Tuesday, March 23, 2021

VicFishKids Free Clinics This School Holidays

The Andrews Labor Government is excited to relaunch VicFishKids just in time for the Easter school holidays.


Three free VicFishKids events will be held across the state this school holidays, giving

Multi-Million Dollar Aquatic Centre Opens In Gippsland

The new Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) in Traralgon will open on Thursday, providing a world-class health and fitness facility for families across the region.


Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today officially opened the $57 million facility – the centrepiece of the

Morrison Government equipping Navy with cutting edge intelligence capability

The Morrison Government is boosting the Royal Australian Navy’s intelligence capability through Defence’s Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Continuous Development Program.


The Program has reached a new milestone

ADF supporting NSW flood emergency

Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters will today deploy to NSW to support search and rescue activities for the flood emergency.


Additional ADF personnel and equipment will also deploy this week to assist with the clearance and recovery operation.


The Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the

Morrison Government and Naval Group secure a win for Australian Industry

The Morrison Government’s Future Submarine Program has reached a major milestone with the conclusion of negotiations between Defence and Naval Group for the amendments to the Strategic Partnering Agreement.


This will see Naval Group’s commitment to spend at least 60 per cent of the contract value in Australia over the life of the Program reflected formally in the Strategic

Monday, March 22, 2021

Life-improving research for brain cancer survivors

The Australian Government is providing $2.6 million to researchers at the University of Melbourne to use the latest information technology to improve the lives of people who have survived brain cancer.


The Morrison Government is providing $2.6 million to researchers at the University of Melbourne to use the latest information technology to improve the lives of people who have survived brain cancer.


Funded by the Morrison Government’s

Under the microscope: Australia’s efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP

Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt MP

Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP


The Australian Government has published the Final Progress Report for Australia’s First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015–2019 detailing our efforts to limit the incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Australia.


AMR is recognised as one of the most serious

Mental Health Short Stay Unit officially opens

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to ensuring Tasmanians who need mental health support can get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.


That’s why a new Mental Health Short Stay Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital has been established to provide a more therapeutic

Hospitality and tourism training group appoints CEO

We know that those in the hospitality and tourism industries have been some of the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government is committed to continuing to work with these important sectors to build a skilled workforce and develop a sustainable, industry-led approach to training.


These industries underpin Tasmania’s economy and that’s why we supported the establishment of the Tasmanian Hospitality and Tourism Training organisation (THTT).


The Liberal Government has supported THTT with funding of $1 million over two years, through State Growth, and I am pleased that THTT is now one step closer to opening its doors with the inaugural appointment of the Chief Executive Officer.


This is an exciting milestone and I congratulate Ms Emilie Donovan on her appointment as CEO of the THTT.


Ms Donovan, from Deloraine, joins THTT with over two decades of experience working for the Australian Maritime College’s Training and Consultancy Division, providing industry-led specialised non-accredited and accredited training tailored to align to industry needs and demands. Emilie understands the importance of working with industry to provide the right training at the right time.


The THTT will complement private training providers and TasTAFE’s Drysdale arm to expand the market and offer industry informed training programs.


This training group will further support the workforce development and training needs of the industry. It demonstrates our clear commitment to improve training options for these important sectors and fulfils our long term aspiration to grow our skilled Tasmanian hospitality and tourism workforces.


This is in addition to the action we are taking to build a bolder TasTAFE with a strategic approach to deliver hands-on training through courses that best equip Tasmanians to get a job.


I would like to thank the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania for their ongoing commitment to creating new pathways and employment opportunities for Tasmanians.


For more information visit https://tha.asn.au/

Monday, March 15, 2021

Griffith music graduate receives knighthood in Denmark

Queensland Conservatorium graduate Steven Moore received a knighthood in Denmark for his work with the Royal Danish Opera. Photo: Camilla Winther

Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Steven Moore has been knighted in Denmark for his contribution to the arts. 

