tops is a World Heritage listed area that has so much to offer visitors,” Mr Baldwin said.
“It is one of Australia’s unique destinations and forms part of the diverse Hunter region,” he said.
“There is plenty to do, from exploring the rivers and subtropical rainforests to enjoying a quiet break breathing in the clean air and enjoying the view."
He said the brochure would complement a new integrated regional brand campaign being developed by the Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation which was recently awarded $4,500 in funding through the Australian Government's Australian Tourism Development Program.
“The Hunter region has a huge variety of accessible experiences that will appeal to a broad range of travellers,” Mr Baldwin said. “For example, visitors can sip Shiraz and sample regional produce at many of the cellar doors throughout the Hunter, have afternoon tea at one of any number of fabulous cafes along the river bank at Morpeth, visit a heritage site at Maitland, or walk along the pristine beaches at Newcastle and Port Stephens.”
The Commonwealth provided $300,000 to assist with tourism promotion for the Hunter region following the recent devastating storms,
Mr Baldwin said tourism was an important industry for regional Australia gaining 47 cents of every tourism dollar spent and that the new brochure would assist in attracting new and repeat visitors to the region which, in turn, would provide “enormous benefits to the regional economy and local small businesses."
August 8, 2007
Lighthouses to Shine
On Show Weekend
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is to be held this month and Cape Byron Lighthouse will be one of 380 locations in over 46 countries taking part.
The 2007 International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend is to be held from 17 to 19 August.
Cape Byron Trust Manager Sue Walker said it was an annual, worldwide event in which amateur radio operators set up and operated from lighthouses and lightships around the world.
She said Summerland Amateur Radio Club would be transmitting and receiving at Cape Byron Lighthouse with the common objective to make radio contact with as many people as possible over the period.
“The event will serve to promote public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, promote amateur radio and foster international goodwill,” Ms Walker said.
“This is an important event working with the community and linking the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse with other lighthouses and lightships from all over the globe."
She said an onus would be on operators to act within the fun spirit of the event, the object of which was to have a visible presence at or near the lighthouse, with the purpose of obtaining maximum exposure for the hobby of amateur radio.
August 1, 2007
New Meal Allowances
Put Icing on Cake
The rates of meal, travelling and related allowances have been increased with effect from 1 July.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has circulated an updated list of the entitlements which show Capital City dinner allowances rising from $37.80 per day to $38.95, lunch from $21.95 to $22.65 and breakfast from $19.60 to $20.20. The country rates go to $35.60, $20.65 and $18.05 respectively.
According to the DPC Circular, the meal, travel, incidental and overtime meal allowances have increased in accordance with Taxation Office guidelines while others have been adjusted in tune with movements in the Consumer Price Index.
The Capital City travelling allowance has increased between $2.95 and $27.95 depending on the city being visited, with an overnight stay in Melbourne now attracting $247.25, Canberra $211.25 and Brisbane $253.25.
Car allowances have increased to 83 cents/km for vehicles over 2600cc, 77.3 cents for those 1601cc to 2600 cc and 55.3 for those 1600 and less. Camping allowances have increased to $25.20 a night.
Work related expenses such as on-call, first aid and community language allowances have been increased by 4% in line with recent salary increases.
First Aid allowances are now $666-$1002 per annum and community language allowance between $1036 and $1556 pa. On-call allowance increases from 0.70 an hour to 0.73.
The scale of allowances were last reviewed in March 2006.
August 1, 2007
Privacy Fee Advice
Is Free of Charge
The Acting Privacy Commissioner has reminded Government Departments and Agencies that they should not be charging members of the public for access to personal information.
Acting Privacy Commissioner, John Dickie, has pointed out that the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 18 (NSW) does not provide for the charging of fees and that Privacy NSW encouraged organisations to provide access and amendment without charge.
“Section 14 of the PPIP Act provides that a public sector agency that holds personal information must, at the request of the individual to whom the information relates and ‘without excessive delay or expense’, provide the individual with access to the information,” Mr Dickie said.
