News
December
31 Dec 2010
Student income supports more independent students
From 1 Jan thousands of students seeking Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY support are set to benefit with the lowering of the qualifying age of independence from 24 to 23...
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30 Dec 2010
$113 million mental health boost to start 1 Jan
Programs include assisting workers with depression, supporting men's mental health, suicide prevention, and online mental health and counselling services...
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17 Dec 2010
Government helps rural and regional students attend university
Under the $20 million Rural Tertiary Hardship Fun, rural and regional students experiencing financial hardship will be able to apply for a $3,000 one-off grant...
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15 Dec 2010
Government welcomes BER Implementation Taskforce Report
According to independent research commissioned by the Taskforce, the BER has made a material contribution to Australia’s economic growth and is projected to support approximately 120,000 jobs over the life of the program...
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15 Dec 2010
Coastal maps help Australia prepare for impacts of climate change
The maps identify low-lying areas in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Hunter and Central Coast, and South East Queensland...
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10 Dec 2010
Australia delivers climate finance for developing countries
Assistance to developing countries to help move their economies onto a low-carbon and climate resilient path is essential...
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10 Dec 2010
45 Communities declared natural disaster zones
These declarations are a result of severe flooding in NSW and Queensland...
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09 Dec 2010
Record number of jobs created as economy strengthens
300,000 full-time jobs have been created in 2010 – the largest increase in full-time employment ever recorded in a calendar year...
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08 Dec 2010
Education Ministers endorse Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum for K-10 English, mathematics, science and history will begin the next stage of implementation in 2011...
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02 Dec 2010
New research aims to help communities deal with climate change
Grants funding will assist local decision makers prepare their communities for the impact of climate change...
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01 Dec 2010
R18 computer game classification review released
The review found that evidence about the effect of violent computer games on the aggression displayed by those who play them is inconclusive...
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01 Dec 2010
Further steps taken to implement Medicare Locals
The Government has released the latest draft of planned geographic boundaries for Medicare Locals and Local Hospital Networks...
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November
29 Nov 2010
Over 1 million dental checks for Aussie teens
Families can claim up to $157 each year for teens having a preventative dental check...
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26 Nov 2010
Business Roundtable on Climate Change holds first meeting
A key focus of the first meeting was the need for a carbon price to support long-term investment...
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25 Nov 2010
Native Title amendments passed
Legislation will help speed up the delivery of urgent public housing and infrastructure in Indigenous communities...
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23 Nov 2010
Government action to strengthen foreign investment transparency
Foreign investment is vital for Australian farmers and regional communities because it supports local jobs, economic growth and prosperity...
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21 Nov 2010
NATO-ISAF Summit - transition in Afghanistan
The transition of security to Afghan authorities will be a gradual process, on a province by province and district by district basis...
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14 Nov 2010
Release of Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention, and became the symbol of the struggle for democracy and freedom in Burma...
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11 Nov 2010
Australia's workforce hits record high as 29, 700 jobs created
Almost three quarters of the jobs created in the past year have been full-time jobs...
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10 Nov 2010
Awards for advancement of women at work
Recent research tells us that companies with more women in their top management are out-performing companies with no women executives...
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09 Nov 2010
Increased support delivered to Australian apprentices
From 1 January 2011, trade apprentices working in ‘skill shortage occupations’ will receive additional tax exempt bonuses...
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09 Nov 2010
Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2010-11
The MYEFO forecasts strong growth, falling unemployment, and the fastest positive turnaround in the budget in more than 40 years...
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08 Nov 2010
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians is an important step towards building a nation based on strong relationships and mutual respect...
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07 Nov 2010
US and Australia join forces on Solar Power
The US-Australia Solar Research Collaboration initiative will support joint projects specifically designed to cut the cost of solar energy technologies...
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04 Nov 2010
58 New trade Training Centres - to boost vocational education
Improved vocational and education training opportunities are at the centre of the next stage of the education revolution...
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03 Nov 2010
Official visit reinforces Australia-Indonesia ties
Prime Minister Julia Gillard met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta to conduct extensive bilateral talks aimed at strengthening the Australia-Indonesia partnership...
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02 Nov 2010
Indonesia - Australia
Joint announcement by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Australia on the commencement of negotiations on an Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement...
