Industry News

Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA), one of eleven Industry Skills Councils authorized by the Australian Government to provide a voice on vocational education and training issues, is seeking to appoint new board directors.

IBSA’s mission is to build capability, professionalism and innovative capacity in Australia’s workforce through consultation on skill needs in six industry sectors: business services, cultural & related industries, financial services, education, information and communications technology, and printing and graphic arts.

IBSA provides training packages and other tools and resources to boost the effectiveness of training and skills within the workforce. It draws on networks and stakeholders to undertake research; provide industry intelligence; develop products, services and resources; and facilitate workshops to enhance professional practice across the six industries.

More information is here.

A new partnership between the Federal Government and Sydney universities aims boost the number of students from Greater Western Sydney going to university.

The four-year project was initiated by five Sydney-based universities to create new aspiration-building programs which will reach over 100,000 school-age children, Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans said.

The Building Bridges to Higher Education scheme employs innovative ways to raise educational aspiration, provide alternative routes to university, and improve outcomes for students from Western Sydney.

The project will receive $21.2 million over 2011-14 from the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) which has the objective of 20 per cent of university student enrolments to be from a low SES background by 2020.

The funding allows for expansion of proven techniques as well as piloting of innovative programs. Students will benefit from mentoring, tutoring, homework clubs, work experience, career coaching and scholarship incentives.

Bridges to Higher Education is managed by the Sydney Basin consortium, led by University of Western Sydney, together with partners Sydney University, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University and Australian Catholic University.

Launching the project at Fairfield High School in New South Wales, Senator Chris Evans said:

"In order to achieve greater national productivity as well as build greater social equity, Australia must break down the barriers to lower representation in higher education of people with low SES backgrounds.

"We have invested an unprecedented $1 billion over the next four years to profoundly change the landscape of higher education in terms of inclusiveness, diversity and accessibility."

The report of the independent review of the Fair Work Act - Towards more productive and equitable workplaces: An evaluation of the Fair Work Act has been released.

The Review Report, prepared by an independent three-member Panel, evaluated the operation of the Fair Work Act and feedback contained in over 250 written submissions from a range of employers, employees, unions, community groups, lawyers and governments.

The Panel comprised ex Federal Court Judge Hon Michael Moore, Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum AO and Reserve Bank Board Member John Edwards.

The Review Panel found that the Fair Work Act is operating as intended and in accordance with the objects of the legislation.

“In our view, the current laws are working well and the system of enterprise bargaining underpinned by the national employment standards and modern awards is delivering fairness to employers and employees.”

The independent Panel has provided 53 recommendations on areas where the Act could be improved.

“In some instances, we have suggested alterations because provisions of the Fair Work legislation have not operated as envisaged; in others, we have made suggestions to improve the operation of our labour relations mechanism to ensure that it delivers fair outcomes and to further facilitate opportunities for employers and employees to develop equitable and productive workplaces."

The Minister for Employment & Workplace Relations Bill Shorten has invited the community and stakeholders to provide feedback on the recommendations.

“The Government wants to hear the voices of opinion that reach far beyond those found in the written submissions. We want to know what the community at large thinks about the Panel’s recommendations so we can assess the merits of the report,” Mr Shorten said.

The Review Report is available on the Fair Work Act Review website. 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia has queried by The Australian Research Council's (ARC) is not funding academic business research.

James Guthrie, Head of Academic Relations with the Institute said it was disappointing to see many of Australia’s business researchers unsuccessful in gaining funding under the ARC’s recent  linkage grants.

“Interestingly, of all the linkage applications lodged by accounting academics in business schools across the 38 universities in Australia, only one project on integrated reporting from UNSW received any funding,” he said.

“In addition, only four of the 185 grants awarded, which involved tens of millions of dollars, went to a commerce-related project code. This is surprising as over 30% of university academics would be in the business faculties.”

Mr Guthrie said that the Institute funds accounting and business related research projects, but the profession also needed long term support from the ARC.

“I urge ARC to turn their attention to funding more accounting and business related research, which I would argue is just as important as funding environment, science and medical research. After all, business is the heart of our economy. We need to stay innovative and be equipped to meet future challenges and most importantly, act in the public interest.”

Education unions are continuing a campaign against the Victorian Government’s plans to cut nearly $300 million from the state’s 18 TAFE institutes.

