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LETTER FROM MELBOURNE
Saving you time. Since 1994. A monthly newsletter distilling public policy and government decisions which affect business opportunities in Victoria, Australia and beyond.
1 JUNE 2010 to 3 JULY 2010
ISSUE 155: WINTER EDITION
INSIDE
Labor’s election platform. Class warfare 3
The Proust Review. New anti-corruption body.. 10
Population plan. Regional focus 3
Bicycle sharing with hats 22
Bushfire debate concluding 5
Bracks AO 4
Myki slowly arriving’ish 22
DLP in strife 4
The Windsor suite still in the news 19
Overland phone conversations 15
Roy Morgan ranks Federal Electorates by Important Concerns –
Law & Order, Education, Consumer Confidence & the Self-Employed.
1 JUNE to 3 JULY 2010
14 Collins Street
Melbourne, 3000
Victoria, Australia
P 03 9654 1300 EDITORIAL: COUNTING ON OUR GOOD GOVERNANCE
F 03 9654 1165
info@affairs.com.au
The federal political scene has captured the attention of the media over the past fortnight. But there is plenty of
www.letterfrommelbourne.com.au groundwork being laid for the Victorian election on 27 November. Transport, safety and police, regional Victoria
and health services will have perfect/similar electoral offerings by the Brumby government and the Baillieu
Editor Alistair Urquhart alternative.
Associate Editor Hamish Brooks
Subscription Manager Juliette Biegler The front cover this month illustrates the need to be aware that after the state election there will be ambulances
Advertising Manager Eddie Mior absolutely everywhere. So be careful, of promises and reality.
Editorial Consultant Rick Brown
Design Steph Dang For a rounded view on perceptions of the coming Victorian, and federal, elections, try reading both The Age and
The Australian for quite distinct coverage and opinions. This includes Victorian issues of leadership, government,
transport and the police.
Letter From Melbourne is a monthly public affairs
bulletin, a simple précis, distilling and interpreting
public policy and government decisions, which affect
Watch the Proust inquiry into the current anti-corruption regime, as a range of stakeholders and opinion-formers
business opportunities in Victoria and Australia. will be having their say in the months ahead. What will be the final model? Somewhat related to the purpose of this
inquiry are several Victorian police matters, which as mentioned above, are being quite widely canvassed across
Written for the regular traveller, or people with
the spectrum of media. The Melbourne Storm (rugby league team) directors will, via present legal proceedings,
meeting-filled days, you only have to miss reading
the The Age or The Herald Sun twice a week to need
bring some transparency to an important off-field sports event.
Letter From Melbourne. It’s more about business
opportunities (or lack of them) than politics. It’s not The new prime minister, and a couple of (Victorian) ministers in particular key portfolios will no doubt bring
Crikey.com. We keep the words to a minimum. additional opportunities to Victorian stakeholders.
Letter From Melbourne is independent. It’s not party
political or any other political. It does not have the
imprimatur of government at any level. About the Editor
For context. It includes events and people and society, ALISTAIR URQUHART
and the weather if that is important.
Alistair Urquhart graduated from the Australian National University
Increasingly, Letter From Melbourne is developing a
in Canberra, in Law, History and Politics, was admitted as a
federal and national coverage and also an increasing
synopsis of national business issues. barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and
remains a (non-practicing) member of the Law Institute of Victoria.
The only communications tool of its type, Letter
Before that, he graduated from high school in Bethesda, Maryland,
From Melbourne keeps subscribers abreast of recent
and had many opportunities to become aware of the workings of
developments in the policy arena on a local, state and
federal level. Washington DC.
You can read it on a flight from Melbourne once a
For 30 years, he listened every Sunday evening to the late Alistair
month or with a good cup of coffee.
Cooke and his Letter From America. His early career was mostly
in the coal industry, where he became involved with energy,
environmental and water issues, and later in the SME finance
ADVERTISE WITH US sector.
The perfect platform to His public affairs firm works with many engineering and information technology firms, other professional
association and industry groups, on a wide range of issues, in Victoria, Canberra and overseas. Urquhart visits
attract the attention of the Canberra regularly. He may hold the record for miles rowed on Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.
who’s who of Melbourne’s
public and private sector.
INDEX JUSTICE 10
for a copy of our media kit or information regarding
advertising with LETTER FROM MELBOURNE STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS 3 MELBOURNE 16
please contact Alistair Urquhart THE BUSHFIRES 5 GEELONG 19
alistair@affairs.com.au + 61 3 9654 1300 ARTS 6 PLANNING & BUILDING 19
DOCKLANDS 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 20
Published by A.B Urquhart & Company Pty Ltd trading as Affairs
EDUCATION 6 SPORT 21
of State. Disclaimer: Material in this publication is general ENVIRONMENT 7 TOURISM 21
comment and not intended as advice on any particular matter.
Professional advice should be sought before action is taken. CONSERVATION 7 TRANSPORT 22
Material is complied from various sources including newspaper
ENERGY 8 RAIL 22
articles, press releases, government publications, Hansard, trade
journals, etc. © This newsletter is copyright. No part may be WATER 8 ROAD. PEDESTRIANS 22
reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, GAMING 9 AIR 23
photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written HEALTH 9 PORTS 23
permission from the publisher. Affairs of State respects your
privacy. While we do believe that the information contained in INVESTMENT 10 THE WORKPLACE 23
Letter from Melbourne will be useful to you, please advise us if
you do not wish to receive any further communications from us.
BUSINESS 10 IR 23
AGRICULTURE. REGIONAL 10 COMMUNITY 23
2
LETTER FROM MELBOURNE
put business operators off side and would send jobs lobbyists working to win government contracts. Greens
State Government & Politics interstate. MP Greg Barber called for a ban on lobbyists meeting
with the Planning Minister, The Age reported.
