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SearchArchives for January 2012
25 January, 2012
Week off to encourage
working from home
The Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is to convene Australia’s first National Telework Week later this year to promote the benefits and advantages of working from home.
National Minister for the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said the opportunities presented by increased telework were exciting for both employers and employees.
“An increase in telework can lead to benefits across the economy and community, from big business through to individual workers and families as well as the environment,” Senator Conroy said.
“These benefits include cost-savings and productivity gains, increased workforce flexibility, expanded supply of skilled labour, reduced impact on the environment, reduced stress from traffic congestion and increased time available to spend with family and the community.”
He said for the next generation of employers and workers, IT connectivity would need to be seamless to allow work from any location, be it at home, in the office or at their local cafe.
“Australia currently lags well behind the leading nations for telework rates.”
He said the Digital Economy Strategy had set a goal to double Australia’s telework rate by 2020.
Senator Conroy identified cultural barriers as some of the factors contributing to poor telework rates and said it was important to address them through education and awareness of telework’s benefits.
He said initial partners in National Telework Week included the Australian Human Resources Institute, the Australian Industry Group (AIG), Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Australian Network for Disability and the Local Government Managers Australia.
“Cisco, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Unity4, Telstra, BlackBerry, Polycom, Infrastructure Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia have also agreed to become partners,” Senator Conroy said.
He said the National Telework Week would be held in November and more information was available from this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Union calls for
PS job security
The Public Service Association (PSA) has warned that growing numbers of temporary and casual workers employed in the NSW Public Service was leading to insecurity in the workforce and the erosion of worker’s rights.
In its submission to an independent inquiry into insecure work in Australia commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the PSA said that of the 322,542 fulltime equivalent staffing positions in the NSWPS in 2010, 39,202 were temporary and 20,629 casual.
“The Association is concerned with the increasing engagement of temporary and casual employment in the NSW public sector,” the PSA submission said.
“The data also shows that women predominate in insecure employment in the public sector with 71.15% of temporary employees and 70.25% of casual employees being women”
It called on the Government to limit the use of temporary employees to 12 months before appointing them as ongoing Public Servants and confine the use of casual employees to irregular and intermittent work.
The PSA submission joined other public sector contributions including one from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) that argued that a more permanent PS workforce was essential if the public sector was to best serve the Australian community.
“An insecure Public Service could not perform its role adequately,” the CPSU submission said.
It also said the prevalence of fixed-term contracts at higher levels had resulted in the politicisation of the PS with staff who were insecure in their employment potentially compromised or limited in their ability to give frank fearless advice.
“The loss of knowledge and skills from the sector when contracts expire also has a detrimental impact on the quality of the Public Service as a whole,” the CPSU submission said.
It said high numbers of workers on fixed-term contracts pointed to the widespread misuse of contract employment and the lack of financial security experienced by the workers concerned hampered their ability to plan for the future and win approval for bank loans.
“This was particularly difficult when a worker was the sole income earner.”
The PSA submission to the inquiry can be accessed at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
IPAA goes bush for
regional conference
Three State chapters of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) are to join forces to host the Institute’s inaugural regional conference in Albury (NSW) in March.
Over two days 25 speakers will discuss a range of items including economic development and infrastructure, leadership in regional communities, rural service delivery, cross border issues, online collaboration and citizen engagement.
There will also be sessions on the environment and natural resources and building and retaining talent.
Keynote speakers are to include the Secretary of the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Glenys Beauchamp; Secretary of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Peter Harris; Secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Helen Silver; and Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Taxation Office, Debra Unsworth.
Also speaking will be former Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Ian Goulter; Secretary of the Victorian Department of Health and President of IPAA Victoria, Fran Thorn; former Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Planning and Community Development Victoria, and Vice President of IPAA National, Yehudi Blacher and Deputy Director-General of Policy and Cabinet in the ACT Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate, Pam Davoren.
Breakout sessions will discuss issues including the problem of providing services in the regions when six out of 10 Australians live in just five sites, resulting in job opportunities and social amenities outside them being generally inferior.
The rapid expansion of technology will also be discussed, in particular how the development of social networking has informed and empowered individuals and is changing the relationships between Governments and citizens.
A Natural Resources and Environment session will hear speakers on water security and coal seam gas and the Murray Basin Case Study.
The conference will wrap up with a panel of keynote speakers on the topic of strategic leadership in regional communities.
More details about the conference can be accessed at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Water audit finds
high compliance
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has conducted an audit of the State Water Corporation finding the Corporation was complying with its responsibilities to the State Government.
The audit uncovered however a potential water quality issue for the Fish River Water Supply Scheme (FRWS) that could present a risk to public health if not addressed.
In its Compliance Report - State Water Corporation Operational Audit 2010 - 2011 IPART found the Corporation was in full compliance with its requirements relating to water delivery operations, the environment, performance, and pricing.
It found it in “high to full compliance” in respect of its asset management, customers’ rights and dispute resolution.
IPART said the water quality issue related to the possibility of cross connecting the drinking water supply with the raw water supply in order to maintain the water service to customers.
“Although no evidence was found that State Water had cross connected its drinking water and raw water systems, we consider that its existing procedures are inadequate to manage such an event if it was ever required in the future,” the report says.
“The matter was therefore referred to NSW Health.”
IPART made a number of recommendations based on the audit and it intended to follow them with NSW Health to see the matters raised were being addressed.
“Further we will consider whether it is appropriate to recommend changes to State Water operating licence to the Minister for Primary Industry,” the report says.
“The remaining 2 recommendations relate to the continuing implementation of State Water’s asset management system and the availability of a code of practice on debt management.”
The full report can be accessed at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Students pass test
for computers
All NSW Year 9 public school students are to receive a laptop during the 2012 school year.