A protest rally was jointly organised by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) Victorian Division and the Australian Education Union (AEU) in central Melbourne on Thursday 2 August.
 
Colin Long, NTEU Victorian President, said that more details were emerging daily about the ramifications including job losses, a reduction in courses and increased fees. He said RMIT’s TAFE is slated to lose $20 million of its public funding, with over 150 jobs to go.
 
“RMIT started life as a ‘workingman’s’ college. These cuts are an attack on its fundamental purpose. They’re bad news for students, bad news for staff and bad, bad news for the future of Victoria.”
 
Yesterday’s rally was the fourth in a series of protests against the TAFE cuts being organised across Melbourne, culminating in a mass rally on Thursday, August 16 at the State Library.
 
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The Northern Territory Government has launched its Homelands Policy which will invest $300 million over the next ten years into the management and maintenance of existing homeland infrastructure, including houses, roads, and essential services, at homelands across the Territory.

Chief Minister, Paul Henderson said under the  Homelands Policy up to $20,000 would be invested in each homeland dwelling for power, essential services, repairs and maintenance.

“This Homelands Policy reconfirms my Government’s commitment to provide long-term certainty and clarity for homelands residents.”

Indigenous Development Minister, Malarndirri McCarthy said that during 2012 the Government will work with residents and service providers to transition to the new arrangements which will commence on 1 July 2013.

“Homelands funding includes $200 million from the  Australian Government and at least $100 million more from the Territory Government,” said McCarthy.

 “Importantly, homelands will benefit from three-year funding agreements which will give certainty to both residents and service providers.

“Homelands dwellings used as a principal place of residence or for a recognised community program will be eligible.

“In addition to funding certainty, residents will now have an opportunity to be more actively involved in how funding is spent in accordance with an annual Homeland Management Plan agreed between residents and service providers.

“Homelands will continue to receive a wide range of government services and programs in the future – including education, health, employment, and community safety and ranger programs.

“Providing access to education is a key priority and we will work with families to ensure that school age children living on Homelands are getting a good education.

“This Government will continue to assist homelands become environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainableincluding support for jobs on homelands through service providers and Shire Councils.

“We will also assist homeland residents to develop their own economic development opportunities and help create employment for outstation/homeland residents.

The Queensland Government has announced a three member interim board to lead the transition of three bulk water entities into a single body – the South East Queensland Bulk Water Company Limited - from next year.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said Mr Noel Faulkner (Chair), Mr Michael Arnett and Ms Leith Boully would manage the merger of the three existing bulk water entities – Seqwater, LinkWater and the SEQ Water Grid Manager.

“The merger is a key component of the State Government’s Four Point Water Plan and will help reduce the cost of supplying drinking water across the south east,” Mr McArdle said.

“The transition from three bulk water businesses to a single supply authority is an important step in simplifying the previous water delivery model. It will cut operating costs as well as board and executive costs and other administrative charges.

“Under the new arrangement, the SEQ Water Grid Manager will be dissolved by 1 January 2013 and its functions transferred to the new entity.”

Mr McArdle said the Queensland Government had also begun the process of winding  up the Queensland Water Commission, with most of its functions to be transferred to the Department by 1 January 2013.

The Queensland Government has passed its Greentape Reduction Bill, reducing the Environmental Protection Act by 90 pages and aiming to save businesses on average $20,000 in costs, 150 pages in paper work and 68 days in processing time.

The Government expects that the reduced procedures will save administrative costs of $12.5 million.

The Bill aims to streamline mining and petroleum approvals by clarifying the application process and removing the need for administrative transfers and ensuring communities are consulted earlier in the process.

The removal of plans of operations requirements for small miners will also remove a 15 page administrative requirement from around 2,400 operators.

The new framework is intended to commence in March 2013 to allow time for more detailed information to be made available to industry and the wider community.

The Queensland Government has released the Metropolitan Emergency Department Access Initiative report, accepting all fifteen recommendations to improve the flow of patients through the Emergency Departments of Queensland hospitals.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said that when the new arrangements are implemented, hospital bypass will be a thing of the past.

Ambulance ramping occurs when there are no immediately available beds or treatment areas in the Emergency Department to transfer patients arriving by an arriving ambulance. It leads to what is commonly known as bypass, where ambulances are re-directed to other Emergency Departments.

