26 March, 2008
Planning reports are blueprint for future
Three reports on aspects of the NSW planning system have been released by Planning Minister Frank Sartor.
   A report exploring how Local Councils dealt with development proposals in 2006-07, another detailing public submissions on the Government’s discussion paper Improving the NSW Planning System and the findings of an independent review of the Heritage Act were the three.
   Mr Sartor said they all contributed to the Government’s plan for reinvigorating the system and were vital for an informed debate about planning in NSW.
   He said the first report, Local Development Performance Monitoring 2006-07 analysed how Councils processed 112,000 development proposals worth nearly $22 billion in a year.
    “This information is crucial because it allows us to put the system under a microscope and identify the problems,” Mr Sartor said.
   “The report clearly shows the planning system is being over-stretched with small-scale applications for new homes and home renovations.”
   He said the report showed homeowners were waiting months for Local Councils to make decisions on simple renovations.
   He said the proposed planning reforms would target many of the problems and help streamline the system.
   The second report included public submissions on Government plans to change the planning system and according to Mr Sartor showed strong support for strengthening accountability measures around private certifiers, increasing the use of e-planning, and streamlining planmaking.
    “I am pleased to say that just under half the 538 formal submissions received were from residents and community groups,” he said.
   “The feedback shows there is a general feeling in the community, Councils and stakeholder groups that the system needs to be improved.”
   He said the report noted many submissions had mistakenly expressed concern that projects under $1 million would be automatically classed as ‘exempt and complying’ and could be approved by an accredited certifier.
   “This was never part of our reforms and became an urban legend during the exhibition period,” he said.
   “In reality, a proposal will only be dealt with as complying development if it fits into one of a number of codes that the NSW Government will develop in consultation with local practitioners.
   The third report related to a review of the Heritage Act, which Mr Sartor said was the first of its kind for 20 years.
   He said he was considering the report and a Government response.

26 March, 2008
Water flows are back in the wash
Environmental water flows from Sydney’s dams have been restored to pre-drought levels to improve the health of the Hawkesbury Nepean River.
   Premier, Morris Iemma announced the move saying that flows had also commenced from Avon Dam in the Southern Highlands.
   Mr Iemma said an improvement in dam levels and the forecast of further rain meant much needed assistance could now be provided to the Hawkesbury Nepean river system.
   He said restoring the flows, combined with the new environmental flow from Avon Dam would result in an extra 40 million litres of water being released each day, the equivalent of about in 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
   He said the flows were always to be reviewed when dam levels reached 65-to-70 per cent capacity, depending on the forecast of rain.
   “Those conditions have enabled the restoration of the flows, which will help the river environment.”
   Mr Iemma said the restored water releases and new environmental flow from Avon Dam represented less than three per cent of total water use each day but were important for maintaining river health.
   Environmental flows from the dams into the river were cut in half in June 2005 when Level 3 water restrictions were introduced.
   Minister for Water, Nathan Rees, and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Verity Firth also welcomed the flows at Warragamba Dam.
   Mr Rees said the dam had not only seen a rise in water level, but also a decrease in blue-green algae in Lake Burragorang around the dam wall.
   Although some algae still persisted in the upper reaches of the dam, he said the concentration towards the dam wall had been significantly reduced.
   The flow from Avon Dam follows expenditure of $9.6 million to enable release of the environmental flows. Mr Rees said the new work would allow the release of low flows that came into the dam and provide for flows of a more natural temperature.
   He said this is of particular importance because low flows were important for river health.
   The increase in environmental flows was also welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of Greening Australia, Dr David Butcher who said his organisation had asked the Government to consider maintaining water restrictions to allow the increase in environmental flows to the Hawkesbury Nepean River.
   Greening Australia saw the restoration of the flows as a vital first step to improving the health of the river system.

26 March, 2008
IPART loosens grip around bottlenecks
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has made 18 recommendations to relieve road and rail congestion at Port Botany and introduce a more efficient system for moving cargo.
   Port Botany handled 95 per cent of the State’s container freight trade and the IPART report is expected to be its final one on the matter.
   The report recommends a two-tiered vehicle booking system (VBS) for road transporters to buy guaranteed slots in a market-based auction to ease transport bottlenecks.
   One tier of the booking system would be for ‘firm’ slots and the other ‘interruptible,’ and according to IPART would reduce congestion significantly in the day-time and increase the transparency and fairness of allocating them.
   IPART says that this and other recommendations it made, would assist in increasing the number of containers moved by rail to 40 per cent by 2016, a Government goal.
   The key recommendations of the IPART report are:
   * Auctions to set the prices for firm slots;
   * Stevedores to receive payments from the auction with the rest set aside for improving infrastructure;
   * Each stevedore to determine the number of slots it issues;
   * The auction system to be independently audited.
   *  Port Botany Rail Logistics Team to improve rail freight coordination; and
   * Targeted investment to relieve rail bottlenecks.
   Chairman of IPART, Dr Michael Keating said port Botany was a vital part of the State’s economy, and Sydney Ports Corporation should play a significant role in bringing about the reforms.
   “As an honest broker, the SPC is best positioned to guide this road-map for reform,” Dr. Keating said.
    “The new system will provide to road transporters the benefits of certainty and flexibility, and this would result in the lowering of costs through greater efficiencies.”
   He said a number of issues were yet to be resolved, including service levels, who would conduct the auctions, and how the proceeds should be held and distributed.
   He said however that these would be “ironed out” with the SPC leading the reform process.
   Dr. Keating said the two-tier auction system was a significant change that would take some time to implement.
   “IPART has also made a number of recommendations that will improve the existing system, especially its transparency, and these will carry forward into the new system as well,” Dr Keating said.

26 March, 2008
Paying to advertise puts Gov’t in top 10
The NSW Government has been ranked 7th on a national Top 50 list of advertisers in 2007 for spending an estimated $90-95 million on advertising during the year.
   According to the annual Top 50 Media Advertisers survey conducted by research company Nielsen Media, the Government spent the amount promoting State lotteries, cancer prevention, roads and traffic issues, other health messages and tourism.
   It came in one place ahead of the Victorian Government which spent an estimated $75-80 million on campaigns booked by its Transport Accident Commission and the Departments of Infrastructure and Human Services.
   The survey revealed the Federal Government was the biggest-spending advertiser in the nation, racking up an advertising bill of $215-220 million and beating the second placegetter, the Coles Group by $45 million.
   Experts attributed the Commonwealth’s high level of expenditure to the lead-up to the Federal election and pointed out it wasn’t the first time the national Government had been the biggest spender.
   The survey found its major campaigns in 2007 were those booked by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Defence, Health and Ageing and the Electoral Commission.
   The survey report was based on estimated expenditure on advertising on metropolitan and regional television, metropolitan radio, national, metropolitan and major regional newspapers, in magazines, on billboards and in cinemas
   Ranking third on the list was Telstra, whose 2007 expenditure was estimated at $130-135 million with the State Governments of Queensland and Western Australia also prominent.
   The Queensland Government was the nation’s 11th biggest advertiser, spending $65-70 million, and the Government of Western Australia was 28th with a bill of $40-45 million.
   Overall, Governments appearing on the top 50 list accounted for $485-510 million in advertising expenditure.

26 March, 2008
DSRD puts bite on Big Apple
The Department of State and Regional Development is to lead a financial services trade mission to the world’s financial capital New York City, and Boston in June.
   According to the Department, Australia was a major player in the financial services industry with funds under management capitalised at more than $1.3 trillion.
   It said that placed it fourth in the world.
  “The US provides opportunities for fund-to-fund investment relationships between Australian fund managers and global funds management institutions in New York City and Boston,” the Department said in a statement.
   It said the mission would be suitable for companies and consultants who wanted to enhance their knowledge of the global funds management market and encourage fund-to-fund investment flows with US and global hedge and mutual funds.
   “Chief investment officers, head strategists, head traders and senior fund managers from superannuation, retail, hedge and mutual funds management organisations are invited to apply to participate.”
   The visit will be held from 9 to 13 June and would include in-market briefings, individual appointments with potential investment partners, networking functions and a visit to the New York Stock Exchange.
   Applications for places on the mission close on 4 April and more information is available from (02) 9338 6652 or via email to crista.bracamonte@business.nsw.gov.au

26 March, 2008
New broom sweeps through Heritage Act
An independent review of the NSW Heritage Act 1977 has recommended more protection for the owners of heritage listed properties and an overhaul of the membership of the Heritage Council.
   A panel of experts conducted the review, which received 140 submissions from 126 individuals and organisations and made recommendations which it said were aimed at improving the operation and fairness of the current system.
   “The Expert Panel considers that the State heritage processes are generally working well,” the report says, “and provide sufficient transparency and opportunities for landowners and affected parties to raise issues either during a nomination or a statutory application process.”
    “The Expert Panel does however make a number of recommendations aimed at improving the operation and fairness of the current system at the State level.”
   Among its main recommendations were:
   * A more systematic framework in which to consider nominations;
   * A call for public nominations for listings in line with an established thematic program;
   * Requiring items on the list to meet more than one of the heritage criteria; and
   * Allowing owners of places proposed for listing a right of Ministerial review;
   The Expert panel also suggested the Heritage Council be reformed to include fewer ex-officio members and more “skills-based” members.
   “The Expert Panel believes that there are significant improvements that can be made to the way in which local heritage items are identified and assessed,” it said.
   “There are also improvements that can be made to the development processes applying to local heritage items.’’
   It called for the introduction of “gateway criteria” against which proposals to list heritage items could be assessed and it called for a streamlining of legislative arrangements governing heritage matters.
   “In line with the NSW Government’s objective of reducing ‘red tape’ and the regulatory burden created by it, the Expert Panel has identified a number of areas where reform could be undertaken and systemic processes improved.”
   It said one of these was the need to clarify responsibility for managing natural heritage between the Heritage Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
   The expert panel’s report can be accessed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au

26 March, 2008
Insurance watchdog happy with policies
The Motor Accidents Authority has rated the Compulsory Third Party insurance industry’s compliance performance in 2006 as ‘very good.’
   The MAA has conducted a review of CTP compliance based on insurer self-assessment reports and its own Claims Handling Guidelines and complaint summary reports.
   “Overall, the CTP insurance industry’s compliance performance for 2006 was rated very good,” the MAA said.
  “The industry indicated a sustained improvement in compliance performance in 2006 compared to previous years.”
   It said the insurers showed a high level of compliance in 44 out of 52 requirements, which was better than 90 per cent, the industry average. It was also better than 2005 when only 33 out of 45 requirements were met.
   “The industry achieved high levels of compliance performance for the majority of the claims handling requirements in almost all sections of the Claims Handling Guidelines,” the MAA said.
   “The majority of the remaining eight requirements (with lower than an industry average of 90% compliance) generally indicated significant improvement in the industry’s compliance performance in 2006 when compared to 2005 results.”
   It said only one requirement failed to record a significant improvement and that was the late provision of written reasons for declining the payment of treatment expenses.
   The MAA also rated the overall quality of insurers’ self-assessment reports as ‘very good.’
   It said complaints received by the MAA were less than 1 per cent of the open claims in the industry and non-compliances resulting from the complaints were consistent with the non-compliant requirements self-reported by the industry.
   The MAA said 59 per cent of claims handling complaints received by the MAA in 2006 were resolved in favour of the complainant and 41 per cent resolved for the insurer.

26 March, 2008
Whistle blower blown out of game
The NSW Opposition has criticised the decision to sack former Minister Milton Orkopoulos’s electoral officer, saying it sent the wrong message to whistleblowers.
   Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell said the whistleblower, Gillian Sneddon, helped convict the Minister and was sacked on the day she gave evidence against him in Court.
   “Standing up for the truth should not cost you everything,” Mr O’Farrell said. “The public are understandably appalled"
   He said making the allegations she did against Mr Orkopoulos couldn’t have been easy for Ms Sneddon, but the subsequent Court proceedings had vindicated her.
    “The sacking of Gillian Snedden sends a message to whistleblowers across the State that they can expect similar treatment when they seek to expose wrongdoing within the NSW public sector,” Mr O’Farrell said.
   “Ms Sneddon must have known at the time she contacted Police that she was putting herself at risk of both having her name dragged through the mud and of losing her job – yet she did it anyway.”
   He said Ms Sneddon should be rewarded for doing her Civic duty.
   “Gillian Snedden deserves the thanks of us all,” he said.
   “(She) should receive either an offer of employment or a compensation payout in recognition of her honesty and courage.”
   Ms Sneddon has revealed that she has lodged a workers’ compensation claim relating to the case but is reported to have rejected an offer of another job in Parliament House.

26 March, 2008
Mock trial will be justice for kids
Mock trials are to be held at Belmont Courthouse during Law Week to teach children the importance of obeying road rules and show how the justice system worked.
   Deputy Registrar of the Belmont Courthouse, Catherine Piper said the trials would relate to an imaginary situation in which a man is charged with negligent driving after hitting an 11-year-old skateboarder at a pedestrian crossing.
   Mrs Piper expected hundreds of Year Six students from the Lake Macquarie area to attend the mock trials which would be held next week.
   “The mock trials will be very ‘hands on’ and the children will get a chance to play the roles of key Court participants,” Mrs Piper said.  
   “The students will be mentored by a retired Magistrate, solicitors and Police Officers to ensure they understand the process.”
   She said at the conclusion of the trial, the children would be asked to deliver their verdict.
   “The case will not be clear cut,” she said.
   “The Court will hear evidence that the skateboarder had been listening to his Ipod and hadn’t looked both ways before crossing the road.
   “I expect that the defendant will claim the glare of the sun had affected his vision at the time of the incident.”
   She said the sessions would be entertaining, but would carry serious underlying messages.
   “The mock trials are aimed at educating children about pedestrian safety and driver responsibility in a non-threatening environment.”
   She said officers from the NSW Police Rescue Squad would also be on hand to explain how they responded to collisions and other major accidents.
   “The officers will bring their rescue truck and demonstrate how they use the equipment to save lives.”

