SearchArchives for September 2009
24 September, 2009DEH turns up heat on
burning program
The Department for Environment and Heritage and SA Water has commenced prescribed burning in parks and reserves to reduce the risk of bushfire in the warmer months ahead.Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill said the first prescribed burn for the season was at Murraylands with others following in Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park and Mylor Conservation Park in the southern Mt Lofty Ranges.
Mr Weatherill said the Department would conduct up to 98 prescribed burns of more than 16,500 hectares between now and autumn next year.
“Reducing fuel loads through prescribed burning is very important because it can make it easier to control a bushfire, help prevent a bushfire spreading to residential areas, and ultimately save people’s lives and property,” Mr Weatherill said.
He said the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region would receive special attention with 28 burns affecting 800 hectares planned.
“This area is much higher than in recent years and will protect a range of natural and built assets.”
He said a review of fire management on public land had identified strategies to improve cooperation between Government Agencies.
“As a result, the Country Fire Service, SA Water, DEH and ForestrySA are boosting collaboration in fire management on public lands, including prescribed burning and other bushfire suppression activities.
“Already the four Agencies have endorsed a strategy to significantly increase prescribed burning in the Mt Lofty Ranges, demonstrating how an integrated approach will be crucial in being bushfire ready this summer.”
He said DEH would receive extra funding from the Government and resources from other Agencies to cover the increased burning program.
Mr Weatherill said the window of opportunity for prescribed burns was limited by the weather and vegetation conditions.
“This limits prescribed burning to short periods during spring and autumn, and only on certain days when conditions are suitable.
“This is why the joint agency agreement is so important – it enables the Government to take full advantage of the limited opportunities available.”
He said that while the Government was doing what it could to reduce the bushfire risk, homeowners and others also had a role to play.
“Private landholders must be responsible for reducing their properties’ vulnerability to bushfires,” Mr Weatherill said.
“This is being made much easier through changes to the rules about managing native vegetation for bushfire prevention purposes.”
He said the Government would soon be launching an education and information campaign explaining how to be better prepared and a series of fact sheets and a guide detailing the new rules was now available online at www.nvc.sa.gov.au.
He said these would soon be available also in local Council offices.
24 September, 2009
Amendment tips out
Council rubbish fee
A legal loophole that saw Local Councils charging for services they didn’t provide is to be closed by an amendment to the Local Government Act 1999.Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Gail Gago said the move would prevent Councils from charging a single annual service charge for waste collection regardless of whether the ratepayer enjoyed that service at their door or not.
Ms Gago said the amendment was prompted by a community outcry directed against the District Council of Yorke Peninsula which imposed the flat fee on residents who did not receive a weekly roadside pick up.
She described the Council’s decision as “unfair.”
“To ensure this problem doesn’t impact on other South Australians in future, the State Government has introduced legislative amendments in Parliament to close the loophole,” Ms Gago said.
She said Councils had two main avenues for raising revenue, either by General Rates or an Annual Service Charge.
She said General Rates funded matters of general amenity such as roads, footpaths, public toilets, parks, libraries and specific projects and were not related to whether the ratepayers used them or not and the Annual Service Charge was similar to a fee-for-service and intended to apply to ratepayers who received a particular service, e.g. wastewater removal.
Ms Gago said the Yorke Peninsula District Council chose to apply an Annual Service Charge for waste collection despite many residents not getting the service at their door.
“This was not the way ‘service charges’ were intended to apply,” Ms Gago said.
“I intend to implement a scheme, to be prescribed in regulations, under which a sliding scale of waste collection charges may be imposed, depending upon the level of services provided.”
She said the new regulations would be developed in consultation with the Local Government Association of SA.
24 September, 2009
Internet sweep to
clean up web
Staff from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs have been working with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner to trawl the internet looking for websites promoting offers that were ‘too good to be true’.Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gale Gago, said the one-day exercise targetted sites that promoted employment opportunities, health claims and miracle cures looking suspiciously like scams.
Ms Gago said the aim was to intercept the websites and prevent consumers from falling victim to their bogus offers.
“When times are tough you can bet scammers are trying their hardest to take advantage of consumers who are short on cash or suffering ill health,” Ms Gago said.
“Scammers may offer ways to make money or improve your health or wellbeing, but really all they want is to take your money or access your banking or personal details.”
She said the Internet Sweep was an annual initiative of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network, with the ACCC coordinating Australia’s involvement.
She said South Australia’s OCBA investigated dubious claims made on websites operated by South Australian businesses, with the ACCC following up concerns about interstate-based traders.
Ms Gago said traders making misrepresentations to consumers risked a maximum penalty of $100,000 for a company and $20,000 for an individual.
She warned consumers to be wary of websites that include statements such as “Make big money with little or no effort”, “No experience required” or “Earn money from home using your computer.”
She also encouraged them to seek advice from a health professional before ordering medicines or other so-called “miracle cures’ online.
“Unfortunately, some products marketed online as the latest and greatest way to cure a disease or improve your health are really just over-priced and ineffective,” she said.
Ms Gago invited consumers to report any concerns they had about claims by online traders to OCBA on 8204 9777, or 131 882 for country callers or the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
24 September, 2009
PS burden pulling
infrastructure down
The Productivity Commission has found that bureaucratic rules and regulations were hampering the development of much-needed public infrastructure across Australia.In its Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on business: Social and Economic Infrastructure, the Commission finds that inconsistent and jurisdictional regulations were placing an unnecessary burden on infrastructure businesses, which accounted for 33 per cent of Australia’s GDP.
It recommends regulatory reform to lift the burden on the sector, which includes aged care, child care, construction, and information and communications technology.
The review, which is part of an annual series of studies that the Productivity Commission undertakes to assess the impact of current regulations on business, looked at a five-year period of regulatory burden.
It found that the social and economic infrastructure service sector was subject to both State and Commonwealth regulations.
“While there is a burden of regulation on all sectors within the economy, the burden
of regulation on the social and economic infrastructure services sector is especially heavy,” the review said.
It said there was a cost to this regulation and not all of it was necessary.
It identified examples where regulations were introduced for isolated problems, but applied sector-wide.
“The consequences of such excessive attempts to manage risk underpin many of the
concerns raised in this year’s review.
“This excessive risk management can impede innovations in service delivery, increase costs, undermine staff morale and commandeer resources for compliance purposes away from the core aspects of service delivery.”
It said jurisdictional inconsistencies also affected businesses.
“Such inconsistencies can produce multiple reporting requirements to Commonwealth and State Government agencies - even for those businesses that operate within a State or Territory,” the review said.
The Commission made 42 recommendations grouped according to industry.
Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said the Government would consider the review’s findings.
24 September, 2009
Anglers hook new
information service
A mobile phone text messaging system that informs anglers of the latest fishing information has been set up for South Australia’s recreational fisherfolk by Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) Fisheries.Announced by the Minister for Fisheries, Paul Caica, the new service would also allow anglers to make sure they were conforming to the latest regulations
Mr Caica said the service, to be known as SMSFish, would assist recreational fishers by providing rapid and convenient access to important information.
“SMSFish will allow fishers to quickly and conveniently determine all the relevant information they need to know to allow them to stay within the law while fishing,” Mr Caica said.
“Simply by sending a text message to the SMSFish number with the species name they are targeting, fishers will receive an immediate return message listing the minimum legal size, bag and boat limit and any closed season dates relating to that particular species.”
He said the text messaging service would make it a lot easier for recreational fishers to find out information.
“With the onset of spring, it’s an ideal time to be launching this service as we’re beginning to see more recreational fishers getting out and about on South Australian waters,” Mr Caica said.
“We hope that SMSFish will help them to get the most out of their fishing, while at the same time supporting the sustainability of our fisheries.”
He said Fishcare Volunteers would be visiting metropolitan beaches and the northern Gulf St Vincent promoting the new SMS service over the next few weeks, as the blue swimmer crabs begin to move inshore.
Mr Caica said the SMSFish mobile number was is 0427 767 995.
He said South Australia was the first State to provide this service to recreational fishers and other States were looking at setting up similar systems.
24 September, 2009
Wider safety net to catch
school dropouts
A four-year schedule to extend the Innovative Community Action Networks (ICAN) school retention program across South Australia has been announced by the Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith.Currently running in the southern, northern and north-western metropolitan areas and Upper Spencer Gulf, the successful program that targets students at risk of dropping out, will eventually benefit up to 8,000 young South Australians.
Dr Lomax-Smth said the expansion would be to the Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Riverland and Murraylands from this year; Eyre Peninsula and the Lower South East from 2010-11; and the Barossa, Mid North, Upper South East, Adelaide Hills and Eastern metropolitan area from 2011-12.
“We know that this initiative works well,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“Since the beginning of 2005, it has achieved an average 80 per cent success rate in keeping young people in learning or earning.”
She said ICAN provided answers for each individual student by giving communities the power and funding to devise local solutions for local needs.
“We have many young people who face issues that can impact on their education, including mental illness, caring duties, an unsupportive family, ill health or an aversion to school education.
“Considering these students have either dropped out of school, training or work altogether or are on the verge of dropping out, it’s an amazing achievement,” Dr Lomax Smith said.
She said part of the expansion would be to reach out to students in Years 6 and 7 and provide early intervention and support as they transitioned to secondary schooling.
The extension was expected to cost $30 million and was being funded through the Commonwealth’s Smarter Schools National Partnership with SA on Low Socio-economic Status School Communities.
24 September, 2009
Safety laws in good hands
Draft documents setting up model occupational health and safety legislation are to be released for public discussion by the national Safe Work Australia Council.Chair of the Council, Tom Phillips said the suite of documents represented a “significant development” in the harmonisation of OHS laws around Australia and the Australian community should have six weeks to comment on them.
“We have reached a key milestone,” Mr Phillips said.
“Safe Work Australia is on track to deliver national OHS laws by December 2011.’
He said the documents to be made available included an exposure draft of the model OHS Act, a discussion paper, draft Regulations and a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).
“I believe harmonising OHS laws will benefit workers across all industries by better protecting the lives and health of Australians,” Mr Phillips said.
“This regulatory reform will not come at the expense of the safety of Australian workers.”
He said releasing the documents would allow Australian businesses and individuals to voice their opinion on the new legislation.
He said the final decision on releasing the documents rested with the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) so Safe Work Australia had forwared a recommendation on.
Mr Phillips also announced that 41 organisations had sought to become Safety Partners of national Safe Work Australia Week, which would run from 25 to 31 October. He said the Safety Partners would join 16 Safety Ambassadors to promote safety during the week.
“In agreeing to become Safety Ambassadors, Council members join the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Safety Commissioner in a strong commitment to workplace safety and the benefits of harmonised OHS,” Mr Phillips said.
“We look forward to working together to raise awareness of the benefits of harmonisation and the importance of workplace safety to reduce the incidence of death, injury and disease.”
24 September, 2009
PS on the money
over economy
Public Sector leaders have played a vital role in helping steer Australia through the Global Financial Crisis, according to the Secretary to the Federal Treasury, Dr Ken Henry.Speaking at a recent leadership forum organised by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) in Melbourne, Dr Henry said such situations required determined decision making using a comprehensive and multidimensional approach.
The breakfast seminar was attended by more than 240 IPAA Fellows, Members and senior public sector professionals from all three tiers of Government and Dr Henry indicated that the roots of the Global Financial Crisis could be traced back to a failure of financial institutions to identify and manage risk, which led to a collapse in confidence.
When lending came to a halt and financial markets froze, Governments around the world stepped in.
Dr Henry said that in such challenging times, public sector leaders needed to take a holistic approach to the issues raised at all levels of Government.
They should not lose sight of the long-term issues and strategic imperatives.
For example, he said, dealing with climate change and the implications of an ageing population could not be deferred while the economic crisis was solved.
Public Servants needed to learn from past experience while remaining forward looking he said, and during a crisis, information often seemed ambiguous and timelines brutal.
Dr Henry also fielded questions from the floor about the potential of rising inflation, the challenges of federalism and the changing landscape of Australia's international relations.
