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SearchArchives for September
28 September, 2011
Privacy warning
on social media
The Victorian Privacy Commissioner has issued an Information Sheet for Victorian Government organisations using or planning to use social networking.
According to the Commissioner, Helen Versey, social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and others could be useful for enhancing transparency in government processes and for increasing engagement with the community.
“However, there are privacy concerns that need to be identified and addressed,” Ms Versey said.
“Each social networking service will differ in the way it operates and is managed,” she said, “and a Victorian public sector organisation that uses that service to collect, use or disclose personal information needs to understand the operation and management of each.”
She said the privacy implications and risks associated with using the sites should be assessed individually for each networking service to ensure compliance with the Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic)
“The use of a social networking service by government organisations should be directed to a particular purpose, or multiple purposes,” she said.
“An organisation should not use social networking simply because it can!”
She said there might be other methods for encouraging input from the public that would allow individuals to protect their personal information while doing so.
“Given that many people still do not use social networking services, it would be unwise to use those services as the only method for public consultations and providing information to the general public,” she said.
Ms Versey said the privacy settings on social networking sites were often confusing and users could unintentionally disclose information about themselves they didn’t mean to. “Organisations should indicate in their privacy policy that when an individual ‘likes’ a page on Facebook, ‘follows’ the organisation on Twitter, or similar, that some of the individual’s personal information may be visible to others.”
She said the new Social Networking information sheet included a checklist for Victorian public sector organisations and could be accessed at this PS News link.
28 September, 2011
Emergency roles
raising alarm
New laws that clarify the roles of government and emergency service agencies when responding to natural disasters have been introduced into Parliament by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan said the laws would help make Victoria safer.
“This legislation will help steer Victoria’s emergency management towards an ‘all hazards, all agencies’ approach,” Mr Ryan said, “so that, for example, CFA and VICSES volunteers will be able to operate under either Agency’s’ structure.
“The Victorian Government is implementing all 67 Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations and these changes will directly fulfill recommendations 11 and 51.”
He said amendments to the Victorian State Emergency Service Act 2005 would further increase efficiency among Agencies.
He said among the changes made in the new laws were broadening the powers of the Chief Officer, Operations to enable him or her to give directions to individual VICSES members, or any other person who volunteered.
“Under these changes, the Chief Commissioner will have responsibility for coordinating the response to an emergency and for keeping the Minister for Police and Emergency Services informed,” Mr Ryan said.
“It also means that the Minister’s role is to ensure that satisfactory emergency management arrangements are in place to facilitate the prevention of, response to and recovery from emergencies.”
He said the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission highlighted a shared responsibility for community safety and that the changes being made were among a number of measures being taken to make Victoria safer.
He said a discussion paper had recently been released to initiate major reforms to Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements.
Mr Ryan said the paper, Towards a More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria would ensure the State was fully prepared for future emergencies and better able to recover more quickly from the impacts.
The paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
28 September, 2011
Consumers warned on
Certificate fees
The Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has issued a warning to consumers to beware of an online company offering to process applications for a fee.
The Registry says it is free to apply for a Birth, Death or Marriage Certificate in Victoria but the company called Certificate Express charges.
“Certificate Express is not endorsed or affiliated with the Registry,” the Office said in a statement.
“You can obtain official Victorian Birth, Death and Marriage certificates from the Registry.
“You do not have to pay a fee to apply but the Registry does charge a fee for issuing a certificate.”
It said free application forms were available from the Registry’s website at this PS News link.
“If you are considering using an online service to administer your application, be wary of privacy risks and costs,” the Registry warned.
“You may be giving a private company your personal information including name, address, birth date and place, and your signature.
“They may also charge ongoing monthly fees, debited from your credit card, unless you cancel your subscription.”
The Registry said that anyone with an enquiry about applying for a Certificate, could contact it online or by phone on 1300 369 367.
It urged anyone with a grievance against Certificate Express to contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for advice and assistance.
28 September, 2011
Work study finds
that work works
It’s official: Work is good for you!
And according to the Commonwealth agency for workers’ compensation Comcare, it is especially good for people returning to work from injury.
Chief Executive of Comcare, Paul O’Connor said statistics showed that people injured or harmed due to work recovered their health faster if they returned to ‘good’ work earlier.
He said a long-term absence from work could have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of an injured worker.
He said Comcare’s stats showed that injured workers away for more than four weeks had a 46 per cent chance of being off work for another nine weeks, and a quarter of those off for more than a month would not go back for at least another five or six months.
Mr O’Connor said workers didn’t need to be fully fit to return to work.
“The more time spent off work, the slower the recovery,” he said.
“We need to help workers negotiate with their employers to get them back at work as soon as possible.
“It doesn’t have to be full-time to start. A few hours of good work will make a real difference to recovery.”
Mr O’Connor defined ‘good’ work as that which was fulfilling, meaningful, and matched to what the injured person could do.
He said injured workers could often make a remarkable recovery on the job rather than sitting at home with little to do, worrying about what would happen next.
He said Comcare had joined with the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) and other professional bodies to sign a consensus document promoting the health benefits of work and development of the document was continuing.
The early return advice had emerged from the dialogue with health experts and professionals.
28 September, 2011
Teachers resource for
first class curriculum
A new online package of resources for teachers and students to get the most from the Australian Curriculum has been announced by the Federal Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett.
According to Mr Garrett, the $41.2 million package would give all schools in metropolitan, rural and regional areas of Victoria access to new materials for the first seven subject areas so far developed under the Curriculum.
It will also offer cross-curriculum capabilities.
“The new Australian Curriculum will be the first fully digital curriculum,” Mr Garrett said.
“It will be accessible online to every school and teacher and will be linked to a wealth of additional materials that will be continuously expanded and updated over time.”
He said the funding would go to the publicly owned private company Education Services Australia which will work in partnership with education authorities and other groups to source and develop the new resources.
“We’ll also be offering online professional development support and resources for teachers, to help them deliver the new curriculum as it is rolled out over the coming years,” Mr Garrett said.
“It means that teachers and kids in regional or remote schools will have the same digital resources as city schools, so all students will have equal opportunities to learn and do well.”
He said the new package included $10 million to support teachers in their professional development; $5 million for language teaching and learning; $11.4 million for online materials for teaching English, maths, science, history, geography, languages and the arts; $5 million for technical improvements to enable the materials to be used by schools across Australia; and $9.8 million to make each part of the Curriculum easy-to-find for teachers.
Mr Garrett said new Curriculum would be a “huge benefit” to students and schools across the country because for the first time Australia would have a consistent, nation-wide program of learning for all students.
He said the Australian Curriculum was already being implemented in the ACT with some subjects due to be introduced in other States and Territories in 2012.
More information is available from this PS News link.
28 September, 2011
Consumers consume
CAV resources
More Victorians than ever before were assisted by Consumer Affairs Victoria in the past financial year.
According to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, the agency assisted almost 142,000 consumers with advice or other support during the year, finalised 3,858 general consumer disputes out of nearly 12,500, and took court action against 89 traders.
Mr O’Brien said more than 10,000 consumers downloaded the MyShopRights smartphone application.
“Clothing and airline services refunds topped the latest top five list of consumer complaints,” Mr O’Brien said.
“[They were] the most common fair trading issues for Victorian consumers.”
He said the top 5 complaints for 2010-11 were:
1. Refunds for clothing and apparel (891)
2. Refunds for airline services (775)
3. Defective electrical appliances (including whitegoods) (733)
4. Defective furniture, furnishings and homewares (including manchester) (614)
5. Warranties, rights, remedies and guarantees of electrical appliances (including whitegoods) (604)
Mr O’Brien said that not everyone was fully aware of their rights when buying goods and services but the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) campaign had been successful in helping more of them understand their rights.
“To help avoid these problems, the free MyShopRights application answers common shopping questions including guidance on ACL,” he said.
“Because it is stored on phones, consumers can refer to it when out shopping.”
He said it also provided users with instant information on their rights for refunds, warranties and lay-bys, and could store photos of receipts to show proof of purchase.
“Consumer Affairs Victoria worked closely with consumers over the year to address their issues such as airline service refunds caused by flight disruptions, such as the Chilean ash cloud event,” the Minister said.
“Consumer Affairs Victoria also provided advice and assistance to businesses, delivering toolkits to more than 2,000 traders to educate them about appropriate policies and trader knowledge of refund rights,” he said.
28 September, 2011
New prosecutor puts
case for position
The newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions has described his new position as playing an important leadership role in the State’s criminal justice system.
John Champion SC said he felt privileged to be appointed DPP, especially as he had “become acquainted” with the position by acting in it for the past three months.
“In some ways I have been in a unique position,” Mr Champion said.
“I have found Victoria’s public prosecution service to be an extremely well run and efficient organisation.
“I am particularly impressed with the high calibre of its staff and management, and look forward to working closely with them in my new role.”
Mr Champion’s appointment was welcomed by the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions, Craig Hyland, who said his office already had a sound working relationship with the new DPP, having briefed him to act for the Crown in a number of significant cases over recent years.