26 March, 2008
Easter eggs-citement at Gosford office
Centrelink staff in Gosford kept the spirit of Easter alive this year by putting together Easter baskets for homeless people on the Central Coast.
   Sixteen huge baskets overflowing with chocolate Easter eggs and other seasonal treats were presented to homeless men, women and children in refuges and other sites visited by Centrelink's Family Community Team.
    According to the manager of Centrelink‘s Gosford Call Centre, Cathie Angelkovic, the 250 staff got together and decided this Easter, they wanted to give something back to the less fortunate in our community.
   “The staff’s very committed to giving back to the community where they can,” Ms Angelkovic said.
   "The Family Community Team has built a special relationship with homeless people and others in crisis on the Central Coast and know these people often do it tough.”
   She said although the gift baskets were just a small gesture, that Centrelink staff hoped they would bring some joy to the homeless people's lives.
   "I'm very proud of Centrelink staff for the generosity they've shown for this year's Easter appeal,” Ms Angelkovic said.
   "If we can bring a smile to some faces, it will be all worthwhile."

26 March, 2008
Finance fears as interest rates bite
Homeowners who feel their finances becoming tight have been warned to look for help before thinking about refinancing their home loan with unscrupulous lenders.
   Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney said many people were struggling to repay their loans at the moment but refinancing with the wrong lenders could lead them into even worse financial trouble.
   She warned against dealing with ‘predatory lenders’ who deliberately provide people with loans knowing they do not have the capacity to meet the repayments. The lenders make quick money through the exorbitant fees they charge.
  “With the recent interest rate rises, home ownership is a highly emotive issue and sometimes people panic and don’t seek advice before refinancing their loan,” Ms Burney said
   “I urge people who find themselves struggling with their mortgage to seek help before it is too late and they face repossession and eviction.
   She said options were available for people finding it hard to make ends meet.
   “Fair Trading can help consumers with advice, including negotiating on their behalf with lenders to reduce, postpone or cease repayments for a period of time.
   “The Uniform Consumer Credit Code governs all consumer loans, including home loans, and this Act allows for consumers who are experiencing hardship with repayments to contact their lender and renegotiate their loan.”
   Ms Burney said Fair Trading also funded financial counsellors and the Consumer Credit Legal Centre which can be contacted for financial advice and information.
   She said consumers could also ring the Credit and Debt Hotline on 1800 808 488 or visit or www.cclcnsw.org.au and the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman could also help if a bank or lender refused to co-operate or discuss a loan when a lender sought to renegotiate it.
   Consumers can call the Ombudsman on 1300 78 08 08 or visit www.bfso.org.au, she said.
   “These services provide excellent advice and help to any consumer struggling to make repayments and I would urge consumers to seek advice from Fair Trading or any of these organisations before their situation gets out of hand,” Ms Burney said.
   She said a draft Bill to regulate mortgage brokers had been released for public consultation and industry and consumer responses were being considered.
   “The Bill requires that finance brokers determine the consumer’s capacity to repay the loan and when refinancing or restructuring a consumer’s loan must provide a comparison of the costs and benefits of each credit proposal they offer.”

26 March, 2008
Garden path is fit place for exercise
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens have jumped on the fitness bandwagon, promoting guided walks as an ideal way to exercise.
   Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle said there were free guided walks every day with special ones on the third Thursday of each month that cost $11 per person.
   He said while health experts were encouraging people to walk for an hour or more a day, a “lovely way to get moving” was to take a guided walk.
  “On the free walks our experienced volunteer guides provide information about our wonderful native and exotic plant collection along with a range of topics including the Cadigal - the traditional Indigenous custodians of this area; early settlement; the dinosaur tree; and much more,” Dr Entwisle said.
   “The free walks take around an hour to an hour-and-a-half (and) experts say with a healthy diet coupled with walking around 10,000 steps a day (about an hour and 20 minutes) it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight.”   
   He asked what better way could there be to get fit than walk through the Gardens, checking out the spectacular harbor views and learning about the heritage of places like the Palm Grove.
   He said the free guided walks took place from 10.30am every day and from 1pm Monday to Friday between March and December. There are no walks on Good Friday, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
   Dr Entwisle said volunteer guides put months of effort into researching topics for the Specialty Talks and Walks which get underway on the third Thursday from 10am to 12.30 pm. He said the $11 included refreshments.
   For bookings or more information, call (02) 9231 8134 or (02) 9231 9304.

26 March, 2008
Warning comes clean on dishwashers
The Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigades, Greg Mullins has issued a warning to householders to take fire precautions around dishwashers.
   Commissioner Mulllins said that dishwashers had been responsible for at least 102 fires in NSW in the past three years and that highlighted the need for fire safety precautions in the home.
   He said 10 of those fires had occurred this year.
   The Commissioner’s warning followed moves by the Office of Fair Trading to recall a number of dishwashers for safety reasons.
   "Our homes are filled with electrical appliances so it is not surprising that they can be a cause of fires in the home," Commissioner Mullins said.
  "Almost 10 per cent - or more than 400 - of the 4,208 house fires that the NSWFB attended between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007 were caused by electrical appliances.”
   He said fire investigators had noticed a growing number of fires recently where a dishwasher was identified as the source and this was causing concern because the common element appeared to be an electrical fault.
   "Thankfully no one was injured in these fires but many of them resulted in significant damage to homes and placed lives at risk," he said.
   "To prevent a fire involving appliances from occurring make sure your appliances are in good working order and properly installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.’
   Commissioner Mullins said the NSWFB recommended that householders turn electrical appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers off when leaving the house.
   "It is also vital that every home has working smoke alarms and residents have prepared and practiced a home escape plan so that if there is a fire they get an early warning and know how to get out quickly and safely,” he said.
   "If a fire starts, turn off power immediately at the power point or switchboard if safe to do so and call Triple Zero (000)."

26 March, 2008
Fisheries hook new speedboat on line
NSW Fisheries has launched a new state-of-the-art, high-speed, "hot pursuit" boat to clamp down on illegal fishing activity on the South Coast.
   Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said the 5.8 metre rigid hull inflatable boat would be used by Department of Primary Industries officers from Narooma in estuarine and ocean patrols.
   "DPI fisheries officers conduct patrols in both coastal and inland waterways throughout the year,” Mr Macdonald said.
  “They check that fishers have paid their recreational fishing fees, monitor and bag limits and ensure that both commercial and recreational fishers abide by the State’s fisheries laws.”
   He said the new boat had improved safety features, more horsepower and was designed to work in offshore waters, improving rapid response in all weather conditions.
   He said the boat was lightweight, fast and manoeuvrable, enabling DPI fisheries officers to move alongside other vessels quickly.
   Mr Macdonald said the boat was powered by dual 75hp, low emission outboard motors and had been selected for its reliability, economy and environmental friendliness as much as its ‘hot pursuit’ capability.
   "The vessel is patrolling waterways from Tuross Heads in the north and Goalen Head in the south including Tuross Lake, Mummaga Lake, Wagonga Inlet and Bermagui River,” Mr Macdonald said.
   “It will also patrol aquatic reserves, marine protected areas and around Montague Island, a critical habit for the grey nurse shark.”
   He said there were more than 90 DPI fisheries officers across NSW who enforced the laws relating to commercial and recreational fishing and he urged people to report illegal fishing activity to their local DPI Fisheries office or call the Fishers Watch hotline on 1800 043 536.

26 March, 2008
Court goes dotty over Aboriginal art
An exhibition of Aboriginal artwork is to be a feature of Law Week celebrations at the Campbelltown Courthouse.
   Some of the finest works by local Aboriginal artists have been chosen for the display which will feature contemporary decorative designs as well as traditional Aboriginal weavings.
   Aboriginal Client Services Specialist at Campbelltown Courthouse, Gary Stewart said the collection would brighten up the Courthouse and help raise the profile of Macarthur artists.
   “The exhibition is symbolic of the increasingly cooperative relationship between the Courts and the local Aboriginal community,” Mr Stewart said.
   He said among the artists to contribute to the exhibition were Randall Green, Jan Shipley and Pauline Matthews and the works of detainees at Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre would also be on show.
   “It is encouraging to see young Aboriginal people in custody utilising their talents and expressing themselves in a positive way,” Mr Stewart said.
   He said the exhibition would be launched on Monday, 31 March 2008, attended by community Elders and representatives from local Aboriginal Land Councils, the Attorney General’s Department and Court agencies.
   He said a panel would judge the artworks at the launch and present prizes and encouragement certificates.
   According to the Deputy Registrar of the Campbelltown Courthouse, Lisa Hogan the exhibition was planned to become an annual Law Week event.
   “This is the second consecutive year we have displayed Aboriginal art during Law Week,” Ms Hogan said, “and with the community’s support we hope to stage similar events in the future.
   The exhibition is to run from 31 March to 4 April with some of the artworks for sale and proceeds going to the artist.

26 March, 2008
Bureau to celebrate 40th
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year and has organised a two-day symposium to mark the occasion,.
   To be held at the at the Powerhouse Museum on 18/19 February 2009 the event will include contributions from speakers including Professors Tony Vinson, Arie Freiberg, Peter Grabosky, Larrissa Behrendt, Paul Mazerolle and others.
   A call for papers will be issued shortly.
   More information from Tiziana Trovato or Maria Pavlou on (02) 9231 9190.

Campaign for machine safety
 NSW is leading a national safety campaign to improve machine guarding in the manufacturing industry.
   Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Chair John Watson said 1,100 serious incidents occurred each year as a result of inadequately guarded machinery with 46 per cent of injuries happening within the manufacturing industry.
   He said unguarded machinery had the potential for causing severe injuries, including crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness.
   The campaign would run through 2008 and involve other States and Territories.

New link for trains
A new a train line is to be built between the Sydney CBD to Rouse Hill by 2017 and will be known as the North West Metro.
   The Euro-style service will be the first Metro built, with others possibly heading to the west and south east.
   The new lines will form part of Sydney Link, a series of major transport projects which also includes the South West Rail Link and the M4 Extensions.

Tenants and aged get help
Tenants and people in supported aged care accommodation are to receive $25 million worth of help to become aware of their rights and to exercise them.
   The Office of Fair Trading is to make the money available to community organisations to run education, advice and advocacy services for three years from 1 July 2008.
    Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney said services currently funded under the program deal with about 30,000 enquiries each year.

Medical Centre for Blacktown
A state-of-the-art learning centre is to open next month at Blacktown Hospital.
   The Simulation and Skills Centre will provide medical staff, students and other clinicians with a learning environment to improve their knowledge and skills in patient care.
   Health Minister, Reba Meagher said the new Centre would help ensure that Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals attracted the best clinicians and was equipped to provide the best education and training available.

19 March, 2008
Feds in pitch for more legal harmony
Moves to harmonise laws around the States and Territories have gained momentum after a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that Australia was the poorest performing country in the western world on the issue.
   The finding prompted Federal Finance Minister, Lindsay Tanner to join the debate by calling for more to be done on regulatory harmonisation.
   “The OECD has found that Australia has the least harmonised regulations among the 30 countries profiled,” Mr Tanner said.
   “This is based on data from 2003 and since then the regulatory burden has become much worse.
  “Clearly this burden is restricting Australian businesses from reaching their full potential and the Rudd Government is determined to reverse the pile-up of new regulation.”
   Minister assisting Mr Tanner on the deregulation issue, Dr Craig Emerson agreed the need for regulatory reform was urgent. He said the report found deregulation could help boost Australia’s per-capita Gross Domestic Product by more than 1 per cent, or more than $10 billion.
   “The report encouragingly says we have an open economy as an island nation but if you asked any business owner if they are over-regulated I think the answer would be an emphatic ‘yes’,” Dr Emerson said.
   He said the Commonwealth, State and Territory Business Regulation and Competition Working Group met for the third time in Canberra recently to look at ways to slash the red tape that was strangling business.
   “We'll be taking to the next COAG meeting a plan to accelerate work on regulatory hotspots and take on a bold new agenda of reform,” Dr Emerson said.
   “Australia needs the Commonwealth, States and Territories to harmonise key areas of business regulation such as occupational health and safety, payroll tax, trade licences and regulation of credit.”
   Dr Emerson said the Business Council of Australia had made it clear that in the last decade Australian businesses had been suffering from “creeping re-regulation”.
   The move comes at the same time the Council for the Australian Federation, consisting of all State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers (but not the Commonwealth) declared one of its priorities for 2008 would be the ongoing eradication of cross-jurisdictional anomalies.
   It decided harmonisation would be a standing item on its agenda at every meeting as part of an ongoing commitment to co-operative Federalism.

