SearchArchives for December 2009
15 December, 2009Revised PS Act
reaches next stage
Proposed changes to the Public Sector Management Act have progressed into Parliament with Premier, Colin Barnett, saying they will “restore the independence of the Public Sector.”During the second reading of the Public Sector Reform Bill 2009, Mr Barnett said it would allow the Public Sector Commissioner to operate as an independent statutory body.
He said the independent Commission would be responsible for the management and administration of the WA Public Service and the revised Act would fulfil the Government’s election commitment by creating a Public Sector Management and Standards Commissioner to serve as the head of the Public Service.
“Initially, the Public Sector Commission was established as a Department, headed by the Public Sector Commissioner and operating independently of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, from which it was effectively split, pending legislation to formalise the arrangement,” Mr Barnett said.
“The former Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Mr Malcolm Wauchope, was transferred to the position of Public Sector Commissioner.”
Mr Barnett said the role of the Public Sector Commission would be to provide leadership to the Public Sector; build its capacity; evaluate Public Sector performance; develop management policies and practices; drive reform; and advance diversity and accountability.
“Overall, there will be a more logical and integrated approach to ensuring both management efficiency, which is currently the responsibility, under delegation, of the Public Sector Commissioner, and appropriate standards of conduct and behaviour, which responsibility now lies with the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards,” he said.
“This direction was endorsed by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, which, in its report of June 2009 into the new Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission, recommended consolidation of Public Sector Management into a single office.”
The Bill would also allow the Government to appoint Chief Executive Officers, although Mr Barnett said he expected normal selection and appointment processes would proceed in most cases.
“The Minister responsible for Public Sector Management will be empowered to require the Commissioner to appoint a person nominated by the Minister,” Mr Barnett said.
“Such a requirement must be made transparently and accountably.”
He said the Bill would also streamline disciplinary processes, decreasing the current three-stage investigative process to a single process.
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association said the amendments would “fundamentally dismantle the rights of Public Sector employees” and give Mr Wauchope “unprecedented power” to change the nature of employment in the Public Service.
“Disciplinary provisions will be altered, and the Commission will hold all the powers to determine the process and requirements to classify or alter the classification of offices,” the CPSU/CSA said.
The Union has urged its members to speak to local MPs to ensure their views were known before Parliament resumed in March next year.
15 December, 2009
Toner survey to
make its mark
The Corruption and Crime Commission is surveying 300 State and Local Government Agencies about their recent purchases of toner.The compulsory survey is to find out the extent of unauthorised purchases of toner from companies not on the Government’s list of approved suppliers.
The move is part of a continuing investigation into corruption or misconduct risks arising out of Public Sector purchases from companies such as the Consumables Management Group which also trades as Mycom, Elite Imaging Australia, Relliance, Premium Office Supplies and Premium Office Express.
Director of Corruption Prevention, Roger Watson, said the survey does not imply that the Commission is suspicious about any particular agency or its staff.
“Rather, the survey seeks to establish the extent to which the Public Sector may be exposed to these sorts of practices and if any other suppliers are involved,” he said.
“The Commission has been working closely with the Public Sector Commission and the Department of Local Government to promote a consistent approach across government in regard to the issue.”
A Commission public hearing in late October heard that companies used aggressive sales techniques to sell over-priced, non-genuine toners to the Public Sector by offering “rewards” such as gift vouchers and electronic goods to purchasing officers.
There was evidence they also pressured public officers into making purchases in the belief that their Agency had a contract with the supplier when no contract existed.
The public hearing heard that at least 20 State Government Agencies and more than 20 Local Governments paid $316,000 more than necessary for toner over a three-year period by buying from these companies rather than through a Government-approved source.
Agencies have until 15 January 2010 to complete the online survey which also includes details of gift and purchasing policies. The details will be included in a Commission report.
15 December, 2009
New Guide signs up
for appointments
The Public Sector Standards Commissioner has published a guide to appointments under the Standards Framework for Human Resource Management.The framework was developed to enhance the efficiency of human resource practices in the Public Sector.
“The framework maximises the ability of Agencies to meet their business objectives while being responsive to changes in their external environment,” the Acting Commissioner, Mal Wauchope, said.
“The framework provides three entry points into the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management. This approach encourages flexibility in the development of human resource practices and will help Public Sector Agencies remove ‘red tape’ and minimise the bureaucracy associated with their human resource processes.”
He said the guide, entitled Appointment: Getting it Right, separates the appointment process into three sections relating to different stages of the appointment process. These sections are planning, attraction and selection.
Each section focuses on key activities associated with the process and helps integrate the principles of appointment into practices.
“Getting it Right contains practical information on appointment processes,” Mr Wauchope said.
“A question and answer approach is used to highlight issues you may encounter during an appointment process. Explanations on a range of appointment activities complement a bank of useful tips you might like to consider when you undertake an appointment process.”
He said the guide identified common pitfalls that might be experienced during an appointment process. It also included links to good practice and additional resources to help access more detailed information should it be needed.
A suite of information sheets, proformas and templates are provided on disc at the back of this guide so Agencies could customise it if needed.
Appointment: Getting it Right is available from www.opssc.wa.gov.au
15 December, 2009
Schools awards
are class acts
The WA Education Awards have been presented with three teachers and three schools topping the list for 2009.Education Minister Liz Constable said the winners represented the high calibre of public education in Western Australia.
“These people are at the very pinnacle of their field and instil their passion for education in others,” Dr Constable said.
“Educators nurture the great minds of the future, so it is vital their dedication is recognised and rewarded. Our winners will continue to influence the lives of others long after their students have graduated.”
The winners were:
- Julie Boston, science teacher from John Curtin College of the Arts, received the highest accolade, being named the 2009 Premier’s Teacher of the Year.
Ms Boston received $25,000, half of which is to be used for professional learning.
The WA Education Award judges praised Ms Boston as being an enthusiastic and inventive educator. Musical instruments and paintbrushes are often used in Ms Boston’s science classroom as she promotes cross-curricular learning to improve student confidence.
“We all learn differently so I create flexible lessons to tap into my students’ learning styles and to individually tailor programs that meet their learning needs,” Ms Boston said. - Carolyn Cook, principal of Hedland Senior High School, was named WA Principal of the Year 2009.
She is widely credited with having a dramatic impact at her school and increasing student attendance.
Known as a firm but fair leader, Ms Cook said she had a zero tolerance approach to fighting, bullying, mobile phones and iPods, and insisted that students were always in full correct uniform. - Geoff Warren, Dwellingup Primary School’s gardener and handyman, was named the State’s top school support staff member. Mr Warren said the best part of his job was encouraging a love for the environment among the students.
He is instrumental in the environment program at Dwellingup Primary School where students plant vegetables in the permaculture garden, re-pot seedlings, recycle aluminium cans, and also have chickens and a worm farm that the students care for. The by-products of eggs and worm castings are sold to raise money for the environment group. - Exmouth District High School was named the best literacy school in the State showing that isolation is no barrier to excellence with staff of the school continually honing their craft, ensuring that they are up-to-date with the latest technology and best teaching practices.
Deputy Principal Ian Fraser said the key to quality literacy education was quality teaching.
“Staff, particularly our literacy leader Michelle Kermond, have worked tirelessly to improve literacy results for students,” Mr Fraser said.
“Encouraging students to learn outside of school is also vital and we have developed important partnerships with the community to do this.” - Ardross Primary School was named top science school in the State for its dedication to environmental sciences and conservation.
Principal Andy Holmes said creating real world science programs for the whole school helped students engage in science.
“In the past two years, students have added 4000 local species of plants to the school’s gardens and donated 1500 plants to Wheatbelt farms for planting as wind breaks,” Mr Holmes said.
“Being a positive role model for environmental conservation is important to the school community and we teach about science while showing students how to be good environmental citizens. - Donnybrook District High School was named as WA Numeracy School of the Year.
Deputy principal Martin Spykers said maths had had a makeover and it was far more hands-on and fun than ever before.
“We have moved away from the traditional way of teaching numeracy. We are taking a risk and making sure that students understand the key concepts before moving on. This takes patience from teachers but greatly improves outcomes for students.”
15 December, 2009
Big guns back public
on pest control
The Western Australian public has been commended by the Department of Agriculture and Food for its commitment in guarding the State from exotic pests.The Department’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) spokesman Marc Widmer said Western Australians had been diligent in reporting potential exotic pest infestations.
“During the past 18 months, PaDIS has received more than 17,000 inquiries resulting in 80 reports of declared pests,” Mr Widmer said.
“We responded to three cases involving live exotic drywood termites and other serious incursions, such as European wasps and exotic wood borers.”
Mr Widmer said the public, along with the pest control industry and local businesses, played an essential role in reporting incursions of exotic pests and diseases.
“Public vigilance has definitely helped prevent the establishment of pests that could otherwise cause major problems for the State’s agriculture, public amenity and environment,” he said.
“Early detection is the key in dealing with exotic pests because it increases the chances of successful eradication and greatly reduces the cost of eradication programs.
“By reporting the presence of European wasps in an area, the public has helped keep WA free of this dangerous pest, with hundreds of wasp nests destroyed over the years. We have also received reports of tropical fire ants.”
He said if any of these had gone undetected they would have been very damaging for the WA environment and rural industries. Reports of these pests had potentially saved the WA economy hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mr Widmer said PaDIS was a service unique to WA, which offered free identifications and advice to the public and the pest control industry.
“PaDIS actively engages the public and encourages broad scale involvement in Western Australia’s biosecurity,” he said.
The PaDIS freecall number is 1800 084 881.
15 December, 2009
Goldfields safety not
a shining example
The safety standards of workplaces on the goldfields have been found lacking in a series of inspections by WorkSafe inspectors.Inspectors visited 28 construction sites in Kalgoorlie and Esperance last month and issued a total of 19 notices and a number of verbal directions.
WorkSafe Director of Construction, Regional and Primary Industries, Chris Kirwin, said that although the number of notices issued was not excessive, the matters to which they referred were extremely serious.
“Of the 19 notices issued, 11 referred to serious safety concerns with electricity on work sites,” Mr Kirwin said.
“Over the past five years, 18 Westerns Australians have died as a result of electrocution, eight in workplaces and 10 outside of workplaces, a tragic toll in anyone’s terms.”
He said electricity was one of WorkSafe’s operational priority areas, and a lot of time and resources were directed towards lessening the toll and educating people on how to work safely with electricity.
“Ten of the 11 notices were improvement notices requiring the employer to undertake quarterly testing and tagging of power leads and portable power tools on construction sites to ensure that cords and tools remained safe to use,” he said.
“The remaining notice was a prohibition notice requiring workers to stop using damaged leads and power tools on a site because they were not considered safe.”
He said two other prohibition notices were issued, one to stop a worker from operating a mobile crane when he did not hold the appropriate high-risk work licence, and the other to stop workers using an unsafe scaffolding system.
“Other improvement notices were issued for non-compliant scaffolding, lack of edge protection resulting in a risk of falls and issues in relation to tilt-up construction work,” he said.