“John has developed a strong working relationship with OPP leadership and staff since he was appointed Acting DPP in late June,” Mr Hyland said.
“We are pleased that he has been now been appointed to the position in a permanent capacity.”
He said the Office of Public Prosecutions was proud of its performance over the past 12
months working with the DPP and Crown Prosecutors to prosecute serious crime on behalf of the
people of Victoria.
“We have achieved a record high percentage of guilty outcomes; a record number of court sitting days serviced; and increasing numbers of witnesses and victims assisted,” Mr Hyland said.
“We look forward to continuing this positive performance in the year ahead.”
28 September, 2011
Yarra trams leave
standards behind
Yarra Trams exceeded the majority of its independently assessed passenger standards in 2010-11, an achievement recognised by the Minister for Public transport, Terry Mulder.
Mr Mulder congratulated Yarra Trams for exceeding the set Customer Experience Performance Regime benchmarks for information being provided to passengers; the condition of its assets; removing graffiti; and the cleanliness of its tram rolling stock.
“Yarra Trams also met benchmarks for the cleanliness of tram stops, tram reserves such as along Dandenong Road and Kings Way, and graffiti hotspots and overall passenger satisfaction,” Mr Mulder said.
“The Department of Transport has paid Yarra Trams an incentive of $360,703 for exceeding seven of the 10 targets.”
He said that since assuming the tram franchise in late 2009, Keolis Downer EDI Rail (KDR) had met its punctuality and reliability targets in every one of the 21 months.
Mr Mulder said that in telephone surveys conducted for the Department of Transport, the tram user satisfaction index had risen from 71.0 points to 71.6 points between 2009-10 and 2010-11.
“Passenger satisfaction on Melbourne’s northern and western tram routes along Elizabeth and William Streets (Routes 19, 55, 57, 59 and 82) rose from 70.2 to 72.4 points,” Mr Mulder said.
He said continual, sustained improvement was necessary across Yarra Trams’ 28 routes.
“With Melbourne’s trams expected to carry an extra 8 million trips in 2011-12, Yarra Trams has a challenging task,” he said.
“Exceeding the targets for most monitored aspects of its service in the previous financial year is a good start.”
28 September, 2011
Cost of living index
receives change
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revised the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to bring it up to date with current patterns of household spending.
To apply from the September quarter which will be released on 26 October, the new CPI Index has been explained in an information paper released by the ABS.
According to the Bureau, Australians now spend more on restaurant meals than they did in 2005 and less on beef and veal, for example, so the expenditure weights applied to the different goods and services in the CPI basket needed to be revised to reflect current patterns.
“The CPI has been reviewed 16 times since its introduction in 1960,” the Bureau said in a statement.
“These reviews make sure that the CPI basket remains relevant to Australian purchasing patterns.”
It said the headline CPI (All groups CPI) would not be revised as a result of the changes.
“The All groups CPI for the June quarter 2011 was 0.9% for the quarter, and 3.6% through the year.”
It said the information paper covered the new CPI expenditure weights and detailed the methods used in deriving the weights as well as highlighting major shifts.
“The information paper also provides a mock–up of the revised format of the September quarter 2011 publication and downloadable spreadsheets to enable users to become familiar with them before the release date.”
The Bureau said that as well as the CPI, it also produced a suite of related indexes to help users understand the pattern of inflationary pressures in the Australian economy.
“The information paper describes the composition of these series.”
It said that in line with a recommendation from the 16th review, indirect charges for deposit and loan facilities had been removed from the headline CPI while improvements were made to the methodology and underlying data sources.
It said a new analytical series would be produced - the All groups CPI including Deposit and loans (indirect charges) – in the meantime.
The information paper Introduction of the 16th Series Australian Consumer Price Index, can be accessed at this PS News link.
28 September, 2011
Transport paper
shows the way
A new report prepared for the National Transport Commission shows that most Australians want a better transport system but reject many of the policies that would help pay for it.
A discussion paper has been released to encourage public comment.
According to the Chief Executive of the NTC, Nick Dimopoulos, the paper Smart Transport for a Growing Nation also highlights a lack of public knowledge about the way roads and rail systems were funded.
“Our research found that Australians have very little knowledge about the way that the transport system is funded, or about pricing models that operate overseas,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“Interestingly, when given further information, the community was more open to pricing reform – as long as it was fair and did not limit car use.”
He said the discussion paper explored opportunities for reforming Australia’s freight and passenger transport networks to respond to challenges such as population growth and ageing, urban congestion, accessibility, rising oil prices, and carbon pollution.
“The report examines the current transport system from a public user perspective, and provides a way to engage with individuals and organisations on opportunities for reform,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
He said urban congestion was identified as a growing issue affecting road users and the economy, with the cost of delays expected to reach $20 billion by 2020.
He said however that many Australians did not see public transport as a viable alternative, with over 90 per cent of all trips in Australia taken by private car.
“Our research found that Australians want better transport services and choices,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“Clear priorities for change included more frequent public transport services, better roads and new public transport routes.
“Yet transport users believe it is governments’ responsibility to fund improvements, without paying more.”
He said this attitude highlighted the fact that information and consultation was really the first step towards future changes to the transport system.
He said the Smart Transport for a Growing Nation discussion paper could be accessed at the NTC website this PS News link and would be open for public comment until 14 October 2011.
28 September, 2011
And in Other News...
Social event planned
A social networking event is to be hosted on Thursday the 13th of October by Pride in Transport, the transport portfolio’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and gender diverse people group.
Planned for the Locanda Bar at Rydges Hotel in Exhibition Street, the after-work event is open to everyone in the VPS and will be the second for the year after the highly successful first attracted around 90 people
According to Jason Bradley from DOT, Pride in Transport is a VPS first and serves to create an inclusive work environment where GLBTI people are recognised and supported.
For more information email pridein.transport@transport.vic.gov.au
Car crackdown continues
Consumer Affairs Victoria intensified its crackdown on unlicensed and unlawful motor car traders in the last financial year with more than 100 reports of suspected unlicensed motor car traders received to the end of June.
Fifteen court actions were finalised during the year with CAV succeeding in securing convictions, good behaviour bonds, financial penalties and compensation amounting to around $158,000.
Heritage register a winner
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria’s online information management system the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register Information System (ACHRIS) has won an award at the Victorian Spatial Excellence Awards.
The system took out the People and Community award.
The awards recognise the achievements of top online information projects of the Victorian technology industry.
More police on the beat
Uniformed Victoria Police are to become more conspicuous on the streets from next month with 125 extra general duties positions allocated to Police Service Areas (PSAs) across the State.
The additional officers are part of a recruitment program aiming to add 1,700 police officers to the State force by November 2014.
Union ups ante
on pay impasse
The Community and Public Sector Union has set legal procedures in train to initiate protected industrial action across the Victorian Public Service.
According to the Union, the move is necessary because negotiations with the Government over a pay increase have reached an impasse.
Victorian Branch Secretary of the CPSU, Karen Batt said that months of talks had failed to budge the Government from its position of a 2.5% annual salary increase despite the official cost of the living running at 3.6%.
“The Government is only interested in reaching agreement if it’s on their terms which means taking a real wage cut,” Ms Batt said.
“A Protected Action Ballot has now been ordered by Fair Work Australia.”
She said the protected industrial action can only apply to CPSU members covered by the Public Service Agreement 2009.
“Other CPSU members are not affected and not involved at this time.”
She said the ballot will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission and eligible members would soon receive a ballot paper asking if they agreed to take industrial action in support of reaching a new Enterprise Agreement.
“The question will only require one simple Yes or No answer,” Ms Batt said.
“Vote Yes to send a message to the Government that its 2.5% p.a. is not good enough.
“Vote Yes to give our union negotiators the option of taking the specified industrial action should it be necessary.”
She said by voting Yes, the members would make legal any industrial action that may be taken.
She said the type of action most likely would be bans and stoppages but a full list would be on the ballot paper.
More information about the campaign, the ballot or the negotiations to date are available from the CPSU at this PS News link or on phone (03) 9639 1822.
21 September, 2011
Good and bad in
disability audit
The Auditor-General has found that a program being run by the Department of Human Services that allows people with disability to manage their own support services themselves is highly popular and effective but could be managed better.
In his audit report Individualised Funding for Disability Services, Auditor-General Des Pearson said the program of Individual Support Packages (ISPs) for people with disability was providing good outcomes and all concerned were enthusiastic about the program and its potential.
“However, benefits are not consistently delivered. Application processes are burdensome, allocation decisions can lack consistency and transparency, and DHS needs greater assurance that funds are spent appropriately,” Mr Pearson said.
He said under the program, flexible funding packages were offered to people with disability allowing them to manage the funds themselves.
“At least 7,800 Victorians have an ISP, accounting for 19 per cent of DHS disability funds,” the Auditor-General found.
He said the scheme was empowering people with disabilities and promoting their dignity and independence.
“These successes, however, highlight the importance of allocating ISPs fairly,” Mr Pearson said.
“Accessing an ISP is unnecessarily complex and people are not treated consistently.