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October
31 Oct 2010
Prime Minister Attends East Asia Summit in Hanoi
The members of the summit represent half the world’s population and over a third of its GDP...
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31 Oct 2010
Australia bolsters relationship with Vietnam in official bilateral meeting
Prime Minister Julia Gillard met with President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh, following the East Asia Summit held in Hanoi...
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29 Oct 2010
International Students Strategy for Australia released
The Strategy aims to address international student wellbeing, consumer protection, the quality of international education and the availability of better information for international students...
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29 Oct 2010
Parliamentary wrap up
In just three sitting weeks, the House of Representatives has passed 29 government bills, with 11 of them having passed both the House and Senate and on the way to becoming law...
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25 Oct 2010
Government rules out full fee undergraduate places
Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, said Australian undergraduate students should gain entry to university based on merit, not on the ability to pay...
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18 Oct 2010
Government to move children and vulnerable families into community - based accommodation
This is especially important for children, for whom protracted detention can have negative impacts on their development and mental health...
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13 Oct 2010
First meeting of Paid Parental Leave implementation group
The implementation group will help ensure a smooth roll-out of the scheme to working parents and employers...
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12 Oct 2010
Parliament to debate Australia's involvement in Afghanistan
The debate will be held in the next sitting fortnight...
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11 Oct 2010
Minister farewells AFP officers bound for Afghanistan
The AFP is achieving some remarkable results with more than 800 members of the Afghan National Police trained and mentored since late 2007...
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09 Oct 2010
New funding for institute to support carbon capture efforts in developing nations
Alongside energy efficiency measures, carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be an increasingly important part of the global energy mix...
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08 Oct 2010
Australia re-opens its embassy in Lima, Peru
The decision to re-open the Embassy reflects the growing importance of bilateral links between Australia and Peru...
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04 Oct 2010
Prime Minister meets with FIFA President
The Australian Government is a strong supporter of Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022...
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03 Oct 2010
Prime Minister visits troops in Afghanistan
Julia Gillard has visited Australians serving in Afghanistan at the beginning of her first international trip since becoming Prime Minister...
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September
30 Sep 2010
Reintroduction of National Security Legislation
The Bills seek to implement the recommendations of a number of independent and bipartisan reviews of Australia’s national security and counter-terrorism legislation...
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28 Sep 2010
Prime Minister Establishes Climate Change Committee
The Multi-Party Climate Change Committee will explore options for the introduction of a carbon price, and play a role in establishing community consensus for action on climate change...
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27 Sep 2010
Gillard Government Legislative Agenda
The Government will introduce over 40 Bills into Parliament, when the 43rd Parliament of Australia sits this week...
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18 Sep 2010
New Education Centre Honours Ben Chifley's Legacy
The new Chifley Home Education Centre documents the many reforms Ben Chifley achieved for our nation...
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14 Sep 2010
Funding for upgrade of location based emergency warnings
‘Emergency Alert’ warnings to be delivered to mobile phones based on the actual location of the handset, rather than the owner's billing address...
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11 Sep 2010
Prime Minister announces new Ministry
The Ministry will continue to have a sharp focus on job creation and improving skills and education...
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09 Sep 2010
Declaration to boost disaster relief effort for the Christchurch Earthquake
The declaration means that donations to assist those affected by the Christchurch earthquake, will be tax deductible...
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05 Sep 2010
Victorian floods
The Australian Government will provide financial assistance to Victorian communities through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements...
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03 Sep 2010
Pensions to increase on 20 September
Due to indexation, around four million Australians will receive an increase in their pensions and other income support payments from 20 September...
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August
17 Aug 2010
Further support for Pakistan
As the flood disaster in Pakistan continues to worsen, Australia will provide an additional $24 million to support emergency humanitarian relief efforts...
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11 Aug 2010
Pakistan flooding
In addition to the $10 million assistance package already announced, we will send two RAAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft this week to deliver emergency supplies to the region...
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10 Aug 2010
Koongarra protected forever
The Gillard Labor Government will incorporate the Indigenous lands of Koongarra into Kakadu National Park, to ensure uranium mining cannot be carried out on the land in the future...