“All these matters are very serious issues, and the inspectors reported they were surprised by the lack of awareness of safety issues or the lack of compliance with safety laws in the Goldfields region.”
He said as a result of the poor results revealed by this campaign, Worksafe had scheduled another inspectors’ visit to the Goldfields in the New Year to take a look at the sites not visited this time and to check on some of the sites already visited.
Further information on keeping the workplace safe could be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
15 December, 2009
Police handling
duties better
An investigation into the management of property by WA Police has found that good progress has been made since improvements were recommended in 2005.A joint report from the Corruption and Crime Commission and Western Australia Police found that of 42 recommendations in a 2005 joint report on the police handling of property, 23 had been completed, 12 were progressing towards finalisation, one recommendation was not able to be addressed and six were no longer relevant.
The 2005 report identified deficiencies that included inadequate security for property held by police, damage to exhibits because of inadequate facilities and problems with tracking property.
The Commission’s Director of Corruption Prevention, Roger Watson, said he believed that the progress made by police would provide a firm foundation for the continued future effective management of property.
Improvements identified in the current report included:
- A warehouse in Belmont that was more than three times larger than the previous facility had been leased. It was said to be the best-equipped police facility of its type in Australia and had improved the management and security of the property being held.
- Bar-coding of property had been introduced improving the ability to keep track of it.
- There had been a significant reduction in the backlog of property not attached to a particular officer or case, which had been reduced from more than 84,000 to fewer than 50,000 items. The number of items on the previous recording system at the Drug Receival Unit had been reduced from about 4900 to less than 400 items. Security at the unit had also been upgraded.
- The introduction of a single Property Management Division had improved the management of property across the service.
- The number of civilians in the division had increased.
- The amount of property and exhibits held for a long period had been reduced.
- The amount of cannabis held in tagged bags at the Drug Receival Unit needed to be reduced.
- Although the backlog of stored property had been catalogued, the situation with 88,000 items stored under the old recording system needed to be resolved by disposing of the property, returning it to the owners or destroying it.
15 December, 2009
Councils collect in
regional groupings
Local Governments across the State are to be formed into regional groupings as the next step in reforming the sector in WA.Minister for Local Government, John Castrilli has introduced new Regional Transitional Groups following receipt of a steering committee’s interim analysis of reform submissions.
Nine Local Governments advised they were prepared to merge into three separate new entities and have formalised this. A further 54 Local Governments indicated they were amenable to amalgamations.
Mr Castrilli said by forming transition groups, with a formal, no-opt out agreement, Local Governments would have the time and opportunity to form relationships based on trust; resolve key issues; and harmonise core functions and services before 2013.
These included: strategic and community planning; infrastructure planning and asset management; economic development; corporate services; planning and management of natural resources; building and approval processes; statutory and strategic land use planning; environmental health; and waste management.
“The interim analysis showed for a small number of Local Governments in regional areas, amalgamations were not a priority due to their remoteness and size,” Mr Castrilli said.
“I concluded the best way forward is to form Regional Collaborative Groups, where councils work together before deciding their future. Such groups would still be bound by a formal agreement and be required to perform similar functions and services as the Regional Transitional Groups.”
He said he believed more metropolitan Local Governments could engage in robust structural reform and said he would re-engage with those next March.
Mr Castrilli said a common theme among the many positive submissions received was the emphasis on increasing the delivery and quality of services to rural, remote and indigenous communities.
The need for greater Local Government consistency within WA in aspects such as approvals processes, systems and service delivery was also noted.
“Outcomes from Departmental discussions with Local Governments in coming weeks will be incorporated in the steering committee’s final report, due in March 2010,” he said.
“I expect more mergers to be announced in the coming months as these discussions proceed, including metropolitan councils being prepared to consider mergers. I commend councils which have embraced this opportunity and thank the Local Government Reform Steering Committee for its work in preparing the interim analysis.”
15 December, 2009
Harmonised OHS laws
need more tuning
The WA Government is to adopt the majority of the proposed national Occupational Health and Safety laws but is to retain some of its own processes.Minister for Commerce, Troy Buswell said the national Work Health and Safety Act had been endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) on 11 December and aimed to harmonise OHS laws across Australia.
“WA has already agreed to the vast majority of recommendations for national harmonisation and is a strong supporter of maintaining a high level of workplace safety,” Mr Buswell said.
“Areas where we are unlikely to introduce the model laws include changes to the level of penalties and right of entry; power for health and safety representatives to stop work; and reverse onus of proof for discrimination issues.”
He said he also had concerns about changes to Category 1 and 2 offences, which include offences causing death or serious injury or a high risk of death and injury.
“WA has also indicated its willingness to participate in the Safe Work Australia framework but reserves its right not to adopt changes recommended by that process in the future,” Mr Buswell said.
Safe Work Australia developed the national model OHS laws and each jurisdiction is required to enact their own jurisdictional laws mirroring the national laws by December 2011.
The OHS laws consist of a model OHS Act and model regulations, which will be supported by model Codes of Practice.
An independent panel reviewed OHS laws in each State, Territory and the Commonwealth and advised WRMC on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act that could be adopted in all jurisdictions.
Currently all States and Territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own OHS laws.
15 December, 2009
Kids’ activity report
takes gloves off
A study of Western Australian children commissioned by the Physical Activity Taskforce has revealed more than half were not active enough to avoid health problems later in life.The key findings of the 2008 Western Australian Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) show the majority of children are not active enough and many are not eating enough fruit and vegetables. This behaviour usually worsened into adolescence.
CAPANS was commissioned by the Physical Activity Taskforce and follows 2003 research monitoring child and adolescent physical activity, nutrition and behaviour.
Sport and Recreation Minister and chair of the Physical Activity Taskforce Terry Waldron said one positive outcome from the report was children’s physical activity levels had not appeared to have decreased since 2003.
“Against the social trend of more sedentary behaviour, including participating in screen-based entertainment, children seem to have maintained their 2003 levels of physical activity,” Mr Waldron said
“About 60 per cent of boys in primary and secondary schools and more than 70 per cent of primary school girls are also not getting the recommended amounts of activity.
“Secondary school girls are most at risk, with 90 per cent not meeting the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.”
The 2008 CAPANS pedometer study showed minimal improvements since 2003, with about 60 per cent of children still not achieving the recommended daily step count.
However, fruit and vegetable consumption had improved since 2003.
“Overall there has been an increase in the number of children eating the recommended amount of fruit, and a significant increase in the number of secondary school girls eating the recommended amount of vegetables,” Mr Waldron said
“While this is positive, we are still concerned this is a small proportion and the majority of children need to eat more of these foods and eat them more often.”
The Physical Activity Taskforce was established in 2001 to oversee the development and delivery of a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to increasing physical activity levels in WA. The taskforce comprised Government, non-government, academic and local government agencies.
CAPANS was commissioned by the Physical Activity Taskforce in 2008 and data was collected from 1827 students in primary school years three, five and seven and secondary school years eight, 10 and 11.
Edith Cowan University conducted the WA survey and the final report of CAPANS 2008 would be available in 2010.
15 December, 2009
Health bites dust
in carpet case
The Department of Health has warned people to be wary of dust inhalation when removing or replacing carpet.The warning comes after the first traces of asbestos fibres were found in carpet underlay samples taken from a Perth home.
Director of Environmental Health, Jim Dodds said there was a possibility that some underlay manufactured before the early 1970s may have included recycled hessian from bags previously used to transport and store asbestos.
“While the likelihood of asbestos fibres being present in carpet underlay is low, people should remain vigilant when removing old carpets,” he said.
“The Department of Health has recently tested samples of carpet underlay from a number of older houses across Perth but this is the first time any traces of asbestos have been found.”
He said the Department had also tested carpet and other surfaces in rooms of the home with the affected underlay but there was no evidence that the asbestos had spread from underneath the carpet.
“We will continue to test carpet underlay samples from homes with old carpets to get a clearer picture of the level of risk and the proportion of homes that might be affected,” Mr Dodds said.
“Our main focus is on original underlay that was installed under carpets laid before 1970.”
Asbestos fibres were known to cause several respiratory conditions including asbestosis and mesothelioma, although prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the fibres in air were normally necessary for this to happen.
“I would recommend that people considering replacing carpets that are known to be more than about 40 years old contact the Department of Health to discuss whether a sample of the underlay should be tested as a precaution, before it is disturbed,” Mr Dodds said.
“Householders and carpet industry professionals are reminded to take standard precautions when removing old carpet and underlay in view of this latest result.”
He said this included wearing a Class P1 or P2 facemask and disposable overalls and removing the underlay carefully to minimise the release of dust.
“This will provide protection against inhaling dust and other allergens as well as any asbestos fibres in the unlikely event they are present.”
Advice about safe handling of asbestos and testing of samples for asbestos was available from the Department’s website at www.public.health.wa.gov.au
15 December, 2009
Fish scientists find
new angle on dhufish
Scientists from the Department of Fisheries have found that Western Australia’s unique dhufish population is at serious risk of over fishing.Supervising Scientist Finfish Dr Brett Molony said the new $225,000 project was to identify critical habitats for this important, but slow-growing, species. The funding for the juvenile dhufish research was part of more than $2.2 million ($2,235,000) in NRM support for effectively directed fisheries research.
“At present stock status monitoring is largely focussed on adult dhufish, but little is known about juveniles between spawning and becoming vulnerable to fishing,” Dr Molony said.
“This is one of the at-risk demersal species, which has prompted tighter management of both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, so, the more we can learn about juvenile dhufish habitats, the better we can manage its sustainability.”
Dr Molony said one of the aims of this research project was being able to gather enough information to potentially develop a recruitment index, to give Fisheries’ scientists more ways of assessing the sustainability of dhufish in the West Coast Bioregion.
“Because Western Australian dhufish are not found anywhere else in the world and they have been so important to the community, we must be extremely careful that we manage the species in a sustainable way,” he said.
“Dhufish is one of the main species that supports the commercial West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery, valued at approximately five million dollars annually. This fishery also helps to create employment throughout the region and supplies local fish markets.”
Dr Molony said for many fish species environmental conditions impacted on the level of recruitment and dhufish was no different in that regard.
“Juvenile dhufish don’t generally become vulnerable to fishing until three or four years of age, so by knowing more about the critical habitats for the juveniles more can be done to better understand and improve the rates of stock recovery,” he said.
“The initial component of the research will be to hold a workshop involving scientists, commercial and recreational fishers and representatives from peak bodies WAFIC and Recfishwest. We want to gather all the information from scientists and fishers to compile the most comprehensive details possible on the distribution and habitat needs of juvenile dhufish.”
15 December, 2009
Childcare breaches
to be show and tell
Childcare providers found breaching regulations are to have their failings made public.The forceful move has been announced by Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney in an effort, she said, to encourage the industry to “lift its game”.
Currently, known breaches by childcare providers were not publicised widely.
“I feel that parents have a right to know if their childcare provider has not acted in-line with current regulations and this information should be freely available,” Mrs McSweeney said.