“The report makes it clear that simply going on bypass, which is effectively diverting a patient to another facility, is an unacceptable mechanism for managing demand on Emergency Departments,” the Minister said.

“Addressing ambulance ramping and hospital bypass requires a ‘whole of hospital’ approach to improving the flow of patients through the entire facility, not just the Emergency Department. These recommendations will make those changes happen.

The report’s recommendations will be implemented by Queensland Health, and Minister Springborg indicated he had written to the Chair of each Hospital and Health Board to confirm the Government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised by the report.

The report was commissioned by Queensland Health and prepared by Dr David Rosengren, the Director of Emergency Medicine at Greenslopes Private Hospital and a Senior Staff Specialist Emergency Physician at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

The Queensland Ambulance Service, numerous other clinicians with emergency medicine expertise, paramedics, unions and agency representatives – at both senior executive and operational levels – also had input into the report.

“This Government recognises that access to the Emergency Departments of Queensland’s hospitals is a key indicator of how the health system is performing,” the Minister said.

“By adopting a whole-of-hospital approach as recommended by the report, we will be improving the efficiency of our facilities and delivering faster, more appropriate care to the patients of Queensland.

A copy of the report is available on Queensland Health’s website at www.health.qld.gov.au under What’s New.

 The Queensland Government is seeking feedback to improve the resilience of electrical infrastructure in buildings located in flood-prone areas.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle released a discussion paper seeking industry comment on a Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendation to consider introducing a legislative requirement that electrical substations in buildings be located at or above the defined flood level.

Mr McArdle said while electricity distributors recommend electrical equipment be installed above the defined flood level, there was currently no legislative support for it.

“The location of a substation in a high rise building is at the discretion of the building owner, and for commercial reasons, this is often in the basement,” he said.

“During the 2011 floods, electrical substations located in the basements of several high rise buildings in the Brisbane CBD were inundated.

“It meant many businesses were evacuated causing major expense and disruption for building owners and tenants, including the Stamford Plaza Hotel, which was closed for weeks.

“We hope to prevent this and reduce the financial impact on businesses in any future floods.”

The discussion paper also seeks feedback on a second Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendation to consider introducing a mandatory requirement to seal electricity supply conduits below the defined flood level to prevent floodwaters from flowing through them and flooding basements.

Written submissions on the discussion paper ‘More resilient electrical infrastructure in high rise buildings’, available at www.dews.qld.gov.au., ends at the close of business Friday 31 August 2012.

Australian researchers have developed a breath test using an electronic nose to help diagnose malignant mesothelioma in its early stages.

The non-invasive test, created by a team at the University of New South Wales, is designed to distinguish between benign and malignant disease and to detect disease early.

“If you catch it earlier your chances of actually giving people the right treatment to stop it spreading are actually better,” says study team leader, Associate Professor Deborah Yates, from UNSW's St Vincent's Clinical School.

“We tried to exclude the other asbestos diseases because it’s very important from a patient’s point of view that you don’t pick up something that is a benign asbestos disease, so that you don’t diagnose them with something that’s not actually a problem.”

Asbestos-related disease affects thousands of people in Australia, which has one of the highest age-specific rates of mesothelioma in the world.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumour that has traditionally been difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Globally, up to 20,000 people die each year as a result of the disease.

The researchers say conventional techniques for distinguishing between benign and malignant asbestos-related disease are inaccurate, invasive and difficult for the mostly elderly patients with the illness.

Associate Professor Yates and her team analysed breath samples from 20 patients with malignant mesothelioma, along with 18 people with asbestos-related diseases and 42 control subjects in the study of which the results are published in the European Respiratory Journal.

In the study, patients with malignant disease, asbestos-related diseases and control patients were correctly identified in 88 per cent of cases.

The study authors say exhaled breath profiling can accurately distinguish between each of these groups of patients using the carbon polymer array electronic nose, a technique that could eventually translate into a screening tool for high-risk populations.

The ABC’s Lateline program has questioned the independence of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development, set up in May by the Federal Government to provide advice on impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining proposals on water resources, claiming it comprises members with financial links to the mining and gas industry.

The Lateline program stated that four of the Committee’s six members have financial links with the mining industry, primarily through funding grants to research institutes for which they work.

