Australian Government Media Releases

Thursday, 20 November 2008. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) today issued a discussion paper for consultation with industry on a new annual statistical publication that will include performance data on individual superannuation funds. The discussion paper, entitled Fund level disclosure from the APRA superannuation statistics collection , invites comments and suggestions on the key questions to be resolved for the compilation of the new publication.

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. It is a pleasure to be with you at another SCADA Community of Interest forum. The SCADA Community of Interest is an ideal forum for practitioners and IT professionals to exchange information on common SCADA security issues and, importantly, work together to address them.

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. This is the digital economy. It will chart our digital future.

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today said the delivery of essential services is dependent on industry collaboration. Todays forum was hosted by the SCADA Community of Interest, which is managed by the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy within the Trusted Information Sharing Network, led by the Attorney-Generals Department.

You are here: » Media releases. The Rudd Government is investing more than $6.5 million for a range of water saving and water treatment projects in the southern tablelands of New South Wales as part of its $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan. These projects will support our Water for the Future plan, which aims to secure our water supplies, use water wisely, tackle climate change and support healthy rivers.

You are here: » Major speeches. Its a pleasure to be here today at Green Capitals final major event for this year, Carbon Ethics Who Wins, Who Loses?. Action on climate change is a deliberate choice, that that is why the ethics of carbon - or of global warming - are central to the Governments response to dangerous climate change.

You are here: » Media releases. Murray Catchment Management Authority. Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority.

minister for defence to visit canada , spain , portugal and uk. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, will travel to Canada , Spain , Portugal and the United Kingdom from 20 to 30 November.. In Cornwallis , Canada , Mr Fitzgibbon will meet with his counterparts from nations contributing to operations in Southern Afghanistan, including United States (US) Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, UK Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon.

DEFENCE ACCEPTS UPGRADED FRIGATES. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has agreed to Contractual Acceptance from the prime contractor Thales Australia of two upgraded guided missile frigates, HMA Ships Sydney and Darwin. We have now managed a significant milestone in this program, and come one step closer to having these ships on operational activities. This demonstrates this Governments commitment to working with Defence and industry to resolve the outstanding issues associated with this project to ensure the Australian Defence Force receives high quality equipment and that Australian taxpayers receive value for money.

You are here: » Media releases. Northern Territory of Australia. Northern Territory of Australia.

You are here: » Media releases. A project to investigate a disease that strikes Tasmanian platypus is one of nine Tasmanian projects to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. 'The Platypus diseases assessment and conservation project, for example, will see the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water bring together a team that will investigate the impact of platypus mucormycosis disease.

You are here: » Media releases. Projects to investigate soil carbon and reduce the damage caused by feral deer herds are among 16 projects in Victoria to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. East Gippsland Soil Carbon Project - Pilot Project.

You are here: » Media releases. One of the most threatened species in NSW - the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby - will benefit from a share of more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect the environment and promote sustainable farming. Lachlan Catchment Management Authority.

You are here: » Media releases. The University of Queensland. Queensland Murray-Darling Committee Inc.

You are here: » Media releases. The ACT's two iconic rivers - the Molongolo and Murrumbidgee - will benefit from a share of more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Mr Burke said Caring for our Country also recognised the major environmental work undertaken by the nation's farmers.

You are here: » Media releases. A project to protect the habitat of the endangered Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren is one of 15 South Australian initiatives to share in more than $28 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. South East Natural Resources Management Board.

You are here: » Media releases. A project to tackle cane toads in Western Australia is among the initiatives to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Together they will manually remove cane toads and erect a wildlife friendly exclusion fence - this project contributes to meeting the Government's election commitment to slow the migration of cane toads by the Stop the Toad Foundation,' Mr Garrett said.

You are here: » Media releases. Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett has acted to protect a Ramsar site and endangered fish by refusing a request to release more water from Lake Crescent in Tasmania. In making my decision I have taken into account the Interlaken Lakeside Reserve Ramsar site and the endangered golden galaxias - a fish which only occurs in Lake Crescent and the connected Lake Sorell, Mr Garrett said.

General Manager, Hank Jongen today announced Centrelink customers living in areas affected by the recent storms who are due to lodge Continuation of Payment forms this week can do so over the telephone. 'The arrangements are in place because people in these storm-affected communities may continue to find it difficult to travel to their local Centrelink office.'. 'People seeking assistance should contact the Australian Government's South East Queensland Storms Hotline on 180 2266, which is available 24 hours a day, or visit their local Centrelink office or Centrelink staff at the Ashgrove Recovery Centre,' Mr Jongen said.

Rudd Government leads on information sharing to protect children. A report released today makes recommendations on how to improve information sharing between the Australian Government and State and Territory child protection agencies, to better protect children. Improved information sharing between the Australian Government and child protection agencies will be a key part of the Government's National Child Protection Framework.

Thursday, 20 November 2008. This is a joint AFP and Customs media release. AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100.

Thursday, 20 November 2008. Firstly, any discussion of role, function and performance the AFP must recognise that it is a unique police organisation by international standards. Despite the growth in AFP responsibilities which generally do not result in prosecutions by Australian courts, the CDPP has for some time acknowledged the growing complexity of matters that are referred to them, particularly cases of money laundering, fraud and terrorism, many of which come from the AFP.

Thursday, 20 November 2008. A 41-year-old Victorian man will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with importing drugs into Australia. The man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Thursday, 20 November 2008. The AFP will not be making any further comment in relation to this control order process. AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100.

