3 November, 2011

Libraries book new
deal for readers

Library users everywhere in South Australia are to be given access to more than four million items from the State’s 135 public libraries under an innovative new scheme.
   The One Library Project is a partnership between State and Local Governments and is aimed at providing extra benefits to library users, simplifying networking between libraries and making substantial savings.
   President of the Local Government Association (LGA), Mayor Kym McHugh said Councils would save more than $3 million on the costs of replacing their individual systems and their annual operating costs would also be significantly lower.
   Mayor McHugh said savings would be reinvested in other public library initiatives as agreed in a recently negotiated 10-year funding arrangement between the LGA and Minister for Arts, John Hill.
   Mr Hill said the project was one of the most innovative in libraries in Australia.
   “I urge anyone with an image of dusty bookshelves in their minds to visit their local library,” Mr Hill said.
   “They will discover vibrant centres with online access and services for all ages.
   He said the One Library Project was originally estimated to cost $7.2 million but would now cost $4.6 million, including project management and implementation.
   Final contract negotiations with the software provider, SirsiDynix are expected to be completed within weeks.
   Mr Hill said the project would be rolled out progressively to libraries over the next three years with the first likely to be operating during the first half of 2012.


3 November, 2011

Weather upgrade
fine and settled

A major upgrade to weather forecast and warning services for South Australia is being implemented by the Bureau of Meteorology.
   Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell said the new service would see 28 locations in South Australia benefit from a level of service previously available only in major cities.
   “This investment in the Bureau’s forecasting technology will have real benefits for communities, with towns such as Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Renmark and Mt Gambier receiving seven-day forecasts for the first time,” Senator Farrell said.
   “The number of district forecasts has more than doubled, up from six locations to 14, providing more detailed information on rainfall, winds and fire danger.”
   He said the Adelaide metropolitan area would receive a forecast which included both the chance of rainfall and the predicted amount, while surrounding coastal waters would also receive four days of wind and wave information for 10 smaller zones.
   South Australia Regional Director for the Bureau, Andrew Watson said the upgrade would not only provide more information, but would present it in a way that was easier to understand.
   “Marine wind warnings will be issued for the current and following day, with warnings added to the coastal waters forecast for those days,” Mr Watson said.
   “Metropolitan waters, including Goolwa and adjoining lakes, will have an improved graphical forecast which shows winds, and combined sea and swell.”
   He said key agricultural regions would also benefit from a seven-day forecast in rural locations, with more detail about wind, rainfall, and overnight temperatures to assist in frost mitigation.
   Senator Farrell said South Australia was the fourth State to come online as part of a national roll-out of the new weather forecasting service, following Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.


3 November, 2011

School for strategy
seeks students

Applications are now open for the Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s (ANZSOG) Towards Strategic Leadership Program 2012.
   The program is designed for public sector employees who are transitioning into executive leadership roles.
   It aims to help participants grow as strategic leaders and provides insights into the challenges of managing complexity, interdependence, crisis and change.
   Dean of ANZSOG, Professor Allan Fels said the School was made up of a consortium of Australian and New Zealand Governments, universities and business schools dedicated to the development of outstanding public sector leadership and policy.
   “Our education and research programs are designed with the objective of making practical improvements to public management and policy and the provision of Government services,” Professor Fels said.
   “One of the hardest career transitions is moving from an operational role to one requiring a strategic focus.”
   He said the Towards Strategic Leadership Program was specifically designed to develop leadership capability within the increasingly complex public administration environment.
   “Conducted over two separate residential sessions, participants will develop the skills that will enable them to think and act strategically,” he said.
   “A significant part of the program is devoted to reflective leadership development work.”
   Professor Fels said the learning environment would be engaging and dynamic, focusing on real-life issues and challenges faced by public sector executives in a variety of Governments.
   He said applications closed on 25 November and more details could be found at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Warning hatched
on bird feeders

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has warned bird lovers to take care using backyard feeders.
   The Department’s Manager of Animal Welfare, Deb Kelly said that birds were susceptible to a range of diseases.
   “This risk of disease spreading increases when they crowd together artificially to feed at central points such as bird feeders,” Dr Kelly said.
   “For example, parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets can all be affected by ‘beak and feather disease’.”
   This attacked the birds’ immune systems and could result in them losing their feathers, developing beak problems and eventually dying from even simple infections.
   “The virus is so infectious that it can be transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces such as feeders, as well as in feathers and faeces,” she said.
   “It only takes one sick bird for there to be potential for a disease to spread rapidly.”
   Dr Kelly said backyard feeding could also cause other problems, such as turning the birds into an attractive target for predators like cats.
   She said it might lead them to abandon their natural food and become malnourished or dependent on humans.
   She said there were better ways than food to encourage birds into home gardens.
   “Planting a variety of native plants and trees will encourage them, as well as insects such as butterflies,” she said.
   “Putting out water, especially during the warmer weather, will also always attract birds, but good hygiene is absolutely vital to minimise the potential for diseases to spread,” Dr Kelly said.