The laptop rollout is part of the State Government’s commitment to implementing the Federal Government’s Digital Education Revolution program.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Communities said the delivery of the new laptops to more than 60,000 students would be staggered across schools through Term One.
“The laptop - the latest version of Lenovo’s ThinkPad - has been developed in conjunction with the Department to meet students’ educational needs,” the spokesperson said.
“This new student laptop features the latest generation Intel Celeron 857 processor with a fast 4GB of memory; an 11.6-inch (29.4 cm) anti-glare screen; (and) a new battery which is set to last the school day.”
The spokesperson said to help prevent wear and tear, the latest model included an even more durable top cover, stronger keyboard and hinge, and a rubber protective bumper around the case.
“The laptops are loaded with the latest Microsoft Office suite and Adobe products valued at more than $5,000.
“The (Digital Education Revolution) program aims to provide every student in Years 9 to 12 with a laptop, and those students who receive a laptop in Year 9 and complete Year 12 are entitled to keep the laptop once they leave school.”
The spokesperson said all schools involved in the Digital Revolution in NSW had had wireless networks installed, allowing students to use the laptops in any learning space.
“Students can also connect to wireless networks at home or when out of school.
“All schools involved with the program have dedicated technology support to help ensure smooth operation of the laptops at a local level.”
25 January, 2012
Pollution probe
to clear the air
Interested members of the public are being called on to submit comments on proposed changes to environmental regulation that aimed to improve the way pollution incidents in NSW were reported on and managed.
Acting Chief Environmental Regulator, Gary Whytcross said the proposed changes would see industries in NSW required to clearly identify who should be notified and when, in the event of a pollution incident at their premises.
“The proposed changes put an onus on any industry in NSW who holds an Environment Protection Licence to prepare, implement and test pollution incident management plans,” Mr Whytcross said.
“These plans will need to include proposed actions to be taken to protect communities and the environment from a pollution incident and clearly specify the procedures to inform local communities and relevant authorities.”
He said the reforms were about ensuring that serious pollution incidents were avoided to every extent possible, but also that if they did occur they could be handled quickly and effectively.
“It is also about ensuring that industry understands that they have a responsibility to communicate with their neighbours and the relevant authorities immediately after an incident occurs,” he said.
“The changes will require industry to regularly assess, review and test their plans and make any necessary changes to ensure that their plans are working as effectively as possible.”
The closing date for written submissions is Wednesday 8 February 2012 and the EPA will be holding two public information sessions on the new requirements in Sydney and Newcastle.
More information is available from this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Organ donors grind
out new record
New figures released by the Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry (ANZOD) and the Organ and Tissue Authority show that Australia produced its highest ever number of organ donors in 2011.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King said the outcomes in 2011 showed that efforts to boost organ and tissue donation rates continued to have an impact.
“As well as the national DonateLife community awareness program, the reform agenda includes a clinical network of specialist organ and tissue donation staff in 77 hospitals,” Ms King said.
She said all were working to improve organ and tissue donation rates and outcomes, providing specialised family support services and raising awareness in their clinical communities.
Chair of the ANZOD, Professor Graeme Russ said a total of 337 Australians who lost their lives in 2011 had saved or improved the lives of 1,001 people in need of an organ transplant.
“This is the highest annual total of deceased organ donors and transplant recipients in Australia’s history,” Professor Russ said.
“Australia’s 2011 donation outcome of 337 donors translates to an increase of an additional 28 donors for the year, above the 2010 outcome of 309 donors.”
He said that was a 9 per cent increase.
“The 2011 total of 1,001 transplant recipients translates to an increase of an additional 70 recipients for the year, above the 2010 outcome of 931 recipients,” he said.
“This is an 8 per cent increase above the previous year.”
National Medical Director of the Organ and Tissue Authority, Dr Jonathan Gillis said 2011 marked the second full year of implementation of the national reform agenda to increase organ and tissue donation.
“The 2011 outcomes lift Australia’s donor per million population (dpmp) rate to 14.9, an increase of 4.7 dpmp since the commencement of the national reform agenda,” Dr Gillis said.
“The majority of States reported increases in 2011, with the most significant rises being in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.”
25 January, 2012
Householders grilled
on BBQ safety
NSW Fair Trading has focused on Australia Day celebrations to remind residents of the need to ensure family barbecues were well-maintained and operating correctly.
A spokesperson for NSW Fair Trading said the Australia Day barbecue was a great Aussie tradition, but many people were unaware of the potential risks involved.
“If residents haven’t already done so, now is the time to check their barbeque is ready,” the spokesperson said.
“Gas connections should be regularly checked for leaks using soapy water.”
The spokesperson said it was also important to check hoses and fittings regularly for damage or wear and replace those parts when needed.
“If gas bottles require transport be aware that explosions and fires can occur where LP gas containers are inside closed vehicles.
“Gas bottles must always be transported securely in the upright position in a cool space that is well ventilated.
“They must never be left in a closed vehicle.”
Consumers were also advised to avoid using electric barbecues in the rain, near water or too close to pools and not to use barbeques with charcoal briquettes or other fuel products, including gas, inside confined spaces.
“All gas appliances including barbeques and portable camping equipment must be certified to be legally sold in NSW,” the spokesperson said.
“All electric barbecues must be approved and marked.”
Owners of gas barbecues and portable appliances, including small cookers and camping lanterns, were also advised to check that they were in good order and had the relevant approval marks before connecting to gas.
“Refillable LP gas bottles and tanks must only be filled if the date stamp marked is within 10 years of issue by the certifier,” the spokesperson said.
“Gas leaks and poor combustion can quickly escalate a minor fault into a serious hazard.
“Always check for leaks before lighting, and when lit, be aware of any unusual flame appearance or smells.”
