SearchArchives for May 2008
28 May, 2008Agencies squeezed to cover hardship cases
All NSW Government Departments, Authorities and State Owned Corporations have been requested by the Premier to review their policies and programs to include provisions to help people in financial difficulty.
The Premier, Morris Iemma, issued a Ministerial Memorandum ordering the review saying Departments, Agencies and SOCs needed to ensure their policies and programs contained measures that would assist clients experiencing financial hardship to manage their payments.
“The NSW Government is committed to providing assistance to customers of its services who are experiencing genuine financial hardship,” Mr Iemma said.
“Departments, Authorities and State Owned Corporations have various hardship policies and programs in place that enable customers to manage their payments.”
He said examples of the measures included:
- providing advice to customers on managing consumption;
- assisting eligible customers to access available rebates or concessions; and
- offering flexible payment options.
“The review should include consideration of the eligibility criteria for access to assistance options; the effectiveness of existing measures in alleviating hardship; and offering monthly payment options to ease financial pressure for households,” Mr Iemma said.
More information on the review can be found in Ministerial Memorandum 2008-07, accessible on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
28 May, 2008
Complaints scheme is whinge win outcome
NSW Police has introduced a new complaints handling system that promises to improve the way police complaints are investigated and processed.
The Streamlined Complaints Handling Project commenced across the NSW Police Force last week after being successfully trialled in 13 Local Area Commands.
The system has been supported by the NSW Ombudsman, Commissioner, Police Integrity Commission and the Police Association.
Superintendent Karen McCarthy from Professional Standards Command said the system was expected to reduce the time spent on investigating complaints.
Superintendent McCarthy said this would place less stress on Officers and free up an estimated 30,000 hours of police time which could be better spent in frontline policing.
“This new model introduces enough flexibility to the current process to allow managers to assess the factors underpinning a complaint before deciding how it should be managed,” she said.
“For example if a complaint was made about the conduct of a police officer, and a review of CCTV footage or an in-car video clearly showed that what was alleged was false, that matter will be declined as false and a formal investigation will not be launched.”
Superintendent McCarthy said complaints that made serious but broad allegations with little detail would be clarified before the decision to conduct an evidence-based investigation was made.
She said the majority of police complaints under the trial proved to be less serious, and that more serious complaints would continue to be managed by the NSW Police Force Complaints Management Team.
The trial found around 70 per cent of complaints could be suitably handled under the new model.
The new system allows 45 days to resolve minor complaints, compared to 90 days under the previous system.
Under the old system, less than 10 per cent of complaints received required serious management action.
28 May, 2008
Women deliver on baby leave submission
The findings of a research project that supports calls for a national paid maternity leave scheme have been released by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
According to the EOWA findings, paid maternity leave among medium to large organisations increased from 23.7 per cent in 2001 to 48.9 per cent in 2007 and the percentage of Australian employers providing 12 weeks or more paid maternity leave had increased to 40 per cent, compared to 27 per cent two years ago.
The Agency is to include the research findings in its submission to the Commonwealth Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Paid Maternity Leave.
According to EOWA, despite the spread of paid maternity leave, there were significant disparities across the workforce, thereby supporting the introduction of a universal scheme.
The data collected for EOWA showed that two thirds (63%) of organisations providing paid maternity leave did not make it available to all staff.
The disadvantaged staff were casual employees, contractors, non-managerial employees and those under particular awards, or women who did not meet minimum eligibility criteria.
“Among the 51.1 per cent of organisations that do not provide paid maternity leave are sectors that have a high number of women workers, particularly the retail, accommodation and food services sectors,” the Agency said.
“Together, these sectors employ nearly a third of all women covered by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act.”
It said in addition, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that women professionals were twice as likely to use paid maternity leave as women who were employed as clerical, sales or service workers.
“Only 19 per cent of small and medium enterprises provide paid maternity leave”.
Director of EOWA, Anna McPhee said the research clearly demonstrated a solid business case for universal paid maternity leave to address the inequities.
28 May, 2008
Teacher pay paper receives top marks
NSW’s teachers have welcomed a new paper from the Business Council of Australia calling for wage increases for teachers, new levels of teacher certification and a system to recognise outstanding teachers.
The paper, Teaching Talent: The Best Teachers For Australia’s Classrooms, was prepared by the Australian Council for Educational Research and recommended paying top teachers almost $130,000 per year to recognise their value to society and strengthen the teaching profession.
Federal President of the Australian Education Union, Angelo Gavrielatos said the paper called for $4 billion to increase teacher wages.
The Chair of the BCA’s Education, Skills and Innovation Task Force, Hutch Ranck, said the paper laid out a five-point plan to lift the standard of teaching in classrooms and to acknowledge exceptional teachers.
“Teachers are a key to unlocking our nation’s economic and social potential,” Mr Ranck said, “but their contribution to society is being greatly undervalued.”
“The quality of learning by our children is critical in ensuring Australia has the skills and knowledge required to meet its future challenges.”
He said quality and effectiveness of classroom teachers were the most important influences on effective learning.
Mr Ranck said capping the top salary for classroom teachers at around $70,000 did not place enough value on the contribution they make to the future of Australia.
He said stakeholders were unanimous that the first step in achieving improved outcomes for individual students in education was to attract the best people into teaching.
“While salary may not be the strongest reason teachers choose to enter the profession our research shows it is a key reason many talented people decide to avoid teaching,” he said.
“This is a concern if we want our education system to be among the world’s best.”
Mr Ranck said the paper focused on what Australia needed to do to raise the quality of teaching in all schools.
It recommended recruiting the most talented people into the profession; introducing a new national certification system to recognise excellent teachers; a new remuneration structure to reward outstanding teachers; a strategy to support teachers’ academic development; and a new national assessment and accreditation system for teacher education courses.
Mr Gavrielatos said the next step was for Governments to provide the investment needed to improve teaching and learning conditions.
“It is crucial that improvements to teacher salary structures are accompanied by an increase in resources for public education to improve teaching and learning conditions,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
Mr Ranck said the total wage an individual could expect to earn reflected the value society placed on their occupation.
Mr Gavrielatos said teaching salaries were low in comparison to other professions and needed to be increased to tackle Australia’s growing teaching shortage.
28 May, 2008
Recommendations flow from river audit
An audit report into how well the Government has protected the quality of NSW river water has found there is still a way to go despite improvements since a 2003 audit.
Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, said the 2003 Audit, Protecting our Rivers, found significant gaps in monitoring river water quality and that the management of river water lacked structure and direction.
Mr Achterstraat said a recent follow up audit measured the degree of progress towards implementing the recommendations made in 2003.
“It is still not possible to gauge in a comprehensive way the health of NSW rivers,” the Auditor-General said, “the main risks they face and how to address them.”
He said a key recommendation made in 2003 to have a lead entity coordinate the efforts of the many Agencies involved had been followed up and it was “pleasing to note” that the Natural Resources and Environment CEOs’ Cluster Group now coordinated Government Agency efforts to protect river health.
The Auditor-General said it was concerning that while the group included relevant CEOs, it lacked direct funding and could not direct Agency priorities.
He said a target for river health had been set that stated by 2015 there would be an improvement in the condition of riverine ecosystems.
Mr Achterstraat said a set of indicators to measure riverine ecosystems had been agreed on and a snapshot of river health for each NSW catchment was expected to be available by the end of the year.
He recommended the CEOs Cluster Group work on its strategy to address the riverine ecosystems target.
“To do this effectively it should conduct a formal risk assessment, something it has not done since 1997,” he said.
The Auditor-General said the Group had developed some of the components of the strategy including a monitoring system and a strategy to address diffuse source pollution, such as agricultural run-off.
“Monitoring the health of NSW rivers is a complex and a resource intensive process,” he said.
“I am encouraged by efforts to monitor river health and coordinate the many groups involved.”
28 May, 2008
Violence program strikes balance
An innovative program to break the cycle of domestic violence has been labeled a success after a report showed 100 per cent of victims were happy with the level of support they received.
An evaluation of the Domestic Violence Intervention Court Model (DVICM) conducted by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found domestic violence victims whose complaints were handled through DVICM were more likely to report a similar incident.
The DVICM was introduced into Campbelltown, Macquarie Fields and Wagga Wagga in 2005, and brought together Police and other Government Departments to help improve safety for victims of domestic violence and increase the accountability of offenders.
Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos welcomed the evaluation report.
“This shows that not only are we effectively prosecuting offenders, but we are winning the confidence of victims to make complaints to the Police,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The report shows that 100 per cent of victims were satisfied with the level of support they received from victims’ support services.”
He said the model had been effective in increasing the number of offenders charged by police following a complaint.
“Charges increased by 16.4 per cent in Campbelltown and 11.4 per cent in Macquarie Fields.”
He said despite the positive results, the report showed there was room for improvement in obtaining guilty pleas from offenders.
The percentage of matters finalised by guilty plea after the DVICM was introduced did not change in Campbelltown and decreased in Wagga Wagga
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government had responded by bringing out a Domestic Violence Practice Note to Magistrates to encourage guilty pleas and cut Court times.
“We are always looking to improve our response to the way we handle the very sensitive issue of domestic violence,” he said.
“A two-year trial of the Practice Note in Campbelltown and Wagga produced outstanding results.”
He said guilty pleas were lifted from 17 per cent to 40 per cent in a period of six weeks and Court times were reduced.
Mr Hatzistergos said these figures were not reflected in the report as the study period ended before the Note was introduced in September last year.
He said the Government would spend $2.1 million per year to continue the DVICM program.
“This is part of a four-year $40 million package aimed at reducing rates of domestic violence, supporting victims and prosecuting offenders,” he said.
28 May, 2008
Opposition in tax attack
The NSW Opposition has called for a full review of Federal-State relations to address what it says are inefficiencies in the taxation system.
A tax advisory panel established by the Opposition has found that businesses were being burdened by the need to comply with multiple levels of taxation.
The State Shadow Minister for Finance, Mike Baird, said 56 separate taxes applied to businesses in Australia, which was more than double that of the UK.
Shadow State Treasurer, Greg Pearce, said businesses operating across States were bearing additional costs because of inconsistent tax rates and methods of collection.
He said it was “nonsensical” that 80 per cent of revenue collected in NSW went to the Commonwealth while only 16 per cent was collected by the State Government which was then responsible for 40 per cent of the outlays.
Mr Baird, said the system was “inefficient” as shown by the $20 billion “sitting in the Federal surplus” while infrastructure and services in NSW were in need.
“The fiscal gap in NSW must be addressed,” he said.
“Revenue is growing by 3 to 4 per cent while expenses, such as health, are rising by 10 per cent.
“It is impossible to deal with these inefficiencies without a comprehensive review of Federal-State relations.”
Mr Pearce said the speed of harmonising State and Federal laws was a key priority
He said the Opposition’s tax advisory panel comprised representatives from Deloittes, KPMG, Ernst and Young, the National Council of Social Services, the National Farmers Federation, the Insurance Council of Australia, the Property Council of Australia, Australian Business Limited and the Joint Accounting Profession Panel.
It had discussed the need for Budget reporting and for communications to be transparent.
Mr Pearce said there was an expectation that payroll tax would be cut, but it was likely that the changes would be small and “just tinker around the edges”.
28 May, 2008
New border scheme is at cutting edge
NSW’s international airports and seaports are to be more secure after the introduction of new border security technology by the Commonwealth.
Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said a new border security portal would give airport inspectors more time to assess passengers' data before their flights arrived in Australia.
“This will mean border inspectors can clear low-risk passengers quickly and allow for more careful assessment of people who may be of concern,” he said.
Senator Evans said previously inspectors had to check multiple systems and sources of information to gain a full picture of a passenger's circumstances.
He said the new portal gathered information from several separate systems.
“In assessing whether a person is eligible to enter the country, Immigration staff have access to the passenger's travel history, travel documentation, contact information, known aliases as well as the status of any security checks.”
He said this information would now be available through one computer screen.
“This new technology will provide border security staff faster access to a wider range of information to ensure people arriving in Australia have legal travel documents and pose no risk to our security.”
Senator Evans said the Government would continue to support the Security Referral Service over the coming months to staff based in Australia and overseas.
“This service provides an effective and reliable electronic link between the Immigration Department and security Agencies, ensuring a more efficient security checking process,” he said.
The Senator said about 1500 people were refused immigration clearance at Australia’s borders each year, and were returned to their country of departure as soon as travel arrangements could be made.
He said around 12 million passengers arrived in Australia each year.
Senator Evans said the $2.5 million Border Security Portal was part of the Systems for People business transformation program currently being implemented at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
28 May, 2008
Transport info making tracks
The Ministry of Transport has set up a new tendering and specification project to ensure the continuation of its Integrated Transport Information Services.
Since 1999, the Ministry has provided a range of transport information services to the public in partnership with other Agencies in the transport portfolio, and since that time a call centre and website service had been provided under a services contract with a private company.
The Ministry said that during the life of that contract a number of improvements had been made the services but in recent years, reviews had indicated the need for further major enhancements to keep the service abreast of public expectations and take advantage of new information and communications capabilities.