“If parents can access information about the quality of care offered to their child and feel this is not up to scratch, they have a right to make a decision to move their child to another provider.”
She said it was an important step to changing the face of the industry and would allow parents to make informed choices about who they entrusted the safety and well-being of their child to.
The Minister said the publishing of known breaches by State childcare providers would occur following talks with childcare providers and the Department for Communities regarding how to best implement the changes.
15 December, 2009
All eyes down for
reading challenge
The Premier’s Summer Reading Challenge for school children has been launched for the summer holidays.Education Minister Liz Constable said the challenge aimed to get children to read for 10 to 15 hours - depending on age - during the six-week school holiday break. Parents were urged to take part and read for 15 hours, or just 15 minutes a day.
“Children can read anything they like as part of the challenge, including books, magazines, comics and newspapers,” Dr Constable said.
“The main aim is to encourage children to read for pleasure, as we know reading is critical for developing fluency, broadening vocabulary and assisting comprehension.
“We also know children who develop a love of reading at home are more likely to succeed at school.”
The Minister said it was important parents encouraged their children to read.
“By reading themselves, parents are showing their children that reading is a valued, ‘grown-up’ activity,” she said.
“Parents are urged to continue reading to their children even once they are reading independently, as this broadens their children’s vocabulary and introduces them to sophisticated language structures.
“Most of all, reading with your children is a fun and rewarding activity that gives children an enormous boost in literacy development.”
Dr Constable said participants would receive a signed certificate from the Premier and enter the draw to win a family trip to Broome, books and other prizes.
More information is available at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/readingchallenge
15 December, 2009
Language Centre
lands land grant
The transfer of land in South Hedland to the Wangka Maya community would ensure the continued success of an Aboriginal language centre there.Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls approved a conditional transfer of the land on which the centre was built to the Wangka Maya community organisation for its continued use as a language centre.
The Minister also approved the allocation of an additional 5000sqm of land next to the centre for the group to develop a small cultural precinct, including an art gallery.
“Wangka Maya has done an extraordinary job in developing the centre as a language, culture and history complex and it has provided some great benefits for people in the region since it was finished in December 2008,” he said.
“The centre provides an essential community service, preserving the Aboriginal language and culture for future generations.”
Mr Grylls said the centre’s services included recording, analysing and preserving the Pilbara’s indigenous languages; translating and interpreting services for indigenous people who don’t speak English; and recording historical and cultural information such as songs, stories and images.
The centre also provided a service that reconnected the Pilbara and Gascoyne indigenous people to their families and had developed cross-cultural awareness training programs.
The Minister said that providing the Wangka Maya Aboriginal Corporation with conditional freehold of the land ensured its continued use as a language centre.
“Under the transfer conditions, the land can only be used for this purpose,” he said.
“The corporation is a non-profit group and this change will help ensure they can continue to provide the existing services without the concern of continually having to raise the money for rent.”
15 December, 2009
Watchdog drinks
to liquor limits
The Director of Liquor Licensing has clamped down on violence and anti-social behaviour in Northbridge by imposing strict conditions on nightclubs and late-night licensed venues in the area.In October Director of Liquor Licensing Barry Sargeant wrote to all metropolitan nightclub licensees and other licensees in Northbridge and surrounding areas who would be affected by these conditions asking them to show cause why they should not be introduced.
“After reviewing their submissions, I am convinced that these conditions will go a significant way to addressing some of the issues raised by the Commissioner of Police,” Mr Sargeant said.
The strategy would see nightclubs closing at 5am instead of 6am on Saturday and Sunday mornings – they would also be subject to a 4am lockout on those days.
For other licensed venues in Northbridge and surrounding areas that were permitted to trade beyond 1am, a 2am lockout would apply.
Furthermore, the following restrictions would be introduced at premises affected by these conditions:
- Liquor sold and supplied during the final hour of trade was restricted to a maximum of four alcoholic drinks per person or one bottle of wine at any one time; and
- Liquor was not to be sold or supplied in non-standard measures after 1am – this included shooters, jelly-shots, and jugs or pints of spirits.
“I have also conditioned all metropolitan nightclubs for the same reason,” he said.
Mr Sargeant ALSO said the following conditions would apply to the Burswood Entertainment Complex on a Saturday and Sunday for the 2009/10 summer:
- The Eve Nightclub and Paddy Hannan’s Bar would close at 5am and a lockout would apply from 3am;
- Between 5am and 6am, four of the six bars on the main gaming floor would close; and
- From 1am liquor sold and supplied would be limited to two alcoholic drinks at any one time and was not to be sold in non-standard measures.
15 December, 2009
New rules for tender ads
Changes to the State Supply Commission’s advertising policy means that Government Agencies will no longer have to advertise tenders more than $150,000 in the West Australian newspaper.
A list of recently issued tenders would be published in the West Australian, with details provided online at Tenders WA. Agencies could now choose which other media they would advertise their tenders through.
Park accommodation sought
Expressions of interest have been called for the building of low impact nature-based visitor accommodation facilities at Kurrajong campground in the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park.
The tenders have been issued as part of the Naturebank program, an initiative through which potential visitor accommodation sites on conservation lands are identified and assessments of environmental and cultural issues undertaken to determine the location’s suitability for commercial tourism.
Beazley to talk
Former Labor Minister Kim Beazley is to talk of the challenge in recording the audio version of the book titled “Father of the House: the memoirs of Kim E Beazley”. The book was written by his father and is an inside story of one of Australia’s longest serving and most influential Ministers in Federal Parliament.
Mr Beazley spent nine weeks with a member of the Association for the Blind of WA Audio Production team recording and finalising the audio for the novel.
The talk will be held at the State Library of WA on 8 January, 2010 at 12.30pm. RSVP is recommended on 9427 3151 or events@slwa.wa.gov.au
Perth’s history in print
The City of Perth publication, City Of Light - A history of Perth since the 1950s, is now available.
In 1962 a lone astronaut orbiting the earth sighted a small cluster of lights on the dark silhouette of Australia’s western coastline – a token of friendship from the people of Perth that prompted the world’s media to dub this isolated provincial outpost the “City of Light”.
City of Light expands this metaphor by shedding new light on the social history of Perth since the 1950s. Its focus is the city centre and the events that unfolded there. This City of Perth publication can be purchased in person at the City of Perth Library and Perth Town Hall.
Taxi fares rise 1%
Taxi fares across the State are to increase by less than one per cent, the Department of Transport has advised.
General Manager of Passenger Services with the Department, Peter Ryan said the 0.97 per cent price adjustment was in line with advice received after the latest independent review of the Metropolitan Fare Model (MFM).
Mr Ryan said that this year’s fare review highlighted the fact that certain individual taxi running costs, particularly fuel prices, had actually decreased in the past year.
New phone stations
Two new telecommunication base stations are to be provided in the Blackwood Valley area to provide mobile phone coverage for assistance in emergency situations. Minister for Regional Development and Lands, Brendon Grylls said funding would be allocated from the Royalties for Regions program for stations at Balingup and Quongup (Nannup shire).
The stations would cost about $1 million and the commitment meant work could go ahead as soon as possible in an area of high risk from summer bushfires.
Dam upgrade gets go-ahead
The State Government has awarded a $40 million alliance contract to bring the 70-year-old Wellington Dam into line with today’s engineering standards.
Work would commence shortly on the project and form part of the Water Corporation’s ongoing State-wide Dam Remedial Works Program.
The successful contractor, the Wellington Dam Alliance, combines the expertise of Leighton Contractors, AECOM, Hydro Tasmania and Structural System Limited working with the corporation.
The storage capacity, height and basic design of the dam will remain essentially unchanged and public access around the dam would be limited while the works took place.
900 houses for north
Nearly 900 new affordable dwellings worth close to $160 million are planned for the North Metropolitan area, including 60 new homes in Mirrabooka, Housing Minister Troy Buswell has announced.
Mr Buswell said the State Government had purchased the new units in Mirrabooka using $17,780,000 from Stage 2 of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Package.
A total of $550million is being spent in Western Australia to build almost 2000 new homes across Stages one and two of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.
Prisoners get work
Prisoners at Roebourne Regional Prison have graduated from the prison’s Work Ready course.
The six prisoners graduated with qualifications in workplace skills such as carpentry, welding and general construction, preparing them for work at Rio Tinto and other mining organisations once released.
PS News on holiday
This is the final edition of PS News for 2009.
The editor, staff and contributors to PS News wish every reader and their families a healthy and relaxing Christmas break and a rewarding new year.
The first edition for 2010 will be published during the week of 18 January.
8 December, 2009
Procurement rules
buy into disability
State Supply Commission policies have been amended to allow Government Departments and Agencies to bypass normal tender processes if they can award work to Australian Disability Enterprises.Premier Colin Barnett and Disability Services Minister, Simon O’Brien announced the move saying it would exempt some registered businesses that employed people with disabilities from aspects of the Government tender process.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the release of the Government’s Count Me In - Disability Future Directions plan which outlined a 15-year strategy to tackle the challenges and barriers facing Western Australians living with a disability.
Mr Barnett said the exemption was a positive step forward.
“Some organisations are set up with the prime purpose of providing employment for people with disabilities but they sometimes struggle to win Government work in a competitive tender environment,” Mr Barnett said.
“The change to this policy will support these organisations and the excellent work they do. It will also help create more jobs for people with disabilities.”
He said the new system fixed long-established problems.
“Earlier this year, local company Westcare Print, which employs people with disabilities, lost a contract with the Health Department,” the Premier said.
“It was not successful in re-tendering based solely on economic grounds and a strict tender assessment process.”
Mr Barnett said with the change, a public authority would not be required to comply with the minimum competitive requirements for procurement where the Accountable Authority considered that exceptional circumstances existed and justification was documented.
He said exceptional circumstances might include, but were not limited to:
- There was a bona fide sole source of supply.
- There was an opportunity to purchase from a business that primarily existed to provide the services of persons with a disability and the business was a registered Australian Disability Enterprise.
- A public authority had awarded a contract for a similar requirement through a competitive process within the previous 12 months and there was a reasonable expectation that the market had not changed.
- A public authority required the use of goods and services from a particular supplier that must be integrated within an existing contractual arrangement, project or ICT standard operating environment and an alternative product was not suitable.
8 December, 2009
Communities warm
to warning system
Members of the public have been encouraged to register for StateAlert, WA’s new emergency warning system.Minister for Emergency Services, Rob Johnson said the automated StateAlert system had been developed by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and WA Police and supplied warnings to phones and email accounts during emergencies such as bushfires.
Mr Johnson said recent hot weather was a timely reminder that the bushfire season had begun, and that people and communities needed to be well-prepared.
“The State Government is committed to boosting community safety and StateAlert is another way to alert people in life-threatening situations,” Mr Johnson said.
“StateAlert can send warning messages to an area as small as a suburban block through to an area as large as a Local Government shire.”
He said the service was free, and that all home phones including silent numbers and mobiles would automatically receive the warnings.