Who’ll win Knocking and blocking
The polls show a close race in Victoria, unlike our Labor’s 2010 election promises include a $50m-a- Diffusing the population
neighbours over the Murray where the Liberal year pledge to boost wages for low-paid workers and The Herald Sun reported that improving infrastructure
opposition with leader Barry O’Farrell is well in front. a concerted attack on Liberal leader Ted Baillieu. and boosting visitor numbers to Victoria’s villages
The Australian newspaper explains the policies, Setting the scene for a class-war election, Brumby and towns will be some of the major initiatives in the
people and government administration very differently said the Liberals would govern only for the big end Government’s push to win votes in regional areas.
than The Age, saying Victorian voters are fed up with of town, whereas Labor would increase salaries for Premier John Brumby unveiled a major five-year
the same party, faces and people. tens of thousands community service work groups plan for regional areas aimed at spreading wealth
such as Yooralla, Anglicare and the Salvation Army. across the whole state. In the first part of a major
Rewriting the Constitution Brumby told an ALP state conference that the choice push for regional votes, Brumby set up a $36m
The Age reported that Labor’s draft policy platform for voters was between his positive vision of the future tourism promotion campaign to boost tourist hubs
for the November election reveals a plan to paint and the Coalition’s chorus of negativity, knocking and in Daylesford, Sorrento, Kyneton, Barwon Heads and
Premier John Brumby as the best leader to tackle blocking, The Age reported. Rutherglen. Residents of Barwon Heads might think
the challenges caused by climate change and the this is an attempt to make up for the Barwon Heads’
rapid growth and ageing of Victoria’s population. Interesting… new bridges debacle!
Labor strategists also plan to step up their ‘class war’ More than three in four members of a western
against Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu by highlighting suburbs Labor Party branch at the centre of branch Furthermore
his privileged background and depicting him as out stacking allegations, Albion, have failed to renew their Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and the Latrobe Valley
of touch with the needs of everyday Victorians. The party memberships, The Age reported. Sources said will be earmarked for population booms over the
176-page platform, distributed to party activists and that 81 of about 107 members of the Albion branch, next 15 years in a bid to ease some of the growing
union leaders, says Labor will conduct a plebiscite where party whistleblower Costas Socratous used pains evident on Melbourne’s clogged roads and
to demonstrate support for an Australian head of to be secretary, had not renewed this year. The Albion overcrowded trains, under a $631m, five-year
state, and will initiate an appropriate referendum on a dropouts were among about 200 party members in population plan unveiled by Premier John Brumby.
republic. Labour says it will seek cross-party support the federal electorate of Gorton, out of a total of about The centrepiece is $110m tertiary education package,
to rewrite the Constitution to make it a readable and 1000, who did not renew their memberships by the for new student accommodation and TAFE and
accessible document for all Victorians. Signaling May 31 deadline. university facilities, in a bid to stem the brain drain
the prospect of a pre-election ‘class war’, ALP state and encourage more young people to study and stay
secretary Nick Reece said in a note to party members Pardon? in regional cities and rural towns. The heritage coastal
being sent the draft platform: ‘Our values are not On the opinion pages of The Age, state political editor towns of Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula and
the same as the Liberals and the Nationals – Labor Paul Austin wrote that for the first time in 10 years, Port Fairy on the southwest coast, as well as 90
is about a fair and egalitarian society. Only Labor voters might have stopped listening to Brumby. That’s Mile Beach in Gippsland, will get millions of dollars in
understands that there is a gap between rich and poor why the ‘So over this premier’ message to the ABC’s grants to help prevent them losing their charm as ‘sea
in Australia, and government must play a role.’ Jon Faine, after a long interview with Brumby, should changers’ move in. A multi-million-dollar advertising
send a shiver down the Labor spine. campaign funded by taxpayers will support the plan,
Rural proof with prime-time TV ads urging Melburnians to make a
The Australian reported that the Victorian Labor How do you like your grilling? new life in provincial Victoria.
has sought to rural-proof its party platform and Ministers and public servants will face more
re-election prospects with a proposed requirement frequent, inquisitorial style grilling, whoever wins A new Council of Victorian Governments, chaired
that every Cabinet decision take into account the the November state election, under proposed new by the Premier and including regional city mayors
impact on people in the bush and rural centres. Rural- scrutiny measures, The Age reported. Labour, the and the state’s 38 rural councils, will be set up
proofing is a phrase well known in New Zealand and opposition and the Greens have given their backing to to coordinate the scheme. The regional blueprint
British political circles but, according to ALP state the new Parliamentary committee system, modelled is designed to reduce the threats to Melbourne’s
secretary Nick Reece, new to Australian politics. on the federal Senate and widening the powers to liveability caused by the city’s population boom, and
As it is explained in the policy platform (see above), quiz ministers, examine legislation and force public to limit the prospects of a revolt against Labor in
rural proofing compels a Labor government to identify servants to give evidence before Parliament. The move marginal regional seats at the state election. Brumby
implications of policies for rural communities, take came as Premier John Brumby received a review of launched the policy in Ballarat before embarking on a
into account any significant differences between how Victoria’s anticorruption integrity bodies (see Justice). selling tour of provincial centres. He said that regional
policies will work in town and country and to develop The new structure would create committees in the Victoria’s population was already growing at its
policies that target areas of special need outside areas of the economy and infrastructure, environment highest rate since 1982, The Age reported. The plan
Melbourne. A great concept! and planning, and legal and social issues, with each includes the scrapping of 400 Melbourne-based jobs
to probe legislation, reports and the performance of in state government departments and agencies and
Blowing in the wind government departments as well as having the power relocating them to Bendigo, Ballarat and Moe.
The Herald Sun reported that the Labor Party has to launch inquiries.
sanctioned a series of ads to undermine Opposition Beauty pageant policy
Leader Ted Baillieu’s position six months out from Lobby hobby The Age reported that advertisers would be barred
the state election. The Opposition Leader is accused The number of lobbyists on Victoria’s official register from portraying women in an exploitative or
of policy ‘about turns’ on wind farms, desalination and has more than tripled in seven months, leading to calls discriminatory way, under a ‘pro-women’ policy
bay dredging. This comes as Premier John Brumby for tighter rules and greater transparency covering Victorian Labor is expected to take to the election.
accused the Opposition of destroying Victoria’s wind their activities. The register now has 65 companies Under the plan, discussion of positive presentation
farm industry. The Opposition plans to ban wind and individuals listed. When Premier John Brumby of women in the media would be incorporated
farms being built within 2 kilometres of houses in announced the creation of the register in December into primary and secondary school curriculums in
national parks, growth corridors and tourist zones if there were just 21 lobbyists listed. Opposition scrutiny Victoria, and the ad industry would be encouraged
it wins government. Brumby says the policies have of government spokesman David Davis said it was to declare when an image had been digitally altered
coalition policy to introduce a ban on success fees for to enhance a woman’s breast size or reduce her
3
1 JUNE to 3 JULY 2010
waist or thighs. Advertisers will strongly resist Missed it by that much several pubs and clubs claim a freeze, introduced
plans to regulate against allegedly exploitative The Herald Sun reported that each outgoing by the Department of Justice and Director of
or discriminatory depictions of women in the frontbencher at this year’s state election is Liquor Licensing midway through 2008 on
media, according to industry experts who say entitled to as much as $120,000 a year in pension granting licences after 1am or 3am, has made it
that a national code already exists. Advertising payments – and backbenchers $70,000 a year – difficult for them to stay open for Australia’s early
is regulated by an industry code that prevents after serving a minimum of eight years in office. morning matches.