19 March, 2008
Justice Precinct Courts Publicity
The Parramatta Justice Precinct is to host its first community Open Day on Tuesday 1 April, marking the 25th anniversary of Law Week.
   Aimed at informing the community about the law and the services provided by the Attorney General’s Department, the $330 million complex will be home to a mock trial, performances by the NSW Police Band and a Will-making seminar conducted by the Public Trustee.
   According to the Assistant Director General at AGD, Michael Talbot, visitors to the Open Day will be able to find out how the Department’s services could assist them, as well as find out about the Department’s programs aimed at reducing crime.
   He said the mock trial would be primarily for high school and University students, providing them with a first-hand account of the justice system.
   “The mock trial will be based on a scenario in which a young person is accused of crashing a stolen car,” Mr Talbot said.
   ”The exercise will raise awareness about road safety and give students a greater insight into how the justice system works.”
   Mr Talbot said other attractions at the community Open Day would include information stalls hosted by Government Agencies such as:
    * LawAccess NSW – the free telephone service that provided legal help;
   * The Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages – which conducts marriage ceremonies, holds birth and death certificates, records name changes and helps with family history research;
   * The Anti-Discrimination Board – that promotes equal opportunity and investigates allegations of discrimination;
   * The Offices of the Protective Commissioner and Public Guardian – which promote the rights of people with disabilities and manages finances for people who can’t;
   * Victims Services – which provides counselling and compensation for victims of crime;
   * Drug Court – the court dealing specifically with non-violent offenders dependant on drugs; and
   * The Norimbah Unit - which supports and nurtures career development for Aboriginal staff in the Attorney General’s Department.
   Mr Talbot said national law week would run from 31 March to 5 April and was an annual event that aimed to promote community understanding of the legal system and to improve public access to legal services.
   The Community Open Day would run from 10am to 3pm at the Heritage Forecourt, Parramatta Justice Precinct, 160 Marsden Street, Parramatta. The mock trial would start at 11am in the Parramatta Local Court on the corner of George Street.
   More information is available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawweek 

19 March, 2008
Premier in dark with Ministers
The Premier, Morris Iemma has issued a Memorandum to all Ministers urging them and their Agencies to participate in Earth Hour 2008 by turning off non-essential lighting for an hour on Saturday, 29 March between 8pm and 9pm.
   “The event has the full support of the NSW Government,” Mr Iemma said.
   He said in its inaugural year last year, over 2 million Sydney residents and more than 2000 businesses took part in Earth Hour and reduced the city’s energy consumption by 10.2% over the hour, which was the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one year.
  “This year, the event has expanded from its Sydney home to 24 cities around the globe, including four more Australian cities,” Mr Iemma said.
   “(It) is an outstanding initiative of WWF-Australia and Fairfax Media, publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald.
   “Earth Hour promotes the simple action of turning off non-essential lighting for one hour to demonstrate a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to show that individuals can make a difference in the fight against climate change.”
   He said the event was voluntary and would not include lighting that impacted on public safety.
   “Earth Hour will therefore not involve street lights, train stations or other public areas.
   “I urge all NSW Government agencies to take part in Earth Hour 2008 – where it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
   he said Agencies could register to take part in Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org/sign-up  

19 March, 2008
Corruption watchdog shares ICAC secrets
The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Jerrold Cripps, has told a gathering of community leaders that preventing corrupt conduct was far preferable to curing corruption once it had taken hold.  
   Commissioner Cripps was speaking in Charlestown during a visit to regional NSW.
   He reminded principal officers from Government Agencies of the role they played in reporting suspected corruption and said it was important for them to know when an issue was of a minor concern and when it was significant corruption.
     “We all know the old adage that prevention is better than cure,” Commissioner Cripps said, “and this certainly applies when it comes to corrupt conduct involving Government Agencies.”
    He said that was one of the reasons ICAC was keen to visit regional NSW, as its corruption prevention and education program helped Agencies better equip themselves to prevent corruption from occurring in the first place.  
   He said while in the Newcastle area ICAC would hold a series of workshops on protected disclosures, corruption prevention for managers, school workshops and would visit some of the State Government Agencies in the area.
   “This visit will also give Agencies the opportunity to better identify significant corruption if it is occurring in their organisations,” he said, “and report it to the ICAC.’
    About 70 people attended the community leader’s breakfast, including local Members of Parliament, representatives from State Government Agencies, local business people and interest groups.  
   This visit was part of the ICAC’s Hunter Outreach and followed a visit to Maitland/Cessnock last year. 
   Commissioner Cripps was accompanied on the visit by Deputy NSW Ombudsman, Chris Wheeler and Police Integrity Commissioner John Pritchard.  
   Government agencies attending the Outreach activities included the Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW Police, TAFE NSW, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Hunter Water and the Department of Primary Industries.  

19 March, 2008
New LEP is big step forward
The Director-General of Planning, Sam Haddad said the move meant the residents of Canada Bay City Council, which lodged the plan, would now be able to access all of the area’s planning controls in one spot.
   Mr Haddad said the new LEP template was implemented in 2006 to create a common structure and language for all new Council-wide plans while continuing to allow councils to set local policies.
   He said the new format meant LEPs were easier for residents, Councils and businesses to use and understand.
   “The preparation of a single LEP means that all people interested in planning will be able to find out the relevant local controls in the one spot,” Mr Haddad said.
   He said the Council still had work to do updating its planning controls, but the planners at both the Council and the Department of Planning should be recognised for delivering an excellent outcome that would set the future direction for plan making in NSW.
   “The council is still expected to work on a comprehensive, long-term LEP which will implement the outcomes of a number of local strategies including housing and employment,” Mr Haddad said.
   “But this is an excellent first step and I congratulate all involved in the preparation of this new LEP.”
   He said while the LEP template introduced a uniform set of planning rules, it also allowed the City of Canada Bay Council to design a LEP so it addressed specific local issues including controlling the impacts of acid sulphate soils; encouraging foreshore access; and creating a foreshore building line to prevent overdevelopment close to waterway edges.

19 March, 2008
Foxes put bite on historic trees
The Royal Botanic Gardens has lost 12 rare and historical trees to a community of flying foxes and another 45 are on the critical list.
   Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle, said it wasn’t the first time the Gardens had suffered at the hands of the flying foxes, and it could cost over $120,000 to fix.
   According to Dr Entwisle, a camp of Grey-headed flying-foxes has been feeding at the Palm Grove, which is a unique collection of rare and historical plants dating back to 1862.
   He said on previous occasions in 1858 and 1920, the flying foxes were simply culled, “something we would never contemplate today.”
   He said when they arrived again in the early 1990s they were discouraged from roosting by staff banging metal rubbish-bin lids on their daily arrival and departure until they left to join other camps in Sydney.
   He said whenever a few would settle over the following years they were shooed away but in 1997 the deterrents stopped in the hope that their numbers would stay low and those who did settle would cause minimal damage.
   “This proved wrong,” Dr Entwisle said, “with the camp peaking at about 11,000 last year.”
   He said two huge Kauri pines had to be removed last year after dying primarily from tip damage and defoliation by the flying foxes. They had been collected from New Caledonia in 1850. A nearby Red Cedar and Water Gum planted in the 1820s were already under threat he said.
   Dr Entwisle said the Gardens would soon apply for a licence to relocate the flying foxes in a humane and harmless way.
   “The Grey-headed Flying-fox is a vulnerable species, and an important one for pollinating native plants, but this is an exceptional circumstance,” he said.
   “We’ve done all we can to discourage them – plastic bags attached to the tips of vulnerable trees, toilet crystals, strobe lights, python poo and shrimp paste. None of these were successful long-term.”
   He said if they couldn’t be relocated this autumn, which was the safest time in terms of flying fox health and breeding cycle, he would look at temporary measures to protect a few of the more significant plants – perhaps even plastic bags again – while a case was prepared for relocation in 2009.
   He said a similar experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne led to a camp being successfully relocated five years ago.
   “After a few false starts, the Melbourne relocation cost about $250,000. Our advice is that it will cost us about half that.
   “A small price for even one of our heritage trees.”

19 March, 2008
Obesity expert makes big call
A childhood obesity expert at the University of Sydney has called for the Government to place restrictions on the marketing of junk food to children.
   Professor Louise Baur, who is also Consultant Paediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead said parents were struggling to be heard over the influence of marketing aimed at their children.
   “Every week, in my weight management clinics at the hospital, I see parents who are trying their very hardest to look after the health of their kids,” Professor Baur said.
   “But how can they compete with slick, multi-million dollar marketing campaigns?” she asked.
   She said parents were well informed about healthy eating and were trying to teach their children good nutritional habits but their messages were not getting through.
   Professor Baur said junk food companies wouldn’t spend millions of dollars on advertising if it didn’t play a significant role in influencing the diets of children.
    She said they even aimed other marketing strategies at the children such as sponsorship of kids’ sporting events to “endorsements” of products by popular cartoon characters.
   She said all levels of Government had a role to play in supporting parents by introducing measures to restrict these marketing practices.
   A newly-released report from the World Federation of Consumer Organisations, entitled International Code on Marketing of Food and non-Alcoholic Beverages to Children, called for Government regulations to protect children and parents from the pressures of junk food marketing practices.
   “This isn’t about being the ‘fun police’, banning chocolate or soft drinks, or outlawing all forms of advertising” she said.
   “All we are asking is for some balance.”
   Professor Baur said limiting the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks would give parents a better chance to teach their children about responsible, healthy eating.
   “We want to give children back to their parents,” she said.”And that’s going to lead to happier families and healthier kids.”

19 March, 2008
Leading light to be Festival regular
A major funding boost from the NSW Government and the City of Sydney has ensured that the Festival of Sydney will have a defined opening event from now on.
   The State and the Council have agreed to increase their commitment to First Night so that it becomes an integral part of the Sydney Festival calendar.
   Premier, Morris Iemma and Lord Mayor, Clover Moore have announced that the State would contribute $1.5 million a year (up from $1 million in 2008) and the City $500,000 (up from $200,000).
   “The concept of a defined opening event for the Sydney Festival was trialled this year and proved an enormous success,” Mr Iemma said, “with more than 200,000 people drawn into the Sydney CBD to enjoy a magical night of free entertainment and activities.
    “First Night is about ensuring that Sydney remains a creative hub that can attract high-skill workers, investors and tourists.”
   Ms Moore said the State Government and City of Sydney co-founded the Festival in 1977 so it was only appropriate that they worked together to make it even bigger and better.
   “First Night will help revitalise our city streets and laneways in line with Council’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision of a more vibrant, open and pedestrian-friendly city,” she said.
   Artistic Director of the Festival, Fergus Linehan said that First Night 2008 was a huge success and deserved to become a permanent part of the Sydney events calendar.
   Chief Executive of Events NSW, Geoff Parmenter said First Night was precisely the sort of event the Corporation was set up to support.
   “This is about projecting Sydney as a global city and emphasising ‘Brand Sydney’ as a great place to live, work and visit,” Mr Parmenter said.

19 March, 2008
Hearing program Makes big noise
An Australian-first hearing program for babies has led to more than 98% of all babies born in NSW in the past five years being screened for hearing problems.
   Health Minister, Reba Meagher has described the program as a success.
   Marking the fifth year of the free Statewide Infant Screening – Hearing program or SWISH, Ms Meagher said 354,765 infants had been tested in hospitals, birthing centres, medical centres and Aboriginal medical facilities.
   She said the screening had led to 2,700 diagnostic audiology assessments over 700 infants had received paediatric assessment and parent support.
   Ms Meagher said the main findings of a Parent Satisfaction Survey found that 98% of parents were comfortable having their infant’s hearing screened and 99% reported they would recommend the SWISH program to other parents.
   Ms Meagher visited one of the first children to be identified and helped through SWISH at the Rockie Woofit Pre-School in North Rocks.
   Four-year-old Patrick Chrystie was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss at just three days old under the SWISH Program and had since had bilateral cochlear implants.
   “We know that the earlier we test kids – the earlier we can help them,” Ms Meagher said.
   “NSW has led the way in introducing universal newborn hearing screening using cutting edge equipment known as Automated Auditory Brainstem Response technology.
   She said Queensland and Victoria had now followed and New Zealand was in the process of implementing the program.
   “SWISH makes a huge difference to the lives of children and their parents and is crucial in ensuring the quality of children’s speech and language development,” Ms Meagher said.
   She said it was fully backed up by funding for cochlear implants for all children identified under the program, if parents decide that is what they wanted.
   “It also helps minimise the need for ongoing special education in the long term.”
   Ms Meagher said every Area Health Service had a SWISH Coordinator and a SWISH Travel Assistance Scheme was available to assist families living long distances from paediatric hospitals.
   “A formal evaluation of the Program will take place shortly to see if we can make it even better,” Ms Meagher said.