“However, mobile phone users will need to register if their residential address is different to their billing address,” Mr Johnson said.
“People can also register if they want to receive alerts via email or for up to three additional addresses.”
He said a community-based advertising and promotion campaign would begin shortly to encourage people to register additional contacts or addresses.
Mr Johnson said the service would be especially useful for people with friends or family members with special needs, such as the elderly and people with hearing, visual or physical impairments.
“It is also useful to small businesses and people who own multiple properties,” he said.
Mr Johnson said StateAlert would not replace existing public information tools such as websites, information lines, radio broadcasts and other media.
“It is an additional tool that will be used to alert people in a specific location where there is immediate danger,” he said.
“StateAlert will only be used for known hazards and where there is sufficient time to send a warning, so individuals still need to take appropriate measures to ensure their own safety.”
Mr Johnson reminded residents to ensure they were prepared for bushfires and to continuously monitor local conditions.
He said to register, people should visit www.statealert.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 253 787.
8 December, 2009
Health strategy wins
positive diagnosis
A strategic blueprint to guide the delivery of Western Australia’s public health services for the next 10 years has been released by Minister for Health, Kim Hames. Dr Hames said the WA Health Clinical Services Framework 2010-2020 (CSF 2010) described a public health system delivering quality services close to where people lived, and meeting the demands of a growing and ageing population.
“This is the first ever comprehensive picture of State-wide clinical services - it provides a vision of where we are going over the next decade and a plan to meet the WA community’s health needs,” Dr Hames said.
“The CSF 2010 is a detailed picture of the services to be delivered by WA’s network of public hospitals and non-hospital services, and is the major planning document for our health system.”
He said the framework formed the basis of clinical service, health infrastructure and workforce plans, as well as feeding into recurrent budget and technology planning.
Dr Hames said under the blueprint, there would be strong growth in metropolitan hospital bed numbers by 574 by 2015, while patients in regional communities would also benefit, with bed numbers to either increase or be maintained.
He said the CSF 2010 outlined the way in which specialised services would be divided between the three main tertiary hospitals for the first time.
“A key element of this blueprint for WA’s health system is the State Government’s decision to retain Royal Perth Hospital as an inner city, tertiary hospital with a major Emergency Department,” the Minister said.
“Royal Perth, Fiona Stanley, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH) and Sir Charles Gairdner hospitals will deliver state-of-the-art, specialised, tertiary health services.”
Dr Hames said Royal Perth would provide major trauma services, cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplants, an advanced heart failure unit, tertiary mental health care and a range of medical and surgical services, while retaining its major research centre.
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital would provide a trauma centre, cardiothoracic surgery, liver and kidney transplants, a comprehensive cancer centre, tertiary medical and surgical centres and mental health services.
The Fiona Stanley Hospital would deliver major trauma services, cardiothoracic surgery, kidney transplants, the State burns service, a comprehensive cancer centre, tertiary surgical and medical services and mental health.
PMH would provide major trauma services to children and comprehensive tertiary paediatric care for the whole of the State.
The Minister said the CSF 2010 was a revised and updated version of the previous Clinical Services Framework released in 2005.
He said the Framework was available at www.health.wa.gov.au or by calling 9222 4222.
8 December, 2009
New chopper sinks
teeth into bushfires
An extra water-bombing helicopter has been added to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority fleet and will be based in the vulnerable South-West region.Minister for Emergency Services, Rob Johnson said the Type 1 helicopter, similar to the giant Fire King, would be managed by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) from a base at Busselton.
He said it could drop 4,000 litres of water - four times the amount of the Helitac water bombers - and can carry up to 15 firefighters and equipment.
Mr Johnson said given the seasonal forecast of above-normal fire conditions, more intense fires and identified high-risk communities in the South-West, the Federal Government had joined forces with the State Government to provide funding for the additional Type 1 helicopter.
“There are a lot more people living in the region and this spikes during the summer months as tourists arrive for the holiday season, increasing the demand for our emergency services,” Mr Johnson said.
“An extra helicopter of this capability in the South-West will be a big boost for our emergency services as the aircraft already has a proven track record helping to protect lives and property in Western Australia, attending 53 major incidents during 2008-09.”
The Minister said it was the first time two Type 1 aircraft had been based in WA, with the other continuing to service the Perth metropolitan areas.
Mr Johnson said in addition to increasing the aerial firefighting fleet, the Government had introduced new laws this bushfire season under the Bushfires Amendment Bill 2009.
He said changes under the new legislation included:
- Introduction of total fire bans.
- New arrangements for control of a major fire with FESA assuming control of major fires.
- To help combat arson, legislation now includes a definition of the word property - to include Crown land and bush.
- Introduction of a revised national Fire Danger Rating system - to include the categories ‘severe’ and ‘catastrophic’.
8 December, 2009
Schools support is
first class result
The Department of Education and Training has announced additional resources for School Support Staff to help alleviate heavy workloads.Director General of DET, Sharyn O’Neill and Assistant Branch Secretary for the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA, Jo Gaines said from Term one 2010, all schools would receive a minimum of one extra day per week of Level 2 School Support Staff time.
In a joint statement, Ms O’Neill and Ms Gaines said School Support Staff (SSS) included business managers, registrars, school officers, library officers, laboratory technicians and IT support officers.
They said the additional resources have been allocated in response to a CPSU/CSA campaign to lighten the workload of DET staff, despite cutbacks in the Public Service.
“School Support Staff should not be permitted to undertake an unreasonable workload,” Ms O’Neill and Ms Gaines said.
“Principals need to be mindful of and develop local strategies to manage SSS workload issues.
“Principals need to prioritise workload allocation of any new or existing SSS tasks to prevent excessive workload.”
Ms O’Neill said DET would implement a process to help principals who found their schools were not managing work requirements.
Ms Gaines said the additional resources were an important step towards addressing workload issues.
She said a review would be undertaken during Term 2 in 2010 to determine how sufficient the allocation of additional time was.
Ms Gaines and Ms O’Neill said other measures to improve workloads for SSS included ensuring staff did not work in their lunch breaks, were paid appropriate overtime or given leave in lieu, did not undertake duties beyond the scope of their job description and were not expected to accept duty of care for students.
8 December, 2009
Disability policy to
be high achiever
A 15-year strategy to address the challenges and barriers facing people with disabilities in Western Australia has been released jointly by the Premier, Colin Barnett and Minister for Disability Services, Simon O’Brien.Mr Barnett said Count Me In – Disability Future Directions highlighted three priority areas which would help deliver a better future for people with disabilities as well as assisting their families and carers.
He said currently more than 400,000 West Australians lived with a disability and by 2025 one in four people in WA would have a disability.
“We are targeting three key areas - economic security, encouraging participation for people with disabilities in all aspects of life, and specialist support services for people with severe and profound disabilities and their families,” Mr Barnett said.
“These are the areas that people with disabilities tell us most impact their lives.”
Mr O’Brien said the State Government had provided more than $383 million recurrent funding for disability services this financial year, an increase of nearly $30 million.
He said there would be additional funding over the next four years to provide improved services to people with disabilities.
“This funding will provide additional support, over and above previous commitments, for carers, new school holiday activity programs for children with disabilities, an expansion of accommodation options for an estimated 200 people, increased support for up to 800 young adults with disabilities who are unable to work or study full time as well as providing funding for five new respite centres to the built across the State,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This strategy provides us with an excellent platform to build a more inclusive welcoming community. More though, it gives us a solid foundation for achieving our goals.”
He said Count Me In - Disability Future Directions was developed by the State Government in partnership with people with a disability, their families and carers and the wider Western Australian disability sector.
Copies of the strategy are available from www.disability.wa.gov.au or phone 9426 9328.
8 December, 2009
Fatality reports pass
on workplace data
Increased workplace fatalities in the mining and agriculture, forestry and fishing industries in 2008-09 have been reported in the latest publications from the national workplace safety body Safe Work Australia.Chair of Safe Work Australia, Tom Phillips has released two reports on safety in the workplace, the Notified Fatalities Statistical Report 2008-09 and the Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, Australia 2006-07.
Mr Phillips said Notified Fatalities Statistical Report 2008-09 provided the most recent information on work-related fatalities which were notified to occupational health and safety authorities during the financial year.
Some key findings of the report included:
- In 2008–09 there were 177 notified work-related fatalities. Of these, 151 were workers and 26 were bystanders.
- In 2008-09, there were 158 male fatalities, 17 female fatalities and 2 where the sex was not reported.
“Tragically, there were 19 more notified worker fatalities in 2008-09 than in the previous year, which is an increase of 14 per cent,” Mr Phillips said.
“This increase in fatalities demonstrates the need for all Australians to focus on safety in the workplace and undertake measures to improve safety standards.”
He said Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, Australia 2006-07 was the fourth report in a series that estimated the number of workers and bystanders killed each year due to work-related injury by examining three datasets - the National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics, the Notified Fatalities Collection and the National Coroners Information System.
Mr Phillips said some key findings of the report included:
- A total of 453 work-related traumatic injury fatalities occurred in Australia during 2006–07.
- Of these, 295 died of injuries sustained while working; 93 workers were identified as having died while commuting to or from work and 65 bystanders were identified as having died as a result of someone else’s work activity.
8 December, 2009
Christmas crackdown
is gift from police
The State Government is to fund an additional 5,500 policing hours this festive season as part of a massive campaign against drink driving and other offences during Christmas and New Year.Minister for Police and Road Safety, Rob Johnson said the ‘anywhere, anytime’ blitz would include small suburban back streets and the quiet regional roads in an attempt to ensure safety across all WA roads.
Mr Johnson said the blitz was a Government initiative over and above WA Police’s existing planned major road safety enforcement program for Christmas and New Year.
“I don’t want anyone to lose a loved one on our roads this Christmas and I have ensured funding is available for what I believe will be the most intense crackdown this State has ever seen on drink-drivers trying to escape detection by using back streets,” Mr Johnson said.
“Thanks to this campaign, police will be able to devote an extra 5,500 hours of enforcement time on top of WA Police’s heightened enforcement levels.”
He said the main aim of the operation was to reinforce the ‘anywhere, anytime’ message to motorists who think they can run the gauntlet and take the back streets home if they’ve had too much to drink.
“Anyone who tries this will be making a serious mistake,” Mr Johnson said.
“Obviously they run the risk of killing themselves, their passengers and other innocent road users.”
The Minister said motorists would be breath tested in the back streets 24 hours a day.
“The big booze bus operations and the police Christmas crackdown will still be run in conjunction with this campaign, but we want any complacent drivers to get the message that they can and will be caught anywhere and at anytime,” he said.
Mr Johnson said the blitz began on 1 December and would continue throughout Christmas and New Year.
8 December, 2009
Mathematician
is correct answer
A pure mathematician from the University of Western Australia has been named Scientist of the Year at the 2009 Western Australian Science Awards. Minister for Science and Innovation, Troy Buswell congratulated Winthrop Professor Cheryl Praeger on the honour, saying she was a leading international researcher, renowned for her works in group theory, algebraic graph theory and combinatorics.