Steven, who is chorus master for the Royal Danish Opera, was made a Ridder af Dannebrogordenen (a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog), which is an honour that dates back to 1671. 

Queen Margrethe presented him with the award at

Griffith girls in gear for 2021 AON Rugby 7s campaign

Griffith's 2021 Rugby 7s squad at a training camp ahead of the first games of the season.

Griffith University has named the squad for its 2021 AON University 7s campaign, with high hopes for a successful season after Covid impacted the interstate rugby sevens competition last year.

The 22-strong squad includes a host of new young faces and some seasoned veterans as well, with Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications student Kiri Lingman returning to the side as co-Captain along with seasoned players Sophie Quirk, a Clinical Exercise Physiology student, and Education student Kahli Henwood.

Some of Griffith’s 2021 Rugby 7s squad faced Bond University players in pre-season matches.

Last weekend the group came together for a

Remarkable Ron Clarke Griffith Futures scholars revealed

 

Bianca Crisp is one of two Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship recipients.

Two stellar up-and-coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sport stars at Griffith have been named the first ever recipients of Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship.

Education student and netballer Beryl Friday and health science student and pool and open water swimmer Bianca Crisp were awarded the scholarships, worth $11,000 per year of full-time study for up to four years for each student in a joint funding arrangement between Griffith University and Commonwealth Games Australia.

Griffith Sports Engagement Director Duncan Free OAM said the athletes were selected from a talented pool of individuals and that the scholarship was a significant opportunity for them.

“I’ve learnt so much about Bianca and Beryl and the works and connectivity they have

Griffith part of new initiative to transform national mental health system

Griffith University will play a major role in a new national academy purposely designed to ensure members with experience of mental illness are at the forefront of research to transform Australia’s mental health care system. 

Launched by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, the National Academy of LIVed-Experience (ALIVE) will be funded over five years through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Special Initiative in Mental Health grant. 

The Academy led by Associate Professor Victoria Palmer from University of

Glen Eira Pavilions Set For A Major Makeover

The Andrews Labor Government is investing in major works to sporting reserves in Glen Eira to encourage more people to get involved in community sport.


Works are now underway at both Murrumbeena

New Science Hubs To Support Bio And Tech Innovation

La Trobe University will become a one-stop-shop for the development of innovative products like anti-viral medication, water treatment solutions and portable farm technology thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.


The $23 million Digital and Bio Innovation

Small Business Bus Delivers Support Across Victoria

The Andrews Labor Government’s Small Business Bus is back on the road, taking information and advice to owners across the state to help them recover and grow.


Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford

Anzac Station - A New Transport Hub For St Kilda Road

The Metro Tunnel’s new Anzac Station 22 metres under St Kilda Road is taking shape, with the final wall and roof structures now in place for the long-awaited rail connection on the busy road.


Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta

Jobs Victoria: Helping More Victorians Get Back To Work

Jobs Victoria Advocates will work on the ground in libraries, community halls and shopping centres to help people who have lost their jobs due to the effects of the pandemic and the long-term unemployed, with access to employment services, training opportunities and other support.


Some 112 new Advocates will be joined by

New Stables Attract Star Tenant To Geelong Racecourse

Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O’Brien will establish stables at Geelong in addition to his bases at Thirteenth Beach and Flemington, thanks to a major investment in new facilities by the Andrews Labor Government.


Minister for Racing Martin Pakula

New Scoreboard Puts Runs On The Board At Bentleigh

The Andrews Labor Government’s Local Sports Grants initiative is backing Bentleigh Cricket Club, Bentleigh Football Netball Club and Bentleigh Junior Football Club with a new scoreboard at Bentleigh Recreation Reserve.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence joined club members to officially launch the

New Road Bridge The Cherry On Top In Melbourne’s West

The Cherry Street level crossing in Werribee is gone months ahead of schedule and an upgrade of eight major roads is complete as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s huge investment in better transport in Melbourne’s west.