19 March, 2008
Transport Minister derails criticism
The Minister for Transport has denied that there has been an increase in alcohol and drug abuse among RailCorp staff.
   Responding to reports that 29 positive results were returned from 21,990 tests last year (compared with 20 positives from 20,530 tests in 2006), the Minister, John Watkins said the increase was due to the increased numbers of tests being carried out.
   Over the same two-year period 4,530 tests for drugs returned 67 positive results in 2007 and 4,246 tests in 2006 led to 60 positive results.
   Mr Watkins was reported on radio as saying “we’re increasing the number of tests.”
   “Last year we did 22,000 tests, and instead of catching 22 workers the year before, we caught 29.
   “We did an extra 1,500 tests last year.”
   Mr Watkins said those who tested positive suffered disciplinary action, which included dismissal.
   The Liberal Opposition said the level of positive testing was putting commuters at risk.
   Acting Shadow Minister for Transport, Mike Gallacher said Railcorp staff who abused drugs and alcohol while on the job were putting lives at risk.
   “These employees have the lives of literally hundreds and thousands of people in their hands every day,” Mr Gallacher said.
   “Those who abuse that position of trust and endanger lives should face the toughest possible consequences.”
   He said rail users had the right to know that anyone who tested positive was stood down.
   “Currently commuters are left in the dark,” he said.

19 March, 2008
Libraries launch new paper chase
Australia’s libraries have banded together to track down old newspapers.
   The Australian Newspaper Plan is a nation-wide initiative of State and Territory libraries designed to find, collect and preserve access to historic newspapers.
   National spokeswoman for the ANPlan, Cathy Pilgrim of the National Library of Australia in Canberra, said newspapers did not just report the news, they told stories of their times, through advertisements, photographs and even their design.
  “The aim is to find the thousands of missing pieces in the jigsaw of our history,” Ms Pilgrim said.
   “Old newspapers are an important part of our social, political and cultural history and they offer valuable insights into a society changed forever.”
   Some of Australia’s most wanted newspapers include: Cairns Advocate (1897-1882); Croydon Miner (1887-1888); Mundic Miner and Etheridge Gazette (1889-1917); Pilbarra Goldfields News (1901); Mercury and South Australian sporting chronicle (1849-1851); and Renmark Pioneer (1893-1895).
   “Often a chance conversation uncovers these wanted papers which may have been lying hidden in someone’s garage, in an elderly person’s collection of keepsakes, or even in the vaults of a local historical society or archive,” Ms Pilgrim said.
   Once the wanted newspapers had been tracked down, they would be carefully saved to ensure their preservation for future generations of Australians. Access would be made freely available through the National Library of Australia and State and Territory libraries.
   For a full list of the wanted newspapers from all states of Australia, visit www.nla.gov.au/anplan

19 March, 2008
Community emails caught in web
Local communities across NSW now have the chance to build their own community based websites that allow residents to match their postal addresses with their email addresses.
   An initiative of the not-for-profit .au Community Domains (auCD), which administers
Community Geographic Domain Names on the internet, eligible communities are being offered free software to build their own websites.
   General Manager of auCD, Leonie Parkinson, said the software package called “Community Site in a Box” allowed communities to issue individual email addresses which mirrored a postal address.
   She said a community could apply for a Community Geographic Domain Name such as
www.wollombi.nsw.com or www.buninyong.vic.au and by using the free software, could also issue individual email accounts such as bob.smith@buninyong.vic.au
   “Community Site in a Box” software allows community groups unlimited emails to a personalised address that closely mirrors their place of living”, Ms Parkinson said.
   “A community website address can help build stronger communities, increase local business and tourism and provide online forums for social activities.”
   She said standardised geographic community domain naming had been introduced to help communities develop an easy to remember website which could be used to benefit a broad range of community interests.
    “Now, with our free software package, we can allow people to match their place locality to a personalised email account. Local organisations such as the football club, tennis club or chamber of commerce can also get an email address.”
   Ms Parkinson said 650,000 people across Australia were already accessing community websites based on their own geographic domain name and now with the offer of free software more communities were expected to follow.
   She said software packages with alternative options were being offered by other organisations at significant prices.
   “Whilst we don’t expect every one of the 22,000 communities which have a geographic name to apply we do expect that the 3000 or so communities with a population of more than 200 will take an active interest,” Ms Parkinson said.
   “After all it is not often that you get something for nothing in today’s world”, she said.
   More information can be obtained by visiting www.aucd.org.au or by phoning (03) 9863 8577.

19 March, 2008
DECC cleans up illegal dumpers
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has published a handbook for Local Government to help them crack down on illegal dumpers.
   According to the Department, the Crackdown on Illegal Dumping – Handbook for local Government provides an insight into what motivates illegal dumpers and focuses on ways of minimising the opportunities that give rise to illegal dumping in NSW.
   Director General of DECC, Lisa Corbyn said the Department was committed to strong enforcement to deter and punish illegal dumping.
  “Illegal dumping damages the environment and costs the NSW community millions of dollars each year,” Ms Corbyn said.
   “Reducing litter and illegal dumping is a key outcome area of the NSW Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.”
   She said the handbook was designed to help Local Government crack down on illegal dumping and its particular causes.
   She said it suggested well-designed and well-focused methods that minimised opportunities for illegal dumping by modifying the environment, improving regulatory action, focusing education messages and improving services.
   “DECC is working in partnership with Local Government to tackle illegal dumping,” Ms Corbyn said
   “This handbook provides practical advice about developing, implementing and evaluating effective illegal dumping programs that will assist local Councils.
   “The Government case studies demonstrate applied prevention techniques that will assist Council Officers in managing illegal dumping in their local area.”
   Ms Corbyn thanked everyone who contributed to the handbook and encouraged the community to read it and join the campaign to stop illegal dumping.
   The handbook can be downloaded as a complete document or in separate sections from www.environment.nsw.gov.au

19 March, 2008
Seed collection Keeps on growing
Protection of the States’ native plants has reached another milestone with the Mount Annan Botanic Garden’s “seedbank” posting the 1000th duplicate collection to the Millennium seedbank in the United Kingdom.
   According to the Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle, over 1000 Australian plant species were known to be at risk of extinction, and climate change was putting further pressure on them.
   He said while Governments and communities were working hard to protect them, a seedbank was a good insurance policy. 
   “The stored seeds can be used for replanting, or for research into the plants we depend upon for food, shelter, oxygen and much more,” Dr Entwisle said.
   He said the NSW seedbank already held a third of the State’s 6,400 native plants, and by sharing the resource with the UK, it enjoyed the added precaution of having the seed stored in two different places.
   “Unfortunately, the job of collecting seed is getting harder,” Dr Entwisle said.
   “Not only do we have to search more carefully for the rarer species, but there are some seeds, like those in rainforests, that just don’t last.”
   He said rainforests covered only 0.3 per cent of Australia but included a third of our plant species.
   “They are highly adapted to their environment and in Australia often fragmented. Like alpine and coastal areas, they are in the high risk category for climate change.”
   He said an additional problem for rainforest was that their seed was often short-lived.
   “The Botanic Gardens Trust has received funding from Allianz Insurance and private benefaction to collect seed from some of our 2000 rainforest species, and to test new ways to store them such as tissue culture and cryogenic storage.”
   Dr Entwisle said that in three years the Botanic Gardens hoped to have a backup collection of the unique genetic resources held in the rainforests, as well as a better understanding of the biology of rainforests in their natural habitat.
   “Although there have been major extinction events in the past (think dinosaurs), the plants and animals we share the world with today are the ones we have evolved with, and depend upon,” he said.
   “By sending species extinct, we are whittling away options for the future.”
   He said each one of the plants or animals that become extinct are as irreplaceable as the Mona Lisa.
   “Species come and go over history, but these are the 'works of art' we have inherited in our human era.
   “If we can save the most important of our plants in the Seedbank, that’s a good start in arming ourselves for the battle ahead.”

19 March, 2008
Museum welcomes ancient visitors
The Australian Museum has unveiled a new exhibition, exploring the life and times of pre-historic dinosaurs as part of Stage One of its $41 million revitalisation project.
   The 650-square-metre exhibition examines how dinosaurs lived and died and how modern scientists know so much about them.
   The exhibition is divided into four main themes: Dinosaur World; Dinosaur Life; Discovering Dinosaurs; and Surviving Dinosaurs and features models such as feathered dinosaurs from China as well as carnivore and herbivore skulls and skeletons, including well-known favourites like the Stegosaurus to the bizarre Cryolophosaurus discovered in Antarctica and the Chasmosaurus with its massive frills and horns.
   Many of the exhibits have never been shown in Australia before, including the 228 million year old Eoraptor; the bird-like Bambiraptor; and the long-necked plant eater Jobaria.
   Australian highlights include a skeleton of the 9m long plant-eating Muttaburrasaurus; a life-size model of Minmi - an armoured dinosaur found in Queensland; and a complete Australian scene from 110 million years ago in Lightning Ridge showing a deadly encounter for the herbivorous dinosaur Fulgurotherium.
   The display also addresses age-old questions such as How did the dinosaurs breed and grow? How did they hunt and capture prey? Were they social creatures? And what really happened when they became extinct 65 million years ago.
   In addition, all the latest museological techniques are used to bring the exhibition to life including dramatic lighting effects, hands-on fossil specimens, touch screen computers and interactive and large projected scenes.
   Entry to Dinosaurs is free with museum entry. It is a permanent exhibition located on Level 2.

19 March, 2008
Maritime tribute to Sydney
The Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour has marked the discovery of the HMAS Sydney by holding a special display commemorating the memory of the ship which includes a 1.8-metre long model of the cruiser ready for action, a life jacket worn by a crew member of Kormoran, a painting by marine artist John Allcot of HMAS Sydney engaged in the Mediterranean Sea battle in July 1940, one of the medals that the citizens of Sydney presented HMAS Sydney crew and images of members on their triumphant return from their Mediterranean encounters. 

Water subs extended
The deadline for submissions to the Country Water Utilities Inquiry has been extended to 30 April 2008.
   The inquiry is working with Councils and water utilities to identify the most effective arrangements for the long term provision of town water supply and sewerage services in country NSW.

Recruits fired up
NSW Fire Brigades has welcomed 20 new recruits who have completed 16 weeks of intensive training.
   The newly qualified recruits will be deployed to a number of stations across Sydney and include Peter Bugden (City of Sydney), Stephen McPherson (Bonnyrigg Heights), Cain Cameron (Kellyville), Matthew Miller (Fairfield), Scott Cresswell (Glebe), David Mullins (City of Sydney), Richard Diefenbach (City of Sydney), Lee Reading (Crows Nest), Robert Dwyer (Smithfield), Mark Reischl (Lidcombe), Marc Favero (Blacktown), Benjamin Ring (Liverpool),
Glen Hughes (Blacktown), Kerry Smith (City of Sydney), Sebastian Jacobs (Crows Nest), Andrew Whiddon (Schofields), Daniel Johanson (Wentworthville), Robert Woodhead (City of Sydney), Giles Keane (Parramatta), David Wrightston (City of Sydney).
 
Bus interchange opens
The Lane Cove Bus Interchange has opened enabling bus users and residents of the region access to improved transport alternatives and bus-to-bus connections.
   Access to the buses is also improved by an overhead pedestrian bridge with lift access over Longueville Rd, making it safer and easier for passengers to make their connections.

IR history at OIR
The Office of Industrial Relations has added a history of its activities to its website, counting back to the 1890s when the NSW Government first became involved in industrial relations issues.
   The history follows the development of the Office, through its days as a Department to its work with consumer affairs and occupational health and safety.
   The history can be seen at www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/about/history.html

IPART seeks knowledge
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has commissioned research companies to conduct a survey of households in the Central Coast and Hunter Valley areas.
   The aim is to gather information on electricity, water and gas use, as well as information on the number of people who live in the household and their characteristics.
   The information will be used to define patterns of household behavior, energy and water use, to allow IPART to make decisions about prices.

Liquor reform forums
The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing is holding running a series of free Liquor Law Reform forums, for the State's 14,200 licensees.
   The new laws are designed to reduce alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour.
   An overview of the new liquor laws will be provided at the forums as well as information on the new Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority.
   The forums will also cover new compliance, enforcement and offence provisions.
   Registrations for the forums can be made at www.olgr.nsw.gov.au

 TAFE graduates
The TAFE NSW Riverina Institute’s Albury Campus has held its graduation ceremony for 583 graduates. 
   Graduates were presented with testamurs by the Director of the Riverina Institute, Rosemary Campbell.

Uniform reaction
The NSW Opposition has reacted to plans to introduce new uniforms for Public Transport Transit Officers.
   Shadow Police Minister Mike Gallacher, said the new uniforms would make the Transit Officers look more like Police, which could mislead commuters. 
   He said the move was designed to make commuters feel better by seeing someone in a blue shirt. He called for uniformed police to be put back on the trains.

12 March, 2008
Auditor unravels amalgamations
The Auditor-General has completed a performance audit of recent Departmental amalgamations, finding that while they had been successful, there were lessons to be learnt for future mergers.
   In his report Managing Departmental Amalgamations, the Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, said amalgamations could produce savings, efficiencies and lead to better policy outcomes but needed to be well planned and evaluated.
   “Amalgamating Departments requires careful management,” the Auditor said.
   “They risk creating dislocation and uncertainty for the organisation, its staff, its suppliers and its clients and customers.”
   He looked specifically at the amalgamations that produced the Departments of Commerce in 2003 and Primary Industries in 2004.
   He said the objective of the audit was to assess if the amalgamations had achieved the intended outcomes and benefits.
   “Both Commerce and DPI substantially achieved their stated amalgamation savings objectives,” he said.
   The Auditor said his investigations revealed two key factors in successful amalgamations – early planning based on clear objectives; and synergies in service delivery when Departments with similar services and customers came together.
   He said his office had produced a guide to assist Departments in future amalgamations, entitled Better Practice – Implementing Successful Amalgamations.
   “We identified two key opportunities to improve the management of amalgamations,” the Auditor-General said
   These were early planning to build on the benefits of synergies between the merged organisations and formal reviews to establish if the anticipated outcomes were achieved.
   “We consider these reviews should be promoted and included in the annual reports of the amalgamated Departments for three years following amalgamation.”
   He made three recommendations involving the use of an Audit-Office generated checklist at the steering group phase of an intended amalgamation; use of his Better Practice Guide at the implementation stage; and the publication of achievement reviews in annual reports.
   The Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Robyn Kruk responded to the audit report saying it showed the benefits of the amalgamations and accepted the Audit Office’s acknowledgement that they were well planned and clearly defined.
   She rejected the proposal that achievement reviews be published in annual reports saying it was preferred they be incorporated into existing performance management systems, “rather than establish an additional reporting regime.”