25 January, 2012
Consumers urged to
bring up crook food
Consumers who suspect they have bought a “dodgy” food product or meal over the festive season have been urged to report the incident to the NSW Food Authority.
Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said NSW consumers had every right to expect that the food they ate was safe and while the vast majority of food businesses did the right thing, people should know that they had a right to complain about threats to their food safety.
“Food complaints can provide important information about risks in particular food businesses or food products so it is vital that bad food experiences are reported to prevent sickness from spreading,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“If you bought food over the Christmas holidays that was unsafe to consume, or you believe made you or a family member unwell, please contact the NSW Food Authority’s helpline.”
She said complaints about cafe and restaurant meals could be made directly to Local Councils which were responsible for inspecting retail food service businesses in their area.
She said on average, the NSW Food Authority received more than 2,000 reports of foodborne illnesses each year.
“Food poisoning is unpleasant and it is important that the State’s consumers know that incidents reported to the NSW Food Authority are taken seriously, investigated and appropriate measures are taken,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“If a business is found to have breached the Food Standards Code, the Authority or investigating council will undertake enforcement action, which can include prosecution.”
More information about making a complaint to the Authority could be accessed at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Call to comment
on waste levy
Submissions have been invited on a review of the NSW Waste and Environment Levy.
Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker said input was being sought from Local Councils, waste and recycling industries and the wider community on the impacts and operations of the levy imposed on each tonne of waste disposed in landfill.
“The Waste and Environment Levy is an important driver of resource recovery in NSW, and as Minister for the Environment, I am committed to increasing recycling,” Ms Parker said.
“The Levy is our State’s most significant environmental market-based instrument encouraging waste avoidance and resource recovery, and it is crucial to ensure that it achieves precisely that.”
She said independent consultants were leading the review and chairing a series of consultation sessions across NSW in February with the consultation period to run until 13 April 2012.
“The waste levy is designed to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling and there are very strong and diverse opinions among stakeholders about the levy and how it should be spent,” she said.
“KPMG has been appointed to lead an independent process that will provide an opportunity for the waste industry, local government and the broader community to share their views and contribute to the debate.”
Ms Hodgkinson said consultation sessions and workshops would be held in Ballina, Port Macquarie, Maitland, Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Kiama during late February.
More information is available from this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
IT project manager
found corrupt
A former IT contract project manager at the then Department of Education and Training has been found to have engaged in corrupt conduct by manipulating the Department’s recruitment and payment processes.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) found the man benefited personally in the order of more than $400,000.
In its report on the Investigation into alleged fraud on the former NSW Department of Education and Training, ICAC said the accused was found to have prepared and presented contractor assessment forms containing false representations to the Department to obtain approval to engage five people associated with his own private company as contractors so he could benefit financially from those appointments.
The corrupt conduct was alleged to have occurred between March 2008 and January 2009, and the accused was also found to have falsely represented two of contractors as having performed services for, and on behalf of, the Department, when they had not.
ICAC said the man had signed timesheets for the contractors to falsely represent that they had performed the services.
The Commission said it was of the opinion that the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions should be sought with respect to prosecution of the accused for offences of obtaining money by false or misleading statements.
25 January, 2012
Mental health plan
for public comment
A draft 10-Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform has been released for public consultation.
Federal Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler said the Roadmap would provide Governments, the community sector, workplaces and communities themselves with a measurable, long term national reform plan for mental health.
Mr Butler said the plan would help guide where attention and funding was focused over the next 10 years and ensure the nation’s mental health system ranked as one of the world’s best.
“While we’ve taken great strides in how we view and treat mental illness, more needs to be done to provide a system that provides all the levels of care people living with mental illness need, available in the right place and at the right time,” he said.
“We especially need to target our efforts at those who are hard-to-reach and vulnerable, and stop them from falling between the cracks and from being shunted from one service to another.”
He said more needed to be done to break down the stigma, discrimination and misunderstanding that surrounded mental illness.
“COAG agreed to develop the Roadmap in 2011 and the Australian Government, States and Territories have been working hard alongside mental health experts and consumer and carer representatives to develop this draft,” Mr Butler said.
“We want to get this Roadmap right and we want the community to be involved in the process which is why we are making it available for public comment.”
He said the public comments would be used to help finalise the Roadmap for COAG to consider in early 2012 and an online survey tool would be available until 1 February 2012 on the mental health page of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing website at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Mosquito warning
has health sting
The Ministry of Health is reminding the public to take protections against mosquitoes.
The warning comes after a person contracted Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) in the New England area, and another contracted the Kunjin virus.
Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said both people experienced relatively mild symptoms and were now recovering from the infections.
“The two cases, which are both caused by infections carried by mosquitoes, are a timely reminder for people to take precautions against mosquito borne infection,” Dr McAnulty said.
“The person who had MVE was infected from mosquitoes west of the ranges in late 2011.
“It’s unclear when the person with Kunjin was infected, as the person had travelled both in coastal NSW and west of the ranges before infection.”
He said mosquito numbers increased in summer and with an increase in rainfall.
“Most people with MVE or Kunjin will not develop symptoms but the infections can have serious consequences for others,” he said.
“Anyone with symptoms of severe MVE or Kunjin infection should immediately seek medical assistance.”
Dr McAnulty said that in NSW, Kunjin was usually found west of the Great Dividing Range, although Kunjin activity was detected in horses in coastal NSW last year.
He said water birds were also important hosts for the virus in Australia and several viruses including MVE, Kunjin as well as Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses were transmitted by infected mosquitoes which bred in flooded, grassy and swamp areas and around rivers and waterways.
“Preventing these viruses depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the warmer months of the year when mosquitoes are most active,” Dr McAnulty said.
