Latest media releases
This is a list of the latest media releases from Australian Government websites arranged under their portfolios. It is generated daily from new media releases collected overnight. This list was generated on Wednesday, May 22 2013.
Portfolios
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Attorney-General's
- Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
- Defence
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Health and Ageing
- Immigration and Citizenship
- Infrastructure and Transport
- Resources, Energy and Tourism
- Treasury
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Passing biosecurity no tall order for this customer - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Biosecurity measures reach new heights today when a female giraffe, Nakuru, is released from quarantine to become Melbourne Zoo's newest resident. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) manages animal imports and requires Nakuru to spend 30 days in a Quarantine Approved Premise at Werribee, following her move from Auckland Zoo. 'Nakuru's 30 days in quarantine helps to ensure she has no health or disease concerns and poses no risk to the local zoo population,' Peter Cook said.
http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2013/biosecurity
Securing the future of biosecurity research - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Biosecurity research will be a major focus over the next four years with the University of Melbourne being awarded a $7.8 million grant to establish the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO, said the centre would provide advice on national biosecurity issues and encompass research from a range of different research specialities. Professor Burgman said the centre could look at biosecurity from a national perspective and build an international research community in partnership with government and other stakeholders.
http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2013/securing
Attorney-General's
Operation Polaris arrests two men for drug precursor importation - Australian Federal Police
This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police,New South Wales Police Force, Australian Customs andBorder Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission andNew South WalesCrime Commission. A joint law-enforcement operation has arrested two men, including a Sydney-based freight forwarder, seizing precursor drugs and cash after investigations into the importation of a commercial quantity of pseudoephedrine. Operation Polaris is a joint waterfront operation comprising the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission targeting serious and organised criminal activity at New South Wales sea cargo terminals.
http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2013/may/operation-polaris-arrests-t...
21 May 2013 - Adelaide Community Crime Forum
Minister for Home Affairs. The National Crime Prevention Fund will target crime hotspots and will fund:. Applications for the National Crime Prevention Fund close on 29 May 2013.
http://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Second%20Quarter/...
21 May 2013 - Border Protection Command intercepts vessel
ACV Corio Bay , operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel north of Ashmore Islands on Sunday. Initial indications suggest there are 73 passengers and three crew on board. Border Protection Command will now make arrangements for the passengers to be transferred to Australian Government authorities in Darwin, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.
http://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Second%20Quarter/...
21 May 2013 - New AFP Aviation Operations Centre opened at Adelaide Airport
Minister for Justice, Jason Clare, today officially opened the new Australian Federal Police Aviation Operations Centre at Adelaide Airport. The new facilities include an Emergency Operations Centre, Airport Police Operations Centre, training and exhibit handling facilities and muster and interview rooms. Federal Member for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas said the Emergency Operations Centre will allow the co-ordination of emergency responses to incidents within the airport precinct.
http://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Second%20Quarter/...
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
ACMA - ACMA media release 29/2013 - 21 May
The Australian Communications and Media Authority today launched a. The AISI is run by the ACMA in collaboration with more than 130 Australian internet providers. The ACMA is a supporter of National Cyber Security Awareness Week and strongly recommends that Australian internet users follow the top 10 tips to keep cyber safe listed .
http://www.acma.gov.au/web/standard/pc=pc_600209
Defence
Diggers make Brisbane boyâs dream come true - Department of Defence
Defence News Published: 21 May 2013. Soldiers from the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and AusAID advisers have helped make a dream come true for nine-year-old Brisbane boy, Mac Millar. With the support of Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Australian Defence Force logisticians, Mac despatched 100 soccer balls for diggers to hand out in Uruzgan province.
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2013/may/0521.htm
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
NSW schools $3.6 billion losers under Abbott | Ministers' Media Centre
School Education Minister Peter Garrett today visited schools in Newcastle with local member Sharon Grierson to talk to teachers about the Gillard Government's National Plan for School Improvement. Mr Garrett said under the National Plan for School Improvement, NSW schools would benefit from an extra $1.6 million per school on average, over the next six years. It would be a disaster for Newcastle schools if Tony Abbott walked away from these essential school funding reforms, she said.
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/garrett/nsw-schools-36-billion-losers-under-ab...
The real facts on school funding indexation | Ministers' Media Centre
Claims in The Australian today about school funding indexation figures are wrong. The fact is that current Commonwealth indexation for school funding is now 3.9 per cent, having fallen from 5.9 per cent in the previous year due to state government reductions in school spending. MYEFO maintained forward estimates based on previous Commonwealth indexation for schools as this is a standard budgetary practice designed to cover any changes in indexation over the forward estimates.
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/garrett/real-facts-school-funding-indexation
First national approach to Indigenous language teaching | Ministers' Media Centre
The first national curriculum document outlining how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages can be taught and supported in schools has been released for public consultation. School Education Minister Peter Garrett said the draft Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages will support community language revival and maintenance. Under the new national curriculum we want to see a more consistent approach while still making the curriculum flexible and able to take into account local needs and circumstances.
