Industry News

The Queensland Government is planning to repeal legislation put in place by previous Labor governments to protect the Cape York Peninsula, and replace wild river declarations covering the Archer, Wenlock, Stewart and Lockhart basins with a development plan for the region.

The Wild Rivers Act was passed in 2005 by the Beattie government, enabling the Queensland Government to protect healthy river basins through a Wild River Declaration, following public nomination and consultation processes.

Wild Rivers Declarations prevent large-scale developments such as dams, intensive irrigation and mining, but allows small scale operations such as grazing and fishing, and protects Native Title rights without restricting traditional hunting and fishing activities.

The Namoi Catchment Water Study, commissioned by the NSW Government and prepared by Schlumberger, has found that mining and coal seam gas drilling at current levels are unlikely to cause extensive regional-scale damage water supplies in north-west NSW. Increased mining could be expected to place more pressure on fresh water supplies.

However, the study found that  ''More local scale impacts are likely and the cumulative effects of numerous developments in close proximity will increase the risk to the water resources in those areas.''

The study concluded that “With long-term and more extensive development, especially within the Gunnedah Basin Management Area where the likelihood of further development of coal and gas resources is highest, the cumulative effect of impacts on groundwater levels in the hard rock units and alluvium will be more significant.”

The study used several scenarios to estimate the likely impact of resources projects on the Namoi River and its tributaries, including variations in climate and rainfall. Generally, more mines meant more pressure on fresh water supplies.

The Namoi Catchment Water Study was commissioned in September 2010 to support assessment of risks associated with coal mining and coal seam gas development on water resources within the Catchment.

The final report is available here.

Nominations have been called for the 2012 NSW Science and Engineering Awards.

The awards include a $5,000 prize in each of eight categories, as well as $55,000 to the overall NSW Scientist of the Year.

The 2012 Award categories are:

· Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics

· Excellence in Biological Sciences (Human and Animal Health)

· Excellence in Biological Sciences (Plant, Agriculture and Environment)

· Excellence in Engineering and Information and Communications Technologies

· Emerging Research

· Renewable Energy Innovation

· Innovation in Public Sector Science and Engineering

· Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education.

Nominations for the awards close 5pm, 31 August 2012. Winners will be announced at NSW Government House in November.

For further details on the NSW Scientist of the Year and NSW Science and Engineering Awards 2012, including entry requirements, are here.

 The City of Sydney has selected Solgen Energy to undertake a $6 million project to fit solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to more than 30 sites over the next two years to generate 12.5 per cent of the electricity needs of all City properties.

The panels will have a total electrical capacity of more than 1,250 kWp (kilowatt peak), making it Australia's largest building-mounted solar PV program, and covering some 9,000 square metres (greater than the area of a regulation football field - 6,800 square metres).

The panels could produce nearly 2,000,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity a year and are expected to reduce the City's annual carbon pollution by 2,100 tonnes.

"The City of Sydney is delivering on its commitment to reduce carbon pollution by 70 per cent and produce 30 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 - one of the most ambitious programs of any Australian government," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

"The solar PV project produces no pollution when generating electricity - unlike coal-fired power, which is responsible for 80 per cent of our pollution."

The buildings to be installed with solar power include: Town Hall House, Redfern Oval grandstand, Railway Square Bus Interchange, Sydney Park Pavilion, towns halls in Paddington, Redfern and Glebe as well as libraries, community centres and Council depots.

"Energy produced locally through solar panels, trigeneration systems or fuel cells will reduce the need to spend billions of dollars on new coal-fired power stations and network upgrades, which are driving up household electricity bills," the Lord Mayor said.

Currently, the largest building-based photovoltaic installations in Australia are at the University of Queensland (1,200 kilowatt peak - kWp) and Adelaide showground (1,000 kWp).

The City has already installed solar hot water and/or photovoltaic systems on 18 sites at a cost of $1 million, including Sydney Town Hall, libraries, community centres, childcare centres and depots in Redfern, Ultimo, Erskineville and Kings Cross. The largest installation was 240 solar panels installed on the historic Sydney Town Hall. Together these projects have reduced carbon pollution by 180 tonnes a year.

The NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has announced new chairmen for three Catchment Management Authorities in rural NSW.

The new chairmen are:

· The Hon. Ian Armstrong AM OBE, former Member for Lachlan in the NSW Parliament and former Deputy Premier - Lachlan CMA;

· Cr Hans Hietbrink, Mayor of Guyra - Border-Rivers Gwydir CMA; and

· Cr Conrad Bolton, Councillor with Narrabri Shire Council - Namoi CMA.