3 November, 2011

Tax Office warning
on phone scams

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued a warning to taxpayers to beware of scams supposedly representing the ATO.
   Commissioner for Taxation, Michael D’Ascenzo said there had been an increase in the number, creativity and sophistication of scams being reported to his Office.
   “With the 31 October deadline now with us for people completing their own tax returns, ‘scammers’ are ramping up their efforts and we are seeing a range of sophisticated scams,” Mr D’Ascenzo said.
   These included phone calls that played a legitimate-sounding recorded ‘training and monitoring’ message at the start of the call and calls from people posing as tax officers who provided fraudulent ATO call-back details.
   In addition he said, emails were sent about the recipient’s tax refund, special deals and donations that were made to appear to have come from the ATO and used ATO or Government in the email address.
   Some emails contained a dangerous virus, which when opened or downloaded would crash the recipient’s computer.
   “It is important that the community stays mindful and vigilant as scammers are increasing their efforts to make their scams appear genuine,” Mr D’Ascenzo said.
   “We rely on the community to alert us to suspicious behaviour. Your report can help us investigate and have the illegal behaviour stopped.”
   He said people who suspected email scams could forward them to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au or call during business hours on 1800 060 062.


3 November, 2011

Campaign jacked up
for jacks awareness

A national safety campaign warning home handymen to take care working under car jacks has been announced by the Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Anne Gale.
   Titled Don’t be a Jackass with Jacks, the campaign aims to cut the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by people working underneath their vehicles.
   “Many Australians undertake vehicle repairs themselves, whether it be to save money or as hobby,” Ms Gale said.
   “However, each year Australians, mainly men, have died or become seriously injured as a result of work on their vehicles without using proper jacks, stands and ramps.”
   She said research by the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (ACCC) had found that from July 2000 to April 2010 there were 46 fatalities in Australia that involved car jacks, vehicle ramps or blocks.
   “While people may be aware of the risk associated with working underneath a vehicle, they believe that the probability of death or serious injury is very low, but this is simply not true.”
   She said the campaign was being led by the ACCC with input from all State and Territory Fair Trading Agencies.
   It includes a smart phone friendly website, online safety video and information materials for people who work on their vehicles.
   “South Australia has led the development of the new website which has been designed specifically to be accessed from a smart phone so do-it-yourself practitioners can visit the website while working on their vehicles,” Ms Gale said.
   She said the safety information, including the mobile website, could be accessed at
   this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Schools awash
with water tips

The Department of Water has launched a new WaterWise kit for schools to encourage students to value and conserve water.
   The Department said that while increased rainfall had resulted in improved flows in the River Murray in recent times, it was still essential for all South Australians, including young South Australians, to continue to value every drop.
   Minister for Water, Paul Caica said the WaterWise school kit would encourage students to consider the importance of water and ways to reduce the amount used.
   “South Australians are leading the way in water conservation by using water wisely in the home, garden, and through the workplace,’’ Mr Caica said.
   He said the WaterWise School kit included a flow cup for students to conduct water flow rate investigations in their school grounds, a shower timer to encourage responsible water use behaviour, a checklist to help teachers and students learn what they could do to save water and stickers for wet areas to remind people to turn off taps and reduce their water use.
   Mr Caica said the Department had also translated the water saving tips magnet and personal water plan into 17 languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Afrikaans and Punjabi.
   “By making these materials available in languages other than English, we are broadening our reach to include 15 different ethnic groups,’’ the Minister said.
   He said any school in South Australia could register to become part of WaterWise Communities by visiting this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Veterans targeted
in new health push