“Agencies should check their procedures and documentation to ensure that applicants are not incurred any expense for access to personal information.”
He said Privacy NSW had received legal advice from the NSW Crown Solicitors office that Section 14 should be read as “without excessive delay and without expense”, and that under common law a public body or authority may not ask members of the public to pay charges if there is no statutory authority or power for it to do so.
Therefore, he said, no costs incurred by a public sector Agency in complying with Section 14, may be passed onto or “charged to” anyone seeking access to personal information.
However, under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) a request for access or amendment to health information does permit private and public sector agencies to charge a fee to cover administrative costs of providing access, such as for photocopying or printing.
Mr Dickie cautioned that people should not be discouraged by any costs from seeking access to their health information and that in any case Privacy NSW would prefer organisations to provide the service without charge.
Where health service providers in the public sector wished to cover administration costs, the access fees and charges were set out in DOH Circular 2002/22.
August 1, 2007
PS Staff Survey
Poll-axes Bosses
A recent survey of Public Servants that revealed that 57 per cent believe their bosses are “ineffective” and “no good at what they do.”
According to former Army Officer and now project management expert, Michael Young, the survey, by personnel company Talent2, showed the importance of training and development for senior staff.
Mr Young said the finding confirmed a view that many PS managers were living in the past and faced a pressing need to developing their skills.
“There have been a number of spectacular failures in management of projects in Government agencies of late,” Mr Young said. “Experience shows that it is the softer, more people-focused skills that managers need to learn to produce results.”
He said it was not surprising that employees were losing faith in bosses who refused to learn.
Mr Young, who is ACT President of the Australian Institute of Project Management, and a consultant with the firm Transformed, said many managers were focused on getting the job done and had lost sight of the need for good personnel management.
“In Project Management – like many other management disciplines – bosses have traditionally focused their efforts on learning the technical skills required to do the job. It’s become clear that it is in the failure to manage the human elements of projects that things come undone.”
He said the key leadership skills that modern managers required were the ability to set vision and goals and motivate staff to achieve them.
“They also need to be able to implement two-way communication with people of all backgrounds, experience and levels.
“A key skill is to be able to build and be able to sustain good teamwork and use the unique skills of team members to achieve excellent results,” he said.
The Talent2 survey also found that learning and development were as essential for those on the top rung of the ladder as it was for those still climbing up, particularly with employee retention a major issue in today’s workplace.
Mr Young said skills such as leadership, communication and team building were the difference between outstanding and ordinary leaders.
He said employers should take the survey seriously and enrol in learning programs to gain the skill levels necessary to manage staff with skill and ability.
August 1, 2007
Round Table Has
Ageing Cornered
The State Opposition has convened a policy round table to develop a whole-of-Government strategy to deal with population ageing.
Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for the Ageing, Andrew Constance, convened the gathering which attracted participation from Carers NSW, Aged and Community Services Australia, the Council on the Ageing and the Council of Social Service NSW.
The round table was addressed by Federal Minister for the Ageing, Christopher Pyne.
“We owe our older generation a great debt,” Mr O’Farrell said, “And we must do everything we can to continue to value the contribution they can make to the social and economic well being of this State.
He said the NSW health system would be put under further strain as the ageing population began to put greater demands on it.
Mr Constance said that impending demographic changes required a fresh look at service provision.
“The number of Australians aged 70 or over will double over the next 20 years,” he said, “therefore it’s increasingly important that a comprehensive approach to State Government services delivery is developed.”
“If we don’t get the planning right with appropriate benchmarking and accountability, NSW will face major economic and social challenges.”
August 1, 2007
Protection On Song
For Opera House
Councils and other authorities needed to take into account the World Heritage status of the Sydney Opera House when assessing applications for developments in its vicinity following extra protection being afforded the national icon.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Steve Whan said a buffer zone had been created via an amendment to the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 to provide extra protection for the Opera House.
