1. This week 10 years ago, PS employees working overseas as aid advisers had their pay and allowances reduced to bring them more into line with the broader Australian Public Service.
The Joint Adviser Review cut 257 adviser positions and reduced by up to one-quarter the average salaries and allowances payable by AusAID to commercially contracted advisers.
“The review found that conditions of service were not consistent across positions, countries, Government Departments or in comparison to other non-aid overseas postings,” Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd said.
“A clear framework for salaries paid to advisers and a standard package of allowances and benefits has now been introduced.”
2. The official figures for December 2011 revealed Australia’s road toll was down to about one-third of the deaths recorded at its peak in 1970.
Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King said over the past 10 years annual fatalities on Australian roads had fallen by almost 26 per cent, with only 1,292 lives lost during 2011 — a 4.4 per cent reduction on 2010.
“Even more encouraging is the 22 per cent drop in the number of young driver fatalities compared with 2010,” Ms King said.
She said the figures reflected the proactive road safety initiatives pursued by Federal and State Governments over recent years as well as the efforts of police.
3. The Prime Minister’s Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples issued a report recommending the Australian Constitution be amended to formally recognise the culture, language and heritage of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.
The Panel’s unanimous report also recommended removing racist elements from the Constitution and prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic or national origin.
However, it recommended that Parliament retain the ability to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
4. In Western Australia, a new mobile phone application and website advising of car bay availability in City of Perth Parking carparks was launched.
Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi said the new app was an Australian first and would be a handy tool for drivers.
She said it should help to avoid the frustration that sometimes came with accessing a parking space by allowing commuters and visitors the ability to plan.
“These new developments are necessary to help stay abreast of the way people consume new media,” Cr Scaffidi said.
“It will also be possible for customers to save money by being aware of the various pricing scales at different carparks.”
5. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make it easier for police officers to join the Defence Reserves.
Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Jason Clare said about 175 AFP members were ADF reservists, regularly serving in Australia and in operations overseas.
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney said the MoU would outline support avenues for AFP members who were also reservists and help streamline their release from police roles when they were required to undertake Defence service.
6. And this week a decade ago, Queensland Health defended itself against allegations of favouritism in awarding the contract for its medical records system.
The Agency was accused of bias towards IT supplier Cerner Corporation.
Queensland Health Chief Information Officer, Ray Brown admitted negotiations with Cerner were conducted under a “closed request for proposal” because Cerner’s was the only integrated Electronic Medical Record product in use in Australia on a scale that would meet Queensland’s requirements.
“It is the product in use in NSW and Victoria, so it makes sense for Queensland to use it given we are moving towards a nationally compatible patient record system,” Mr Brown said.
