With the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme expected to commence on-ground activity in mid 2012, the Australian Government, with the assistance of state and territory governments, is holding information sessions across Australia to assist local government, recyclers and charities understand how the new scheme will work.

The sessions highlight the important role that local government, recyclers and charity organisations can play, particularly in the management of television and computer waste in the scheme’s early years, and are an opportunity to provide feedback on local issues and the types of information and material that is needed to communicate about the scheme with local communities.

Upcoming sessions are:

To RSVP to any of the sessions, or to find out more, please contact ewaste@environment.gov.au.

For more information on the scheme please visit: www.environment.gov.au/ewaste.

In its final report released on 16 March 2012, the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry has backed local government’s view that the State should have a key role in the production of flood studies and flood mapping.

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Paul Bell said the report also urges the Queensland Government to consult with councils when considering whether to protect local government from liability relating to development on flood prone land.

“We are pleased the Commission of Inquiry seems to have taken into account our views on these matters,’’ Cr Bell said.

“I think we now have some idea of the way forward in determining how we ensure the devastation of last summer’s floods is not repeated.

“The Commission of Inquiry report found no adverse findings against any individual council or the sector as a whole, and has done the right thing in urging every level of government to work together to clarify their responsibilities when it comes to the management of flood prone land.”

While the Commission did not recommend which level of government should have responsibility for flood studies, the report indicated the State Government should play a lead role in ensuring Queenslanders had access to updated flood information.

A copy of the report can be accessed here.

Following the successful Destination 2036 conference in Dubbo last August, and a request by the Local Government and Shires associations to investigate structural arrangements in the context of the financial sustainability of councils across NSW, Local Government Minister Don Page has announced the establishment of an independent expert panel to examine these issues.

Mr Page said the Local Government Review Panel is the first initiative to be announced out of the Destination 2036 Action Plan, which is nearing completion.  The expert panel will investigate ways to create stronger and better councils in the future.

“The Local Government Review Panel will investigate and identify options for governance models, structural arrangements and voluntary boundary changes for local government in NSW,” Mr Page said.

“The Review Panel will take into consideration councils’ ability to support the needs of their communities, ability to deliver services and infrastructure efficiently, ability to provide local representation and decision making, the financial sustainability of each council area, and any barriers that inhibit, or incentives that could encourage, voluntary boundary changes.

“The Review Panel will consult widely with communities and local government stakeholders while making its determinations.”

“Those are significant challenges for local governments, which will require significant reform, and the Review Panel will investigate options to achieve that.”

The Review Panel will be expected to report to the Minister with its findings within 12 to 14 months from its commencement.

Changes to NSW political donation laws (the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981) came into effect on 9 March 2012.

It is now unlawful for election participants such as political parties, candidates and groups of candidates to accept political donations from a corporation or other entity. Only individuals who are enrolled for Federal, State or Local Government elections can make political donations.

Changes stipulate that:

• Only individuals who are enrolled for Federal, State or Local Government elections can make political donations.
• Political parties, candidates, groups of candidates, elected members and third party campaigners are prohibited from accepting political donations from a corporation or other entity.
• Individuals are prohibited from making political donations on behalf of a corporation or other entity.
• Corporations and other entities are prohibited from making political donations to an individual for the purpose of that individual making political donations.
• Payment of an annual or other subscription to a political party by an industrial organisation or other entity is prohibited. 

Information regarding the changes can be found on the Election Funding Authority’s website: www.efa.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Mid-Western Regional Council says funding for rural firefighting must be cut so it is affordable for local governments.

The council says it is facing a 26 per cent hike in the amount of money it must contribute to the Rural Fire Service for the next financial year.

It is offering to pay an extra $9,000, which is a rise of three-and-a-half per cent.

The general manager Warwick Bennett says the state government is asking too much of councils.

"Which in effect means that council has to reduce its services in other areas to be able to continue to fund the RFS," he said.

"So what council is saying is that the contribution that we make to the RFS should be in line with the rate increase we are told we are allowed and the RFS need to cut their budgets."

Mr Bennett says its payments will be in line with the government's ratepegging limit.

"Council is very, very supportive of the work that is done by the RFS but the state government imposes on council ratecapping of three-point-six per cent.

"We believe that it is unfair that a council then gets a budget thrown at it by a state government organisation which has 20 per cent increases."