The three chairs will start their new roles in August for a term of two years.

Recruitment for the remaining Murrumbidgee CMA chair position is underway and will be advertised shortly.

The Federal Government will provide $4 million to develop new online toolkits to help parents, teachers, and students deal with school bullying.

School Education Minister Peter Garrett announced the toolkits during the national anti-bullying forum at Parliament House which brought together education experts, teachers, parents, psychologists and young people to discuss what strategies work and what more the community needs to do to deal with bullying.

The forum’s key theme was parent and family engagement and participants discussed opportunities to build school and parent partnerships through school-based activities, better information and active leadership.

The Government will now explore options for developing an Australia-wide social media campaign and a national “hub” of resources and information for parents, schools and students, two of the key ideas suggested by participants today.

“One of the main issues that emerged today is the need for a national education and awareness campaign that includes all schools, reaches into as many homes as possible and really helps increase people’s understanding of bullying and what they can do about it,” Mr Garrett said.

“So I’ve instructed the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to develop options for a national social media campaign that we can roll out in partnership with state and territory governments and the non-government school sectors.

“It’s really important that we get help and advice to as many students as possible, and the best way to do that is communicate using the social media platforms that young people engage with every day.”

Today’s forum discussed that while there are many resources already available for schools and parents, there was no national hub of information that people could access.

The Government will now look at how it can expand its existing website, www.bullyingnoway.gov.au, to transform it into the central, trusted source of information and resources for the whole community.

“We want to develop a ‘one-stop shop’ so everyone knows where to go for help,” Mr Garrett said.

“Finally, the other key theme that emerged today was the need for every school to have a ‘Safe School Plan’ in place so that everyone at the school has clear, practical guidelines on how to deal with bullies and provide help and support for students experiencing bullying.

“We already have in place the National Safe Schools Framework which provides guidance to schools on how they can develop these plans. I want to take it a step further and make sure that this results in every school developing and implementing its own approach.

“I’ll be encouraging state and territory education ministers to work with the Commonwealth on this issue when I provide a report on today’s forum during our next ministerial council on Friday.”

Mr Garrett said the forum also provided directions for the development of the new online tools. The toolkits will be developed by Education Services Australia and will include:

• A central, online information resource that helps parents deal with bullying – including advice on what to do if their child is being bullied, or if their child is involved in bullying;
• A training module for pre-service teachers to build awareness and understanding of the National Safe Schools Framework, so that graduate teachers have the skills necessary to deal with bullying when they first enter the classroom;
• Resources for student support staff, such as school counsellors, school chaplains and student welfare officers to help them provide support and advice to students; and
• Professional learning resources for teachers and principals to help them develop safe school policies.

Education Services Australia will also compile case studies of schools who have successfully implemented anti-bullying strategies, which will be available for principals and teachers to access so they can learn what works and develop ideas for their own school.

The new resources will be rolled out for the 2013 school year and will be available at www.bullyingnoway.gov.au.

Mr Garrett said research from Edith Cowan University revealed that one in five students have experienced some form of cyberbullying, which parents and teachers were growing increasingly concerned about.

“Today’s young people deal with issues and challenges that simply didn’t exist for their parents. It’s really important that we as a community send a clear message to bullies that their behaviour is unacceptable, whether it’s online or in the playground,” he said.

Brisbane City Council is offering free wireless internet (Wi-Fi) access in 22 parks and public spaces across the city.

The Wi-Fi service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed without login requirements.

Enabled devices include:

• personal computers
• video game consoles
• mobile phones
• MP3 players
• personal digital assistants

Other councils are following Brisbane City Council’s lead, with Melbourne City Council $45,000 on a free wireless hotspot trial to target the 40 percent of local residents who don't have home internet access.

Darebin City Council will set up two internet hotspots in the town square and shopping and dining district over the next few years. Many local councils have installed wi-fi hotspots in their libraries.

The Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches Awards have named the City of Boroondara  as Sustainable City of the Year 2012.

The City of Boroondara was singled out for incorporating sustainability in its practices and fostering awareness in the wider community.
Council projects and initiatives recognised by the Awards included:

• implementing biodiversity protection and awareness initiatives, including the Backyard Biodiversity project, Biodiversity Strategy and corridors plan
• conducting practical Living for our Future workshops and the Sustainable Living Festival
• reducing energy use and carbon emissions
• providing exceptional recycling facilities and promoting waste education
• acknowledging local residents' "green" achievements in their homes and gardens via the annual Boroondara Sustainability Awards
• maintaining cultural heritage through the detailed restoration of Kew Court House and Police Station
• embracing water sensitive urban design principles across Council in both large and small projects (for example, Glen Iris Wetlands and a new raingarden at Balwyn Community Centre).