25 January, 2012
Property register on
stream this month
A new national register for personal property securities is to open for business on 30 January.
Federal Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon said the register would help Australian consumers and businesses ensure the property they bought did not have a security interest over it.
She said stakeholders in the register, including the major banks, had confirmed they were ready to proceed.
“The new national register will let you check that the used goods you are buying, like a car, boat or machinery - almost anything except real estate - doesn’t have a security interest over it,” Ms Roxon said.
“Nobody wants to risk repossession.”
She said the register would also provide additional protection for businesses that leased or supplied goods, in the event that a debtor defaulted or went bankrupt.
“The national register will replace more than 70 different Commonwealth, State and Territory Acts and Registers used to regulate personal property used as security,” Ms Roxon said.
“The simplification of all these different registers will help make secured financing more accessible and reduce transaction costs, making lenders more willing to accept different kinds of personal property as security for loans.”
She said advice from her Department was that the migration of over 4.7 million records from existing registers was progressing well with most of those records transferred to the new register with updates to follow.
“The existing registers transferring their data to the new register include the Australian Securities and investments Commission’s Register of Company Charges, the State Registers of Encumbered Vehicles and Vehicle Securities Registers, and various other Bills of Sale, stock mortgage and crop lien registers,” she said.
“Businesses and individuals that hold security interests will have up to two years to register their security.”
More information is available from this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Fruit fly watchdogs
to target pest
Community help is being sought to tackle the threat of fruit fly in the Southern Riverina.
Residents in Deniliquin and Tocumwal and surrounding areas are being urged to take measures to control and prevent the spread of Queensland fruit fly.
Director of Plant Biosecurity at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Satendra Kumar said fruit and vegetable growers needed to implement good management practices to keep on top of the fruit fly problems that many growers experienced last season.
“Fruit fly is a community problem and it is the responsibility of all fruit and susceptible vegetable growers to keep fruit fly under control,” Dr Kumar said.
“These measures will help protect backyard fruit and vegetable growers from the fruit fly pest and assist NSW DPI in protecting the valuable fruit/vegetable industry in the Riverina.”
He said people needed to be vigilant in the way they managed their backyard fruit trees and it was important that backyard fruit owners thinned their crops wherever possible.
“This will have a twofold effect - there will be less susceptible fruit available and the thinning process should ensure bigger, healthier fruit is left on the tree to ripen,” he said.
“Once the fruit is ripe, it should be picked straight away.
“As well, residents should encourage their neighbours to destroy all of their fallen fruit and neglected and unwanted fruit trees should be completely removed.”
Dr Kumar said nearly all fruits and some vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicums, chillies and eggplants were susceptible to Queensland fruit fly.
25 January, 2012
Bullying website
a hit online
A new website has been launched to tackle cyberbullying and help more young people stay safe online.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the Easy Guide to Socialising Online website had been developed in partnership with industry and young people to help parents, children and educators combat cyberbullying and inappropriate content online.
“The Easy Guide website is part of the Cybersafety Plan and has been developed following advice from the Government’s Youth Advisory Group on Cybersafety,” Ms Gillard said.
“The new website provides cybersafety information for 26 social networking sites, search engines and online games, and gives step by step instructions on how to report cyberbullying, abuse and inappropriate content on these sites.”
She said it also provided clear information for parents, educators and young people on how to adjust safety and privacy settings on websites as well as tips on how to stay safe when using any social media site.
Federal Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy said members of the Consultative Working Group on Cybersafety (CWG), including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, NineMSN, Yahoo!7 and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association had worked closely with his Department to develop the website.
“Cyberbullying is a serious matter,” Senator Conroy said.
He said the Cybersafety Plan involved a number of important initiatives, including the Easy Guide, to combat online risks to children.
“The Cybersmart website www.cybersmart.gov.au launched two years ago, has received well over a million visits and provides access to KidsHelpline for confidential online counselling,” he said.
“It also provides access to the Cybersafety Help Button which is a ‘one stop shop’ for practical information and tips on how to deal with cyberbullying, unwanted contact and offensive or illegal content.”
The new Easy Guide website is available at this PS News link.
25 January, 2012
Shipping lists added to records
NSW State Records has added over 400 additional shipping lists to its ‘Online’ Reel page.
The additional images are from a number of series including List of Irish passengers arrived on the ship Sir Joseph Banks, Oct 1828; Persons on early migrant ships, 1828-32; and Persons on early migrant ships, May 1832- Jan 1833.
Images from Women on the Red Rover and other early migrant ships, 1832 and Persons on government ships, Aug 1837-40 have also been added.
Constitutional reform welcomed
A report from the Federal Government’ Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People has been welcomed by the State Government.
Premier Barry O’Farrell said the NSW Constitution was amended in 2010 to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the State’s first people so it already open to the national Constitutional reform proposals.
18 January, 2012
Policy faces up to
face coverings
The Premier, Barry O’Farrell has issued a Ministerial Memorandum setting out the Government’s policy on full face coverings and the powers of PS staff to require their removal.
The policy was developed by the Community Relations Commission in consultation with community and religious leaders, and relevant public sector Agencies.
It explains the circumstances in which a person may be requested to remove a face covering to establish their identity and the sensitivities that may apply.
In the Memorandum, Mr O’Farrell said the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 and other laws had been amended in November 2011 to confer powers on police officers, juvenile justice officers, court security staff and authorised correctional officers to request the removal of face coverings in certain circumstances.
“A person may be required to remove garments, equipment and accoutrements, such as helmets, masks, scarves, veils, niq?b and balaclavas, that obscure the face when requested by a police officer, court security officer, or other officer with the power under legislation to do so,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“In other circumstances, a person who wishes to access a service or facility where it is necessary to ascertain their identity may be requested to remove a face covering.”