24 September, 2009
Breakthrough on
property damage
New laws strengthening penalties for property damage are to come into force next month.Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson said the Statutes Amendment (Property Offences) Act 2009 would introduce harsher penalties for arsonists and vandals and give the Courts more authority to consider the true price of the damage they do when determining a sentence.
Mr Atkinson said under the new Act, arson would attract a maximum penalty of life in prison while threatening to commit arson would attract seven years in prison and other property damage would attract up to 10 years in prison.
“These new laws abolish South Australia’s complicated cost-based penalty scheme,” Mr Atkinson said.
“Victims (can) expect to see penalties that reflect the true cost of the vandalism of their assets, not only the value of repairs.”
He said the previous laws were more than 20 years old and didn’t take these things into account.
He said Judges would no longer be restrained from considering the full effect of property damage.
“They now have greater judicial discretion.”
Mr Atkinson said under the old laws, the penalties for property damage crimes were dictated by the cost of the damage inflicted on the property.
He said this meant, for example, that if machinery was sabotaged, the cost of repairing the damage might be less than a hundred dollars but the consequential loss of production could stretch into tens of thousands of dollars.
“As the law stands today, this offending would be considered a lesser offence and a Judge would have to apply a penalty within the lower sentence range.”
Mr Atkinson said the new laws reflected recommendations made by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
24 September, 2009
Drink drive campaign
to be toast of TV
New web-based technology that allows students to build an online portfolio of their work, achievements and future aspirations has been made available in South Australian schools.Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith said the new resource, Studywiz ePortfolio, could be used by Year 10 students in their compulsory new SACE subject, Personal Learning Plan.
“Historically, students have kept paper records of their school work, certificates and achievements both in and out of school,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“This new technology allows information to be stored on a secure personalised online website that students and their teachers can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.’
She said the new service also allowed teachers to communicate with students online and provide guidance on to present their personal collections.
“The software can help teachers deliver the subject in a contemporary way, and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools that wish to use this technology.
She said Studywiz ePortfolio allowed the students to record their school work and achievements, images, web links, information about career paths, subject choices, sporting achievements, work experience, voluntary work and life goals.
“(And) they can tap into their information wherever they happen to be – at school, TAFE, university or in the community or workplace.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said today’s young people had grown up with computers, mobile phones and the internet so this was the kind of technology that was second nature to them.
“Importantly, a high level of security is built into the software, allowing students to share their portfolios only with teachers, parents and prospective employers.”
She said using the new resource was voluntary and training and user support was being provided via the schools.
24 September, 2009
Hospital plans make
healthy progress
Redevelopment at the Lyell McEwin Hospital has taken another step forward with a design and construction team appointed to lead the next stage.Minister for Health, John Hill said the $202 million Stage C would bring expenditure on the hospital so far to $336 million and build on the improvements in stages A and B.
He said the redevelopment would effectively double the capacity of the hospital.
“We’re developing a modern, tertiary hospital here to provide complex services for the north’s growing population,” Mr Hill said.
“This also means fewer people will have to travel for treatment.”
He said over the next six years, the hospital would receive a new acute inpatient building with a helipad and room for 120 patients; three new operating theatres; facilities for increased outpatient and allied health services; an expanded Women's Health Centre; areas for research, clinical offices and related support services and a multi-deck car park which was already being built.
He announced the Stage C design and construction leadership team as Cheesman Architects, Silver Thomas Hanley, Wallbridge & Gilbert, and Bestec.
He said the companies making up the team had worked successfully on health projects before and had been involved with the Lyell Mac since Stages A and B.
Mr Hill said other improvements at the hospital had been a new $1.6 million CT scanner which was the first of its kind installed in Australia and a new $7 million Linear Accelerator radiotherapy treatment facility which could treat around 400 patients a year and save the average patient up to 30 trips into the city.
24 September, 2009
Awards open door on
returning to work
The WorkCover Recovery and Return to Work Awards have been presented for 2009 , recognising workers who have achieved outstanding results following a workplace injury and returning to work.Announced by the Minister for Industrial Relations, Paul Caica the annual awards were WorkCoverSA’s third.
Mr Caica said he was impressed with the levels of determination, hard work and perseverance shown by all the awards finalists.
“This is my second year presenting these awards and I continue to be inspired by the calibre and achievement of all of the nominees,” Mr Caica said.
“Their stories are a great motivator for everyone involved in the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme to keep working towards better return to work outcomes for injured South Australians.”
Two of the winners earning a specific mention were a man whose toes were amputated after being immersed in a 540° degree molten metal bath and a young girl who had an artery, two nerves and 12 tendons in her hand accidentally severed.
Chief executive of WorkCoverSA, Julia Davison said other awards went to a health and rehabilitation organisation that consistently achieved return to work rates 20 per cent higher than the industry average; a regional agricultural employer who developed workplace tools to make fruit picking safer; and a case manager who had helped over 60 injured workers return to work.
“The Recovery and Return to Work Awards are growing each year and we were delighted to receive over 265 nominations for this year’s categories,” Ms Davison said.
She said Workplace injury affected many people, either directly or indirectly, and the way the recovery was were managed could positively or negatively affect not only the injured worker but also their families, colleagues and the employer.
She said the standard of nominations for the awards was high this year, making the judging panel’s task difficult.
Ms Davison said more information about the awards could be obtained from www.workcover.com/awards
24 September, 2009
Fish caught up in
lake emergency
A joint project by the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, the Department for Environment and Heritage and Blackwood Primary School to create a display garden of rare and endangered plants has entered a new, and bigger, phase.The garden, at Wittunga Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills, has doubled in size following the addition of 500 new plants by seven classes of students last week.
Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill said the rare and endangered display garden was about conservation and education.
“This initiative is a great opportunity for students to educate themselves about which native plants are most suited to our state’s natural environment and are less reliant on our state’s precious water resources,” Mr Weatherill said.
“It’s pleasing to see young people so committed to the environment.”
He said the rare and endangered display garden was part of a larger initiative to have more local native species represented in Wittunga Botanic Garden.
“The plan for the original rare and endangered display garden was to showcase plants found in a Grey Box Woodland, which is regarded as an endangered ecosystem in South Australia.
“It’s exciting to see that the plants grown last year are already well established.”
Mr Weatherill said the planting, which follows a successful one last year, provided much needed habitat for species within the garden, as well as being a valuable seed source for local conservation projects in the region.
He said Grey Box Woodland traditionally extended from Sellicks Hill to Burnside, mainly along the Hills Face and Adelaide Plains.
However since settlement, Adelaide’s Grey Box distribution had reduced from about 20,600 hectares to 1,800 hectares with most of the remaining woodland threatened by weeds, introduced animals, urban development and recreational activities.
24 September, 2009
Disability strategy a
strong step forward
A National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy to encourage more people with disabilities into work has been released.The strategy includes $1.2 billion in new employment services for people with disabilities and includes the Disability Support Pension (DSP) Employment Incentive Pilot which will trial a new way of encouraging employers to offer work to people with disabilities and allow DSP recipients to demonstrate their skills.
Federal Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib said from 1 March next year, job seekers would receive more personalised services, while employers of people with a disability would get more support.
“For the first time, services will be demand driven,” Senator Arbib said.
“This means all job seekers with disability will have immediate access to assistance from an employment service helping them to gain skills and employment.”
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten said employers would receive wage subsidies of up to $3,000 after the job seeker has remained in work for 26 weeks. Normal income taper rates will apply to DSP recipients who participate in the pilot.
“I know that many businesses want to do more to employ people with disability. This is why the Government is supporting this pilot which is expected to provide job opportunities for 1,000 Australians who receive the DSP,” Mr Shorten said.
“Providing fulfilling work and economic independence for people with disability was a key to improving their inclusion in the community.
He said there was no doubt that people with disabilities wanted to work.
“We need to ensure that we remove the barriers and negative attitudes facing people with disability who want to work, and recognise their potential rather than their impairments.”
Copies of the Strategy paper could be obtained by calling 1300 363 079 (TTY 1800 554 609), or emailing employmentstrategy@deewr.gov.au.
The report is available in electronic form at www.workplace.gov.au
24 September, 2009
Fire plan for parks
to spark comment
The Department for Environment and Heritage is calling for public comment on a new draft fire management plan for national parks, reserves and Crown Land on the Lower Yorke Peninsula. The draft plan would be open for feedback until 16 October.
It includes plans for the Innes National Park; Carribie, Leven Beach, Point Davenport, Minlacowie, Ramsay and Warrenben Conservation Parks as well as selected Crown land.
Regional fire management officer with DEH, Stuart Beinke said the south-western Yorke Peninsula was an ecologically important area supporting significant remnant native vegetation, with half of it protected in DEH reserves and heritage agreements.
He said the new plan aimed to reduce the risk of bushfire damaging the area’s important biodiversity values and identify opportunities to strengthen the protection of life, property, and natural and cultural heritage in the area.
“The majority of the significant remnant native vegetation is fragmented across the landscape, and any fire management strategies need to be considered on a landscape scale to be effective,” Mr Beinke said.
“In order to manage and protect these isolated areas, the plan proposes an integrated approach to fire management that includes the involvement of the SA Country Fire Service (CFS), local government and landowners.
He said he most significant reserve covered by the plan was Innes National Park which was a popular area for tourism on the Yorke Peninsula, attracting more than 140,000 visitors each year.
“With much of this activity being concentrated in the fire danger season, it’s critical that the plan considers strategies to reduce the risk to park users.”
He said the plan also proposed strategies to reduce the likelihood of bushfires spreading from Innes National Park and threatening the coastal township of Marion Bay.
“Fire prevention works to be undertaken in the park this spring will focus on fuel management in grassland areas to reduce the risk to Marion Bay,” he said.
Mr Beinke said the Yorke Peninsula supported a number of species of conservation significance, including Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), Western Whipbird (eastern) (Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster), Mainland Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii eugenii) and threatened orchids.
24 September, 2009
Weather Bureau
settles on book
The Bureau of Meteorology has launched a new book, Climate of Australia. The book features a summary of the main climatic influences in Australia, how they have shaped the landscape and how they determine the way people live in their part of the country.
It includes maps, illustrations, and other images, and an outline of Australia's climate down the ages.
Launching the book, the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett said it was an essential resource for anyone interested in Australia’s climate.
“With the recent history of severe weather events, and our changing climate, our attention has been strongly focused on the importance of monitoring and understanding the trends, patterns and extremes of Australia's climate,” Mr Garrett said.
“Whether your quest is for authoritative climate data for a school project, or a community environmental program, the new-lookClimate of Australia, with greatly expanded descriptive material, and is a rich source of information,” Mr Garrett said.
An accompanying CD-ROM features site-specific information for many Australian towns and regions.
Mr Garrett said there were also sections of the book on climate influences, climate elements, and extreme weather events, such as the Federation drought, tropical cyclone Tracy and the Canberra bushfires.
Climate of Australia is available at bookstores.
24 September, 2009
Life skills study
gets personal
The new Personal Learning Plan offered to Year 10 students under the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) has graduated its first students.Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith has announced that 200 students from four schools completed the compulsory six-month subject in the first half of this year and others would do so by the end of the year.
Dr Lomax-Smith congratulated the students on their success.
“The Personal Learning Plan is a new opportunity for students to learn life, personal and work skills, and map out a study plan for Year 11 and 12,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“Across the State, about 20,000 Year 10 students in Government, Catholic and Independent schools are undertaking the subject for the first time this year.”
She said the subject allowed the students to explore their strengths and interests and how those preferences might relate to their further education or job options for the future.
“This work allows students to make informed decisions about the future,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“The subject requires students to achieve skills such as communication, teamwork, initiative, planning and problem solving, which are critical in the workplace and in community life.”
She said the students also learned how to keep their options open and adapt plans as their needs and interests evolved.
“The subject requires students to achieve skills such as communication, teamwork, initiative, planning and problem solving, which are critical in the workplace and in community life.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said feedback from the first graduates was positive with students saying the Personal Learning Plan helped them with their future career choices.
The subject is worth 10 credits towards the 200 students need to successfully complete the SACE.
24 September, 2009
PS bargaining begins
The Public Service Association is to lodge a new Enterprise Agreement claim to replace the existing ‘parity’ EA which expires on 21 December.