The City of Boroondara also won the Community Government Partnership Award for the Kew Court House and Police Station refurbishment project. The collaborative nature of the project involving several partners such as the Kew Historical Society, Heritage Victoria and others, was deemed an outstanding effort.

A new taskforce will advise the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Board on a campaign to reinstate the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF) Defined Benefit Plan as an exempt public sector scheme.

Mr Rob Spence, Chief Executive of the MAV said unfair rules required local government to maintain a fully funded super scheme which would require councils to top up a $396.9 million shortfall from 1 July next year.

“Vision Super’s advice on contributions for each council is imminent, and this week we’ll finalise membership of an MAV Superannuation Taskforce to steer reforms that protect communities from future uncertainty.

“Although it was closed to new members in 1993, current laws require local government’s defined benefit scheme to hold enough funds to meet the retirement benefits owed to members now and into the future.

“If current assets fall below what’s needed to pay current and future benefits, then employers are required to make top-up payments. It’s proving a volatile and unpredictable model that councils can’t plan ahead for.

“An exemption for other public sector schemes allows the Australian Government to have an unfunded defined benefit liability of around $61 billion. The Victorian Government’s liability exceeds $29 billion.

“At a briefing on 4 July councils agreed to unite to fight for legislative reform that puts local government on equal footing with exempt state and federal schemes.

“As well as seeking legislative changes, we’ll continue our negotiations with the State for councils to access lower borrowing rates through the Treasury Corporation of Victoria to help pay the shortfall.

“We’ll also call for the Australian and Victorian governments to remove the 15 per cent contributions tax that councils must pay on their shortfall payments, plus WorkCover liabilities associated with call-ins,” he said.

Vision Super is a regulated industry fund that’s neither owned nor operated by the MAV. The MAV holds two local government positions on the eight-member Vision Super Board, while nominees from the Australian Services Union (ASU) hold four positions; the Victorian Water Industry Association (VWIA) holds one Board position; and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) holds one position.

When the LASF Defined Benefit Plan closed in 1993 it had 38 000 members and 7 500 lifetime pensioners. As at December 2011 it had 4 949 active members (with an average age of 54 years) and 5 132 lifetime pensioners (with an average age of 79 years). Liabilities will continue to decline over the next 20 years.

Mr Spence said that councils were not to blame and had been left with the legacy of a former scheme that was compulsory when established by the Victorian Government thirty years ago.

“After the State shut the LASF Defined Benefit Plan in 1993 all councils were required to sign legally binding agreements to continue funding benefits for staff that had been part of the scheme.

“We’re seeking further advice on future options for the scheme, but we think it will be cost prohibitive for councils to negotiate payouts with all remaining members and pensioners in lieu of their defined benefits.

“We’re hopeful that a show of unity by local government will help to secure a transition back to a State-managed scheme that removes the requirement for councils to make top up payments,” he said.

A fact sheet provides further details on the LASF Defined Benefit Plan.

Elections will be held in NSW for the State’s 152 councils on September 8, with nominations for candidates closing on August 8.

NSW Local Government Minister Don Page has encouraged women and young people to consider participating, noting that only 27 per cent of the State’s 1500 councillors were women, and the most common age for councillors was 50 to 69 years, although the median age of the NSW population was 37.

More information about the elections is at http://www.votensw.info/.

Superannuation fees have continued to fall according to the latest Financial Services - Rice Warner Actuaries Superannuation Fees report which shows a clear downward trend since the study commenced in 2002.

According to the report, over the past decade, industry wide average fees have declined by 12 per cent from 137 basis points (bps) in 2002 to 120bps in 2011. Between 2010 and 2011, average fees have fallen by 5 per cent from 127bps to 120bps.

CEO of the Financial Services Council, John Brogden said it was a positive outcome for consumers, given that fees were continuing to decline despite turbulent markets and increasing regulatory costs.

Michael Rice, CEO of Rice Warner said there was a lot of misinformation about fee levels.

“There are different fee drivers – scale and technology are driving fees down. On the other hand, regulation is increasing costs.”

According to the Financial Services Council, the report reinforces the importance of proposals to introduce a product rationalisation mechanism for superannuation.

