ParentsNext supporters revealed
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has revealed a list of 57 organisations chosen to deliver the expanded ParentsNext program.
ParentsNext helps parents with young children to move into work once their children are at school.
It will deliver early intervention assistance such as identifying education and employment goals, developing a pathway to achieve them and links to activities and services in the local community.
ParentsNext will be delivered via Targeted and Intensive streams.
The Targeted Stream will be aimed at the most disadvantaged parents in all non-remote areas of Australia.
The Intensive Stream will be delivered in 30 locations with high numbers of Indigenous parents and disadvantage.
More information, including details of the selected providers, can be accessed at this PS News link.
PM&C suspends accused employee
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has confirmed that an employee of the Department has been arrested for alleged indecent acts against minors.
Secretary of the Department, Martin Parkinson said the Australian Public Service had zero tolerance for any abuse, particularly abuse of children.
He said the Department has suspended the employee pending court processes.
“We remain committed to ensuring appropriate work practices in dealing with all vulnerable people,” Mr Parkinson said.
“While this case is currently under investigation, I will not be making any further comment.”
AFMA to hold Canberra meeting
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is to hold a public meeting at which stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet AFMA Commissioners.
All stakeholders are invited to attend at the AFMA headquarters in Canberra at 9.30am on 9 May .
Stakeholders are invited to RSVP before 1 May to AFMA’s Executive Secretary, Andrew Pearson at [email protected].
Former CAPAM President dies
Zola Skweyiya (pictured), who has died aged 75, was a founder of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM).
A South African diplomat, Mr Skweyiya served as CAPAM President from 1998 to 2000.
The African National Congress (ANC) said Mr Skweyiya became a Member of Parliament in 1994, serving as Minister of Public Service and Administration.
In 1999, he was appointed Minister of Social Development, a post he held for the next 10 years.
He was also a former South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Program promotes Smart solar power
The Smart Cities and Suburbs Program has announced a new project to inform decisions about how homeowners and urban planners can make the most of opportunities to use solar power.
The Energy Data for Smart Decision Making project will combine mapping with data on solar exposure, energy generation and consumption from precincts across Australia into an open modelling platform.
The platform is aimed at benefiting end users by allowing them to calculate their solar power potential and make informed decisions about investment in solar power generation.
CRC supports digital health decisions
A new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is aimed at encouraging people to make more informed decisions about their health care through digital technologies.
The Digital Health CRC is examining better ways to share information on adverse reactions and is developing better decision support apps.
Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Michaelia Cash said the CRC would bring together industry and research partners to advance health and medical technologies, and pharmaceutical industries, in a collaborative and multidisciplinary way.
“The CRC will address industry issues by supporting clinical practice, improving access to quality care, fostering high-value jobs and developing Australia’s future digital health workforce,” Senator Cash said.
Donations ban backed
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has unanimously agreed that foreign donations for the purpose of election campaigning should be banned.
Presenting the Committee’s amended report on electoral funding, Chair Senator Linda Reynolds said Australia was one of the few Western democracies where foreign money could still be used to influence domestic elections.
Senator Reynolds said the Committee supported passage of the Electoral Funding and Reform Bill subject to the Government addressing the 15 recommendations contained in the report.
These included the introduction of a new and easily accessible transparency register to provide voters with the ability to readily identify who is seeking to influence their vote.
The Committee’s 96-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