12 March, 2008
Youth Day mixes Church and State
Up to 600 volunteers from the NSW Public Service are expected to take time off to assist the Catholic Church stage its World Youth Day which runs from 15 to 20 July this year,
   As the NSW Government supports the Day – which is expected to attract 220,000 pilgrims, 100,000 from overseas - the Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular outlining the special leave arrangements that would apply for staff volunteering at the event.
   According to the Circular volunteers at WYD08 provide an essential service to visitors and pilgrims as well as the general public, providing information and directions and helping people get to where they needed to go.
   The Government has established the World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority to coordinate WYD008 and any State Government employees volunteering to help would do so through that organisation.
   “WYDCA volunteers represent the NSW State Government, providing an essential service to visitors and pilgrims as well as the general public,” the Circular says.
   “Staff who volunteer to work for the WYDCA are to be granted special leave under subclause 85 (j) of the Crown Employees (Public Service – Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2006 on full pay for the time they are absent from duty.”
   The Circular places a limit of five days on the payment but says staff working on Saturday the 19th or Sunday the 20th of July would be eligible for alternate days of special leave for the purposes of rest.
   “On resumption of duty, such staff should provide proof of attendance certified by an authorised representative of the WYDCA. Wherever possible, times of attendance should be shown.”
   The Circular says the leave arrangements applied to officers, employees and Ministerial employees as well as holders of positions in the Senior and Chief Executive Services.
   It urges the Chief Executive Officers of other public sector organisations to extend similar concessions to all employees who choose to volunteer in their organisation.

12 March, 2008
PSA goes PC over politics
The Public Service Association has changed its rules to allow it to support and take part in political campaigns.
   Long standing clauses in the PSA Constitution that prohibited it from becoming involved in party politics or donating funds to political clauses have been voted out.
   But the Association has no immediate plans to become political, the move simply intended to retrospectively legalise its involvement in the widespread union opposition to the former Federal Government’s industrial relations policies last year which threatened the Association’s existence.
   General Secretary of the PSA, John Cahill said despite the rule change, there were no plans whatsoever to become involved in party politics.
   Mr Cahill was quoted in the Australian as saying he was not going to sit idly by and watch his union cease to exist because someone said he’d breached some rule.
   "Under the current rules, we are unable to say anything good or bad about any political party and that's what's been changed," Mr Cahill said.
    He said the PSA, unlike some of its counterparts, would never affiliate with any political party, despite it now being legal to do so.
   The rule changes were passed 31 votes to 15 and followed a similar decision by the Community and Public Sector Union, which has members in the Commonwealth and some other States, to affiliate with the Australian Labor Party last year.
   The PSA has 45,000 members.

12 March, 2008
Maternity leave is motherhood issue
NSW Unions have called for maternity leave standards to be brought into line with World Health Organisation recommendations that recognise the value of mothers breast-feeding babies for the first six months of the child’s life.
   Unions NSW Deputy Assistant Secretary, Amanda Tattersall said six months universal maternity leave was the next great threshold for Australian working women.
   Ms Tattersall said the need for improved maternity leave entitlements was urgent to protect children’s health and help Australian women balance work and family.
   She said unions NSW would be making a formal submission to the Federal Government’s inquiry into Paternity and Maternity Leave, calling for the six-month maternity leave entitlement.
    “The World Health Organisation recommends that children should be breast fed for at least the first six months but the reality is that too few women can afford to take time off work without pay,” Ms Tattersall said.
   She said Australia was one of the few countries in the world that did not help women balance work and family with paid maternity leave.
   “It is time Australia takes a leadership role and sets the world’s benchmark by establishing a universal system for six months maternity leave at full rates of pay,”
Ms Tattersall said.
   “How much employers, Government and employees should contribute to such a system is matter for debate but what is important is that we take decisive steps now.”

12 March, 2008
New faces on Judges’ Judging panel
Former NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney and the Executive Director of a victims of crime support group, Martha Jabour have been appointed as community representatives to the Judicial Commission of NSW which hears complaints against Judicial Officers.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos announced the appointments saying the pair were highly respected in the law and order establishment and the community in general.
     “Together they bring decades of experience to the Judicial Commission and will help ensure it continues to carry out its works with the utmost integrity and professionalism,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said the positions of community representatives on the Commission’s Conduct Division were new and would investigate complaints made to the Commission about matters concerning the ability or behaviour of Judicial Officers.
   Mr Hatzistergos said until now, complaints had been heard by a panel of two serving Judicial Officers and a retired one but the new community representative would replace one of the serving members.
   “These appointments will strengthen public confidence in the process for dealing with complaints relating to Judicial Officers,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said a new panel was set up for each complaint and either Mr Moroney or Ms Jabour would sit on the panel as their availability dictated.
   He said the appointments of Mr Moroney and Ms Jabour would need to be approved by the Parliament, as would be the practice for all future community representatives on the Commission.
   Mr Hatzistergos said community representatives would be chosen from people who were not legally qualified or serving on the Judicial Commission, to bring a different perspective to the issue of judicial misconduct.

12 March, 2008
Job list a hit with Misses
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency has released a list of 99 organisations it claims are “Employers of Choice” for women.
   According to the Director of the Commonwealth’s EOWA Anna McPhee, the businesses on the list had moved beyond simply writing policies and providing basic flexibility.
   “For these organisations creating equity is about changing culture, changing expectations, breaking down the outdated myths about women and finally valuing the massive contribution women make to the workplace,” Ms McPhee said, “whether they are working part-time or full-time, working from home or in the office, starting their careers or nearing retirement.”
   Ms McPhee said she was looking forward to a time when there was no need for an Employer of Choice for Women List because all organisations understood that every working woman had a contribution to make to the workforce and that it made sense to embrace diversity.
   She said the average pay gap in 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women organisations was 10 per cent which was seven per cent lower than the national average but each of the organisations on the list had shown that gender pay equity had been analysed, that the gap was less than the industry average and that they were working to address any gap identified.
   She said the organisations had also shown that their recruitment and promotion processes were merit-based and transparent and they had provided training to all staff about preventing sex-based harassment in the workplace.
   Paid maternity leave was provided in all 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women organizations and despite the minimum requirement being six weeks paid maternity leave, the average provided by the listed organisations was more than 12 weeks.
   Ms McPhee said the EOCFW citation was awarded to non-Government organisations with more than 80 employees that had demonstrated that they had policies and practices that supported women across the organization. Organisations needed to apply for the citation each year.
   “All organisations should use the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women requirements to benchmark their own policies and workplace environment. If every organisation could meet this minimum standard we would be going a long way towards creating true equity for women in the Australian labour force,” Ms McPhee said.
   To see the list, visit www.eowa.gov.au

12 March, 2008
Minister explodes over petrol shortage
The Minister for Fair Trading has ordered an investigation into a recent drought of premium unleaded fuel at Sydney service stations.
   The Minister, Linda Burney, described the incident as a “scandal” and ordered Fair Trading investigators to explore the issue further.
   She said initial reports revealed a quarter of service stations had their premium unleaded petrol bowsers closed on Tuesday, the cheapest day of the week for petrol.
   She asked Fair Trading to find out how many stations and motorists were affected.
   “Fair Trading will be conducting an online survey and a phone hotline to capture consumer feedback on this important issue to identify exactly how widespread this is,” Ms Burney said.
   “I will be contacting the new Petrol Commissioner with the results of the survey and asking him to investigate this as a matter of priority when he takes up the job.”
   She said many new and imported cars, as well as older models, required premium unleaded to operate at their best.
   “It is outrageous that these car owners are being denied the price saving opportunity that other motorists can experience on a Tuesday,” she said.
   “The purchase of petrol, and indeed other fuels, is a significant expenditure for most families. In many cases it is the second biggest weekly purchase after groceries.”
   Ms Burney said the decision of the Federal Government to appoint a Petrol Commissioner was to be applauded.
   “I will be asking the Petrol Commissioner to identify if this reported availability issue is a genuine one and if it is being driven by greedy petrol companies and service station operators looking to maximise profit at the expense of their customers,” Ms Burney said.
   “Even if the increase in cars requiring higher performance petrol is causing genuine supply problems, it is beyond belief that shortages just happen to fall on the day when petrol prices are usually at their lowest and can be resolved in time for the weekly price peak.”
   Ms Burney said the survey would run for two weeks on the OFT website and responses could also be given over the phone on 13 32 20.
   The website address is www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

12 March, 2008
ICAC investigates Newcastle area
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is visiting the Newcastle area this week in its efforts to take anti-corruption initiatives and training to regions around the State.  
   The visit follows an earlier trip to the Hunter region when the Commission visited Maitland and Cessnock last November and represents a second part of its Hunter Outreach program.
   This week’s tour will include workshops and briefing sessions for State Government Agencies on corruption risks as well as cover prevention strategies.
   ICAC Commissioner, Jerrold Cripps said the outreach visit to regional and rural areas in NSW gave local Agencies the opportunity to experience hands-on corruption prevention workshops with the ICAC’s highly-skilled staff.
  “The ICAC enjoyed a very successful visit to Local Government organisations in the Hunter last November,” Commissioner Cripps said.
    “We are now looking forward to meeting with State Government Agencies in the area, and sharing some of the tools we have developed since our last general visit to the Hunter in 2002.  
   He said activities this time would include workshops on protected disclosures, corruption prevention for managers, school workshops and liaison visits to some of the Agencies in the area.  
   “The visit will also include the NSW Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler, who will speak about protected disclosures, and Police Integrity Commissioner John Pritchard,” Commissioner Cripps said.
   “Their presence will certainly enrich the experience for participants.”
   He said State Government Agencies attending the outreach activities would include the Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW Police, TAFE NSW, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Hunter Water and the Department of Primary Industries.  
   Included on the agenda was a community leaders’ breakfast hosted by Commissioner Cripps attended by about 50 people including local MPs, representatives from Government Agencies, local business people and interest groups.
   Commissioner Cripps said the ICAC outreach program had proven highly successful since it was commenced in 2001, scheduling visits to the Illawarra, New England, the Hunter, Mudgee, the Far West, the South East, the Riverina, the Central Coast, the Central West and the North Coast.

12 March, 2008
Court appointments judged unclear
The NSW Opposition has released a discussion paper calling for more transparency in the appointment of Judicial Officers.
   Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell and Shadow Attorney General, Greg Smith said the paper recommended the establishment of a Judicial Appointments Commission to ensure a fair and transparent appointments process, while at the same time guarding against politicisation of the Judiciary.
   They said decisions by Judges that seemed at odds with community standards threatened to affect public confidence in the system.
   "Attention has often focused on individual Judges and whether their decisions reflect community attitudes and expectations, particularly on bail and sentencing," Mr O’Farrell said.
   "The Commission would shortlist candidates for appointment to the Judiciary for the Attorney General.”
   He said the Commission would take into account a range of qualities for prospective Judges, including their legal skills, professionalism and personal qualities.
   He said it would also consider diversity on the bench to ensure it accurately represented the broader community.
   “This is about getting the best possible people on the bench,” Mr O'Farrell said.
   Mr Smith said the proposed Commission provided an arms length process which would help avoid the potential for politicisation of appointments.
   Copies of the discussion paper can be obtained from www.nsw.liberal.org.au

12 March, 2008
Package puts film makers in frame
A package of initiatives to attract film makers to NSW has been unveiled by the Premier, Morris Iemma.
    Mr Iemma said the package would transform the NSW film industry by slashing bureaucratic red tape and allowing movie-makers easier access to prime filming locations.  
   The Premier hoped the new arrangements would attract blockbusters to the State and reinvigorate the local film and television industry.
   “Location filming is part and parcel of a vibrant global city like Sydney,” Mr Iemma said.
   “And our country locations provide the unique settings that film and TV productions desire.”
   He said some of the biggest films of recent times, had been attracted to NSW by the local industry’s skills and resources, but costs and red tape had led to a downturn.
   “It’s true that excessive fees and complex approval processes by local Councils and some Government Agencies can drive film-makers away,” Mr Iemma said.
   “That must stop!
   “This package is a kick in the pants to all involved, with a message to get on board with this vibrant industry, which belongs right here in NSW.”
   He said some of the films that were made in NW in recent times included Star Wars, Superman Returns, Happy Feet and The Matrix Trilogy.
   “Creative media and design is one of the State’s five key sectors, and this package is about giving practical, commonsense assistance to one of our most high-profile industries,” he said.
   He said a cornerstone of the package was a requirement for Councils and Government Agencies to approve film projects unless there were compelling reasons not to.
   He said any reluctance by local players who thought it was ‘just too hard’ had to be eliminated.
   “I want Councils and Government Agencies to do everything in their power to encourage filming. I want them to remove any barriers that might stop crews from choosing Sydney or somewhere else in NSW as a location.”
   Mr Iemma said the Government would also work with the Property Council to make it easier for film-makers to access privately-owned sites.
   As part of the package, Mr iemma said he would issue a Premier’s Memorandum requiring Agencies to respond positively to film industry requests. He said a cooperative code of conduct would also be developed to ensure film makers kept local residents and businesses informed of their activities, limited disruption and cleaned up after themselves.