“At 210bps, legacy products have significantly higher than average fees. Allowing superannuation providers to rationalise these products would allow members to benefit from considerably lower fees.”

“This report puts beyond doubt the need to introduce a product rationalisation mechanism for superannuation. The government is standing in the way of members benefiting from fee reductions in contemporary products. We call on the government to progress these proposals as a matter of urgency.” Mr Brogden said.

The report also highlights the impact of restricting superannuation competition in Modern Awards. Fees in large employer (default) superannuation funds are amongst the lowest at 083bps. Such employers are typically not restricted by Modern Awards and are free to select any superannuation fund, often via a competitive tender process. Members are clearly benefiting from the highly competitive dynamics in this segment.

“The current Productivity Commission inquiry into the selection of default superannuation funds under Modern Awards provides an opportunity to extend the benefits of competition to workplaces that are currently constrained by Modern Awards. This research shows that employees under Modern Awards cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”

The Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has launched the Health eTowns TelehealthNT Network initiative that will give remote communities in the Northern Territory better access to healthcare.

The Health eTowns TelehealthNT Network project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments and is part of a $20 million Digital Regions Initiative that will:

• improve the delivery of health and education services to people in 47 remote towns in the Northern Territory;
• provide telehealth services to emergency rooms and resuscitation areas in Northern Territory regional hospitals and 17 Territory Growth Towns; and
• allow doctors based in Darwin to examine, talk to, and diagnose patients in remote areas through the use of high-definition Medicarts and room-based units.

Senator Conroy said interactive online education and training programs have also been implemented to give students and trainees access to mainstream health education programs that are currently only available to students in larger cities.

“The Health eTowns initiative will help close the healthcare and education gap experienced by remote communities in the Northern Territory”, Senator Conroy said.

Since the project started  in 2010, the Australian and Northern Territory Governments have increased their contributions so services can be expanded beyond the initial target of 17 Territory Growth Towns into a further 30 remote communities in the Northern Territory. 

The additional funding is also being used to develop a telehealth connection service which help services share relevant health information.

The Australian Government is co-funding a further 13 projects and three NBN-enabled trials across Australia through the $60 million Digital Regions Initiative.

Details can be found at: www.dbcde.gov.au/digitalregions

Manufacturers who produce between 25,000 and 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and face a direct carbon price liability can now access dollar for dollar grants under the $1 billion Clean Technology Investment Programs.

Announcing the update to the Clean Technology Investment Programs' guidelines the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said the new funding ratio would increase support for manufacturers to invest in equipment and technology to reduce their power bills and emissions.

"The change in the Clean Technology Investment Programs' grant ratio has been made after detailed consultations with industry. It will ensure manufacturers who are directly liable under the carbon price are able to apply for significant assistance under the Clean Technology Investment programs." Mr Combet said.

"Capital investment in low emission and energy efficient technologies throughout manufacturing facilities will help these Australian businesses to become more competitive and sustainable."

Manufacturers who operate a facility that emits 25,000 tonnes or greater of greenhouse gas emissions but less than 100,000 tonnes, in the full financial year prior to their application lodgement, now only have to match the Government grants on a dollar for dollar basis.

The new funding ratio would also be available retrospectively to businesses that meet the criteria, and have already lodged an application under the Clean Technology Investment Programs.

For businesses not liable under the carbon pricing mechanism, the existing grant funding ratios will continue to apply. Manufacturers with turnover of less than $100 million seeking a grant under $500,000 would continue to receive a dollar for dollar grant ratio.

The Clean Technology Investment Program and the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program provide $1 billion to help manufacturers reduce energy use and transition to a clean energy economy. The Programs are currently open for applications.

For more information on the Clean Technology Investment Programs, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

The Queensland Government has introduced the Heavy Vehicle National Law Bill 2012 into its Parliament. Passage of the Bill will establish the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator in Brisbane and allow for the appointment of the five-member Board and the CEO.

Queensland will be the first state to pass legislation to implement the new independent regulator responsible for regulating all vehicles in Australia over 4.5 tonnes.

Other states and territories are expected to deliver the legislation through their own Parliaments over the coming months, so that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will be operational from January 2013.

The National Law will apply to all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes but will not cover the transportation of dangerous goods, heavy vehicle driver licensing and bus industry accreditation, which are covered under other acts.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au

The Federal Government has released a discussion paper inviting views on options for a more workable approach for fixed trusts.