Four new sub-committees of the Veteran’s Health Advisory Council (VHAC) are to be established to enhance the quality and delivery of veterans’ health care.
   SA Health said it was dedicated to supporting war veterans and ensuring they had the services they needed for their physical and mental well-being.
   Director of Statewide Service Strategy at SA Health, Sinead O’Brien said the Department recognised the need for continued support for veterans, particularly in the areas of mental health, primary care, aged care and oral health.
   She said these four topics were identified by the VHAC and the SA Health Framework for Veterans’ Health Care (2012 - 2016) as areas to be enhanced.
   The final draft of the framework is currently under review by representatives of the veteran community.
   The framework will also identify strategies to meet the needs of a growing number of younger veterans and their families.
   The sub-committees will research the topics from the perspective of patients, providers, families and the broader health care system.
   SA Health’s Operational Planning Unit will assist the groups in identifying key priorities and using evidence-based research to develop recommendations to the Minister for Health.
   Presiding Member of VHAC, Jock Statton said members of the sub-committees represented a vast cross-section of the veteran community from various theatres of conflict, career and support services.
   “This will ensure a comprehensive dialogue that will add to the tangible services
   already provided to our veterans,” Mr Statton said.
   The recommendations are expected to be put to the Minister within six months.


3 November, 2011

Health bill
hits $120B

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has reported that spending on goods and services in the health sector nationally exceeded $120 billion in 2009-10.
   The AIHW report, Health Expenditure Australia 2009–10, shows that total health expenditure was $121.4 billion during the year - up $7.9 billion on 2008–09.
   According to the report this was 9.4 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and averaged out at $5,479 per person in Australia.
   “Health expenditure as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product has continued to grow, increasing from 7.9 per cent in 1999-00 to 9.4 per cent of GDP in 2009-10,” the report says.
   It says that between 1999-00 and 2009–10, Australia’s expenditure on health in real terms (after adjusting for inflation) grew at an average of 5.3 per cent a year, compared with average real growth in GDP of 3.1 per cent a year.
   The largest component of the increase in expenditure in 2009-10 was a $1.5 billion rise in spending on public hospitals, followed by spending on medications, which grew by $1 billion.
   The report says that the area of expenditure with the highest percentage growth was health research—which grew by 10.8 per cent in real terms, followed by dental services—up 7.5 per cent.
   It says almost 70 per cent of total health expenditure during 2009-10 was funded by governments, with the Australian Government contributing $52.9 billion (43.6 per cent), and State, Territory and Local Governments contributing $31.9 billion (26.3 per cent).
   The remaining $36.6 billion (30.1 per cent) was funded by individuals, private health insurers, and other non-Government sources.
   The full report can be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Hard times for
easy riders

Police have voiced their concerns about the increase in motorcycle fatalities on South Australian roads.
   They plan to target drivers who put motorcyclists at risk on the road and also motorcyclists who speed or display reckless behaviour.
   Titled Operation Safe Motorcycles, the campaign will last throughout November.
   Officer in Charge of the Traffic Enforcement Branch, inspector Andrew Thiele said a motorcyclist was 30 times more likely to be killed on South Australian roads than other users.
   “Motorcycling is a lifestyle, a passion for many people, as well as simply a form of transport,” Inspector Thiele said.
   “Before you take your bike out for a ride this summer, make sure it is roadworthy.”
   He said police would be using a range of tactics across the State including a highly visible police presence, directed patrolling activities, speed detection and static and mobile random rider testing.
   On-the-spot fines would be issued for speed and dangerous riding as well as drink and drug riding.
   Inspector Thiele said police would also be targeting drivers who were not paying attention to the road and putting motorcyclists at risk.
   “There are simple ways that car drivers can help to reduce the risks,” Inspector Thiele said.
   “It is vital for drivers to share the road, stay alert and be aware of motorcycles.
   “At intersections be extra vigilant and watch out for riders.”


3 November, 2011

Paper is first course
in national food plan

A White Paper is to be prepared as part of the process of developing Australia’s first National Food Plan.
   The plan will ensure that the Government’s policy settings are right for Australia over the short, medium and long-term.
   Announcing the paper, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig said it would help achieve the vision of a sustainable, globally competitive, resilient food supply that supported access to nutritious and affordable food.
   Senator Ludwig said consultation would be a key to that process.
   He said an issues paper released in June was followed by 10 weeks of public consultation and the next step, a Green Paper, would provide stakeholders with a chance to contribute before a White Paper was prepared.
   “The Government is analysing and considering the full extent of issues raised in response to the issues paper, and has already begun work developing the Green Paper,” Senator Ludwig said.
   “The Green Paper will outline the Government’s vision and approach to food policy and canvas potential changes to policy, programs and governance arrangements.”
   He said feedback on the Green Paper would inform the National Food Plan, to be released as a White Paper.
   He said the Food Plan would be a significant policy statement that served as a platform for better informed and more strategic policy directions for the food sector.
   Senator Ludwig said the objectives of the National Food Plan would include identifying and mitigating potential risks to Australia’s food security; reducing barriers to a safe and nutritious food supply; supporting long-term economic, environmental and social sustainability of the food supply chain; supporting global competitiveness and productivity growth; and reducing barriers to food businesses accessing international and domestic markets.
   “We need to be ready to meet emerging risks and opportunities such as a changing global food market, population growth and climate change,” Senator Ludwig said.
   “The development of Australia’s first ever National Food Plan will ensure we are ready to meet these challenges and maximise our opportunities over the decades to come.”