12 March, 2008
Powerhouse Museum powers to 20
The Powerhouse Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary on the site of the former Ultimo Power Station.
   While the name and location of the museum have changed a number of times over its 128-year history, acting Director of the Museum, Jennifer Sanders said its aim of celebrating creativity and innovation to inform and inspire audiences had remained constant.
   The Museum celebrates its anniversary at the same time as it opened its new Powerhouse Volunteers Centre in the historic Ultimo Post Office which was built in 1901.
    A significant landmark in the history of the Pyrmont/Ultimo precinct, the Post Office has been restored and will now be home to about 150 Powerhouse volunteers.
   The Minister for Volunteering, Linda Burney, formally opened the Centre, saying she was impressed to find out that from 2006 to 2007 over 250 volunteers worked for the
Museum and contributed over 27,000 hours of work.
   “This is a major benefit, not just to the Museum but to our society,” Ms Burney said.
   “While arts organisations do not attract the greatest number of volunteers compared to other organisations, their people do volunteer the most time,” she said.
   Ms Sanders said the Museum acquired the heritage-listed Post Office on the corner of Harris and William Henry Streets, after it closed in 1985.
   She said the anniversary and the Volunteers Centre were examples of work the Museum did outside its boundaries.
    “We are celebrating our 20 year presence and achievements on this site today, however the Museum’s work goes far beyond this precinct,” Ms Sanders said.
   “It was only a year ago to this day that the Museum opened The Powerhouse Discovery
Centre, its offsite accessible collection facility at Castle Hill and focus for the Museum’s regional NSW projects.
   “This year also marks 150 years of Sydney Observatory – Australia’s oldest observatory in The Rocks – also run by the Powerhouse Museum.”

12 March, 2008
Code of Conduct for JP’s Ps and Qs
A code of conduct for Justices of the Peace has been proposed by Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the code would apply to the State’s 84,000 registered JPs and could see some of them struck off if found guilty of misbehaviour.
   He said the code would be in place and operating before July this year.
    “Recent reports have seen a number of JP’s exploiting their office for personal gain,” Mr Hatzistergos said, “and demonstrating a lack of integrity in the performance of their duties.
   “While most JPs are upstanding citizens, it is important that their reputations are not being besmirched by those who engage in misconduct.”
   He said 22 JP’s had been stripped of their office in the past two years for illegal actions, dishonest conduct or bankruptcy.
   He said the new code would;
   * Prohibit the charging fees
   * Ensuring JPs did not profit from their office
   * Reinforce the need to maintain confidentiality
   * Cover requirements to notify certain information to the Attorney General’s Department.
   He said it would also establish guidelines for the general conduct of JPs.
   “Over the last 12 months, 90 JPs have come to attention for not following correct procedures when certifying statutory declarations or certifying documents,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said the code of conduct could also include a JP’s handbook and a series of fact sheets for JPs and for members of the public.

12 March, 2008
Police to get more computer power
NSW Police are to be given new powers to seize entire computer networks in the war against child pornography and terror.
   Police Minister David Campbell announced that legislation was to be introduced to NSW Parliament empowering authorities to search networked computers where criminals might have hidden incriminating material.
   Currently, police are able to search only computers found in homes and offices named in a search warrant.
   Mr Campbell said he his advice from the police was that an increasing number of criminals were using computer networks to commit crimes and conceal them and this had led him to explore the possibility of strengthening police powers.
   "Under these proposed new powers, police would be able to go beyond computers located in criminals' homes and offices and infiltrate networked computers where criminals have hidden incriminating material," Mr Campbell was reported as saying.
   "With these extended powers, police would be able to go a step further, accessing and searching other networked computers regardless of their physical location."
   Mr Campbell said the police would have seven days to search the seized hardware.
   He said this allowed them time to decode encrypted information.
   The new legislation would ensure police kept pace with changing technology, he said.
   "Organised crime operations and paedophile rings are using sophisticated techniques to perpetrate and conceal their crimes," Mr Campbell said.

12 March, 2008
Anti-violence law is Women’s Day gift
Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos marked International Women's Day with the introduction of new domestic violence laws designed to protect victims and prosecute attackers.
   Mr Hatzistergos said until the new law, police could only charge domestic violence offenders with general assault but now there would be a specific charge.
   He said the new laws allowed police to name and shame offenders by ensuring a black mark against their name.
   “Should a transgression occur,” Mr Hatzistergos said, “those people will be able to be dealt with on the basis that they have a history of a specific domestic violence offence as opposed to a generic offence.”
   He said the next time they came before a Judge or Magistrate, the fact they had already committed domestic violence would be clear.
   Mr Hatzistergos said that as well as the new law, services designed to eliminate domestic violence and support victims were receiving increased funding.
   He said a four-year, $40 million package had been developed that increased assistance to prevent domestic violence, support victims and prosecute perpetrators.
   “That doesn't mean to say the Government doesn't recognise there is a need to do more,” he said.
   "The package, in fact, involves the delivery of more than $2 million in new funds every year to support partnerships with non-Government organisations."

12 March, 2008
SCAMwatch keeps eye on scammers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has upgraded its SCAMwatch website to help people recognise and protect themselves from scams.
   The Commission announced the changes during the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce’s Fraud Fortnight.
   It published “mock” scams and examples of real scams on its SCAMwatch website to educate consumers about the elements of common scams and the warning signs to look out for. SCAMwatch lists a range of the different types of scams reaching consumers, and provides practical advice and information about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
   Deception scams were the focus of the second week of the Fraud Fortnight campaign.
   According to the Chairman of the ACCC, Graeme Samuel, deception scams involved criminals pretending to be from legitimate companies and requesting information that would allow them to profit from their fraud.
   “Most people think they can spot a scam a mile away, but unfortunately scammers are very good at what they do,” Mr Samuel said. “They rely on consumers letting their guard down.”
   He said most scams relied on looking or sounding like genuine offers. They could be very hard to spot, and were very good at making the consumer think they had something to lose.
   He said it was easy to panic when you were unexpectedly contacted by someone who sounded official, particularly if they said money was at risk.
   “But organisations, like financial institutions and banks, don’t contact you out of the blue requesting your personal details and other information.
   “If this happens to you, don’t provide your details.”
   Mr Samuel said many scams originated overseas or took place over the internet which made them very difficult to track down and prosecute.
   “One of the best ways to combat this kind of fraud is to help people take the steps to prevent being caught out in the first place.
   “If consumers lose money to a scam, it is unlikely that they will ever recover it.”
   He said SCAMwatch and Fraud Fortnight aimed at helping consumers avoid scams in the first place – “and prevention is definitely a better option.”
   Throughout the Fraud Fortnight campaign which ended on 8 March, consumers were given crucial and simple precautions to help arm themselves and protect their hard-earned money and their identity.
   To find out more about how scams work and how to be protected from them, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or call SCAMwatch on 1300 795 995.

12 March, 2008
Development grants to build fences
The Community Relations Commission has opened its 2008-09 Community Development Grants Program.
   The Commission is calling for expressions of interest from non-profit organisations seeking funding for community projects anywhere in the State.
   According to the selection criteria, projects must address one or more of the following priority areas for funding:
   * emerging or small ethnic communities;
   * geographically or socially isolated communities;
   * promotion of harmony and understanding between and within culturally different communities;
   * development of community networks and structures, and
   * projects addressing issues of cultural diversity at the local level.
   According to the Commission, projects may include the promotion of cultural expression, enhancement of community development or capital purchases.
   “The Commission may fund minor capital works of eligible organisations where the organisation can demonstrate it has the funds to complete the project within 12 months of receipt of a grant,” the Commission said.
   “Applicants must be a non-profit sharing legal entity with the proposed project conducted in New South Wales.’
   The commission will accept one-page expressions of interest on the prescribed form by 28 March.
   Copies of the form can be downloaded from the Commission’s website www.crc.nsw.gov.au

12 March, 2008
IPAA extension
Early Bird registration for the 2008 National Conference of the Institute of Public Administration Australia has been extended to 28 March.
   The Conference will be held on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June 2008, in the Crystal Palace Convention Centre at Sydney's Luna Park.
   The featured speaker is Jocelyne Bourgon, Canada’s Ambassador to the OECD from 2003 to 2007.
   Bookings for the conference can be made at www.nsw.ipaa.org.au

Support for walkers
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has encouraged all Agencies to support the Pedestrian Council of Australia’s Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 2 May.
   DPC has issued a Circular saying the worthwhile initiative should, be backed by Government Agencies involved in Education, Local Government, Health, Roads and Transport, Environment and Police.
   Walk Safely to School Day is also supported by the Federal and Local Governments.

Tribunal open
The Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) is to hold free information sessions and open days for the general public to shed light on its activities and the dispute resolution process. 
   An information session will be held at Armidale on 18 March and a series of open days at Penrith, Sydney and Wollongong during Law week which runs from 30 march to 5 April.    More information is available from CTTT's Communication and Education Unit on (02) 9641 6440 or by email at CommEdCTTT@cttt.nsw.gov.au

Consumer rights
Amendments to the Consumer Claims Act would ensure consumers and suppliers had clearer rights and a fairer balance when it came to dispute resolution over consumer claims. 
   Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney said the amendments, which have now commenced, followed a review of the Act and lengthened the time limit in which a claim could be lodged at the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) to three years from a problem arising, not three years from the date of purchase as was the case beforehand.
   Ms Burney said an absolute time limit of 10 years from date of purchase would apply for consumers to commence action.

Firies hot stuff
Glen Innes Fire Station has been declared Champion in the NSW Fire Brigades North Regional Firefighters Championships.
   Port Macquarie came second and Dorrigo third after two days of competition.
   For the first time the Championships included a rescue event which tested the firefighters abilities including rope skills and steel cutting.
   The next round of the Championships will be held in Mudgee in April.

Consultant awarded
IT consultant, EDS has won the 2008 Excellence in Security Award from Microsoft.
   The award recognises industry leaders for the planning, implementation and management of security programs that significantly improve their company’s security posture.
   The company, which is plays a prominent role in many in Government Agencies took out the honour for its business-oriented approach, global scope, customer-focused solutions, advanced security practices and demonstrated leadership.

Police go mega
NSW Police are to lead a newly created mega Crime Prevention Partnership to address crime problems in inner Sydney.
    Local Area Commands will join with Government Agencies and the Sydney City Council to share information and investigate strategies to reduce crime.
   Assistant Police Commissioner Catherine Burn said the strategies to be considered included transport services, the opening hours of food outlets, the use of plastic cups in problem venues, the operating hours of licensed premises and the use of new powers to close problem premises.

Call for music teachers
 Nominations for the 2008 National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education are now open.
   The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard announced the awards saying they were in their second year and were intended to raise the status of music education in Australian schools.
   Thirteen teachers and school leaders across the country would be recognised for outstanding contributions to music education, each award winner to receive $5,000.
   Nominations close on 8 April 2008.

Corruption prevention awards
The Corruption Prevention Network is to present its annual awards on 11 September in Sydney.
   Nominations have been called for two categories:
   * Corruption prevention tool or technique; and
   * Corruption prevention program
    A Nomination Guide contains further information about the awards which close Friday 11 July 2008. The Guide can be downloaded from www.corruptionprotection.net

5 March, 2008
Pinkie Award Shows Size Doesn’t Count
The NSW Centre for Road Safety’s innovative “Pinkie” campaign has won a top national advertising award.
   Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal congratulated the Centre on its achievement for the Speeding. No One Thinks Big of You campaign.
   “Little Pinkie has become one of the most successful anti-speeding campaigns ever in NSW,” Mr Roozendaal said.
   “This campaign has got the community and young people talking and thinking about speeding – that’s the first crucial step in getting young drivers to slow down.”
   He said the campaign was about saving lives, not pride, and if it “dented a few egos” but helped save a life, it was worth it.
   The award was presented by the advertising journal AdNews, a national, fortnightly publication now in its 80th year.
   Mr Roozendaal said the internationally-recognised road safety campaign was praised for its high impact and strong cut-through with young males.
   He said the industry judging panel also commended “No One Thinks Big of You” and the “Pinkie” gesture for bringing the wider community on side in the drive to make speeding socially unacceptable.
   Latest research had shown that the campaign message - that speeding was not cool - had achieved 96 per cent awareness with young males.
   “The campaign continues to engage the young audience with significant increases in the numbers finding it convincing and believable,” Mr Roozendaal said.
   “Perhaps most revealing was that 61 per cent of young males surveyed believe the campaign was powerful enough to make them think about their own driving behavior,” he said.
   “With this particular audience, that’s no small feat.”
   He said the innovative, effective and now award-winning campaign was typical of the new road safety solutions coming out of the RTA’s new NSW Centre for Road Safety.”

