Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:54:10 EST Copyright 2008 Commonwealth of Australia Panoptic en-au government http://australia.gov.au/AGOSP/global_site/library/images/australia_gov_au_sml.png 23 144 http://australia.gov.au/news-and-media http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html http://www.australia.gov.au Media Releases collected from Australian Government agencies, ministers and departments http://www.apra.gov.au/media-releases/10_06.cfm http://www.apra.gov.au/media-releases/10_06.cfm Thursday, 18 March 2010. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has today released a discussion paper containing proposals on supervising conglomerate groups. APRA's proposed `Level 3' supervision framework is designed to complement its existing industry-based supervision of stand-alone entities (Level 1 supervision) and its supervision of single industry groups (Level 2 supervision). 18 Mar 2010 http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2010/mr_152010.html http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2010/mr_152010.html The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has today tabled the Report on the 2007 Federal Election - Events in the Division of Lindsay. 'The Government currently has a Bill before the Senate that will reinstate the close of rolls period for a federal election and repeal identification requirements for provisional voters.'. 'This Bill is part of a range of efforts being pursued by the Rudd Government to implement a fair and modern electoral system.'. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2010/mr_162010.html http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2010/mr_162010.html Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today outlined the Rudd Government's response to the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters into the conduct of the 2007 election. Senator Ludwig reiterated the Government's commitment to facilitating and protecting electoral participation as part of the Government's response. 'The Rudd Government has already moved to implement some of the Committee's recommendations,' Senator Ludwig said. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/023 http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/023 Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy said legislation was today introduced to ensure new homes were connected with infrastructure to deliver superfast broadband. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/024 http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/024 Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy said legislation was today introduced to ensure all Australians would be able to receive the full suite of digital television channels. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.abareconomics.com/corporate/media/2010_releases/18mar_10.html http://www.abareconomics.com/corporate/media/2010_releases/18mar_10.html 'The projected growth rate is lower than in the past ten years, reflecting the long-term decline in the energy intensity of the Australian economy, and energy efficiency improvements, both of which can be expected to be reinforced by policy responses to climate change,' said Paul Morris, Deputy Executive Director, ABARE when releasing the report. 'Coal is expected to continue to dominate Australia's electricity generation mix but a shift to lower-emissions fuels is expected to result in a significant reduction in coal's share and increases in gas and renewable energy. 'Within the renewable energy cluster, wind energy is expected to account for most of the growth. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.csiro.au/news/CSIRO-helps-unmask-a-devastating-crop-disease.html http://www.csiro.au/news/CSIRO-helps-unmask-a-devastating-crop-disease.html As part of an international consortium, CSIRO scientists have played an important role in uncovering groundbreaking new information about Fusarium - a fungus capable of devastating cereal crops. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.ausport.gov.au/media/releases/tennis_hot_shots_a_smash_hit_for_kids http://www.ausport.gov.au/media/releases/tennis_hot_shots_a_smash_hit_for_kids Children from 21 schools and after-school centres across Victoria got a taste of tennis thanks to a partnership developed by the Australian Sports Commission's Active After-school Communities (AASC) program with Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria in 2009. The partnership saw Tennis Australia, through Tennis Victoria trial the delivery of a taster' to the MLC Tennis Hot Shots junior development program within the AASC environment. The MLC Tennis Hot Shots program is Tennis Australia's official kids' starter program for children aged 5 12 years old. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.csiro.au/news/Fulbright-scholarship-awarded-to-e-health-expert.html http://www.csiro.au/news/Fulbright-scholarship-awarded-to-e-health-expert.html A leading CSIRO scientist who is using innovative imaging technologies to prevent blindness was today named as a recipient of a 2010 Fulbright Senior Scholarship. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2010/march/aa134_2010.htm http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2010/march/aa134_2010.htm The Parliament has approved new laws strengthening security arrangements within the nation's aviation sector. The Aviation Transport Security Amendment (2009 Measures No. The legislation puts in place measures foreshadowed in the Government's Aviation White Paper and complements last month's $200 million Aviation Security package. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mm/releases/2010/march/mm017_2010.htm http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mm/releases/2010/march/mm017_2010.htm The Hon Maxine McKew MP. Regional Development and Local Government. Anthony Albanese, Minister for Regional Development, and Maxine McKew, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, today welcomed Regional Development Australia (RDA) committee members to Canberra for the first RDA National Forum and challenged them to think strategically about the big issues affecting Australia's regions. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/national/2010/man_charged_with_people_smuggling4.html http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/national/2010/man_charged_with_people_smuggling4.html Thursday, 18 March 2010. An Indonesian man has been charged with people smuggling offences after an alleged attempt to facilitate the arrival of 48 people to Australia. The Indonesian man brings the total number of people charged by the AFP with people smuggling offences since September 2008 to 118. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.ausport.gov.au/media/releases/win_a_$500_hart_sport_gift_voucher_for_your_club! http://www.ausport.gov.au/media/releases/win_a_$500_hart_sport_gift_voucher_for_your_club! Do you have a great story about how the Active After-schools Communities (AASC) program has helped your club increase its membership? We want to know about it!. For your chance to win a $500 HART Sport gift voucher tell us, in less than 500 words, how your club has benefited from working with the AASC program and how you have achieved this. Entries close 30 April 2010. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/sihip_groote_eylandt_18mar10.htm http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/sihip_groote_eylandt_18mar10.htm New SIHIP arrangements on Groote Eylandt. Territory Alliance - another SIHIP Alliance consortium working in the NT - will take on remaining stage one work on Groote Eylandt and the remaining work in Gunbalanya, Belyuen and Acacia Larrakia. A recent assessment of SIHIP has found that the changes made to the program following a 2009 review mean that SIHIP is now on track to deliver on its targets of 750 new houses, 230 rebuilds and 2500 refurbishments over the period to 2013. 18 Mar 2010 http://minister.ret.gov.au/thehonmartinfergusonmp/pages/australia-russianuclearcooperationagreement.aspx.html http://minister.ret.gov.au/thehonmartinfergusonmp/pages/australia-russianuclearcooperationagreement.aspx.html The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP. The Government has today tabled its response to the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) on the Australia-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement was signed in September 2007 and JSCOT tabled its report on 18 September 2008. 18 Mar 2010 http://assistant.treasurer.gov.au/displaydocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2010/049.htm&pageID=003&min=njsa&Year=&DocType= http://assistant.treasurer.gov.au/displaydocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2010/049.htm&pageID=003&min=njsa&Year=&DocType= The Rudd Government has today introduced a Bill for further reforms to make the GST simpler and cheaper for taxpayers to comply with. The Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 'This Bill makes a number of important changes to GST administration and clarifies a number of areas which have been of concern to taxpayers,' the Assistant Treasurer said. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-PassageofTrans-TasmanLawReform http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-PassageofTrans-TasmanLawReform Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of legislation to make trans-Tasman litigation simpler, cheaper and more efficient. The Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill 2009 implements a Treaty between Australia and New Zealand signed in 2008 and will allow:. 'Making it easier and more cost effective for Australian and New Zealand businesses and individuals to resolve disputes will improve the effectiveness, integrity and efficiency of Trans-Tasman markets.'. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-AustraliatoestablishIndependentNationalSecurityLegislationMonitor http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-AustraliatoestablishIndependentNationalSecurityLegislationMonitor Hon Robert McClelland MP. The purpose of this Bill is to establish the position of the National Security Legislation Monitor. 'The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor will review and report on the operation, effectiveness and implications of Australia's counter-terrorism and national security legislation on an ongoing basis,' Senator Ludwig said. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-SimplificationofCross-BorderLitigation http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FirstQuarter_18March2010-SimplificationofCross-BorderLitigation Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced that Australia had acceded to the Hague Convention on Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters 1965. The service of court documents is a key step in legal proceedings as it establishes the authority of a court to hear a matter. Accession to the Convention will provide for:. 