“This is leading to inequitable outcomes, which is exacerbated by the fact that demand for ISPs exceeds supply.”
He made 11 recommendations in his report including a call for the Department of Human Services to improve its training and guidance of staff to ensure consistency and fairness in assessing applications and developing a risk-based audit system for ISP users.
The full text of the Auditor-General’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
21 September, 2011
Green agency
seeing red
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) almost doubled its legal caseload in the past financial year, cracking down on businesses behaving badly and winning prosecutions in court.
According to the Chief Executive of the EPA, John Merritt, the prosecutions led to penalties of $2.5 million for community programs or compliance works, as well as more
than $400,000 in direct fines.
Mr Merritt said the Agency also issued 269 ‘Pollution Abatement’ Notices’ and ‘Clean Up’ Notices compared to 171 in 2009-10, after reforming its regulatory systems and compliance and enforcement role.
“In the last financial year we had 26 prosecutions, up from 14 the previous
year,” Mr Merritt said.
“On average we’ve had one successful prosecution a fortnight.”
He said among the companies successfully taken to court were Eco-Chem Pty Ltd, fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $265,000 in compensation for breaching its waste storage licence; Visy Paper, ordered to pay $100,000 for a chemical incident that saw 14 people admitted to hospital after being exposed to a gas cloud; shipping company Boskalis Australia, ordered to pay Swinburne University $75,000 towards a PhD project on water of turbidity in coastal areas following an oil spill in Port Phillip Bay; and Enviro Fill Greenvale, fined $200,000 plus clean-up costs of $59,000 for allowing building and other waste to be dumped in two former quarry sites in Greenvale.
“One of our key responsibilities is to enforce the law,” Mr Merritt said.
“We said we would prosecute where business is not doing the right thing by the community and we have.
He said prosecution was always the final option but Victorians had a right to expect to be protected if business was polluting their local environment.
21 September, 2011
Workplace watchdog
leading the way
The national Fair Work Ombudsman claims to be ‘leading by example’ by improving entitlements for parental leave for his staff in a new Enterprise Agreement which came into effect last month.
The 2011-14 Agreement increases access to parental leave for both parents following the birth of a baby.
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson, mothers covered by the Agreement who have just given birth are now entitled to 16 weeks parental leave on full pay, up from 14 weeks, and her partner is eligible for four weeks on full pay, up from three weeks under the previous Agreement.
The latest Agreement also includes a new entitlement to paid primary caregiver’s leave if the partner of the birth mother is required to be the primary caregiver of the baby for any time in the first 16 weeks from the birth.
Mr Wilson said the entitlements were in addition to those available under the Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme.
Mr Wilson said the Agency had gone beyond its minimum legal obligations to develop a parental leave policy that was tailored to employee needs but also benefited the Agency.
“Implementing generous, innovative and flexible parental leave policies can help employers boost their productivity and performance,” Mr Wilson said.
“Employers with parental leave policies that make employees feel valued can benefit from having more committed and productive staff.”
He said the new FWO Agreement also provided for employees to receive superannuation payments while on paid and unpaid parental leave and enshrined the provision of paid lactation breaks for mothers.
He said the new Agreement covered about 950 employees who also received a four per cent pay increase when it began and would enjoy a three per cent rise in July 2012 and two per cent in July 2013.
Mr Wilson said his Office had also produced a Parental Leave Best Practice Guide to assist other employers develop policies to provide optimal support for employees accessing parental leave and it also offered other Best Practice Guides on work and family, individual flexibility arrangements, consultation and co-operation, young workers, gender pay equity, small business and the Fair Work Act, bargaining, privacy, managing underperformance and dispute resolution
He said they could all be downloaded from this PS News link.
21 September, 2011
Cosmetic laws
get better look
New laws that regulate the ingredients in cosmetics have been passed by the Australian Parliament.
According to the Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, the new laws will cut red tape, eliminate overlapping regulation between Federal Agencies and better protect public health.
“The regulation of ingredients in cosmetics has been split between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) which has been confusing for consumers and a burden on industry,” Ms King said.
“This new legislation finalises the transfer of the regulation of these ingredients to NICNAS while also allowing any conditions which have been put on their use by TGA, to be transferred to NICNAS.”
She said the new law meant that the ingredients would automatically be included in the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) without requiring further assessment by NICNAS.
“This both addresses a public health gap and will reduce the regulatory burden on industry.”
She said the new laws would also mean that consumers could find information about the regulation of cosmetic ingredients in one place.
“It also removes the need for NICNAS to prepare and publish a summary report for each chemical assessment as NICNAS now publishes the full public report for each assessment on the NICNAS website.”
She said the new legislation also made minor technical amendments to the Schedule to the Act to clarify certain data requirements for new chemicals and maintain consistency with other national chemical notification schemes.
21 September, 2011
New health app is
feelgood project
The Department of Health has launched a new, free, application for iPhone and iPad users to help them locate local health services and learn more about medical conditions and treatments.
The Better Health Channel mobile phone app was unveiled by the Minister for Health, David Davis who said it “extended the reach” of the Better Health Channel, Australia’s number one health and medical website.
“Now, thanks to this new app, iPhone and iPad users can search for and locate an extensive range of health services throughout Victoria including doctors, dentists, pharmacists and physiotherapists,” Mr Davis said.
“The app also allows people to get quick access to hundreds of Better Health Channel medical conditions and treatments fact sheets, anywhere at anytime.”
He said thanks to the digital media age, the app would place trusted health information in people’s hands and connect them with a range of services including counselling, occupational therapy and child services.
“In a recent online study, nearly three quarters of the Australian population went online last year to access health and medical information,” Mr Davis said.
He said the app built on the Better Health Channel’s past success in delivering the best available health and medical information almost instantly.
“The app helps people make better informed health decisions by providing easy to understand health information articles that can be searched by category, body part, or with the helpful A-Z index,” he said.
“It also includes first aid information and procedures to a range of common injuries to help users respond confidently in critical moments.”
Mr Davis said anyone who owned an iPhone or iPad could download the app for free by visiting the Better Health Channel website at this PS News link or the Better Health Channel facebook page at this PS News link or by searching ‘Better health’ in the Apple app store.
21 September, 2011
Major cases put
back at Tribunal
The Major Cases Planning List is to be reinstated at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
A pilot Major Cases List program was closed to new cases on 18 March after funding for the trial ran out.
Attorney-General, Robert Clark said the program would be returned, but on a user-pays basis.
“Assessment of the Major Cases List pilot program showed it had enabled VCAT to achieve considerable success in reducing waiting times for major case matters,” Mr Clark said.
“However, it is not reasonable to expect the Major Cases List to be funded by taxpayers on an ongoing basis, particularly in the current financial climate.”
“The Government has decided to reinstate the list on a user pays, full cost recovery, basis.”
He said charging higher fees for higher value cases was consistent with the practice in other jurisdictions such as the NSW Land and Environment Court which charged a $6,146 filing fee for corporations with developments worth more than $1 million.
“The user fees will be paid by the developer or other applicant seeking to have the case included in the Major Cases List,” Mr Clark said.
“This in turn will reduce case numbers and free up resources in the general planning list, so other cases can also be heard more quickly.”
He said reinstating the Major Cases List would help deliver faster decisions on proposals for shops, offices, factories and other projects that created jobs and built productivity.
“It is important to emphasise that the purpose of the Major Cases List is to provide a fast-track decision; not to provide a fast-track guaranteed approval,” the Attorney-General said.
“All cases included on the major cases list will be decided on their merits and in accordance with the law, just as they would be if heard on the general planning list.”
He said in addition, the threshold for residential developments to qualify for the Major Cases List had been increased from $5 million to $10 million.
“Given current project values, the Government has concluded that a threshold of $5 million was too low for a residential development project to be regarded as a “major case”, and that a $10 million threshold was more appropriate,” he said.
“However, the threshold will remain at $5 million for industrial, commercial and other non-residential projects, so as to minimise delays in decisions on projects intended to support economic activity and on-going job creation opportunities.”
He said lodging a case on the Major Cases List would cost an initial fee of $3,000 plus a daily hearing fee of $3,115 (both excluding GST).
He said arrangements to reintroduce the list were proceeding and it was expected it would re-commence in the next few months.
21 September, 2011
Campaign raises stakes
in online gambling
Australia’s first advertising campaign to warn of the risks and consequences of excessive online gambling has been launched by the Minister for Gaming, Michael O’Brien.
Mr O’Brien said the campaign was the first action of its type taken by a government in Australia to address the risks that come with the rise of interactive gambling technologies.
He said the campaign, which was timed to coincide with the AFL football finals and Spring Racing Carnival, included television, press, online, radio, train and tram advertising to convey the message Online gambling. It’s easy to bet, too easy to lose.
“New technology such as tablet computers, interactive television and smart phones means that it is easier than ever for Victorians to gamble from any location at any time,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This easy accessibility, while convenient for some, poses real risks to others of increased problem gambling.”
He said the campaign showed how money, careers and relationships could be jeopardised from excessive online gambling.