“Achieving World Heritage status for the Sydney Opera House last month was a major coup for Australia’s only true global city,” Mr Whan said.
“The buffer zone will help to preserve the setting of the Sydney Opera House, including significant views from public places along the foreshore.”
He said the buffer zone included the inner waters of Sydney Harbour, headlands and bays and foreshores within a 2.5 km radius of the Opera House, and the foreshores of the Rocks, City of Sydney and North Sydney up to one street back from the waterline.
“The new controls will be used by relevant councils and consent authorities when assessing development applications which fall within the zone, and by proponents when they prepare their development applications,” Mr Whan said.
“It’s about striking a balance between the iconic Opera House and other priorities around the harbour including the needs of councils and residents.”
He said the controls did not affect the use of existing development on privately owned or occupied land, or minor building works such as renovations, repairs and internal alterations.
Mr Whan said that relevant authorities had to allow for the State and national heritage listing of the Sydney Opera House already when considering development applications in its vicinity.
“This will add a layer of rigour to that assessment process – to ensure future generations can enjoy the world-famous Opera House for years to come,” he said.
August 1, 2007
Premier Lifts Bail
To Bowl Terrorists
The Premier, Morris Iemma, has announced a tightening of bail conditions for offenders brought to court to face terrorism, violence and firearms charges.
New tightened laws would also give police extra powers to crack down on criminals.
“We must always be vigilant about the threat to the safety of our citizens,” Mr Iemma said. “That’s why our laws are under constant review.”
A presumption against bail has been established for all defendants involved in the licensed firearms dealing business and for those accused of shortening firearms, or possessing or selling shortened firearms. Those accused of violent crime are to have their access to bail applications restricted.
“Currently there is no limit on the number of times a cashed-up accused can apply to the Local Court for bail,” Mr Iemma said.
“…Every time someone has another go at getting bail, the victims and their families must face the prospect that an alleged assailant will be free to roam the streets.
“Under current arrangements remand prisoners can usually only take their case to the Supreme Court once.
Mr Iemma said the changes would extend that arrangement to the Local Court system and put a stop to repeat applications, unless there was some compelling new reason to revisit the matter.
A second bail hearing would only be allowed if the applicant had no legal representation at the first one or if the Court was satisfied that new facts had arisen since.
In other reforms, the supply of explosives is now a specific offence, carrying a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, and unlawfully possessing or making explosives now carries an increased maximum penalty of three years as well.
Police are to be allowed to take non-intimate DNA samples, such as hair samples, from suspects in all offences, and will be allowed to use road spikes to pre-empt possible escape attempts, not just once a police pursuit has commenced as is the current procedure.
August 1, 2007
Family Awards
Go to Water
Sydney Water has received a High Commendation at the 2007 ACCI/BCA National Work and Family Awards for its leadership on work and family matters.
Presented in July, the Awards recognise organisations which demonstrated a commitment to help employees achieve a better work and family balance.
Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Joe Hockey announced the Award saying winners and finalists showed that flexible work arrangements were good for business.
“The key message emerging from the winning organisations at these awards is that working with employees to balance work and family is good for employees and good for business,” Mr Hockey said.
“Flexible arrangements have assisted organisations to retain valuable employees, reduce turnover costs, increase productivity and improve staff morale and customer satisfaction.”
He said the result was not just good for individual businesses and employees, but for the welfare of the nation.
“With the flexible framework provided by the Government, businesses can offer conditions that make their workplace an attractive proposition for jobseekers,” Mr Hockey said.
“I would like to congratulate all of the finalists for your innovative approach to flexible working arrangements and commitment to work and family initiatives.”
Mr Hockey said the finalists were an example of what Australian workplaces can be when they strived to reach their potential, and that their efforts had paid off.
August 1, 2007
SIM Card No Trump
Says Commissioner
Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, has defended strict new identification rules surrounding the purchase of mobile phone SIM cards.