Cherry Street is the third of four level crossings to go in the Werribee area, replaced by a road bridge to mark the Labor

Australian defence industry to continue to sustain and export cutting edge technology

Australia’s defence industry will continue to export crucial technology as part of a joint Australian and US program, following the awarding of a $150 million contract to BAE Systems Australia.


Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced a five-year contract with BAE Systems for in-service support and round production of the next generation of

Demonstrating Australia's Enduring Commitment to the Indo-Pacific Region

Two Royal Australian Navy ships, HMA Ships Anzac (III) and Sirius are conducting a two-month deployment throughout the Northeast Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.


Led by HMAS Anzac, the task group will conduct a number of bilateral and multilateral activities including participating in Exercise La Perouse, a French-led multilateral maritime exercise in the Northeast Indian Ocean.


Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the

Mental health pilot program expands to more primary schools

School children in class
Twenty six schools, across metropolitan and regional north and south west Victoria, will have a child mental health and wellbeing co-ordinator embedded in the school to improve care pathways for children identified with possible mental health issues. Image: Shutterstock

A pilot mental health program successfully trialled in Victorian primary schools will be expanded to a total of 26 schools in 2021.


The program, developed by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in collaboration with the University of Melbourne

National mental health research centre guided by lived experience for better outcomes

Person comforting another with a hand on their shoulder
The national centre will focus on implementing preventative interventions across the whole life course and integrated care in primary care and community-based settings. Priority populations include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people who are living with severe mental illnesses. Image: Getty Images

The University of Melbourne has welcomed $10 million to establish a national research translation centre to improve health outcomes for Australians with mental illness and reduce the individual, social and economic inequities associated with current care.

Launched today by Minister for Health, Greg

OVER $1.1 BILLION TO EXTEND AUSTRALIA’S COVID-19 HEALTH RESPONSE

The Government will invest more than $1.1 billion to extend our successful national COVID-19 health response and suppression strategy until 31 December 2021.


Australia is leading the world out of the global COVID-19 pandemic and recession. As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the nation, protecting Australians from the ongoing threats of the pandemic remains a priority.


This $1.1 billion is in addition to more than

STATEMENT ON INDULGENCE - AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT HOUSE ACT

TRANSCRIPT

15 Mar 2021

Prime Minister

E&OE


Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, I move that this House acknowledge the passing on the 26th of February 2021 of Papua New Guinea Grand chief Sir Michael Somare and place on record its gratitude of his long-standing and respected relationship with Australia and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.


Mr Speaker, I welcome the High Commissioner here with us today.


Sir Michael Somare was a towering figure in

Standard digital camera and AI to monitor soil moisture for affordable smart irrigation

Researchers at UniSA have developed a cost-effective new technique to monitor soil moisture using a standard digital camera and machine learning technology.


The United Nations predicts that by 2050 many areas of the planet may not have enough fresh water to meet the demands of agriculture if we continue our current patterns of use.


One solution to this global dilemma is the

State Planning Commission Chair thanked for contribution

Minister for Planning Vickie Chapman has thanked State Planning Commission Chair Michael Lennon for his service, as he prepares to step down from the role.


Mr Lennon has written to the Minister indicating that once the Planning and Design Code Phase Three is delivered on

Kicking goals…construction starts on new $24 million State Centre of Football

In a major coup for the South Australian football/soccer community, construction will commence this week on the new $24 million State Centre of Football – a project that’s creating 100 jobs.


The Marshall Liberal Government is addressing an ever-growing demand for the

The Marshall Government to save the Gatehouse

The Marshall Liberal Government has come to an agreement with the University of Adelaide to find a solution for the future of the Urrbrae Gatehouse, with the structure to be decommissioned, rebuilt and repurposed.


After taking on board feedback from the broader community and the University of Adelaide, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport have come up with an alternative option that will see the Gatehouse relocated to a new site on Claremont Avenue.


The State Government will proceed with its

42 to open first Australian campus in Adelaide

Ground-breaking French computer programming school ‘42’ will open its first Australian campus in Adelaide, with 140 jobs or training pathways available for young South Australians.