He said the television advertisement could be viewed on YouTube at this PS News link.
21 September, 2011
Councils fail audit
An audit of the effectiveness of business planning and budgeting for major capital works by four Local Councils has found that three needed to lift their game.
Auditor-General Des Pearson found that although Glen Eira City Council generally managed its planning and budgeting well, “considerable improvement” was required by Whittlesea, South Gippsland and Hepburn.
The Auditor-General’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
Superintendents take action
Superintendents in Victoria Police have instituted protected industrial action in support of a pay claim.
While continuing to protect the security of the community, the Police Superintendents are refusing to attend meetings involving State Government Agencies or Departments and are not responding to files from them.
The Superintendents claim to be the lowest paid of their rank in Australia or New Zealand.
CFA report out
The final report of the independent inquiry into the Country Fire Authority has been released.
The report by former County Court Judge David Jones, looked at how the CFA managed its volunteers and contains 41 recommendations the Government has undertaken to consider.
It can be accessed at this PS News link.
Seniors Card breaks boundaries
Holders of Victorian Seniors Cards can now take advantage of discounts and concessions overseas following a reciprocal agreement signed between the Minister for Ageing, David Davis and the New Zealand Consul-General Daniel Taylor.
The deal means New Zealand SuperGold Cards will also be recognised in Victoria,
Information on the New Zealand card can be found at this PS News link.
EPA to be guest
EPA Victoria is to feature as part of the new online democracy site, ‘Our Say’, in an October forum focussing on the transformation of EPA into a modern regulator.
Chief Executive of the Agency, John Merritt will be the ‘Our Say’ guest on 20 October at the Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall from 5.30pm to 7.30 which will be open to the public.
Book by Monday 17 October at community.engagement@epa.vic.gov.au
Tourism launches plan
Tourism Victoria has launched Victoria’s Spa and Wellbeing Tourism Action Plan 2011-2015 to strengthen Victoria’s claims as the leading spa and wellbeing tourism destination in Australia.
According to the latest National Visitor Survey, the Spa Country region has experienced an increase of 17.9 per cent in domestic overnight visitors for the year ending June 2011.
CAV has busy year
More than 518,200 Victorians called the Consumer Affairs Victoria enquiries line for advice and information in 2010-11.
According to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, the level of contact serves to confirm CAV as trusted source of information and advice for Victorian consumers and businesses.
Landlords school is in
Information sessions on the rights and responsibilities of landlords under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 are being hosted by Consumer Affairs Victoria
The sessions are on Thursday 29 September, Tuesday 4 October and Thursday 6 October and bookings can be made on 8803 8444.
14 September, 2011
Emergency overhaul
to save the day
Major reforms to Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements have been proposed by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan has issued as Green paper to spark debate.
The paper entitled Towards a More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria, offers emergency services, volunteers and communities the chance to have their say on the future of the State’s emergency response arrangements over the next two months.
Mr Ryan said the paper sought innovative ideas and feedback to improve the way the State responded to disasters and emergencies.
“While we have one of the best emergency services in the world, the Green Paper offers the opportunity for all of us to consider new ways to ensure we are equipped to deal with the increased risks of fire, flood and other natural disasters,” Mr Ryan said.
“We want to get the structures, response and laws right and the Green Paper will help develop options that will improve support for the thousands of volunteers and staff in our emergency services organisations who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”
He said the Green Paper would challenge current thinking about Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements and posed questions about the practical options for reform.
It would also take into account the lessons learned and recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the current Flood Review.
“Victoria’s resilience has been tested in recent years, with extreme events proving too big for any one emergency services agency to manage alone,” Mr Ryan said.
“These reforms will ensure the State is fully prepared for future emergencies and able to recover more quickly from their impacts.”
He said the reform process was taking place alongside a range of other initiatives to support emergency services in Victoria, particularly in the lead up to the bushfire season.
He said Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley would work with emergency service agencies to ensure ‘surge capacity’ needs were met during major events and planned a program of exercises across regional Victoria in October and November involving a broad range of emergency services personnel, volunteers, broadcasters and the wider community.
Mr Ryan said the Green Paper could be accessed at this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Watchdog protests at
protestors’ privacy
The Victorian Privacy Commissioner has released her report on privacy issues raised in relation to the water desalination and pipeline projects by agreements between Victoria Police and public and private agencies to exchange information about protestors.
The Commissioner, Helen Versey, said that while very little information was indeed exchanged, the privacy obligations on the agencies concerned were not adequately addressed.
“The right to peacefully protest against Government policy and to form associations with others of a like mind is an important democratic right that needs protection,” Ms Versey said.
She said the agreements were in the form of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the police and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Melbourne Water and AquaSure Pty Ltd, the consortium chosen to deliver the Desalination plant.
She said the MoU defined the information to be exchanged as “any text, images, audio and video, which may be stored on computing devices, in hard copy, or on other storage media and includes (but is not limited to) data related to individuals...” and was quickly picked up by the media.
“Not surprisingly the story resulted in widespread concern,” she said.
In her report Protestors and the Right to Privacy, Ms Versey said MoUs can be useful and important ways of defining the respective obligations and responsibilities of Government Agencies, especially in the context of data sharing.
“Between a Government and non-Government organisation, an enforceable contract is preferable,” she said.
“It appears that the purpose of the two MoUs was to establish a process for dealing with protesters, in order to minimise possible delays to the projects by the actions of those opposed to them.
“While all parties assert that there was no intention to breach the Information Privacy Act 2000, the MoUs, were extremely poorly worded and appeared to anticipate widespread exchange of personal information and law enforcement data.
“There is no evidence that any of the parties to the MoUs considered in any detail their obligations under the Information Privacy Act.”
She made eight recommendations which she said applied to all Victorian public sector organisations undertaking major projects where personal information would be collected.
The recommendations include conducting Privacy Impact Assessments; conducting Human Rights Impact Assessments; ensuring information sharing is in accordance with the Privacy Act; and ensuring contractors and private organisations understand they are also bound by the provisions of the Act.
“In addition to these recommendations Privacy Victoria has also published guidance Outsourcing and Privacy, Edition 1, May 2011 to assist organisations and contractors to Government to address privacy issues before, during and at the end of contracts” Ms Versey said.
The full text of her report can be accessed at this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
New dog laws
get more bite
New laws have been introduced into Parliament making dog owners more responsible for their animal’s actions.
According to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh, owners of declared dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dogs could serve up to 10 years in jail if their dog killed another person.
“We are introducing new offences into the Crimes Act for failing to prevent a dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dog from endangering a life or causing a death,” Mr Walsh said.
“The legislation creates new offences, all of which could result in a prison term.”
He said the most serious offences would apply if a dog in question killed another person. He said the offence carried the same penalties as dangerous driving causing death.
“We are sending a clear message to owners of these dogs [that] if your animal endangers life or kills somebody, you will be held accountable.”
Mr Walsh said the new laws also introduced a range of penalties for the owners of dangerous and restricted breed dogs who did not adequately manage their animals.
“Owners of dangerous or restricted breed dogs who fail to notify their local Council when their dog escapes or when they change address now face a doubling of penalties to $2,442,” he said.
“Penalties have been increased to $2,442 for owners who fail to restrain a dangerous or restricted breed dog on their property or $4,885 for dogs outside.”
He said the dogs would also be required to wear a warning collar when off their home property.
“This will provide another way for the public to recognise a restricted breed dog when they see one,” he said.
Mr Walsh said a new telephone hotline had also been introduced to allow people another opportunity to report dangerous dogs.
“To date more than 500 calls have been made to the hotline, with 229 calls made to report dangerous dogs,” he said.
The hotline number is 1300 10 10 80 between 8am and 6pm but Mr Walsh warned it should not be used in an emergency.
If people are in immediate danger they should phone 000, he said.
14 September, 2011
Rail safety officers
just the ticket
A recruiting drive has been launched to find and appoint 940 Victoria Police Protective Services Officers (PSOs) to make the State’s rail network safer.
The drive was announced jointly by the Acting Chief Police Commissioner, Ken Lay and the Minster for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan who said they were looking for applicants who wanted to protect and serve the 400,000 people who travelled on the railways each day.
“PSOs already play a key role within Victoria Police,” Mr Ryan said.
“Now that new PSO laws have passed through Parliament, 940 PSOs will be recruited to boost safety at train stations.”
He said the new PSOs would have the power to apprehend, detain, arrest and remove any offenders or threatening individuals while they were on duty at train stations.
“Victoria Police will extend the new PSO training program from nine weeks to 12 weeks to ensure PSOs can successfully tackle crime, violence and antisocial behaviour on the rail network,” he said.
“PSO recruits will receive the same Operational Tactics and Safety Training as police, including the same defensive skills and firearms training.”
He said Victoria Police would host recruitment information sessions around Victoria and more information was available from this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Research audit for
child protection
A national research audit on child protection in Australia has been issued to assist in targeting further research.
Conducted jointly by the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Social Policy Research Centre, the audit was released by the Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins.