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/garrett/first-national-approach-indigenous-lan...
A helping hand for regional, remote early childhood services | Ministers' Media Centre
Early education and care services in regional, remote and Indigenous communities will share in a pool of $1.47 million to better plan and deliver quality programs while a review into how they operate and serve their communities continues. During consultations in 33 communities across Australia last year, early childhood providers showed a commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of early childhood services funded under the program. In recognition of the commitment to quality, the Government will invest an additional $1.47 million to support Budget Based Funded services in rural and remote areas to improve the quality of early childhood education and care for vulnerable children.
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/ellis/helping-hand-regional-remote-early-child...
Gladstone schools stand to lose if Newman doesn't sign up | Ministers' Media Centre
Gladstone schools stand to lose if Queensland Premier Campbell Newman doesn't get behind the Federal Government's National Plan for School Improvement. If the Queensland Government doesn't sign up to the plan and the identified extra investment isn't delivered, Queensland schools will miss out on around $2.2 million, on average, in additional funding per school. If the plan is not implemented, and the old system continues, over the next six years in Queensland government schools would lose a total of around $3 billion ($2.4 million on average per school), and Queensland non-government schools would lose a total of around $1.2 billion ($2.5 million on average per school).
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/collins/gladstone-schools-stand-lose-if-newman...
New streamlined service in South West Queensland to help people get work and strengthen communities | Ministers' Media Centre
More people in South West Queensland will be helped to get jobs and participate in their communities thanks to the Australian Government's new $1.5 billion Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP), which starts on 1 July 2013. The RJCP provider will help ensure people in communities like Cunnamulla and Charleville are ready to take up local jobs, Ms Collins said. And employers will find that their local RJCP provider is able to get to know their needs better, and to help link them up with job seekers who have the skills and drive they are looking for.
http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/juliecollins/new-streamlined-service-south-wes...
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Speech, Launch of the Women in male-dominated industries toolkit | The Hon Julie Collins MP
I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. We know it is money well spent. It is my great pleasure now to officially launch the Women in male-dominated industries toolkit.
http://juliecollins.fahcsia.gov.au/node/362
Federal Budget delivers for seniors in Townsville | The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Townsville's seniors will benefit from $10 million in new funding in the Federal Budget to help seniors across Australia stay connected to family and friends online and learn new computer skills. The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin today met with local residents at the Upper Ross Community Centre's Broadband for Seniors internet kiosk who will benefit from the Gillard Government's new Keeping Seniors Connected initiative. Federal Labor's Broadband for Seniors program has been a huge success, with about 250,000 older Australians accessing the internet in about 2,000 internet kiosks across the country, Ms Macklin said.
http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/node/2377
More support for women in male dominated industries | The Hon Julie Collins MP
Women will be better supported to break into traditionally male-dominated industries following the launch today of a new toolkit for employers. Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins said the toolkit provides practical assistance to attract and retain women into industries that have traditionally been dominated by men. Ms Collins said the Gillard Government's changes to superannuation will make a significant difference to the lives of working women and their families.
http://juliecollins.fahcsia.gov.au/node/364
Increased support for financial counselling services | The Hon Julie Collins MP
More Australians will be able to access free confidential financial counselling thanks to a funding boost from the Gillard Government. An additional $340,000 will take total funding for the national financial counselling helpline to $5.3 million. The Government currently supports 99 community and local government organisations to deliver financial counselling services across the country.
http://juliecollins.fahcsia.gov.au/node/363
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Parliamentary Secretary for Trade visits Chile and Colombia, media release, 21 May 2013, Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, The Hon Kelvin Thomson MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Trade Kelvin Thomson is in Chile and Colombia this week for a series of talks and to take part in the Ministerial Summit of the Pacific Alliance. 'The outward-looking Pacific Alliance is a welcome new forum for pursuing stronger economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and is a priority for Australia's engagement with Latin America,' Mr Thomson said. 'The business environment in Chile continues to provide outstanding opportunities for Australian businesses and investors,' Mr Thomson said.
http://ministers.dfat.gov.au/thomson/releases/2013/kt_mr_130521.html
Thailand Regulatory Fact Sheet - Austrade
Australian Education International (AEI) has released an information resource containing up-to-date information on the regulatory and business requirements for establishing education and training services in Thailand. Austrade provides services to support the international engagement strategies of Australian education providers. The Global Education News eNewsletter brings to you international education industry news from around the globe each fortnight.
http://www.austrade.gov.au/education/news/reports/thailand-regulatory-fact-sheet
Future Unlimited expands presence in Bangladesh - Austrade
A recent Austrade visit to Chittagong to promote Australian education has sparked high levels of Bangladeshi interest for more information. The Future Unlimited brand has been created for Australian education, training, marketing and promotion agencies. Austrade provides services to support the international engagement strategies of Australian education providers.
http://www.austrade.gov.au/education/news/austrade-update/future-unlimited-expan...