The Marshall Liberal Government has provided more than $750,000 in funding to

UNSW Sport's night of nights celebrates community's resilience

There was joy in the air on Friday night as UNSW Sport celebrated two years of sporting achievements and presented the inaugural Alex Blackwell Award.

UNSW Sport Blues winners on stage

The annual UNSW Blues and Sport Awards Dinner celebrated winners across two years of sport. Photo: UNSW Sport

A few short weeks before the scheduled date of the 2020 UNSW Blues and Sport Awards Dinner, the world shut down due to COVID-19 and plans had to be abandoned.


On Friday, after 54 consecutive days of no community transmission in NSW, the event was at last able to go ahead, with two years’ worth of achievements to celebrate.


Community sport was hit hard by the pandemic in

CBA’s new weather data model supports customers impacted by natural disasters

Commonwealth Bank harnesses new technology to better anticipate and respond to customer needs.



CommBank customers impacted by natural disasters can now expect same-day tailored support solutions from their bank thanks to a new purpose-built data model solution.


The new technology solution uses custom-built algorithms to monitor, in real-time, a mix of data points from official emergency sources and weather alert systems to offer

STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE: WAITE CAMPUS AND GATEHOUSE

Waite Gatehouse

The Gatehouse at the University of Adelaide's Waite campus.

The University of Adelaide is pleased that the State Government has decided to take responsibility for relocating the Gatehouse.

We have recommended a preferred relocation site that will enhance the building’s integration into activities on campus. In addition, we have agreed to refurbish the interior of the Gatehouse.


The Gatehouse was once the home of the Head

WATER MARKET PRICE RISE MYTH-BUSTING

Hume Dam (formally Hume Weir) is the main supply storage and one of the two major headwater storages for the River Murray system.

Hume Dam (formally Hume Weir) is the main supply storage and one of the two major headwater storages for the River Murray system.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide in collaboration with Auricht Projects  have tested claims of water hoarding and speculative behaviour in Murray-Darling Basin water markets and found no evidence of hoarding, or a clear source of speculative behaviour, driving water price rises.

Water hoarding is a strategy to restrict supply,

How a short film could aid farmers in the long run

Farm data is kept in many places, making it difficult to compile.

Researchers hope a new short film will help encourage farmers and agricultural groups to share more information collected from their land to help the industry make better decisions about farm management.

The film, Data Federations in Agriculture, was produced for Federation University’s Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) and builds on the earlier film Data Democracy, which detailed the key concepts of an ideal system where available data could be easily accessed in a timely and equitable way.

An Australian government-commissioned

World Social Work Day strengthens social solidarity and global connectedness

World Social Work Day strengthens social solidarity and global connectedness

On World Social Work Day on Tuesday 16 March, the social work discipline at Charles Sturt University celebrates the 2021 international theme, ‘Ubuntu: I am because we are – strengthening social solidarity and global connectedness’.

  • The social work discipline at Charles Sturt University celebrates World Social Work Day on Tuesday 16 March with the international theme ‘Ubuntu: I am because we are’
  • ‘Ubuntu’ speaks to the need for global solidarity, and also highlights Indigenous knowledge and wisdom
  • Ubuntu challenges Western individualistic thinking, and is evidence of a shift in the teaching and practice of social work, social welfare and human services

At Charles Sturt, one of the largest providers of

Diversity, inclusion and belonging celebrated at UC this week

Danielle Meddemmen

15 March 2021: The University of Canberra’s Celebration of Belonging Week kicks off today, with a string of events scheduled to celebrate the community’s diversity, while continuing to promote inclusion and belonging on campus.


In line with Harmony Week 2021 (15–19

PATH and UQ create custom proteins for malaria diagnostics

A global health organisation and state-of-the-art laboratory at The University of Queensland are collaborating to support the development and evaluation of point-of-care diagnostics for malaria with new custom-made proteins.