The discussion paper considers a number of options for reform, including modifying or replacing the existing definition of 'fixed trust'.

The options canvassed in the discussion will address some of the issues of uncertainty and complexity for taxpayers created by the current approach to the taxation of fixed trusts.

The Government is also progressing the broader trust reform agenda to modernise the taxation of trust income. On 21 November 2011, the Government released an initial consultation paper which canvassed a number of options for reforming the taxation of trusts, drawing on the expertise of the private sector through the Tax Design Advisory Panel and the Board of Taxation.

The Government received substantial feedback from interested stakeholders following the release of this paper and an extensive community consultation process.

Following feedback from stakeholders during this process, the Government will also be amending the proposed start date for the broader reform of trust income taxation from 1 July 2013 until 1 July 2014.

The Government will release a policy design paper in September which will further develop options for a model for the taxation of trusts.

The new tax system for managed investment trusts will now also have a start date of 1 July 2014, to coincide with the general update and rewrite of the trust provisions.

In announcing this revised start date for the new tax system for managed investment trusts, the Government will also extend the interim streaming rules for managed investment trusts, introduced in 2011, for a further two years to 1 July 2014. 

The fixed trust discussion paper is available on the Treasury website. Submission close on 14 September 2012.

New measures – including more staff on the phones and better technology – will tackle increased demand for Centrelink services.

Senator Kim Carr said increased demand for assistance from Centrelink comes as a result of changes in economic conditions, changes to the social security system, and the growing complexity of calls.

"I have asked the Department to redeploy staff to call centre activities to meet increased waiting times, and deal with peak demand," Senator Kim Carr said.

"This will be an important step, as improving services will take a combination of measures such as increased staff, better technology and improved processes.

"The Government secured the jobs of 600 skilled call centre staff with an additional $206 million in the last Budget. To deal with peak time this year Centrelink put on an additional 720 positions since March. I have now asked them to go further to address the unprecedented demand for assistance," he said.

"These measures are in addition to a range of other measures taken – including new callback technology, more online services, and a new, single telecommunications contract with Telstra. 

"The new $474 million telephone contract will allow us to move staff to areas of greatest need more easily, and redirect telephone traffic as further measures to respond to peak demand periods.

Senator Kim Carr said Centrelink takes about 150,000 calls a day – about 38 million in 2011-12. This is up 7 million from 2005-06.

"Economic volatility has resulted in more people looking into their options to make ends meet. For example more pensioners are working part-time, and the net result is more people seeking assistance on the phone. Even with this increase, the Australian-based call centres are highly effective, with well-trained staff," he said.

On average calls are answered in 12 minutes, with more than two-thirds answered within 15 minutes. Eighty-eight per cent of callers rate the service 'good' or 'very good'.

More information on callback technology is at  humanservices.gov.au/piq.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a private sector employer and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regarding part time Defence personnel has been signed at Victoria Barracks, Paddington.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, says the MOU will help further develop ties between the two organisations.

“The MOU between QANTAS and the ADF will form the basis for cooperation between the organisations in managing a shared workforce. By signing this MOU, QANTAS, a national icon, is leading the way for other private sector employers.

“For the hundreds of QANTAS staff whom also serve part time in the ADF, this MOU will ensure an easier release process when they are called to serve. It will also assist them to deal with the competing demands of family, employer and of Defence,” said Senator Feeney.

Qantas’ Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs and himself a Defence Reservist, Glen Steed, said the MOU will undoubtedly make it easier for part time ADF personnel working at QANTAS.

“Whether it’s through our scheduled passenger services, charter flights or aircraft maintenance, we are committed to supporting the ADF wherever we can. The MOU launched today recognises that many of our employees also contribute to national defence through part time service and this makes it simpler for them to do so.

The Northern Territory Minister for Natural Resources, Karl Hampton, has released the independent review of BushfiresNT, announcing that all of its 44 recommendations will be implemented.

“The aim of the review was to provide broad ranging, considered and targeted advice about the best way to improve management of the rural and remote wildfire threat in the Territory,” Mr Hampton said.

“The review was undertaken in line with advice from Bushfires Council of the Northern Territory, an advisory council to the Minister for Natural Resources; for an independent review of BushfiresNT.

“This comprehensive, independent review makes 44 recommendations based on extensive consultation with key stakeholders across the Territory and this government has accepted all 44 recommendations.

“One of the key recommendation of the report is better management of exotic grasses such as buffel in the Centre and Gamba in the Top End, which drive wildfires, and my department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) is actively ensuring this continues to be a priority.

