APSC staff accept enterprise deal
Staff of the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) have voted to accept a new enterprise agreement.
The agreement offers salary increases of 2 per cent a year over three years with some minor changes to conditions of employment.
APS Commissioner, John Lloyd said it was pleasing that staff could now look forward to salary increases.
“The agreement is suited to our work environment and we can continue to move forward with our important work with confidence,” Mr Lloyd said.
Data management advisors sought
The National Data Commissioner has invited expressions of interest from qualified people to join the new National Data Advisory Council.
The Council will help the National Data Commissioner find the right balance between streamlining the sharing and release of data and ensuring the protection of privacy and confidentiality.
It meets up to four times a year and includes representatives from Government, such as the Australian Statistician and the Privacy Commissioner, and experts from academia, industry and privacy groups.
Expressions of interest are open until 20 July.
Further information is available at this PS News link.
New body to advise on court costs
A Joint Costs Advisory Committee (JCAC) has been established by the High Court, Federal Court, Family Court and Federal Circuit Court.
The JCAC will inquire into costs allowable to legal practitioners.
Interested persons and organisations are invited to make a submission in writing to the Joint Costs Advisory Committee, c/- Federal Court of Australia, Level 16, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney, NSW 2000, by 31 July.
Collaboration on medical research
Four new committees will be established to support the work of the Australian Advisory Board on Technology and Health Competitiveness.
The Board is partnering with the US Council on Competitiveness to collaborate on medical breakthroughs and research and development in health care.
Co-chaired by Charles Kiefel, Larry Marshall and Jane Wilson, it is establishing an Australia–US Chief Technology Officer Dialogue.
The four committees comprise people with extensive experience from sectors such as research, technology, innovation and health care.
Limits set for phone auction
The auction for electromagnetic frequency spectrum for 5G mobile services has taken a step forward with competition limits for bidders established for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Minister for Communications, Senator Mitch Fifield has announced he has directed ACMA to impose allocation limits in the auction to 60 MHz in metropolitan areas and 80 MHz in regional areas.
The Minister said the limits were set following advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Call to reduce harm on the farm
Farm Safety Week runs this week until Sunday (22 July), and Safe Work Australia has urged farmers to ensure they and their workers are protected from harm.
The agriculture industry makes up 2 per cent of the workforce and accounts for 21 per cent of worker fatalities and 3 per cent of serious claims for workers’ compensation.
Safe Work Australia has a range of strategies to reduce harm on the farm and urges farmers to contact their local Work Health and Safety regulator for advice and guidance.
Townsville services join up
Centrelink and Medicare services in Townsville (QLD) have been consolidated.
Staff and services from the Walker Street Service Centre have moved into the Ross River Road and Willows Service Centres.
General Manager of the Department of Human Services, Hank Jongen said existing services at Walker Street were primarily digital, and customers requiring more complex support had always been directed to these nearby Service Centres.
“As leases come up for renewal, the Department takes the opportunity to review its servicing options,” Mr Jongen said.