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10 Aug 2010
Gillard Government Commits to Second GP Super Clinic for Paterson
GP Super Clinics help to train the additional 3,000 nurses and 1,300 GPs who will come on-line over the next three years under Federal Labor’s record health funding...
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06 Aug 2010
High Court rejects Coalition's disenfranchisement of voters
Decision declares that provisions introduced by the former Coalition Government, which removed the seven day close of rolls period, are invalid...
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05 Aug 2010
Moving forward with high speed rail
A re-elected Gillard Labor Government will undertake a detailed feasibility study to determine the economic viability of, and identify potential routes for, a high speed rail network on the east coast of Australia...
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04 Aug 2010
Australian export success
Figures released today show the largest trade surplus ever recorded in Australia...
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03 Aug 2010
Australia's First Ever National Food Plan - Our Food, Our Future
The National Food Plan will look at issues such as food security, food quality, the affordability of food and the sustainability of food....
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02 Aug 2010
Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
The Gillard Labor Government welcomes the Final Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, and the initial response today from the Victorian Government...
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July
28 Jul 2010
Oxfam supports regional solution
The Government welcomed Oxfam Australia's call for bipartisan support for a UNHCR sanctioned regional protection framework...
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23 Jul 2010
Reward for early action
The Gillard Labor Government will ensure the efforts of companies today to reduce pollution are rewarded in a future market to limit pollution...
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23 Jul 2010
Tough emissions standards for new coal-fired power stations
All new coal-fired power stations will be subject to tough emissions standards to ensure that future energy generation in Australia is cleaner and greener...
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22 Jul 2010
Green Building project completed in Macquarie Park
This project is expected to save over 400,000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions a year...
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20 Jul 2010
National Trade Cadetships
From 2012, students from years 9 to 12 will be offered new National Trade Cadetships as a training option under the National Curriculum...
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20 Jul 2010
Government welcomes continued strong growth in mining sector
Employment in the sector has almost doubled since 2005, with a workforce now exceeding 31,000 people...
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18 Jul 2010
Boost to Housing in Regional Cities
It is estimated that up to 15,000 new homes for working families will be built in Australia’s regional cities over the next three years under this initiative...
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15 Jul 2010
Veterans encouraged to get healthy for life
Veterans' Health Week is 19 to 25 July...
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11 Jul 2010
Diabetes Week, 11 - 17 July 2010 - more funding, better care
In support of Diabetes Awareness Week, the Government will provide $6.5 million more to continue research into type 1 diabetes at the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre (DVDC)....
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01 Jul 2010
Self- funded retirees to benefit from an extension in drawdown relief for account-based pensions
Extending the drawdown relief for a further year will help retirees to recoup capital losses on their pension portfolios as equity markets recover over time...
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01 Jul 2010
Third round of tax relief starts
The tax relief has been designed to boost workforce participation and strengthen the Australian economy, as well as helping with strained household budgets...
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June
30 Jun 2010
National consultation on disabilities convention report
Under the Convention, Australia is required to submit a comprehensive report every four years on measures taken to promote the rights and freedoms of those with a disability...
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28 Jun 2010
Progress made at the International Whaling Commission
Last week's meeting in Morocco made progress on conservation initiatives and ensured that the moratorium on commercial whaling was retained...
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28 Jun 2010
Prime Minister announces new Cabinet
The new Ministry will work as a team to progress the interests of the nation and the interests of all Australians...
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24 Jun 2010
First speech by the new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard
On 24 June 2010, the Hon Julia Gillard MP was sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor-General, succeeding the Hon Kevin Rudd MP...
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17 Jun 2010
One single, united and stronger National Cancer Agency
The Rudd Government plans to create a single national cancer control agency to further strengthen the Government’s strategic focus on cancer control and build a better health and hospital system...
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17 Jun 2010
Passage of Bill for Australia’s first Paid Parental Leave scheme
Casual and part-time workers, contractors and the self-employed will be eligible for Paid Parental Leave, many for the first time...
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09 Jun 2010
Over $17 million to help secure water supplies in NSW
Residents and businesses in communities across NSW will benefit from the roll out of six innovative infrastructure projects that deliver improved water security...