5 March, 2008
Health Body Dishes Out Bad Medicine
Governments across Australia have been criticised by the Public Health Association for allegedly suppressing academic information and research data.
   CEO of the Association, Michael Moore said recent magazine articles identified instances of bureaucratic and political censorship of public health research that should have been available to the Australian public.
   He said The Medical Observer used a front page story to review an article on censorship of academic research after the original article was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Mr Moore said the article identified the practice of bureaucratic and political censorship of public health research.
   According to the PHAA, a survey conducted by the School of Population Health at the University of Western Australia, found that not one State or Territory in Australia was exempt from the practice of suppressing public health information.
   It found the practice included Governments working to “delay”, “prohibit” or “sanitise” publication of public health research in a move to conceal embarrassing information.
   “This sort of suppression is not so much a political issue as it is a bureaucratic one, making the matter even more insidious,” Mr Moore said.
   “To curb information so that it does not reach the public is simply undemocratic.”
   “How can the public understand the importance of prevention in improving health outcomes if research is withheld from them?”
   He said the report was based on a 2006 survey that was issued to more than 300 academics across 17 institutions.
   It found that since 2001, 142 acts of suppression had been carried out with 85 personally experienced by Australian public health researchers.
   Government Agencies were reported as successful in hindering or preventing research publications 87 per cent of the time while affecting the entire research process.
   Mr Moore said researchers deemed this to be due to their work focusing primarily on the downfalls in health services, and the attention brought to environmental health risks and the health status of vulnerable groups.
   He said measures needed to be taken to maintain the reliability of public health research undertaken with Government involvement.
   “Government attitudes need to change to ensure a more accurately informed public,” Mr Moore said.
   “There is no doubt that better, more open decisions will be made where full, unsanitised information is available concerning imminent public health issues,” he said.

5 March, 2008
Women’s Day Is No Secret Business
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular encouraging Departments and Agencies to recognise and celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March.
   Circular C2008-05 says International Women’s Day is a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world.
   “Agencies are urged to promote International Women’s Day and to encourage staff to attend International Women’s Day functions,” it says.
   It says the 2008 theme for the day is 100 years of active women in paid and unpaid work, recognising the contribution women in NSW had made towards improving workplaces and working conditions “as well as their tireless volunteering work which has contributed to the growth of more vibrant and robust communities.”
   The Circular says International Women’s Day was also a day to acknowledge that women still faced disadvantages in a range of areas.
   “As part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day NSW Government Ministers, Local Members and members of the public have nominated a woman from their community for the NSW Woman of the Year award.”
   The winner will be announced at a Premier’s reception to mark the day.
   It says there will be a number of events across NSW to celebrate the day including a fund-raising breakfast in Sydney for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) which attracts about 1500 guests annually.
   “A list of events, relevant information and promotional material can be found at www.women.nsw.gov.au/WhatsNew/iwd.htm.”
   The Circular also directs readers to the publication Our Commitment to Women which outlines the Government’s achievements and plans to support and enhance the quality of life of women in NSW. The publication was produced by the Department’s Office for Women and can be accessed from www.women.nsw.gov.au.

5 March, 2008
New Prescription for Health System
Australia’s Health Ministers have agreed on the need to build and report on a comprehensive set of performance measures across the entire national health system.
   In a communiqué issued at the end of a conference last week, the Ministers said they agreed on the need for reciprocal public performance reporting, as well as priorities for immediate reform.
   They said the first priority would be to improve the experience for people using health services.
   This would mean bringing the different aspects of the system together so that hospitals, ambulatory care, primary health care and care in the community had clear funding, role delineations, paths of engagement and transition and were able to continually improve their uses of the workforce and technology.
   Another priority, they said, would be to build new models of care based on conditions arising from the ageing population, chronic disease and long-term conditions.
   They said there would be a refocusing of the system on prevention and an expansion of services for mothers and young children, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
   The Ministers said they would work together to build the health workforce Australia needed for the future and develop the next generation of leaders to drive health system reform into the future.
   The Communiqué said the Conference also decided on a range of issues to be included in a new Australian Health Care Agreement to take the pressure off hospitals by keeping people well and avoiding hospital admissions. It said the key elements of health reform would be to bring together the various aspects of the system and ensure delivery services were well coordinated.
   The Health Ministers also agreed the next AHCA would be expanded beyond public hospitals.
   During the conference, Ministers discussed national registration and agreed on the need to take urgent action. They agreed to write to the Prime Minister as Chair of the Council of Australian Governments seeking finalisation of the national scheme.
   The Ministers said their decisions would go a long way towards building a more patient-focused health system, with real results for working families.

5 March, 2008
Police Training Is Beyond Blue Line
Police officers from the Eastern Beaches, Penrith and Tuggerah Lakes Commands have completed an intensive training course, equipping them with the skills to deal with people with a mental illness or disability.
   The course, which involved 21 officers, followed the formation of the joint Police/NSW Health Mental Health Intervention Team last year.
   The program was initiated by Deputy Police Commissioner, Field Operations, Dave Owens, together with Superintendent Dave Donohue, and Dr Kevin Wolfenden from NSW Health and was based on research of mental health intervention and policing in the United States. It is part of a two-year pilot.
   Deputy commissioner Owens said an inspector, a sergeant and five constables or senior constables from each of the Commands undertook the training, which will be extended to a further 100 officers in the coming months.
    He said the work of the officers would be monitored and evaluated independently by Charles Sturt University and if successful, the program would be rolled out State-wide.
   Deputy Commissioner Owens said NSW Police responded to more than 20,000 incidents involving mentally-ill people in the past year alone and until now, did not have the specialised skills or knowledge to deal with them.
   "This project is about reducing risks to both Police and mental health consumers,” Deputy Commissioner Owens said, “about promoting awareness among Police Officers when dealing with mentally-ill people and improving co-operation between Police and health agencies in mental health incidents.
   "By doing this we can also reduce the time spent by frontline Police in dealing with mental health incidents and ensure mental health consumers are passed into the health care system without delay where appropriate."
    He said the training the officers received would help them make quick assessments of situations to determine if a person needed to be taken into health care.
  "In Memphis, USA, where this program has been running for 20 years, the rate of injury to Police Officers and mental health consumers has dropped dramatically with non-criminal incidents being referred directly to health agencies rather than being dealt with by frontline Police.”
   He said the Officers who completed the training program would wear special badges above their name tag, alerting members of the public, mental health consumers and health professionals that they had received the special mental health training.

5 March, 2008
Light Rail Making Tracks in City
The Department of Planning has been presented with a proposal to extend the current light rail network from Central Station to Circular Quay.
   Metro Transport Sydney submitted the proposal which it said would give travellers a clean, green and efficient way to cross the city and overcome existing problems of traffic congestion and pollution.
   Chief Executive of Metro Transport, Kevin Warrell, said demand for travel into Sydney’s Central Business District had reached a point where car traffic was chaotic and existing bus and rail modes were failing to cope.
   He said they were affected by gridlock, overcrowding and service breakdowns that caused disruption.
   Metro Transport had operated the existing light rail system from Central Station since August 1997.
   “Experience from Europe and North America suggests that introducing a CBD light rail system will not only increase land values but would also increase retail business and revitalise the city,” Mr Warrell said.
    “We expect that catching a tram through the CBD to Circular Quay and back will be a very popular way to travel.”
   He said light rail would provide a fast, reliable and clean mode of transport for commuters, residents and visitors, and if the proposal was accepted, some bus routes into the city would be modified and congestion in the CBD would be reduced.
   “We estimate about 40,000 people will use the tram every day.”
   He said the proposal would also mean cost savings on rail and bus networks for the State Government, as well as providing the infrastructure to further extend the service to the east, west and south, ultimately creating an inner city transport network.
   Mr Warrell estimated the cost of extending the rail at $180 million and said it would take 18 months to build.
   It would utilise 13 state-of-the-art trams capable of carrying 200 passengers each, running from 6am until midnight every day and every 2.5 minutes in peak hours.
   He said it would include a new high quality interchange between buses and trams at Central Station as well as joint ticketing with buses and trains for a seamless interchange.
   Mr Warrell said extending the rail to Circular Quay might not be the end of the matter.
    “We see the extension of the current light rail service from Central to the Circular Quay as the beginning of a comprehensive inner city light rail system which could ultimately service Bondi, Uni of NSW and Green Square as well as Parramatta Road.”
   He said he had suggested to the Department two options for extending the line - one along George street and the other along Castlereagh Street.
   Mr Warrell said Metro Transport Sydney preferred the George Street route.

5 March, 2008
Sydney Branded With No. 1 Award Again
The City of Sydney has been voted "the number one city brand in the world" once again in the annual Anholt City Brands Index.
   Premier, Morris Iemma welcomed the honour saying there were “plenty of reasons” why Sydney took out the No. 1 ranking ahead of London, Paris, Rome and New York.
   "Sydney has shown that it is not just a great tourist destination, it is truly a global city,” Mr Iemma said, “ranked top of the class for beauty, climate and friendliness.”
   He said the index also found that Sydney was seen as one of the top three cities for employment and business opportunity.
  "This vote of confidence in our city is a great credit to Sydneysiders and the local tourism industry as well as the public amenities of transport, schools and hospitals.
   "While there is more work to be done, the people of NSW have much to be proud of in the high quality services being delivered everyday across NSW.”
   He said winning the title for a second time confirmed independently what he already knew – “Sydney is a truly great city of which we can all be proud."
Mr Iemma said Sydney's number one position wasn't a fluke.
   Author of the index report, Simon Anholt said Sydney was seen as a modern, globalised city with very good infrastructure and economic potential, as well as being culturally diverse.
   "It is no exaggeration to say that Sydney is as close to having a ‘perfect place brand' as any city can have,” Mr Anholt said.
   He said 40 cities were assessed for the index, which surveyed more than 10,300 people in 20 countries.
   Entrepreneur and co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Peter Holmes a Court said the great thing about Sydney was that it has it all: “a business culture that takes on the world, a sporting culture second to none and a lifestyle that is the envy of the world".
   The Anholt City Brands Index report can be accessed at www.business.nsw.gov.au

5 March, 2008
Big Splash for Water at Green Awards
Sydney Water has won two awards in the annual Green Globe Awards for environmental sustainability.
   The awards are supported by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
   Sydney Water’s $45 million portfolio of renewable energy projects won the Energy Award and its Best Practice Guidelines for Water Conservation in Commercial Office Buildings and Shopping Centres received a Water Award.
   Managing Director of Sydney Water, Kerry Schott said the organisation was an industry leader in sustainability and being successful in two awards demonstrated its commitment to the environment.
    “Sydney Water took home the Energy Award for its renewable energy projects that will reduce Sydney Water’s energy use by 20 per cent, saving approximately 85,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year,” Dr Schott said.
   “Eight new renewable energy plants are being constructed at Sydney Water sites, in addition to three cogeneration plants already operating at North Head, Cronulla and Wollongong sewage treatment plants.”
   She said all eight plants would be completed by July 2010.
   “This program is just the start,” Dr Schott said. “Sydney Water will be 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2020.
   She said Sydney Water received the Water Award for creating a practical tool to assist owners and managers of commercial office buildings and shopping centres save water and money.
   “The Guidelines set benchmarks for water use in commercial buildings and shopping centres. They explain how to implement water conservation projects and provide advice on alternative water sources.’
   She said a Water Saving Checklist was provided to identify water saving opportunities.
   "The benchmarks enable building managers to assess how their sites perform compared to similar organisations; and to prioritise water saving opportunities.”
   The Green Globe Awards recognise achievement in environmental sustainability and winners are selected by a panel of judges who are experts in the fields of water, energy and sustainability.

5 March, 2008
Ambassadors Drink to Seniors’ Week
The Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, has announced that 21 well-known and popular Australian musicians, performers and community leaders would be the faces of Seniors Week which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
   Ms Keneally said Seniors Week, which is organised by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, would run from 6 to 13 April 2008 and would feature 700 events across the State.
   She said household names such as Ita Buttrose, Kamahl and Lorraine Bayly were among the ambassadors who would share their stories, attend events and play an important role in promoting the Week and the valuable contribution that seniors make to NSW communities.
   "Several of the 2008 Seniors Week ambassadors will also feature in the ‘in Conversation series’,” Ms Keneally said, “where seniors will get the opportunity to talk closely with the ambassadors and ask them their burning questions."
    She introduced Ms Buttrose as one of the 50th Seniors Week Ambassadors saying she had carved out an illustrious career in print, radio and television media and was the youngest-ever editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
   Ms Buttrose said Seniors Week was a chance to celebrate the wisdom and knowledge of older Australians most of whom were proudly young at heart.
   “Nothing annoys me more than to see 60-something people described as ‘elderly’,” Ms Buttrose said, “especially as no one in their 60s even thinks of themselves as old!
   She said today’s Seniors were pioneers in changing community attitudes to ageing and refused to accept age in the way their parents did.
   Ms Keneally said up to 250,000 people attended Seniors Week events, including the Premier’s Gala Concerts as well as local community activities, many of which have received Government funding.
   "Senior’s Week is a great program – one of the biggest senior’s events in the southern hemisphere," Ms Keneally said.
   "Free event programs will be available online and at local registered clubs from mid-March and I encourage all seniors to pick up a copy and find out what’s planned in their area."
   The 21 Ambassadors are: Ron Barr who won a NSW Seniors Week Achievement Award in 2007; actress, Lorraine Bayly; photojournalist Mervyn Bishop; Ms Buttrose; Northern beaches volunteer Maggie Chaseling; long-time community volunteer Daryll Cook; radio journalist Bruce Elder; social worker Judith Green; actress, singer and dancer Nancye Hayes; Kamahl; counselor Petrea King; country music singer Jimmy Little; winemaker Brian McGuigan; Aboriginal elder Chicka Madden; sports announcer Norman May; pioneer women’s surfer Phyllis O’Donnell; gardening presenter Graham Ross; nutritionist Rosemary Stanton; actors Henri Szeps and Stuart Wagstaff; and trainer Pat Woodley.
   For more information about seniors week, visit www.nswseniorsweek.com.au from 10 March.

