Graduate mentors sought
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is calling on Executive Level and Senior Executive Service (SES) staff to consider becoming mentors at an Australian Public Service (APS) mentor event on 22 August.
The APSC said the Graduate Mentor program provided a platform for graduates to engage and learn from SES leaders in the APS.
It said this event will expand graduates’ professional networks and APS career development opportunities.
“Graduates will attend three mentoring sessions during the event,” the APSC said.
“These sessions will be with mentors who have expertise in areas that graduates advise they wish to learn more about.”
Treasury to review ABNs
Treasury has released a consultation paper on plans to strengthen and modernise the Australian Business Number (ABN) system.
It said there were about 7.7 million ABN registrations with 860,000 new ABNs issued in 2017–18.
“The ABN is increasingly acting as a business enabler, underpinning laws targeted at business, and signalling a business’s credentials,” Treasury said.
“It is therefore timely to consider whether the ABN system remains fit to support the expanded range of purposes an ABN serves today.”
The 14-page consultation paper is available on the Treasury website at this PS News link and submissions close on 31 August.
AAT factsheets for migrants
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has produced 12 new factsheets designed to assist migration and refugee review applicants to present their cases before the Migration and Refugee Division.
The factsheets provide information about the issues considered by the Tribunal — in particular, review types and the kind of material applicants can provide to support their review.
The sheets are available on the AAT website at this PS News link.
Views sought on food sweetener
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking submissions on an application to permit a new sweetener.
The sweetener is derived from monk fruit (or luo han guo).
FSANZ said it had conducted a safety assessment and concluded there were no public health or safety issues related to the use of monk fruit extract as a sweetener.
Comments close on 31 August.
Investigation prompts RSL change
The National President of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL), Robert Dick has resigned in the face of an investigation into the charity’s board and its governance practices ordered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Mr Dick’s resignation took effect on 19 July.
President of RSL ACT, John King will act in the role until new appointments are made.
In February, the ACNC issued a formal direction to RSL National, requiring it to engage a governance expert to conduct a review of the charity’s board and its governance practices.