“With this in mind, and consistent with NSW Government policy, the Ministry of Transport has established the Integrated Transport Information Services (ITIS) Procurement Project to undertake the specification, tendering and transitioning activities necessary to ensure the continuity of these services to the public,” it said.
It also said the project would provide a suitable platform for implementation of the next generation of Integrated Transport Information Services.
The Ministry said it would work with the Department of Commerce if it needed to undertake procurement activities and invited expressions of interest from potential suppliers who it suggested should register on the NSW Government Tenders website.
“Note that there is no specific information about the ITIS Procurement Project available at the NSW Government Tenders website at this time,” the Ministry said.
It said up to now, the transport services had been accessed via the 131500 call centre, and via the www.131500.info web site to date.
“Specialist service and solution suppliers with a capability that they believe may have some benefit in the further development of 131500 services may make contact with the Ministry.”
For more information, the ITIS Procurement Project can be contacted at ITISprocurement@transport.nsw.gov.au but the Ministry pointed out that there was no information available at this stage relating to its detailed requirements for the ITIS services. “Such information will only be released in the context of the formal procurement activities,” it said.
“However, all organisations who make contact will be added to an email mailing list to be notified when the Ministry's procurement arrangements have been finalised.”
28 May, 2008
Planners have three NSW ports in site
Three of NSW’s major ports have been identified as State Significant Sites to recognise their importance to the State’s economy and control redevelopment and growth.
Planning Minister, Frank Sartor said that listing the Newcastle, Botany and Port Kembla ports as significant sites would ensure any projects would automatically come to the Government for assessment under the State’s major projects legislation.
Mr Sartor said the three ports were a crucial provider of jobs and income for the State economy.
“This proposal is recognition of the importance of port employment and industrial lands more generally to the State,” Mr Sartor said.
He said the SSS status would protect the ports and industries reliant on access to port infrastructure from land uses that might limit their operations.
“The SSS provisions consolidate the existing zonings and also identify the importance of associated industrial land and key transport corridors for the ongoing operation of the ports,” he said.
Mr Sartor said additional commercial uses were being proposed along some boundaries of the industrial zone in Newcastle and Botany to provide buffers to separate existing residential areas from port industry zoned land.
He said these provisions would provide potential job creation and would help Local Councils meet their employment targets.
Mr Sartor said the proposal was prepared in consultation with Local Councils, port corporations and NSW Maritime.
He said the SSS provisions would specify the approvals regime for the ports and provide greater consistency.
Under the proposed listing, activities that would go to the Government for assessment could include large chemical and petroleum plants or storage; shipping berths or terminals on wharf-side facilities; freight terminals; and potentially hazardous manufacturing, handling and waste facilities.
Mr Sartor said public infrastructure works likely to affect the environment would also go to the Government for assessment.
He said other proposals for port facilities on port corporation-owned land would be assessed by the ort corporation, while the Local Council would remain the consent authority for port facilities and other projects on privately-owned land within the sites.
Minister for Ports and Waterways, Joe Tripodi, said identifying the ports as State Significant Sites would provide certainty for industry located around them.
“By planning ahead we will prevent the potential conflict between industry and lifestyle in the future,” Mr Tripodi said.
Mr Sartor said the State Significant Sites (SSS) proposal would be on public exhibition until 27 June.
28 May, 2008
Warts and all for cane toad campaign
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched an information campaign to help stop the spread of cane toads into new areas of New South Wales.
According to NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, the residents of Drake and Tenterfield on the State’s Northern Tablelands were among 13,000 to receive mailed-out cane toad fridge magnets providing practical advice about how to identify the toads and avoid transporting them to new areas.
Ms Wellman said the information campaign focused on residents located on the known southern and south western cane toad boundaries and near the newly discovered populations on the Northern Tablelands.
“Most people are eager to help stop the spread of the cane toad, but want to know what to do when they find one and how to distinguish it from a native frog,” she said.
She said NPWS was encouraging people to report sightings of cane toads in areas where they had not been seen before, and to control them humanely.
“Our network of road and rail lines means it is very easy for cane toads to be accidentally transported from infested areas and become established in new areas,” she said.
She said motorists were being asked to check for unwanted “hitch-hikers” when travelling from infected areas.
“The objective of this campaign, partly funded by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority is to raise awareness of cane toads and to prevent them establishing outside their existing range,” she said.
Ms Wellman said cane toads were well established throughout most of the Northern Rivers, as far south as Evans Head and as far west as Woodenbong.
“The active southern front lies near Coraki and Casino, and west to Kyogle, Grevillia and Old Bonalbo,” she said.
“There are separate populations at Yamba, Brooms Head and Port Macquarie.”
Ms Wellman said cane toads were a serious threat to native and domestic animals due to their poisonous nature.
She said more information on the campaign was available at www.environment.nsw.gov.au, and copies of the magnets could be obtained by contacting NPWS offices at Alstonville on 6627 0200 or Tenterfield on 6736 4298.
28 May, 2008
Offender study fails to win verdict
Research by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has found placing offenders on good behavior bonds under supervision in the community did not reduce the risk of re-offending.
The Bureau followed 4,432 offenders placed on a supervised bond in 2000 and compared them to 8,406 offenders placed on an unsupervised bond.
According to the Bureau, no differences were found between the groups as far as the likelihood of reconviction was concerned in the following 6-year period. The study controlled other factors likely to affect the risk of re-offending such as age, gender, offence type and prior criminal record.
In an associated study the Bureau interviewed 155 Probation and Parole Officers to identify obstacles to the rehabilitation of offenders in the community.
Officers were first asked to rate the importance of various services to offender rehabilitation before being asked a series of questions about access to those services.
Ninety eight per cent of officers cited drug and alcohol treatment as being ‘very’ or ‘extremely important’, while 94 per cent nominated mental health treatment and 91 per cent said secure and affordable accommodation.
Over 50 per cent of officers said suitable services for drugs and alcohol and mental health services were ‘fairly big’ or ‘very big’ problems in their geographical area.
Seventy-seven percent cited lack of stable accommodation as a ‘very big’ problem for their clients.
The Director of the Bureau, Don Weatherburn, said the findings were consistent with similar studies overseas.
“Overseas research has shown that community supervision can be effective in reducing re-offending but only when it is combined with measures that address the underlying causes of involvement in crime,” Dr Weatherburn said.
28 May, 2008
Illawarra PS charity is down to a Tea
Staff of Centrelink’s Illawarra Call Centre in NSW were more than happy to join Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea recently week and raise money for cancer research.
According to the Manager of the Centre, Helen Oberg, Centrelink was often called on to help people and their families affected by the insidious disease.
“Cancer affects so many people in our society and often these people turn to Centrelink for support,” Ms Oberg said
"Centrelink staff see firsthand the effect cancer has on individuals and their families and we hope our contribution can help make a difference.”
She said the Centrelink staff were passionate about participating in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
“Whether it be our staff here at the call centre, our social workers or the staff in our Customer Service Centres, we have all been touched by cancer’s affects in some way,” she said.
Ms Oberg said participating in the morning tea was a fun way for Centrelink staff to raise money and help the community.
“The staff here at the centre are constantly raising money for local charities and Australian’s Biggest Morning Tea is a priority cause of ours,” she said.
Ms Oberg said 170 staff participated in the event.
“I think this is the biggest single morning tea event ever held in the Illawarra,” she said.
28 May, 2008
TAFE Award is class act
The Riverina Institute of TAFE has launched its inaugural “Office Professional of the Year Award” to seek out the best Office Professional in the Wagga Wagga area.
The Institute’s Business Administration and Technology faculty has encouraged local businesses to nominate their staff for the Award which was a way of recognising and rewarding exceptional service.
The Head of Business Administration and Technology at the Wagga Wagga Campus, Shirley Durigo, said the search was for the best office professional, whether he or she was the office manager or an administrator or receptionist.
“We’re looking for someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure (the) business runs as smoothly as possible,” Ms Durigo said.
She said the Award was a wonderful way to recognise staff for contributing towards the success of the business, as staff members needed to be multi skilled to be proficient.
“There are so many skills the modern office professional needs in order to keep a business running,” Ms Durigo said.
“Computer skills are essential in the contemporary office environment and communication is a lot more technical than it once used to be.”
She said the competition was open to people of all ages and entries closed on 3 June.
More information about the competition and entry details could be obtained from www.rit.tafensw.edu.au/officeprofessional or by phoning the Faculty on (02) 6938 1333.
28 May, 2008
DPI goes to town for rural women
The Department of Primary Industries has invited rural women to Canowindra for a day of fun and activities to build their confidence and self esteem.
DPI Rural Women’s Network project officer, Danielle Goolagong, said the day was designed to boost morale, promote a sense of wellbeing and would include lunch.
“Style and image consultant, Sandra Martin, will be the key note speaker and provide hands on experiences to encourage women to revamp their wardrobe and master the art of dressing with confidence to invigorate their self image,” Ms Goolagong said.
She said there would be advice on wardrobe management and how to create a fashionable style that looked good and saved money by reflecting on personal image and style.
Ms Goolagong said the ‘Look Great, Feel Fantastic’ day was sponsored by NSW DPI and the Young Women’s Christian Association of NSW.
She said numbers were limited for the event which would be held on 21 June from 10:15am to 3:30pm.
She said interested women needed to register by 16 June and could phone her on (02) 6391 3133 or visit rural.women@dpi.nws.gov.au for more information.
28 May, 2008
New recipe for eating campaign
The Go for 2 and 5 fruit and vegetable campaign has been expanded in a bid to engage Aboriginal families.
A joint initiative by NSW Health and the Cancer Institute of NSW, Go for 2 and 5 now includes a new resource book, FeedingYour Mob which wasbased on the fruit and vegetable cookbook developed by the former Mid-North Coast Aboriginal Partnership.
The recipes use a variety of fresh, dried, canned, frozen and bush fruit and vegetables to make easy nutritious meals and snacks.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Paul Lynch said each recipe included Bush Tucker Tips that allowed people to experiment with traditional ingredients used in Aboriginal food preparation.
The booklet contained fruit and vegetable recipes that were also illustrated with step-by-step instructions.
The title, cover, illustrations and recipes had been developed in close consultation with Aboriginal people.
Mr Lynch said the Go for 2 and 5 campaign and the Feeding Your Mob booklet aimed to improve the health of Aboriginal people.
He said the campaign was designed to increase all NSW families' consumption of fruit and vegetables through increasing their awareness of the recommended daily intake, increasing positive attitudes toward fruit and vegetables and increasing knowledge of the benefits of eating healthily.
More information on the Feeding Your Mob recipe booklet and other useful campaign materials can be viewed and ordered from www.gofor2and5.com.au
28 May, 2008
German opportunity
Young Public Servants are being encouraged to apply for an Australian German Association and Goethe-Institut Fellowship 2008.
The fellowship would provide the successful applicant with a 3-month research opportunity in Germany and include 8 weeks intensive language study with accommodation, 4 weeks research and a return airfare.
Applications must be logged by 6 June, and were available from www.aga.org.au
Anniversary papers called
Submissions of papers to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research are being sought.
The Bureau is to celebrate its anniversary in February next year, and has asked submissions be presented by 11 July.
More information could be found at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
Election seminars
The NSW Electoral Commission is to hold information seminars for candidates considering standing at September’s Local Council elections.
NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry said the seminars were aimed at ensuring candidates were fully aware of their obligations and responsibilities under the law.
Commissioner Barry encouraged all prospective councillors to attend a seminar which would be held at 30 locations across the State.
He said more information on session locations and times would be available from www.elections.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 1300 135 736.
Map shows ferries
Sydney Ferries has posted an interactive map on its website to help people explore popular Sydney destinations.
The map includes information about places of interest as well as the necessary ferry lines and timetables.
The map can be accessed from www.sydneyferries.info
Immigration outreach
Outreach Officers from the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship visited the NSW North Coast region last week.
A spokesman for DIAC said the trip was a great way for people in regional areas to sit down and talk about immigration related issues face-to-face.
Community awards open
The NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Awards which recognise outstanding individuals, groups and businesses in country NSW are now open for nominations.
The Department of Lands is to sponsor the Community of the Year Award, which aims to acknowledge and encourage community volunteers.
Nominations close on 8 August and more information can be found at www.awardsaustralia.com or by phoning (02) 9643 1677.
Community relations writer
Jacob Rosenberg has won the Community Relations Commission Award at the Premier’s Literary Awards in Sydney.
His book, Sunrise West retold a personal story of the pain and joy of a holocaust survivor from Nazi concentration camps to migration and rebuilding lives.
Funding for schizophrenia
The NSW Government is to provide $2.45 million over five years for research into the causes of schizophrenia.
The Minister Assisting the Minister for Mental Health, Paul Lynch, announced the funding at a Schizophrenia Awareness Week event in Sydney.
Mr Lynch said the funding would help efforts at detection, intervention and prevention of schizophrenia.
New export categories
The 2008 Premier’s NSW National Export Awards are to feature two new categories for service exporters, highlighting the importance of the sector to the NSW economy.
