Australian Government Media Releases

Sydney artist Bill Nix clearly has fond memories of an earlier career when he worked in the shipbuilding yard on Sydney's Cockatoo Island. In 2002 he revisited his early career with a painting he titled The boys from Cockatoo It showed a crowd of workers disembarking from a Sydney ferry for a day's work on the industrial island. His subjects are from his memories..

Andrew Olle Scholarship Winner. ABC Managing Director Mark Scott today announced Oscar McLaren as the winner of the Andrew Olle Scholarship for 2008-09. The scholarship is designed to honour Andrew Olle by creating career development opportunities for young ABC journalists and to promote the values that epitomised Andrew Olle's journalism.

We are here today to bring together two important strands of Australian history - the place of Gallipoli in our history and the original vision for our Bush Capital. The memory of Gallipoli - symbolised for us in the Lone Pine and the many trees that have grown from it - is important to all of us the people from Australia, from New Zealand and from Turkey alike. It is a great pleasure to be here today to help plant Lone Pine saplings in the new Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens.

(Last updated: 3 Sept 2008). In terms of mobile business , it is still a stiff competition between Globe which has 40 per cent of market share and Smart 35 per cent. Despite 3G offerings in the market, the industry is cautious on 3G technology because it is an expensive technology and it has not been proven 100 per cent in the global telecommunications market.

Any member of the media (including camera crews and photographers) wanting to take footage of voting or counting at a polling place (including an early voting centre or accompanying a mobile polling team) must obtain the prior permission of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). To ensure the efficient conduct of both the voting and counting (scrutiny), permission granted by the AEC is conditional on the media complying with the following rules at the polling place. Please note, if the above rules are not complied with, the Officer in Charge will ask the media to leave the polling place.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is reminding electors in the Mayo by-election to number every box on the ballot paper they receive on election day, Saturday, 6 September. The Divisional Returning Officer for Mayo, Mr Peter Verkerk, said people can vote from 8am to 6pm at any of the 79 polling places in the Mayo electorate on election day. Electors will not be able to vote outside the Mayo electorate on election day, except in the Division of Lyne Office in New South Wales, where a by-election is also being held.

DEFENCE EXPERTISE SAVES $400 million ON Hornet UPGRADE. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that the outcomes of initiatives taken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) have the potential to save the Defence Budget more than $400 million. Deferring future centre barrel replacements also provides the Government with increased flexibility and options for Australias future air combat capability, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

You are here: » Media releases. The Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) is a five-year, $50 million research partnership between Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and CSIRO. 'Access to reliable water reporting and assessment at the national level will be a first for Australia, as water resource information is currently spread across hundreds of water agencies and organisations in all states and territories,' Senator Carr said.

You are here: » Transcripts. JOURNALIST: Penny Wong, yesterday you gave to the Federal Parliament a series of options for short term management interventions to improve the health of the Coorong and the Lower Lakes. But it also goes through the fact that a number of the things that people have been suggesting - such as Menindee Lakes is very problematic because that is underwriting Adelaide's water supply.

DEFENCE EXPERTISE SAVES $400 million ON Hornet UPGRADE. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that the outcomes of initiatives taken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) have the potential to save the Defence Budget more than $400 million. Deferring future centre barrel replacements also provides the Government with increased flexibility and options for Australias future air combat capability, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

You are here: » Media releases. Environment Minister, Peter Garrett has suspended approval of the Reef Cove Resort development at Queenslands False Cape and has ordered the developer to carry out an environmental audit of the site. It is the first time a federal environment minister has suspended a projects approval or directed an environmental audit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

WAREHOUSE FACILITIES AT BANDIANA GIVEN THE GO AHEAD. The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP, announced today that a $36.4 million project to construct warehousing facilities at Wadsworth Barracks, East Bandiana, has received Parliamentary approval. The Joint Logistics Unit (Victoria) supports the Australian Defence Force both at home and on operational deployments by providing maintenance, storage and distribution of Defence items, including combat clothing, personnel equipment and repair parts for armoured and wheeled vehicles.

TERMINATION OF JP129 TACTICAL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE CONTRACT. With a Defence imperative to field a TUAV capability as soon as possible, and the potential for a number of lower risk alternative systems, the DMO and Boeing Australia have agreed to terminate the contract on mutually acceptable terms. Mr Fitzgibbon also acknowledged the important role of Mr Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, in assisting bringing this contract to a conclusion..

MEDIA RELEASE Senator Penny Wong Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator the Hon Kim Carr Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research PW 163/08 4 September 2008 $50 million for new water research alliance Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today launched a joint initiative between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO that will be the largest water information research project in the southern hemisphere. The Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) is a five-year, $50 million research partnership between Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and CSIRO.

PW 160/08 3 September 2008 TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW ABRAHAM AND DAVID BEVAN, MORNINGS, ABC 891 ADELAIDE SUBJECT: COORONG AND LOWER LAKES ADELAIDE'S WATER SUPPLY E & O E PROOF ONLY JOURNALIST: Good morning, Minister Penny Wong. WONG: Good morning to you both. JOURNALIST: Penny Wong, yesterday you gave to the Federal Parliament a series of options for short term management interventions to improve the health of the Coorong and the Lower Lakes. How long have you had those options? WONG: These are options which were developed in June and I have spoken about them before and what we have provided to the Senate was the options with updates, with the information updated, recognising what has occurred since then.

MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Peter Garrett MP Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts PG /131 4 September 2008 MINISTER SUSPENDS REEF COVE APPROVAL Environment Minister, Peter Garrett has suspended approval of the Reef Cove Resort development at Queensland's False Cape and has ordered the developer to carry out an environmental audit of the site. It is the first time a federal environment minister has suspended a project's approval or directed an environmental audit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Peter Garrett MP Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts The Hon Martin Ferguson MP Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism 1 September 2008 BAN ON GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE IN GREAT BARRIER REEF The protection of the iconic Great Barrier Reef will be strengthened by banning geosequestration in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Environment Peter Garrett and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson announced today. The Ministers said mining and drilling activities had long been prohibited throughout the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and new legislative changes to be introduced into the Senate today will expand that prohibition to include the geological storage of carbon dioxide otherwise known as geosequestration.

Topics such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, depression. Topics such as fitness, nutrition, drugs, preventing suicide, health insurance, women's health, living with a disability. Includes links to State/Territory Health Services and other services.

(Last updated: 3 Sept 2008). In February 2004, the Bureau of Foods and Drugs of the Department of Health introduced a draft Administrative Order on the 'Rules and Regulations Governing Nutrition and Health Claims of Pre-packaged Food Products Distributed in the Philippines'. The main distribution channel for nutraceutical products in the Philippines are pharmacies.

(Last updated: 3 Sept 2008). Australian fashion enjoys a niche market in the Philippines. The Philippines is a price-sensitive market.

Thursday, 04 September 2008. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) today arrested a man for importing and selling in excess of $220,000 worth of pirated movie and music DVDs. AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has given one Centrelink staff member a chance to reconnect with her past and provide support to people in rural communities battling the drought. 'Most of the farmers would greet us with a smile and were in a good humour, but they were quick to let you know the drought had definitely not broken,' she said. 'I'm glad I had the opportunity to travel with the Drought Bus and experience first hand the difference the team makes to these communities by providing hope and support.'.

Topics such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, depression. The TGA's investigation was prompted by a report of an incident in NSW involving a case of accidental poisoning of a young child following the ingestion of the contents of a Thermoskin® brand hot/cold pack. Health Insite has a topic page on , that also includes links to information on medicine recalls and other health warnings.

Helping volunteers pay for petrol. Not-for-profit organisations can receive up to $2,500 to help pay for their volunteers' petrol bills, as part of the Australian Government's $21 million Volunteer Grants Program 2008. A major expense for volunteers can be the cost of petrol used to undertake voluntary activities.

ABS report supports Government focus on homelessness. After releasing its Homelessness Green Paper in May, the Government is now taking onboard the views of the sector as we develop a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness in Australia. We are now considering these views to develop a comprehensive approach to tackle homelessness over the next decade.

Subscribe to the RSS feed to receive the latest updates from the Minister for Human Services. Medicare Australias compliance activities saved the Australian taxpayer at least $250 million last financial year, according to figures released today by the Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig. The 2008-09 program is backed up by the first significant investment in Medicare compliance activities in more than 10 years, Senator Ludwig said.

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced that an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement will be introduced to make Australian qualifications recognised and renowned throughout the world. The Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement is part of Australia's response to the Bologna process in Europe and the result of extensive consultations with the university sector. The Consortium's final report, Proposal for an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement, is available online at:.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data released today shows one in four Australians will be aged 65 and over by 2056 is to be welcomed - and the Australian Government has detailed plans to respond to our nation's record life expectancy rates. 'The Australian Government is responding by investing record levels into aged and community care to prepare for the challenges of the 21st century. Mrs Elliot pledged to continue to work in partnership with older Australians, aged care providers, unions and consumer groups to improve quality in residential aged care.

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced 15 new projects under the Targeting Skills Needs in Regions program to help address regional workforce needs. The Government is working cooperatively with the states and territories to ensure the projects reduce skills shortages and inflation and boost productivity in the target areas. The Council of Australian Governments established the Targeting Skills Needs in Regions program to supply skilled labour to industries and regions.

Subscribe to our RSS feed to receive the latest updates from Human Services. Medicare Australias compliance activities saved the Australian taxpayer at least $250 million last financial year, according to figures released today by the Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig. The 2008-09 program is backed up by the first significant investment in Medicare compliance activities in more than 10 years, Senator Ludwig said.

Individuals and businesses that have made an outstanding contribution to training and promoting Australian apprenticeships were recognised tonight by the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard. Austeng (AAC - G-Force). Jimmy Possum Furniture P/L (AAC - VECCI - Bendigo).