Health and Ageing
Major Expansion for Melaleuca Home for the Aged
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP. A new $1.5 million wing of the Melaleuca Home for the Aged in East Devonport has been officially opened by Minister for Ageing, Mark Butler, and Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom. A new $1.5 million wing of the Melaleuca Home for the Aged in East Devonport has been officially opened today by Minister for Ageing, Mark Butler, and Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr13-mb-mb...
Immigration and Citizenship
Immigration to visit Palmerston - DIAC Online Newsroom
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers will visit Palmerston in the Northern Territory on May 22 to provide immigration information to people who have overstayed their visas as well as local community leaders and service providers. A departmental spokesman said the Community Status Resolution Service (CSRS) outreach program enables people in regional communities, who do not have a valid Australian visa or are on a bridging visa, to talk with an immigration officer about specific issues they might be facing. Individual appointments will be available at Palmerston Library, Goyder Square, The Boulevard, Palmerston NT, from 11.30am to 4.30pm on May 22.
http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/releases/immigration-to-visit-palmerston
Infrastructure and Transport
[Date]
21st MAY 2013 SPYING OIL SPILLS FROM SPACE The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is trialling the use of satellites to detect oil spills in Australian waters. Satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SSAR) can identify potential oil spills directly from orbit. These satellite sensors can monitor day and night, can see through cloud, rain, fog and other weather. It is one of the most effective and reliable ways of spotting oil spills and the ships that cause them. AMSAs Acting Marine Environment Division General Manager Jamie Storrie said AMSA currently relies on other vessels, airlines or the public to report any oil spill or marine pollution.
http://www.amsa.gov.au/about_amsa/media_releases/current_media_releases/document...
Proponents Sought for Moorebank Intermodal Terminal
Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation. The Moorebank Intermodal Terminal is today being taken to the market with the Federal Labor Government calling for private companies to register their interest in developing and operating the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal. 'The Moorebank Intermodal Terminal is an example of government working with the private sector to bring about an infrastructure project in the best interest of the state and the country.'.
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2013/may/aa093_2013.aspx
Resources, Energy and Tourism
Tourism Australia Asian celebrities to showcase Australia to 30 Million in Greater China
Tourism Australia has enlisted the support of popular Hong Kong actor and cantopop' singer Ekin Cheng to showcase Cairns and Sydney's best tourism experiences in a new television travel series aimed at encouraging more visitors from Greater China. Early last year, Tourism Australia brought popular Asian celebrities Show Lo and Rainie Yang to Australia to film an online Chinese drama series in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales which was viewed online nearly 120 million times by people across Greater China. © Tourism Australia 2013.
http://www.media.australia.com/en-au/mediareleases/default_10258.aspx
Treasury
Positive outlook in super will make Liberal cuts even more damaging [21/05/2013]
The Minister for Superannuation Bill Shorten has welcomed news that superannuation funds are on track to post their best performance in 16 years. Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party on the other hand refuse to accept superannuation as a foundation stone of a strong Australian economy, and will never increase the Superannuation Guarantee. This news makes Tony Abbott's proposed cuts to superannuation all the more detrimental and short-sighted.
http://mfss.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2013/043.htm&pag...
Pages - APRA releases improved quarterly life insurance statistics
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has today released the March 2013 edition of the Quarterly Life Insurance Performance Statistics , which has been enhanced following APRA's consultation on proposed changes to life insurance statistical publications. As a result of this consultation, the quarterly publication now contains an additional 40 life insurance statistics, including statistics based on the recently revised capital reporting framework and statistics at the product level, such as gross insurance policy revenue' and gross insurance policy expenses'. These enhancements provide users with access to more life insurance statistics on a more timely basis, and are intended to assist research, public discussion and decision-making on the life insurance industry.
http://www.apra.gov.au/mediareleases/pages/13_14.aspx
AGL ordered to pay $1.5 million for illegal door-to-door sales practices | ACCC
The Federal Court has ordered by consent that AGL Sales Pty Ltd and AGL South Australia Pty Ltd pay combined penalties of $1.555 million for illegal door-to-door selling practices, following action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. In September 2012, Neighbourhood Energy Pty Ltd and Australian Green Credits Pty Ltd were ordered by consent to pay penalties of $1 million for door-to-door sales conduct, highlighting significant concerns regarding these sales practices in Australia. In March 2013, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Energy Australia and four marketing and sales companies engaged by Energy Australia in relation to their door-to-door selling practices.
http://accc.gov.au/media-release/agl-ordered-to-pay-15-million-for-illegal-door-...
8710.5 - Housing Motivations and Intentions, Western Australia, Oct 2012
These documents will be presented in a new window. Commonwealth of Australia 2013.
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/AD36A4732C66E...
Australian Securities and Investments Commission - 13-111MR Essington School students get MoneySmart
Tuesday 21 May 2013. St Mary's Primary School. The Essington School Darwin (primary and middle).
http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/13-111MR+Essington+School+studen...
