Archived News for Professionals in Local Government

Volunteer fire-fighters should be compensated when extended bushfire efforts keep them from their families and work, a Local Government Association says.

Ratepayers asked to stump up more for special jobs

Ratepayers might be asked to pay a little bit extra to cover certain projects, as one city seeks to find out how much locals would give.

Staff asked to think while Department looks for silence

One of Australia’s chief public servants says departments should be able to make and enforce their own social media policies, insisting that the service is not being gagged.

Stirrings over Chinese FIRB bring "mature" call

The Federal Government appears to be preparing to relax the rules for foreign investment from China, but one Nationals MP says changes must come from a “mature discussion”.

New idea could see thousands lost and billions saved in 'super-departments'

Public sector insiders say a push is on to save billions by squeezing all government functions into “super departments”.

Cops zoom up to distracted drivers

Victorian police have a new tool for catching unsafe and unfocused drivers – a camera with a very long lens.

Family tax cut considered for non-vax parenting

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton has been discussing plans to withhold tax benefits from families who do not immunise their children.

Pole power put aside as small advances fill space

Queensland and Western Australia are ready to ditch parts of their electricity networks, getting rid of poles and wires in regional areas.

Archive compiles ancient learning for new look at books

A living archive has been launched in Darwin, to breathe life into Indigenous languages recorded decades ago.

Auditor burns firies' health requirements

A recent audit has found lapses in the health requirements for fire-fighters, saying better systems should be in place to protect them and the public.

Bleeding memory exposes all-important online data

UPDATE 14/04: The NSA has denied reports that it has been using Heartbleed as a spying tool.

Bureaucratic craft lost in silence, former boss says

A former senior public official says government workers should be “pushing back” against political decisions they know are wrong.

Leaks and lost faith plague QLD locality

Issues continue in one regional council, with the leak of sensitive documents and a reprimand from the Local Government Minister.

Award for water before interstate drink-off

The Federal Government has launched a new water purchase round in the New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling catchments.

Papers meter the cost of water security

Two new reports on the state of Australia’s water industry show most Australians now enjoy safe and secure water supplies, but prices have increased.

Councils take charge on CSG risk check

Two regional councils are taking control of their water supplies, conducting tests to determine risks potentially posed by coal seam gas extraction.

Firing and inflexibility in workplace pregnancy stats

A new report has shown a high level of discrimination across Australian workplaces, which can lead to personal, economic and even safety issues.

Millions more to keep working Reef plan rolling

Two million dollars over three years will help conservation groups improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Community group leaves repeated Rio plan buried

The residents of a small New South Wales town will be celebrating victory against a mining giant today, after the Supreme Court ruled against Rio Tinto’s Warkworth mine expansion.