Getting the Murray–Darling Basin Plan back on track according to the Productivity Commission
Improved accountability would boost progress on the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, according to the Productivity Commission. The interim report of the 2023 Murray–Darling Basin Plan implementation review finds the Australian Government’s recently proposed extension of the Basin Plan timeframes is necessary but won’t be enough. “In the five years since the last Commission review, very little progress has […]
Victoria is now the best performing economy in the CommSec State of the States report
It will surprise many Victorians to learn they live in the best performing economy, but that’s the word according to figures released in the theCommSec State of the States report where for the first time in over a year, Victoria is the country’s number one. Strong economic activity, solid retail spending and business investment catapulted […]
Inflation rate gives the RBA a slam dunk to increase rates on Melbourne Cup Day 2023
According to Moody’s Analytics report on Australia Consumer Price Index the uptick in quarterly price growth will put pressure on the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) to hike rates further when they meet next on 7 November, Melbourne Cup Day. Aussie inflation isn’t playing ball, the Moody’s Analytics report outlines. Across the September quarter, underlying inflation rose […]
Grants of $50,000 are up for grabs to help build resilient regional communities
Applications are now open for grants from $20,000 or up to $50,000 for events and initiatives to strengthen communities and capability for drought preparedness. But get in now as the first round is already open and closes on 14 November, while the second round will open for applications in February 2024 and will close in […]
Fire ants in the spotlight with Federal Senate inquiry viewing funding failures
The Invasive Species Council welcomes a Senate inquiry into fire ants. The inquiry will assess the cost of a fire ant invasion of Australia and the impact of delays to federal and state funding on the eradication program in south-east Queensland. “Fire ants are a super pest which will devastate Australia’s environment and agriculture if they […]
Animal disease detective training package will help prevent spread of infectious disease
The University of Sydney-led Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) launched its world-class field training package on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin today. The package is designed to help veterinary practitioners and animal handlers detect and prevent infectious diseases in the field before they emerge as pandemics. The launch took place during the Global […]
Research suggests a need to adjust to climate-driven shifts in solar power production
Australia’s renewable energy transition is well underway, but an impending shift in the reliability of solar due to climate change could impact generation capacity and the management of the electricity grid. Modelling conducted by researchers from UNSW Sydney predicts changes in the availability of solar across different regions of Australia under a warmer climate. The findings […]
Mobile problems and data breaches top issues for phone and internet users
Consumers and small business made 66,388 complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman over the financial year ending 30 June 2023, and believe it or not, that was a 16.5 per cent decrease on the previous year, but could have something to do with the one hour plus call wait time. The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman highlighted […]
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is open for business
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) formed on 1 July 2023 is now up and running for submissions. The department’s Integrity Hotline on 1800 99 88 80. This independent Commonwealth agency is now responsible for detecting, investigating, and reporting on ‘serious’ or ‘systemic’ corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector. The NACC is a Whole of […]
El Niño conditions could influence later start to tropical cyclone season
Emergency services are warning communities in the Northwest not to become complacent amid predictions that El Niño conditions could delay the start of Wet Season and lead to fewer cyclones. The Bureau of Meteorology released its 2023-24 Tropical Cyclone Outlook today, confirming the current El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole events are likely to […]