Ms Collins said that protecting children was one of the most important responsibilities of government
“The National Research Audit was recommended by experts and practitioners to plan research priorities and avoid duplication and unnecessary investments,” Ms Collins said.
“[It] indicates we need more research into understanding neglect, the emotional and physical abuse of children, as well as the impact of parental substance abuse and mental illness on child safety and wellbeing.”
She said the audit also provided directions and priorities for future research, including the National Research Agenda for Protecting Children, which would be finalised later this year.
“It also identified Indigenous-specific issues and solutions, as well as kinship care, the role of community education on child abuse and neglect, and risks and abuse of children with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as areas for future research.”
Ms Collins said the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children would provide a national approach to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Australian children.
“The directions and priorities in the National Research Audit will be critical in helping build an evidence base to inform our thinking about improved outcomes for children,” Ms Collins said.
She said the audit was accompanied by an online register to enable users to access information more easily and keep up to date with the latest research.
The Protecting Australia’s Children Research Audit was available online at this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Phones report lines up
customer complaints
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has published the final report of its public inquiry into customer service and complaints-handling by Australia’s telecommunications providers.
Entitled Reconnecting the Customer the report details the concerns many consumers have when dealing with their telecommunications service provider.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said the report makes five proposals for change that would make buying and using a mobile phone or internet service much simpler.
He said the changes were:
* Clearer pricing information in ads to allow comparisons;
* Better pre-sale information about plans;
* More meaningful performance measures to allow users to compare providers;
* Better tools for consumers to monitor usage and expenditure
* Better complaints handling procedures.
Mr Chapman urged the companies to include the changes in their consumer protection codes (TCP) by next February.
“We have closely consulted on these outcomes with consumers and industry and the overwhelming response has been that improvements are both urgent and necessary,” Mr Chapman said.
“The industry should address these concerns as soon as possible.
“The industry is now formally on notice to reflect these outcomes in the new TCP Code.”
He said if it didn’t, ACMA would mandate the changes through direct regulation.
The Reconnecting the Customer report can be accessed on ACMA’s engage website this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Heritage website
is new property
A New database containing information on heritage places associated with Victoria’s war history has been launched by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Hugh Delahunty.
Mr Delahunty said the new site would enable anybody to find out more about Victoria’s war history.
“This great new site is so easy to use – you can literally punch in your postcode and find out about the war memorials, avenues of honour, memorial buildings and defence-related sites in and around your neighbourhood,” he said.
“These sites remind us of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving personnel, and war memorials in particular have always been touchstones for families who have lost loved ones.”
He said the database was part of a program to educate the community about the importance of the State’s monuments and other places associated with Victoria’s war history.
Mr Delahunty said the Victorian War Heritage Inventory listed war memorials in Victoria and provided information, images and location data about them.
He launched the website at Parkville’s University High School and was joined by the school’s most recent recipient of the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize, Martin Lee to urge students to get online to find out more about Victoria’s rich wartime heritage.
“While you’re online, I encourage all Year 10 students to think about following in Martin’s footsteps by applying for the 2012 Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize,” Mr Delahunty said.
“I know Martin found the experience visiting the Western Front and Gallipoli extremely rewarding and I hope other students take advantage of this great opportunity.”
Mr Delahunty said the Prize was open to all year 9 and 10 students in all Victorian secondary schools, and applications closed in October.
He said the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize was an annual competition to select 10 students to participate in a study tour of important sites where Australians had served in war, particularly those related to Gallipoli or the Western Front.
The study tour will take place during the term one school holidays in 2012 and more information is available from this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Breast screen bus
goes for bust
A bright pink bus full of state-of-the-art breast cancer screening equipment has embarked on a road trip to small rural communities around the State.
Minister for Health, David Davis set the mobile service on its way saying it would be a great improvement to the detection of breast cancer among women in rural Victoria.
“New digital technology inside the bus enables mammography images to be captured more efficiently and be sent to radiologists over a broadband network,” Mr Davis said.
“The mobile screening service, run by BreastScreen Victoria, will take this technology to women living in rural and regional Victoria.”
He said the bus would spend its first three weeks in South Gippsland after which it would go to Yarram, Omeo, Mallacoota, Orbost, Mansfield and then Alexandra in 2012.
Mr Davis said breast cancer was the most common cancer in Victorian women with one in nine expected to develop it by age 85.
“In 2009, 3,264 Victorian women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 698 women died from the disease.”
He said the installation of the latest digital technology in the mobile service was part of a State-wide four year plan that would make it progressively available to all Victorian women.
He said the mobile screening service would cater for about 7,000 BreastScreen appointments a year.
“Almost half of invasive breast cancer cases diagnosed each year in Victoria are detected by the BreastScreen program,” Mr Davis said.
“Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, five-year survival rates have increased from 74 per cent in 1990 to 89 per cent in 2005.”
He said BreastScreen Victoria screened more than 210,000 women every year with women over 40 accessing the service free of charge.
Mr Davis said finding breast cancer early offered women the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.
“A BreastScreen appointment every two years is the best way to find breast cancer early,” he said.
“I encourage all women aged 50 to 69 to phone BreastScreen Victoria on 13 20 50 and make an appointment.”
14 September, 2011
Seniors iron wrinkles
out of festival fare
A Busy program of more than 1,000 events has been announced for the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival in October.
The festival will also include special events for rural towns affected by the floods.
Minister for Ageing, David Davis launched the festival program along with a new website for Victorian seniors.
“The festival, now in its 29th year, celebrates and acknowledges older Victorians with an exciting program of entertainment and activities,” Mr Davis said.
“With $204,000 funding from the Victorian Coalition Government, each of Victoria’s 79 Councils will receive a grant to run local festival events.”
He said free metropolitan and regional public transport would be offered for all Victorian Seniors Card holders to attend festival events and visit friends and family between 2 and 9 October.
He said while the floods in regional Victoria caused great damage and hardship for many Victorians, providing opportunities for smaller communities to come together at festival time was a good way of helping to overcome adversity.
“The Victorian Government is pleased to this year be delivering an extra $81,000 for additional festival events in flood affected areas,” Mr Davis said.
“As part of this year’s festival, each of the 26 Victorian councils affected by floods will hold a special festival event and provide free transport for local seniors to attend.”
He said the development of the new website had taken into account the fact that the fastest growing group of internet users was people aged between 65 and 74.
“Seniors Online is a new website we have developed to be a first port-of-call for Victorian seniors looking for information online,” he said.
“You will find all the information you need in one simple, easy to use website with information on Government programs to community contacts and the 2011 Seniors Festival program.”
Mr Davis said the website would also present a range of further offers from Seniors Card participating businesses.
He said the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival Program was available at all Coles stores, libraries, Council offices, neighbourhood houses and various community and seniors’ organisations.
For more information visit this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
National reach for the
long arm of the law
Draft legislation to set up a National Legal Profession has been released by the Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland.
Speaking on behalf of the Attorneys-General of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, Mr McClelland said the new laws would facilitate the development of the profession nationally although some points of clarification were still required in some jurisdictions.
“There are some final decisions we need to make to reach agreement, relating to transitional costs and selection of a host jurisdiction,” Mr McClelland said.
“We have committed to resolving these outstanding matters before 1 October so legislation can then be presented in the host jurisdiction’s Parliament as soon as possible.”
He said about 85 per cent of Australia’s lawyers practised in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“These reforms will deliver benefits for the vast majority of the profession,” he said.
“We are hopeful that other States and Territories will sign on once they can see the benefits of the reforms in practice.”
Mr McClelland said he believed very strongly that Australia could no longer justify the disparate regulation of such an important profession which generated around $13 billion in economic activity each year.
“These reforms will serve the interests of consumers and the legal profession alike,” he said.
“The reforms that these parties are close to agreement on achieve this by enhancing consumer protection, protecting the independence of the legal profession and ensuring access to justice.”
He said a lot good work had been done around creating a National Legal Profession and commended his colleagues for their good faith and constructive approach.
The draft legislation can be inspected on the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department website at this PS News link.
14 September, 2011
Green light for showbags
Product Safety Inspectors from Consumer Affairs Victoria have examined the contents of 377 show bags in preparation for the Royal Melbourne Show, due to open on 24 September.
The Inspectors assessed over 2,000 items in the bags and found 14 that required further testing. Only one of those was found to be in breach of product safety standards and was subsequently withdrawn.
CAV inspectors have been invited by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria to conduct safety assessments of the contents of showbags since the mid 1980s.
Planning Matters turns 4
The weekly online alert from the Department of Planning and Community Development, Planning Matters, has marked its fourth anniversary.
Planning Matters is a free service with links to updated planning information on the Department’s website.
Issue No. 1 was sent out to 760 subscribers in September 2007 and the service has nearly 3,500 subscribers today.
Disability forum next month
A disability employment forum is to be held in October at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Hosted by Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment (ADDE), the forum will feature a panel of experts discussing best practice employment of people with disability.