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07 Jun 2010
Newcastle to be Australia's first smart grid city
To commence in mid 2010, the $100 million Smart Grid Smart City demonstration project in Newcastle is expected to lead to Australia-wide advances in energy efficiency...
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04 Jun 2010
Minimum wage set to rise by $26 a week
Workers will see the additional pay in the first pay period after July 1...
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May
28 May 2010
Government initiates legal action against Japanese whaling
The decision underlines the Government’s commitment to bring to an end Japan’s program of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean...
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24 May 2010
Release of Productivity Commission's Aged Care Inquiry Issues Paper
The Caring for Older Australian inquiry will set out further structural reforms for Australia’s aged care system...
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24 May 2010
Government focuses on disadvantaged job seekers
Local Connections to Work will provide disadvantaged job seekers with to access to financial assistance, advocacy, housing, employment and health support services, education and counselling in one location...
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24 May 2010
Jobs Expo coming to Maitland
To be held on 29 June 2010 at the Federation Centre from 10am – 3pm...
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17 May 2010
Port Stephens GP Super Clinic Officially Opened
The clinic will have extended hours of operation, including Sundays and a dedicated service for residents in local aged care facilities...
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17 May 2010
Labour Force April 2010
Unemployment rate remained steady with the revised seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 5.4 per cent...
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11 May 2010
More Comprehensive And Convenient GP And Primary Care
After hours GP services, GP SuperClinics, care for people for diabetes, support for practice nurses, building a health care system for the future...
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11 May 2010
Budget delivers an unprecedented boost to aviation
The Rudd Labor Government will invest an extra $237.2 million to bolster public confidence in the safety of air travel...
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11 May 2010
Australia's biggest ever renewable energy roll-out
The Australian Government will commit a further $652.5 million over four years to establish a Renewable Energy Future Fund to support Australia’s response to climate change...
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11 May 2010
Three Major Reform Projects Responded to in the 2010-11 Budget
This Budget has secured the future of our health system by funding a majority of recommended reforms...
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07 May 2010
Supporting Australians with breast cancer
Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, joined breast cancer survivors, carers and supporters at the MCG to recognise Australians affected by breast cancer...
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06 May 2010
Australia's first male health policy
This policy encourages men of all ages to take action to improve their own health...
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06 May 2010
NAPLAN tests to go ahead
Minister for Education Julia Gillard welcomed the decision by the AUE to drop their plans to ban the NAPLAN tests...
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02 May 2010
Reform for a fair return to the nation from our resources
The Australian Government will introduce a 40 per cent resource super profits tax (RSPT) from 1 July 2012...
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April
25 Apr 2010
ANZAC Spirit commemorated across the world
This year marks 95 years since the ANZACS landed at Gallipoli...
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21 Apr 2010
Improving the nation's mental health system
Australians with mental health needs, especially young people, will receive improved care through a $174 million investment in mental health services...
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21 Apr 2010
Taking pressure off public hospital emergency departments
The Rudd Government will invest $750 million in expanding the capacity of public hospital emergency departments to deliver faster treatment for patients...
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20 Apr 2010
Historic Health Reform
This will deliver the most significant reforms to our health and hospitals system since the introduction of Medicare...
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12 Apr 2010
New national four hour target for hospital emergency departments
To help public hospitals reach the new Four Hour Target, the Government will invest $500 million...
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12 Apr 2010
Building an Australian aged care system
Commonwealth to take responsibility for Aged Care...
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March
31 Mar 2010
Start-Up Scholarships to be delivered to students
More than 150,000 students to receive new Federal Government scholarships from 1 April to help families meet the costs of sending their children to university...
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16 Mar 2010
Government delivers on Youth Allowance
More than 100,000 students will be better off under the changes by receiving more youth allowance or youth allowance for the first time...
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03 Mar 2010
Taking majority funding responsibility for public hospitals
The Australian Government will for the first time become the majority funder of the public hospital system...
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02 Mar 2010
Building skilled Australians in remote Indigenous communities
Through a range of training, mentoring and community development projects across 500 remote Indigenous communities...
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February
25 Feb 2010
Removing deductibility for political donations
Businesses will no longer be able to deduct political donations, either under the existing $1,500 capped specific deduction in the tax law, or as a general business deduction...