PATH and UQ’s Protein Expression Facility will supply researchers with malaria proteins to improve point-of-care diagnostic tools and help reduce the burden of malaria, which continues to affect more than 200 million people and cause more than 400,000 deaths each year.

Director of UQ’s Protein Expression Facility Professor

Chemotherapy with fewer side effects may be on the way

A discovery by University of Queensland pain researchers may allow some future cancer patients, including children with leukaemia, to avoid their chemotherapy’s worst and most debilitating side effects.

Professor Irina Vetter and Dr Hana Starobova thought

NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM NEWCASTLE TO MELBOURNE

The Hunter region will benefit from more direct flights to Melbourne with Qantas today launching a new route from Newcastle to the Victorian capital.


The first Qantas flight connecting the two cities in more than ten years departed Newcastle for Melbourne this morning, marked by celebrations for customers at the gate.


The national carrier will operate 12 weekly

Friday, March 12, 2021

Infantry Fighting Vehicle contenders unveiled

Two contenders for the largest acquisition project in the history of the Army have been officially unveiled in Canberra today.


The new Infantry Fighting Vehicles prototypes are currently under evaluation, and once delivered, the project will provide the Army with an advanced, cutting-edge mounted close combat capability. 


The Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the

First of two Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners announced

Australia’s first Indigenous pharmacist, Associate Professor Dr Faye McMillan started in her new role this week, as one of two new Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners that will play a key role in the Federal Government’s agenda to increase access to rural health services.


Australia’s first Indigenous pharmacist,

Appointment of new US Secretary of Agriculture

The Australian Government has welcomed the appointment of new US Secretary of Agriculture, Mr Tom Vilsack.


The United States is our third largest agricultural export market by value.


The Australian Government has welcomed

New literacy target to improve education outcomes

Improving literacy outcomes for all Tasmanians is a clear priority of the Tasmanian Liberal Government.


While we are continuing to build on progress that has been made, there is still a long way to go. We need to pick up the pace, I want to see our rate of improvement accelerated.


That’s why I am announcing an ambitious

Impasse broken- Journey to our own team takes a huge step forward

I had a further constructive discussion with AFL CEO Gill McLachlan last night.


Importantly, Mr McLachlan has agreed to our request that the independent review of the business case for our own team take place immediately.


Furthermore, he has agreed that the results

Netball returns to the Silverdome

Fresh off the success of their pre-season games in Hobart the Collingwood Magpies have confirmed that they will return to Tasmania to play two Suncorp Super Netball games in 2021.


The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s partnership with the Collingwood Magpies and Netball Australia delivers world class women’s sport to our State.


The Collingwood Magpies will play two

Awareness campaign launched for General Biosecurity Duty in Tasmania

Biosecurity is critical to Tasmania as it underpins our reputation as a premium producer of agricultural and seafood products and as a leading tourism destination.  


The landmark Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act) emphasises the importance of shared responsibilities and the need for

Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women 2021

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to creating a more inclusive Tasmania that empowers and enables women and girls to fully participate in our economic, social, political and community life.


The Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women is a

Murrumbeena Park Pavilion gets makeover

The Murrumbeena Park pavilion is set for a major facelift, transforming the local gathering point into an integrated community hub with multi-purpose spaces for sports clubs and community events.


Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for

Earthworks halfway mark a ground-breaking milestone for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport

Construction of the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has reached a major milestone, with half the earthworks now done and dusted.


Visiting the airport site today, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher

100 satellites installed under the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters program

Satellite dishes to provide NBN connectivity have now been installed on 100 Rural Fire Service building and evacuation centres across Australia under the $37.1 million Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) package.


If mobile and fixed-line connectivity goes

BACKING AUSTRALIA'S FAMILY-OWNED AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

The Morrison Government will protect Australia’s family-owned automotive businesses and their employees from the growing power imbalance with multi-national car companies by introducing new significant financial penalties for wrongdoing under the Franchising Code of Conduct.