The PSA Council has decided that the new claim will include a fair and reasonable salary increase for all, backdated to 1 October 2009; protection of existing conditions; job security; improvements to conditions and allowances; and Agency/classification specific schedules to deal with particular requirements.
The Association expects negotiations to begin by the end of this month.
Plans counter closes
The Land Services Group of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, is to close its first floor Plans Counter permanently this week.
The move follows revelations that 81 per cent of plans were being submitted via Electronic Plan Lodgement.
Plans can still be lodged at the Ground Floor,101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.
Warning to check leave
The Public Service Association has warned its members in SA Health to check their leave entitlements.
According to the Association, staff on 7-day rosters are entitled to an extra week’s leave and the SA Health Human Resources Manual is to be changed to make this clear.
The PSA said adjustments would be made to the leave entitlements of some staff who were mistakenly judged ineligible for the extra week.
Vaccine being distributed
Batches of the new swine flu vaccine are being delivered to GPs and hospitals across South Australia.
South Australia has been allocated 1.4 million doses and intends vaccinating 440,000 people in the first phase.
The disease has been associated with thousands of hospitalisations across Australia and almost 200 deaths.
Coordinators for health program
A five-year program to combat obesity in children and families has been launched with the appointment of six coordinators across the State.
The $22.3m Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle program (OPAL) has named Deb Agnew as its coordinator in Mount Gambier; Camilla Leaver in Port Augusta; Fraser Keegan in Marion; Terri Lamoree in Onkaparinga; Gavin Fairbrother in Salisbury and Lisa Atwell in
Playford.
Water row
The Premier, Mike Rann, has called for an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth and State Governments to stop Queensland reactivating dormant water licences in the Cooper Creek.
Mr Rann said the move could take billions of litres of water from the system which is a major source of water for the Lake Eyre Basin including wetlands and ecosystems such as the Ramsar listed Coongie Lake system.
He said it could also affect Innaminka’s town water supply and destroy the local beef industry costing South Australia $100 million.
Public transport upgraded
Upgrades to the State’s metropolitan public transport infrastructure continues with almost $35 million worth of works announced for at Port Adelaide.
A refit of the historic Port Adelaide viaduct and the first stage of upgrading the Port Adelaide railway station are among the major projects scheduled to begin within the next two months.
The improvements will also include upgrades to the Jervois Street bridge and to level crossings at Cheltenham Parade, Fussell Place, Wirra Drive, Fletcher Street, Strathfield Terrace and Golf Course Road.
New Youth Centre
A new $67 million youth centre is to be built at Cavan to replace the Magill Training Centre which is to be demolished.
The new centre will have 96 beds, which is six more than the original plan.
It will be paid for by the sale of State Government land at Oakden, the future sale of the existing Magill site plus $5 million from the correctional facilities budget.
17 September, 2009
IR changes strike for
better outcome
The South Australian Government is to give up a number of its industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth.Minister for Industrial Relations, Paul Caica has introduced special laws into Parliament to allow the move which would see SA come into line with other States under a national system affecting the private sector.
“This proposal will ensure that South Australia retains a significant and ongoing say in the industrial relations laws that apply in our community,” Mr Caica said.
“By eliminating regulatory overlap and duplication, this streamlined national industrial relations system will significantly reduce red tape for business and provide greater administrative efficiency.”
He said participation in the national system had already been the subject of consultations and there was general community support.
“This single set of general industrial relations laws for the private sector will benefit employers and employees generally,” Mr Caica said.
He said the people most likely to benefit were small business, young workers, women, employees with a disability, workers in regional areas, Indigenous Australians and workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
He assured the community there were safeguards in place to limit the power of the Federal Government to change the national system.
“The Bill we have tabled allows for elements of the references to be terminated, if it is considered that the Fair Work Act 2009 has been amended in a manner that isn’t consistent with any of the agreed, fundamental workplace relations principles,” Mr Caica said.
“These are the principles that have underpinned South Australia’s decision to participate in the national industrial relations system.”
Mr Caica said SafeWork SA was negotiating with the Commonwealth’s Fair Work Ombudsman to provide local delivery of South Australian compliance, education and advisory services associated with the national system.
“As part of these service delivery arrangements, SafeWork SA officers will undertake a large number of education visits over the next three years to those workplaces transferring from the State system to the Federal jurisdiction,” Mr Caica said.
He said the new arrangements did not cover employers and employees in the State public sector and Local Government as they remained subject to State industrial relations laws.
17 September, 2009
Literacy campaign
is write on target
The biggest ever campaign to improve literacy in South Australia’s school children has been announced by the Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith.The new campaign will include setting up a new Literacy Secretariat to bring together all the Education Department’s literacy expertise into one place to focus on literacy improvement.
According to Dr Lomax-Smith, the drive was part of a Government plan to make literacy, mathematics and science the top three priorities for all South Australian public primary schools.
She said the new secretariat would oversee a number of initiatives, including expansion of a Federally-funded program that provides literacy and/or numeracy coaches to work with teachers and principals in 31 schools across five regions of the State.
She said 10 school principals had been involved in a trial literacy leadership program and this would now be expanded to involve up to 60.
“We must continue to strive towards excellence,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“From next year, we are mandating teaching times in literacy, mathematics and science of up to 12 hours each week collectively.
“Every teacher from Reception to Year 7 will receive specialist training in science and mathematics.”
She said another aspect of the plan was to make education leaders more accountable for the improvement of skill levels in school students.
“The new secretariat will support principals and regional directors State-wide to put in place the best strategies to improve individual, classroom, year level and whole school achievement,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“Through the secretariat, schools will be able to easily tap into programs with a proven track record of success to lift the performance of their students.”
She said that by building on the best of what teachers and schools did, more young people would be able to learn the key skills they needed for a better future.
17 September, 2009
Council accounts
brought to account
Tougher audit checks of Local Government finances are on the way with new legislation raising the standard of management and accountability in South Australian Councils.Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Gail Gago has announced the law is to be changed to expand the auditing of Councils’ financial management systems and to introduce other measures to improve the transparency and accountability in Local Government.
“Councils have an important role as a sphere of Government in their own right,” Ms Gago said, “therefore, general public sector standards of accountability and responsibility should apply.”
“We expect the measures will significantly increase community and business confidence in Local Government in South Australia.”
Ms Gago said the new rules would require audits of not only a Council’s financial statements, but also the controls it has in place to monitor and report on abnormalities.
“This is the standard that is applicable to the State and Commonwealth Governments,” she said.
Ms Gago said all metropolitan Councils would be required to comply with the new law as soon as possible but smaller, regional Councils, would be allowed a transition period.
She said the reforms also included providing more guidance to Councils on tendering and contracting for major projects, risk management, transparency and complaint handling and stronger powers for the Minister to request information from Councils. She said the owners of vehicles and property affected by Council decisions would also be better protected.
Ms Gago said the Bill incorporated a number of technical amendments previously contained in the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2009, which was released for public comment in December 2008.
17 September, 2009
JPs sentenced to
higher workload
A plan to ease the workload of the State’s Magistrates will also see wider powers given to Justices of the Peace.Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson said the high number of minor cases being heard by Magistrates’ Courts was interfering with the smooth operation of the legal system and many of them could be just as easily handled by JPs.
“We have dozens of them (JPs) working on the bench in both city and country courts and now we are expanding the range of matters they can hear,” Mr Atkinson said.
He said among the extra cases were those that carried fines of up to $2,500, uncontested bail applications and bail variations.
He said South Australia had a core of JPs who had undergone training for their role as volunteer Magistrates but past policy changes saw them removed from the bench.
“We promised, on coming to office, that we would restore them, provided they were properly trained,” he said.
The initiative move has attracted interest with one MP saying it was a move towards cheap justice.
“Let's hope that TAFE training brings people up to speed,” he said.
Mr Atkinson said however that all that was required was commonsense and fairness.
“You don’t need a stipendiary Magistrate on a salary of quarter of a million dollars a year hearing those kinds of cases,” Mr Atkinson said.
He said more than 3,000 minor cases per year could be affected as they were leading to significant delays in the legal system.
17 September, 2009
Workplace watchdog
puts bite into bark
The Federal Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman has a culture of “going the extra mile” to resolve workplace issues and was “very serious” about its duty to ensure Australian workplaces were fair, according to the Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson. Mr Wilson told a transport industry forum in Melbourne recently that his staff were committed to building knowledge and fairer workplaces.
He said although the Agency’s 300 inspectors relied on a voluntary compliance model, they were focused on informing the community of its rights and obligations.
“We aim to build knowledge and awareness,” Mr Wilson said.
“We do not insist there is only one way to achieve compliance and will help industry through the challenge of workplace compliance.
“While we will obviously start with voluntary resolution, we will go to any length to bring about compliance if that alternative does not bring results.”
Mr Wilson said the Agency now had a legislative framework to allow it to use Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative to litigation.
“The policy decision we have taken is that there have to be admissions to our contended breaches; that the admissions have to be public and that both the Enforceable Undertaking and the duties which flow from the agreement are made public,” he said.
Mr Wilson said transport sector employers ranked seventh in terms of industries generating the most complaints to his office and should focus on the sort of workplace they wanted and where their workplace strategy would take them.
17 September, 2009
30-year plan has
only days to go
The Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway has issued a reminder that public consultation on the draft 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide, comes to a close on 30 September.“Since the launch of the draft plan in July, there has been a comprehensive program to advise and inform business, industry, local government and the community,” Mr Holloway said.
“Public comment will be vital in developing a final version of this major strategic plan.”
He said Greater Adelaide covered a large metropolitan and semi-rural area from Gawler in the north to Victor Harbor in the south, Murray Bridge to the east and Gulf St Vincent in the west.
Mr Holloway said the draft Plan set the agenda for fundamental changes to the way greater Adelaide would be developed over the next three decades.
“It will ensure South Australia remains one of the most liveable, competitive and sustainable cities in the world.”
“We need to create a framework for sustainable growth to accommodate expected population growth of 560,000 people, up to 282,000 new jobs and 258,000 additional dwellings over the next 30 years.”
He said the 30-year Plan would also include planning for new housing along major public transport routes in metropolitan Adelaide; increasing housing density; capitalising on record infrastructure spending; protecting significant agricultural land; and ensuring a 25-year rolling supply of land, with 15 years zoned supply for future urban development.
He said the land measures would keep housing prices in Adelaide competitive and support affordable housing targets.
Free CD copies of the draft Plan or hard copies (at $10) were available from the Department of Planning and Local Government on 8303 0760. More information can be obtained from www.plan4adelaide.sa.gov.au.
17 September, 2009
Bushfires ignite
warning system
A new bushfire emergency warning system is to be introduced across South Australia in time for the coming bushfire season.Premier, Mike Rann, said the telephone and text messaging system was one of a number of recommendations from the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and would cost $12.4 million over the next five years.
“This new warning alert system means alerts relating to the most severe fire threats will be sent to landlines and mobile phones based on the owner’s billing address for this bushfire season,” Mr Rann said.
“People will also be able to ‘opt in’ to the service should they have friends or relatives living in bushfire prone regions.”
He said he wanted as many warning systems in place this year but that by 2010-11 the system would be advanced enough to send messages to mobile phone users travelling through a defined emergency area.
Mr Rann said South Australia would also adopt the nationally agreed slogan of Prepare. Act. Survive.
“This is being introducedto reinforce the very real message that people simply won’t survive unless they are prepared and take the appropriate action,” he said.
In addition, a new Fire Danger Ratings scale would be implemented that includes the new categories of “Severe”; “Extreme”; and “Catastrophic.
“The purpose of this new category is to let South Australians know that if a fire starts on one of these catastrophic days it is highly likely to be fast moving, uncontrollable and they should not try to defend their homes but relocate.”
Mr Rann said other recommendations from SA’s Bushfire Task Force that would also be implemented included:
* Guidelines and procedures for “directed evacuation” involving Police and other emergency services to be developed by the Country fire Service;
* “Neighbourhood Safer Places” to be identified and used as shelter;
* A “Bushfire Prevention and Awareness Week” to be held before the fire season each year;
* A dwelling bushfire shelter guideline be developed;
* Allow CFS sirens to be used to warn communities in certain cases; and
* look at providing more sirens;
Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill said that changes would also be made to the rules about managing native vegetation.