The two categories are for companies with total annual sales of $15 million or more and companies with sales of less than $15 million.
A new category to recognise a NSW company that has made innovation an integral part of its export process has also been introduced to the special NSW State awards.
Information on entering the awards can be found at www.exportawards.gov.au/nsw or by contacting (02) 8243 7400.
Internal Audit study is one for the books
The Performance Review Unit of the Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a report on the internal audit capacity of the NSW public sector.
The review included both the General Government Sector and State Owned Corporations and involved research, comparisons, surveys of Agencies, interviews with internal auditors across the NSW Public Sector and consultation with professional bodies and other key stakeholders.
According to the review, the use of internal audit as a means of control within Agencies was “uneven” and there were varying levels of performance recorded when the internal audit processes that did exist were compared with best practice.
“While Chief Executive Officers are required to have an effective system of internal control, internal audit is not presently mandated but is to occur ‘wherever practicable’,” the review said.
It said approximately $50 million was spent by Agencies each year on internal audit and there were opportunities to improve its effectiveness without increasing the direct costs of the program.
“Smaller agencies require a greater level of assistance in effectively and efficiently using internal audit (and) the increasing trend in the private sector towards greater independence of Audit and Risk Committees is not yet mirrored across much of the public sector.” The review said however that State Owned Corporations performed better in that regard.
The review made seven recommendations, including a suggestion that Agencies be required to introduce a minimum standard of internal audit on a “comply or explain” basis; that a pilot cluster of Agencies be established to use a shared internal audit service for greater efficiency; that guidance for Agencies and State Owned Corporations on internal audit be updated; practitioner and risk management networks be set up to exchange information and expertise; and strategies be developed for the better use of technology on internal audit as well as human resources.
The review warned that failure to improve the internal audit function across the NSW public sector could lead to the failure to implement Government policy, failure to deliver services, more hidden risks, lack of reliable information for decision makers, inefficient use of resources and an increased opportunity for fraud and corruption.
The full report can be found at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
21 May, 2008
Developers wooed with speed rating
Departments and Agencies are to be given less time to comment on planning proposals under reforms to the State planning processes announced by Planning Minister, Frank Sartor.
Mr Sartor said a new three-week deadline would slash the time available for concurrences by more than half and speed up processing times across the State.
“Under the changes, the time taken by State Agencies to comment on development applications will be more than halved from current averages to just 21 days,” Mr Sartor said.
“If the response or concurrence is not received in time, the Council will be able to continue without Agency advice.”
Mr Sartor said the NSW Government would also cut unnecessary duplications across legislation and regulations.
He said someone trying to establish a street vending business currently needed approval under up to three different Acts, while sign-off was often required under two different Acts for small business owners wanting to offer outdoor dining.
“These applications should be subject to a single assessment under one Act – not layer upon layer of red tape,” Mr Sartor said.
“That’s why we will remove up to 1,000 unnecessary requirements in State and local planning instruments – many of which are already covered by existing legislation or guidelines and simply confuse matters.”
Mr Sartor said some local Council plans required development proposals on travelling stock routes to be referred to the local Rural Lands Protection Board, when this was already required under State law.
“New Council planning instruments will no longer need to include these unnecessary concurrences into Council planning instruments, providing greater autonomy for Local Government and speed-up assessment times,” he said.
21 May, 2008
Funds and games in financial reports
Treasury has issued a Circular outlining its expectations of Agencies preparing financial reports for inclusion in the Consolidated Financial Reports of the State.
Dated 13 May, Circular TC08/02 sets out Treasury’s accounting, reporting and auditing requirements for the 2007-08 financial year and applies to all Agencies with information collected by Treasury under the Treasury On-Line Entry System (TOES).
The Circular also provides a checklist for the early preparation of end-of-year reports and a pro-forma for Agencies to report emerging accounting issues.
The 5th of September is identified as the deadline for the 21 largest Agencies to have received audit clearance and the Circular says the Audit Office will be reviewing all TOES balances of $100 million or more for Agencies outside the big 21.
“NSW Treasury does not propose to allow any applications by Agencies for extension of time,” the Circular says, “other than in the most exceptional circumstances.”
“Operational factors such as the implementation of new computer systems, high volumes of transactions, or complex consolidation of entries are not considered exceptional.”
The Circular sets out how Agencies are expected to deal with interagency transactions, equity transfers, borrowings and investments as well as Superannuation liabilities. It explains how to correct errors in past years’ figures which are being used for comparative purposes and explains the importance of assessing the fair value of property, plant and equipment in accordance with its paper Valuation of Non-current Assets at Fair Value.
Agencies and the Audit Office are encouraged to implement early substantiation procedures to allow as many as possible financial statements to be verified before the end of the financial year and the Circular includes a checklist of tasks to make that easy.
“Your organisation is requested to meet now with relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of your year-end financial reporting plan,” the Circular says.
21 May, 2008
COAG fund puts money where mouths are
A new fund to reform the Council of Australian Governments has been announced by the federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan.
Mr Swan said the intention was to help deliver a new era of Commonwealth-State relations.
He said many significant challenges facing the Australian economy could only be addressed through more effective Commonwealth-State arrangements and the COAG Reform Fund would enable all Australian Governments to work together to deliver better services through investment in transport, communication, education, skills, health and aging.
He said the Reform Fund would receive contributions directly from the Commonwealth as well as from the three other Funds announced in the Budget for capital investment - the Building Australia Fund to focus on transport and communication infrastructure; the Education Investment Fund; and the Health and Hospitals Fund.
Mr Swan said the Commonwealth would make an initial contribution of around $40 billion to the funds, largely from the 2007-08 and 2008-09 Federal surpluses.
He said where investments in transport, communication, health, hospitals and education were to be undertaken by the States, associated Commonwealth funding would be channelled through the COAG Reform Fund.
He said more cooperative Federalism would deliver better services through reducing administration and compliance costs, freeing up resources and ending the blame game and cost shifting behaviours of the past.
Mr Swan said the States would have increased freedom to design and implement methods of services delivery within the context of the mutually-agreed national objectives.
He said this would lead to service delivery which was cost-effective and better met the needs of the community.
He said to ensure total capital spending from the fund was consistent with national macroeconomic goals, the Australian Loan Council would provide advice on whether the combined spending envelope of both the Commonwealth and the States could be delivered in prevailing economic conditions without putting inflation targets at risk.
21 May, 2008
Police pay sparks move on powers
Research released by the Police Association of NSW has revealed that over half the Police in NSW would consider moving interstate for better pay and conditions,
Police Association president, Bob Pritchard warned this was bad news for the Government’s 2.5 per cent cap on public sector wage increases.
“The Premier’s 2.5 per cent cap on wage increases would see a drop in real wages for NSW Police – and our research shows this could result in up to 57 per cent of Police leaving the State,” Mr Pritchard said.
“If we are to prevent the mass exodus of Police from NSW we need the State Government to step up to the plate and deliver for Police on the frontline.”
Mr Pritchard called on the Police Minister, David Campbell to reject the Government’s 2.5 per cent wages policy, rule out any threat to the flexible rostering system and introduce concrete reforms to reduce red tape.
“Cost of living increases and the lack of affordable housing are already forcing Police to live further and further away from the communities they serve and protect,” he said.
“We are facing a critical point for policing in NSW – a cut to real wages will push Police over the edge and drive them out of the State.”
Findings from the poll, which surveyed 1761 officers and was conducted by independent research company, Essential Research, were released at the opening of the Police Association of NSW’s biennial conference.
The poll found 37 per cent of Police thought wages were currently ‘about right’; 76 per cent believed the flexible rostering system provided a good balance between operational requirements and life/family commitments; 99 per cent supported the Police Association’s campaign to reduce red tape and; 86 per cent thought more needed to be done to help Police access treatment for work related injuries.
Mr Pritchard, Mr Campbell and Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell, addressed the Association’s conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Terrigal.
21 May, 2008
Auditor washes up water charge fiasco
An investigation of the former Department of Natural Resources by the Auditor-General has revealed that the Department failed to send out bills for water management for two years in a row.
Requested by the Treasurer to examine the Department’s failure and report back, Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat has included his findings in his Report to Parliament Volume Two, tabled this month. He found that the unsent invoices from the years 2005-06 and 2006-07 amounted to about $15 million each year.
According to the Auditor, DNR originally received payment for its water management activities from State Water but by 2004-05 the arrangement was proving unsatisfactory.
“I understand that for a number of years the flow of funds to the former DNR was slow and difficult to reconcile with the expectations of the former DNR,” The Auditor-General said.
“In 2006 the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal determined separate charges for State Water and the former DNR.”
He said this provided the Department with the chance to issue its own invoices, but for unclear reasons, it did not.
“Senior Executives of the former DNR were aware, at least from November 2006, that water management invoices had not been issued,” he said.
Their response, according to the Auditor, was to prepare a draft proposal to Cabinet to waive the charges.
“Some Senior Executives my staff spoke to suggest that the draft proposals to waive water management charges were linked to the invoices not being issued on time.”
The Auditor said that plans to issue the invoices in February 2007 were put on hold while responsibility for water management moved to the newly created Department of Water and Energy in April 2007.
By July, with a second year of invoices now due to be issued, the Auditor found that the newly established DWE had attempted to re-engage State Water to collect the charges but a Service Level Agreement covering the two unpaid years was faulty and State Water was requested to put the arrangement on hold.
He said that by December the matters had been resolved and the invoices were being issued in stages through 2008.
“The lack of clarity in responsibilities regarding invoicing that I have identified in the former DNR have been recognised by the Director-General of DWE,” the Auditor-General said.
“The Director-General of DWE has established a small team of senior Departmental officers to resolve the issue of billing of outstanding water charges and budget issues generally.”
Following his investigation he recommended that whenever systems or processes changed, project sponsors should be appointed and plans and reporting protocols prepared.
He also suggested that when Departments were dissolved, key documents be salvaged and stored in archives.
21 May, 2008
State support takes CeBit between teeth
The NSW Government is once again a major supporter of the nation’s largest information and communications technology exhibition, CeBIT Australia, held at Darling Harbor this week.
The event has attracted 750 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors including those from more than 70 overseas countries and Government support has now been extended to 2012.
Minister for Science and Medical Research, Verity Firth, said CeBIT promoted the strengths and export capabilities of the NSW ICT industry and showcased NSW as a leading location for high-technology investments in the Asia Pacific.
Ms Firth said the NSW Government had been a principal sponsor of CeBIT since its inception in 2002, by taking up exhibition space to showcase innovative NSW ICT companies and their technologies.
CeBIT organiser, Hannover Fairs Australia, has provided economic benefits for NSW by actively promoting Sydney as an innovative destination to the world and bringing large numbers of international companies into the Australian market.
Managing Director of Hannover Fairs Australia, Jackie Taranto said the company was delighted the Government had extended its support of CeBIT for another four years.
“The ICT sector drives productivity growth across all sectors of the economy and CeBIT Australia is the industry’s annual gathering place where Australian businesses can find technology solutions to improve their market competitiveness,” Ms Taranto said.
Government support for the ICT sector is to include co-funding of research and development centres, investment attraction, business development support, export targeting, skills training and education and clustering activities.
NSW was home to over 42 per cent of Australia's ICT businesses and almost half Australia’s ICT services exports, topping $1.1 billion in 2006/07.
Ms Firth said Sydney was an attractive option for global ICT companies seeking an Asia Pacific base, as remuneration levels for ICT-skilled employees were lower than in major international business capitals including New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
She said some of the world’s top ICT companies had chosen Sydney for their Australasian base, including AOL, BenQ, CSC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, Nokia, Oracle, Panasonic, Gartner, Samsung, SAP, SingTel Optus, and Sun Microsystems.
She said ICT had been the world's fastest growing international industry with global revenues in excess of $3 trillion and worldwide ICT spending predicted to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.3 per cent through to the end of 2010.
21 May, 2008
WorkCover takes safe course for training
WorkCover NSW is to review a key safety course to ensure best practice delivery of occupational health and safety (OHS) consultation training across the State’s workplaces.
Chief Executive of WorkCover, Jon Blackwell, announced the review saying it was designed to help businesses meet statutory workplace safety training requirements for OHS committees and representatives.
“An independent consultant will examine the content, structure and delivery of the curriculum to ascertain how well it meets the needs of OHS committee members and representatives,” Mr Blackwell said.
He said the review would include consultation with industry including unions, employers, industry associations, accredited training authorities as well as providers and course participants.
“The goal of the review is to deliver the outline of a course option that more closely meets the needs of a diverse range of industries and work environments, and better help businesses meet their workplace safety obligations,” Mr Blackwell said
He said effective training was a vital component in achieving robust health and safety management systems for safe workplaces
Mr Blackwell said the review had already looked at evaluations of comparable national and international training models and canvassed alternative approaches for delivering a superior syllabus.
“WorkCover’s new focus on education, information and assistance has helped lower workplace injuries to their lowest levels in more than 20 years,” he said.
“The continued reduction in injuries is a testimony to the success of working collaboratively with industry and other jurisdictions to save lives.”