“Professor Praeger’s work has resulted in findings that have led to new thought being adopted by mathematicians worldwide,” Mr Buswell said.
“I would like to congratulate her and all the winners of the Western Australian Science Awards for their strong contribution and commitment to advancing science in WA.
“These awards help to promote science research, development and facilitation by recognising and rewarding the achievements of the State’s scientists, researchers, science teachers and facilitators of science outreach programs.”
The Minister said world leading ophthalmic surgeon, Professor Ian Constable was also named the 2009 WA Science Hall of Fame inductee.
“Professor Constable is the founder of the Lions Eye Institute and, under his guidance, the institute has delivered ground-breaking discoveries and developments in eye research, including the LEI artificial cornea, which is granting sight to people all around the world,” Mr Buswell said.
“He was also instrumental in his role as chair of the science advisory councils to the State Government in recommending funding priorities and establishing the WA Energy Research Alliance, the Western Australian Marine Science Institution and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.”
Other winners included Research Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger (Nedlands) for young scientist of the year, Mark Pager (Cable Beach) for science educator of the year – primary, Richard Meagher (Mt Hawthorn) for science educator of the year – secondary, and ECOCEAN Inc. for science outreach program of the year.
8 December, 2009
Gas recommendations
more than hot air
Recommendations from the joint Government and industry Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee are to be implemented to ensure the State is better equipped to handle future gas shortages.Minister for Energy, Peter Collier called for the review into the State’s preparedness for gas supply disruptions after two incidents in 2008 highlighted major deficiencies in the State’s ability to respond.
“The committee’s recommendations aim to mitigate the impact of gas emergency situations and ensure that WA is in a stronger position to co-ordinate and manage a Government and industry response to any future supply disruptions,” Mr Collier said.
“The recommendations support the Liberal-National Government’s objectives to provide secure, reliable, competitive and cleaner energy supply to meet the needs of the community and support WA’s growing economy.”
He said key recommendations from the report included implementing strategic and operational plans to respond to gas supply disruptions; developing regulatory frameworks to assist in gas contingency services; and introduce a number of gas market arrangements to improve the security, reliability and competitiveness of the domestic gas supply market in WA.
Mr Collier said while it would not be possible to guarantee that disruptions to gas supply did not occur, the Government had introduced initiatives to help lessen the potential impacts.
“State Parliament recently passed the Gas Supply (Gas Quality Specifications) Act 2009, allowing for the development of a greater range of gas fields to supply the domestic market,” he said.
“I am also leading the development of the Strategic Energy Initiative, which will provide a clear and co-ordinated direction for the State’s energy sector.”
Mr Collier said the Office of Energy would co-ordinate planning to implement the committee’s recommendations, which would involve further stakeholder consultation on the new electricity and gas market initiatives.
8 December, 2009
Walk week organisers
walk the talk
Participants in the Department of Transport’s Walk Week 2009 Online Corporate Challenge completed 146,044,672 steps - the equivalent of walking three times around the world.The Department tracked the total number of steps of each team on its walking website throughout the four-week challenge, which finished early last month.
Acting Director of Transport Programs, Luke O’Donoghue said the effort made by all 129 teams of four resulted in benefits for the environment and was a great way to inspire more people to walk in Perth.
“The walking challenge results show that by replacing a few short car trips each week with more active modes of transport, such as walking, a positive difference can be made to the environment and our communities,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
“Each year in Perth, more than 90 million private car trips of less than 1km are made, ranking Perth as among the highest in the world for car use.”
He said the corporate challenge participants walked the equivalent of 55,319 short car trips of 2km and that replacing this number of car trips by walking could potentially save 36,879kg of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
“Feedback from the challenge so far has shown that many participants preferred walking than driving, and they plan to continue their new walking routines even though the challenge has finished,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
“Many also have encouraged their friends and family to participate and now view walking as not only a mode of transport or form of exercise, but as a social activity.”
He said the team that accumulated the highest number of steps during the challenge was Hot Housekeeping from Rockingham, who walked a total of 3.47 million steps.
Mr O’Donoghue said registrations for the 2010 Walk Week Online Corporate Challenge would open in August and more information was available from www.transport.wa.gov.au
8 December, 2009
Science Council
has the formula
An independent Council is to be created to advise the State Government on science, innovation and technology.Minister for Science and Innovation, Troy Buswell said the new Council for Science and Innovation would be operational by mid-2010 and amalgamated the WA Science and Innovation Council and the Technology and Industry Advisory Council.
“The new Council will more closely align innovation with enterprise so the sector can better leverage the rich commercial opportunities in Western Australia and the region,” Mr Buswell said.
“We want to create conditions to ensure that a steady pipeline of work follows the exciting developments already occurring in WA in areas such as radio astronomy and health science.”
The Minister said the Council would draw commercial and academic expertise together to develop polices for innovation, technology and science which reflected WA’s particular opportunities and challenges.
“The Council for Science and Innovation will be responsible for both the big picture strategy for science and innovation in WA and also for creating tailored business plans for the individual industry and government sectors,” he said.
“We want the work of the Council, the Chief Scientist and the Department of Commerce to create more opportunities to connect industry with research.”
Mr Buswell said an interim advisory board tasked with the Council’s creation by mid-2010 would be chaired by resources and technology expert Charlie Morgan.
He said the interim board included Chevron Australia’s general manager Colin Beckett, Dr Mal Bryce, Dr Kristen Nowak and Dr Erica Smyth.
8 December, 2009
Courts plug in to
extra powers
Courts will soon have the power to ban repeat offenders from doing things, being in places or associating with people under “Prohibited Behaviour Orders” currently before the State Parliament.Attorney General Christian Porter said State Cabinet had approved the introduction of the Prohibited Behaviour Orders Bill 2009 which would give Courts the power to make civil orders when dealing with repeat, anti-social offenders more than 14 years old.
“What this legislation says is that if you engage in serious and repeat anti-social behaviour the freedoms you might otherwise enjoy are less important than the rights of the community,” Mr Porter said.
“The orders would be in addition to any criminal penalty and would ordinarily ban forms of behaviour that assisted in, or contributed to, the offence for between six months and two years.”
He said the breach of a Prohibited Behaviour Order (PBO) would be a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of two years jail or $6,000 in the Magistrates Court or Children’s Court, and up to five years jail or a fine of $10,000 in the District or Supreme Court.
“Anti-social behaviour encompasses criminal acts which cause alarm, intimidation or harassment to the community,” the Attorney General said.
“It includes such offences as alcohol-fuelled violence, graffiti, inappropriate behaviour on public transport, rock attacks, hoon behaviour and arson.”
Mr Porter said when issuing a PBO, the court would also have the discretion to publicise the offender’s details, including any or all of:
- The name of the offender.
- A photograph or description of the offender.
- The suburb where the offender lives.
- The terms of the PBO.
Mr Porter said the legislation had been tabled as a bill for public comment to allow the Opposition time to consider its position during the summer break prior to the bill’s formal introduction.
8 December, 2009
Rail police upgrade
sends right signal
A new $5.7 million police transport facility is expected to significantly boost security on the Perth to Mandurah railway line.Minister for Police, Rob Johnson said the Police Transport Division - Southern at Rockingham Train Station would accommodate up to 50 operational police and was the second dedicated police rail facility in WA, the other being located at Perth Railway Station.
He said the new complex had offender processing and video interviewing capabilities, as well as access to a state-of-the-art live and recordable CCTV, linking the entire Metropolitan Passenger Railway Network and associated car parks.
“The State Government is determined to eliminate antisocial behaviour and criminal activity along the railway line,” Mr Johnson said.
“This complex has the latest technology to enable our police officers to crack down on crime and respond quickly when an incident arises.
“Not only can police monitor and apprehend offenders, they can collect vital intelligence thanks to the unit’s new CCTV facilities.”
He said people had a right to feel safe while using public transport and he was confident the new facility would help ensure the safety and security of all train users from Perth to Mandurah.
The Minister said the facility’s location at Rockingham Train Station would improve overall community safety in the area as the unit was close to recreational facilities, shopping areas and schools.
Mr Johnson said the unit would operate between 7am and 1am Sunday to Thursday and between 7am and 3am Friday and Saturday, however officers may work outside of those hours during special operations and events.
8 December, 2009
New lease on life
for pastoral rents
The Department of Regional Development and Lands is to review the way land rents are assessed for pastoral leases.Minister, Brendon Grylls ordered the review, saying the Department would co-ordinate it and report to him early next year.
“I have asked the department to look at various options with a range of stakeholders including the Valuer General and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA),” Mr Grylls said.
“I want the review completed and any changes in place well before the next rent review is due.”
The Minister said that under the current system for setting pastoral rents, the Valuer General reviewed unimproved land values every five years.
He said the latest review had seen big increases in the unimproved land values resulting in big rises in the rents this year.
Mr Grylls said he was keen to continue to work with the PGA and others to make sure a better formula for setting rents was introduced and worked effectively.
“I have had a number of meetings with the PGA and we have agreed that any changes in the way rents are assessed would not be retrospective,” he said.
The Minister said one of the biggest difficulties with the rent increases was that the method of setting the rents had allowed the increases to be imposed at one time.
“Legislation that went through State Parliament last month is a big step towards overcoming this problem as it will allow pastoral rent increases to be phased in across three years,” he said.
“I have also asked the PGA to advise me on how we can best use the rent payments to benefit the rangelands and pastoral industry as a whole.
“I am keen to see more focus on the issues affecting the profitability and security of pastoral enterprises, including tenure and diversification,” the Minister said.
8 December, 2009
Friendships sprout in
Agriculture and Food
The Department of Agriculture and Food has shared its latest information and techniques with visitors from Madagascar in a bid to help improve the island nation’s quarantine and biosecurity.Senior technical officer at the Department, Roselia Fogliani said the visit allowed WA researchers to help Madagascar in the surveillance and protection of its agricultural industry.
Ms Fogliani said Dorice Rahelimanerasoa from Madagascar’s Quarantine and Inspection Service, spent a week learning about pest risk analysis, plant quarantine glasshouses and quarantine inspections at the airport and markets.
She said Verosoanandraina Lantoarimaka, from Madagascar’s Plant Protection Service, had been with the Department’s entomology unit for a month as part of a Fellowship. She received training in fruit fly identification, insect pest monitoring including early warning trapping for exotic fruit flies, and use of the sterile insect technique for medfly control.
“Madagascar is a developing country aiming to increase its agricultural exports,” Ms Fogliani said.
“The nation is focusing on increased border quarantine and general biosecurity in order to enhance agricultural trade with other countries.”
The visits to the department were funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and coordinated by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
Ms Fogliani said the Department’s entomology unit had a long association with the IAEA, which has sponsored a number of visitors and Fellows for training in the past.
8 December, 2009
Library hosts winners
The winners of the Make it with Newspaper Contest 2009 will be recognised by the State Library on 13 December at 2pm.
The winning artists, from primary and secondary students throughout WA, will be on hand to share their tips and “do’s and don’ts” on how to create your own sculptures with newspaper.