A fine of up to $10 million could be given to

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Hundreds of construction jobs at heart of South Australia’s new $80 million emergency services HQ

South Australia’s emergency services agencies are on the cusp of permanently uniting under one roof for the first time in state history.


Earthquake resistant with a self-sufficient

QANTAS GROUP WELCOMES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S AVIATION SUPPORT PACKAGE

Major stimulus to help fast-track recovery for domestic tourism.

An estimated 550,000 discounted Qantas and Jetstar fares to be offered to targeted markets.

Direct support for around 7,500 employees directly impacted by continued international border closure, to help maintain capability.

The Qantas Group has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of fresh support for Australian aviation and tourism.


The $1.2 billion industry-wide package has

Griffith showcases art and science at Curiocity Festival

Lecturers at Griffith University have created the world’s largest acoustic guitar – a mind-blowing multi-disciplinary collaboration that will take centre stage at Curiocity Festival this month.

The Immersive Guitar (TIG) is one of the highlights of the 17-day celebration of science, art and technology, taking pride of place at South Bank, in front of the Wheel of Brisbane.

Created by lecturers from both the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and Griffith Sciences, TIG is 12 times the size of an ordinary guitar and can seat 25 people.

Made of plantation-grown Queensland Hoop Pine set atop a steel frame with nylon

Griffith alumni inspire young girls to dream big

School students at the launch of the She Dreams Big book launch

A new collaboration between Griffith alumni is encouraging young girls to dream big, with the launch of a social enterprise project breaking down gender stereotypes in early childhood.

She Dreams Big was co-founded by Griffith Business School alumnus Michael McGee, who was inspired to launch the project after noticing a lack of positive role models for his three young daughters.

“My daughters were interested in space exploration, but everything out there for young girls is very passive – it’s all butterflies and princesses,” he said.

“Research has shown that kids pick up these entrepreneurial and risk-taking skills very

Curtin scientists recognised for leading astronomy and chemistry research

Curtin astrophysicist Associate Professor Cathryn Trott and electrochemistry researcher Associate Professor Debbie Silvester-Dean have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to the field of science by the Australian Academy of Science.

Associate Professor Cathryn Trott and Associate Professor Debbie Silvester-Dean
Associate Professor Cathryn Trott and Associate Professor Debbie Silvester-Dean

Associate Professor Trott, from the School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Curtin University and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), was awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science, and Associate Professor Silvester-Dean, from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, was awarded the Le Fèvre Medal for research in Chemistry.


Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor

Supporting Victorian Women At Risk Of Homelessness

More women at risk of or experiencing homelessness will have safe, secure housing thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.


Minister for Housing Richard Wynne visited St Kilda Community Housing’s Beach House today, which has reopened after a full internal refurbishment.


The Labor Government contributed $1.5

New Car Parking On The Way For Bendigo Line Passengers

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering much needed new and upgraded car parking at three stations on the Bendigo line to make it easier for more people to catch the train.


The Gisborne Station car parking area will be upgraded and new car parking will be built at Kyneton and Riddells Creek stations.


The projects will also deliver additional

New Bushfire Response Facility For Upper Murray

A new $10.3 million state-of-the-art office and depot facility funded by the Andrews Labor Government will increase Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) capacity to respond to and manage bushfires and other emergencies in the Upper Murray District.


Minister for Energy, Environment and

New Women‘s Startup Fund Honours Great Victorian

In 2019, only 20 per cent of early-stage funding went to startups led by women. To address this imbalance, the Victorian Budget 2020/21 funded a new dedicated investment fund to be developed and led by the state’s startup agency LaunchVic.


Minister for Innovation, Medical Research

Digital Map Leads To Ethical Destination Shopping

As Melbourne Fashion Festival takes off across the city and beyond, a new digital tool has been launched to help consumers find Australian-made, ethically conscious fashion across the nation.


Minister for Creative Industries Danny

Putting Geelong At The Heart Of Advanced Manufacturing

A new $20 million innovation hub in Geelong funded by the Andrews Labor Government will establish the region as the nation’s leading advanced manufacturing precinct and create more than 170 jobs.