advertising that discriminates against women. It But for many current Victorian parliamentarians,
is alleged breaches of this Australian Association the November 27 poll comes two days short of A card on her birthday
of National Advertisers’ code forms the basis of the eight year threshold. Former Premier Steve Bracks received the
consumer complaints. highest Queen’s Birthday honour, the Companion
Cocktail shaker of the Order of Australia. He said he regarded
Like the West Wing, kind of The Age reported that the Government is the establishment of marine national parks,
The Labor state conference in June was preparing for a shake-up of licence fees and giving more powers to the Upper House of the
broadcast on Foxtel’s public affairs channel, or regulations for bottle shops. The changes are State Parliament and set-term elections as
APAC, which televised the key speeches, the expected to address anomalies such as small his three biggest achievements in power, the
first time the conference has been televised. VCE bottle shops paying twice the licence fees of bulk Herald Sun reported. The Australian reported
politics students were invited to the conference retailers such as Dan Murphy’s. Consumer Affairs that he was recognised for his eminent service
and had the chance to meet Premier John Minister Tony Robinson has told a parliamentary to the Parliament and the community of
Brumby and federal Finance Minister Lindsay committee that packaged liquor outlets would Victoria through reform of the constitutional
Tanner, who delivered the keynote addresses. be next in line under the Government’s alcohol and electoral systems, the introduction of
Likening the broadcast to the screening of US regulation reforms. ‘Packaged liquor is the most initiatives to education and training, leadership
political conferences, Victorian ALP secretary problematic area in licensing, not just in Victoria in the promotion of multiculturalism and through
Nick Reece welcomed the scrutiny and feedback but elsewhere,’ he said. ‘About 75 per cent of economic development.
of the students, The Age reported. all the alcohol consumed comes from packaged
liquor outlets.’ The Herald Sun reported that there Mulholland drive
Stamp remover may be a large fee hike in a bid to cut operating Peter Kavanagh and John Mulholland emerged
The Opposition is considering removing stamp hours, with the government considering plans to from the 2006 state election thinking that they
duty for first-home buyers in a move that would reduce the number of outlets staying open until were winners, with a seat each for the socially
wipe more than $23,000 off the average price 11 pm. conservative Democratic Labor Party. Mulholland
of a Melbourne house. The Coalition is pondering lost on a recount and has since gone on to almost
axing the unpopular levy ahead of the November Nearby destroy the party, The Age reported. The DLP in
election. The Financial Review reported that The Herald Sun reported that new figures Victoria is on its knees, with less than $10,000
the proposal to exempt first home buyers from show thousands of breaches of liquor license in the bank, and police are investigating the
paying stamp duty would deplete the state’s conditions this year, and a worrying 55 criminal disappearance of potentially tens of thousands
coffers by more than $500m a year, according to investigations continuing. New Liquor Licensing of dollars, linked to Mulholland, who continues to
government analysis. director Mark Brennan, who started the job after maintain that he is the rightful party secretary.
the spotlight was fixed on booze fuelled violence, The party’s true secretary is Kevin Butler.
Confusing or not? said there were too many venue operators Meanwhile, most political pundits believe the DLP
The Age reported the Attorney-General Rob Hulls ignorant of their responsibilities. He wants a new is unlikely to win any upper house seats in the
said he would soon unveil a bill to Parliament compliance training course to be tested for first- next election without Labor preferences, which
that gave the Victorian Electoral Commission time licensees. at this stage are more likely to go to the Greens.
the power to automatically enrol 18-year-olds Many felt the party was dead until Kavanagh
without their consent or the need to fill in a form. Meanwhile was elected to the western Victoria region in
The move follows similar legislation in New South Pubs and clubs across Victoria were granted 2006 on the back of Labor preferences (he had
Wales and means both states are now out of kilter early-morning liquor licences to stay open for only 2.6 per cent of the vote). The Victorian
with the federal role. As a result, young voters in World Cup matches with extra police and public Electoral Commission and the Victorian Civil
Victoria must still fill out a form to be enrolled to transport officers on duty to deal with unruly and Administrative Tribunal recognise Butler as
vote in this year’s federal election. behaviour, The Age reported. It also reported that the party’s official state secretary. The Supreme
4
LETTER FROM MELBOURNE
Court has also granted an injunction stopping
Mulholland from describing himself as secretary The bushfires
and signing cheques on behalf of the party. But
Mulholland is continuing his fight by taking the A big class-action
VEC and Butler back to the Supreme Court. Lawyers acting for Black Saturday fire victims
lodged legal documents in Victoria’s biggest
Lucky they don’t keep guns in the house class-action, alleging a private power company
The Herald Sun reported that Upper House Liberal was responsible for a blaze that cost 119 lives. The
leader David Davis and Upper House president statement of claim, lodged in the Supreme Court,
Bob Smith are on a collision course over claims alleges international electricity provider Singapore
that up to five Parliamentary drivers have refused Power, which owns the power distributor SP
to work with Davis. AusNet, failed to monitor and maintain the power
line that caused the East Kilmore blaze. One of
A functioning democracy the key planks to the case is the allegation that an
It’s a wonder how any democracy would ageing 1.1 kilometre line failed because the power
function properly without an Auditor-General. In company refused to fit a $10 plastic anti-vibration
May and June alone, eleven Auditor-General’s protector to guard against metal fatigue, The Age
reports arrived on Letter from Melbourne’s reported. The company is expected to spread the
desk, including Control of Invasive Plants and blame to the Country Fire Authority and the state
Animals in Victoria’s Parks; Partnering with government, by joining government agencies
the Community Sector in Human Services and as co-defendants, in an attempt to reduce its
Health; Administration of the Victorian Certificate potentially massive legal liability.