Attorney-General Robert McClelland today introduced the second stage of legislation removing same-sex discrimination from a range of Commonwealth laws. 'The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of Commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex defacto couples. Earlier this year, the Rudd Government introduced legislation to end same-sex discrimination in Acts governing Commonwealth superannuation schemes.

The researchers are presenting their integrated social, economic and environmental research at this week's 11th International Riversymposium - an event held as part of Brisbane's Riverfestival. CSIRO is taking a holistic approach to finding a solution for the water quality issues facing the Great Barrier Reef by consulting with the community about their water uses and values, determining the cost-effectiveness of land management options and conducting extensive environmental monitoring and modelling. The Water Quality Improvement Plans aim to provide sustainable solutions for future development that address economic and social change while enabling water quality improvement, remediation of ecosystem degradation and preservation of environmental values.

Dr Megan Clark has been appointed as Chief Executive of CSIRO for a five year term commencing in January 2009. 'Dr Clark has an impeccable record as a senior executive and a wealth of experience in the development and application of science and technology, making her an ideal fit for the CSIRO Chief Executive role,' Dr Stocker said. Dr Clark will succeed Dr Geoff Garrett who will successfully complete his term as Chief Executive on 31 December 2008. She will also be a member of the Board of CSIRO.

Today we gather to commemorate the Battle for Australia. On this day, the 3rd of September, in 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies declared war on behalf of Australia on Germany. On this day, the 3rd of September, in 1942, with John Curtin as Prime Minister, Australian and American forces were heavily engaged in the Battle of Milne Bay - a Battle that was soon to become the first defeat of Japanese forces on land and a turning point in the war in the Pacific.

On election day, Saturday 6 September the AEC will have the following services available to meet the election needs of the media for the Lyne by-election. The best place to obtain timely and comprehensive election results on election night is the Virtual Tally Room (VTR) on the AEC website. Postal votes are counted if they are postmarked before 6pm on election day and are received within 13 days of election day.

Tomorrow the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard will introduce legislation to establish Safe Work Australia into the Federal Parliament. Safe Work Australia will be an independent statutory authority, established by the Australian Government with an initial budget of approximately $17 million.. Safe Work Australia will have an independent chair and will comprise of representatives of the Commonwealth, each state and territory, employers and unions..

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, surprised year four students at Chapman Primary School in Canberra today, visiting the school as a Mystery Reader to celebrate National Reading Day. National Reading Day furthers the, Partnerships in Learning theme for National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2008. and information on National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2008 is at.

The other eight soldiers wounded in the incident continue to be treated in Afghanistan. The ADF is working closely with all families to ensure that they are updated as information is available and provided with additional support that they may require.

Australian Defence Force staff from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby today reached an isolated site on the Kokoda Track to check reports that the body of an airman was located in the jungle canopy. While the location, near Kagi, is below a flight path that was commonly used by allied aircraft during WWII sorties, the find has been confirmed by ADF staff as a moss covered branch.

Parliamentary Briefing - National Child Protection Week. National Child Protection Week - 'Children see, Children do'. National Child Protection Framework.

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced the winners and those receiving commendations across 10 categories in the 2008 National Awards for Local Government. Melbourne City Council, VIC - City of Melbourne's Savings in the City - Green Hotels Program. 10) CATEGORY - Youth Engagement.

Putting science behind growers' decisions on reducing their input costs will be the focus of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Update at Naracoorte on September 4. Mr Shannon said the GRDC Update at Naracoorte would include sessions on cost-effective fertiliser use. Mr Shannon said another key topic at the Update would focus on grazing cereals.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today joined the Commonwealth Fisheries Association in hosting an event at Parliament House, Canberra to promote the nation's seafood industry. 'Australian seafood is the healthiest, freshest and best-tasting seafood in the world,' Mr Burke said. The Minister announced that the National Aquaculture Council and the Commonwealth Fisheries Association will be made representative organisations on the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).

Information sessions are available across Victoria from 9 September to help growers get the most from the new wheat marketing system. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke today urged growers to attend the sessions to get expert advice about the changes that give producers the right to choose who can export their wheat for the first time in 60 years. 'The Rudd Government's overhaul of bulk wheat export marketing is a major economic reform that will provide many new opportunities for growers,' Mr Burke said.

From today, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) will be known as the Australian Human Rights Commission. The change in corporate identity to the Australian Human Rights Commission will be used on all communications and publications.

The current review of the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure a first-class national gender equality law to build a fairer and more equal Australia, federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said today. Among more than 50 recommendations for immediate implementation is a move to better protect both women and men from discrimination based on family and carer responsibilities, a positive duty on employers to reasonably accommodate the needs of workers who are pregnant or have family or carer responsibilities, and a beefing up of protection against sexual harassment.

Australia, as one of the first countries to become a party to this important human rights treaty, is eligible to nominate a candidate for the committee election which will be held in New York on 3 November. Commissioner Innes said that Australian government and non-government representatives had made outstanding contributions to the promotion of human rights for people with disability through the international system.

This legislation also removes discrimination experienced by the children of same-sex families. This legislation is an important step towards full equality for same-sex couples and their children, said Mr Innes.