“People can now clear all native vegetation within 20 metres of a building without approval, Mr Weatherill said.
“A new, simplified guide setting out the new rules will be released in coming weeks.”
17 September, 2009
Detective program has
clues for online safety
South Australia Police and the Australian Communications and Media Authority have joined forces to launch a national program to educate children about safety on the internet.The recently-enhanced Cybersmart Detectives program was unveiled at St Mary’s Catholic College in Adelaide last week and involved live links to more than 500 school students from 15 schools around the country.
According to the Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman, online safety is a very real issue for children and young people.
“Cybersmart Detectives aims to ensure that children have the skills they need to keep safe online,” Mr Chapman said.
“It presents children with an internet-themed scenario they can relate to - which helps them to learn about staying safe online, while having fun.”
He said it was a pleasure to extend the award-winning program to schools throughout Australia.
The initiative was endorsed by the Federal Minister for Broadband and Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, who said the hands-on program was high quality and would help Australian children stay safe online.
“These educational activities are a key part of the Australian Government’s approach to cybersafety,” Senator Conroy said.
He said the interactive school based program targetted children 11 to 12 and emphasised four safety messages:
* do not disclose personal or identifying information when chatting online;
* set profiles to private when using social networking sites;
* be aware that people online may not be who they say they are; and
* talk to someone you trust if something is happening online that makes you feel ncomfortable.
The Cybersmart Detectives program is supported by police, education, industry and child welfare advocates around the nation and runs weekly in over 350 schools.
17 September, 2009
Drought Bus makes
splash in Riverland
The Murray-Darling Basin Drought Bus has visited the Riverland to explain drought assistance measures and support services to local residents, irrigators and small businesses.An initiative of the national social security agency, Centrelink, the Drought Bus appeared at the Riverland Field Days this week and at Pinnaroo.
Coordinator of the visit, Centerlink’s Debra Pearce, said the Bus was a fully-functional mobile office that provided a ‘one stop shop’ for information on drought assistance and other Australian Government payments and services.
“The prolonged effects of the drought are still placing a financial and emotional strain on rural communities,” Ms Pearce said.
“Irrigators, farmers and small businesses need to understand they aren’t alone, and that we’re here to help.”
She said specialist Rural Services Officers travelling with the Bus could provide information on the Exceptional Circumstances (EC)Relief Payment for farmers and some small businesses, transitional income support and professional advice and planning assistance.
“We also have social workers and psychologists who travel with this mobile office who can provide emotional support and referrals to other support services,” she said.
In addition to the EC assistance, Ms Pearce said many people visiting the Drought Bus included seniors, families and students.
“These people often ask us about other Australian Government assistance, and as a result, our specialist rural staff have expanded their expertise to a broader range of payments and services to meet this growing demand.”
Ms Pearce said the Murray-Darling Basin Drought Bus also carriedMedicare Australia staff who could assist rural families with non-cash transactions such as arranging cheque or EFTPOS payments for Medicare claims, enrolling people for Medicare, or updating contact details.
Ms Pearce encouraged people to come and talk to the specialist rural staff on board the bus.
“We’re still here for farming communities impacted by drought, but we hope that people take advantage of the other information and services we can now provide,” she said.
She said anyone who missed the Murray-Darling Basin Drought Bus could contact the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line on Freecall 1800 050 015.
17 September, 2009
Drink drive campaign
to be toast of TV
An anti drink-drive advertising campaign that urges drivers to leave their cars at home if they’re going out for a drink has been launched by the Minister for Road Safety, Michael O’Brien.An initiative of the Motor Accident Commission (MAC), the campaign encourages drivers to make alternative transport arrangements if they plan to drink.
Mr O’Brien said the campaign was needed because drink driving continued to be a major contributor to the road toll.
“Last year, 36 per cent of people who died in road crashes had a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit of 0.05,” Mr O’Brien said, “with 21 drink drivers killed in road crashes and another 118 admitted to hospital with injuries.”
He said drink drivers not only injured and killed themselves, they also injured and killed others.
“But despite all the warnings, some South Australians continue to risk their own lives and those of innocent members of the community by drink driving,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said on average, 40 per cent of those deemed responsible for an alcohol related fatal crash had a previous drink driving offence.
“Last year MAC paid out at least $12 million in compensation to road crash victims as a result of drink driving, money which comes from motorists when they register their vehicles,” Mr O’Brien said.
The General Manager of Corporate Affairs for MAC, Ben Tuffnell said the new campaign was based on research that indicated a different style of message was needed to shock and therefore the campaign was taking a different approach from past attempts.
“MAC research shows that after a few drinks, the temptation to drive home becomes too great for some,” Mr Tuffnell said.
“We suggest taking the car out of the equation and enjoy your night out. It’s not worth the risk of being over the limit.”
He said the State-wide TV campaign would be supported by radio, online, bus backs and advertising in pubs and clubs.
He said it would suggestalternatives to drinking and driving that include designating a sober driver, taking a taxi, catching public transport, phoning home, walking home with friends, staying with friends or booking a room.
Mr O’Brien said the South Australian Strategic Plan set a yearly target of less than 90 fatalities, and less than 1,000 serious injuries, by the end of 2010.
17 September, 2009
New trams making
fare progress
Three of the six new trams due to come online over Christmas have arrived in Australia and are currently being modified for the task.According to the Minister for Transport, Patrick Conlon, the first journey the trams made was from Spain to Melbourne by sea but they were on track to enter service in time for the busy holiday period.
“We’ll see the new trams begin arriving here in Adelaide in November for trials,” Mr Conlon said.
“They will increase TransAdelaide’s modern tram fleet by 50 per cent and be running in time for the start of extended services to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre early next year.”
Mr Conlon said the delivery of the trams would provide a significant boost to tram customers, especially in the morning and afternoon peak periods.
“Tram travel is extremely popular in Adelaide and will be even more so with our extension of the network.”
He said as part of the Government 10-year, $2 billion investment in Adelaide’s public transport system, the six Alstom Citadis trams were sourced from the Spanish capital, Madrid, and purchased through negotiations with local transport authority Mintra.
Each tram is brought to Australia in two halves for the modifications at Melbourne’s Preston Tram Depot and then transported to Adelaide by road and re-assembled.
The remaining three Alstom Citadis trams would begin their 4-6 week voyage to Australia later this month.
17 September, 2009
New partnership for
old-fashioned help
A partnership between Country Health SA and TAFE SA is to receive more than $400,000 in Commonwealth funding to conduct aged care training programs.The funding was announced jointly by the Minister for Health, John Hill and for Employment and Training, Michael O’Brien.
Mr Hill welcomed the move saying training care workers in country South Australia was good for the workers, their patients and the whole community.
“Aged care is one of the key services provided by our country hospitals and this training helps keep standards high,” Mr Hill said.
Mr O’Brien said the funding would pay for 41 training places for staff who wanted to obtain or upgrade their qualifications in Diplomas of Enrolled Nursing, Certificates in Aged Care and Certificates in Community Services.
“This is an opportunity for staff who are dedicated to their work but have never gained a formal qualification,” Mr O’Brien said, “as well as those who are ready to take their skills to the next level.”
He said TAFE SA had applied for training places on behalf of Country Health SA under two programs: Better Skills for Better Care and Support for Aged Care Training which had funds for training personal care workers in aged care facilities.
Mr O’Brien said some of the funding would go to pay backfill costs for staff who chose to study for a Diploma of Nursing.
Mr Hill said the funding would run for three years and support 17 designated residential aged care facilities.
17 September, 2009
Garden blooms as
students dig in
A joint project by the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, the Department for Environment and Heritage and Blackwood Primary School to create a display garden of rare and endangered plants has entered a new, and bigger, phase.The garden, at Wittunga Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills, has doubled in size following the addition of 500 new plants by seven classes of students last week.
Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill said the rare and endangered display garden was about conservation and education.
“This initiative is a great opportunity for students to educate themselves about which native plants are most suited to our state’s natural environment and are less reliant on our state’s precious water resources,” Mr Weatherill said.
“It’s pleasing to see young people so committed to the environment.”
He said the rare and endangered display garden was part of a larger initiative to have more local native species represented in Wittunga Botanic Garden.
“The plan for the original rare and endangered display garden was to showcase plants found in a Grey Box Woodland, which is regarded as an endangered ecosystem in South Australia.
“It’s exciting to see that the plants grown last year are already well established.”
Mr Weatherill said the planting, which follows a successful one last year, provided much needed habitat for species within the garden, as well as being a valuable seed source for local conservation projects in the region.
He said Grey Box Woodland traditionally extended from Sellicks Hill to Burnside, mainly along the Hills Face and Adelaide Plains.
However since settlement, Adelaide’s Grey Box distribution had reduced from about 20,600 hectares to 1,800 hectares with most of the remaining woodland threatened by weeds, introduced animals, urban development and recreational activities.
17 September, 2009
Science institution has
winning formula
Multi-million dollar commitments by the South Australian and Commonwealth Governments have succeeded in convincing Britain’s iconic Royal Institution to establish a sister institute in Adelaide.It will be the first institution of its kind set up outside London in 200 years.
According to Premier, Mike Rann, the local institute would be known as RiAus and will open with a four-day ‘festival of science’ between 8 and 12 October.
“The Royal Institution in London is renowned for the quality of its scientific research,” Mr Rann said.
“It was founded by people like the renowned chemist and physicist Michael Faraday (and) 14 of its scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize and 10 of the chemical elements were discovered in its research laboratory.”
He said of particular note was the Royal Institution’s work in making science accessible to a wider, younger audience.
“Now, as the result of a collaboration established through the South Australian Government’s ‘Thinkers in Residence’ program, the Royal Institution will have its second home in South Australia.”
Mr Rann said RiAus would be housed in the former Stock Exchange building, now renamed the Science Exchange building.
“It will be a national, contemporary, dynamic and accessible home for science located in the heart of Adelaide,” he said.
“It will share programs, staff and knowledge with the Royal Institution of Great Britain and provide a hub for strategic collaborations, and an international platform for Australian science and scientists.”
He said the Australian Science Media Centre, would be housed at the RiAus and would link several thousand Australian scientists to national media outlets to improve the quality of science reporting.
“The RiAus will fulfil the same charter as the Royal Institution in London which is to diffuse science for the common purposes of life,” Mr Rann said.
He said the new institute would be officially opened by the Queen’s cousin, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, on Thursday 8 October.
“RiAus aims to fund its activities through a combination of grants, sponsorship, philanthropy, ticket sales and membership,” Mr Rann said.
17 September, 2009
Conservation projects
get green light
Applications have been called for funding under a grants program supporting conservation projects.Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill opened the Wildlife Conservation Fund grants program as part of Biodiversity Month.
“These grants are awarded annually and support important conservation and research projects that help protect the state’s biodiversity,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The successful projects will help us to gain a better understanding of the issues facing South Australia’s wildlife, so that we can better conserve it for the future.”
Mr Weatherill said grants would be awarded for conservation and research projects that contributed to the South Australian Strategic Plan target of ‘No Species Loss’.
“Conservation projects may include restoration of bushland, revegetation, weed management and herbivore management,” he said.
“Research projects could include studies on the ecology of threatened native species, impacts and management of introduced animals and abundant native species and the ecology and conservation of wetlands and wetlands species.”
He said to be eligible, projects should be completed within 12 months and be managed by community and volunteer groups, local Councils, private individuals and State Government research agencies.
“I encourage people involved in biodiversity conservation and research to apply for a grant,” Mr Weatherill said.
He said lst year’s successful applicants included projects related to the impact of fire on macrofungal diversity on Kangaroo Island; assessment of Australian sea lion pup populations at Dangerous Reef and English Island; protecting threatened vegetation communities in Bondleigh; and conserving genetics of the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot in south-eastern South Australia.
Applications for the 2009-2010 Wildlife Conservation Fund Grants will be open until 15 October.
For more details contact the Department for Environment and Heritage on (08) 8124 4830 or emaildehwcfgrantapplications@sa.gov.au.