An Australian Government funded accredited training course has resulted in 12 Indigenous job seekers gaining full-time employment in the construction and mining industry. The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O'Connor, congratulated the 26 participants who today graduated from the fourth Dugalunji Civil Construction & Mining Skills Prevocational Program in Camooweal, in north west Queensland. Participants on the program were drawn from a number of communities stretching from north Queensland to eastern Northern Territory.

Australian Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced a further 16 transition care places have become operational in Queensland - helping hundreds of older people out of hospital and back to their homes. This is in addition to 351 existing transition care places in Queensland. Queensland Northside Transition Care Program 16 27 October 2008 West Moreton Transition Care Program 4 31 October 2008 Logan-Beaudesert Transition Care Program 10 1 November 2008 Toowoomba Transition Care Program 2 6 November 2009 Townsville Transition Care Program 4 January 2009 Cairns Transition Care Program 2 January 2009.

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the launch of the Tax Issues Entry System (TIES). 'TIES is a single entry point for tax professionals and the community to raise minor policy and administrative issues relating to the care and maintenance of the tax and superannuation systems,' Mr Bowen said. With the launch of TIES, the Government is delivering on one of the recommendations from the Tax Design Review Panel's report Better Tax Design and Implementation The Board of Taxation will review the operation of TIES after 12 months.

: Retooling after WorkChoices are at the heart of the new government and the Deputy PM, I think, is in Darwin today is on the line. : Yes, but there are. : No, I haven't.

The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) met for the tenth and final time in Canberra today. The ASCC noted progress on the second triennial review of the National OHS Strategy. The ASCC noted that the Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for the Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail meets the Council of Australian Government requirements and noted the Australian Forum of Explosives Regulators (AFER) has endorsed the Code.

JULIA GILLARD: Well, can I say it's great to be here at the Batchelor Institute. We are going to be working with the administrator of CFK. This is a new situation.

Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has congratulated all finalists in the 2008 Australian Training Awards. Australian Apprentice of the Year. Finalists for the Australian Apprentice of the Year.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland today released a report and discussion paper on improvements to the delivery of family law services by Australia's federal courts for public consultation. Among the report's key recommendations are the creation of a single federal family law court by combining the Family Court and the Federal Magistrates Court, and the use of savings identified through streamlined administration to enhance family law services. The discussion paper seeks public comment on the report's recommendations, and emphasises that any changes must preserve and build on the existing service culture of the Federal Magistrates Court.

Airservices Australia has today commissioned 3 new high visibility Mk8 (pronounced Mark 8) Rosenbauer fire trucks each valued at over $1M at a ceremony at Canberra International Airport, in a boost to their operations in the National Capital. The existing red trucks at the remaining stations will be gradually painted in the new yellowish-green as Airservices works towards uniformity in the new colour. For more information about Airservices new fleet of fire fighting vehicles visit.

, the animated feature by the Oscar-winning team of writer/director and producer has been selected to open the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. The film is written and directed by Elliot and produced by Coombs. Mary and Max is set for release in Australia by Icon Films.

The ACT's two iconic rivers - the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee will benefit from a share of more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the two ACT projects to receive support under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. Mr Burke said Caring for our Country also recognised the major environmental work undertaken by the nation's farmers.

A project to tackle cane toads in Western Australia is among the initiatives to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the projects to receive funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants funding round were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. Together they will manually remove cane toads and erect a wildlife friendly exclusion fence - this project contributes to meeting the Government's election commitment to slow the migration of cane toads by the Stop the Toad Foundation,' Mr Garrett said.

A project to investigate a disease that strikes Tasmanian platypus is one of nine Tasmanian projects to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the nine Tasmanian projects to receive funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. 'The Platypus diseases assessment and conservation project, for example, will see the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water bring together a team that will investigate the impact of platypus mucormycosis disease.

Projects to investigate soil carbon and reduce the damage caused by feral deer herds are among 16 projects in Victoria to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the Victorian projects to be funded under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. East Gippsland Soil Carbon Project - Pilot Project.

A project to protect the habitat of the endangered Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren is one of 15 South Australian initiatives to share in more than $28 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the 15 South Australian projects funded under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. South East Natural Resources Management Board.

A project to reduce emissions and improve soil carbon is among 26 Queensland initiatives to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. The University of Queensland.

The Hon Peter Garrett MP. Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. Murray Catchment Management Authority.

One of the most threatened species in NSW - the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby - will benefit from a share of more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect the environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of 20 NSW projects to receive funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. Lachlan Catchment Management Authority.

Projects to reduce feral pigs in Arnhem Land and cane toads are among 12 Territory projects to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia's environment and promote sustainable farming. Details of the 12 Northern Territory projects to receive funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. Northern Territory of Australia.

The Rudd Government has announced $8.9 million for 46 Landcare projects across Australia, as part of a major investment in land management and sustainable farming projects under Caring for our Country. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Landcare projects covered all states and territories. Northern Territory of Australia.

Today, the 10th international transgender day of action, Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes encouraged Australians to take time to consider the horrors and difficulties that discrimination can inflict upon people who are gender diverse. This is a day on which we need to pause to reflect on the fact that people who are gender diverse, including people who are transgender, experience a great deal of discrimination in our society, said Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes.

Like its previous editions, 2008s Face the Facts is a user-friendly resource written in a plain English style that provides a snapshot of social, demographic and population data relating to Indigenous Australians, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. Face the Facts can be downloaded from the Australian Human Rights Commission website after 2 pm today at .