The facility, called ManuFutures2, will be

D-Day Revealed For New Melbourne Travel Vouchers

New $200 travel vouchers will tomorrow be made available for Victorians to visit and stay in Melbourne and experience all that the country’s most vibrant city has to offer.


Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced the Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme would open at 10:00am on Friday, 12 March.


Some 40,000 vouchers will be available

Early Finish For Metro Tunnel’s Eastern Entrance

The Metro Tunnel Project’s eastern entrance at South Yarra has been completed more than five months ahead of schedule with work now underway to connect the new structure with the project’s twin tunnels.


Acting Premier James Merlino and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited the site, where crews have spent the past two years building the tunnel entrance – which will save commuters up to 50 minutes a day on their journeys when up to 48 trains enter and exit the tunnel each hour.


The work included widening the existing

Support For Next Generation Of Women On Councils

Women elected to their first term on council will have the chance to develop skills and learn from experienced and capable mentors over the next three years, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.


Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane this week welcomed participants to the launch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association – Victoria (ALGWA Victoria) mentorship program.


The Labor Government has provided

Geelong To Share In Expanded Food Relief Funding

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting food relief funding for Geelong, so the local community gets the food support they need.


Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens at Geelong’s Food Relief Centre to announce the centre will receive more than $700,000 to boost its services as part of the Labor Government’s regional and community food relief programs.


Community Food Relief Grants have been

Have Your Say On Victoria’s Disability Plan

Online public consultation forums for the Victorian State Disability Plan 2021-25 will begin on March 31.


Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan today announced that consultations with people with disability, advocacy groups and service providers will resume later this month after being paused throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


The Minister will attend the first session on

More Time For Clubs To Apply For Sporting Club Grants

The Andrews Labor Government is giving grassroots sports clubs across Victoria more time to apply for funding through the 2020/21 Sporting Club Grants Program.


Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced the application deadline has been extended to 19 April 2021 for the latest round of the program.


The Sporting Club Grants Program provides

Healing Country Through Conservation And Partnership

Traditional Owner groups will play an important role in Victorian game management and caring for Country under a new strategy developed with the Andrews Labor Government.


Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas

New Waterfront For Cohuna Locals And Visitors

Cohuna locals and visitors will have a more vibrant and accessible CBD and waterfront to enjoy, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government. 


Minister for Regional Development Mary-

More Seasonal Accommodation For North-West Workers

Victorian farmers in the north-west will benefit from a boost to the region’s accommodation for seasonal workers with the latest projects in the Andrews Labor Government’s $6 million Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program (SWAP).   


Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas

TAFE Students Help Build $20.25m Facility For SW TAFE

South West TAFE construction students will help build a multimillion-dollar Learning and Library Hub at the Warrnambool campus as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Big Build Apprenticeships program.


The project is one of the first under the Labor Government’s $33 million Big Build Apprenticeships program which will be a

4th Annual Exhibition of Veterans Arts

This April, the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) will be hosting the annual exhibition of veterans’ art in Melbourne.


This year the theme of Place is the focus for the ongoing ‘March to Art’ series of exhibitions.

This series has included the themes of IdentityCommunity and Narratives. March to Art is also an invitation to see art, and the exhibition, as ways to commemorate service and celebrate our shared narrative.


Works by veteran artists from across Australia,

Enhanced infrastructure for the Vanuatu Police Force

Construction has commenced in Port Vila under the Cook and Tiroas Barracks Redevelopment project, a joint initiative of the Governments of Australia and Vanuatu.


The large-scale infrastructure partnership will deliver enhanced resilient facilities at Cook and Tiroas Barracks to support the Vanuatu Police Force’s growth and capability development.