Extra information is also available on the DEH websitewww.environment.sa.gov.au
17 September, 2009
Bight park gets CD
The Department for Environment and Heritage and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts have combined to produce an audio CD explaining the history and culture of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park.
Visitors to the park can now enjoy the CD, entitled Tales from the whales and riffs in the cliffs.
The CD can be bought for $12 from Nullarbor House, Stewarts Road House (Streaky Bay), Ceduna Art Centre or the Head of Bight Information Centre.
Complex for Port MacDonnell
A new maritime museum and community complex is on the drawing board at Port MacDonnell following a grant from the State Government.
The new building will be located next to the Library and Rural Transaction Centre and cost $665,000 to build. The State Government is to contribute $497,000 from the Rural Towns Development Fund.
Heavy vehicle site opened
A new site at Davoren Park has been set aside as a training facility for the heavy vehicle industry.
The site will be used by trainees with the VTECH Automotive Training centre to hone their heavy vehicle mechanical skills.
VTECH delivers entry level training in Certificate I Automotive and Transport and apprenticeship training for Certificate III Automotive Technology (Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment & Road Transport).
Stats show Aboriginal growth
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released projections showing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island population could reach between 713,300 and 721,100 by 2021.
This is an Indigenous growth rate of 2.2 per cent per annum between 2006 and 2021, compared with an annual growth rate of between 1.2 and 1.7 per cent for the total Australian population.
The ABS said the higher growth rate was largely due to high levels of fertility in the Indigenous population and an increased number of Indigenous women entering peak child-bearing ages.
10 September, 2009
Female representation
is jobs for the girls
The Premier has announced that the proportion of women represented on South Australian Government boards and committees has passed 45 per cent.Premier, Mike Rann said this made South Australia the best performing State nationally and was a considerable increase on the 32 per cent in place in 2002.
Minister for Status of Women, Gail Gago said the Government looked to be on track to reach 50 per cent representation with strong progress reported on the Premier’s Women’s Directory which currently listed 700 names
“Our Government has taken a strong leadership role by becoming one of few jurisdictions in the world to set a 50 per cent target for women on boards,” Ms Gago said.
“It’s pleasing to see that so many deserving women have been identified for board and committee roles because their contribution as leaders and decision makers can bring substantial benefits for their chosen areas and our State more broadly.”
She said women the task of achieving equal representation was still a demanding one but the Government remained vigilant in balancing the best choices with the advantages of greater female representation.
“This can be challenging in male dominated fields such as the SA Motor Sport Board and the Gas Technical Advisory Committee but we are striving to get the balance right,” Ms Gago said.
“Our Government has laid considerable groundwork by developing women’s mentoring programs and increasing awareness across government of research about the benefits of appointing women.
She said greater diversity on Government boards and committees could only bring more knowledge, understanding and ideas.
She said the push for more equal representation was not an exercise in positive discrimination.
“Logic dictates that if men and women are deemed equally competent and the best people are appointed to these roles then it will result in close to 50/50 representation,” she said.
10 September, 2009
Education regulation
is first class plan
New laws tightening the regulation of education and child care services are to be introduced into South Australia.The Ministers for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith, and Early Childhood Development, Jay Weatherill, announced the plan which will ensure that service providers are registered and licensed for all activities for children from birth to their end of schooling.
The Ministers said a centrepiece of the new regulation regime would be a new independent Authority with powers to investigate and act on breaches of registration requirements.
They said the new Authority would work with schools and services to ensure a level of quality and continuous improvement that was in the best interests of the State’s children.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the proposed changes would enhance public confidence in the delivery of education, child care and early childhood services in South Australia.
“Appropriate regulation and licensing will ensure that all services meet acceptable standards and that staff within these services meet minimum qualification requirements,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
She said the Bill will update the regulation requirements currently in the Education Act 1972 and the Children’s Services Act 1985.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the proposed changes would ensure all services met the same legally enforceable minimum standards.
“Formal regulation gives the community confidence in a system where external complaints and breaches of standards can be acted upon professionally, consistently and fairly.”
She said the changes will be aligned with national reforms being developed under the Council of Australian Governments’ National Quality Agenda for early years services, such as child care.
Mr Weatherill said the proposed reforms will put South Australia at the forefront of a national move towards an early years regulatory framework.
“Without regulation, there are no checks or controls on the ability of providers to deliver a satisfactory program or to maintain health, safety and welfare standards,” Mr Weatherill said.
“These changes are necessary to ensure families continue to have access to high quality services and the Australian Government’s financial support for many of these services.”
He said he proposedto establish an independent authority to oversee the licensing and regulation requirements.
“We will continue to work with the relevant bodies to draft this legislation for introduction to State Parliament later this year,” he said.
Mr Weatherill said it was proposed that a new Education and Care Registration and Standards Board would be set up to be the regulatory body for all services.
He said once the legislation was passed, it was intended that the changes would be phased in over several years to ensure a smooth transition and give services time to prepare.
10 September, 2009
Consumer watchdog
bites off more power
The Commissioner for Consumer Affairs is to be given stronger powers and tougher penalties following reforms announced by the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gail Gago.Ms Gago said the Commissioner’s new powers would include the ability to compel traders to attend conciliation conferences and the authority to immediately suspend occupational licences where consumers were at significant risk.
She said the broader powers would increase the protection of consumers and bring about more timely resolution of disputes.
Ms Gago said under the Commissioner’s current powers traders could not be forced to come to the table to resolve consumer complaints.
“Now the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs will be able to compel a trader to take part in a conciliation conference – or face a penalty of up to $10,000,” she said.
“Any agreement reached during conciliation is enforceable by a Magistrate.”
Ms gago said the Commissioner would also be given the power to suspend some trading licences for up to six months, if the trader’s conduct was likely to cause significant harm, loss or damage.
She said an online licensing register would also allow the Commissioner to warn the public of relevant information about licensed tradespeople such as insolvency or interstate disqualification.
She said penalties for breaching the Fair Trading laws would also be increased with some being doubled.
Ms Gago said there would also be stronger laws relating to the intimidation of witnesses, providing false information and to the powers of inspectors from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs.
10 September, 2009
PS challenged with
challenge seminar
The Public Sector Performance Commission has joined with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) to stage a second seminar in its Challenging the Public Sector program.The free seminar will feature guest speakers discussing collaboration in government as a mechanism for improved outcomes and will include a networking lunch.
Among the topics to be covered in the lunchtime event are the role of leadership and culture in joining up government, the capabilities and technology needed to effectively collaborate and deciding when it would be necessary to use a joined approach.
The seminar will hear from Terry Buss, Professor of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University andSA Health’s Dana Shen, who is project leader for the PSPC Action Team.
The seminar will be hald in the ballroom of the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel in North Terrace, Adelaide from 12 noon to 1.45pm on Monday, 14 September.
More information is available from the ANZSOG websitehttp://anzsog.edu.au or by email to pspc-anzsogseminars@anzsog.edu.au.
According to the publicity for the event, the seminar will ‘explore the reality of joined up Government.”
10 September, 2009
Drought coordinator
to make a splash
A Drought Recovery Coordinator and a Reference Group have been appointed to help communities in the Murray Mallee and Upper South East regions recover from the drought.Minister for Agriculture, Paul Caica announced the moves as a way of accelerating the regions’ recovery.
He said the initiative was part of the Government’s Phase 10 Drought Support Measures and built on the success of Regional Coordinators and Taskforces already operating in the Riverland, Mid North and Eyre Peninsula.
“The new Coordinator and Reference Group for the Murray Mallee and Upper South East will ensure these communities get the grass-roots support and leadership they need to get back on their feet,” Mr Caica said.
“We are optimistic that these regions will recover from drought conditions and it’s essential we assist them in this recovery process.”
He announced that retired Director of Land and Biodiversity Services at the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Bill Davies would be the Recovery Coordinator.
“Bill will be the main point of contact for farmers in these regions seeking assistance with drought related matters and he’ll work closely with the new Reference Group to coordinate drought recovery initiatives on behalf of the committee,” Mr Caica said.
He said the Reference Group would be chaired by John Berger and include Brenton Lewis, Steve Hein, Andrea Pope, Jenny Roberts, Lorraine Rowe, Kevin Burdett, Travis Schubert, Alan Piggott and Jody Flavel.
“The Reference Group will assist in disseminating information out to the community at a grass roots level as well as informing the State Government on local issues,” Mr Caica said.
10 September, 2009
Partnership swoops on
magpie project
A partnership between the Department for Environment and Heritage, the University of South Australia and ABC radio has launched a wildlife watching campaign to collect information about the life of magpies.According to the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill the new ‘Magpie Army’ will follow in the footsteps of other highly successful wildlife campaigns run in South Australia over the past two years.
“First there was Operation Bluetongue and last year we had Operation Possum – now we’re launching Operation Magpie,” Mr Weatherill said.
“More than 1,500 backyard scientists got involved in Operation Bluetongue and 2,300 joined in Operation Possum last Spring so we’re hoping to get even more people involved in Operation Magpie,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Operation Magpie is all about “citizen science” – getting the community involved in conducting scientific research and observation.”
He said the partners wanted to encourage South Australians to interact with wildlife in their own gardens and collect information about magpie behaviour.
He said people would be encouraged, via 891ABC Adelaide, to log onto the Operation Magpie website, where there will be useful information on magpie behaviour and bird watching, and an online survey to help us understand how people interact with wildlife in their backyards.
“Bird watchers will be asked to describe what magpies are doing in their backyard, park, street or school (and) the information will be used to build a comprehensive picture of the daily life of an urban bird.”
Mr Weatherill said the urban backyard was often the most accessible place many people had for getting up close and personal with wildlife and it was also where many attitudes toward the environment are formed.
“We need to find ways to maintain a vibrant city that encourages wildlife and healthy interaction with the natural world alongside sensible urban consolidation,” Mr Weatherill said.
He said the Operation magpie website was atwww.abc.net.au/local/ and the survey was athttp://magpie.unisa.edu.au
10 September, 2009
Dad’s the word for
child centres plan
A new program that encourages fathers to become more involved in the State’s Children’s Centres has been launched by the Minister for Early Childhood Development, Jay Weatherill.Mr Weatherill said the 18 month Children’s Centres Fatherhood Engagement Project would increase the number of fathers using children’s centres by developing local programs, monitoring the involvement of fathers, training staff about the importance of father involvement and increasing community awareness.
“Children’s Centres are the foundation of our work in early childhood development – offering childcare, pre-school, healthcare and parenting programs in the one location,” Mr Weatherill said.
“But recent academic research, funded by the State Government, has shown that fathers are not involved in activities in Children’s Centres in South Australia as much as they could be.”
Mr Weatherill said the program specifically targeted fathers because of their vital role in the early years.
“Fathers can sometimes lack confidence in getting involved in early childhood activities, so this program is about giving them the support they need,” he said.
Mr Weatherill said the Children’s Centres Fatherhood Engagement Project would also ensure more people learnt about the importance of the early years in children’s development.
“There are some great programs at work in South Australia, from fathers and children’s playgroups to parenting support groups.”
Childhood expert from the University of Newcastle, Professor Richard Fletcher will visit Adelaide later this month to help get the program underway.
Mr Weatherill said there were eight children’s centres at Angle Park, Enfield, Elizabeth Grove, Hackham West, Taperoo, Wynn Vale, Renmark and Port Augusta and future centres would be located throughout metropolitan and country areas, including Campbelltown, O’Sullivan Beach and Mt Gambier.
10 September, 2009
Health workforce body
prescribed for SA
A new national body being set up to address workforce shortages in the health sector is to be headquartered in Adelaide.Health Workforce Australia is to be a new Agency funded by the Commonwealth and all States and Territories to address workforce issues and plan for the future health needs of the Australian population.
A recent meeting of Health Ministers agreed that Adelaide should host the new body which will bring around 100 jobs to the city and a budget of over $1.5 billion.
HWA is expected to be operational by the end of this year.
Minister for Health, John Hill, said the decision to locate the Agency in Adelaide was recognition that SA Health was a leader in health reform.
“The new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the new South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and now Health Workforce Australia all put SA at the cutting edge of research and medical practice in Australia,” Mr Hill said.