Mr Blackwell said WorkCover provided workplace safety training through an extensive network of WorkCover accredited trainers.
He said the report was due to be completed by June and details of WorkCover training courses were available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 10 50.
21 May, 2008
Budget rekindles ageing partnership
The NSW Government has described funding for ageing and disability services announced in the recent Federal Budget as a “renewed partnership” that would deliver better services.
Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, hailed the Budget as a strong endorsement of the NSW Government’s spending and policy priorities for ageing and disability in the State.
Ms Keneally said a society was judged by how it treated its most vulnerable members and she was pleased to see the Federal and State Governments working together to deliver services for the people who needed them.
“This is highlighted by the Federal Government’s announcement that they will work with the State Governments to develop a National Disability Strategy,” Ms Keneally said.
“$7.7 million worth of funding for this Federal election commitment will see the development of an overarching framework encompassing Commonwealth, State and Territory disability services and supporting initiatives.”
Ms Keneally said highlights of the Federal Budget included $114.5 million over four years to provide new child care and early intervention centres; $25.7 million over four years to help people with disabilities in supported employment; $721.7 million to improve assistance to carers; a $1 billion commitment to disability services in Australia; and an investment of approximately $5.5 billion over five years to assist seniors access basic services.
Ms Keneally said the State and Federal Governments would continue to work together to deliver better services.
“There is more that can be done - and we are doing more,” she said.
21 May, 2008
Rocky road leads to The Rocks
Refurbishment works being undertaken for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in The Rocks area have uncovered a 150-year-old colonial street which had been buried and forgotten for nearly 100 years.
The site was unearthed at the heritage Mariner’s Church on George Street and included the remains of one of Sydney’s earliest roads – Bethel Street.
The discovery included a sandstone curb, footpath and a two-metre high retaining wall.
Foreshore Authority archaeologist, Wayne Johnson, said he was amazed by the discovery.
“It's almost unique that we should find such an intact streetscape,” Dr Johnson said.
“It’s frozen in time.
“Much of the street was buried around 1909 when a purpose-built Coroner’s Court was constructed at 102 George Street. This building was desperately needed as many Coroner’s inquiries were being held in a nearby tavern.”
Dr Johnson said jurors had preferred the tavern to the original morgue because its conditions were actually better for storing bodies.
“The tradition is believed to have started around 1862 after a jury was subjected to viewing the body of a sailor which had been retrieved from the harbour and then stored in the warm and poorly ventilated morgue for two days,” he said.
Dr Johnson said the Authority was currently examining ways to incorporate the find into the refurbished building so it could be preserved and visible to visitors.
“Visitors to The Rocks can also look back to the people and places of colonial Sydney in other ways,” he said.
He said a life-sized heritage mural had been completed at Gloucester Street to show the stark contrast between colonial Sydney and the CBD today.
“The striking black and white mural recreates a photo taken at the same spot in 1901 and acts as a window to the past in the heart of the modern city,” Dr Johnson said.
21 May, 2008
Research plugs into communications
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the skills and confidence needed to use new communications and media services were becoming increasingly important in all aspects of Australian society.
ACMA commissioned the report, Media Literacy – Concepts, Research and Regulatory Issues, in May 2007 to examine the ability of Australians to access, understand and create communications in a variety of contexts.
ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, said promoting media literacy was a key component to ensuring Australians were equipped with the tools to make informed choices about media and communication services.
“With an increasingly complex array of services and technologies, people need to be confident and skilled in navigating an expanding range and choice of content,” Mr Chapman said.
“They need to know how to manage security and privacy risks online and be able to make informed decisions between various distribution platforms and competing service providers.”
The review, completed by consultants Dr Robyn Penman and Associate Professor Sue Turnbull, provided an historical overview of the academic literature surrounding media literacy in traditional broadcast and digital media environments.
It identified educational and other organisations involved in promoting media literacy in Australia and overseas.
The report found media literacy was important in order to be engaged in society; the gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ was narrowing in terms of information access; there was evidence of a digital literacy divide associated with socio-economic statistics, age, workforce participation and household type; and preparing young people to deal confidently with a range of media in their education, social life or in the workforce should be concentrated on in the future.
The release of the report coincided with ACMA’s participation as a founding member in the International Media Literacy Research Forum in London between 14 and16 May.
The Forum sought to share learning about emerging media literacy issues and to increase awareness on international developments in the field.
ACMA was one of only five institutions worldwide to be invited to join the Forum as a founding member.
A copy of the report was available by visiting ACMA’s website www.acma.gov.au
21 May, 2008
TAFE deal sets up ACE collaboration
A collaborative project between Adult and Community Education (ACE) and TAFE NSW has led to the establishment of a Vocational Training Alliance at Condobolin in the State’s central west.
Funded by the Board of Vocational Education and Training (BVET), to undertake consultations with communities in the western region to identify opportunities for collaboration between ACE and TAFE, the new project involves the skilling and workforce development of Indigenous people in Condobolin.
The Condobolin Vocational Training Alliance was launched on 13 May and was comprised of the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation (WCC), TAFE NSW – Western Institute, Central West Community College and Condobolin Adult Education.
The WCC was formed in 2003 to work in partnership through a Native Title agreement with Barick Gold Mine in Lake Cowell and to develop employment and educational opportunities for Indigenous people.
The Vocational Training Alliance is to support the WCC to achieve goals identified in its 2008/09 Education and Training Plan.
The Project has been designed to provide meaningful input from all partner organisations and to ensure training meets the needs identified by the WCC.
21 May, 2008
Agencies link up for partnership forum
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Reconciliation Council and NSW Sorry Day Committee have joined forces to stage a public forum on working in partnership with Aboriginal people.
Entitled Getting On With Business the forum will be part of National Reconciliation Week and showcase practical examples of cooperation that continue the reconciliation process beyond the apology.
The forum is to be held on 27 May to provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into what the apology meant to members of the Stolen Generation.
Doors open at 6pm for a modern Australian supper using Indigenous produce and flavours, while the forum was expected to begin with a statement from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Paul Lynch at 6:30. It is to be held in the NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium in Surry Hills.
Special guest speakers will include Aden Ridgeway, the NSW Ambassador for Reconciliation and Executive Chairman of Indigenous Tourism Australia; Terri Benson, Group General Manager, Corporate Services, Country Energy; Danny Gilbert, founding Partner of Gilbert and Tobin; and Cecil Bowden, a member of the Stolen Generations.
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander a cappella singing group, Mirror Child, is to perform.
National Reconciliation Week is held annually from 27 May to 3 June and this year’s theme for NSW is "Sorry - A New Beginning".
For further information or to RSVP, contact (02) 9219 0719 by 23 May.
21 May, 2008
Report sprouts need for GM modified food
A report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Research (ABARE) has found that genetically modified crops would provide significant benefits to regional economies.
The report Economic impacts of GM crops in Australia concluded that not growing GM crops was costing regional Australia dearly.
ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde, said the potential economic impact of cultivating GM crops on State and regional economies was estimated for two scenarios – adopting GM canola and adopting GM canola alongside GM wheat, maize, soy beans and rice.
Mr Glyde said the results indicated New South Wales would benefit most from adopting GM crops, while significant benefits were also estimated for other major grain producing states including Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
“If the adoption of GM canola is delayed for five years, for example, the cumulative foregone benefits would be around a total of $97 million for Western Australia and $66 million for South Australia, measured in 2006-07 dollars,” he said.
The report was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry under the National Biotechnology Strategy.
Copies of Economic impacts of GM crops in Australia, could be downloaded from the ABARE website www.abare.gov.au or obtained by phoning (02) 6272 2010.
21 May, 2008
Ambulance restraints get smooth ride
NSW Ambulances are to be fitted with Mechanical Restraint Devices following a successful State-wide trial.
The Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the equipment would allow paramedics to safely treat patients who were distressed or aggressive due to alcohol, drugs, mental illness or injury.
“This device gives paramedics another resource in managing situations where a disturbed patient is in urgent need of medical help,” Ms Meagher said.
“It allows challenging situations to be managed without compromising the safety and treatment of the patient or the medical staff.”
She said during the trial the Mechanical Restraint Devices were used on 22 occasions including seven mental health cases, nine drug and alcohol cases and three instances of medical injury.
Ms Meagher said the use of the devices didn’t necessarily remove the need for an additional form of restraint.
She said 14 of the 22 cases required a combination of chemical and mechanical restraint.
Ms Meagher said in six cases where patients had been handcuffed by police, ambulance paramedics were able to remove the police handcuffs once the Mechanical Restraint Device was applied.
“This means patients can be treated in a health context rather than in a law and order context,” she said.
“Police will still be involved in high risk situations, and will accompany some patients in an ambulance or in a police vehicle where necessary.”
Ms Meagher said the device gave paramedics an extra option for managing situations where a behaviourally disturbed patient needed medical intervention, and could increase the patient’s safety and dignity.
She said the devices were being installed in all Ambulances across NSW in conjunction with a specific training program for paramedics.
“So far, more than 400 paramedics have been trained in the use of the devices and are authorised to use them,” Ms Meagher said.
She said an extra 500 paramedics would be trained each year, and that all paramedics would be able to use the device by June 2011.
21 May, 2008
Child welfare is community issue
A trial program to empower the Aboriginal community to make decisions about the welfare of its children could lead to the best outcomes for Aboriginal kids according to Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said respected members of the local Aboriginal community would be consulted on Indigenous child welfare cases under the Care Circles trial, which was aimed at helping children at risk of abuse or neglect.
“When it comes to making difficult decisions about how best to protect Aboriginal children, we want the community to be involved,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The Care Circles program brings respected Aboriginal community members into the decision making process to enable appropriate outcomes.”
He said Care Circles would involve a similar approach as the Circle Sentencing program which directly involved Aboriginal people in the process of sentencing adult offenders.
He said the Care Circles program would be trialled in Nowra where the Circle Sentencing program began in 2002.
Mr Hatzistergos said under the program, a Children’s Court Magistrate would draft a care plan for the child after consulting a circle of participants including Aboriginal community members, the child’s family and Department of Community Services case workers.
He said the care plans would detail where the child should live, what contact they should have with his or her parents and what services should be made available.
“Decisions will be made in a community setting with participants sitting in a circle to discuss what orders might best promote the future safety, welfare and well-being of the child,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said child welfare cases could be distressing for all participants, but the inclusion of Aboriginal representatives would help the Children’s Court support the best interests of the child through the benefit of Aboriginal cultural and community knowledge.
21 May, 2008
Police get Taser power
The NSW Police Force is to extend the use of Tasers to general duties Police working as Supervisors and Duty Officers.
229 new Tasers fitted with cameras are to be ordered for a phased rollout, with 2,000 Officers to be trained in how to use them safely.
Police Commissioner Andre Scipione said this was a step forward in securing the safety of the Police and the public.
Court cuts deposit
The Supreme Court of NSW has reduced the deposit for transcript fees from $100 to $70.
The deposit is required when ordering transcript and the Court has decided that if the final cost of the transcript is less than $70, the Court would refund any overpayment.
The deposit requirement could be waived or postponed if a completed application for fee postponement or waiver was successful.
TAFE scores with excellence
Eleven students from the Riverina Institute have received TAFE NSW State Medals or donated State-wide prizes at the 16th Annual Riverina Institute Awards for Excellence.
Institute Director, Rosemary Campbell, said the fact that 11 students were at the top of the State in their course area reflected the outstanding calibre of the Institute’s students and the quality of its teachers,
The students received their awards at a ceremony in Wagga Wagga last week.
Rank security
The Ministry of Transport is organising for security guards to be placed at taxi ranks at Griffith, Mudgee, Tamworth, Orange and Wagga Wagga.
The security guards will be hired to provide a safe environment for passengers and taxi drivers two nights a week.
Tenders from licensed security service providers have been invited by the Ministry, and further information can be obtained from (02) 9689 8858.
Ethical leadership course
Public Servants have been urged to apply to join the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship program which supports ethical leadership
Expressions of interest in the prerequisite Short Course for Good Leadership must be lodged by 25 June and a series of programs will take place in various capital cities in Australia during July and August 2008.
Up to 60 people will be selected to do the Short Course and once they have completed it, they will be invited to apply for the Fellowship program. The cost of the short course program, airfares and accommodation are covered by the program.
More information is available from www.ethics.org.au
Water off in Albury
The Albury City Council has advised Hamilton Valley and West Lavington residents to boil their water prior to consumption.
The Council said investigations into a low level of contaminants detected in the water were underway, but that residents should boil their water as a precaution.
Acting Group Manager of Engineering, Brad Ferris, said approximately 300 people in the area west of Urana Rd and north of Union Road, excluding Norris Park, were affected.
Court up in Nowra
Nowra’s Courthouse has almost doubled in size after a $6 million expansion.
At the opening ceremony last week, Attorney General, John Hatzistergos announced additional technological facilities and a third Courtroom had been added to the Courthouse as part of the extension.
Garden pond makeover
The Main Pond and surrounding Islands at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens are to undergo a six week make-over.