Commissioner Moroney said the need to prevent terrorism was a more important goal than the infringement on personal liberties the new SIM card requirements imposed.
Under the new rules, identity checks would require mobile phone SIM card buyers to show a passport or birth certificate – similar to the requirements for opening a bank account.
As a result of discussions at the Federal inquiry into the future impact of serious organised crime on Australian society, State and Territory police suggested the change.
Commissioner Moroney said it was a response to the increasing use of SIM cards as detonating devices in terrorist attacks, and the common practice in organised crime of possessing multiple SIM cards.
“The acquisition of these cards is too easy, they can be acquired from tobacconists, from general stores,” Mr Moroney said.
“Any mechanism available to us, such as the regulation of the sale and distribution of SIM cards, will certainly aid us.”
He said the more stringent identity checks would also enable police to track down criminals. He dismissed concerns that such checks would amount to an invasion of privacy.
“I have to be concerned about the civil liberties of everybody not just a small few,” he said.
“I've got to be concerned about the ultimate civil liberty to be free from ... murder.”
Commissioner Moroney expected police to keep a database of information collected from the 100-point checks but he said the exact operation of the scheme would depend on how the laws were eventually drafted.
August 1, 2007
Firies Have Bash
At Fundraising
Two teams of NSW firefighters are to take part in the annual Variety Bash to raise funds for charity.
Fifteen entrants from the NSW Fire Brigades and the NSW Rural Fire Service are to set out on the 5,151km Bash across Australia and plan to promote greater fire safety awareness in the remote and rural communities they visit along the way.
The Variety Base to Bathurst Bash 2007, which raises money for special needs children across Australia, leaves Base - Garden Island, Sydney - on 5 August and arrives at Bathurst - HMAS Bathurst, Darwin - on 16 August.
NSWFB spokesperson, Inspector Ken Murphy, said that the popular charity motoring event provided the fire services with an exceptional opportunity to impart important fire safety information to remote and regional communities.
“Our main aim is to ensure that people in remote and isolated communities across NSW are aware of key fire safety messages such as the importance of smoke alarms and escape plans,” Inspector Murphy said.
He said that the 15 firefighters would also be visiting four NSW schools along the Bash route and working with local firefighters to teach children important fire safety messages such as “get down low and go, go, go”.
August 1, 2007
Minister Pays Out
On Fee Chargers
Consumers have been warned against paying fees to agents to recover unclaimed money held by the Government.
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney reminded people that finding lost money
could be as easy as looking up a couple of websites and that they might not need to pay an agent to do that for them.
“Both the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the NSW Office of State Revenue maintain registers of unclaimed monies that can be freely accessed through their websites,” Ms Burney said.
“Some of these agents or companies charge a commission of up to 30 per cent on any money recovered, and others want an upfront fee regardless of the result,” she said.
“While these businesses are not doing anything illegal, consumers can find their own unclaimed money easily and without incurring any costs.”
The ASIC register, which can be found online at www.asic.gov.au, details unclaimed money owed to individuals from banks, credit unions, building societies, insurance companies’ and friendly societies’ life policies, and money from the compulsory acquisition of shares following takeovers.
The OSR register, found online at www.osr.nsw.gov.au, included dividends, principal and interest, trust account funds, unpresented cheques, unclaimed royalties and commissions, superannuation benefits and retirement savings account benefits.
August 1, 2007
Road Leveller Makes
Grade in 30 Years
Field officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Billy Thomas has celebrated 30 years of service in the one area.
Mr Thomas has been with the NPWS at Sturt National Park since July 1977, and it’s a role in which he still takes pride.
“Sturt National Park is of course my favourite national park in NSW,” Mr Thomas, who began work there as a 23-year-old, said.
“I encourage everyone to come and visit it, say hello and enjoy some of the amazing experiences I have been privileged to enjoy every day for the last 30 years”
Far West Regional Manager of NPWS, Steve Millington said Mr Thomas's work on the graders had saved many a tourist from a ruined holiday.