The program revealed that while conflicts of interest have been stated and minuted in committee meetings, those parts of the minutes have not been made publicly available.  It also noted that since the panel was appointed as an interim committee in January this year, it has approved all 13 projects considered, although imposing stricter environmental guidelines on some.

Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, said on the program that that to get the best possible scientists it was necessary to accept some that had worked in a variety of organisations.

“We now have a direct line of communication from an independent committee which doesn't just have independence in name, it has independence in funding. And I think that's been critically important. $150 million in additional research money is no small amount. And when you feed the outcomes of that research into a decision-making process, it can only result in better decisions.”

The Australian Government provided $200 million to “establish the Independent Expert Scientific Committee and assist states that are parties to the national partnership agreement to introduce the necessary reforms to seek the committee's advice when deciding on coal seam gas and coal mining applications.”

The full transcript of the Lateline program is available here.

Australia has authorised uranium exports to the United Arab Emirates to cater for future UAE domestic power generation, with the signing of a Nuclear Co-operation Agreement between the two countries in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking from Abu Dhabi, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the Agreement opened the door for the UAE to become Australia's first Middle Eastern export market for uranium.

"We're underpinning jobs and investment in Australian uranium mines, and helping deliver certainty for the UAE's domestic power needs," Senator Carr said.

"Strict safeguards will apply, including for the safe handling and security of radioactive material, restrictions on re-export and guarantees of use for peaceful purposes.

"These mirror arrangements in Australia's other Nuclear Co-operation Agreements, with Canada, Republic of Korea, China, the United States and elsewhere.

"It's a strong recognition of our relationship with the United Arab Emirates, and a step forward for their plans for a domestic nuclear energy industry from 2017."

The Australia-UAE Nuclear Co-operation Agreement was signed between Senator Carr on behalf of Australia, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyam on behalf of the UAE.

The Agreement sets the framework for future private sector uranium sales to the UAE, which aims to bring four nuclear power plants online by 2020.

The Agreement covers conditions for supply of nuclear material, components related to nuclear technology and associated equipment for use in a domestic power industry. It explicitly prohibits use of Australian nuclear material for weapons or explosive devices.

Australia currently has 22 nuclear safeguards agreements worldwide, governing potential sales to nations including the US, Russia, China, Canada, Sweden, France and Republic of Korea, among others. A previous 1989 Agreement with Egypt was signed but not implemented.

Australia has 22 nuclear safeguards agreements covering 39 countries, plus Taiwan, including US, Russia, Korea, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Philippines, Japan, Switzerland, Egypt, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina and China.

The Australia-UAE Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy sets out conditions under which nuclear material, non-nuclear material, equipment, components and technology can be transferred between Australia and the UAE for peaceful non-explosive purposes.

The agreement includes a series of provisions to ensure proper protections against wrongful use of nuclear material or related equipment.

These include:

• Article 5: commits both parties to take all necessary measures to ensure that nuclear safety and radioactive waste management is consistent with all relevant international legal obligations;
• Article 6: requires both parties to take all necessary measures to ensure adequate physical protection of nuclear material and other equipment under the Agreement.
• Article 7: specifically prohibits the UAE transferring nuclear material subject to the agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the Australian government.
• Article 8: provides that nuclear material subject to the Agreement will not be enriched in the isotope uranium 235 or reprocessed within the UAE.
• Article 9: explicitly limits the use of any material under the Agreement to peaceful purposes and prohibits their use for the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Following signature, the treaty will be tabled in the Australian Parliament.

Submissions close on August 3 for the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committees’ inquiry into he adequacy of the allowance payment system for jobseekers and others, the appropriateness of the allowance payment system as a support into work and the impact of the changing nature of the labour market.

The inquiry is examining:

(a) the adequacy of the allowance payment system for jobseekers and others, with particular reference to the adequacy of the Newstart Allowance payment as an income support payment for jobseekers and the adequacy of all other allowance payments that support a range of recipients who study or provide care;
(b) the appropriateness of the allowance payment system as a support into work, with particular reference to:
(i) the effectiveness of the payment as an incentive into work,
(ii) the effectiveness of the allowance payment system in facilitating transitions between working and other activities, such as studying, caring and retirement, or in the event of illness or disability, and in helping or hindering recipients to overcome barriers to employment, and
(iii) the impact of the differences between pensions and allowances on the transition between working and other activities; and
(c) the impact of the changing nature of the labour market, particularly the rise of insecure work and decline of unskilled jobs, on the:
(i) nature and frequency of individual interaction with the allowance payment system, and
(ii) over and underpayment of allowances to recipients.