An easing of the tough rules imposed on overseas-trained doctors, including a relaxation in time allowed to qualify for practice and to get fluency in English has been urged by a parliamentary committee.

The House of Representatives standing committee on health and ageing, after a lengthy inquiry into the obstacles which have dogged thousands of foreign medical graduates, has produced a report, Lost in the Labyrinth.

It says while Australia should be self-sufficient in doctors, it will depend on those from other countries for some time yet.

It has recommended they be given four years to meet English requirements, double the time now allowed for some medical registrations.

The committee also calls for a review of the 10-year moratorium requiring overseas doctors to work in districts of shortage before qualifying for full Medicare provider status.t:normal;background:white'>Mr Bennett says its payments will be in line with the government's ratepegging limit.

"Council is very, very supportive of the work that is done by the RFS but the state government imposes on council ratecapping of three-point-six per cent.

"We believe that it is unfair that a council then gets a budget thrown at it by a state government organisation which has 20 per cent increases."

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) is highlighting the actions of people in communities, business and government who are leading the way in climate change adaptation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines adaptation as “Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.”

NCCARF Climate Adaptation Champions can be:

• excellent communicators, actively involved in exchanging the knowledge needed for climate adaptation;
• people, groups and governments actively involved in making decisions that take climate change impacts into account;
• leaders in their field, assisting others to adapt to a changing climate and
• inventors, designers and businesses leading the way with innovative ways to adapt.

NCCARF Climate Adaptation Champions will be chosen in four categories:
Individual, Community, Business and Government.

To enter or nominate a potential NCCARF Climate Adaptation Champion 2012, click here.

Communities across the country took time out to celebrate Harmony Day this week.

On March 21, community and sporting organisations, local councils, government agencies, church groups and schools hosted a range of special events as part of the Harmony Day celebrations.

Earlier this year, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Kate Lundy encouraged communities to take part in Harmony Day through participation in a sporting event.

“Our 2012 Harmony Day theme of Sport-play, engage, inspire, reflects the important role and positive influence that sport has throughout our nation,” said Senator Lundy.

“We know that team sport in particular is an ideal way of teaching people about diversity and the benefits of working or playing together in a team.”

Australia’s youth radio network, Triple J, has announced this week that its annual One Night Stand will be held in Dalby on Saturday, 2 June.   The One Night Stand is a drug and alcohol free community event for all ages.  Entry is by gold coin donation with the money raised at the gig going to a cause of the local community's choice. 

Performing at this year’s event will be The Temper Trap, 360, Stonefield and Matt Corby.  Stonefield is made up of four sisters from rural Victoria who won Triple J’s Unearthed High competition in 2010 and who have gone from strength to strength ever since - getting nominated for a J Award (album of the year) and playing at the 2011 Glastonbury festival in the UK. 

A fifth band will be announced shortly - this will be a local unsigned act that has uploaded material to Triple J’s “Unearthed“site. 

The event provides access to music for young people in regional areas and follows on from One Night Stands in Tumby Bay (SA), Alice Springs, Gippsland, Collie (WA), Cowra, Port Pirie, Ayr, Natimuk (Vic) and Burnie.  Around 10,000 people attended the One Night Stand in Tumby Bay in 2011 and similar numbers are expected for the Dalby event in June.vernment.

To enter or nominate a potential NCCARF Climate Adaptation Champion 2012, click here.

For the second year running, Local Government Super (LGS) has been named the Infinity Award winner 2012 by independent super research company SuperRatings, reinforcing its position as the leader in sustainability in the superannuation industry.

The Infinity Award recognises the super fund that is leading the industry in sustainable behaviour by practicing genuine responsible investment principles and open communication of these processes to its members. SuperRatings assesses Infinity Award candidates based on three fixed criteria; Investment, Engagement and Behaviour.

Peter Lambert, CEO at LGS is pleased that the Fund’s sustainable and responsible investment practices, together with its internal culture are continuing to be recognised: “LGS has a strong and longstanding commitment to sustainability, which is guided by the vision of our Board and the management team.”

“Our commitment of over $3 billion invested in responsible investment strategies across Australian shares, international shares, property, and the absolute return and private equity asset classes, is by far the largest commitment of any Australian super fund” claimed Mr Lambert.