He said it should be explained to the person that they may choose not to remove the face covering, however they may be denied access to that service or facility and health, safety, cultural and religious considerations should be taken into account before requesting someone to remove the garment.
“Only a person with the authority to establish identity should request the removal of a face covering,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The request should only be for a face covering to be removed for the period of time needed, and to the extent necessary, to establish identity.”
He said a person should not be requested to remove garments or equipment that covered the person’s hair if their face was otherwise visible.
He said that where it is operationally feasible, a face covering worn for reasons of modesty should only be removed in the presence of persons of the same gender, preferably in a place where only the identifier could view the face of the person to be identified.
The Ministerial Memorandum can be downloaded from this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
WorkCover warning
targets the young
WorkCover NSW has issued a reminder to businesses to pay extra attention to the needs of young workers who may be starting their first job at this time of year.
General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson said many young people and school leavers may underestimate the importance of safety in the workplace.
“With thousands of young people entering the workforce for the first time, it is essential for everyone in the workplace to step up and take special care to alert young workers to potential safety hazards,” Mr Watson said.
“Workers aged under 25 may be more vulnerable to workplace safety risks because of their youth and inexperience or reluctance to speak up about safety concerns.”
He said around 12 per cent of all employment injuries and occupational diseases occurred among the State’s 572,000 young workers.
“During 2009-10 almost 5,000 compensation claims were lodged by young workers with the most common injuries being muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects,” he said.
“Employers should ensure that they have appropriate systems in place to ensure that all workers, including those new to a job or industry, are provided with sufficient training and support to undertake their work safely.”
Mr Watson said there were simple things employers and workers could do to help prevent injuries.
“Employers, in consultation with their workers should provide adequate training and supervision in all tasks; provide a comprehensive induction; identify safety risks and put in place procedures to reduce and control the risks; and encourage open communication about safety issues,” he said.
“Young workers also have a responsibility to conduct their work safely and should follow all safety procedures and ask questions if uncertain; report any risks and hazards to a supervisor or colleague; use safety equipment and protective clothing if needed; not fool around with machinery; and find out how to report an injury.”
18 January, 2012
New Traffic Command to
drive police on roads
NSW Police have established a new, stand-alone Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher announced the initiative saying that having more police out on the roads was the best deterrent to dangerous driving.
“One of the key changes is the removal of Local Area Commands (LAC) boundaries for the purposes of deploying Highway Patrol Officers,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Road tragedy has no boundaries.”
He said the new centralised Command would be headed by Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, and would have road safety as its primary focus.
“Our new structure will still ensure that officers are available to attend to urgent or life-threatening situations, but there should be less diversion of Highway Patrol officers to general duties,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Many Highway Patrol officers will continue to be physically located in Local Area Commands, but their tasking’s will now be coordinated by the new Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.”
Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione welcomed the announcement as a positive approach to tackling road safety.
“The NSW Police Force trialled this new Command operational structure over the Easter long weekend and following evaluation of this trial we are now in a position to make the structure permanent,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“Furthermore, a new Operational Planning and Performance Unit has been established within the new Command, and it has already created an electronic ‘Request for Assistance’ program on the Command’s intranet site.”
Mr Gallacher said the transition to the new Traffic and Highway Patrol Command had formally commenced and was expected to be complete by 2014.
18 January, 2012
Training review finds
reforms urgent
A review into the effectiveness of employment and training programs for Aboriginal people in NSW has revealed that reform is urgently needed.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello said he had ordered the Employment and Economic Development Programs for Aboriginal People Review in June of last year following advice that despite the existence of 14 employment and economic development related Aboriginal programs, necessary improvements for Aboriginal people in employment outcomes were not occurring.
“There has regrettably been no clear or consistent strategy for job creation for Aboriginal people in NSW,” Mr Dominello said.
“In terms of future job programs, the review has identified that what is needed is greater engagement with the Aboriginal community; improving and sustaining career development pathways through connected programs from school through to employment; leveraging opportunities in growth industries and regions; and strengthening relationships with the private and non-government sectors to link Aboriginal people with more employment and business opportunities.”
He said the review’s recommendations would be considered by the recently appointed Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs.
“This Taskforce includes NSW Government Ministers, bureaucrats and senior Aboriginal representatives making decisions together to develop a new strategy for Aboriginal affairs,” Mr Dominello said.
“The Aboriginal community has the opportunity to contribute to the development of the strategy through making a submission and/or attending a public community meeting.”
More information about the review, including an opportunity to comment, can be accessed at this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
States link up to
boost efficiencies
The Governments of New South Wales and Victoria have established a new partnership to drive joint reforms to improve the efficiency of their economies.
Premier Barry O’Farrell and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu have agreed to accelerate economy-boosting cooperative policies between the two largest States of Australia, especially in the areas of energy efficiency and skills.
The Premiers said they had established the Interstate Reform Partnership between NSW and Victoria, to get on and achieve cost-saving and investment-attracting measures quickly that otherwise could take years to accomplish through national structures.
Mr O’Farrell said the reforms were significant as the two States accounted for 57 per cent of Australia’s population and 54 per cent of the nation’s GDP, and both Governments had resolved to align their respective energy efficiency schemes.
“While the schemes are broadly similar, there are differences in their administration and other details which add costs for participants operating across both States,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“This move will place downward pressure on energy cost increases by reducing compliance costs for energy retailers among other measures.”
He said a joint taskforce would report back to both him and Mr Baillieu with recommendations by late 2012.
Mr Baillieu said the two Premiers had also agreed to jointly pursue skills reforms, particularly in the area of apprenticeships, to benefit employers and apprentices and improve productivity by matching qualified apprentices with areas of unmet demand.
“Both States affirmed their ongoing commitment to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and other national processes, but stressed that where there was an opportunity to achieve reform faster, together, they would take that opportunity,” he said.