Other key recommendations of the review include:

• NRETAS remains the lead agency for all aspects of BFNT's role and BFNT remains the lead organisation for both fire prevention and fire fighting operations in its specified districts and zones;
• BFNT create a bushfire management strategy and emergency response procedures framework and that a formal Memorandum of Understanding be developed between NRETAS and Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES).
• The responsibility of all landholders for bushfire management is reinforced and enforced.

Mr Hampton said that this is not the end of the consultation with stakeholders on this subject; it is an escalation of engagement with all stakeholders, particularly those landholders and volunteers.

“I would like to take this opportunity to also welcome Mick Ayre to the BushfiresNT team as the new Director of BushfiresNT, and formally thank Steve Sutton for his work.”

“In addition to this, I would also like to welcome Mr Geoffrey (Geoff) Kenna who has been appointed to the role of Senior Fire Control Officer based in Alice Springs, for an initial term of six months from 13 August.”

The report is available online by visiting www.nt.gov.au/bushfires

Rabbits, wild dogs, feral goats, pigs, carp and other exotic pests will be the target of a new strategy designed to prevent and manage pest animals in the ACT and reduce the harmful damage to the environment.

Releasing the ACT Pest Animal Management Strategy 2012-2022, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, announced that a taskforce to be known as the Pest Animal Management Group (PAMG) will be formed to coordinate activities across management and policy areas within the ACT Government, and oversee coordinated control programs across the ACT and into NSW.

"The group will be responsible for overseeing key objectives including measures to prevent the introduction of new pest species, reducing damage by established pests and native animals and increasing awareness, understanding and coordination.

"This strategy will serve as a guide for government, land managers, community groups and individuals with responsibility for, or interest in, the management of pest animals."

Mr Corbell said the strategy was developed with input from a range of stakeholders and the public.

"Experts on pest animal management from the University of Canberra, CSIRO, the Australian and NSW Governments and the ACT Rural Landholders Association have guided the development of the strategy, along with individuals and community groups who contributed through the public submission process," he said.

The Pest Animal Management Strategy builds on the ACT Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy but was expanded to include management of invertebrate pest animals such as wasps, bees, ants, termites and freshwater crustaceans.

The strategy is available at www.environment.act.gov.au/environment2  and hard copies can be requested on 13 22 81 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Western Australian Government has announced new emergency management procedures in implementing a key recommendation of the Keelty report into the Perth Hills bushfire.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) has been re-formed with Kerry Sanderson at its head.  Ms Sanderson was previously WA’s Agent General, and  before this she was CEO of Fremantle Port Authority

 Mr Buswell said Ms Sanderson would have the full support of the State Government in ensuring the independent and objective oversight of emergency management, particularly of agencies whose role is to prepare for major emergencies.

“It became clear from the report prepared by Mick Keelty, and also from his subsequent report into the Margaret River bushfire, that the SEMC needed to work separately from the State Emergency Coordination Group and have an independent chair unaffiliated with any emergency response agency,” the Minister said.

“The Government has sought a clearer separation between the roles of the SEMC, as the body that examines the State’s preparedness for emergencies, and the State Emergency Coordination Group, chaired by the Commissioner of Police, which co-ordinates the response to specific emergencies. 

“By appointing Kerry Sanderson and two new members of the SEMC - Sue Ash and Frank Edwards - the Government has sought to achieve this independence of thought and action.“

The SEMC is further complemented by chief executives from organisations involved in Western Australia’s emergency management.

This revitalised committee will ensure a much stronger focus on preparedness for large-scale emergencies and is supported with additional administration resources allocated in the 2012-13 State Budget.

SEMC’s role will be expanded to review and report on the implementation of past investigations or inquiries of emergencies, including independent and objective oversight of agencies’ post incident reviews of disaster responses where required.

In addition, there will be a strengthening of SEMC’s role of assessing the compliance of agencies and other organisations involved in emergency management with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.  This will provide important information for assessing the preparedness of the State for large-scale emergencies.

“These appointments add to significant progress implementing recommendations of the Keelty reports,” Mr Buswell said.

“Themes raised by Mr Keelty - fire risk mitigation and management; collaboration; education and awareness; and the need for coordination across all areas when a response is needed - have been swiftly addressed by the State Government.”

The Minister announced that the two recently completed and independently conducted reports into last year’s Margaret River and Nannup bushfires would now be referred to the SEMC for consideration and advice to Government.  They will also be publicly released.