“We’re well-placed to house the HWA and I’m really delighted that my fellow (Health) Ministers have made this decision.”
He said Health Workforce Australia would plan, coordinate and fund clinical training across all disciplines on behalf of the Commonwealth, States and Territories and would coordinate international recruitment, scholarships, rural medical training and the use of overseas graduates.
He said it would also engage in recruitment, training and workforce redesign.
10 September, 2009
Measuring traders
don’t measure up
A blitz by inspectors from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs on Riverland shops and businesses found most traders were using incorrect measuring instruments.Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gail Gago said it was a poor result.
“It was disappointing to find some traders relying on unapproved measuring instruments to measure goods,” Ms Gago said.
“Many traders visited claimed to be unaware of their responsibilities under trade measurement laws.”
She said 50 small traders had been inspected with the focus on pharmacy, jewellery, delicatessens, automotive and hardware retailers.
She said hardware and automotive stores performed the worst, with over 80 per cent found to be using incorrect length measures, and in some cases, none at all.
“All traders, regardless of their location or size, need to be aware of and comply with these laws,” she said.
The Minister recommended that measuring instruments only be obtained from organisations holding licences issued by a trade measurement authority.
She said traders buying measuring instruments on the internet or direct from overseas had no guarantee that they would be approved for trade.
“Traders found to be in breach of the law were issued with warnings, and given information sheets,” Ms Gago said.
“Follow up checks will be carried out to ensure traders are complying with weights and measures laws.”
She warned that if any errors were found during the follow up checks the traders concerned could face penalties of up to $20,000.
She urged consumers to report concerns about inaccurate quantities to OCBA’s Trade Measurement section on 8234 2036 or 131 882 for regional callers.
More information is also available at www.ocba.sa.gov.au
10 September, 2009
Health delivers
on babies’ book
The State’s popular ‘blue book’ for babies has been made bigger and better.Officially titled the Child Health Record, the book tracks the health and development progress of children from birth to when they turn five.
Minister for Health, John Hill assured families that the changes did not affect the colour.
“The book’s still blue,” Mr Hill said.
“The book outlines important developmental milestones for different ages and is centred on encouraging, monitoring and recording child development.”
He said parents and health professionals had been asked for their views on the book and as a result, its content had been completely revised.
He said it now included clearly marked sections covering immunisation and health checks, and for the first time, tips on caring for babies and children.
“While children develop at different rates, the book contains broad development guides for each age.
“Parents are encouraged to seek help if they have concerns about how their child’s doing.”
Mr Hill said the new book contained charts for parents to track their child’s growth and places to note landmarks in their development, such as grabbing their foot for the first time or understanding opposites such as wet and dry.
The new and revised book was welcomed by the Chief Executive of the Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, Gail Mondy who said the revamped format made it easy for parents to use.
“The blue book is an important place to record child health and development,” Ms Mondy said, “and the 2009 edition has sections dedicated to each year of a child’s life.”
“Parents should take the blue book with them whenever their child sees a health professional and ask for information to be recorded in it or record information in it themselves.”
Ms Mondy said that each new baby would receive a hard copy of the book, but it could also be downloaded from www.cyh.com in case additional or replacement pages were needed.
10 September, 2009
Agreement builds new
housing policy
A Memorandum of Understanding designed to bring better housing and an improved maintenance program to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara area has been signed by the State Government and the Executive Board of the APY community.Taking two years to complete, the MoU comes into effect immediately and, according to the Minister for Housing, Jennifer Rankine, includes a commitment to work closely with the people of the APY lands to increase the standard of housing for the local people.
“We will improve housing and maintenance while at the same time providing employment and training opportunities for Anangu,” Ms Rankine said.
“Residents of new houses will also receive support to help make their tenancies a success.”
She said Housing SA would station a regional manager on the APY Lands to work closely with the communities and the Department for Families and Communities would transfer some properties to new management.
“Between 2009 and 2011, new houses will be built in Amata and Mimili, as well as the upgrade of existing houses,” Ms Rankine said.
She said the MoU would create a new Anangu Housing Model that would reduce overcrowding and homelessness and at the same time improving the condition of properties.
She said community consultation would be an important part of the process.
Ms Rankine said upgrading and improving properties in Aboriginal communities was a commitment the Government had made under the Remote Indigenous Housing National Partnership Agreement.
The MoU sets a target of 20 per cent local Anangu employment, and Ms Rankine said
local trainees would be recruited
“I look forward to working with APY to continue to make progress in the Lands,” she said.
“The agreement will be reviewed annually so we can continue to improve in areas as we learn.”
10 September, 2009
Environment grants
get green light
Applications for grants under a program that assists community groups with local land care, coast care and water care projects have been called by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill.Mr Weatherill announced the first round of the 2009-10 Natural Resources Management community grants as part of Landcare Week.
“This grants scheme – which was offered for the first time in May this year – is about supporting communities to increase their involvement in local projects,” Mr Weatherill said.
“They are about renewing the focus on community-based NRM work.”
He said the grants could be awarded for anything, from trials of sustainable farming practices, undertaking pest control works, cleaning up waterways, protecting habitat, or any other priority identified in an NRM plan.
He said there was $2.5 million on offer for the projects which would be supported in two funding rounds with the second announced towards the middle of next year.
Community grous had until 9 October to apply in the first round.
Mr Weatherill said 73 groups had received $631,000 in the first series of grants announced in June.
“This was funding for local projects being delivered by local people working towards a better environment in their area,” he said.
“I encourage groups involved in caring for agricultural land, water resources and our native flora and fauna to consider applying for a grant.”
He said the grants could help people do the work they are often passionate about, and produce great results for the environment.
Mr Weatherill said more information about the community grants program could be found at www.nrm.sa.gov.au
10 September, 2009
DEH dolphin warning
made for a porpoise
The Department for Environment and Heritage has warned people not to feed dolphins.The Department says the practice is not only against the law, it could kill the animals.
Animal Welfare Manager at DEH, Dr Deb Kelly said South Australians were lucky to have dolphins living so close, particularly in suburban areas like the Port River and Barker Inlet.
But she said it was important to remember dolphins were wild animals and needed to fend for themselves.
“While it’s obvious that the Port River Dolphins enjoy interacting with people, feeding is inappropriate and may cause the animals harm,” Dr Kelly said.
She said research suggested uncontrolled feeding could expose a dolphin to disease and injury.
“Feeding can also decrease the dolphins’ ability to care for themselves and their young,” she said, “and there is a very real possibility that a dolphin may starve to death waiting for their next meal.
“Receiving handouts does not teach the babies to hunt and puts their life in jeopardy as well.”
Dr Kelly said the natural diet a dolphin found for itself would always be better than processed foods, unfresh fish, or strange seafood species that did not form part of its natural diet.
This message was reinforced by dolphin researcher Dr Hugh Finn, speaking at a seminar held by the Whale and Conservation Society.
Dr Finn said feeding dolphins that begged for food conditioned them to abnormal behaviour.
“When you see these animals it’s clear is that they are no longer wild animals behaving normally,” he said.
Dr Finn said research from Western Australia and the US suggests dolphins that begged for food were at a higher risk of deliberate harm, boat strike and entanglement.
10 September, 2009
Teachers float in with
whale resource
A new teaching resource to help primary and high school students learn more about whales has been developed by the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH).According to DEH’s manager of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, Saras Kumar, the resource, entitled Whales, Scientists and Marine Parks, includes information about the biology and behaviour of whales including migration, whaling history, the threats they face and population trends.
“We are very fortunate to have whales visit our coast annually,” Ms Kumar said, “and to ensure that they continue to return it is imperative that we educate the community about them.”
She said the new teaching resource looked at how human activity affected whales and also how marine parks, like the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, acted as conservation havens, breeding grounds and protection zones.
She said the resource was launched by DEH at the Port Lincoln TAFE Library as part of Threatened Species Day.
Ms Kumar said the Department ran a number of workshops on the day including ‘Meet the Park Ranger’ and ‘Understanding threatened species of Eyre Peninsula.’
She said the Whales, Scientists and Marine Parks teaching pack covered three themes and included a learning sequence for each theme,a CD with whale data and an analysis tool.
She said DEH was looking forward to providing professional development opportunities to schools early next year and the resource is available on request by contacting the Department on (08) 8688 3172.
10 September, 2009
New knife laws cut
to the chase
Public comment has been invited on proposed new knife laws designed to reduce knife related violence on SA streets.The new laws would ban the sale of knives to people under 16, empower police to use metal detectors to find knives on people and make it unlawful to supply a knife to a person knowing he or she intended to commit a serious offence.
Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson said the new laws were aimed at prevent crime from occurring in the first place.
“Taking dangerous weapons out of the hands of potential criminals has tremendous benefits for community safety,” Mr Atkinson said.
“Stabbings are vicious and horrific acts of violence.”
He said the Government didn’t want South Australia to end up like London where violent stabbings were common.
“By curbing access to knives, and restricting their usage, we are making the streets a safer place,” Mr Atkinson said.
“We will not accept a culture in South Australia where carrying knives or other weapons is commonplace.”
He said the Government wanted to know what the public thought about the proposed new laws and had issued a discussion paper to encourage debate.
He said the paper could be found on the Attorney-General’s Department website at www.agd.sa.gov.au and submissions would be accepted until 1 October.
He said details of where to send comments were included in the paper.
10 September, 2009
SA takes tourism awards
South Australia has won four awards in the annual Travelling in Australia awards program.
Minister for Tourism, Jane Lomax-Smith said SA came second only to Victoria in its haul of the top 20 trophies.
She said the awards went to the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive and Kangaroo Island which won three
Renewable energy contract
Energy company AGL has been chosen to supply renewable energy for Adelaide’s $1.83 billion desalination plant.
Premier Mike Rann said the company would power the plant with 100% renewable energy for 20 years.
Mr Rann said all the green energy used at the plant would be generated in South Australia.
EIS rejected
An Environmental Arial Statement prepared for the Stansbury Marina development is not to go on public display because the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway, does not think it is up to scratch.
“I’m not satisfied with the quality of the EIS,” Mr Holloway said - a view he said was shared by the Department of Planning and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Authority.
“I have instead written to the proponent asking them to provide cause within three weeks as to why I shouldn’t advise the Governor to give this project an early no,” he said.
Rail extension gathers steam
Work has commenced on extending the Noarlunga rail line to Seaford.
The extension is part of the Federal Government’s Nation Building for Recovery strategy.
Minister for the Southern Suburbs, John Hill said the people of the area had been calling for the extension, which would provide better, quicker and greener public transport in the south.
Wind farm blows out
Requests for further changes to the proposed wind farm at Myponga/Sellicks Hill have been rejected by the State Government.
Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway said the farm developer, TrustPower had sought to reduce the number of turbines but increase their power output but after six years of delay, there should be no further hold-ups.
Approval for the wind farm was initially granted in 2003.
Gas monitors halt rezoning
The rezoning process for land at Highbury has been put on hold while further environmental testing is carried out.
The Environmental Protection Authority has called for monthly monitoring of landfill gas for 12 months.
The proposed rezoning would see the rehabilitation of a disused sand quarry for a low and medium density residential estate within the City of Tea Tree Gully.
Autism Centre opens
A new Early Learning and Care Centre for children suffering from autism has been opened by the Federal Government in Prospect.
The new Centre is the first of six autism-specific Centres to be opened as part of a Commonwealth program.
Hosts sought for seniors
The Federal Government is looking for community organisations wanting to be involved in a program of hosting free internet kiosks for seniors.
Opening the latest kiosk in Melbourne, the Commonwealth’s Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin said the Australian Government's Broadband for Seniors initiative would invest $15 million over three years to install up to 2,000 kiosks across the country.
Ms Macklin said 42 kiosks were already operating, including two in South Australia, with many in regional and rural areas.
3 September, 2009
Executive overhaul
the way to success
The South Australian Executive Service is facing a major overhaul as the Government implements a strategy to attract and retain the highest quality workforce.Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Chris Eccles told the Institute of Public Administration Australia recently that the Public Sector Performance Commission had already started working on plans to revitalise the SAES and “build on the government’s credibility as an employer of choice.”