3 November, 2011

Carers to share in
online resource

A new online resource has been launched to give out-of-home carers better access to information about Government and non-Government support and services.
   Developed by the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the resource will improve carers’ awareness of the supports and services available to them by bringing together information on Federal, State and Territory Government payments, support and services and non Government services on one website.
   According to the Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, the new service would make it easier for people to find what out what assistance was available to them.
   Ms Collins said the online resource was supported by brochures, magnets and posters distributed to General Practitioners throughout Australia.
   She said carers devoted a great deal of their time and made considerable sacrifices to raise children who could no longer live with their birth parents and Governments were committed to making sure they were recognised and supported, and that included ensuring they were aware of the wide range of services they were eligible for.
   “The resource is part of the Government’s commitment to improving support for carers under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children,” Ms Collins said.
   “It will offer carers more certainty about the services they are eligible for and provide information about who they can speak to for help and advice.”
   She said the resource was developed in partnership with all Australian Governments and the non-government sector and could be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

PS call to spearhead
Indigenous jobs

Senior Public Service managers across Australia have been called on to copy their private sector counterparts and go into bat for Indigenous employment.
   Writing in the new-look magazine of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Public Administration Today, the National President of the IPAA, Percy Allan called on the senior echelons of the PS to pledge more jobs for Indigenous Australians.
   “Indigenous success stories tell us those who find work have far fewer problems than those who don’t,” Mr Allan said.
   “To find work, Indigenous Australians need skills and opportunities to escape the downward spiral of hopelessness and despair that many regrettably view as the natural fate for Australia’s original peoples.”
   His plea echoes a similar call by Commonwealth’s Special Minister of State, Gary Gray for Federal Public Service Chiefs to lead by example in hiring more Indigenous employees.
   Mr Gray said he expected the Australian Public Service to be doing more towards achieving the 2018 target of a further 100,000 private and public sector jobs for Indigenous Australians.
   The IPAA magazine looks at other aspects of Indigenous affairs, including The Strategic Review of Indigenous Expenditure Report to the Australian Government, which recommended 25 existing Indigenous-specific programs across the Commonwealth be closed immediately, and 51 others be consolidated into 18.
   The report said Commonwealth Government expenditure on its Indigenous-specific programs amounted to some $3.5 billion annually and that it had yielded dismally poor returns to date.
   Public Administration Today also features articles supporting its Indigenous employment theme by Public Service Chiefs including Federal Auditor General, Ian McPhee, former Commonwealth and ACT Ombudsman, Allan Asher and the Australian Public Service Commission.
   It is distributed nationally and read by public sector employees in all three tiers of Government, Statutory Authorities and not-for-profit organisations.
   Mr Allan’s comments can be found in the PS News Feature pages at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Union’s survey is
women’s wish list

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has launched its annual What Women Want survey.
   Now in its sixth year, the CPSU survey is the largest survey of women undertaken by an Australian trade union.
   Last year, nearly 10,000 women completed the survey, which was conducted in partnership with the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR).
   Deputy National Secretary of the CPSU, Kristin van Barneveld said the University of South Australia’s Centre for Work + Life had joined the partnership for the first time this year.
   “The CPSU’s annual What Women Want survey of women raises important questions about women and work,” Dr van Barneveld said.
   “Last year’s survey revealed significant gaps between the availability of flexible working conditions and the number of women accessing them.”
   She said it showed that having a technical right to flexible working conditions did not always mean women would get to use them.
   “The survey results give us a clear picture of women’s working lives and what our priorities need to be to improve conditions that provide flexibility and work life balance,” she said.
   “The involvement of the University of South Australia’s Centre for Work + Life has seen the survey expand this year to include questions on environmental issues.”
   Dr van Barneveld said results from previous surveys had been used in the 2011 round of enterprise agreement negotiations, which assisted the CPSU in securing improvements for women.
   She said improvements included superannuation payments on periods of unpaid parental leave; control over hours of work and reasonable compensation for additional hours worked; flexible working conditions to ensure work life balance; and paid maternity leave in addition to the Government scheme of paid parental leave.
   The 2010/11 survey report is available at this PS News link and to take part in this year’s survey go to this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Evaluation to size up
obesity problem