The free forum is to be held on Friday 21 October between 1.15 and 4pm and more information is available from geoff.crawford@adde.org.au
Books for babies
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) has purchased and distributed around 6,600 books for babies in the Loddon Mallee Region to be distributed via Maternal and Child Health Centres.
DEECD’s Anne Brinsden said the plan was to inspire toddlers and pre-school children to want to read, and their parents to encourage this interest.
The initiative was part of National Literacy and Numeracy Week, which ran from August 29 to September 4.
New building rules in place
New building regulations came into force on 8 September replacing interim requirements put in place following the February 2009 bushfires.
The new regulations are designed to improve bushfire safety and include the declaration of designated bushfire prone areas, minimum construction requirements in bushfire prone areas, and requiring building surveyors to accept Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments obtained in the planning system.
More information is available from this PS News link.
Scienceworks hits milestone
The science and technology museum Scienceworks has reached a new visitor milestone, welcoming its seven millionth visitor since opening in 1992.
The popular attraction hosts around 450,000 visitors a year and has provided millions of students and families the opportunity to experience science in an engrossing, interactive environment.
Goldfields good as gold
More than half the visitors to the Victorian Goldfields surveyed by Tourism Research Australia said they were ‘very satisfied’ with their visit.
The Goldfields Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Report found 58 per cent of visitors to Bendigo and 57 per cent of visitors to Ballarat were very satisfied, a finding six per cent higher than the national benchmark.
The report can be accessed at this PS News link.
Overhaul for Aboriginal heritage
People with an interest in Aboriginal heritage have been invited to contribute to a review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
A discussion paper has been released to encourage comments which will be received until 25 November 2011
The discussion paper and instructions on how to comment can be accessed at this PS News link.
Homeless women project
A new project in Melbourne is to benefit 60 women who are experiencing homelessness due to family violence or mental illness.
The project will be delivered in the north and western metropolitan regions of the city, working with employers to provide placement, education and early intervention in the workplace.
The project is being supported from the Commonwealth Government’s Innovation Fund.
7 September, 2011
Industrial action to
push stalled pay talks
The Community and Public Sector Union is looking to take industrial action as its next step in progressing a stalled pay claim.
Branch Secretary of the Union, Karen Batt said a meeting last week failed to resolve the deadlock prompting the CPSU to exercise its rights under Federal law and apply to hold a ballot among members to take protected industrial action.
“While the Government is happy to legislate to backdate MP’s pay rises, there is no such offer or urgency when it comes to reaching Agreement on their workforces’ wages,” Ms Batt said.
“Our Victorian Public Service Agreement, with 14 other Agreements applying to Arts Institutions, Parks, VicSES, and Parliamentary Officers, amongst others, all expired eight weeks ago.”
She said the Government had informed the Union that it could not make an offer for maybe another 2 weeks and the CPSU would now exercise its right under Federal legislation and commence applications to take protected action (PABO).
“The Government has had this eight week period and longer to cost what their package was worth and should have done so,” Ms Batt said.
“Increasing the spending power of the Public Sector workforce at this time would actually help stimulate and grow the Victorian economy.”
More information on the pay campaign can be found on the CPSU website at this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Ambulance Service
brought back to life
A new Board has been appointed to Ambulance Victoria to oversee a range of improvements to the service.
Minister for Health, David Davis said decisive action was being taken to deal with what he called “long-standing problems in Ambulance Victoria”, to benefit both metropolitan and country Victoria.
“A new board will be charged with the task of improving Ambulance Victoria’s performance across the State,” Mr Davis said.
“The new Ambulance Victoria board will bring the balance and mix of skills and experience needed.”
He said there had been serious financial and operational performance issues at Ambulance Victoria and there was a need to improve the State’s frontline ambulance service.
He said the changes would include spending $151 million over four years for 340 additional ambulance staff; introducing 10 MICA Single Responder Units for regional Victoria; building new ambulance stations; and halving the cost of ambulance membership.
Mr Davis said the release of data on patient transfer times between ambulance and hospital emergency departments as well as Hospital Early Warning System data, or mini bypass, would also be included in the reforms.
“Now the Government is ensuring that the new board of Ambulance Victoria has the right balance and mix of skills and experience to fix the problems within the organisation and prepare for the future,” he said.
“The new board will combine a keen understanding of health service management, financial acumen, insurance scheme management and knowledge of the unique challenges in country Victoria.”
7 September, 2011
Plans heat up for
bushfire week
A week of preparation and education in the lead-up to the summer bushfire season is to be held in November.
Fire Action Week is to be a State-wide campaign to ensure all Victorians understand the importance of bushfire preparation and planning and will run from 13 to 20 November.
Minister for Emergency Services, Peter Ryan said Fire Action Week would include a range of events put on by the fire agencies to promote bushfire preparation and planning.
“Victorians need to prepare for the upcoming fire season no matter where they live and take responsibility for their community and for themselves,” Mr Ryan said.
“Fire Action Week events will give people practical tips and advice on fire preparation and include many family-friendly events including CFA and MFB family days, fire planning days and other important education programs that will help people get on the front foot and understand fire risk.”
He said a comprehensive four month advertising campaign would also run during the high risk period to reinforce the message about preparing and planning for bushfires.
“The advertising campaign will feature print, radio, online, outdoor and television ads to help encourage a proactive approach to bushfire preparedness and keep Victorians safe this fire season,” he said.
“All communities and people who live, work or plan to holiday in areas of high bushfire risk need to be aware of the potential fire risks around them, think about how to prepare their properties, and to know what they would do in the event of an emergency.”
Victorian Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley said Fire Action Week was a whole-of-Government initiative that included a partnership with Local Councils and communities to ensure all Victorians were well prepared.
“Fires don’t just pose a threat to people who live in country Victoria, Mr Lapsley said.
“Bush and grass fires can place lives and property in jeopardy in suburban areas near parklands, presenting a threat to residents and visitors.”
7 September, 2011
IPAA names
good fellows
Public Servants from across Australia have been named National Fellows of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) at its 2011 National Conference held in Hobart last week.
Gerard Vaughan and Professor Peter Dawkins from the Victorian Public Service were among those honoured for their work.
Acknowledging the recipients of the awards, the National President of the Institute, Percy Allan, said each one had made an outstanding contribution to public administration.
“Australia is fortunate to have dedicated, talented and passionate public administrators at all levels of Government,” Mr Allan said, “and it is appropriate that IPAA – the professional association of the Public Sector – acknowledge and celebrate their achievements.
“To be made a National Fellow of the Institute is the highest accolade for IPAA members.”
Mr Allan said Mr Vaughan was the Director and Chief Executive of the National Gallery of Victoria and since his appointment had been responsible for redevelopment programs and increased fundraising from the private sector.
“When he came to the Gallery in 1999, capital totalled $9 million,” Mr Allan said.
“It’s now more than $94 million as the gallery celebrates its 150th year.”
He said the Vice Chancellor and President of Victoria University in Melbourne, Professor Dawkins was recognised for his key public role in the fields of teaching and research, management and leadership both in Australia and Britain.
He said Professor Dawkins was the former Secretary of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance.
“He has undertaken extensive research and published widely on economic and social issues especially relating to labour markets, human capital and education and training policy, as well as welfare to work issues and the economics of industry and innovation,” Mr Allan said.
He said all awardees had dedicated their careers to serving the public interest.
“The 2011 recipients join a pre-eminent group of leaders from across jurisdictions and agencies, who capably demonstrate the qualities and attributes required of the profession,” he said.
“These individuals have and have made a significant contribution to the work of IPAA.”
More information is available from this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Privacy issues in
public forum
A free public forum on privacy issues is to be held tomorrow (1 September) to mark the 10th anniversary of the commencement of the Information Privacy Act 2000.
Privacy: Then and Now will feature an address by Paul Chadwick, Victoria’s first Privacy Commissioner and a panel discussion about the many privacy issues affecting the Victorian public sector and wider community since 1 September 2001.
Current Privacy Commissioner, Helen Versey said the Information Privacy Act was designed to give Victorians confidence that the personal information about them held by Government would be protected.
“The Act aims to balance the public interest in the free flow of information with the public interest in protecting the privacy of personal information,” Ms Versey said.
She said just after its commencement the world witnessed the attacks of 11 September 2001, events that set the scene for continuing privacy challenges.
She said those challenges tested the balancing act articulated in the Act, most recently in the Cybercrime legislation passed by the Australian House of Representatives.
“Add to this situation private and public sector privacy breaches, the phenomenal growth in social networking, increasingly powerful portable communication and storage devices and international media scandals and you have the ingredients for a robust and informative discussion,” Ms Versey said.
“Space is limited so registration is a must.”
Ms Versey said panelists would include former editor of The Age and inaugural Director of the Centre for Advanced Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Michael Gawenda; former Deputy Privacy Commissioner (NSW) and privacy consultant, Anna Johnston; privacy advocate and consultant Nigel Waters; Manage of Government Affairs at Microsoft Australia, Sassoon Grigorian; and Dr Bridget Bainbridge, who was involved in drafting the Information Privacy Act.
For more information including details about online registration, visit this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Employers toolkit to
aid injured workers
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a new online toolkit for employers designed to assist injured workers return to work earlier.