of Education; Personal Safety and Security on the
Metropolitan Train System; Managing Teacher MARK BRENNAN Taking the cash in confusion
Performance in Government Schools; Tertiary The Herald Sun reported that fewer than one in 20
Education and Other Entities: Results of the 2009 As the Director of Liquor Licensing I am responsible homes destroyed in the Black Saturday fires has
Audits; Access to Social Housing; Managing for furthering the goals of the Liquor Control Reform been rebuilt and ready for occupancy, as victims
the Requirements for Disclosing Private Sector Act 1998, and harm minimisation will be a paramount struggle with delayed construction projects
Contracts; and The Community Building Initiative. consideration to help ensure Victoria has a vibrant, but and decisions about whether to rebuild. A high
These reports are quite independent and provide responsible, drinking culture. number of those who lost their homes (2,133 were
a feast for the Opposition, the media, interest destroyed) in the fires have chosen to take their
groups and the community at large. In accepting this position, it is my intention to improve insurance payouts in cash. Insurance Council of
the accountability, transparency and appropriateness Australia figures show 93 per cent of the 10,280
Up there of decision making in liquor regulation. claims arising from the fires are being paid out
Ian McDonald, the New South Wales mineral in cash, a total of just over $1b. The insurance
resources minister, was forced to resign after It is also my intention to emphasise the importance of industry has concerns that many victims are
misusing taxpayer funds on a trip to Dubai in education and information to participants in the liquor unsure about their long-term plans.
2008. His exit followed the resignation earlier in industry. It is my view that if licensees are appropriately
the day of juvenile justice minister Graham West educated and informed about their obligations, they Hindsight’s 20/20
who quit amid reports that he was angry about will find it easier to comply with the requirements of Criticisms of the performance of Country
the government’s neglect of his portfolio, the their liquor licence. Fire Authority chief officer Russell Rees on
Financial Review reported. Black Saturday were a classic example of
The contribution of licensees makes Victoria one of apportioning blame with the benefit of hindsight,
the world’s most liveable, attractive and prosperous Julian Burnside, QC, told the Bushfires Royal
areas for residents, businesses and visitors and I will Commission in a sustained defence of Rees during
strive to achieve a balance that minimises alcohol- the commission’s final hearing day, The Age
related harm but supports the contribution of the reported. The truth of this, and many other claims,
liquor, hospitality and tourism industries. will be decided by Bushfire Royal Commissioner
Bernie Teague, who will also adjudicate on far
5
1 JUNE to 3 JULY 2010
Into the fire
“Installation of the most powerful technology, “Invisible Miracle!” A Facebook campaign has convinced British actor,
without the implementation of the most sound ELPedium™ comedian, television star and avid tweeter Stephen
methodology; leads to mind-boggling apoplexy!” Speech Recognition Fry to perform in Melbourne in July. Fry, 52, the
®
popular host of quiz show QI (Quite Interesting), which
WordScribe /Dataworxs and ELPedium “Auto Updating” Speech Recognition
integrations installed by the soundest methods, produce incredible increases in
screens on ABC on Tuesday nights, had planned to
productivities. do just two (sold-out) shows at the Sydney Opera
House on July 27 and 28. But the campaign ‘Dear
Clients for our digital voice technologies include the legal and medical professions
as well as government agencies including the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Stephen Fry, please come to Melbourne in July, not
Office and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. just Sydney’, which attracted 1,306 members, helped
change his mind, The Age reported.
Nearing 50 year s of “Supplying Choices; Delivering Solutions!” with practical advice 1
RECORD
2
PLAY
3
REW/
Crime our cultural export
The Age reported that Channel 9’s Underbelly franchise
PLAY
SPEECH RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 4
PAUSE
5
SEND FOR
TYPING
6
PRIORITY
Inc with: 7 8 9
is set to get an American makeover, with US cable
GRUNDIG DICTATION M ACHINES PTY LTD REWIND FF FF/PLAY
656 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia *
CANCEL
0
PAUSE
#
END JOB
channel Starz announcing it has bought the rights to
T +61 3 9347 5555 F: +61 3 9347 7706 divsys@divsys.com.au
produce its own version of the show.
more important matters – such as how to improve the Victorian Major Events Company, Museum Jurgen performed
readiness to deal with deadly bushfires in the Victoria, Michael Gudinkski’s Frontier Events Melbourne-based organ soloist David Macfarlane,
future. and Premier Exhibitions USA – that arrived at the Director of Music at All Saints’ Anglican Church, East
Melbourne Museum in late May and is one of many St Kilda and Organist at Newman College, gave his
Difficult anniversary new corporate for-profit museum shows that walk a debut concert performance on the Melbourne Town
The Herald Sun reported that Christine very fine line between museum exhibition and theme Hall Grand Organ, on June 16. The concert featured
Nixon is unhappy with the leaking of damning park. While great for attendance figures, they often sonatas from Mendelssohn and Rheinberger and by
commentary by counsel assisting the Bushfires raise some complex ethical questions for our public current German composer Jurgen Essl. It was part
Royal Commission. The Government is angry institutions. The Titanic show in particular raises a of the City of Melbourne Grand Organ events, www.
because it has lost control of the debate. And deeper question about striking a balance between thatsmelbourne.com.au/grandorgan.
the commissioners are cross because the leaked integrity and marketing, particularly when presented
submission creates the perception that they have in public institutions. The commercialisation of the Held to ransom
taken their hands off the wheel. In fact, the end of tragedy sits a little uncomfortably also. Blockbuster The Herald Sun reported the chief executive of the
the royal commission process was always going shows may bring huge numbers of tourists to Victoria Sydney Opera House, Richard Evans, confirmed that
to be a difficult anniversary for anyone connected through our big institutions, but it would sit much it may have to close permanently if state and federal
with the fires. Nixon strongly denied she had more comfortably if there was not a niggling concern governments do not come up with $800m to replace
deliberately misled the commission, as her legal that we are stretching our integrity to accommodate stage machinery.
team warned the claims were without substance. them.