“Victoria and NSW welcome any other States or Territories who wish to participate in these reform initiatives,” he said.
18 January, 2012
Garden gurus praise
Botanic Garden
A team of international experts have declared the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney one of the great botanic gardens of the world.
Director of the Naples Botanical Gardens in Florida (USA), Brian Holley said he didn’t think Sydney’s locals realised the international esteem and scientific influence of their Royal Botanic Garden.
“The size and variety of the plant collections and the beauty of the gardens are just amazing,” Mr Holley said.
Executive Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Professor David Mabberley said the Trust had invited the team of experts from Britain, America, Germany and Australia to review the management and direction of its gardens and scientific assets in preparation for its next century.
“In 2016, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, the nation’s first botanic garden and oldest scientific organisation will be 200 years old,” Professor Mabberley said.
“As we head towards our bicentenary and into our third century, we’d like to see Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden operating and recognised as one of the world’s best.”
He said the Trust also wanted a higher profile and increased visitation to its other estates, and to celebrate its bicentenary had planned a series of major scientific and conservation projects and new interactive facilities for families to enjoy.
Professor Mabberley said behind the beautiful gardens and greenhouses, there was hard science going on.
“Increasingly plants are being lost in their native habitats and survive only in cultivation,” he said.
“Today, the world’s botanic gardens grow, study and conserve over 30 per cent of the world’s known plants.
“Their work is critical to plant conservation and biodiversity,” He said.
18 January, 2012
New student app
passes Apple test
A mobile phone app designed by the Department of Education & Communities to help students with spelling and mathematics has been named as one of the year’s best.
The School A to Z app is among the applications featured in Apple Australia’s App Store Rewind 2011 which serves as a roundup of the best apps and games for 2011.
Director General of Education, Dr Michele Bruniges said the free app had racked up 40,000 downloads since its August launch by users both in Australia and overseas, including China, Indonesia, the US and the UK.
“The School A to Z app is consistently in the top 20 free education apps for iPad (via the Australian iTunes Store),” Dr Bruniges said.
“The app was developed as part of the School A to Z online school community, a resource that includes a website and social media channels.”
She said it aimed to help parents support their child’s learning and the response had been overwhelmingly positive, with many parents and students expressing their appreciation in emails to the School A to Z team.
“The app is designed to be fun to use, as well as educationally useful, and the feedback we’ve received since the launch shows it succeeds on both fronts,” she said.
“The range of topics covered by School A to Z is truly remarkable, and I urge anyone with an interest in schooling or education to download this valuable, innovative resource.”
She said the School A to Z app was also available for Android.
18 January, 2012
DPI staff take out
industry honours
Two employees of the Department of Primary Industries have been recognised at the Royal Agricultural Society NSW (RAS) 2012 Rural Achiever Awards.
Rebecca Byrne and David Gale have been congratulated on their success by the Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson.
“Having NSW DPI employees take out two of eight RAS 2012 Rural Achiever Awards shows that the Department is attracting the best and brightest young talent,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“It’s great to see these two employees working hard on behalf of the farmers of NSW to help further develop our State’s agricultural industries and being rewarded for their efforts.”
She said there had been a strong field of young candidates vying for the prestigious award.
“In their short careers to date, both Rebecca and David have made significant contributions to agriculture and demonstrated their leadership potential.”
Ms Hodgkinson said although being one of the youngest professional officers in NSW DPI, Ms Byrne had made an important contribution in her local district through her work and community involvement.
“During her two years as a district agronomist based in Moree, Rebecca has played a vital role in the Department’s response during two major floods,” she said.
“Rebecca’s potential has been recognised by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation with a scholarship to undertake post graduate studies in cotton production.”
She said Mr Gale started work as a graduate trainee at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) at Menangle in early 2011 after studying agricultural science.
“David has worked with a range of scientists at EMAI on project proposals and research projects, and organised and chaired the Protecting Our Crops Symposium held recently at the University of Sydney,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Prior to his traineeship, David undertook an honours project on the use of compost as a partial substitute for synthetic phosphorus fertilisers for baby corn in the Mekong Delta, which included a four month field trial in Vietnam.”
18 January, 2012
Rules clarified for
disaster recovery
The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has issued a Circular setting out the responsibilities of NSW Government Agencies involved in recovery operations following an emergency.
DPC Circular C2011-35 entitled Whole-of-Government cooperation in recovery operations to assist communities in the wake of an emergency says that while the State Emergency Recovery Controller was responsible for controlling the recovery from an emergency, Government Agencies involved in recovery operations also needed to abide by certain requirements.
In the Circular, the Director General of DPC, Chris Eccles says Chief Executives and other managers of Agencies concerned were required to allocate appropriate staff resources to meet recovery responsibilities while maintaining normal service delivery; and assign recovery responsibility to personnel with the appropriate authority to guide the Agencies’ recovery activities at the local and district level.
“In March 2009 the NSW Government introduced new arrangements to improve and streamline the State’s disaster recovery practices,” Mr Eccles says.
“This included the creation of a statutory position of State Emergency Recovery Controller (SERCON), who is appointed by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and is responsible for controlling the recovery from an emergency.”
He says a successful recovery operation relied on bringing all relevant parties together to identify affected community’s needs and coordinate the necessary activities.
“This is usually done through the establishment of a Local or District Recovery Committee, which includes local representatives of participating Agencies (Government and non-government) who have the ability to provide specific services required in the recovery process.
“Recovery Committees are the strategic decision making body for recovery.”
Mr Eccles says the Committees guided decisions about priorities, resource allocation and management.
“While it is acknowledged that allocating personnel can be a strain on Agencies, appropriate and committed staffing is essential to the success of any recovery operation,” he says.