Released as part of WorkSafe’s Return to Work, Return to Life campaign, the employers’ toolkit has templates, checklists and forms that can be customised to suit individual needs.
Director of the campaign, Dorothy Frost said it would be particularly useful for small to medium sized businesses and for those who did not have a lot of experience with workplace injury insurance claims.
“It’s very important employers understand and comply with their return to work obligations,” Ms Frost said.
“This toolkit provides everything they need to know.”
She said each year around 28,000 Victorian workers were seriously hurt and more than 3,000 did not return to work within six months of being injured.
She said in the past five years, nearly 150,000 Victorians had lodged compensation claims with WorkSafe, totalling more than $2.7 billion in treatment and rehabilitation costs.
“Obviously prevention is the best cure and more needs to be done to ensure as many of these injuries don’t happen, but for those workers who are injured on the job, getting back to work sooner is good for them and it’s good for business,” Ms Frost said.
“An early return to work reduces claim costs and keeps the cost of a business’s injury insurance premium down.”
She said medical evidence showed that the longer someone was off work, the harder it was for them to return and the greater the chance they would suffer adverse health effects.
“It’s important injured workers are given the best possible chance of getting back into the workplace,” she said.
“A successful return to work does not have to mean going straight back into full time work or the initial position that was originally held – it can be a gradual return, or a return to modified duties or even undertaking further training at work while the worker recovers.”
Ms Frost said WorkSafe was calling on businesses to submit their successful comeback stories in this year’s WorkSafe Awards, an initiative to encourage a progressive and proactive approach to helping injured workers return.
She said entries could be submitted at this PS News link and more information was available at this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Stadium kicks goal
for Major Projects
Major Projects Victoria has been honoured with an award at the 2011 Australian Institute of Project Management Achievement Awards.
MPV’s work on Melbourne’s AAMI Park stadium was judged the best on a project over $100 million and received the award for construction and engineering.
Minister for Major Projects, Denis Napthine congratulated the MPV team for their management of the AAMI Park project.
“I am delighted that Major Projects Victoria has received industry acknowledgment for their work on what has fast become one of Australia’s most iconic sports stadiums,’ Dr Napthine said.
“A project of this scope and complexity could not have been delivered so successfully without a stellar project team behind it.
“Everyone involved in the project including Major Projects Victoria, Cox Architects, Arup, Norman Disney Young and Grocon can be very proud of what they have achieved in AAMI Park.”
Dr Napthine said the AIPM award was the seventh major award received by AAMI Park this year.
He said others included Master Builder of the Year Award (won by Grocon); the Commercial Building Over $80 million Award; The Victorian Architecture Medal; The William Wardell Award for Public Architecture; the Melbourne Prize; and the Colourbond Award for Steel Architecture.
7 September, 2011
Reviving old trains
is just the ticket
A study into the long term feasibility of returning passenger trains between some of Victoria’s largest cities has been announced by the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder.
Mr Mulder said the study would focus on train services between Victoria’s second, third and fourth largest cities, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo (via Meredith, Maryborough and Castlemaine).
He said the study was being carried out with part of $2 million provided in the May Budget, and contracts had been awarded to a number of specialist consultants.
“This two year study is a key step in linking Geelong, Ballarat, Maryborough, Castlemaine and Bendigo by train,” Mr Mulder said.
“It is part of the Government’s plan to provide improved travel options for 400,000 residents in the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo areas.”
He said the consultants would examine existing and future passenger rail infrastructure including stations, passing loops and signalling, but local residents’ views would be important.
“We are examining a number of options to improve public transport in these regions – both in the short and long term,” Mr Mulder said.
He said the Department of Transport would work with Local Councils as part of the study to identify key challenges and priorities for communities in the region as the State’s rural population continued to grow.
“It is important that the study considers possible future development or changes to transport along the corridor,” he said.
“The extensive investigations will examine the feasibility of upgrading the rail line between Geelong and Ballarat and Castlemaine and Bendigo for regular passenger trains, and reopening the line between Maryborough and Castlemaine.”
Mr Mulder said the study would also examine the feasibility of reopening disused railway stations along the lines including Bannockburn, Lethbridge, Meredith, Lal Lal, Carisbrook and Newstead although there was already a commitment to reopening Clunes and Talbot stations.
“The study includes railway station inspections, cultural, heritage and environmental investigations, infrastructure assessments and public transport planning,” he said.
More information about the plans is available on this PS News link or by calling 1300 130 176.
7 September, 2011
Safe conclusions from
VMIA risk conference
A conference on risk management has been told that the biggest threat to an organisation’s online security was its workers.
Cyber crime expert, Craig Scroggie made the claim at the Second biennial risk conference of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).
The conference featured a range of Australian and overseas speakers, addressing the latest issues on current and emerging risk management topics.
Subjects canvassed at the conference included the proliferation of social media; risk communications in advertising; resource security; the risks of having staff in dangerous overseas assignments; and risks to patients in a clinical setting.
Speaking on online security, Mr Scroggie said cyber crime was a “faceless and silent threat” although the deepest fear felt by corporations from cyber attack was not financial loss but damage to reputation.
The conference was also told that possibly the most topical issue facing risk managers worldwide was the increasing number of natural catastrophes.
Member of the 2007 joint-Nobel Laureate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr Evan Mills from US Department of Energy gave the keynote address saying climate change was the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.
Also addressing the global risk agenda, Fellow of the World Economic Forum, Gareth Shepherd, said risk management was not being appropriately delivered.
“Twentieth century systems are failing to manage 21st century risks,” Mr Shepherd said.
“The alternative? Repeated crises followed by knee-jerk action,”
Chief Executive Officer of VMIA, Steve Marshall said the VMIA was the ‘captive’ insurer for the State of Victoria and its assets.
“After our inaugural Risk Conference in 2009, this event is now firmly on the calendar for risk management professionals across the VPS,” Mr Marshall said.
“Importantly, the VMIA Risk Conference is another way we try to reduce the total cost of risk to the State of Victoria by bringing the public sector together and highlighting key risks.”
He said the next VMIA Risk Conference would be held in 2013.
More information about the conference is available from this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
TEENS program
turns 10
A Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) program that encourages young people to drive safely has entered its 10th year.
Teaching, Enlightening, Encouraging and Nurturing Safe Drivers (TEENS) exposes Year 10 students to the reality of car crashes and their potential devastating consequences using lectures and role playing exercises drawn from real life crashes attended by MFB firefighters.
Chief Executive of MFB, Nick Easy said TEENS had proven consistently popular with local schools and the community.
Mr Easy said it added another layer to the overall road safety effort by demonstrating the harsh realities of a car crash to 15-year-old school students.
“All emergency service providers work to try to reduce the human cost of road crashes,” Mr Easy said.
“MFB firefighters too regularly have to attend the scene of a crash and witness first hand the devastation that is caused both to the vehicle occupants and the vehicle itself.”
He said TEENS illustrated the reality to children on the eve of them becoming drivers in an effort to instil better driving behaviour.
“We know new and young drivers are in a higher risk road user group and MFB wants to contribute to improving driving attitudes and the understanding of the associated risks,” Mr Easy said.
He said the program educated students through a realistic role-play scenario, which addressed the harsh and often shocking realities of teenage-related fatalities and injuries in car crashes.
He said MFB was keen to talk to road safety agencies about TEENS and gain their future involvement.
“MFB partners with road safety agencies including TAC, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and VicRoads on the Fit to Drive program and believes there could be potential to work with the road safety community to shape the TEENS program to contribute further to the overall safety effort,” Mr Easy said.
7 September, 2011
Chemical warning
to dissolve danger
Victoria’s fire services have issued a public safety message on what people should do in a chemical emergency.
They said that if someone was outside and smelled gas, saw a chemical explosion, or was downwind of a toxic plume, they needed to stay inside.
The message was delivered at Coode Island, 20 years to the day since the major chemical explosion that threatened the CBD and Melbourne’s inner west with a toxic cloud that lasted for two days.
Victoria’s Fire Commissioner, Craig Lapsley said the Coode Island explosion was the chemical emergency that loomed largest in the minds of Victorians.
“But the fact is a chemical emergency can happen anywhere, anytime, as the result of a fire, explosion or a chemical spill at a fixed site, or from a road or train accident,” Mr Lapsley said.
He said the new Shelter-in-Place approach was best-practice in chemical emergency management.
“Significant research conducted by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, the Country Fire Authority and ChemCentre has demonstrated that the best way to protect yourself in a chemical emergency is to shelter inside, shut all windows and doors and turn off any ventilation systems, and listen to emergency service broadcasts,” he said.
Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), Nick Easy said evacuation was not the safest option when exposed to a short-term release of toxic chemicals.
“The fresh air inside a building can provide protection for several hours, therefore the shelter-in-place directive is the best response,” Mr Easy said.
“In an emergency, updates – through all the usual emergency services broadcasters – would be regular, and the public would be informed when it is safe to open windows and doors, or leave their home again.”