Get there
Incompetent It’s a grand old flag There was a great advert in The Weekend Australian
On the opinion pages of The Age, Paul Austin, The Age reported that the Melbourne Symphony for Melbourne’s Arts district, www.visitvictoria.com.
the paper’s state political editor, wrote that Orchestra has turned to playing AFL club songs in a
the Government’s claims of competence over bid to put bums on seats. Purists might baulk, but
bushfires are being devastated. The Brumby the MSO will play medleys of ditties more often sung
government failed Victorians before, during and by out of tune players and fans after a win. Good Old Docklands
after the worst natural disaster in the state’s Collingwood Forever, We’re a Happy Team at Hawthorn
history. The Herald Sun reported that Victorians and We Are Geelong feature in Sporting Scores! at The wheel turns, figuratively of course
were abandoned during the state’s worst disaster Hamer Hall on June 19 and 20. The MSO will also play Melbourne City Council is poised to wipe out $936,687
by catastrophic failures in leadership on Black the instrumental themes from films Chariots of Fire, in rate bills charged to Harbour Town Shopping Centre
Saturday. Rocky and Phar Lap. David Kram, a conductor and because the anchor tenants of the Docklands precinct
senior fellow at the University of Melbourne’s school of have been unable to attract an income since the
Equip the men on the ground music, said he was surprised the MSO hadn’t thought Southern Star Observation Wheel broke and was shut
The Herald Sun reported that as debate continues of football songs before. down in January last year, only weeks after it opened,
over bushfire prevention policies and government the Herald Sun reported.
reaction to Black Saturday, fire-fighters are still Masterful
crying out for basic equipment like pagers and The Herald Sun reported that Masterchef has
first-aid training. Kangaroo Ground CFA captain transformed itself into a $100m industry. Attracting
Peter Grant said he was still angry at the lack of almost 2,000,000 viewers a night, Ten’s smash hit has Education
attention given to properly equipping fire-fighters. moved into a new realm of advertising clout, earning
His unit went out and spent a few hundred dollars the tag of ‘the most powerful television show in Seven-up
buying their own pagers. Australia’. The six-nights-a-week ratings bonanza has The Government has not shown whether the quality
built itself into a juggernaut on the back of advertising of teaching has improved in state schools despite
revenue, product placement and merchandising. a seven-year campaign, says the Auditor-General,
Des Pearson. In an audit into whether teaching is
Arts More masters improving, Pearson said the Education Department
The Stadel Museum (Germany) European Masters 19th- was not assessing how well schools evaluated
A cut lunch for the queue 20th Century is showing at the NGV International, 19 teachers and thus could not be certain that it was
In The Age, Marcus Westbury wrote about The June to 10 October, as part of the Melbourne Winter achieving its aim of improving teaching. The audit
Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition – brought to us by Masterpieces series, www.ngv.vic.gov.au. comes after a report by the Grattan Institute found
6
LETTER FROM MELBOURNE
that more than 90 per cent of Australian teachers felt garage, carport, shed or the like – under the Building introduction of the national year 12 subjects because
they would not get recognition if they improved, The Code of Australia. of an overlap in content, The Age reported.
Age reported.
What’s happening? Duster
Forward to the past The Education and Training Committee is Every Aboriginal secondary school student will have
The Age reported that the government’s delay in conducting an inquiry into the Administration of an individualised education and career plan under
building new schools in inner suburbs could lead the Federal Government’s Building the Education a strategy to close the employment gap between
to sudden overcrowding, with more than 4,000 Revolution Program in Victoria and invites submissions, indigenous and non-indigenous Victorians by 2023.
additional primary school-aged students expected etc@parliament.vic.gov.au. Deputy premier Rob Hulls will hail the commitment
to be jostling for desk space in 2016. Docklands, as a historic break from past policies and an end to
Southbank, Port Melbourne, Coburg, Northcote, Consequences the ‘yes, minister’ practice of releasing reports on
Brunswick and Preston are expected to be placed Tough new immigration rules for foreign students indigenous policy and leaving them to gather dust!!!
under the greatest pressure from the rising numbers. are impacting on Australia’s economy, with more
Education Department spokesman Nick Higgins said than 125,000 fewer international students expected Punish them
a report looking at school facilities and education to come in the next 12 months, costing more than A trial of paying teachers annual bonuses of up to
needs in central Melbourne was underway, and the 31,000 jobs nationwide. Immigration Department $6000 is underway in Victorian government schools to
department had not ruled out building additional figures of new visa applications suggests Victoria, the assess whether rewarding quality teachers improves
schools in inner Melbourne suburbs. state that is most reliant on foreign students, will be their effectiveness and their students’ performance,
hardest hit, with 40,250 fewer students in the next The Australian reported.
What bullies become year. Modelling by Access Economics suggests this
A $27m merger of two schools is in crisis after will cost 10,100 jobs in Victoria and put a $1.17b hole Into the future
Thomastown Secondary College withdrew its in the states’ export income, more than a quarter of The Herald Sun reported that Brighton Grammar
support, amid allegations of government bullying. the total value of the state’s biggest export industry, School has had an iPad for two months as part
Thomastown school council voted to walk away from The Age reported. of a research project on e-learning. The school’s
the amalgamation with Peter Lalor Secondary College community education director, John Phillips, said
because of concerns over state funding. School Virtual education that the long-term goal was to phase out textbooks.
council member Shane Burke also complained to The Education Department has been forced to scrap ‘With the one device we’ve replaced textbooks, we’ve
the Ombudsman over the bullying and intimidation he part of it $77m virtual classroom project after the replaced the student diary, we’ve replaced the need
says the school received – despite the government Privacy Commissioner raised concerns about children for a graphics calculator,’ he said. Philips said that a
publicly vowing that, unlike the Kennett government, chatting on Facebook-style pages. The ultranet – an Melbourne IT firm and senior students were working
it would never force schools to merge, The Age online network that will give parents round-the-clock on education applications to deliver course material
reported. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike met with access to their children’s lessons, homework, results through the iPad.
the two schools to discuss their differences. and attendance – will be rolled out in every state
school in Victoria by September. The department has A good job
Nothing ditched plans for every student to have a so-called The Victorian Institute of Teaching seeks a chief
The Government has again refused to detail the ‘eXpress landing page’, which would have allowed executive officer, www.kathleentownsend.com.au.
costs of implementing the Building the Education them to chat using Facebook-style message walls,
Revolution program in Victoria, rejecting a Freedom of The Age reported.