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25 Feb 2010
Australia's proposal for whale conservation
This proposal outlines the key elements of Australia's strong conservation agenda on the future of whaling...
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23 Feb 2010
Gallipoli's Victoria Cross medals on tour
The Australian War Memorial’s collection of Victoria Cross medals from Gallipoli will tour the nation for the first time to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the landing...
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23 Feb 2010
Counter-Terrorism White Paper
This White Paper brings together both the international and domestic elements of Australia's counter-terrorism policy...
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23 Feb 2010
Business ideas on Indigenous jobs
Focus on Indigenous education, recruitment and retention strategies, training, mentoring, and building Indigenous enterprise...
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23 Feb 2010
International education rules
Education providers for international students will be required to re-register under new, stronger criteria...
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23 Feb 2010
Biometric data strengthens border security
In a major strengthening of Australia’s border security, the Australian Government will introduce biometric checks for visa applications being processed in designated countries...
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22 Feb 2010
Help available for insulation workers
The Federal Government will provide $10 million for 2,000 structural adjustment places to re-train insulation workers for new jobs...
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17 Feb 2010
Keeping Medibank Private public
The Government remains committed to keeping Medibank Private in public ownership....
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12 Feb 2010
Investing in Stolen Generations leadership
Indigenous Leadership scholarships announced to mark second anniversary of the Apology to Indigenous Australians...
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12 Feb 2010
Unemployment rate down to 5.3%
ABS figures show that the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 per cent in January...
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12 Feb 2010
Bill aids the democratic right to vote
The Rudd Government has introduced a bill into parliament to reinstate the close of rolls period for a federal election...
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11 Feb 2010
Business Ambassador to help close the gap
Ambassador for Business Action has been appointed to encourage Australian business to play a part in the economic development of Indigenous communities...
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10 Feb 2010
Combat uniforms made in Australia
Government confirms that combat uniforms worn by Australian Soldiers are manufactured in Australia...
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09 Feb 2010
Options remain for overseas students
Overseas students who are currently studying in Australia will still have options to seek permanent residence in Australia if they have the skills and qualifications needed by employers....
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08 Feb 2010
Migration reforms to suit Australia’s needs
The Rudd Government is reforming the permanent skilled migration program to ensure it is more responsive to the needs of industry and employers and better addresses the nation’s future skill needs....
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07 Feb 2010
Anniversary of Black Saturday bushfires
Sunday 7 February, marks the first anniversary of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires...
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07 Feb 2010
My School stops schools being left behind
An additional 110 struggling schools will share in $11 million in extra funding designed to ensure students improve their literacy and numeracy...
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04 Feb 2010
Pacific Islands cricket development
The Australian Government, Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council have signed up to a cricket partnership to strengthen cricket development programs in the Pacific....
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03 Feb 2010
Progress report on the Nation Building Plan
Almost three quarters of the infrastructure projects in the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan are completed or underway...
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03 Feb 2010
Local Indigenous leaders help close the gap
New Indigenous engagements officers are working with their communities to develop local action plans...
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02 Feb 2010
Intergenerational Report shows long term cost of climate change
The report confirms that early action on climate change will allow strong long-term economic growth and rising living standards...
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02 Feb 2010
Australia to 2050: Future Challenges
Report Highlights emerging fiscal pressures...
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01 Feb 2010
Harnessing the skills of older Australians
Productive Ageing Package to provide vital training and support for older Australians who want to stay in the workforce....
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January
29 Jan 2010
My School website launched
9 million hits on first day of My School...
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21 Jan 2010
Cantonment Hill returned to the people
Government approves the concessional sale of land at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks so it can be restored for community use....
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20 Jan 2010
Health & wellbeing of ADF members a priority
Government is determined to support ADF members who have been wounded overseas....
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15 Jan 2010
Donations for Haiti earthquake
The Assistant Treasurer advises that donations to endorsed Overseas Aid Funds will ensure relief efforts are quickly directed to the affected areas...
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15 Jan 2010
Australia as a Financial Centre report
The Government welcomes the Australian Financial Centre Forum's report on Australia as a Financial Centre (the Johnson Report)......
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14 Jan 2010
Australian assistance for Haiti
Australia is providing emergency humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance following the devastating earthquake in Haiti...
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