18 Mar 2010 http://www.aic.gov.au/en/media/2010/march/20100318.aspx http://www.aic.gov.au/en/media/2010/march/20100318.aspx Australian Institue of Criminology. Australian crime: Facts and figures 2009. The release of this year's report coincides with the launch of a new interactive online data tool, Facts and figures online , which enables people to analyse and compare crime statistics from the Australian crime: Facts and figures collection. No Date http://www.aic.gov.au/en/media/2010/march/20100318-2.aspx http://www.aic.gov.au/en/media/2010/march/20100318-2.aspx Australian Institue of Criminology. Crime data more accessible as Australian crime: Facts and figures goes online. The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has launched , an interactive web-based data tool which enables people to analyse and compare crime statistics from the Australian crime: Facts and figures collection. No Date http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318.html http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318.html Today I met with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Colombia, Dr Jaime Bermdez Merizalde. Dr Bermdez is visiting Australia from Wednesday 17 March until Saturday 20 March as a Guest of the Australian Government. Dr Bermudez's visit is an opportunity to maintain the strong momentum in commercial activities and build on the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening bilateral trade and investment signed in Geneva on 29 November 2009 by Trade Minister Simon Crean and Colombian Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr Luis Guillermo Plata. No Date http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318c.html http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318c.html Australia will provide further support to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat as part of our longstanding commitment to the Pacific region's premier political organisation. Australia's support through this Memorandum acknowledges the key role the Forum plays for the nations and the people of the Pacific region. Australia's contribution will accelerate the implementation of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination, agreed by Leaders at the August 2009 Pacific Islands Forum. No Date http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318b.html http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318b.html Joint media release - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Resources and Energy. The Government has today tabled its response to the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) on the Australia-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The Government's position, which is reflected in its response to the JSCOT report, is that the Australia-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement provides appropriate safeguards for the supply of Australian uranium for use in Russia's civil nuclear sector. No Date http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318a.html http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100318a.html I am pleased to announce Dr James Curran as the 2010 recipient of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Australia-United States Alliance Studies (the Alliance Scholarship). I am also pleased to announce continued Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding for the Alliance Scholarship for a further three years from 2010-11, and a special commemorative Anniversary Alliance Scholarship for 2010-11. The Anniversary Alliance Scholarship celebrates significant milestones in our bilateral relations in 2010, namely: the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission and the 25th anniversary of the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). No Date http://www.defence.gov.au/media/departmentaltpl.cfm?CurrentId=10057 http://www.defence.gov.au/media/departmentaltpl.cfm?CurrentId=10057 Chief of Defence Force Visits East Timor. The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, arrived in Dili this afternoon for a two day visit to East Timor. Air Chief Marshal Houston is meeting Australian Defence Force personnel serving as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and Australias Defence Cooperation Program. 26 Feb 2009 http://www.acma.gov.au/web/standard/pc=pc_312071 http://www.acma.gov.au/web/standard/pc=pc_312071 The Australian Communications and Media Authority has accepted an enforceable undertaking offered by Virgin Mobile (Australia) Pty Ltd, following an investigation into alleged breaches of the Spam Act. The key tenet of the Spam Act is that commercial electronic messages cannot be sent without the consent of the recipient, said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman. Complaints about spam can be made by calling the ACMA on 1300 855 180 or at . 2007 http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/faulknertpl.cfm?CurrentId=10056 http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/faulknertpl.cfm?CurrentId=10056 Defence Ministers third Afghanistan statement. Senator Faulkner also announced the appointment of a senior Australian Defence Force (ADF) officer, Major General Dawson, to the new position of the Australian Military Representative in NATO, to further strengthen our relationship with NATO. Enormous difficulties will continue to test our resolve. As Australia responds to these challenges I remain committed to keeping the Australian public and the Australian Parliament fully informed, Senator Faulkner said.. 18 Nov 2003 http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/gregcombettpl.cfm?CurrentId=10053 http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/gregcombettpl.cfm?CurrentId=10053 Commissioning of new Supercomputer at the Defence Signals Directorate. Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science has commissioned a new supercomputer for the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD). The Government has made a commitment under the Defence White Paper 2009 to significantly upgrade intelligence and cyber security capabilities. 18 Nov 2003