Information request on individual school project costs,
The Australian reported. Pay them to stay in school Environment
The Herald Sun reported that a Coalition government
You do the maths would fine parents who keep their children from school
The Herald Sun reported that since last July, 45 without a good excuse. Figures show absenteeism is Conservation
schools have merged to form 21, bringing the number rampant in many state schools. In the worst cases,
of mergers since Labor took power in 1999 to 144, students are missing for an average of one day in Disappointing
according to the latest Education Department figures. four. Whilst a truancy fine of $116 a day exists, it The state government has been criticised for
The Government says the mergers were voluntary is believed it has never been enforced. Opposition proposing legislation to tackle climate change that
but the opposition accuses it of a sham consultation education spokesman Martin Dixon said the law was does not include new steps to cut greenhouse gas
process. Liberal education spokesman Martin Dixon a toothless tiger because the government had watered emissions, and ignores a pre-2006 election pledge
said the Government was merging and closing schools down school disciplinary procedures. to force emissions cuts for coal-fired power stations.
with little or no public consultation. Despite a pledge to introduce a landmark climate
iPhone app change bill, a draft circulated at Spring Street includes
Nearby The Age reported that exam rules should be reviewed only one new measure that could lead to emissions
A $200,000 basketball stadium built at Black Rock to prevent Victorian Certificate of Education students cuts – a requirement that some ministers must show
Primary School under the federal stimulus program cheating by using mobile phones and other electronic they have considered the greenhouse impact when
does not comply with building regulations and so devices, according to the acting Auditor-General. designing new policy, The Age reported.
cannot be used for anything but storage, The Age
reported. School council member Mandy Grogan Who is Rasputin? Nearby
says the school is in breach of the law and has put Victorian history teachers say the national curriculum The Herald Sun reported that former Australian of
the safety of children at risk by using the stadium downgrades Australian History and may lead to the the Year Tim Flannery has attacked the government
for sports lessons. Black Rock Primary received elimination of Revolutions, the state’s most popular for failing on the environment, saying it is taking no
$200,000 from the federal government to extend year 12 history course. The History Teachers meaningful steps to address climate change. In a
the school hall and build a gymnasium. However, Association of Victoria has written to curriculum comment he made before delivering his speech in the
an inspector from The Bayside City Council said the authorities to express concerns over the draft annual Alfred Deakin Lecture series in Melbourne, the
stadium only had a building permit for a class 10a senior secondary curriculum, which was released scientist said Premier John Brumby’s government
building – ‘a non-habitable building being a private in mid-May. It fears the subjects will be cut with the was a fraud for claiming to be green.
7
1 JUNE to 3 JULY 2010
Hmmm. Is BP involved? Wills in Melbourne’s north praised a report that
The Government has approved seismic exploration for suggests Hazelwood could be replaced by 2012 at a
oil and gas in Victoria’s Bay of Islands Coastal Park cost of about $320m a year. Thomson told Parliament
(which contains the Twelve Apostles). Environment there was a case for the Commonwealth and Victorian
Minister Gavin Jennings has granted approval for governments to help negotiate an early close with the
the gas company to begin exploration from October. plant owners, International Power, The Age reported.
Drilling for oil and gas is prohibited in marine national
parks, but if the seismic testing finds reserves, Origin Smart procedures
Energy could be able to access the site from outside Energy retailers have started sending letters to houses
the park, the Herald Sun reported. telling consumers when the new smart meters will
be installed and the old electricity meters removed
big thinkers Carbon down, would you!
Sustainability Victoria and the Victorian Employers’
from properties. When the smart meters are installed
the companies will need to turn the power off at the
(think tanks, Chamber of Commerce and Industry have formed a
climate change partnership called Carbon Down. They
consumer’s property for about 30-60 minutes. In
some instances power may be off for longer. They are
knowledge bro- ran an advertisement suggesting people visit www.
whatcanidorightnow.com.au as a way of assessing
also advertising in the newspapers, www.citipower.
com.au/smartmeters, www.powercor.com.au/
kers, networks & options to reduce your business’ carbon footprint, smartmeters. Ignore government statements that this
opinion shapers) improve sustainability performance and help the
environment.
process has been put on hold.
Will they know when we’re thinking up witty
The 2009 edition of Affairs of State’s Life’s a national park headlines?
latest publication Big Thinkers Parks Victoria seeks a chief executive officer, www. Power companies will be able to track when we sleep,
(thing tanks, knowledge brokers, sladegroup.com.au. shower and are away from home with the use of
networks & opinion shapers) has electricity smart meters, Privacy Commissioner Helen
just been launched by historian Versey has warned. The meters, which measure
Geoffrey Blainey. Energy electricity consumption every 30 minutes, have so
far been installed at more than 150,000 homes and
Big Thinkers is the only compre- Power to the people small businesses. They will be fitted across the whole
hensive and accurate guide to think The Financial Review reported that electricity of Victoria by the end of 2013. Versey called for strict
distribution companies in Victoria are seeking large security measures to prevent the misuse of customer
tanks, thinking/ideas organisations
price increases in the Australian Energy Regulator’s details, the Herald Sun reported.
and opinion shapers in Australia.
draft decision, in a move that could ultimately push
up power prices for businesses and consumers.
It assembles a list of more than 300 According to calculations from the Energy Users Water
think tanks, think/ideas organisa- Association of Australia, based on proposals from the
tions and opinion shapers from a companies to the regulator, the distribution network Don’t tell the water
cross section of disciplines to help price before inflation could increase by as much as Victoria has laid out its defence of the landmark
you understand the new financial 81 per cent, compounded to 2015, in the example High Court challenge to its water policies from South
and policy environment. provided by SP AusNet. This could translate into a Australia by claiming that the trade of water entitlements
32 per cent price increase, excluding inflation, over over state boundaries does not constitute commerce
With easy-to-read summaries, Big five years for its customers simply due to increased and so is not bound by the constitution’s provisions
network costs, the Energy Users Association of on free trade between states, the Financial Review
Thinkers provides up-to-date infor-
Australia said. Distribution businesses Jemena, SP reported. Victoria claims its 4 per cent cap on water
mation including:
AusNet, United Energy, Citipower and Powercor trade does not breach free trade provisions. South
Academic think tanks Australia are covered by the review. The same paper Australia can still purchase water for environmental
Government think tanks later reported that the distribution companies were reasons and obtain access to it in a crisis, it says. (The
Contract research think tanks disappointed by the AER’s draft determination which short clause in the Australian Constitution section 92
Policy advocacy think tanks could see residential bills in the state drop next year. says trade and commerce between the states shall
No-for-profit policy centres The regulator’s proposal would see capital expenditure be absolutely free. It is also perhaps the most litigated
University public policy and over the next five years cut by CitiPower (46 per cent), clause in the constitution. Call if you would like a free
research centres Powercor Australia (36 per cent) and SP AusNet copy of the Australian Constitution, 9654 1300 or fax
Opinion editors, columnists (30.5 per cent). The AER rejected proposals for $2b 9654 1165.)