Mr Eccles said the PSPC was considering initiatives to invest in the skills of the PS workforce and only by employing the highest calibre managers would these be successful.
“Work has been undertaken to revitalise development of the SAES to create a cohort of exceptional leaders,” Mr Eccles said, “who receive targeted, relevant and timely performance management and development opportunities, coupled with enhanced career pathways.”
He said the PSPC was pursuing a number of strategies to improve the SAES including setting standards for entry; developing a value proposition to attract new members; offering incentives; and encouraging a collegiate SAES culture in Agencies.
“A more coordinated investment and governance framework for the SAES is an additional priority,” Mr Eccles said.
He said this framework could include:
* a whole-of-government approach to induction for SAES members;
* ongoing training and development opportunities for SAES members;
* identification of a talent pool to fill the most senior positions; and
* coordinated management of SAES support.
“The aim is to provide executives with the specific skills required to excel in their posts, coupled with a prospective outlook that understands the challenges of public sector leadership and can identify current and future opportunities,” he said.
Under the revitalised SAES, Mr Eccles said members would make contributions across the public sector and succession planning and talent identification would be better managed.
He said that although the economic downturn would cause PS priorities to change in line with increased budgetary pressure, the importance of upgrading the SAES could not be compromised.
“Rationalising the capacity for skilled leadership and decision-making is not an option,” he said.
“The pressures the downturn presents can only be tackled if we have people equipped with the skills to direct and drive appropriate responses.”
3 September, 2009
Investigation to be free
of freedom laws
An exemption to the Freedom of Information laws has been allowed for the investigation into the City of Burnside to ensure that potential witnesses do not feel intimidated when giving information.Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management Jay Weatherill said the exemption was granted following a request by the independent investigator, Ken MacPherson and would ultimately protect democracy.
“The Government considers potential exemptions to the FOI Act very carefully, but there is no doubt that if we didn’t approve an exemption we would risk limiting the provision of relevant information to the Burnside investigation,” Mr Weatherill said.
“It is for similar reasons, among others, that we provided an exemption to the Mullighan Inquiry.”
Minister for State Government Relations, Gail Gago, who launched the investigation into the Council due to concerns it might have become dysfunctional, said it was vital that witnesses felt they could provide full and free information to the investigation without fear of defamation and other threats.
“If people feel intimidated and avoid providing any evidence, or parts of it, then it would completely undermine the purpose of holding this investigation to thrash out the facts,” Ms Gago said.
She said the point of the investigation was to protect democracy through open, transparent and accountable decision making in Local Government.
“That’s why it’s important to take this interim step to ensure all potential information can be considered, maintaining the integrity of the investigation,” she said.
Ms Gago said she has committed to tabling the results of the investigation in Parliament, provided there were no legal impediments to do so.
“Meantime, it is important to remember that the allegations are based on evidence that has not been tested as yet which is the role of the investigator as he assesses the validity of complaints and concerns raised,” she said.
3 September, 2009
Union draws line on
police volunteers
The Public Service Association has raised serious concerns over SA Police plans to introduce civilian volunteers into police stations.The Holden Hill and Golden Grove stations have been selected by SAPOL as initial trial sites where volunteers will be used in a “meet and greet” capacity.
SAPOL said the program was to improve customer service and put more officers on the streets.
“Where police staff are already engaged in serving members of the public, volunteers can provide information for simple enquiries such as approximate waiting times, advising SAPOL members of meeting appointment arrivals, and directions to appropriate areas and agencies,” a SAPOL spokesperson said.
The PSA has taken the view however that volunteers were out of place in police stations which could be volatile work sites dealing with complex and confidential issues on a daily basis.
The SAPOL spokesperson said the volunteer applicants needed to be at least 18 years old, be Australian citizens or permanent residents, pass a criminal check and complete a satisfactory interview with the Local Volunteer Coordinator before being selected.
“All volunteers will be required to undertake two half-day induction and role training information sessions,” he said.
“SAPOL adheres to the principles of providing a safe, fair and equitable environment for Police Volunteers”.
The PSA said it had met with its members at the Holden Hill station where a number of concerns were discussed.
The Association has now invited its members in SAPOL to provide feedback which would assist it in preparing a response to the policy to ensure that the PSA members understood the role of volunteers; that a safe working environment was maintained; that job security was maintained; and that management addressed any concerns raised.
3 September, 2009
Leadership network to
lead with conference
The Australian Government Leadership Network SA is to host its annual leadership conference on Friday 25 September.Conducted with the support of the Australian Public Sector Commission, the conference will examine some of the aspects of Federalism adopted by the Federal Government since the election of the Labor Government.
According to the conference organisers, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd identified the need to “reform our system of governance for the needs to the 21st century” as one of 10 key challenges in his speech at the 2020 Summit.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) was identified as the body through which a reform program would be introduced.
Premiers from each State and Territory have also formed the Council for the Australian Federation to provide an intergovernmental forum to complement the COAG processes.
The conference organisers say Mr Rudd’s Government has promised to bring a more “cooperative spirit to intergovernmental relations in Australia” and had so far raised issues of national importance such as the health agenda which have put the model of co-operative federalism to the test.
The conference will be held at Ayers House in North Terrace, Adelaide and will include a sit down lunch. It will be facilitated by Peter Van Onselen and the speakers will include ANU Professor John Wanna; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University, Andrew Parkin; the Director of the Secretariat of the Council for Australian Federation, Benn Barr; and Independent South Australian Senator, Nick Xenophon.
More information and registration forms are available from Alison Flack at the Australian Public Service Commission on (08) 9221 7277.
3 September, 2009
Lobbyists nobbled
in new lobby code
A new code of conduct for Government lobbyists has been announced by the Premier, creating rules that govern their activities and the way they interact with politicians and senior Public Servants.Premier, Mike Rann, also announced a new Register of Lobbyists as well as restrictions on lobbying activity by Ministers and senior PS staff after they have left Government employment.
Mr Rann said under the new rules, lobbyists would need to be registered before making contact with Government officials, would need to divulge their full list of clients and make clear who they were lobbying for and the nature of their client’s issue.
“A key part of the democratic process is that there must be free and reasonable access to Government Ministers, their staff and Government Departments,” Mr Rann said, “but the access must be transparent and ethical.”
“The Lobbyist Code of Conduct will ensure that contact between lobbyists and Government representatives continues to meet public expectations of transparency, integrity and honesty.”
He said from 1 December 2009, lobbyists will have to be on the Register.
He said Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and other Government representatives will also be bound by the code and will not be permitted to be lobbied by unregistered lobbyists.
Mr Rann outlined some of the rules covering former Ministers and Government executives becoming lobbyists.
He said a retired Minister could not, for two years, engage in professional lobbying activities with which they had official dealings in their last 18 months in office.
He said a retired Parliamentary Secretary could not, for one year, engage in professional lobbying activities relating to any matter with which he or she had official dealings in their last year in office.
And he said retired Ministerial Staff or Departmental Executives employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1995 could not, for a year, engage in professional lobbying activities relating to matters which they had official dealings in their last year of employment.
Mr Rann said the rules governing lobbyists would not apply to not-for-profit organisations, business associations or unions who would will still be able to make representations to Ministers and officials.
Mr Rann said any lobbyist who breached the Code would be liable to be removed from the Register and banned from lobbying activities with the State Government.
Registered lobbyists will be required to update their details on the Register annually, and provide statutory declarations that they have not been convicted or found guilty of dishonesty or any other indictable offence.
3 September, 2009
Heavyweights join
obesity program
A new program encouraging families to be healthy and active is being rolled out in six Local Government areas across the State.The five-year, $22.3 million Obesity Prevention and Lifestyleprogram (OPAL) has appointed six co-ordinators to tackle obesity and chronic disease in the community.
Minister for Health, John Hill said the OPAL Council managers would work with local groups to come up with community wide solutions to the health issues.
Mr Hill announced the Councils and their OPAL staff as:
Mount Gambier, Deb Agnew;
Port Augusta, Camilla Leaver;
Marion, Fraser Keegan;
Onkaparinga, Terri Lamoree;
Salisbury, Gavin Fairbrother; and
Playford, Lisa Atwell.
Mr Hill said the OPAL program was modelled on a successful French program which was one of the few programs in the world with proven results in combating childhood obesity.
“A quarter of our state’s children are in the unhealthy weight range, which places them at increased risk of health, emotional and social problems,” said Mr Hill.
He said the negative implications of unhealthy lifestyles were serious for children, the health system and the state’s economy as they can lead to chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and some cancers.
“We are very pleased to be working with our federal and local government partners, as dealing with childhood obesity needs a concerted effort across the whole community,” he said.
He announced the State Government would be spending $11 million to tackle obesity in the community and support healthy lifestyles in 2009-10 which would include around $1.4 million for the Go for 2&5 campaigns and SA Health’s contribution to the Be Active campaign.
3 September, 2009
Enrolments on a roll
at electoral office
The Australian Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn has reported that the recent Enrol to Vote Week generated over 12,700 new enrolments from students all over Australia with more expected in the coming weeks.He said 195 South Australian schools took part in the Week this year, contributing to a record number Australia-wide,
Enrol to Vote Week, which was held from 27 July to 2 August 2009, involved the AEC working in partnership with over 1,800 Australian secondary schools to encourage 17- and 18-year-old students to enrol to vote.
Mr Killesteyn said working with schools across the country through Enrol to Vote Week was an important way for young people to understand they needed to be enrolled to vote to have their say.
“Currently one in two 18-year-olds is not enrolled to vote and many 17-year-olds are not aware that they too can enrol,” he said.
“Many 17-year-olds are likely to be first time voters at the next federal election. Our aim is to enrol them now so they will be automatically able to vote as soon as they turn 18.”
3 September, 2009
Fisheries catch
new uniforms
Fisheries Officers with the Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) have been furnished with new uniforms to enhance their relationship with the public and fishing industry around the State.Fisheries Minister, Paul Caica unveiled the navy blue and white uniforms at Marina Adelaide, Largs North.
“The previous uniforms have been in place for approximately 14 years now and it’s time for a change,” Mr Caica said.
“We needed to make our staff more recognisable to the general public, recreational fishers and the fishing industry to encourage them to approach our officers with fisheries-related queries.”
He said the new uniforms also improved on practicality for both male and female officers.
“PIRSA Fisheries sought advice from our officers in the field and looked at other agencies around Australia conducting similar duties both on land and at sea,” he said.
“The uniforms will be rolled out to 40 Fisheries Officers across the State who will for the first time wear the same uniform, whether they are based at sea, on land patrols, or in the office,” he said.
Mr Caica also launched PIRSA Fisheries’ new tender vessel, which will reside on board their main compliance vessel, the FPV Southern Ranger.
“The tender boat is the main tool for interception and boarding operations when on active patrol duties, with around 300 operational boardings effected over the last year by the existing tender boat.”
He said the $50,000 boat had been built to commercial survey standards from substantially tougher materials, which will significantly reduce maintenance costs.
“Equipped with the latest navigation technology to ensure greater night safety, the new boat provides the crew with a purpose-built boat capable of high-speed pursuit operations in the harsh, Southern Ocean conditions.
“The Southern Ranger is at the forefront of surveillance of the state’s fisheries, and the purchase of this a tender boat for its operations will further enhance the crew’s ability to protect SA against illegal fishing activity,” he said.
3 September, 2009
Animals go wild over
wildlife plan
The Department for Environment and Heritage has adopted a new management plan for the native wildlife on Yorke Peninsula.Covering almost 9,500 hectares, the plan includes nine mainland conservation parks and sets out how native animals and their habitat will be protected.
According to DEH’s Tim Collins, even though some of the parks are relatively small in size, the sparse vegetation of the region means they all make a significant contribution to biodiversity.
“The plan details conservation methods to preserve the nationally and State vulnerable Mallee fowl, Slender-billed Thornbill and the Western Whipbird,” Mr Collins said.
“The plan also focuses on protecting native plants including the nationally and State vulnerable Annual Candles, Jumping-jack Wattle, Osborn’s Eyebright and the Winter Spider-orchid.
Mr Collins said the nine parks covered by the management plan were Bird Islands, Carribie, Clinton, Leven Beach, Minlacowie, Point Davenport, Ramsay, Warrenben and Wills Creek Conservation Parks.