“Billy hates to see potholes in his roads. It's like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge, when he gets to the end he turns around and starts all over again,” Mr Millington said.
“He's always been a quiet achiever and visitors driving on dirt roads through Sturt National Park have a lot to be grateful for.”
Mr Thomas’s work has not been confined to the graders, however.
“Over the years there have been many changes and developments in Sturt National Park which I have been able to be part of,” Mr Thomas said, “including the development of facilities for tourists, building the roads, campgrounds, walking tracks and lookouts.”
Mr Thomas said that living at Fort Grey for 30 years has made for a somewhat isolated life, but that the increasing importance of tourism to the park has ameliorated that.
“Being able to meet tourists and have a chat is a fun part of the role of a field officer,” Mr Thomas said.
“Over the years I have met many different people from every state of Australia and each with a story of their own.”
August 1, 2007
Integrated Forum To
Integrate Response
A forum on domestic violence is to be held in August to encourage a consistent approach to the development and implementation of integrated responses across a range of agencies.
The Integrated Responses to Domestic Violence Practice forum will be hosted by the Attorney General’s Crime Prevention Division and Violence Against Women Specialist Unit as well as the Department of Community Services’ Communities Division.
The forum is expected to bring together 80 policy makers and service providers implementing domestic violence integrated programs, with invitations extended to the Departments of Health, Housing, Community Services, and Attorney General’s; the NSW Police Force; the Legal Aid Commission NSW, as well as Non Government Organisations working in integrated domestic violence programs such as the Domestic Violence Intervention Court Model, Staying Home Leaving Violence, Integrated Case Management and Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program and others.
Organisers hope that attendance by representatives from such a broad range of bodies involved in combating domestic violence will provide an overview of how the services are operating, highlight effective practices and help develop solutions to some of the challenges of working within an integrated approach.
The forum is to be held on Wednesday 15 August 2007 from 8.30am to 5.00pm in the Jubilee Room of the NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney. It is by invitation only.
Contact Mandy Young on (02) 9228 8056 or email mandy_young@agd.nsw.gov.au for further information.
August 1, 2007
Rats Packing Up in
Rodent Round-up
An ambitious anti-rodent pest control program swings in to action this month on Lord Howe Island with up to12 conservationists spending most of August spreading non-toxic, dye-baits across the island to mark mice and rats which are affecting birdlife.
The dye-bait program is a precursor to the possible total eradication of rodents from the island in 2010, which would make Lord Howe the largest inhabited island in the world to be freed of introduced mammals.
The eradication project is being run by the Lord Howe Island Board which believes local wildlife has “taken a hammering” because of the introduction of rats and mice.
“We have more than 2000 native species – around half of them found nowhere else on earth,” Mr Rigby said.
“The island’s bird life is particularly spectacular.”
He said however that the impact of the rodents has seen nine species of endemic land birds wiped out.
“Two migratory seabird species have also disappeared. A further 32 species are listed as threatened, including the endangered Lord Howe woodhen, a giant snail and a gecko.
“If we can eradicate the rats and mice, it will help redress the ecological balance.”
Mr Rigby expected that when the rodents were gone the endemic bird, reptile and invertebrate species would stage a massive recovery – “along with the native plants that provide many of them with food and shelter.”
“It would also enable us to reintroduce the critically endangered Lord Howe Island phasmid, which vanished from Lord Howe soon after rats arrived in 1918. Currently it only exists in a captive population in Melbourne Zoo and in an extremely precarious wild population at Balls Pyramid, a 550 metre-high rock 23 kilometres south-west of the island.”
He said the first step was to test the feasibility of the eradication process to make sure it didn’t inadvertently poison native wildlife in the process.
“When you’re dealing with such a unique environment and critically endangered species that don’t exist anywhere else, you’ve got to make sure your planning is very thorough,” Mr Rigby said.