Their winning sculptures will be on display in The Place on the Mezzanine level in the SLWA from 13 December to 31 January, 2010.
Uni opens hot rocks centre
The Geothermal Centre for Excellence has opened at The University of Western Australia, taking the State a step closer to an energy-secure future.
The centre is aimed at improving geological understanding of, and the ability to harness, WA’s geothermal fields.
It will also provide a world-class training centre for students and develop local solutions for WA’s energy sector.
The Government contributed $2.3 million to establish the centre which is already researching geothermal applications.
Toads hop into Kimberley
The Kimberley region is gearing up for its first wet season since cane toads crossed the WA-NT border earlier this year.
The northern monsoonal season, which generally occurred between December and April, was likely to have a significant impact on the movement of the cane toad front line, which is currently about 30km east of Kununurra, with breeding populations established on the north-eastern shore of Lake Argyle.
Contract call for solar energy
Energy retailer, Synergy has called for expressions of interest for the development of a solar generation power station in Western Australia.
Projects up to 50MW in unit size and commercially attractive offers up to 150MW by 2016 would be considered.
The EOI was not technology-specific and the electricity generated could be from direct (photovoltaic) or indirect (such as solar thermal) solar power.
Proponents will be encouraged to seek funding for their proposal under the Federal Government’s Solar Flagships program.
An EOI information pack is available on the Synergy website at www.synergy.net.au or by phoning 6212 1165.
Development plan released
The Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls has released a publication outlining State and Federal Government plans for the $415 million development of the Ord-East Kimberley area.
He said the Ord-East Kimberley Development Plan provided information on the work under way to release 8,000ha of agricultural lots in the Ord River Valley in conjunction with the improvement of social, community and common-use infrastructure in the region.
The project is being funded with $220 million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and $195 million from the Federal Government to address social and economic disadvantage in the region.
Pilot scholarships on offer
Aviation enthusiasts are being encouraged to apply for one of 11 scholarships being offered by Airservices Australia that subsidise the cost of obtaining a pilot’s licence.
The scholarships are designed to identify the next generation of pilots and support the industry’s sustainability.
Scholarships will be awarded by the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia, Australian Women Pilots’ Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia.
Further information was available from www.awpa.org.au, www.rfaca.com.au and www.aopa.com.au
New station at Neerabup
A peak-capacity power station has opened at Neerabup, providing greater reliability during high electricity demand for about 150,000 households.
The gas-fired, open cycle station will provide an additional 330 megawatts of electricity on the South-West grid.
Construction of the plant started in March 2008, employing more than 350 workers during the 18-month project, with flow-on effects creating at least another 70 jobs in the region.
1 December, 2009
Commissioner clashes
with conflict concerns
The Commissioner for Public Sector Standards has reported that most Departments and Agencies are failing to manage potential conflicts of interest properly.The Commissioner, Ruth Shean, has produced a report that shows “significant differences” between the observations of Public Sector chief executive officers and the perceptions of their employees.
“Agencies have policies and strategies in place to manage interests, but there is a clear problem with their implementation,” Dr Shean said.
“Although most chief executive officers believe they are taking strong action to manage interests in their Agencies, employee perceptions do not support the effectiveness of this.
“This discrepancy between presumed and actual practice is of great concern because it may place an Agency at risk.”
The report detailed the outcomes of a four-stage review which was aimed at assisting PS Agencies understand how well they manage conflicts of interest and how it might be improved.
The review found that 95 per cent of Public Sector Agencies had policies in place to manage conflicts of interest; however, only 59 per cent of employees were aware that these policies existed.
“Public Sector chief executive officers must clearly articulate to employees what a conflict of interest is and how the Agency expects interests to be managed,” Dr Shean said.
“They must identify potential conflict of interest risks relevant to the business of they Agency, and ensure that their employees are aware of these ‘hot spots’ and how they should be managed.”
The report also highlighted the importance of ongoing education of employees as an essential element in the effective implementation of policies on managing interest. While most agencies conducted training on conflicts of interest during employee induction, there was no commitment to reinforcing this throughout the term of employment.
“Chief executive officers must champion on-going face-to-face approaches to educating their employees about conflict of interest, especially for those employees who work in areas of high risk,” Dr Shean said.
Dr Shean said that correct handling of interest was essential to maintaining the integrity of the Public Sector.
“A public perception that a conflict of interest is not being managed properly can be very damaging,” Dr Shean said.
“Regardless of the good work done by Agencies in managing interests, all action is to no avail if the public is of the view that interests are not being managed appropriately.”
1 December, 2009
Ethical issues are
value judgements
The second annual State of the Service Report tabled in Parliament last week has found measurable improvements in the awareness of ethical and integrity issues in the WA Public Service.Prepared by the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner (OPSSC), the report found a 14 per cent increase in the number of employees who were aware of the Code of Ethics over a 10 year period to 2009, and a 12 per cent increase in the number of employees who were aware of their Agency’s code of conduct.
The report contained data from the Western Australian Public Sector Annual Agency Survey, the Employee Perception Survey and complaint data gathered from compliance inquiries. There was a 100 per cent response to the Annual Agency Survey from Public Sector Agencies.
In her final report to Parliament as Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Dr Ruth Shean said the data has allowed the Office to see just how far the Public Sector had come.
“It is pleasing to see we have come a long way indeed,” said Dr Shean.
“An Agency’s code of conduct is the primary vehicle for translating the higher order principles of the Code of Ethics into acceptable employee conduct and is an essential tool for promoting ethical behaviour and integrity.”
Dr Shean said the data made it for the OPSSC to identify those Agencies going through ethical crisis.
“In doing so, the temptation is to conclude that such crises are widespread,” she said.
“Taxpayers should rest assured, however, that the vast majority of Public Sector employees are making a strong and positive contribution to Western Australia, and that their ethical behaviour has never been stronger.”
Dr Shean leaves the role of Commissioner for Public Sector Standards on Friday 4 December to begin a new role within government. The Premier Colin Barnett has announced that the roles of Commissioner for Public Sector Standards and Public Sector Commissioner would be merged.
“I am delighted to be able to handover to both Parliament and the state of Western Australia an assurance that, despite the vulnerabilities we have identified over the past few years, we have witnessed a vast improvement in the awareness of ethical conduct,” Dr Shean said.
The State of the Service Report 2009 is available at www.opssc.wa.gov.au
1 December, 2009
Crime pays for
auxiliary police
The appointment of WA’s first auxiliary police officers is expected to take place next year following changes to the law approved by Parliament.Police Minister Rob Johnson said putting more police on the front-line was the latest step in the State Government’s tough law and order program, following the passing of the Police Amendment Bill 2009.
Mr Johnson said the auxiliary officers would provide operational support, releasing fully-sworn police for front-line duties, further boosting community safety.
“The Government has allocated $208.5 million in recurrent funding - beginning in 2009-10 and continuing across the forward estimates - to fulfil its election pledge to boost police ranks with an additional 500 officers and 200 support staff,” he said.
“The first intake of auxiliary police officers will be a welcome addition and will be deployed to the Perth Watch House, all six metropolitan districts and regional WA.”
He said police auxiliary officers would perform custodial duties in lockups and prisoner transportation; manage and handle drugs, property and firearms; as well as carry out other support roles at police stations.
“This will enable officers and detectives to concentrate on what they have been trained to do, which is to be out patrolling the streets fighting crime.”
The Minister said police auxiliary officers would be selected according to high standards, reflecting the nature of the role in operational support to police.
Selection standards for police auxiliary officers would include written tests, psychological screening and medical assessment.
The training course would be 12 weeks long and officers would be subject to a probation period.
Auxiliary officers would wear a uniform to identify them as a member of WA Police, but distinguish them from fully-sworn police officers. They would not carry firearms but would be issued with other defensive equipment as determined by the Police Commissioner.
Marketing and advertising for the new positions was due to begin immediately, with the application period commencing mid-January 2010.
For more details, visit www.stepforward.wa.gov.au or phone 9301 9607.
1 December, 2009
Family trees branch
out at State library
The State Library has launched a new edition of its guide to tracing family histories, this time online on its new website.The guide, entitled Dead Reckoning: how to find your way through the genealogical jungle of Western Australia, was now available 24 hours a day.
Dead Reckoning, compiled by Steve Howell, a subject specialist with the Battye Library, was first published in 1997. It draws on the Western Australian historical resources within the State Library and the State Records Office to produce the most comprehensive guide available for researching Western Australian topics.
Following a grant from the Sholl Bequest (administered by the Friends of Battye Library Inc.), it was decided to revise and publish the book online, so it could be regularly updated as appropriate resources and material were found.
The online publication is divided into sections covering legal deposit, copyright, publishing and includes a list of books of value to the starting genealogist.
It details indexes and catalogues useful for locating information on people (card, microfiche, CD-ROM or online) and includes a history of the State Records Office and a listing of Government records of interest.
All hard-copy listings of records and all series currently on AEON, the State Records Office online database, were examined and those which had names were extracted. Government records are grouped under subject headings.
It also includes details of sources useful for genealogical research held by the State Library of Western Australia as well as other institutions, agencies and organisations which may hold information on people in Western Australia.
The site can be accessed at www.slwa.wa.gov.au
1 December, 2009
Superannuation study
finds little interest
A research study undertaken for superannuation fund GESB has found a high proportion of people who do not understand superannuation.GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, found that while three in four Australians (75 per cent) believed it was their own responsibility to ensure they had enough money in later life, less than half (47 per cent) felt responsible for making sure they understood super and the amount of savings they would need.
Head of Wealth Management at GESB, Fabian Ross, said only half the message on super appeared to be getting through.
“Saving effectively for later life is not just about contributing to super, but about understanding how you want to live in later life and planning accordingly,” Mr Ross said.
According to GESB’s research, Australians expected the government and financial providers like super funds, banks and financial advisers to provide them with all the information they would need to inform their retirement savings.
It said the research indicated one-quarter (26 per cent) of Australians thought the responsibility should rest with the Government, while one in six (18 per cent) thought financial providers should bear the responsibility.
“The potential exists for people to save throughout their working life, but still not have enough to live on in retirement,” Mr Ross said.
“The older the population gets, the less able the Government will be to plug the gap.
“The Government, financial providers and individuals must work harder in a coordinated manner to ensure that Australians have the knowledge base from which to plan and save effectively for later life,” he said.
1 December, 2009
Attorney digs in
over burial claims
The Department of the Attorney General has outlined the process in place for burying unclaimed bodies following reports that dozens of unclaimed bodies were being held at hospital morgues in Perth.Attorney General, Christian Porter said the Government’s arrangements for dealing with unclaimed bodies were clear.
Mr Porter said if a body remained unclaimed for three months and was not the subject of Coronial proceedings, the WA Police or hospital staff could refer the matter to the Public Trustee.
“The Public Trustee will then assess whether there are any assets in any estate available to pay for a burial of the unclaimed body,” Mr Porter said.
“In a small number of cases this may take some weeks to establish.”