Upgrades at Cook Barracks will include

NSW dairy industry once again cream of the crop backed by new $16 million plan

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP

NSW Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Adam Marshall MP


After a series of challenging seasons, the State’s world-class dairy industry has begun to navigate its way out of the impacts of drought and bushfires, with new figures

Further support for tourism industry welcomed

The Tasmanian Government welcomes today’s announcement from the Australian Government of further support for our tourism industry.


The package will include half-price airfares

Architects appointed for new school builds

A new high school and new primary school that will service two of the State’s fastest growing communities are another step closer, with architects appointed to the projects.


Three Tasmanian architectural firms with significant experience in designing contemporary education infrastructure in Tasmania have been appointed to the Brighton High School and Legana Primary School projects.


Jaws Architects and Heffernan Button Voss

New remote area firefighters deployed

The newest members of the Tasmania Fire Service’s remote area team were deployed yesterday to respond to a fire in Molesworth that is burning in steep terrain.

After a relatively quiet fire season, this is

Backing our wild fishing industry

The Tasmanian Government is continuing to support our world class wild fishing industry and we remain committed to helping it through the challenging circumstances caused by COVID-19 and other global market access restrictions.


I am pleased to announce that a further

ANAO report on DVA reform program welcomed

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester and Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Liz Cosson have welcomed the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) report Effectiveness of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ planning and management of Veteran Centric Reforms (VCR).


The Minister and Secretary thanked the

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

More funding to raise Rookwood Weir

The Queensland and Federal governments have each committed another $7.5 million for Rookwood Weir to unlock 10,000 additional megalitres of water for Central Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Sunwater and its construction partners have identified an opportunity in the design phase to raise the crest height of Rookwood Weir by 700mm, increasing the yield up to 86,000 megalitres for water users.

“This opportunity represents good value for

Community feedback drives M12 design changes

Design changes to the future M12 Motorway, announced today, will ensure that it not only provides smooth and direct access to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, but also provides great connectivity for local communities.


The design changes will add two new

TOURISM AND AVIATION'S FLIGHT PATH TO RECOVERY

Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Treasurer, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment


Australia’s airlines, hotels and caravan parks, restaurants and bars, travel agents and tourism operators are set for a rush of hundreds of thousands of tourists as part of a new $1.2 billion support package from the Morrison Government.


Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while

Another Sydney Metro milestone reached

The NSW Government has approved a landmark building above the future Pitt Street Sydney Metro station in another milestone for Australia’s largest public transport project. 

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob

Operation COVID Shield Revs Up

A host of new sites will start administering COVID-19 vaccines to frontline healthcare heroes today amid the largest scale-up of the rollout program to date.


Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen

Never a better time to hire apprentices

The Marshall Government says the Federal Government’s $1.2 billion ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements’ program, extending the 50 per cent wage subsidy for businesses who take on a new apprentice, means there’s never been a better time to hire a trainee.


“In particular I urge the social care sector,

Native vegetation conservation on private lands gets a boost

Conservation on private land will get a significant boost with the delivery of the first round of Heritage Agreement grants under the Marshall Liberal Government’s $3 million Revitalising Private Conservation in South Australia program.


A total of 70 recipients shared in more than

COVID-19 vaccine rollout begins for people with disability, front-line staff

South Australians living with disability and their frontline carers will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines from today, as the Marshall Liberal Government continues to expand its state-wide vaccination program.


More than 1400 people – including 500

Redevelopment works kick off at the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields

Major upgrades to the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields (WMPF) in St Marys have officially begun with an overhaul of the sporting facilities and the construction of a new homage to Australian servicewomen.


The Marshall Liberal Government is

Australian research institutes lead the way in climate change adaptation

Griffith University, CSIRO and Australian National University are all in the top five institutions globally for publishing climate change adaptation research a new study has found.

From more than 11000 papers (published during 1978-2020), Griffith University researchers identified the top five key institutions as Wageningen University, Chinese Academy of Science, CSIRO, Griffith University, and Australian National University.

Dr Johanna Nalau, a co-author of the paper from the Cities Research Institute

“That Griffith University is ranked

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