and writers in capital and operating expenditure by Victoria’s five
privately owned distribution network service providers. Hold til the rivers run dry of they have too
Because approved network expenditure is linked The Rann government believes there is a water crisis
Only $110 inc. GST directly to electricity prices, the regulator’s rejection in South Australia, but refuses to ease household
of the spending proposals will lower electricity prices restrictions because a minority don’t do the right
To order your copy contact: for Victorian customers in 2011 – by an average of thing. South Australian Water Minister ,Paul Caica,
Affairs of State $28 against a typical annual bill of $1,200 – then let began a three-day tour of the parched Murray River
Level 2, 14 Collins Street, them drift up by an average of $52. system in the state’s Riverland, and in Victoria and
Melbourne VIC 3000 New South Wales, by defending a decision to make
Telephone: +61 3 9654 1300 The most pollutinest the government’s water security commissioner a
Facsimilie: +61 3 9654 1165 Federal Labor MP Kelvin Thomson has backed calls part-time position, The Australian reported.
for the Federal Government to intervene to help close
Email: info@affairs.com.au
Australia’s dirtiest power station, the Hazelwood
power plant in the Latrobe Valley. The member for
8
LETTER FROM MELBOURNE
The government rain dance Trout Cod or were knocked unconscious by residential carers,
Melbourne has started winter with its water storages Environment Victoria’s Water & Healthy Rivers and some were physically assaulted or raped by other
at a four-year high, raising the chances of a second cut Bulletin (June 2010) reported that Trout Cod is the minors, The Age reported. It is unacceptable that these
to water restrictions before November’s state election. only Victorian freshwater fish listed as an endangered children were harmed when there was information
Water storages at the start of June were 32.7 per cent species. They are threatened by overfishing, available to indicate that their carers posed a risk to
full compared with 26.3 per cent at the same time environmental factors and introduced trout species. It them, Brouwer said. An editorial in the Herald Sun
last year. Premier John Brumby credited much of the also reported that it was Groundhog Day on 1 June said Community Services Minister Lisa Neville must
extra water to government water projects, including with Premier John Brumby suggesting that water be removed from a difficult portfolio.
the North-South pipeline, reconnecting the Tarago restrictions might again be relaxed in Melbourne,
reservoir and the Target 155 water saving campaign, despite dam inflows being 4 per cent below average. Tough decisions
The Age reported. Water Minister Tim Holding announced an easing of The number of foster carers in Victoria has dropped
water restrictions on April 1. sharply in the past decade, prompting concerns about
Money bowl how children at risk of abuse and neglect will be cared
In The Age, Melissa Fyfe reported that the $2b for in the future. Government figures show there
irrigation project is transforming northern Victoria. But were 1,752 registered foster carers at June last year,
is it worth the cash – or the pain? She gives particular Gaming compared to 3,250 in June 2001. This includes carers
examples and opinions from farmers, politicians and providing long-term respite care. The figures come
water bureaucrats from the government. The same A bath before a report by the Ombudsman (see above) into
paper reported that Premier John Brumby launched An editorial in the Herald Sun asserted that after the state of the home care system – which includes
a passionate defence of the upgrade of northern the Government’s disastrous sale of poker machine foster care, residential care and children placed in
Victoria’s irrigation system. He was responding to licences for $1b less than expected, it may lose another the care of relatives. It also comes as data obtained
reports that some food bowl farmers and irrigators billion if Intralot pulls out of Victoria. The agreement by the Opposition under freedom of information laws
believed hundreds of new water meters – many between the Greek lottery company and the Brumby indicate a continuing trend of children moving from
costing about $50,000 each – were being installed government, with its forecast of $1b in taxes over charity care because their placements are breaking
unnecessarily. And some farmers were being told to 10 years, is now looking like a lost bet. The earlier down.
‘move on’ as their properties would no longer have decision to carve up Victoria’s poker machine licences
water. to end the Tatts-Tabcorp duopoly saw the government Viable or value for money?
take what was described by an industry expert as the A series of documents from the networks that run
Water into milk biggest bath in gambling history. Driven by a similar hospitals across Victoria reveal a litany of problems
The Age reported that Sustainable Soils and Farms, desire to end the tatts monopoly on scratchies and and dissatisfaction with the HealthSmart system,
a little-known company chaired by former federal lotteries, the Government deal with Intralot is under which is running four years late and $35m over budget.
MP Neil O’Keefe, and backed by Parliamentary pressure with the company falling $226m behind The health board minutes show hospitals being left
colleagues Gavan O’Connor and Bob Sercombe, is budget in its first year and the government missing to make up funding gaps for millions of dollars, with
buying out farms that have been irrigation based. They out on the taxes. networks writing to Health Minister Daniel Andrews
are looking to transform groups of heavily irrigation and his department to try to find money for hidden
dependent dairy properties into water efficient farms costs. The Opposition and the Australian Medical
specialising in organic milk. Association said patients and doctors were losing out.
Health The new revelations follow a 2008 auditor-general’s
Doing for doings sake report into the system that found the original 2007
In a critique, in the Irrigation Efficiency Programs report, Not good enough completion date was too ambitious and criticised the
of the $2b food bowl modernisation and the $750m Children in the care of the state have suffered further lack of analysis on whether the system is viable and
north-south pipeline, the Auditor-General found Labor abuse and harm at the hands of the people chosen by value for money, The Age reported.
had failed to demonstrate the need for the expenditure authorities to keep them safe, an investigation by the
and to properly explore alternatives, The Age reported. Ombudsman has found. George Brouwer’s report The job of a politician
The food bowl project, the largest irrigation upgrade reveals cases of children being physically assaulted The Age reported that Premier John Brumby’s office
ever undertaken in Australia, is intended to save 225 by foster carers and relatives who were supposed to moved a media conference away from The Alfred
billion litres of water a year in its first stage, with up be caring for them. Other children had limbs broken to avoid embarrassment at revelations that senior
to 75 billion litres delivered to Melbourne and the rest
shared between farmers and the environment. As
the state waits for the Commonwealth to sign off on
a $1b contribution to stage two of the project, critics Lobbying 101 Workshop
said the auditor’s report could sway Canberra to Become the expert on lobbying and communication.
invest the money on other water saving methods. The
opposition claimed the auditor’s report as vindication
of its long-standing criticism of the projects and called
for an independent judicial inquiry. Country water
resources spokesman Peter Walsh described the
food bowl modernisation and pipeline as ill-conceived +LZPNULKZWLJPÄJHSS`MVY`V\HUK`V\Y[LHT[OPZVULKH`M\SS`PU[LYHJ[P]L
projects planned by a panicked government which, ^VYRZOVW^PSSOLSW`V\NL[^OH[`V\^HU[MYVTNV]LYUTLU[HUKVY`V\Y
for 10 years, failed to plan for Victoria’s water needs. stakeholders.