The Committees are due to report to Parliament on November 1.  More information is here

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has released new financial requirements for Australian financial services licensees who issue over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives to retail clients, including contracts for difference and margin foreign exchange.

The changes aim to ensure these AFS licensees have adequate financial resources to operate their business in compliance with the Corporations Act and to carry out supervisory arrangements.

ASIC Commissioner, Greg Tanzer said the new requirements had been developed to help ensure licensees have the financial resources to more adequately manage their operational risks in this growing area and followed a lengthy consultation process with industry.

‘Considering the complex and risky nature of retail OTC derivative businesses, issuers should be subject to enhanced financial requirements’, Mr Tanzer said.

‘In our review of this sector, we have found that poorly resourced issuers of retail OTC derivatives are less likely to carry out adequate supervisory arrangements and are more likely to encounter compliance breaches.

‘We need to raise the bar higher to ensure licensees have adequate financial resources to properly oversee and manage the operational risks inherent in the OTC derivatives market. Ultimately, this goes to our strategic priority of promoting the confident participation of retail investors in financial markets.

‘The increase to the minimum financial requirements for retail OTC derivative issuers also brings Australia in line with comparable jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom and Singapore’, Mr Tanzer added.

The requirements, implemented through Class Order [CO 12/752] Adequate financial resources for financial services licensees that issue OTC derivatives to retail clients and outlined in Regulatory Guide 239 Retail OTC derivative issuers: Financial requirements (RG 239) build on the general guidance in Regulatory Guide 166 Licensing: Financial requirements (RG 166), by addressing the particular operational risks and characteristics of the retail OTC derivatives sector.

Under the changes, retail OTC derivatives issuers must meet a net tangible asset (NTA) requirement, which will require them to hold NTA the greater of:

Issuers will also be required to, each quarter, prepare projections of cash flows over at least a 12 month period based on their reasonable estimate of revenues and expenses over that term. These projections must be certified as reasonable by the issuer’s directors.

To ensure financial resources can be used effectively to meet unexpected losses and expenses as they arise, there is also an NTA liquidity requirement. Under this requirement, issuers must hold 50% of the required NTA in cash or cash equivalents and 50% in liquid assets.

Financial trigger point reporting obligations will also be modified to enable issuers to temporarily draw down on the required NTA to meet unanticipated costs and contingencies. However, if issuers hold inadequate NTA for more than two months, they will be required to report this to clients. If NTA falls too low, issuers will be forbidden from taking on new client liabilities.

ASIC released Consultation Paper 156 Retail OTC derivative issuers: Financial requirements (CP 156) in 2011 to seek feedback on the financial requirements for issuers of OTC derivatives to retail investors.

The new financial requirements for retail OTC derivative issuers follow ASIC’s enhancement of the financial requirements for responsible entities of managed investment schemes (see Appendix 1 to Report 259 Response to submissions on CP 140 Responsible entities: Financial requirements (REP 259)).

Around 10,000 schools across Australia will receive a DVD aimed at helping school children understand, accept and support children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

What are you doing?, a short film presented by Autism Awareness Australia, written by Michael Whelan and narrated by comedian and television personality Tom Gleisner, features interviews with friends and young family members about what it is like to know someone with autism.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas and Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, Senator Jacinta Collins said the Australian Government is providing $80,000 to support the distribution of the DVD to schools across Australia.

Senator Collins said the DVD will raise awareness in schools and encourage acceptance and understanding of children with ASD.

“I encourage all schools to show this DVD to their students and get behind this important initiative,” Senator Collins said.

The DVD is accompanied by a Teacher Resource Kit with pre and post film classroom activities.

The Resource Kit has been developed by Autism Awareness Australia, which has been educating Australians about autism since 2007.

The Federal Government’s Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) and Artsupport Australia program are to be merged to form a new institution to promote philanthropy, sponsorship and business support for the arts.

Arts Minister Simon Crean said Harold Mitchell's review of private sector support, and the review of the Australia Council, both recommended a single body be established to drive private giving.