Acting Executive Director of Botanic Gardens Trust, Bernard Carlon, said the completed area would reflect a 19th Century sub-tropical landscape theme, as envisioned by some of the Trust’s earliest Directors.
NPWS seeks volunteers
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is seeking volunteers to guide small group tours at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre in Port Macquarie.
Sea Acres Manager, Janet Cohen said no previous guiding experience was needed as training was provided.
Ms Cohen said for more details, volunteers could contact the Rainforest Centre on (02) 6582 3355.
Magnets attract inquiry
A Government inquiry into the safety of toys with magnetic components has been announced by the Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney.
Ms Burney said while magnets could pose serious injury risks to children, there were no requirements for magnets in the Australian toy standard.
She said if strong magnets were swallowed by children, they could attract while going through the digestive system and cause fatal damage to intestines.
Low-lying land map levels playing field
A climate change map showing areas of the Hunter and Central Coasts under threat from rising sea levels has been released by the Department of Planning.
The map was funded by the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Program and cost $500,000.
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Verity Firth said the project used cutting-edge airborne laser technology (LiDAR) to map low-lying areas in Wyong, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City and Port Stephens to assess areas vulnerable to future sea level rise.
Ms Firth said the project was a part of the Government’s approach to identifying and developing strategies to deal with the impacts of climate change on local and regional communities.
“We want to use the best technologies to get the best information we can – and then work with local communities and Councils to prepare for the impacts of climate change,” she said.
She said some of the issues identified in the project report might not pose a problem for another 100 years, but it would be useful to help plan future strategies and development now.
“It is important to start preparing now,” she said
The study covered 1,400 square kilometers of land and identified areas at a level of less than a metre above sea level and included terrain data already been collected by Gosford City Council.
The Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, said the NSW Government would work with Councils and the Commonwealth to develop joint guidelines for existing coastal development potentially vulnerable to sea-level rise and future development or rezoning proposals.
“The NSW Government will be seeking the involvement of the Commonwealth to ensure
a consistent approach to coastal planning throughout Australia,” Mr Sartor said.
He said the mapping project combined airborne-collected terrain data with existing council-held information, such as land use, road locations and addresses, to demonstrate how LiDAR could provide a powerful planning tool for use by local councils and other agencies.
“This is about getting the long-term planning right to ensure communities are not adversely affected by the impacts of climate change,” he said.
Ms Firth said in the coming months, Government staff would consult with local communities about issues of concern to them.
She said a priority for meetings in the Hunter and Central Coast would be the findings of the report.
“This is another example of the NSW Government leading the way on climate change, by using technology to provide detailed information to inform future decisions,” Ms Firth said.
She said the Government was committed to ensuring sustainability issues were part of the
State’s planning system.
Ms Firth said the report was available at www.planning.nsw.gov, and had been overseen by the Department of Planning, Geosciences Australia, University of Sydney and Local Councils.
14 May, 2008
IPAA leads with future leader course
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (NSW) has unveiled its Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), aimed at those public sector professionals who are going to be the leaders of the future.
The six-month program is designed to develop participants personally and professionally and teams them up with experienced coaches from the IPAA Coaching Panel (ICP) to develop new skills and build capabilities and networks in preparation for the future PS leadership roles they will be expected to undertake.
As well as potential new leaders, the IPAA is also calling for experienced coaches to join the program.
According to the Institute, the future leaders who take part in the program will attend six intensive training sessions as well as a launch and graduation ceremony and a two day Workshop Retreat at Dooralong Valley Resort.
They will receive the support of a coach from the ICP who will have regular contact with them throughout the program and they will be provided with support materials.
Coaches accepted for the program must be experienced PS leaders with an interest in, and past success in, developing and supporting others.
They will receive an hour of coaching themselves as well as a day of International Coach Federation Accredited coach training
They will also receive invitations to the program launch and graduation ceremonies, and the satisfaction of knowing they have contributed to the development of an emerging leader.
Registrations for the future leaders close on 16 June and more information is available from the IPAA at info@nsw.ipaa.org.au or telephone (02) 9228 5225.
14 May, 2008
NSW Hospitals get clean bill of health
NSW’s hospitals were meeting or exceeding stringent national benchmarks in their treatment of people presenting at Emergency Departments.
Minister for Health, Reba Meagher welcomed the findings saying they came at a time when more people were requiring attention.
Ms Meagher said the waiting time for patients taken to emergency by ambulance had remained steady, despite increases in the number of cases and a rise in the number of ambulance responses.
“Reduced delays at emergency departments have enabled Ambulance Paramedics to safely and more efficiently deliver patients into the care of the hospital,” Ms Meagher said.
“Emergency departments always give priority to the most life threatening cases, with 100 per cent of patients in this category treated within the National Benchmark of two minutes."
She said figures had improved across a range of areas.
She said compared to figures for the same periods last year, there was a 2.9 per cent increase in people visiting an emergency department in March and an increase of 2.8 per cent of people admitted to hospital since July 1.
77 per cent of Triage four patients started treatment within 60 minutes (7 per cent above the National Benchmark) and 91 per cent of Triage five patients received treatment within 20 minutes (21 per cent above the National Benchmark).
Ms Meagher said the figures reflected the hard work of medical staff and the continuous investment by the Government into the State's health system as well as hard work by frontline medical staff.
She said more information could be found at www.health.nsw.gov.au
14 May, 2008
Super study first to have currency
A study of superannuation funds by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has found little difference between the Public Sector, Corporate, Industry and Retail sectors in many areas of trustee policies and practices.
Releasing the results of recent research on the governance practices of super funds, APRA said it was part of a broader study of the reasons for differing performance between fund types, and had been conducted under the auspices of the Council of Financial Regulators.
APRA Deputy Chairman, Ross Jones said the study was the most authoritative and comprehensive research of its type into governance practices within Australia’s major superannuation funds.
“The research provides the superannuation sector with some important insights into how trustees and boards are governing funds,” Mr Jones said.
“Importantly, it shows that all superannuation sectors, generally speaking, seem to be successful in selecting experienced and qualified trustee directors.”
The research, based on a detailed survey of superannuation trustees, also found most boards (76 per cent) had both independent audit and regular self-assessment to review compliance with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and other regulations.
It also found that service providers were widely used in the superannuation industry, with the average fund using more than 13 service providers.
Mr Jones said more than 60 per cent of retail directors had one or more associations with service providers, a figure that was double that for directors of Corporate funds and almost three times that for Public Sector or Industry funds.
He said relative to the other trustees, retail trustees had fewer directors, shorter (but just as frequent) board meetings, and relied more on fund executives to take the initiative on most key decisions. By contrast, trustees in the other three sectors mostly made the decisions with the main input coming either from themselves or from their consultants.
The report was published in the latest edition of APRA’s Insight that also contained some detailed information on the housing lending portfolios of authorised deposit-taking institutions, based on a survey of housing loan approvals during September 2006.
14 May, 2008
Frivolous lawsuits thrown out of Court
New laws to stop people abusing the NSW Court system are being planned by Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government would legislate to outlaw members of the public using the Court system to victimise others by launching unmeritorious law suits.
“Courts are there to administer justice and help people to resolve their disputes,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“They are not for people to misuse by harassing, intimidating or embarrassing other people.”
Mr Hatzistergos said people who used the Courts to harass innocent parties were known as ‘vexatious litigants’.
“If people abuse the system we need to make it easier for Judges to banish them from Courtrooms, freeing up the justice system and protecting the good citizens of this State,” he said.
“I have great sympathy for innocent people who find themselves the target of legal action which is clearly a hopeless case, or has an ulterior motive.”
Mr Hatzistergos said some Court abusers had brought more than 100 cases to Court and cost their unwitting opponents millions in legal costs.
He said the new laws would make it easier to declare them a vexatious litigant by simply showing they had used the Courts frequently.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, the Registrar of the Court and any interested parties (with the leave of the Court) could make an application to declare someone a vexatious litigant.
“Anyone who feels they’ve been the victim of someone misusing the Courts will be able to apply to have them made a vexatious litigant,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Supreme Court, the Land and Environment Court and the Industrial Relations Commission would be able to make vexatious litigant orders against people commencing proceedings in their jurisdictions.
He said forensic psychiatrists believed some vexatious litigants suffered from a disorder known as querulous paranoia.
“That’s why I am asking the heads of the Courts to consider the issue of developing protocols, for Courts to refer vexatious litigants to mental health treatment where appropriate,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said when draft legislation had been prepared it would be sent to the heads of the Courts and the legal profession for their comments, and would bring NSW into line with national model laws adopted by Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
He said the law would require vexatious litigants to seek leave of the Court before being allowed to start any subsequent legal proceeding.
14 May, 2008
ICAC takes message to bush communities
Community leaders in the Riverina region of NSW have been told they play a critical role in battling corruption in their local community.
Deputy Director of Corruption Prevention, Education and Research at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Lynn Atkinson, told a breakfast meeting in the region that the help of community leaders in exposing Public Sector corruption helped ICAC in its fight against wrong-doing.
“Community leaders are important to the Commission because we hope that if you or others identify, or even suspect, corrupt conduct in the public sector that you will report it to the ICAC,” Ms Atkinson said.
She said her meeting in the Riverina was held as a part of an outreach program conducted twice yearly to bring anti-corruption initiatives and training to regions across NSW
Ms Atkinson said last financial year ICAC received and assessed more than 2,000 complaints and reports of suspected corrupt conduct from the general public, CEOs and public officials across NSW.
She told the meeting about the costs public sector corruption could force on the community, and the importance of corruption prevention.
“As anyone who has followed one of our public inquiries will appreciate, corrupted Public Services cost us, the public, dearly,” she said.
“There are financial costs, and these can be substantial if corruption goes unchecked; but corruption also erodes public confidence in the Agency which has failed to manage its corruption risks.”
Ms Atkinson said there could be an impact on the quality and standard of services when they became victims of corrupt practices.
“There is too much at stake for State Agencies not to take the message of corruption prevention very seriously,” she said.
She said the Commission was holding workshops, briefings and training sessions for local agencies and councils including the Department of Education, the Greater Southern Area Health Service and the NSW Police Force.
She said the sessions would include information on how to recognise and report corrupt conduct and how to identify and manage corruption risks in the PS.
NSW Deputy Ombudsman, Chris Wheeler, also attended the meeting and spoke about the role of the Ombudsman.
Ms Atkinson said the Outreach Program had proved successful since its inception in 2001.
14 May, 2008
Posties enveloped in safety clothing
Posties in New South Wales and the ACT are to be the first to receive protective clothing to save them from the harmful rays of the sun.
According to Australia Post, the improved sun-smart uniforms feature high visibility long sleeve shirts, three-quarter length shorts or long pants, gloves and hats or helmet flaps and would be rolled out to the rest of Australia before the start of next summer.
NSW and ACT staff are already receiving theirs
Australia Post spokesperson, Scott McIntyre said that although UV rays were invisible, they were a very real danger to outdoor workers.
“Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world and the disease kills around 1400 Australians every year so it is important we cover-up our employees with the most advanced fabrics and equipment available to limit the risk of sun exposure,” Mr McIntyre said.
“The uniforms were designed specifically to take into account the way posties are exposed to the sun when riding their bikes. The back of posties hands and the tops of their knees and thighs can be exposed to the sun whilst riding.”
Mr McIntyre said UV gloves would protect hands and the new below-knee shorts would protect posties legs better than sunscreen could.
He said Australia Post developed the uniform with the assistance of uniform supplier Yakka, following an assessment of UV exposure by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. The new uniform has an Ultra Violet Protection Factor of 50+, the highest rating possible.
Mr McIntyre said posties would also shield their eyes from the sun’s rays by wearing Eye Protection Factor (EPF) 10 sunglasses and applying a broad spectrum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin.
He said the new arrangements were in addition to Australia Post’s current solar UV protection policy and were a result of detailed external assessment and advice.
14 May, 2008
Fire Brigade hots up for June open day
NSW Fire Brigades are to throw open their fire station doors on 1 June for a State-wide Open Day.
NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins announced the move saying it was designed to allow the community to learn more about fire safety and the operations of the Brigades.
Commissioner Mullins said the day would address a wide range of issues including the need for smoke alarms, home escape plans and safety precautions for the winter months as they were the worst time for home fires.
“This is one of the biggest days on the NSWFB calendar and gives people a chance to learn more about the varied roles of today's fire fighters, to sit behind the wheel of a fire truck and receive important advice from experts in fire safety,” he said.
Commissioner Mullins said fire fighters would help people manage fire risks in their homes and assess their existing fire safety arrangements.
“This event will give people a chance to learn ways to protect themselves and their families in a fire or other emergency.
“It will be a fantastic event and I encourage everyone to visit their local fire station on 1 June between 10am and 2pm.”
Commissioner Mullins said more than 30,000 free show bags featuring fire safety brochures, tattoos, rulers and stickers would be available on the day.
He said information on Open Day and details on how to locate fire stations were available at www.fire.nsw.gov.au, and information about specific activities could be obtained by contacting local fire stations directly.