August 1, 2007
New Museum Site Is
Powerhouse for Kids
The Powerhouse Museum has launched a new website for children, featuring up-to-date information about what’s on at the Museum for kids as well as activities and resources for family fun.
Found at www.play.powerhousemuseum.com, the website is a resource for parents and carers of children aged three and over.
Its suggested craft activities, colouring-in templates and online games are all based on the major themes and collections of the Museum.
One initiative is a downloadable paper zoo based on one in the Museum’s collections, with a downloadable farm and theatre promised soon.
Web Services Manger, Sebastian Chan, said his team had identified a need amongst families for more interaction with the Museum.
“We realised that parents and carers are always looking for great things to do with the kids that are both fun and educational,” he said, “and that often the best things for young children are tactile experiences.
“The philosophy is to use the computer to access the Museum's resources but then take activities offline to do as a shared family experience.
“The new children's website is aimed at giving parents better choices that are connected to our shared culture and history, and at the same time placing the Museum at the centre of educational play.
“We hope families will use the website both before they visit the Museum and afterwards as an extension of their experience,” Mr Chan said.
August 1, 2007
Fringe Grows Back
At Film Office
The NSW Film and Television Office has arranged for the Screen Producers Association of Australia Fringe conference to return to Sydney this year.
Arts Minister, Frank Sartor, welcomed the deal saying the conference was one of Australia’s leading screen industry events.
“This is a cutting-edge conference for the next generation of screen producers,
directors and writers,” Mr Sartor said.
It is expected that the two-day event - to be held on October 27 and 28 at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington and Paddington Town Hall - would attract more than 300 attendees from around the country.
The State Government had committed $40,000 to support the event, Mr Sartor said because it recognised that the arts and cultural sector helped drive innovation and investment in the State.
Mr Sartor said the conference would focus on digital content and distribution, and online forums would enable attendees’ interaction.
SPAA Executive Director, Geoff Brown said that the Fringe festival was important to the vivacity of the film industry.
“SPAA Fringe is the place where the disconnected can connect,” Mr Brown said.
“It allows out-there film projects and their filmmakers to come in from the cold and learn about the mainstream industry in a lively and challenging way that’s not about compromising their creativity.”
Mr Sartor said other top screen industry events to be hosted by NSW this year included the Australian Directors Guild Conference, the Australian Writers’ Guild Awards and the Australian Performing Rights Association Awards.
August 1, 2007
No Catches in New
Fishing Limits
The Department of Primary Industries has announced changes to saltwater and freshwater fishing rules.
The changes include an increase in the legal length for Murray cod, pearl perch, yellowtail kingfish, luderick (blackfish) dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), blue groper and morwong, and a new closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch to protect breeding fish.
DPI Director of Wild Harvest Fisheries, Anthony Hurst said these changes – which follow comprehensive consultation with NSW recreational and commercial fishers - reflected the findings of scientific assessments, the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, the Palmer inquiry into illegal fishing, advice from expert committees of fishers and more than 3300 public submissions.
Mr Hurst said other changes for freshwater fishing include the prohibition of unattended lines - but with an increase in the distance a fisher can be from each line and bag limits for saltwater fishing had been reduced from 20 to 10 for bonito, dolphin fish, octopus, rubberlip and jackass morwong and a new combined bag limit of 20 for bream and tarwhine.
The limit for popular billfish species, including marlin, is now one, from the previous two.
A combined bag limit of five is to apply to all shark and ray species, including only one tiger, mako, blue shark, hammerhead and whaler species. A zero bag limit applies to wobbegong sharks.
Mr Hurst said improvements would also be made to the management of fishing competitions, including the development of a voluntary code of practice.
“About one million people enjoy recreational fishing each year in NSW,” he said.
“These changes are about working with the community to progressively improve fishing rules to ensure the future sustainability and viability of our valuable fisheries resources.”
The changes will take effect on 3 September, 2007.