"This recognises the importance of a partnership approach to investing in the arts. To meet the demand for investment, there must be a strong investment partnership between governments, the private sector and the community.

"The new institution will build on the successes of AbaF and Artsupport and have a dedicated focus on attracting private sector support through philanthropy, sponsorship and business support.

"It will join the dots between facilitating private giving and philanthropy, encouraging sponsorship and corporate giving, building partnerships between artists, business and private donors, and recognising the contribution of philanthropists and the business sector in supporting the arts.

"Strong partnerships will play a vital role in delivering the objectives set in the National Cultural Policy."

Mr Crean said Mr Mitchell's review put forward a suite of recommendations that, if implemented, will establish the right conditions to broaden and strengthen the base of giving to the arts.

"The challenge is then for the arts sector, philanthropists and business, to forge strong and longterm partnerships to take advantage of those conditions," Mr Crean said.

Mr Crean said the new body will commence on 1 July 2013.

"I've asked the chairs of the Australia Council, Mr Rupert Myer AM, and AbaF, Mr Terry Campbell, to be members of a steering committee that will guide the establishment of the new institution over the next 11 months," he said.

"More details about the body will be released with the National Cultural Policy later this year."

Minister Crean also announced that Mr Terry Campbell AO will continue as Chair of AbaF until 30 June 2013.

"Mr Campbell will play a vital role in preparing AbaF for amalgamation and play a role in shaping the direction of the new private support for the arts body. Mr Campbell's experience with AbaF and his significant arts and business experience will be important through this time of transition. His reappointment will provide continuity in the AbaF Board's operations pending finalisation of the Government's response to the reviews."

In the 2012–13 Budget, the Australian Government allocated $3.2 million over two years to support the continuation of AbaF and its amalgamation with the Australia Council's Artsupport program to create a new entity from 1 July 2013.

New research from Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University sheds light on the roles bystanders play in workplace bullying.

To better understand how co-workers can impact conflict, Dr Megan Paull of Murdoch’s School of Business and her partners created 13 ‘types’ – ranging from the aggressive Instigating Bystander to the Submitting Bystander, who ends up becoming a substitute for the victim.

Middle spectrum types include the Manipulating Bystander, Abdicating Bystander, Defending Bystander and Sympathising Bystander.

“Bystanders are not incidental, but are an integral part of the context of bullying, with some siding with the bully or victim, either actively or passively,” Dr Paull said.

“People don’t always appreciate the impact of their actions, or inactions. For example, a social reaction to walking into a room where colleagues are laughing is to laugh along without thinking. But you could be adding fuel to someone’s embarrassment.”

Dr Paull said establishing context was important, and that the issue was complex, noting competition and rivalry were natural in work and social relationships. She also cautioned that what might appear as bullying to an outsider could be fine with the target of the act.

“It’s not a cut and dried issue, but we’re trying to raise awareness and make organisations and individuals aware of the responsibilities they have to respect and appreciate the subtleties of human relationships and psychological well-being,” Dr Paull said.

“Awareness can lead managers and staff to develop effective strategies for diffusing potential situations. Studies have shown that people who recognise their roles, and have the tools to act, can make a positive difference.”

Dr Paull said her study was informed by research on school bullying, an area which has benefited from training, awareness and culture change programs.

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten today welcomed the launch of a  new work health and safety resource kit for volunteers has been launched which will help remove uncertainty about how the new WHS laws apply.

The kit includes:
• a guide for volunteers;
• a guide for organisations that engage volunteers;
• a fact sheet; and 
• a PowerPoint presentation and podcast.

The Chief Executive Officer of Volunteering South Australia and Northern Territory and Chair of the Not for Profit Reform Council Working Group, Evelyn O’Loughlin said the kit will help the volunteer sector understand responsibilities and address any lingering confusion about the impact of harmonised WHS lawsaid.

The complete resource kit and additional information on the WHS laws including FAQs is available from the Safe Work Australia website.

A Soil Health Strategy developed by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has been released as a resource for organisations like Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).

The Soil Health Strategy, developed in conjunction with CMAs and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) ,provides a state-wide, consistent approach to managing soil health in Victoria.

Regional and local authorities will use the strategy as a framework for their own soil health programs across Victoria, including the development of Regional Catchment Strategies.

The Soil Health Strategy can be viewed at: www.dse.vic.gov.au