14 May, 2008
Health recruits to inject new blood
A $5 million recruitment campaign has been launched to attract emergency medicine specialists to work in NSW public hospitals.
Health Minister, Reba Meagher said the targets of the campaign would be healthcare workers in other parts of Australia and overseas.
“One of the biggest challenges facing Governments of all jurisdictions in the delivery of high quality healthcare is the chronic medical workforce shortage,” Ms Meagher said.
She said despite the shortages, the NSW Government had worked hard to attract and retain a sustainable health workforce.
“The recruitment campaign announced today is the latest in our range of ongoing strategies to boost the health workforce right across NSW,” Ms Meagher said.
She said the recruitment campaign included $2 million for the Country Careers Initiative to support rural Area Health Services to attract and relocate staff to rural areas.
She said a good experience in relocating and settling into a new community was one of the key factors in retaining health professionals in rural and regional communities.
“Health professionals tell us that this can be extremely challenging, particularly if their family is also making the move,” she said.
Ms Meagher said the program would provide Project Officers to help health professionals relocate and settle in country areas and an extra $2 million had been allocated for the expansion of the program in metropolitan areas.
She said the recruitment campaign would include advertising in the NSW and national media; conference and career expo sponsorship; promotion of NSW as a health employer of choice; and recruitment resource kits.
She said this year an additional 17 emergency physicians had been recruited to Orange, John Hunter and other areas as a result of the $30 million emergency department package announced last November.
Ms Meagher said since June 2001 the Government had increased the medical workforce by 30 per cent, the number of nurses by 21 per cent and the number of allied health staff by almost 25 per cent.
14 May, 2008
Consumer review gets PC guarantee
A single national law to cover consumer protection across Australia is the major proposal to emerge from the Productivity Commission’s final report into Australia’s Consumer Policy Framework.
The Commission was asked by the Council of Australian Governments to conduct the study in 2006 and according to the Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen, it provided an opportunity to examine Australia’s approach to consumer policy and ensure that the legal and regulatory framework provided the best outcomes for consumers.
“The Productivity Commission has made a number of valuable recommendations to contribute to the way forward for consumer policy in Australia,” Mr Bowen said.
He said the Commonwealth would consider the recommendations and, as agreed by COAG, respond formally at the end of October 2008.
He said other recommendations from the Commission included identifying unnecessary or costly consumer regulations that only applied in a few States and Territories or to one industry and either removing them or, if justified, introducing nationally consistent rules.
He said the Commission also proposed transferring regulation of credit providers and finance brokers to the Commonwealth with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as regulator; implementing national laws to tackle unfair terms in consumer contracts; adopting a national approach to product safety laws and enforcement; and implementing new redress and enforcement powers for consumer regulators, including the ability to seek redress for non-parties, civil pecuniary penalties, banning orders and substantiation notices.
“The report highlights that across the board, there is a need for greater involvement by the Australian Government in consumer policy and law enforcement,” Mr Bowen said.
He said the development of national markets meant Australian consumers could expect to be treated in the same way, regardless of where they lived.
He said it was a role the Government took very seriously.
“The Australian Government is committed to agreeing to a national approach for product safety reform at the upcoming Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs meeting,” Mr Bowen said.
“Close cooperation between the Australian Government and the States and Territories will be essential to achieving effective consumer policy reform.”
The Productivity Commission published a draft report in December 2007 and in the course of its review received more than 250 submissions and conducted public hearings.
The final report Review of Australia's Consumer Policy Framework was available at the Productivity Commission’s website: www.pc.gov.au
14 May, 2008
Personal injury meet stitched up
The Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Jon Blackwell, has welcomed the inaugural Personal Injury Management Conference and Excellence Awards.
To be staged by the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) in Sydney in October 2008, Mr Blackwell said the event would involve international speakers from compensation schemes across Australia, New Zealand and North America.
He said PIEF was a group of Australian and New Zealand compensation regulators, insurers and claims management organisations and the conference would include a range of topics including return to work, industry capability, medical management, scheme comparisons and service delivery to injured workers and motorists.
“The Foundation is vital in ensuring that Australia and New Zealand become Centres of excellence in delivering health and return to work outcomes for those that experience a personal injury,” he said.
“WorkCover is excited that this conference will tackle the pressing issues and challenges facing accident compensation schemes here and internationally.”
Mr Blackwell said the coming conference was the first time in Australia that a conference had been designed and developed for the industry by the industry.
He said PIEF’s inaugural Excellence in Personal Injury Management Awards would be celebrated as part of the conference.
“The awards will celebrate and showcase achievements being made across Australasia, and acknowledge their importance to the broader community,” Mr Blackwell said.
“They will encourage the industry to lift the bar and better deliver on the community’s expectations for personal injury support.”
Mr Blackwell said interested parties could visit www.pief.com.au for more information.
14 May, 2008
More hands on deck for Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum has issued a call out for 50 volunteers.
The museum, at Darling Harbour, is seeking enthusiastic volunteers with an interest in maritime heritage to act as guides for visitors to its attractions.
Volunteers Manager, Peter Wood, said the museum had many fascinating things to display and many stories to tell.
“We do have a lighthouse - the original Cape Bowling Green light from North Queensland,” he said.
“We have the magnificent Australian-built replica of Cook's ship Endeavour and an Oberon class submarine, HMAS Onslow... and much more.”
Mr Wood said the National Maritime Museum was holding a special Open Day for prospective volunteer guides during National Volunteers Week 2008.
He said the open day would be held in the middle of National Volunteers Week 2008 which runs this week.
Mr Wood said staff would be on hand to talk to interested people and there would be briefing sessions in the museum's theatre.
“People from all walks of life enjoy volunteering here,” he said.
“We provide informative training over a wide area of subjects, and the guides in turn enjoy putting these new skills and knowledge into practice.”
Mr Wood said more information on volunteering at the ANMM could be found at www.anmm.gov.au or by calling the museum on (02) 9298 3777.
14 May, 2008
Harmony Festival strikes right note
A Youth Harmony Festival staged by the Community Relations Commission has been judged a success.
Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said the thousands of people who joined the festival at Darling Harbour shared information and enjoyment on a perfect autumn day in true Australian style.
“It was a success because thousands of people drawn from the widest range of faiths, races and ethnic backgrounds spent a day in the centre of Sydney enjoying food, song and dance,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.
He said the event attracted many casual visitors to Darling Harbour who joined in the festivities in Tumbalong Park.
“Some may have been surprised to see lines of young Muslim men bowed and kneeling in prayer in the middle of the park during two mandatory prayer times,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.
“This display of piety proceeded without disturbance and took its natural place in an Australian setting.”
Mr Kerkyasharian said one of the Commission’s goals in staging the festival was to progress the acceptance of Islam as a religion of Australia.
“This was an Australian festival designed to engage the youth of all religions,” he said.
“The entertainment throughout the day wonderfully reflected our diversity.”
Mr Kerkyasharian said the program included Scottish Highland dancing, karate, Armenian, Bosnian and Turkish folk dance, Chinese lions and contemporary hip hop and rap.
“The Commission believes young people have a great responsibility to understand each other and to work together to build a new Australian society in the decades ahead,” he said.
The Festival was held on 4 May and was supported by the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
14 May, 2008
Rural land plan is plain policy
A new planning policy governing the use of rural land across the State has been released by Planning Minister, Frank Sartor.
The plan provides a broad framework for rural land use and implements recommendations of the Central West Rural Lands Panel which was established jointly by Mr Sartor and Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald last year.
“The Rural Lands State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) responds to issues raised by the panel,” Mr Sartor said.
He said there had been lengthy consultation in developing the SEPP, which covered 106 rural and regional Councils.
“It will set a broad State-wide framework for rural land use, while also providing flexibility for Councils to use local knowledge to protect existing farming and plan for new rural lifestyle development,” he said.
Mr Sartor said the policy would help Councils plan for new lifestyle opportunities and ensure any new lots were well-serviced and did not cause land-use conflicts.
“Importantly, under the SEPP, Councils are free to retain existing minimum rural subdivision size provisions,” he said.
“Furthermore, existing dwelling consents held by landowners, such as through existing development approvals for new lots, have not been removed.”
Mr Sartor said in following the panel’s recommendations, the SEPP removed the ability of Councils to create new concessional lots.
“Concessional lot provisions in the past have allowed the creation of one or a handful of small rural lifestyle lots within a much-larger farm, often in the corner of a paddock,” he said.
“The panel stated that concessional lot provisions have been ‘misused’.”
Mr Sartor said the panel found concessional lots had become residential in nature and resulted in land-use conflict.
Mr Macdonald welcomed the new policy saying it would help protect important rural industries.
“This new policy will help us protect the State’s agriculture industry which is worth $7.3 billion to the NSW economy each year and contributes 79,000 jobs,” he said.
14 May, 2008
New water book is fount of knowledge
The Executive Director of the Albury-Wodonga campus of La Trobe University has published an important new book entitled Water Policy in Australia: the impact of change and uncertainty."
Associate Professor, Dr Lin Crase is editor and a major contributor to the work which was published by RFF Press, based in Washington, USA.
The book is one in a series on water resource policy produced under the aegis of the World Bank.
"Until the 1980s, the engineer was ‘king’ and policymakers viewed water as an endless resource for driving economic growth,” Dr Crase said.
“But over the last 20 years, policymakers have been forced to acknowledge that it is not possible to perpetually supply more water at a low cost.”
He said the environment could no longer support Australia's values relating to the exploitation of water resources.
“Australia has focused on water resource management through legislative and institutional change by attempting to allocate water in a more economically efficient and socially and environmentally acceptable manner."
He said few policy areas in recent history had attracted the attention of the Australian public as much as those relating to water.
He said Water Policy in Australia examined the current policy reform agenda from a variety of perspectives.
“It presents a comprehensive account of Australia's critical water issues and provides expert perspectives from behavioral and institutional economists, engineers, hydrologists, sociologists, and water law specialists.”
Dr Crase said Water Policy in Australia provided an insight into the challenges of institutional change as well as lessons on the design of property rights for complex resources.
He said contributors to the book looked beyond recent reform efforts to address the hydrological, biophysical, economic, and social factors at play in Australia.
He said it addressed pertinent issues such as irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Dr Crase has spent more than a decade researching water and property rights in Australia and commenting on the economic implications of water policy.
More information on the book or its availability can be obtained from La Trobe University on (02) 6024 9700.
14 May, 2008
Ambulance survey to measure satisfaction
The NSW Ambulance Service is to take part in a national survey of ambulance patient satisfaction.
Chief Executive, Greg Rochford said all ambulance services in Australia would play their part in the survey which was designed to measure patient satisfaction across a range of ambulance customer service related issues and associated issues.
Mr Rochford said 1300 emergency patients from NSW had been randomly selected to receive the survey.
He said all information collected would remain strictly confidential and no individual or personal information would be released to outside Agencies, individuals or other Ambulance staff.
Mr Rochford said he was aware of the potential sensitivities in surveying patients who may not wish to, or may be unable to complete the questionnaire for personal or health-related reasons.
“Past surveys have enjoyed a high participation rate which indicates that the people of NSW are interested in knowing how we are performing as an organisation compared to our peers in other States – and rightly so,” he said.
“The data we receive provides us with an opportunity to learn more about what our patients think of the care we provide and to help us to do our job.”
Over the last two years demand for emergency and non-emergency Ambulance services have increased by 11.2 per cent.
NSW Ambulance provided over 1,052,000 responses in 2006/07 which was the equivalent of a call for assistance every 30 seconds.
14 May, 2008
Court rises for Youth Day
The Supreme Court has announced that due to CBD road closures during World Youth Day on 17 July it will not be conducting criminal trials unless a jury was deliberating; unless it was a CCA hearing where the appellant was to be present in court; or it was a civil hearing where a person in custody was required to appear.
Throughout the celebrations from 14 July to 21 July, the Court’s opening hours will remain from 9am to 5pm.
Court sittings on all days except 17 July were scheduled go ahead, with adjustments made due to additional Police operations.
271 new Police on beat
Two hundred and seventy one new Police recruits have been sworn in at a graduation ceremony in Goulburn.
NSW Police force Commissioner Andrew Scipione welcomed the first new recruits for 2008 and presented four NSW Police officers who thwarted an attempted robbery with a Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage.
The NSW Police Force now has approximately 15,380 serving members.
Fallen tree rescued
A rescue mission is underway to save a 100 year old Dragon Blood Tree that has fallen over at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
Experts who have been trying to get the tree back on its trunk expect it has a 60 per cent chance of surviving.
In the wild, the Dragon Blood Tree can live for up to 650 years and reach a height of 10 to 12 metres.
Fishing warning in park
Visitors to Centennial Park have been advised to take care on 18 May and 1 June as members of the Sydney Fly Rodders Club will be practising their fly fishing.
Up to 15 members are expected to practice at the Fly Casting Pond.
Art at Museum
The Australian Museum in Sydney is to feature an exhibition of Papunya Aboriginal art masterpieces.
The exhibition, Papunya Painting: Out of the Desert, was developed by the National Museum of Australia and includes 40 paintings and 20 cultural objects.