An obesity prevention program begun in South Australia in 2009 is to be evaluated over the next eight years.
   To be conducted by Flinders University, the evaluation will include participants in the OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) program which is supported by Local, State and Federal Governments.
   Director of Health Promotion at SA Health, Michele Herriot said overweight and obesity affected about one-quarter of South Australian children.
   “The aim is to determine what works best for children and families in different areas when it comes to encouraging them to eat well and be active,” Ms Herriot said.
   “A thorough and rigorous evaluation will help us determine whether we are reaching our goals.”
   She said participation in the evaluation would be entirely voluntary, and all collected information would remain confidential.
   She said the mainstay of the evaluation is to be a questionnaire about eating habits, physical activity levels and environments, to be completed by parents, children, school principals and childcare and pre-school directors.
   Ms Herriot said there would also be a growth check for nine to 11-year-olds and 14 to 16-year-olds, to measure their height, weight and waist circumference.
   Deputy Chair of the OPAL Scientific Advisory Committee, Tim Olds said the screening would be conducted in schools in a private area by trained members of the research team in accordance with body image principles.
   “All information gathered will be kept strictly confidential,” Professor Olds said.
   An estimated 48,000 measurements at more than 450 Government and non-Government schools were expected to be conducted during the eight-year evaluation period.


3 November, 2011

Facebook lined up
to extract dentists

A Facebook campaign to attract overseas dentists to South Australia has been launched by SA Health.
   Chief Executive of SA Health, David Swan, said social media was becoming an increasingly popular way for South Australians and health professionals to keep informed.
   “More and more South Australians are turning to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date news and information,” Mr Swan said.
   “Our Facebook page will provide South Australians with regularly updated hints and tips on keeping healthy and health information in general.”
   He said however that SA Health also wanted to use Facebook to showcase why South Australia was such an attractive place to work for health professionals.
   “The launch of the SA Health Facebook page will focus on our international recruitment campaign to attract more international dentists to move here,” he said.
   “Last week SA Health took part in a dental showcase in the United Kingdom, and the Facebook site is one way we can continue informal communication with some of those dentists.”
   Mr Swan said the Facebook page would provide information and discussion on the positive aspects of living and working in South Australia, the dental industry and community and the current opportunities available.
   He said it would also provide Facebook friends with seasonal reminders and advice regarding vaccinations and mosquito bite prevention.
   He said SA Health’s Facebook page could be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

And in Other News...

New Premier sworn in
Jay Weatherill has been sworn in as South Australia’s 45th Premier at a ceremony at Government House.
   Mr Weatherill also holds the portfolio of State Development.
   Full details of the new South Australian Ministry can be found at this PS News link.

Monuments to list
Two Adelaide monuments are among eight objects or places provisionally added to the South Australian Heritage Register.
   The Three Rivers fountain and the statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square have both been added to the register, along with the former Westpac Bank on King William Street, and the Nunyara Conference Centre at Belair.
   Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges was provisionally listed, as was Kanmantoo Homestead and Winery, Bigmore Cottage at Nairne and Oakside Park Stud near Hahndorf.

Pageant float launched
The Christmas Pageant float at the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) headquarters has been launched.
   The Fergus the North Pole Fire Engine float was greeted by fire fighters and St Martins Catholic Primary School students ahead of its first Pageant parade.
   MFS Open Day begins straight after the Christmas Pageant Saturday week (12 November).

Snapper season shut
The annual closed season for snapper is to continue this November.
   The closure will apply to all waters of the State until midday on Wednesday 30 November.
   Seasonal closures prohibiting snapper fishing and the taking of snapper from all State waters have been put into effect since 2000.

Twitter used for AGM
The social networking site Twitter was used as a communication tool at the Local Government Association’s annual general meeting.
   President of the Association, Mayor Kym McHugh said as communities adopted new technologies, Councils would continue to listen.
   A new website featuring the Association’s multi-million dollar Local Government Excellence program is now live at this PS News link.