“Regional Managers may choose to seek assistance from their superiors to facilitate additional resource support, from outside the region if necessary, to ensure that meeting their recovery responsibilities does not adversely impact on Agency core business.”
The DPC Circular can be accessed at this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
Health warns on
dangers of heat
The Ministry of Health is reminding people of the health implications that could result from extreme heat and is encouraging people to be prepared for hot weather.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said it was important to be aware of the serious health effects that really hot weather could have and understand how heat may affect personal circumstances.
“Heat puts a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” Dr Chant said.
“It can also make underlying health conditions worse.”
She said being prepared and taking some simple precautions could reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
The warning comes as the Ministry of Health officially launched its Beat the Heat campaign, which had been developed to explain ways to take care in hot weather and gave people information about how they could stay healthy in the heat and avoid ending up in hospital.
Dr Chant said every year, hot weather and heat waves caused illness, hospitalisations and sometimes deaths.
She said the heat wave that affected Sydney in February 2011 caused an estimated 595 emergency department visits and 96 deaths.
Medicare Local Chair and Conjoint Professor of General Practice at the University of Western Sydney, Dr Di O’Halloran said certain people were at higher risk than others of suffering from heat related illness, including those who were aged over 75, overweight, pregnant, breastfeeding, worked outside, exercised in the heat, or had a medical illness.
“It is especially important for people with chronic diseases to prepare for hot weather and ask your GP how heat might affect your health,” Dr O’Halloran said.
18 January, 2012
Rangers enraged
over uniform sales
National Parks rangers are alarmed at the discovery that badged NSW Parks and Wildlife Service rangers’ uniforms have been found on sale in a NSW discount store, according to the Public Service Association (PSA).
A ranger reportedly found badged jackets on sale for $15 a piece in a shop in Mudgee.
Industrial Officer at the PSA, Geo Papas said the find presented a grave risk to security and safety in national parks, particularly in the summer bushfire season.
“The public will not question the activities of a uniformed ranger,” Mr Papas said.
“The implications are serious for crimes including arson and wildlife theft.”
He said the PSA understood the stock on sale was excess following an alteration to uniform design but while it was illegal to impersonate a park ranger, it was not illegal to sell a badged park rangers’ uniform.
“This is an absurd situation,” Mr Papas said.
“It is impossible to believe the same situation would occur with a police uniform, yet the implications are very serious.”
He called on the Government to tighten the arrangements it had with suppliers to ensure excess uniform stock was not simply dumped on the market.
18 January, 2012
New Tribunal Guide
explains processes
The Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) has launched a new social media and e-resource initiative.
Chairperson of the CTTT, Kay Ransome said A Guide to the CTTT provides a step-by-step overview of what happens at the CTTT.
In the 32-page Guide Ms Ransome says the Tribunal was an independent body that provided an accessible, efficient and affordable dispute resolution service for landlords, tenants, consumers and traders.
“The CTTT resolves everyday disputes about what we buy and where we live, such as retail transactions, motor vehicle purchases and repairs, residential tenancies, agents’ fees and commissions, residential building work, strata and community scheme living, residential parks and retirement villages,” Ms Ransome says.
“We deal with an average of 60,000 disputes each year making us the largest tribunal in New South Wales.”
She said the Guide had been developed to explain the processes of CTTT by outlining the key steps in the dispute resolution process; providing helpful tips for preparing for a hearing; answering common questions; and delivering helpful checklists.
“This is essential reading for anyone who may be involved in a case at the CTTT,” Ms Ransome says.
“By reading this Guide you will gain a better understanding of the CTTT and the service we provide to the community in New South Wales.”
Topics covered in the Guide include what is the CTTT?; how to apply; what to do if you are the respondent; how to prepare for a hearing; participating in conciliation; what to expect in the hearing room; and where to get help.
Each section of the Guide also has a companion short two-minute YouTube video clip and the videos are available in English with captions as well as translated into five community languages - Arabic, Mandarin, Farsi, Dinka and Swahili.
It is also available for download as a booklet in PDF from this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
New direction for
Western Sydney
The NSW and Australian Governments have signed off on a program that paves the way for 30 years of sustainable growth in western Sydney.
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard and Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke announced the Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Program saying it would streamline delivery of new homes to meet growth, cut red tape for developers and provide certainty for communities.
Mr Hazzard said the program was a great leap forward for a common sense approach to ensuring NSW benefitted from the development it needed in western Sydney as well as ensuring a collaborative effort by State and Federal Governments to protect conservation areas in the area.
“The endorsement of the Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Program will reduce the time and cost of the approval process, while increasing certainty for the delivery of housing and infrastructure,” Mr Hazzard said.
“That’s because environmental impacts are assessed - and offsets are identified and secured - only once, rather than twice under separate NSW and Commonwealth environment legislation for the same impact.”
He said the program would help streamline delivery of the homes needed to accommodate Sydney’s anticipated population growth of 1.7 million by 2036.
Mr Burke said the program would also free up at least 2,500 hectares of land for employment, facilitate delivery of more than 180,000 homes and drive more than $7.5 billion in infrastructure investment.
“This plan for Sydney cuts red tape which makes housing more affordable without wrecking our local environment,” Mr Burke said.
“This program is about taking a big-picture approach to development and environmental protection, and looking at cumulative environmental impacts over Sydney’s growth centres rather than a piecemeal development approach.
“It’s equivalent to about 500 individual project submissions and means they don’t have to be done on a project by project basis.”
More information about the program is available from this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
Construction plants
seed for seedbank
Construction has begun on a new native seedbank at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan.
Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker said the $19.8 million scientific facility, PlantBank, was vital for the future of Australian biodiversity.
“While banks manage our money and futures, PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan will invest in nature,” Ms Parker said.
