Links on this page go to external sites.
»4 Sept 08: ABS report supports Government focus on homelessness
The Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, said today that a new report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) supports the Rudd Government’s focus on finding long term solutions to reduce homelessness.
The number of Australians who sleep rough rose by 16 per cent in the five years between 2001 and 2006, according to Counting the Homeless Australia 2006. The report showed there were 105,000 Australians who were homeless on Census night in 2006, up from 99,900 in 2001 with 16,000 rough sleepers in 2006, up from 14,000 five years earlier.
»4 Sept 08: Indexation delivers increase to Pensions and other Income Support Payments
Families Minister, Jenny Macklin, said almost four million Australians will receive an increase in their pensions and other income support payments and allowances from 20 September.
Indexation will deliver an increase of $15.30 a fortnight in the maximum single pension and $12.70 in the maximum partnered rate for each member of a pensioner couple.
The third instalment (now $128.50) of the increased Utilities Allowance and the Seniors Concession Allowance (now $514 per annum) will also be paid from 20 September.
»28 Aug 08: National Literacy and Numeracy Week
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, officially launched National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2008 by announcing a $40 million literacy and numeracy initiative.
The Rudd Government will invest $40.2 million in 29 literacy and numeracy pilot projects in schools across Australia.
These pilots will trial or expand initiatives that exemplify strategies to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for those students most in need of support, in government and non-government schools.
»27 Aug 08: Quality Education: The case for an education revolution in our schools
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, today addressed the National Press Club about the achievement of the Rudd Government's nine months in office and about our commitment to the education revolution
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, today announced that the Rudd Government’s $75 million Climate Ready program is open for applications.
Climate Ready will support Australian businesses developing new products, processes and services to tackle climate change by providing dollar-for-dollar support for research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercialisation activities.
Applicants can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.
Australian schools are eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures.
The Rudd Government released proposals for a new plan to tackle climate change by reducing carbon pollution. Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the time for action on climate change was now.
“We confront a daunting reality: we cannot continue to pour carbon pollution into the atmosphere as if there is no cost,” Senator Wong told the National Press Club in Canberra.
A new agreement with Greece comes into effect on 1 October 2008. The link above goes to the Deaprtment of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Details are available in both English and Greek.
Millions of Australian families will receive some much-needed relief from cost of living pressures from tomorrow, with the first instalment of the Rudd Government's $46.7 billion tax package due to start hitting pay packets across the country.
Parents across Australia should keep their receipts for education expenses from tomorrow to make the most of the benefits available under the Rudd Government's $4.4 billion Education Tax Refund.
The biggest overhaul of the Australian system of child support in 20 years comes into effect on 1 July.
“The new scheme has been a gradual and careful reform process, taking a total of four-and-and-half years from conception to full implementation,” Senator Joe Ludwig said.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, will introduce new laws to help prevent the exploitation of temporary skilled foreign workers and ensure the wages and conditions of Australian workers are not undercut.
Around 50,000 residents of Australia and Greece will soon have improved access to the age pension from the Greek and Australian Governments with the introduction of a new social security agreement between the two countries.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations today released the new National Employment Standards (NES). The NES are a key element of the Rudd Government’s new modern workplace relations system and will come into effect on 1 January 2010.