The exhibitions will be open from 5 July to 2 November.
Advice for farmers
Two Federal Government Rural Services Officers have attended the Riverina Field Days to offer information about drought assistance to farmers and irrigators in the region.
Rural Services Officer, Lisa Scuderi, said it had provided people who had difficult decisions to make about whether to plant winter crops, with an ideal opportunity to find out the latest drought assistance information.
Sports priorities issued
The NSW Sports Federation has released a five year game plan to guide the sport and recreation industry in addressing priority issues.
The Industry Five Year Plan – Game Plan 2012 was the result of extensive consultation with State sporting organisations, associations, clubs, schools, facility providers, local Councils and Government Agencies.
A copy of the plan was available at www.sportnsw.com.au
Tourism popular with Chinese
Figures released by Tourism Research Australia show that the number of Chinese visitors to NSW has increased.
Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown, said the 269,100 Chinese visitors to NSW last year spent a record $683 million.
The figures indicated China was one of Australia’s fastest growing markets, and that visitation has been predicted to rise by 73 per cent from 2006 to 2010.
Homeless guidelines for frontline staff
A set of guidelines to help in dealing with homeless people and people at risk have been developed for use by frontline PS staff, Police, health and welfare Agencies and the Fire Brigade.
Director-General of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Brendan O’Reilly said the guidelines would help frontline staff improve the situation of people living in severe domestic conditions.
Mr O’Reilly said the initiative was part of the Government’s efforts to address the issue of homelessness and people at risk of homelessness.
He said the guidelines would provide frontline staff with a step-by-step guide on how to approach situations, what their responsibilities were and the referral and intervention options available to them.
“Our frontline staff can sometimes be the only one to enter a person’s house on a regular basis,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“That is why it is important they know what to look out for and how to respond when they find evidence that someone is at risk.”
Mr O’Reilly said a number of Government and non-Government service providers dealt with people living at risk of homelessness.
“Many of these people are vulnerable and suffer from conditions such as dementia, alcohol related brain damage or mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression,” he said.
“They often live in conditions of extreme household uncleanliness or hoarding, where the accumulation of material has led to the living environment being unclean, unsanitary, and dangerous or posing a fire risk.”
He said the guidelines would be distributed to relevant Government Agencies, Local Councils and organisations.
“It is planned to have them incorporated into appropriate agency-based training and induction programs,” Mr O’Reilly said.
7 May, 2008
Students on show in privacy competition
Secondary school students have been encouraged to enter an international privacy competition launched by seven Privacy Commissioners.
The Privacy Commissioners of New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Canada are offering prizes including a video camera and gift vouchers to the value of approximately $3,000 for competition winners.
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, said the Commissioners had chosen to target secondary school students as they were one of the main groups who used social networking sites, and appeared to give away a significant amount of personal information online.
“We are keen to understand whether or not privacy is something students consider in their daily activities, and to encourage them to start thinking about the information that they disclose and the impact that this may have on their life,” Ms Curtis said.
She said students were invited to create a video about any aspect of privacy; its relevance in today’s society; how it affected them in their daily life; or the influence the internet had on privacy.
“This is an opportunity for students to express their ideas on an important issue, and possibly win some great prizes at the same time,” Ms Curtis said.
She said the competition was hosted by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) as a part of Privacy Awareness Week which was to be held from 24 to 30 August.
She said the 2008 theme of Privacy Awareness Week was ‘Privacy is your Business’, and aimed to raise awareness of privacy protection.
She said the competition would close on 25 July and entries would be judged by the APPA Commissioners.
Winners were expected to be announced during Privacy Awareness Week.
Ms Curtis said further details were available at www.privacyawarenessweek.org
7 May, 2008
Health agreement just what doctor ordered
A new agreement to improve Aboriginal health in NSW has been signed by Health Minister, Reba Meagher.
Ms Meagher said entering the new Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to a genuine partnership with the Aboriginal community to tackle health issues.
She said the agreement would lay the foundation for collaboration between NSW Health and Aboriginal organisations for the next five years.
"The Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement provides a strong framework for NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW and Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services to work together to deliver real improvements in health for Aboriginal communities," Ms Meagher said.
"Aboriginal Australians die 17 years earlier than non-Aboriginal Australians and Aboriginal infant mortality is three times that of non-Aboriginal Australians.
"This gap in health status is unacceptable.”
She said partnerships with Aboriginal health organisations and communities provided the best opportunity to make real progress."
Ms Meagher said the new Partnership Agreement was informed by the Overarching Agreement on Aboriginal Affairs between the Federal and State Governments as well as the NSW State Plan, the NSW State Health Plan and the NSW Aboriginal Affairs Plan Two Ways Together.
"But the development of plans and targets is not an end in itself," she said.
She said the Government was also spending $30 million over four years to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal communities and each year spent more than $60 million in Aboriginal-specific health services.
Ms Meagher also announced a new five-year funding agreement for the Sax Institute, which she said was a non-Government, not-for-profit organisation widely recognised as a leader in bringing together health researchers and policy makers to work toward better health outcomes for the community.
"One of the key objectives of the Sax Institute is to encourage health research in areas that will have direct practical application within our health system and, therefore, on people's health,” Ms Meagher said.
She said Government funding of $1.8 million would ensure this vital research continued.
7 May, 2008
Planning panel to beat concerns
The Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, has established an independent Advisory Panel to assist him evaluate ‘contentious’ private sector developments.
Mr Sartor said the panel would be outside the Government and provide him with independent advice.
“This new panel is an important bridging step between the current system and the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) proposed under the Government’s package of planning reforms,” Mr Sartor said.
“In recent times, there has been some controversy over several planning decisions, and assertions that there may be a perception they were influenced by donations to political parties.
“These claims have no basis, and the planning reforms in the pipeline will remove any such suggestions in the future.”
Mr Sartor said the panel would be chaired by lawyer Adrian Galasso, who had experience in planning law and would include former National Party Minister, Garry West and town planner, Janet Thompson.
He said the panel was needed now because the independent PAC was still some months away.
“In order to bring forward some of the benefits of the reforms, this panel will provide an important reassurance to the community that planning decisions are made strictly on their merits,” Mr Sartor said.
“And it will help depoliticise the process.”
He said the advisory function of the panel would be “completely transparent” with its reports made publicly available as soon as the final determination was made.
He said the panel would advise him on recommendations made by the Department of Planning where there were significant community or environmental issues.
He said projects to be referred to the panel would be those the Minister or Director-General of Planning considered had:
- Potential major environmental impacts;
- A high level of community interest; or
- Potential probity concerns.
He said it might also advise him on other planning issues but would not be asked to comment on projects already considered by the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel.
Mr Sartor said Vince Berkhout would be an alternate member of the panel.
7 May, 2008
Candidate classes win votes for Office
The New South Wales Electoral Commission has launched an initiative to inform candidates for September’s Local Council elections of their obligations and responsibilities under the law.
The Commission is to hold information seminars for candidates with the first round being conducted this week.
NSW Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, said senior NSWEC staff would be taking to the road to ensure existing Councillors and new candidates were fully aware of their legislative responsibilities and understood the election process.
“Local Government is sometimes seen as being low key but in fact becoming an elected Councillor is a high profile community role that carries important responsibilities,” Mr Barry said.
“An important part of the seminar series is to provide information to candidates about their election funding obligations, in particular declaring any political donations.”
He said the information sessions were free and would cover topics such as campaigning, election advertising, how-to-vote material, scrutineering and the public scrutiny candidates could expect.
“Anyone thinking of becoming a Councillor is encouraged to attend a seminar to learn first-hand about the electoral process,” Mr Barry said.
“The public expects high quality, informed candidates to stand for local Council.”
He said the NSWEC would make arrangements to ensure all the administrative functions of the Local Council elections were consistent across the State and conducted to the same high standard as at State and Federal elections.
“In the past some roles and responsibilities were carried out by Councils under ad hoc historical arrangements such as printing their own ballot papers, hiring staff and determining the number and location of polling places,” Mr Barry said.
He said in addition to the seminars the Commission would establish a 1300 help desk number for candidates, an elector enquiry centre and a virtual tally room to provide results on election night.
Mr Barry said the seminars would be held at 19 locations, including 21 regional Centres between 7 May and 28 June.
Up to 5,000 candidates are expected to run for public office in 149 council areas across the State on 13 September.
The electoral roll is expected to close on 4 August, and candidates have until 13 August to nominate.
Mr Barry said more information was available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 135 736.
7 May, 2008
Carbon challenge gets hands dirty
The Nelson Bay Centrelink office has taken up the fight against global warming by launching its own “60 Day Carbon Challenge”.
Staff of the office are to introduce a number of strategies to reduce their consumables, electricity and vehicle usage and manager Lois Wedesweiler said the team had already made a good head-start.
“We are already saving energy, particularly our lighting, air-conditioning, and through our E10 ethanol-blended fuel usage, and we are keen to do even more to reduce our energy consumption,” Ms Wedesweiler said.
“The measures we’ve put in place are really simple. For example, we’ve introduced a recycling system within the office where we separate waste and recyclables; we use double-sided printing and photocopying and make up message pads from recycled paper.”
She said the team also made sure the office car was filled with ethanol-blended fuel, and management was encouraging staff to use alternative transport, such as car pooling, walking, running or cycling.
“Other things, like making sure unnecessary lights are switched off and electrical appliances are turned off at power points when not in use, all contribute to reducing carbon emissions,” Ms Wedesweiler said.
She said the hard work by the Nelson Bay office reflected Centrelink’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The Agency had reduced its total energy consumption by 14 per cent since 2001 through simple energy conservation measures, and had already reached its 2011-12 energy efficiency lighting and power targets.
In addition to cutting the Agency’s total energy and paper consumption, all Centrelink’s fleet vehicles were signed up to the Greenfleet program, which offsets carbon emissions through planting trees. To date, about 10,000 native trees had been planted as a direct result of Centrelink’s involvement in this program.
7 May, 2008
Software partnership yields hard results
A partnership facilitated by the Department of State and Regional Development has seen software company Polaris Software link up with the University of Western Sydney to help address IT skill shortages in Australia.
The new arrangement will contribute to local capacity building.
DSRD was instrumental in helping Polaris launch its PACE Labs in Sydney last year, the software testing automation and performance engineering Centre of Excellence. Minister for Western Sydney, Barbara Perry said the partnership with the University would provide significant skills training for UWS students and serve as a model for other organisations facing challenges posed by skill shortages.
Ms Perry said the Western Sydney region was chosen because it was a major centre for population growth and industry development and Polaris’s corporate philosophy was aligned with UWS's strong commitment to community engagement.
"It will help create jobs and will drive industry and international investment in the region,” Ms Perry said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this partnership grow and prosper."
Dean of the College of Health and Science at UWS, Professor Beryl Hesketh said the University was excited by the opportunities the new joint venture would provide.
"The partnership will contribute to international research, skills and workforce building for Western Sydney,” Professor Hesketh said, “and work experience and exchange programs for UWS graduates.
"It will also provide significant employment opportunities for UWS graduates and the Sydney workforce."
Ms Perry said Polaris Software was one of the largest global information technology solution providers to major financial institutions and was in the process of establishing a software testing lab in Sydney.
7 May, 2008
Immigration officers migrate to NSW
Staff from the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship have made a regional outreach visit to the New England area in the past week.
A spokesperson for DIAC said the outreach visit offered people in regional areas the welcome chance to sit down and talk about immigration-related issues face-to-face with Immigration Officers.
“DIAC places great importance on providing services to regional areas and these visits are a large part of that,” the spokesperson said.
“These appointments attract a range of people, from farmers to small business owners, community groups to individuals, who might want information or just someone to talk them through a complex matter.”
The spokesperson said that while the Department had information available over the phone or on the internet, some people preferred to speak to officers in person.
He said the trip aimed to fulfill this need and allow people to raise topics that were important to their personal situations.
“In the past, we have found that the most popular topics relate to citizenship, work visas, visas for family members and how to propose and sponsor refugees,” the spokesman said.
During the tour the DIAC team visited Inverell, Armidale and Tamworth.
7 May, 2008
Fishing survey is tailor-made
Fishermen are being offered a chance to work with the Department of Primary Industries to study the survival rates of some local fish.
The experiment follows earlier studies on a number of marine and freshwater species and this time will determine the survival of released tailor.
Researchers from DPI at Coffs Harbour have designed the survey which requires fisher-folk to release their angled tailor into holding cages where they could be monitored.
Research scientist with DPI’s Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit, Dr Paul Butcher said the aim of the project was to measure the short-term mortality and key influencing factors for tailor after being hooked and released by recreational anglers.
"The study will be done off beaches and rocks on 23 and 24 May, and by using boats on 25 May at Coffs Harbour,” Dr Butcher said.
"The experiment will involve recreational anglers using any legal configuration of tackle to target tailor in and around the harbour.”
He said immediately a fish was caught and landed, it would be measured and placed into a water-filled, aerated live-well.
"All fish will then be transferred without air exposure by the anglers to large cages and monitored with control fish for up to seven days," he said.