He said communication with the community was paramount in any emergency and the MFB would let it know, either directly through emergency workers knocking on doors or via the media, of the status of a chemical incident.
7 September, 2011
Young reporters
urged to report
Young writers under 24 have been encouraged to apply for a reporter’s job on the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Youthcentral website.
Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith said Victorian writers and bloggers between 16 and 24 would benefit greatly from Youthcentral’s Roving Reporter program.
“The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that young people have a say in our community and develop skills that will enable them to make the most out of their lives,” Mr Smith said.
“The Roving Reporter program provides young people an opportunity to learn how to research and write news articles.”
He said developing skills in communication, research, multimedia and information technology would help young people with their study or career opportunities.
“There are many benefits to being a Roving Reporter,” he said.
“Roving Reporters will be paid for their articles, develop an online writing portfolio and experience the world of professional journalism first-hand.”
Mr Smith said other benefits included having the opportunity to attend launches, expos, festivals and concerts.
“The Roving Reporters will contribute reviews, interviews and articles to the Victorian Government’s Youthcentral website on a regular basis,” he said.
“Youthcentral is designed for young people, by young people, and is a vehicle for youth to express their interests.”
He encouraged all keen and passionate young people to sign up to become part of youthcentral’s new Roving Reporter team.
He said Youthcentral boasted the most popular government website for young people, receiving 90,000 visits per month.
He said the program ran for 6 months and applications for the Roving Reporter program were open until 14 September 2011.
Forms and position details can be found at this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Toolern floated as
water neutral
A new suburb of Melbourne is to be the first in Australia to be ‘water neutral’.
Minister for Water, Peter Walsh said the suburb of Toolern was expected to house 50,000 residents by 2030.
“These kinds of developments are the way of the future,” Mr Walsh said.
“Toolern will capture and re-use stormwater and recycled water to greatly reduce the suburb’s demand for potable water.”
He said it would be the first suburb in Victoria where a potable water substitution target was being included in its precinct structure plan.
“Homes in the new development will be supplied with Class A recycled water from the Surbiton Park Recycled Water Plant to flush toilets, water gardens and wash cars,” he said.
“Stormwater will be captured and held in wetlands for treatment and filtration before it is piped to Melton Reservoir for future reuse, such as irrigation within Toolern or in other parts of the region.”
Mr Walsh said the self-sustaining nature of the development was particularly important at that location as it was one of the lower rainfall areas of the State.
He said up to 3,500 megalitres of stormwater would be harvested in Toolern each year, with around 2,700 megalitres of recycled water supplied by Western Water to flush toilets and water gardens and outdoor spaces.
Managing Director of Western Water, John Wilkinson said the amount of water harvested at Toolern for reuse would be roughly equal to the amount of drinking water used by residents.
“Toolern will truly be a suburb of the future when it comes to water management, setting the standard for urban planning in Victoria in a time of climate change,” Mr Wilkinson said.
Mr Walsh said $50 million had been set aside to help fund projects which integrated the use of stormwater, recycled water and rainfall.
7 September, 2011
Weed crackdown
planted in regions
The Department of Primary Industries has announced a crackdown on gorse and blackberry plants in some regional areas to protect waterways.
Biosecurity Officer at DPI, Marchchtin Deering said gorse (Ulex europaeus) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) were of particular concern in the Glenlyon, Lauriston, and Ashbourne areas.
“DPI will support these communities’ effort to protect valuable north central waterways,” Mr Deering said.
“DPI staff will inspect 120 properties and where required, issue directions notices to control gorse and blackberry.”
He said landowners had a legal responsibility to manage pest plants and animals on their property to ensure they did not adversely affect agricultural production on neighbouring farms or impact on the natural environment.
He said that where non-compliance for weed control occurred, penalties could apply.
“Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act (CaLP) 1994 landowners are liable for fines of up to $29,000,” Mr Deering said.
President of the Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group, Evan Davis said DPI was supporting local efforts to control gorse and blackberry.
“All members of the local community need to do their bit to help control gorse and blackberry and when this doesn’t occur DPI will step in,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Deering said DPI had received a clear message from the Glenlyon, Malmsbury and Ashbourne Landcare groups that they wanted the Department to enforce action on such species to bolster the community led effort.
More information is available from the DPI website this PS News link.
7 September, 2011
Double trouble for
public drunks
New laws that help reduce public drunkenness have now come into force.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien said changes to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and increased police powers had been introduced to impose tougher penalties on offenders and allow barring orders to help licensees tackle alcohol-related offences.
“Tougher penalties send a strong message to the community that drunkenness and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and the Victorian Government is empowering police and licensees with a range of deterrents to combat such behaviour,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The penalty for revellers who fail to leave a venue when drunk, violent or quarrelsome has doubled from $2,442 to more than $5,900, while drunk and disorderly behaviour will now result in an increased fine of more than $590 for a first offence, and more than $1,100 for a second and subsequent offence.”
He said barring orders under the new laws also gave licensees and police officers the power to bar patrons who were acting in an antisocial or threatening manner from entering or remaining in the venue for a set period of time.
“Drunk, violent and quarrelsome behaviour around Victoria’s licensed venues will simply not be tolerated,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Troublemakers and repeat offenders will pay a high price if they refuse to keep their drinking and behaviour in check.”
He said the Government was empowering police and licensees with as many enforcement tools as possible to tackle anti-social behaviour in and around licensed venues.
“We also want to ensure the laws keep troublesome patrons out of licensed venues after they have been ejected,” he said.
“It is now an offence to remain around a licensed venue when you have been refused entry or have been ejected.
“You will be breaking the law if you try to re-enter the venue within 24 hours.”
7 September, 2011
Women’s prison
in the pink
The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre women’s prison is to be expanded.
Minister for Corrections, Andrew McIntosh said the 84-bed expansion was part of a plan to deliver 500 new beds across the Victorian prison system.
“The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre extension will increase the Centre’s capacity to 344 beds, allowing greater focus on rehabilitation programs for women prisoners,” Mr McIntosh said.
“The expansion will add a two-storey block with 48 cells, and three house-style units to accommodate 12 prisoners each in a self-contained living environment.”
He said the prison would create local jobs during construction and full-time positions for prison staff.
He also said the principal contractor for the construction would be the APM Group and the principal architect was Perumal Pedavoli Architects.
“In addition to the extra 84 beds, the $21 million expansion will provide additional support facilities including an industries area, an extension to the prison kitchen and a new stores area,” Mr McIntosh said.
“When it is complete, this expansion will play a major role in catering for additional demand within the prison system.”
He said the prison delivered a range of programs to aid prisoner rehabilitation, including addressing and stopping offending behaviour; women’s mentoring; women’s integrated support; family support programs; and a mother and child program.
“Prisoners are also offered onsite and distance education, and integrated legal, financial and health services to aid with reintegration,” he said.
Mr McIntosh said that in 2010, 58 beds were added to the women’s prison system, 40 of which were at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, and 18 at Tarrengower, and earlier this year an 88-bed expansion opened at Marngoneet prison while a 40-bed expansion opened at the Beechworth Correctional Centre.
He said in 2012 an additional 85-bed unit would be completed at Port Phillip Prison and a 350-bed expansion of the Ararat Prison was due to become operational in early 2013.
7 September, 2011
Fire entries open
Entries for the 2011 Fire Awareness Awards are now open.
Coordinated by Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) and the Country Fire Authority(CFA), the awards have been running for over 17 years and recognise projects including safety, awareness, prevention, response and post-fire recovery.
The award categories include community; education; fire services; media; industry; design or construction; new and emerging technologies; as well as government and municipal.
Entries close 30 September 2011 and more information is available from the Fire Awareness Awards website.
Rail consortiums listed
Two consortiums have been shortlisted to deliver the next stage of the Regional Rail Link project from Southern Cross Station to Footscray.
Integrate Rail and Leighton Contractors, Downer EDI, SMEC & Mott MacDonald are in the running to deliver the country’s biggest public transport infrastructure project.
The two bidders have been invited to develop and submit fully costed proposals, with the final contract expected to be awarded next year.
Upgraded library opened
The redevelopment of the Deer Park Library has been officially opened.
Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell opened the facility saying it had study space for 80 students, 24 new computers with internet access and 4 new touch screen computers providing access to educational content.
She said the library was already attracting many new users with a 26 per cent increase in library visits and a 16 per cent jump in information requests joining an 86 per cent increase in wireless internet access compared to July 2010.
New sheep tags
New initiatives to increase the voluntary take up of electronic tagging of sheep have been announced.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said a new deal had been signed to provide Victoria’s sheep and lamb producers with low-cost electronic tags.
$500,000 has also been allocated, matched by the Sheep and Goats Compensation Fund, to test the scanning of electronic sheep tags on a large scale.
Retail rules eased
Reforms to the definition of the ‘restricted retail’ zoning have been announced.
The changes will include a wider range of allowable retail types and are aimed at increasing economic development by removing red tape.
The proposed changes are supported by the Productivity Commission’s retail competition report issued earlier this month to provide Councils with an ability to consider each permit request on its merits.
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