31 May 2011

The NSW Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a fully transparent and consultative planning system, and opening up the Barangaroo review to public input is an integral component. The recently announced Barangaroo review is now open to the public, and today the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard urged stakeholders to engage. "Submissions are invited into any aspects of the review outlined in the terms of reference. "We want all stakeholders to engage in the 'short and sharp' review, which will provide much needed business certainty, and an opportunity for the city to have a say.

31 May 2011

Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey said April building approvals figures released today show housing construction remains under significant pressure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show dwelling units approved for construction fell by 1.3% in April - and has now fallen for six consecutive months in trend terms. Its pleasing to see the recovery in approvals in Queensland as it continues to rebuild from the devastation caused by natural disasters earlier this year. But whilst there are signs of an increase in activity in some states, the falling national trend remains of concern. Australia is suffering an affordability crisis in the housing sector, with insufficient houses being built to meet demand.

31 May 2011

Fully realising the benefits of the digital economy through the National Broadband Network (NBN) would help Australia become a world-leading digital economy by 2020, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said today. Launching the National Digital Economy Strategy (www.nbn.gov.au/digitaleconomystrategy) at the CeBIT conference, Senator Conroy said the vision of the strategy would contribute to Australias productivity, maintain our global competitiveness and bring about tangible social wellbeing improvements - including better access to health and education services - no matter where people live in Australia.

31 May 2011

The NSW Minister for Local Government Don Page has urged Councils to work together and share resources to improve efficiency in the delivery of services to their communities. Speaking at the Local Government Managers' Association forum on Monday, Mr Page praised Councils which have developed joint arrangements on projects like inter-regional water management, regional mobile library services, staff training programs, and internal auditing programs. "It is clear that many NSW Councils endorse resource sharing as a sensible way to be more efficient and effective, while also saving ratepayers' money," Mr Page said.

30 May 2011

NSW Premier Barry OFarrell has today requested a full briefing from Prime Minister Julia Gillard at Julys COAG meeting on how Labors carbon tax will affect the States, so the NSW Government can best protect families and small business from its devastating impact. I fear NSW has the most to lose of out Labors carbon tax, Mr OFarrell said. Im particularly concerned about the effect it will have on the Hunter and the Illawarra, he said. At a time when NSW is struggling with the highest cost of living in Australia - courtesy of the neglect and incompetence of State Labor over 16 years - it is incomprehensible the Federal Labor Government wants to impose a carbon tax which will result in even higher prices around the nation.

30 May 2011

The NSW Minister for Local Government Don Page has today announced that there will be a review of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW. Speaking at the Local Government Managers' Association forum today, Mr Page said the Model Code of Conduct was an evolving document which was in need of amendments. "The Model Code of Conduct sets the minimum standards of ethical and other conduct that all Council officials are required to observe when fulfilling their work obligations," Mr Page said.

30 May 2011

Treasury Consultation - On 30 May 2011 the Assistant Treasurer released a consultation paper, 'Reporting of taxable payments for contractors in the building and construction industry'. The introduction of a reporting regime requiring certain businesses in the building and construction industry to report annually to the Australian Taxation Office the details of payments made to contractors in the building and construction industry was announced in the 2011-12 Budget. The consultation paper seeks industry views on important aspects of the design of the reporting regime. See http://www.treasury.gov.au/contentitem.asp?NavId=037&ContentID=2046

30 May 2011

Premier Barry O'Farrell and Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts put politics above the public interest today and refused to release the Fair Trading report that they say triggered the need for a state wide audit of solar panels. In an astonishing admission, Minister Roberts went on to say that the Opposition Leader's electorate of Blacktown would be targeted by Fair Trading inspectors as one of only three suburbs in all of NSW to be audited. Opposition Leader John Robertson said the revelations prove the O'Farrell Government is playing politics with the 110,000 families who invested in solar.

30 May 2011

The Australian Government has unveiled a $12.4 million program to help small-to-medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Australia take advantage of the enormous online opportunities offered by the National Broadband Network (NBN). The Digital Enterprises initiative is a key element of the National Digital Economy Strategy announced today by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy. The program will provide advice to businesses in NBN early rollout areas on how to use the NBN to diversify their operations, Senator Conroy said.

27 May 2011

Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, discussed revelations that roof insulation installers claimed the Government rebate for 86 dwellings in an apartment block in Sydney, despite no dwelling receiving the insulation or being aware of the claims.