He said if estate funds were available, a burial would be organised using them.
Mr Porter said if no funds were available or they were insufficient, the Department of Child Protection (DPC) was contacted and became responsible for arranging the burial.
He said in the three months from 1 August to 31 October 2009, 12 unclaimed bodies were reported to the Public Trustee.
Mr Porter said of these, only three remained unburied.
He said two were awaiting confirmation of assets from an estate and one was waiting for friends to raise funds for the funeral.
“Outside coronial investigations, it is only in a small number of cases that an unclaimed body would remain unburied at about 23 weeks after death,” Mr Porter said.
“That time period is explained by the fair and orderly process of allowing sufficient time for next-of-kin to be located (12 weeks) and the Public Trustee to confirm whether funds are available from an estate for burial.”
He said the DCP and the Public Trustee were currently looking at ways to streamline the process even further.
Responding to questions asked in Parliament, the Minister for Health, Kim Hames confirmed there were 39 unclaimed bodies at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and two at Royal Perth Hospital.
Two of the bodies at Sir Charles Gairdner have been there for over 12 months and one of the bodies at Royal Perth has been there for almost six months.
Mr Porter said the bodies that had been in the morgue for over a year had both been the subject of Coroner’s Office proceedings.
He said the body that had been at the Royal Perth Hospital for almost six months had been referred to the Public Trustee in late October, and was believed to have a next-of-kin.
“The Public Trustee has been in contact with the next-of-kin regarding burial arrangements,” he said.
1 December, 2009
Seeds of success at
Agriculture College
The Western Australian College of Agriculture - Cunderdin has won an award for excellence in vocational education and training.The College was one of four State winners honoured at the Australian Training Awards with a VET in Schools Excellence award.
Congratulating the winners, Education Minister Liz Constable said the State should be proud of providing four winners and three runners up.
“This result, one of the best ever, demonstrates the high quality of education and training in WA.”
She said for the Cunderdin agricultural college to be recognised in this way was a huge honour and a pat on the back for the staff and students at the school.
“The college has a proven record in delivering training and structured courses, giving students time in the classroom and practical experience in trade areas on the work farm.
“In 2008, 100 per cent of Year 12 graduates went on to employment or further education and training after completing the minimum Certificate II in Agriculture.”
Electrical apprentice Blake McCarthy won the Australian Apprentice of the Year.
Mr McCarthy is studying for a Certificate III in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician at Swan TAFE and is employed by the WA Water Corporation. His enthusiasm and desire to excel saw him finish his apprenticeship six months ahead of schedule and earn second place in the 2008 Electrical Group Training Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year award. He holds more than 10 certificates and qualifications, including first aid, heights training and engineering.
After gaining his electrical trade certificate and electrician’s licence earlier this year, he has become a valuable member of the Water Corporation’s engineering and construction services branch.
The Department of Corrective Services won the Australian Training Initiative Award for its Through-care Program. The program helps prisoners re-enter the community as job-ready, motivated individuals.
In 2008, more than 4100 adult prisoners successfully earned around 17,000 units of competency in State and nationally recognised qualifications.
Hollywood Private Hospital won Employer of the Year. The 416-bed private hospital has its own training and development department, including a manager, five part-time clinical nurse educators and two part-time administrative staff.
The hospital encourages regular feedback to build an inclusive and supportive work environment.
1 December, 2009
Industry given a
hand in land plan
A draft strategy for releasing industrial land in the Perth and Peel regions over the next 20 years has been released for public comment.Planning Minister John Day said The Industrial Land Strategy 2009 Perth and Peel was the State Government’s road map to meet demand for industrial land to service business investment and population growth.
“The strategy, which focuses on general and light industry needs, provides the framework to ensure ongoing economic growth and sustainability for these regions,” he said.
“The study area covers approximately 805,633 hectares in Perth and Peel, of which 13,798 are currently zoned for industrial purposes.”
He said the strategy focused on the identification and de-constraining of land suitable for industrial activity for the long term to facilitate an industrial land bank. This would help ensure land shortages encountered in the mid-2000s would not occur again.
“For example, this will enable companies winning contracts from the Gorgon project to locate on larger lots to facilitate transport depots, machinery and concrete batching plants, fabrication and servicing facilities.”
He said 40 sites had been identified that had the potential to be developed for industrial land uses, including sites which were extensions to existing industrial areas, and six sites, comprising more than 4,000 hectares, had been short-listed as priorities for detailed feasibility assessment.
Mr Day said an implementation plan would be prepared for the priority sites to facilitate future development by outlining the necessary approvals and studies required.
The Minister said work had also commenced on a study into the industrial land needs for the State’s South-West.
Public comment on the Industrial Land Strategy 2009 Perth and Peel is invited until Friday, 12 March, 2010 after which a final industrial land strategy would be prepared, following the blueprint for future industrial land use planning.
The Industrial Land Strategy can be downloaded from www.planning.wa.gov.au or obtained by phoning 9264 7777.
1 December, 2009
Effort going into
energy restructure
The Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO) is to be integrated into the Office of Energy (OOE) to provide a more coordinated focus on providing secure, reliable, competitive and clean energy.Energy Minister Peter Collier said the move would also help the State Government meet its commitment to the national 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, which was a key objective of the Strategic Energy Initiative, currently being developed.
“To meet this commitment, it is important to take a more coordinated approach to renewable energy and energy efficiency,” Mr Collier said.
“The new structure of the Office of Energy will embed renewable and energy efficiency research, development and planning into all aspects of the broader mainstream energy sector in WA.”
Mr Collier said SEDO had achieved a great deal in raising awareness of energy efficiency and encouraging greater use of renewable energy.
“However, it is time to move into the next phase of energy development,” he said.
“We have moved beyond the need for a separate focus on sustainable energy to a more holistic understanding of how the diverse parts of the energy sector need to complement each other to responsibly deliver what the community and economy need.”
The Minister said realigning the OOE aimed to integrate strategic energy policy and planning, build additional capacity in the area of competitive and efficient energy markets and regulation, and streamline the delivery of clean energy and community incentive programs.
“No jobs will be lost as a direct result of this change and staff will have opportunities to develop their skills in new areas,” Mr Collier said.
The changes within the Office of Energy were expected to be in place by January 1, 2010, with full implementation completed by June 30, 2010.
1 December, 2009
Review scheme mooted
for family violence
Plans to set up a formal review process to investigate deaths from domestic violence have been foreshadowed by the Minister for Child Protection, Robyn McSweeney.From May 2008 to April 2009, 17 people in Western Australia lost their lives as a direct result of family and domestic violence. Mrs McSweeney described this number as “staggering” and highlighted the need for the Government to consider establishing a domestic homicide review process.
The Minister said the knowledge and experience of representatives from the family and domestic violence sector was essential in informing how fatality review was shaped to best suit the needs of the State and its current administration.
“The shocking reality is that domestic family violence in extreme cases unfortunately results in the deaths of women and children across this State,” she said.
The Department for Child Protection held a forum to assist in exploring a starting point for how it could best conduct domestic homicide reviews. The Fatality Review Forum looked at models of fatality review processes in place in Victoria and Queensland, which aimed to identify systemic issues and factors contributing to domestic homicide.
Key note speakers at the forum included Samantha Hauge from the Coroners Court of Victoria and Helen Warneke from the Queensland Department of Communities.
State speakers included Ann O’Neill, award winning humanitarian, victimologist, educator, activist, volunteer, and researcher and Detective Superintendent Graeme Castlehow of WA Police.
1 December, 2009
WorkSafe makes noise
on demolition licences
WorkSafe WA has issued a reminder on the importance of demolition licences.WorkSafe Commissioner Nina Lyhne said four successful prosecutions in court in a week prompted the reminder and also indicted WorkSafe’s willingness to take action.
“Demolition work is obviously hazardous, and as a consequence anyone performing the work needs to have the relevant skills and knowledge required to do the work safely,” Ms Lyhne said.
“These cases should also serve as a reminder that all parties involved in the demolition work have some responsibility for ensuring that the relevant laws are not breached.”
Timber company Gunns Limited was fined $10,000 in the Harvey Magistrates Court, and demolition workers James Valentine and Ian McKay were each fined $500. In a separate case, Sean Robert Mooney of Harvey was also fined $500.
In June this year, Gunns Limited received several quotes to demolish a 135 metre long and 24 metre wide shed at their Yarloop premises. The company accepted the quote provided by Mr Valentine and Mr McKay without ensuring that they held the necessary licence. Valentine and McKay were fined for undertaking the work without having established whether the job required a licensed contractor.
In the other case, Sean Mooney was given a quote for demolition of a building in Harvey. The quote stated that the job would require a Class 2 demolition licence. Mr Mooney obtained a building licence for the demolition work from the Shire of Harvey, then proceeded to carry out the demolition work himself with the help of friends.
Ms Lyne said in the case of Gunns Limited, the company failed in their responsibility to ensure that the demolition of the shed was done by workers who could legally undertake the work.
“The workers themselves failed to make sure of the licensing requirements for the job, and undertook an extremely hazardous task without the appropriate licence,” she said.
“In the second case, the owner of the building was given notice that the demolition work required a licence because it was stated in the quote he received. He subsequently made the decision – contrary to workplace safety laws - to undertake the work with the help of friends, none of whom were qualified.”
She said the licensing of demolition work had been a requirement since 2001, and it was established for the very good reason that the work involved serious risks to the safety and health of workers.
“These cases are a timely reminder that WorkSafe will take enforcement action against any company or individual that disregards the licensing requirements.”
Further information on demolition licences can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
1 December, 2009
Community award is
partnership in action
The Department for Communities has joined up with the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS) to introduce a new Community Services Excellence Award. Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney said day-in, day-out, service organisations provided support to increasing numbers of people across the State and demand was set to keep growing.
“I am pleased my Department and WACOSS, with the generous support of Lotterywest, have formed a partnership to develop and organise this new award program to highlight the depth and range of excellent services provided by WA’s not-for-profit community sector,” Mrs McSweeney said.
WACOSS president Chris Hall, who is also Chief Executive of UnitingCare West, said he welcomed the opportunity to form a partnership with the State Government to celebrate the role of the community services sector in delivering vital support to all Western Australians.
“With new categories and a simplified awards nomination process, I hope to see many of the thousands of incorporated community organisations nominate and be rewarded for their excellence and ongoing commitment,” Mr Hall said.
Application forms for the Community Services Excellence Awards will be available when nominations open in late January 2010. The presentation of awards is set for May 2010.
1 December, 2009
New grain Centre is
no cereal offender
A new Centre for Grain Food Innovation (CGFI) has been established with the aim of boosting international demand for Western Australian grain.The CGFI, based at Technology Park in Kensington, is an alliance between the Department of Agriculture and Food, CSIRO and Curtin University of Technology.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said the centre offered an exciting new direction in research and development for industry, working on grain food processing to broaden use of the product in Asia, the Middle East and domestically.
“Positioning the WA grains industry to meet the specific needs of export markets is a high priority for this Government,” he said.