5 March, 2008
Women Score Sports Course
A course aimed at encouraging Indigenous women to become more involved in sport is to be conducted in June under the Aboriginal Women’s Sport Leadership Program.
   An aim of the program is to urge more Aboriginal women to take up leadership roles in sport and improve the gender balance in the often male-dominated sports industry.
   According to Donna Coady, from NSW Sport and Recreation, the Program is a comprehensive training initiative, uniquely tailored to give participants the tools they need to succeed in the sport and recreation industry.
   “Despite the strong role Aboriginal women play in their communities, there are far too few involved in managerial, administration, coaching and officiating positions,” Ms Coady said.
   “We hope this course will help redress that imbalance.”
   She said increasing the number of Aboriginal women in leadership roles would help make sporting environments more appealing to a broader range of Aboriginal people.
   The four-day program will be held in Sydney from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 June and will help participants build a supportive network of fellow women in sport as well as develop the skills and knowledge needed to help them perform in leadership roles with confidence.
   A former participant in the Program said she received a great deal of support from the staff and other participants.
   “Being exposed to such a wide variety of experience and knowledge was very helpful to me,” the woman said.
   Ms Coady said the program represented a valuable development opportunity open to all Aboriginal women in NSW who were sports administrators, managers, board or executive committee members, regional coordinators, development officers or who filled other roles which had the potential to impact positively on their chosen sport.
   More information and enrolment details were available from NSW Sport and Recreation on (02) 4926 1633.

5 March, 2008
Scholarship Blossoms for Parks Supervisor
A Parks Supervisor with the Wagga Wagga City Council has been named the winner of the 2008 Riverina Institute of TAFE Scholarship.
   Adrian Podmore has worked for the Council for 28 years and as Parks Supervisor has 10 full time staff to support him.
   According to the head of the Institute’s Wagga Wagga Campus, a scholarship is awarded each year to an employee of the Council, providing the recipient with enrolment in the course of their choice for one year.
   “Adrian intends to enrol in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment,” Ms Green said.
   She said Mr Podmore was a former TAFE graduate who completed a horticulture apprenticeship and Diploma of Horticulture at the Primary Industries Centre in 2005. He also has a regular gardening talkback segment on ABC Radio on Saturdays which has been running for eight years.
   Ms Green said while the scholarship provided a Council employee with the chance to undertake further study, a reciprocal scholarship with the Council allowed another graduate to undertake a sponsored overseas study tour.
   “We enjoy working co-operatively with Wagga Wagga City Council for the benefit of the City of Wagga Wagga,” Ms Green said.
   The Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Kerry Pascoe, said the relationship between the Council and the TAFE was mutually beneficial for building skills, networking communication, shared learning and investing in employees.

5 March, 2008
Associations Join Club On Law Changes
Public comment has been invited on proposals to change the law on Associations.
   Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney chose an Australian Football registration day to urge parents to get involved with their children’s sporting clubs and to comment on the planned new laws which would affect all clubs, large and small.
    “The Government appreciates that so many associations undertaking important work within their communities are small and do not have the same financial concerns, nor the resources, to deliver complex reporting requirements,” Ms Burney said.
   “The reforms contained in the exposure draft Bill will strengthen current laws under which associations are run and provide increased consumer protection for association members.”
   She said there were about 40,000 incorporated associations in NSW.
   “Associations whose annual turnover exceeds $200,000 will now be required to have audited financial statements,” Ms Burney said.
   “The new reforms will ensure that larger associations hold greater accountability to their members and that members will have greater surety about the financial stability of their association.” 
   She said hardworking members of associations had a right to feel confident they were operating at an optimal level and were being managed properly.
    “On the other hand, the proposals recommend a number of changes that will keep it as simple as possible for small associations, including not having to have their accounts audited.”
   She said the proposed reforms would modernise the process of running an association and staff of the Office of Fair Trading would conduct consultation meetings with key stakeholders until the end of March to discuss the proposed reforms. 
   Details of the intended changes were on the OFT website www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au and the exposure draft could be made obtained by calling 13 32 20. Submissions close Friday 11 April 2008.
   The General Manager of NSW/ACT for the AFL, Dale Holmes said the proposed changes would be good for associations.
   “The changes will mean that the smaller clubs with minimal resources… will find it easier to operate, while for the larger ones there will be greater rigour in their reporting and accountability to their members,” Mr Holmes said.

5 March, 2008
Re-Offending Trends Shown the Right Path
A new technique for monitoring trends in the re-offending rates of juvenile and adult offenders is to be used to assess Government efforts in reducing re-offending under the State Plan.
   Developed by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the new technique is said to be superior to that used by other researchers and will also be used to place high-risk offenders on programs to reduce their re-offending.
   “The traditional approach to monitoring re-offending simply looks at trends in the proportion of offenders reconvicted or re-imprisoned,” a statement from BOCSAR said.
   “The Productivity Commission uses this approach when comparing the effectiveness of State and Territory criminal justice systems.”
   It said the weakness in that approach was that changes in reconviction or re-imprisonment rates sometimes reflected nothing more than changes in the profile of offenders coming before the Courts.
   “Younger offenders, for example, are more likely to re-offend than older offenders.
   “If more young people are brought to court, the reconviction rate may rise, even if Government efforts to reduce re-offending are successful.
   The Bureau said to get around this problem it had developed a formula that predicted the rate of reconviction using information on the offender such as his or her age, offence, number of concurrent offences, gender and prior criminal record.
   “By comparing the predicted rate of reconviction with the actual rate of reconviction, the Bureau is able to tell whether Government efforts to reduce re-offending are succeeding or failing.
   “A higher than expected rate of reconviction signals failure. A lower than expected rate of reconviction signals success.”
   Application of the formula revealed no change in re-offending among adult offenders between 2003 and 2004 but a slight reduction in re-offending among juvenile offenders between 2002 and 2004.
   It also revealed that adult offenders were far less likely to re-offend than juvenile offenders as less than a third of adult offenders were reconvicted within two years while the corresponding figure for juvenile offenders was about 60 per cent.

5 March, 2008
Water Babies Book Making Waves
A collection of writing and art about water from children from across the Murray-Darling Basin has been published by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission under its Special Forever educational program.
   Federal Minister for Water, Senator Penny Wong, launched Liquid Gold, the culmination of a year’s work, in Canberra recently.
   Senator Wong said the words and pictures in Liquid Gold provided adults with a timely reminder of the gravity of the challenges facing the Murray-Darling Basin.
   “The poetry, prose and paintings in this book tell the story of the impact that water shortages are having on the environment and the families of these children,” Senator Wong said.
   “Their work reminds us that climate change and water shortages are intergenerational challenges and we must take action to prepare Australia for the future.”
   Special Forever is an award-winning educational program that allows children to learn about the ecological and natural resources systems that are such a big part of their lives.
   The launch was hosted by MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik; President of the Primary English Teaching Association Margery Hertzberg and the Principal of Canberra’s Ainslie Primary School Jo Padgham, where the collection was launched.
   Some of the children read out their published works to Senator Wong and their art work decorated the school.
   Dr Craik said the Special Forever program aimed to give children a sense of belonging and pride in the Basin, a greater discussion of the Basin in schools and families and a greater awareness of the topography, land use, cultural heritage and flora and fauna of the Basin.
   Copies of Liquid Gold are available from the MDBC by calling (02) 6279 0434 or emailing info@mdbc.gov.au

5 March, 2008
More Work Needed for Safer Workplaces
A Comparative Performance Monitoring report on Australia’s occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation outcomes in 2005-06 has been endorsed by State and Territory Workplace Relations Ministers.
   According to the Ministers, the report reveals Australia was taking steps in the right direction, but more needed to be done to make the nation’s workplaces safer.
   Key findings in the report include:
   * Australia recorded 231 compensated fatalities in 2005-06, of which 184 were from injury and musculoskeletal disorders and 47 were from other diseases.
   * more than 114,000 inspections of workplaces were undertaken around Australia with 67,200 notices issued.
   * more than 900 prosecutions were commenced and almost $23 million in fines were handed out by the courts.  
   * body Stressing continues to be the injury/disease that accounted for the greatest proportion of claims (42 per cent).
   * Australian workers’ compensation schemes expended more than $5.7 billion, of which around half (52 per cent) was paid direct to injured workers in compensation for their injury or illness.
   * The manufacturing industry recorded the highest incidence/claim rates per 1000 employees (28.6), followed by: transport and storage (28.3); agriculture, forestry and fishing (25.9); and construction (25.3).  
   * 80 per cent of injured workers successfully returned to work within eight to 10 months of sustaining their injury.
   The Comparative Performance Monitoring report was complemented by the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics, which provided more detailed analysis of national workers’ compensation data.
   The Compendium series can be found at www.ascc.gov.au.  The CPM report series can be found at www.workplace.gov.au/cpm

5 March, 2008
New Deal for Old at Planning Dept
A restructure at the Department of Planning is expected to enhance heritage conservation and management in NSW.
   The Department issued a statement saying the former NSW Heritage Office was absorbed into the Department in March 2006 and the restructure will see staff integrated into the Department's development assessment, plan-making, strategic planning and policy teams.
   The Department said the move would elevate consideration of heritage matters into the heart of the Department's core activities.
   “The Heritage Council of NSW, of course, continued to function as a statutory body to provide advice on heritage matters to the Minister,” the statement said.
   According to the Department, heritage experts will now be placed within teams assessing new environmental planning instruments and development proposals – “rather than being outside those teams which was previously the case.”  
   “This will improve integrated outcomes and, by streamlining internal processes, assist in timely Departmental service delivery.”
   The Heritage Council would continue to be served by a stand-alone unit, which would include among its duties the management of State Heritage List.
   The department said the changes meant existing heritage staff would continue to undertake heritage work and there would be no forced or voluntary redundancies.
   “Furthermore, the Department is committed to the continuing use of the former Heritage Office's headquarters in the State heritage-listed former King's school at Marist Place, Parramatta.
   “Departmental staff from a range of divisions, including former Heritage Office staff, will continue to use this facility.
   The Department said by doing this it was illustrating its support for heritage adaptive re-use principles as well as supporting jobs in western Sydney.

5 March, 2008
Gaming police
The NSW Police Games are being held at Blacktown until Sunday 9 March.
   Officially launched by Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione the games have atrtracted enatranst from the Police Force, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW Ambulance, Customs, the Department of Corrective Services, Australian Protective Services, State Emergency Services, Sheriff's Department, Rural Fire Service, Australian Federal Police, Blacktown City Council and the Police Credit Union.    

PSA confers
Applications to attend the 2008 Annual Conference of the Public Service Association of NSW will be accepted until 24 April.
   They can be made on nomination forms available from the Association’s website www.psa.labor.net.au

Wharf in pier review
Kurraba Road Wharf is the latest to be repaired in NSW Maritime’s three-year program to upgrade ferry wharves to high standards and greater safety.
   NSW Maritime CEO Chris Oxenbould said the work at Kurraba Rd cost $7,500 and included replacement of the wharf’s pile shields. It was closed for a day while the repairs were undertaken.
   NSW Maritime has taken responsibility for all Sydney Harbour commuter ferry wharves, many of which were previously run by local Councils.
   NSW Maritime will spend more than $11 million on Sydney Harbour wharves this financial year.

OFT into gutters
The Office of Fair Trading has responded to public comment and called a meeting of industry representatives to discuss the issue of non-compliant household guttering.
   Minister, Linda Burney said statistics and information held by OFT did not support claims there was a problem but the meeting should clarify “once and for all” if any action is required.

Nuclear stand-off
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has requested further information on the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s application to modify the reactor fuel design and to restart operation of Australia’s only nuclear reactor at Sydney’s Lucas Heights.
   The reactor has been shut down for seven months following the partial displacement of some fuel plates and cannot recommence operation with the modified fuel until regulatory approval is granted by the CEO of ARPANSA, Dr John Loy.

Book is a bad weed
The Department of Primary Industries has co-published a manual for the eradication and suppression of alligator weed with the Commonwealth.
   The manual draws on 30 years of research and practice is the most comprehensive guide to the eradication and suppression of the weed currently available.
   Alligator weed has been classified as a Weed of National Significance because of its invasiveness, capacity to spread and ability to tolerate herbicides.

Book prizes for writers
The Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW is running a writing competition among schools to be judged in Law Week.
   Entitled “Say No to Discrimination Now” the competition is aimed at spreading the message about the importance of treating everyone fairly.
   Students from years K-2 to 12 are eligible to take part and prizes include a $100 book voucher for the winners and a $100 book voucher for their school library.
   Entries close 5 April 2008.