The Financial Review reported that according to the
Auditor-General’s report the government rushed 5V[MVYWYVÄ[Z )\ZPULZZLZ 0UKP]PK\HSZ 0U[LYLZ[NYV\WZ
to spend the money on the water projects without
knowing if it was pursuing the best option and whether Presented by Alistair Urquhart
the spending would deliver results. Affairs of State 14 Collins Street Melbourne 3000
03 9654 1300 alistair@affairs.com.au www.affairs.com.au
9
1 JUNE to 3 JULY 2010
Quotable quotes that will benefit their communities, such as park
The Department of Human Services issued a upgrades, new bike tracks or tourism brochures, The
U P AG A I N S T I T? Request for Quotation: Review of Victorian Youth Age reported.
Homelessness and Reconciliation Services, 03 9096
Need a report or memo written
8127. A plague on our house
last week and haven’t found the
The Age reported the Victorian Plague Locust
words or time for it? Good job Commissioner Gordon Berg warned that locust
beyondblue seeks a chief executive officer, brigid. outbreaks in spring were likely. ‘The sad reality is the
We provide a full prompt benvie@talentpartnersintl.com. magnitude of the outbreak could be such that, with the
service – we are professionals best efforts of farmers, local councils for roadsides,
in public affairs with DPI for public land and all the rest, there is still a pretty
international experience. Just high likelihood we will get some major outbreaks that
call anytime and we are at your Investment can’t be controlled, and damage occurring,’ he said.
service. A mouse plague is damaging South Australian and
south-east Australian farms.
WriteRight Business
Contact Anthony Prices of the lambs
0412 281 388 Adieu The Herald Sun reported government figures reveal
David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes has more feral dogs than ever are being trapped, shot or
resigned after behaving in a manner unbecoming poisoned by the Department of Primary Industries.
towards a female staff member, The Age reported. Between 2004 and 2008, 5,009 wild dogs were killed
doctors believe the hospital’s computer system is The Herald Sun revealed the woman at the centre of by the Government – almost 3 a day. But farmers said
putting patients lives at risk. The announcement the case, Kristy Fraser-Kirk, 25, is a junior David wild dog numbers continue to expand and a rise of
by Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews of Jones publicist. David Jones’s new chief executive attacks is a major factor in the jump in lamb prices.
measures to cope with winter illnesses was moved is Paul Zahra. Gunns’ chairman John Gay resigned.
to the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton. It was Share prices rose significantly, closing up 12c, or On the udder
reported earlier that medical staff regard The Alfred’s nearly 44 per cent, The Age reported. The United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, the Victorian
electronic medical record system as a disaster, with Farmers Federation and the Australian Dairy Farmers
surgeons forced to compete with nursing staff and Spendthrifts return have agreed to work together, but there are serious
anaesthetists for access to computer terminals. At the beginning of June, the Herald Sun reported that doubts about whether they can, the Weekly Times
retailers were cutting prices at mid-year sales in an reported. UDV members are frustrated that the VFF
A positive out of a negative effort to lure spending-shy shoppers into their stores. has control of their group’s purse strings.
The Herald Sun reported that Dr Mukesh Haikerwal,
a former state president of the Australian Medical Congratulations Dreamland, again
Association, has put $30,000 into setting up a The 2010 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Proposed river red gum parks along the Murray are
secure messaging system which will allow GPs, Award Winners were Australian Turntable Company, set to burden flood plain farmers with fencing costs
medical specialists and allied health professionals BlueScope Steel Limited, Champion Compressors and isolated farm infrastructure, the Weekly Times
in Melbourne’s west to send patient information and Pty Ltd, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses Pty Ltd, Jindi reported. Under the new legislation, farmers are to
referrals safely. Haikerwal, the victim of a brutal Cheese Pty Ltd, Kraft Foods, Mett Pty Ltd, Murray phase out grazing from river frontages by 2014 to
bashing some months ago, said the experience of his Goulburn Co-Operative Co. Ltd, and Viridian Glass. make way for expanded river red gum parks. Farmers
recovery had allowed him to view the health system learned their water frontage licences would become
through a patient’s perspective and better understand Target Japan parks when they received letters from the Department
the delays, frustrations and paperwork involved. The The Department Innovation, Industry and Regional of Sustainability and Environment. The new parks are
e-mail type secure messaging system will for the Development seeks an Investment Manager Japan a result of a three-year investigation and community
first time allow GPs to send electronic patient notes, for Invest Victoria, www.careers.vic.gov.au. consultation by the Victorian Environment and
referrals, x-rays and test results to specialists. Assessment Council on river red gum woodlands.
Worth a look Murray River Action Group chairman Ian Lobban said
Triple bypass The Resources Victoria Conference, 12 to northern flood plain farmers had been left shocked
At least three major Melbourne hospitals – Royal 14 July, is at the Hilton on the Park, www. and distressed by the decision to phase out grazing.
Melbourne, Frankston and Sunshine – went on bypass resourcesvictoriaconference.com.
(meaning they were too busy to cater for ambulance
arrivals) for a night at the beginning of June, forcing
long waits at several emergency departments. Agriculture. regional Justice
Ambulance Victoria has warned that more delays will
be likely as hospitals approached the busiest time of Half-communities A softening of stance
the year, with the winter influx of patients with cold Figures from the Auditor-General show that of a The Government shifted ground on whether Victoria
and flu complications, the Herald Sun reported. $10m fund set up by the Government four years ago needs an Independent Commission Against Corruption
to improve life in rural towns, only $5.1m in grants before the imminent collapse of the murder case
Cigarette flavoured cigarettes still get them has been given out so far, while a further $2.6m has against the former drug squad detective Paul Dale
The Herald Sun reported that fruit and lolly-flavoured been funnelled into ‘administrative and operating (see below). The Proust inquiry (being conducted by
cigarettes allegedly used to trick young people costs’. The fund – known as the Community Building former Kennett government Department of Premier
into smoking will be banned by the end of July. As Initiative – was designed to run between 2006 and and Cabinet chief Elizabeth Proust, who last year
promising new research revealed the number of 2010 in a bid to strengthen rural towns, particularly was appointed by Brumby to review the effectiveness
teenagers smoking has halved since 2002, Health those experiencing growth, population decline or of Victoria’s anticorruption regime) significantly
Minister Daniel Andrews announced new laws disadvantage. Under the scheme, the Department softened John Brumby’s policy stance against
banning flavoured cigarettes would shortly be of Planning and Community Development provides the establishment of an independent, broad-based
enforced. grants to dozens of regional councils for small projects anticorruption watchdog. Brumby said he would be
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