Dr Butcher said every angler who correctly completed a data sheet would receive a gift voucher.
"The data sheet will require anglers to record details of the gear used to catch the fish plus other important information from the catch process, such as where in the mouth it was hooked, handling details, net type and playing time."
People interested in taking part in the experiment can contact Dr Butcher or his research team on (02) 66 483 910 or 0438 950 838, or by email at pbutcher@nmsc.edu.au
He said the fishing session would run from 6am to 10am.
7 May, 2008
Cemetery paper has lively plot
The Department of Lands has issued a discussion paper on the need for more cemeteries.
The paper is open for public comment until 30 June.
According to the Department, it was clear that within the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area there was an emerging shortage of available land to cater for the community’s burial needs.
“A discussion paper and survey eliciting community views on how to better manage public burial space are now available for community review and comment,” The Department said on its website.
“The paper Sustainable Burials in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region and its 19 options were prepared by the Department of Lands following industry and interdepartmental consultation.”
It said the 19 options outlined in the paper included what to do about unused burial rights, family graves, renewable tenure, and extinction of tenure and cemetery renewal.
“The paper is seeking comments and suggestions on the options and how issues relating to the provision of burial space in the future can be solved.”
It urged the community to make submissions on any matter related to the more sustainable use of cemeteries.
“All options bear in mind the fundamental principle that the NSW Government is opposed to the introduction of any practices that impinge upon the basic beliefs of any religion or culture.
“The protection and conservation of our heritage is also an extremely important consideration.”
The discussion paper was available on the Department of Lands website at www.lands.nsw.gov.au and the online survey at www.surveymonkey.com
A fact sheet of frequently asked questions was also available for download and a public meeting was planned for Wednesday, 4 June 2008 at the State Library at 6pm.
7 May, 2008
School transport on road to review
The interim findings of a review of the Private Vehicle Conveyance Scheme in NSW have been released, with 15 recommendations.
The review was conducted by former Minister for Local Government, Harry Woods and examined the $20 million annual program that assisted school students and their parents in meeting school travel costs in areas where public transport was unavailable.
The program assists 20,000 students a year at an average cost of around $800 each.
According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, John Watkins, the objective of the review was to identify concerns regarding current practice within the PVC Scheme and to examine potential and practical solutions.
He said it aimed to make the PVC subsidy more equitable, transparent, administratively simple and with a lower risk of overpayment; review the rationale, payment model and procedures of the scheme; and make the subsidy more sustainable.
In preparing his report, Mr Woods undertook consultations with community stakeholders including school representatives, parent representatives and bus organisations and received 18 written submissions.
Mr Watkins said the submissions proposed a number of changes which the review recommended be adopted wholly or in part.
He said the key recommendations of the report included:
- abolishing the 300 km cap;
- linking the payment to school attendance records;
- widening the approval criteria to allow travel to other agreed activities, not just school;
- requiring the family to calculate the payments instead of the student;
- and expanding the number of subsidised trips for distance education students.
Friday, 23 May 2008.
Mr Watkins said the final report would be presented in July 2008, and any changes would become effective from the beginning of the second school semester in July 2009.
Comments can be sent to pvcreview@transport.nsw.gov.au, faxed to (02) 9891 8985 or posted to Locked bag 5085, Parramatta, NSW 2124.
7 May, 2008
Bullying entries hit competition bullseye
An Anti-Discrimination Board writing competition for schoolchildren has highlighted the effects that bullying, harassment and discrimination can have.
The competition, “Say NO to Discrimination Now,” was held as a part of Law Week 2008 and over 600 entries were received in a variety of forms including poems, stories, rap songs, dialogues, fables and role plays.
Board President, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said many of the entries were written from a personal perspective and revealed the pain and loss of self esteem that could result from bullying, particularly bullying related to race or homosexuality.
“The children also showed awareness about how to deal with bullying, including standing up to bullies, seeking out support from people at home and school, and most challengingly, trying to ‘be nice’ to the bully and befriend them.”
Mr Kerkyasharian also announced the winners of the competition.
The winner in the Kindergarten to year 2 category was four-year-old Jessica Eddy from Binda, whose striking entry was entitled Bullies have mean mouths.
Years 3-6 winner was Ahmad El Ammar from Peakhurst, who wrote a powerful poem entitled Sticks and Stones, about his experience of bullying and the solutions to it.
The winner from years 7-9 was Dominic Moore from Deniliquin, with a poem entitled Ying and Yang? about the racism directed at black people.
The Years10-12 winner was Bilal Wazirzada from Lisarow, with an entry expressing his dream for a bullying-free future entitled I hope.
Mr Kerkyasharian said the winners received book vouchers for themselves and their schools.
Mr Kerkyasharian was joined by Attorney General, John Hatzistergos at a ceremony at Parliament house to present the winners with their prize vouchers. Runners up in each category received certificates.
The presentation also featured a performance by students from the Talent Advancement Program of Bankstown City Council and the NSW Department of Education And Training.
7 May, 2008
Research Centre has designs on crime
A new Research Centre at the University of Technology, Sydney, is to produce industrial and urban designs to win the battle against crime.
Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, said the Government would provide $450,000 toward the facility, known as the Designing Out Crime Research Centre.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Centre would bring together experts in criminology and design to develop new concepts and products for reducing and preventing crime.
“When it comes to crime, prevention is the best cure,” he said.
He said one of the Design Centre’s ideas was the “Text Message Bomb” – a message sent by police after the theft of a mobile phone.
“The message basically fries the phone’s micro-chip so the phone is rendered useless to whoever has possession of it,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said the “Safety Catch” was another design idea.
He said to the untrained eye it looked like a fashionable bracelet, but it would send out a distress signal if broken.
He said the bracelet could be worn by police and others doing dangerous jobs.
“We want to make it as difficult as possible for thieves and thugs to prey on the good citizenry of our community,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said innovative new urban and industrial designs would build on the Government’s track record on cracking down on crime.
“We aim to be even better at outsmarting criminals and continue to actually prevent crime before it happens.”
He said the Centre would be located within the University’s Design, Architecture and Building Faculty, and would open within the coming months.
It would include academics from the University’s law school and its Institute for Sustainable Futures.
Mr Hatzistergoss said the Centre would make regular reports on its progress to the Attorney-General’s Department, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and the NSW Police Force, and would be evaluated by the Government after three years.
7 May, 2008
Sprinkler installers in firing line
Recommendations that fire protection system installers and maintenance workers be licensed have emerged from the Government’s Fire Protection Systems working party, and public comment is invited.
Planning Minister, Frank Sartor and Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney jointly released the working party’s report which examined concerns raised by various fire industry and trade groups regarding fire protection systems and building fire safety.
Mr Sartor said the report made a number of recommendations including commencing a cost-benefit analysis of a licensing or accreditation regime for fire protection system installers, installers and maintenance personnel.
“The planning system as it relates to building fire safety is generally robust, through the planning approval, certification and fire safety maintenance systems,” Mr Sartor said.
“Nevertheless, the Government has recognised that some improvement and strengthening is needed.
He said positive action was being taken to increase industry and public confidence in building fire safety with a draft exposure bill issued that would improve the planning system by introducing reforms to the building certification system to ensure better oversight.
He said fire protection systems included sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, hydrant, hose reel and alarm systems.
The Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney said the working party’s recommendations were an important step towards ensuring that buildings and their occupants had properly-designed, installed and maintained fire protection systems.
She said the working party received no evidence which suggested that a fire may have destroyed or damaged a building as a result of inadequate design, certification or maintenance.
Among the recommendations of the working party were calls to:
- Review the role of the NSW Fire Brigades in the approval and maintenance of fire protection systems and building fire safety matters.
- Improve the provision of information on fire protection systems to designers, installers, authorities, contractors and building owners.
- Clarify the extent of independence of an accredited or licensed person overseeing the design of fire protection systems.
- Continue a Department of Planning review of the approval and maintenance processes associated with ‘alternative solutions’ under the Building Code of Australia.
7 May, 2008
Verdict reached on jury discharges
Judges are to be given the power to discharge individual jurors without aborting entire trials, the Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, has announced.
Mr Hatzistergos said judges would be able to remove jurors for a number of reasons and this would reduce the number of aborted trials.
“If a juror is wrongly empanelled, for example, or if a juror has engaged in misconduct, the judge will be able to discharge them,’ he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said under amendments to the Jury Act 1977, Judges would have the discretion to allow trials to continue without the full panel of jurors, provided the circumstances were appropriate.
“An entire trial should not necessarily be aborted just because of circumstances affecting one or two jurors,” he said.
“Trials are costly and delays in finalising proceedings can be distressing to victims and witnesses who can be forced to testify again.”
Mr Hatzistergos said avoiding unnecessary retrials would ensure Court resources were not wasted.
The new rule was one of six recommendations made by the NSW Law Reform Commission in its report into the State’s jury system which was released in January.
Other amendments included giving jurors the ability to report each other to Judges or the Sheriff and giving lawyers the ability to appeal by leave if a Judge discharged an entire jury.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government was committed to improving the jury system and ensuring it was fair and sustainable.
He said it was consulting with key stakeholders and the community on the other 68 recommendations in the LRC’s report.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government had also asked the LRC to produce a report on the effectiveness of directions and warnings given by Judges to juries in criminal trials.
“Juries should be given precise, consistent and straight-forward directions to ensure they have a clear understanding of the proceedings and can properly perform this very important civic duty,” he said.
7 May, 2008
Crime plan pays for Penrith
Penrith City Council could be eligible to apply for up to $150,000 from the Attorney-General’s Department to fund its innovative crime prevention initiatives, according to Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the funding, which would be distributed over three years, would allow Council to get tough on crime and address its underlying causes through its Crime Prevention Plan.
“Council is to be commended on its Crime Prevention Plan which aims to target serious crimes such as assault, domestic violence and theft from motor vehicles,” he said.
“The endorsement is recognition of the good work that has gone into the plan, which focuses heavily on building partnerships with residents, Government Agencies, local businesses and community groups to address local crime.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the plan aimed to dispel myths about crime in the area as, although statistics indicated crime levels were falling or stable in many key areas, some residents were still fearful for their safety.
“Engaging the community in safety programs could help reduce erroneous perceptions of crime and encourage the reporting of any crimes that do occur,” Mr Hatzistergos said when announcing that the plan had been formally endorsed.
He was joined for the endorsement by MP for Penrith, Karyn Paluzzano, and Penrith City Mayor, Greg Davies.
Ms Paluzzano said she welcomed the move and supported Council as it endeavoured to improve community safety.
“Council is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to working with the NSW Government to help stamp out crime at a grassroots level,” she said.
Mr Davies said the Penrith Valley Community Safety Plan 2007-2010 was developed in response to local issues by crime prevention partners in the local area.
“Council will conduct safety audits in areas in the Penrith CBD and surrounds that have been identified as hot spots for assaults and anti-social activity, and will work to reduce opportunities for those offences to be committed,” he said.
“In addition, Council will distribute personal safety information to young people highlighting protective strategies for themselves and others.”
Since 2003, Penrith Council had received more than $230,000 from the Attorney General’s Department for a range of crime prevention strategies.
7 May, 2008
Dog gone but honoured
A police dog, killed in the line of duty, has been honoured with a bravery award.
The dog, named Carts, was stabbed during a police operation on the south coast and later died from his wounds at a veterinary hospital.
He was recognised for his bravery by the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia with his trainer, Senior Sergeant David Williamson, travelling to Adelaide to accept the award on behalf of the NSW Police Force.
Carts joined the NSW Police Force in 2002 and was named in memory of David Carty, a Police Officer who lost his life at Fairfield.
Reconciliation week
National Reconciliation Week is to be held from 27 May to 3 June and the theme this year is "Sorry - A New Beginning".
A calendar of events for Reconciliation Week has been prepared for NSW with assistance from the NSW Teachers Federation.
The calendar includes events during and around Reconciliation Week, organised by Local Reconciliation Groups, Aboriginal organisations, other community organisations, Government Departments and Local Councils to mark both Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) in NSW.
To view the calendar visit www.nswrecon.com
Water talks extended
The time for public comment on the draft Hunter Water sharing plan has been extended following requests from water users.
The public exhibition period originally intended to end on 2 may has been extended to Friday 30 may.
Water Minister, Nathan Rees said the extension would allow local farmers, industry groups and the wider community more time to comment on the draft plan, copies of which were available from the Department of Water and Energy in Newcastle, phone (02) 4904 2500
Rural call on phones
People in regional, rural and remote NSW have been encouraged to voice their opinions about the adequacy of telecommunications.
The Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, said the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee held the last of its public meetings this week.
Mr Conroy said the Committee was expected to deliver a report by August 2008.
For further information visit www.rtirc.gov.au
Gas attack to cost $40m
A $40 million waste management facility for Western Sydney which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars off the roads has received planning approval.
To be located on 84ha of reclaimed landfill at Kemps Creek, the facility would include the latest waste reduction and recycling technology.
The facility was proposed by SITA Environmental Solutions and would be capable of processing up to 134,000 tonnes of waste a year, only 40 per cent of which would end up as landfill.