“The State Government has committed $1.5 million in cash across the next three years to this project, plus $1.08 million in-kind contribution over that period.”
The Minister said the centre would take a different but complementary approach to current research aimed at improving grain quality through breeding.
“It will focus on the physical processes involved in flour milling and dough formation as it relates to bread and noodle quality,” he said.
Mr Redman said WA wheat was highly regarded in the market place for its clean product and high milling yields but there was a perception in some markets that its lower protein and lack of dough strength meant it did not bake well.
“While the research challenge is significant, we look forward to seeing novel processing technologies emerge from working closely with Asian and Middle Eastern end users that allow lower protein wheat to be successfully incorporated into premium bread products,” he said.
“Under director Dr Sumana Bell, the CGFI is uniquely placed to use cutting-edge technology and innovative research skills from across Australia to achieve a premium quality end product.”
The Minister said the CGFI would also look at processing technologies in response to increased consumer emphasis on food health. This included alternative processing of dough containing high-fibre ingredients without compromising on the taste and palatability of the final product.
1 December, 2009
New framework has
developers in frame
A new planning framework is to be introduced to guide Local Governments on the extent to which land developers should be required to include community infrastructure in their plans.Planning Minister, John Day said State Planning Policy 3.6 Development Contributions for Infrastructure would provide a consistent, accountable and transparent system which would benefit Local Government and developers.
Currently, developer contributions for community infrastructure, either in-kind or in cash, are requested by Local Governments on an ad hoc basis. Community infrastructure could include such facilities as car parking, community centres, libraries or sporting facilities.
However, Mr Day said, there was no systematic approach to calculating the level of contribution required and no guarantee the infrastructure would be developed in a timely manner.
“This policy provides both Local Government and the development industry a fairer, more transparent process for establishing how much should be contributed to these costs,” Mr Day said.
He said the WA Local Government Association and the Urban Development Institute of Australia worked with the State Government to develop the policy.
Under the new policy, Local Governments would need to prepare development contribution plans to identify future infrastructure needs and costs. These plans would be subject to public comment and become part of the local planning scheme.
Mr Day said development contributions for community infrastructure would have to be calculated and apportioned in accordance with the plans but development contributions for hard infrastructure, such as water, sewerage, and drainage works, would not be affected by the policy.
The policy would ensure developers only contributed costs directly related to the additional need generated by the new development.
“The system will ensure the infrastructure and facilities needed to serve growing communities are put in place and that they are fairly funded by those that benefit from the developments of land which generate their demand,” Mr Day said.
The policy is available from the PlanningWA website www.planning.wa.gov.au - State Planning Policies or by phone from 9264 7777.
1 December, 2009
Telescope agreement
is far-sighted deal
An agreement with the traditional owners of land in the Mid-West to allow a radio-astronomy observatory to be built on their land is expected to strengthen WA’s claims for the world’s most powerful telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, or SKA.Minister for Science and Innovation, Troy Buswell said the recent registration of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) would demonstrate to the international SKA community that the chosen area was the best radio-quiet site for the wider SKA project.
The MRO would accommodate the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a precursor project for the SKA, as well as other early stage research.
Mr Buswell said Australia/New Zealand and Southern Africa were the remaining bidders to host the SKA, which is a radio telescope with 50 times the sensitivity and 10,000 times the discovery potential of those in existence.
On November 13, the ASKAP ILUA was registered with the National Native Title Tribunal, allowing project works to begin on the 127 square kilometre land area subject to the Wajarri Yamatji native title claim.
Attorney General Christian Porter said the expeditious finalisation of the agreement was an example of how efficiently the State Government could work with the Federal Government and indigenous people to achieve positive outcomes.
“Negotiations started at the beginning of 2008 and already we have a registered ILUA that will benefit indigenous people and allow Western Australia to be in the spotlight of the international scientific community,” Mr Porter said.
The Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, and Attorney General Robert McClelland welcomed the result, saying it was a critical step towards securing the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope for Australia.
“The SKA will be the most advanced radio telescope ever built, with the capacity to see back to the dawn of time,” Senator Carr said.
“Securing a home for the ASKAP project, a critical precursor to the huge SKA project, is a real advance for the bid we are running with the New Zealand Government.”
Mr McClelland said the agreement with the Wajarri Yamatji people was a real advance and demonstrated the positive native title results that could be achieved through a negotiated settlement.
“The ILUA provides a range of practical and financial benefits to the traditional owners, the Wajarri Yamatji people, including employment, education and training opportunities which can contribute to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”
1 December, 2009
War history grants
right on target
The City of Fremantle is to receive $7,000 as part of the national Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative grants program to help communities across the nation honour and commemorate wartime history.The funds will be used to install a plaque at the Fallen Sailors and Soldiers Memorial at Monument Hill and allow an inaugural luncheon to be held in September to commemorate Battle for Australia Day.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin said 110 projects would be funded across the nation with the $303,708 financial boost.
“The Government is announcing funding for a range of projects including restoring and displaying wartime memorabilia, upgrading community war memorials, purchasing association banners and holding commemorative events.
“In particular, helping regional and rural communities across Australia maintain their places of remembrance is an important function of this grants program as these memorials play a central role in honouring local sons and daughters who have served the nation.”
He said commemorative activities in local communities played a major role in encouraging Australians - especially younger Australians - to learn about the nation’s wartime experiences and provided an opportunity for veterans to share their stories.
“Australia has a proud wartime history that has been part of the lives of so many Australian families. The Government remains committed to honouring those who have served and continue to serve, ensuring their legacy is remembered for generations to come.”
Mr Griffin said other projects in WA included:
- Installing a plaque at the Gosnells War Memorial listing the names of local veterans who served during the Second World War.
- Building a memorial in Beacon dedicated to the five servicemen from the district who lost their lives during the Second World War.
- Fencing the Shirley Neil Memorial Garden and flag station by the Canning Districts/Victoria Park RSL Sub-branch to improve security.
- Replacing the flagpole at the Geraldton War Memorial with a vandalism resistant flagpole.
- Replacing 26 commemorative plaques missing from the Toodyay War Memorial dedicated to servicemen from the district who lost their lives during the First World War.
- Conducting a research project by school students on 112 soldiers from the Wagin district who were killed during the First World War.
- Installing a plaque on the Remembrance Wall at the Wagin District high school dedicated to 112 soldiers from the district who were killed during the First World War.
1 December, 2009
No offence taken at
new offenders’ unit
A new unit has been set up within the Department of Corrective Services to improve program delivery to Aboriginal offenders, both in prison and in the community. Corrective Services Minister Christian Porter said the formation of the unit was part of the Government’s goal of making Western Australia’s offender program delivery second to none.
“The number of programs delivered to Aboriginal offenders has already increased 61 per cent between 2007-08 and 2008-09 but this unit is expected to bolster that improvement even further,” Mr Porter said.
“A new model of program delivery, which will begin to roll out in the first half of next year, will continue the focus on improving the quality and quantity of programs, and target remote and regional areas as well as Aboriginal and female offenders.”
The unit was expected to deliver 15,440 hours of program delivery to Aboriginal offenders in the 2009-10 financial year.
Mr Porter said the State’s overall program delivery was expected to increase by almost 70 per cent this financial year.
Between July and September 2009, some 525 offenders took part in 29 programs, covering areas such as addictions, violence, sex offending and cognitive skills. Mr Porter said it was projected there would be 2052 enrolments in programs during 2009-10.
“That’s an increase of 68 per cent from the previous year and an increase of 143 per cent over the previous two financial years,” Mr Porter said.
“The State Government is continuing to make considerable progress in the key areas of staffing and logistics for program and intervention delivery, and, as a result, the numbers of offenders participating in programs, both in the community and prisons, has jumped significantly.”
Mr Porter said a new program for women offenders, titled Reconnections, completed its pilot phase at Bandyup Women’s Prison in September.
The program, which uses therapeutic interventions to help female prisoners look at past abuse and trauma in addressing their offending behaviour, has now been scheduled to run in early 2010.
“These figures and achievements are very promising and set some real targets for the Government and the Department of Corrective Services over the rest of 2009-10 and for the next few years,” the Minister said.
“Programs and a range of interventions such as education and training, play a key role in breaking the cycle of offending and must receive our appropriate attention and focus.”
1 December, 2009
GESB rated highly
Government superannuation fund GESB has been ranked in the top quartile for one-year returns (8.78 per cent) by SuperRatings.
GESB’s balanced plans, where the majority of its members’ funds are invested, achieved above the market median performance in the year to 31 October 2009, and ranked 27th out of 122 balanced plans.
The value of the plan has increased by 9.9 per cent since 30 June 2009.
Safety probes spark concern
A WorkSafe inspection campaign of manufacturing workplaces in Wangara has revealed some good standards in occupational safety and health management, but many areas of concern.
The major areas of concern were machine guarding, hazardous substances, forklift safety, electrical safety and edge protection on mezzanine levels.
The inspection campaign targeted manufacturers of food, beverages and tobacco, wood and paper products, non-metallic mineral products, metal products, equipment manufacturing and other types of manufacturing in the Wangara area.
Hospital ward re-opens
The Princess Margaret Hospital for Children’s ward for patients with high-level care needs has re-opened after a $1.9 million refurbishment.
The ward caters for children with neurological and renal disorders and those undergoing rehabilitation following head or spinal injuries, neurosurgery, cardiology and cardiac surgery.
The new ward includes 21 beds, a school room and a big playroom that could be converted into a two-bed patient room to cope with increased periods of patient activity.
There was also a parent retreat room with a lounge, bathroom and kitchen, as well as access to additional fold-out beds for parents.
Upgrade for Perth Modern
Perth Modern School in Subiaco, the State’s only academically-selective public school, has undergone a massive school upgrade.
New facilities worth $31.5 million, the biggest injection of capital funding the school had ever received, include a performing arts centre, library, cafeteria, and design and technology workshops.
The new facilities also included media, arts and photography studios.
Perth Modern School opened its doors in 1911 and has turned out graduates including a Prime Minister, Governor-General and 15 Rhodes Scholars.
Reserve bosses get payrise
Payments to the employers of Defence Reservists have been increased to $1,183.10 a week.
Self-employed reservists and other employers in need of financial assistance under the Employer Support Payment Scheme will receive the payment, which was increased from $1123.30
Joondalup clinic opens
Young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are to benefit from a range of health, medical and counselling services provided under one roof at the new Joondalup Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service. Another is set to open at Murdoch University in 2010.
The clinics will provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary services to treat and manage ADHD and related disorders and broaden the range of interventions and options available to children and their families.
Venture capital fund launched
West Australian innovators will have access to $40 million in venture capital seed funding following the establishment of Yuuwa Capital as part of the Federal Government’s Innovation Investment Fund.
The Yuuwa Capital fund will specialise in investing in seed/start-up ventures with significant growth potential.
The fund will be made up of $20 million from the Commonwealth and $20 million raised from the private sector and will work with research organisations, industry networks and West Australian universities to generate investment opportunities.