“Millions of living seeds will be collected and deposited to preserve Australia’s biodiversity and establish a hub for research into the survival needs and life-giving properties of our plants.”
She said the facility was important because if a species became extinct, no amount of money and no Government on Earth could bail it out.
“When we lose species, we lose threads in the web of life and untold potential for human health and well-being,” she said.
Ms Parker said the ultimate goal was to collect and store seeds or live tissue from all of Australia’s 25,000 plant species.
“Up to 200 million living seeds may eventually be stored in its thermally-efficient, refrigerated vault, designed to withstand fire and other threats,” she said.
“PlantBank will be open to the public and is expected to attract local, national and international visitors and students.”
She said there would be opportunities to interact with scientists and advanced technology while learning about Australian plants.
“It will be a place to educate us all and inspire a new generation of scientists.
“Combined with the marvellous horticultural displays of the Australian Botanic Garden here at Mount Annan, there will be no place like it on Earth.”
Ms Parker said the State Government had committed $15.5 million of the total construction cost with other contributions coming from sponsors including the Ian Potter Foundation, HSBC Australia, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, TransGrid and the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation.
18 January, 2012
Report released on
recognising Councils
An independent expert panel’s report on the recognition of Local Government in the Australian Constitution has been released by the Federal Minister for Local Government, Simon Crean.
A referendum on the issue is expected to coincide with the next Federal election.
Mr Crean said the panel was chaired by former NSW Chief Justice, James Spigelman, and was asked to identify options for the constitutional recognition of Local Government and report on the level of support for the proposal in the community.
Mr Crean said a majority of the panel members found that financial recognition was the only option with a reasonable chance of success at a referendum, provided steps were taken to secure the support of the States and achieve broader public awareness and engagement.
He said it was vital to protect the Commonwealth Government’s ability to directly fund Local Government.
“Our experience with programs like Roads to Recovery and the recent stimulus package demonstrate the importance, the appropriateness and the advantages of being able to provide funding directly to Local Government,” Mr Crean said.
“Local Government was in a unique position to provide shovel-ready projects and the ability to directly fund those projects was important to the success of the stimulus and the roads program in delivering jobs and much needed infrastructure.”
He said the ability of the Commonwealth to directly fund Local Government could create a relationship that supported, facilitated and drove collaboration among all three levels of government.
“It can also leverage additional investment in the regions which is good for local communities and for the country,” he said.
Mr Crean said the issue also had the support of the Federal Opposition.
“The Government will now take time to consider the community’s views and details of the report before providing comment in early 2012,” he said.
The Panel’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
Parks Service pushes
visits to Goat Island
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is encouraging the public to visit and explore Sydney Harbour’s Goat Island this summer.
Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Gary Dunnett said the new options for exploring Goat Island would mean better access to one of the Harbour’s most iconic islands.
“The Discovery tours are always a big hit in the school holidays as Goat Island combines a spectacular location in Sydney Harbour with a rich and fascinating history,” Mr Dunnett said.
“The guided Discovery Tours include one designed especially to bring the history to life for younger children and others focused on the island’s many lives through the years.”
He said the new option to take a self guided tour allowed visitors to take a tour at their own pace and in their own time while still discovering fascinating information about the Aboriginal attachment to land, the dangerous business of storing bulk gunpowder and the harsh life of convicts in the 1830s.
“There are 21 stops on this self-guided tour and a GPS enabled map lets you navigate between each point of interest and explore the island at your leisure,” he said.
“A children’s version means there is something for the whole family.”
Mr Dunnett said the island had paved walking tracks for most of the tour however walking shoes were recommended.
“The addition of Goat Island means that visitors can explore three great National Park islands during January linked by the regular ferry service provided by Captain Cook Cruises - a great day out during this summer holiday,” he said.
“NPWS recommends you bring a hat, sunscreen and water. If you would like to stay for a picnic bring your own food and a blanket and enjoy some of Sydney’s most spectacular views.”
He said more information was available from this PS News link.
18 January, 2012
Redundancy funding made easier
Treasury has issued a Circular detailing the funding arrangements available to Agencies to meet the one-off costs associated with redundancies.
The Funding for Redundancies Circular outlines changes that make it faster and easier for Agencies to access funding for redundancy payments.
The new Circular can be accessed at this PS News link.
State schools excel
NSW Public School students have dominated the 2011 Higher School Certificate (HSC) First in Course Awards.
Nearly 65 per cent of the 107 students who topped the state in HSC subjects came from Government high schools.
More than 20 of the students in the First in Course list are from regional areas including Dubbo, Bathurst and Albury.
Fridge scheme warms up
The Fridge Buyback scheme has been extended to Singleton, Cessnock and Port Stephens .
The service provides $35 to participants to have an energy-eating second fridge taken away from their home.
Since the expansion of the scheme into Maitland, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie last September, more than 570 fridges had been collected, saving each household $265 on power bills a year.
Court cuts hours
The Supreme Court of NSW has announced a change in the hours of operation for the Duty Registrar.
From 30 January the standard hours of operation will reduce slightly from 9am-5pm to 9am-4.30pm.
Disability scheme expands
The State-wide expansion of a program to help people with a disability live more independently in the community has been announced.
The Independent Living Support Initiative will assist a further 58 people plan for their long term living arrangements and learn the necessary skills to be more independent.
Funding for the ILSI program is now $5 million a year to assist 68 people with a disability, their families and carers.
Executive found corrupt
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has found that a former Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) senior executive engaged in corrupt conduct.
ICAC found that a business held out the prospect of employment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the accused and paid him $11,170 for his flight and accommodation expenses from a trip to the UAE in May 2007 in an attempt to influence him to favour that businesses interests.
ICAC said a conflict of interest should have been declared.
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