He said three of the parks - Clinton, Point Davenport and Wills Creek Conservation Park - contain coastal wetlands that are a haven for waterbirds and migratory seabirds such as Ruddy Turnstone, Eastern Curlew and a variety of sandpiper species.
“Further protection for places of Aboriginal cultural heritage located within Bird Islands Conservation Park will ensure that these sites are preserved for future generations to appreciate.”
He said the Yorke Peninsula features some of South Australia’s most spectacular scenery, and conservation was essential for visitors to enjoy.
He said day to day management and conservation of the area will continue to be undertaken by DEH staff.
3 September, 2009
Indigenous reps
back on track
A Steering Committee led by Federal Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma has called for an independent Indigenous representative body to work with Government, industry and the community to achieve self-determination for Indigenous Australians.The Indigenous Steering Committee was commissioned by the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, in December 2008 to undertake consultations and develop a model for a new national Indigenous representative body.
The Steering Committee’s report, Our future in our hands - creating a sustainable national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, proposes an independent body be set up that contains an equal number of men and women in leadership roles and subject to strict ethical standards.
“This model is about a way forward,” Commissioner Calma said, “that is focused on the future and flexible enough to adapt to new or emerging priorities.
“What we are proposing today will be radically different from anything we have ever seen in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. It will certainly not be ‘business as usual’.”
He said the new body should be a private company limited by guarantee and should be funded by the Australian Government on a recurrent basis for an initial five-year period, subject to negotiation thereafter.
Commissioner Calma said it should also be granted Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to enable it to raise corporate support and donations.
Key components of the proposed body include a National Executive led by full-time male and female co-chairs; a National Congress that would be the primary accountability mechanism; an annual congress to set national policies and priorities; an Ethics Council; and an administrative or Executive Support Unit.
“We have proposed a body that will exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and will set a new benchmark for gender equality in national organisations – which all Australians can learn from,” Commissioner Calma said.
Ms Macklin welcomed the report and congratulated the Steering Committee and Commissioner Calma.
She said the Government would consider the report and respond appropriately.
“The proposed model sets a high benchmark for strong, responsible and strategic leadership,” Ms Macklin said.
“They have aimed to create a body which will build a clear vision for a positive future for Indigenous Australians, through research, policy development and advocacy.”
She said the Federal Government would be prepared to provide “modest and appropriate recurrent funding” for the body once it was established and would provide support in its establishment phase.
Ms Macklin said the new body “would not be an ATSIC.”
A copy of the report was available from www.humanrights.gov.au.
3 September, 2009
Drivers warned on
going mobile
Learner and P-plate drivers have been reminded that the ban on using mobile phones while driving has come into force.Acting Minister for Road Safety, Paul Caica said the ban, which began on Monday, was one of measures being taken to strengthen the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) for young drivers in South Australia.
“This a complete ban on these relatively inexperienced drivers using a mobile phone while they’re driving, with the ban also applying to the use of mobile phones in a hands-free mode (including Bluetooth technology), with a loudspeaker operating, or to send text messages,” Mr Caica said.
He said the only time a mobile phone could be by a Learner or P1 licence holder would be once their car was pulled over and parked safely.
He said penalties for drivers caught breaking the new law included a fine of $218 and three demerit points.
He said 2,031 young people aged between 16 and 24 were either killed or seriously injured on South Australian roads over the last five years, including 362 in the past year.
“When you talk or text on a mobile phone, you can’t effectively concentrate on driving and your risk of being involved in a crash increases by up to four times,” he said.
“The need to concentrate is particularly important for young, inexperienced drivers who are still developing their driving capabilities.”
He said the Government was committed to reducing road trauma among young drivers in SA.
“That’s why we’re taking more initiatives to Parliament in September including restricting P1 & P2 platers from driving high-powered cars; increasing the supervised driving time required by Learner drivers from 50 hours to 75 hours; and increasing the minimum time on a Learner’s permit from 6 to 12 months,” he said.
“We believe the new initiatives will go a long way toward ensuring young South Australians are better prepared to drive safely on the road when they graduate to having their full licence.”
3 September, 2009
Landfill approval is
waste and see
Expansion of a landfill at Dublin, north of Adelaide, to take high level contaminated waste has been approved by the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway.Mr Holloway approved the plan through the major development assessment process and said it would allow Integrated Waste Services to manage the waste under stringent conditions enforced by the Environmental Protection Authority.
He said the new multi-waste treatment facility was the first of its kind in South Australia and would use best practice methods to treat, dispose of, or re-use material.
“Sites containing contaminated soils are currently managed either by on-site remediation, capped in an untreated state, transported interstate or left unremediated,” Mr Holloway said.
“This approach has restricted the ability to develop previously contaminated sites, particularly within metropolitan Adelaide.
“Having a purpose-built facility in South Australia will increase the scope to remediate old industrial sites and encourage urban infill within the metropolitan area, which in turn eases some of the pressure to extend urban sprawl within fringe areas of the Greater Adelaide region,” he said.
He said the approval of the expanded facility was subject to 51 conditions being satisfied by the operator, including restrictions on construction, operation, storage and unloading of materials.
“An environmental management plan for activities associated with the multi-waste treatment facility would also have to prepared to the satisfaction of the EPA before the Dublin balefill was able to begin receiving contaminated materials,” he said.
He said the approval follows the publication of an amended Environmental Arial Statement, and an extensive community consultation process, which attracted five submissions from the public and six from government agencies, including the District Council of Mallala.
3 September, 2009
Showers targetted in
partnership wash-up
A partnership between SA Water and the Local Government Association of South Australia is encouraging residents to save water by exchanging their old showerheads with new water-efficient models for free.In their Swap and Save Program all SA local Councils will offer the service until November this year, following a two-month trial by 10 Councils last year.
Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald said the trial had been successful with exchanges of more than 4,500 old showerheads with efficient models.
“This alone equated to an estimated 180 million litres of ongoing water savings and now we can build on this to progressively roll out the new program to all local councils in the State and continue to encourage householders to save millions of litres more,” Ms Maywald said.
She said conventional showerheads use up to 18 litres of water a minute, compared with the water efficient models, which use less than 9 litres a minute.
“The simple act of replacing old showerheads with water efficient models can also help people save money in decreased water and energy costs throughout the year,” she said.
“The collaborative work we’ve been doing with the LGA SA has been fantastic and it’s encouraging to see we already have 10 councils locked in for exchange dates and a further 30 councils which have indicated they will participate, with their exchange dates to be confirmed,” she said.
Details of the participating Councils, the exchange dates and locations are expected to be available soon on the Swap and Save Program page on SA Water’s website www.sawater.com.au.
3 September, 2009
Finance watchdog
gets sharper teeth
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is to receive stronger powers to help regulate financial markets.Under changes announced jointly by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan and Minister for Financial Services and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen ASIC will be empowered to supervise real-time trading on all of Australia’s domestic licensed markets and be responsible for enforcing laws against misconduct on financial markets.
Mr Swan and Mr Bowen said the changes would enhance the integrity of Australia’s financial markets.
“Australia's financial system has performed better than any other during the global recession and these reforms will ensure that Australia's regulatory arrangements remain among the best in the world,” Mr Swan said.
Mr Bowen said it was more appropriate for a Government Agency to perform these functions, as opposed to the current arrangement, which requires individual financial markets to self-supervise trading on their own markets.
“Having one whole-of-market supervisor will consolidate the current individual supervisory responsibilities into one entity, streamlining supervision and enforcement, and providing complete supervision of trading on the market,” he said.
“Moving to whole-of-market supervision is also the first step in the process towards considering competition between market operators.”
Mr Bowen said under the changes, ASIC would be responsible for supervising trading activities by broker participants taking place on a licensed financial market, while individual markets – such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) - would retain responsibility for supervising the entities listed on them.
“The supervision of listed entities raises a different set of issues,” he said.
“The Government is comfortable that there is no need for the Government to supervise listed entities.
“ASIC and the ASX are working well together in performing this role.”
Mr Bowen said the legislation was expected to be introduced into Parliament next year, with ASIC to begin performing its new functions in the third quarter of 2010.
3 September, 2009
New Water theft rules
in the pipeline
Tough new penalties for stealing water have been introduced by the State Government, including an increase in personal fines of 2,000 per cent.“South Australia is raising the stakes on those who steal water from the River Murray by dramatically lifting penalties,” Premier Mike Rann said.
“Water theft is a crime that takes water from all who depend on the Murray, but it is ultimately the environment, including the Murray Lower Lakes and Coorong, that pays the highest price.”
Mr Rann said the maximum fine for stealing water was currently $35,000 for an individual and $70,000 for a corporation.
Under the new provisions, the maximum fine would increase to $700,000 for individuals and $2.2 million for corporations.
“If anyone illegally takes water out of the Murray, the penalty will fit the crime,” he said.
Mr Rann said he had again written to the Prime Minister and other Murray-Darling Basin States, declaring that South Australia was preparing to push ahead with High Court action to save the Murray Lower Lakes and Coorong.
“While I am pleased that our proposed legal challenge has caused a change of heart in Victoria which now intends to remove one of its trade barriers, Victoria’s 4 per cent trading cap will remain in place until 2014,” Mr Rann said.
He said trade barriers severely hindered the ability of the Federal Government and South Australia to purchase environmental water and increase the flow of water into stressed areas.
He said despite the Commonwealth allocating $2 billion to buy back water licences and restore flow to the river system, the restrictive trade barriers in Victoria meant 97 per cent of the water for environmental flows had been purchased from New South Wales.
“Environmental water purchases are essential to reverse the effects of over-allocation and over-extraction of water by upstream States that has caused potentially irreversible ecological damage in the Murray Lower Lakes and Coorong,” Mr Rann said.
“The simple truth is that of all of the water extracted from the Murray Darling basin, 93 per cent of it is drawn from NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
“Only 7 per cent is taken out in South Australia.”
He said the over-allocation and extraction of water by the upstream States desperately needed to be fixed and he proposed that the Murray-Darling water issue be the top agenda item for the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments.
3 September, 2009
Fisheries’ new face
PIRSA Fisheries has opened a new shopfront office on the Yorke Peninsula.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Paul Caica, officially opened the state-of-the-art office saying it would give Fisheries a more public face.
The new office is at 16 Minlaton Road, Yorketown.
Court upholds standards
Licensing Action by the Liquor and Gambling Commissionerhas led to three decisions in the Licensing Court upholding community standards.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Gail Gago said the Court penalised licensee for breaches of their liquor licence conditions, overcrowding and poorly maintaining premises.
Ms Gago said disqualifying or fining operators found to have breached their licences showed that the community standards expected of publicans were being enforced.
Virtual PS teams for workshops
Workshops on Managing Public Sector Virtual Teams are to be held in Perth, Melbourne and Canberra.
The one-day master classes aim to equip managers with the skills to deal with issues ranging from tools and technology to results-based management and relationships and trust.
Workshops will be held in Perth on 14 October; Melbourne on 16 October; and Canberra on 23 October and will be run by the United Kingdom training consultancy, Knowledge Ability.
For more information visit www.pics.com.au
Bilbies go west
Ten South Australian bilbies are being relocated to Western Australia in assist in preventing the species’ extinction.
The two States are working together to save the bilby through a captive breeding program and the travellers will be released onto a safe island environment later this year.
Insurance payment changes
Requiring businesses to pay their WorkCover insurance levies in advance will bring South Australia into line with other States.
The new arrangement is part of the Government’s strategy to reduce red tape.
Lanterns banned
Paper lanterns which are set alight and float through the air have been banned by the Office of Business and Consumer Affairs.
“Sky lanterns” have been deemed dangerous by OCBA following tests undertaken with the Metropolitan Fire Service.
The products have also been banned in Queensland.
John retires
The Managing Director of Australia Post, Graeme John is to retire in December.
Mr John joined Australia Post as Chief Manager, National Operations in 1990 and was appointed Managing Director in 1993.
Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner praised Mr John for his “outstanding leadership”.
National President of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Ed Husic wished Mr John well, saying he should be congratulated for his innovation and vision.