Archive for May, 2010

GOVERNMENT TO BUTT OUT FRUIT FLAVOURED CIGARETTES

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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The Brumby Labor Government will ban the sale of lolly and fruit flavoured cigarettes in a new bid to further reduce smoking rates among Victorian teenagers. Announcing the ban today on World No Tobacco Day, Health Minister Daniel Andrews also launched new data showing smoking rates among Victorian teenagers had halved since 2002. “The Brumby [...]

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WARNING – DON’T FALL FOR BOGUS WATER FILTER REBATE SCAM

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson today warned Victorian households to watch out for dodgy doorknockers promoting a bogus government water filter rebate scam. Mr Robinson said Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) was investigating complaints about doorknockers claiming to represent a “Government Water Filter Rebate” scheme and offering to run tests on householders’ tap water to see [...]

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END OF UNCERTAINTY FOR ABC LEARNING CENTRES IN VICTORIA

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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The uncertainty surrounding the future of 137 ABC Learning Centres in Victoria will end today with the completion of work to transfer the running of the facilities to a new operator. Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said the centres would be officially licensed to GoodStart today – benefiting more than 10,000 [...]

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NEW MELBOURNE BIKE HIRE HITS THE CITY STREETS

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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Melbourne’s first ever public bike hire scheme is underway, with the early roll-out of the first ten stations and 100 bicycles in the CBD. Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas was at the new bike station at Melbourne University in Parkville today with RACV General Manager for Member and Motoring Services Gordon Oakley for the [...]

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VICTORIA SIGNS HISTORIC HEALTH DEAL TO PUT PATIENTS FIRST

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Premier, John Brumby, today toured the Alfred Hospital Elective Surgery Centre and signed the historic Council of Australian Governments health agreement to put patients first. Mr Brumby said the new COAG health reform agreement would deliver an additional $4.7 billion investment in health and hospital services in Victoria [...]

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HEAD TO THE UPPER GOULBURN RIVER FOR PREMIER FISHING

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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The Goulburn River between Eildon and Alexandra became Victoria’s second official premier fishing river today. At Eildon for the announcement, Minister Responsible for Fisheries Joe Helper said three Premier rivers were being developed across the state, in conjunction with five Premier lakes, to provide high-value recreational fishing for all. “The Brumby Labor Government is enhancing [...]

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ROAD SAFETY ROUNDTABLE TO CONSIDER IDEAS TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD TOLL

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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 Transport groups, road safety experts, community groups, police and leaders in health, road trauma and youth affairs will come together next week to consider new ways to bring down Victoria’s road toll. Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the Brumby Labor Government would host a Road Safety Roundtable on Tuesday 1 June, bringing together [...]

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AUST. MOTORCYCLE GP CONTINTUES AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by .

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The Brumby Government has secured the long-term future of another of Victoria’s major events, with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to remain at Phillip Island until at least 2016. The latest contract extension is a humiliating blow for the New South Wales Major Events Minister Ian Macdonald who said NSW would steal Victoria’s major events [...]

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IPADS FOR VICTORIAN SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIAN-FIRST TRIAL

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by .

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Students at eight Victorian Government schools including those battling illness at the Royal Children’s Hospital won’t have to wait long to get their hands on Apple’s latest gadget – the iPad – thanks to a groundbreaking trial. Visiting the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in Southbank today, Premier John Brumby announced an Australian-first [...]

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$100,000 TO KICK-START SALVOS RED SHIELD DOORKNOCK

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by .

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Premier John Brumby today pledged $100,000 to The Salvation Army’s 2010 Red Shield Appeal. Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government was very proud to continue its support of The Salvation Army – which helped more than one million disadvantaged Australians every year. “I cannot speak highly enough about the work of the Salvos or the [...]

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201 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS SHARE IN $973,000

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by .

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More than 200 early childhood educators from across the state will share in Brumby Labor Government scholarships and incentives worth $973,000. Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said the grants were a key element in the government’s plan to boost the qualifications and skills of Victoria’s early childhood workforce. “The Brumby Labor [...]

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NEW NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE BUSHFIRE SHELTERS

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by .

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The new national performance standard for private bushfire shelters is now in effect in Victoria, Planning Minister Justin Madden announced today.  Mr Madden said the Victorian Government had supported the recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report 2 Priorities for Building in Bushfire Prone Areas that a national standard for private bushfire [...]

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$200,000 TO ROAST WITH REGIONAL PRODUCE THIS WINTER

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by .

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Carve up your favourite roast this winter with fresh meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables from regional and rural Victoria as part of a $200,000 Brumby Labor Government-backed campaign to support local farmers and food producers. Launching the Put Victoria on Your Table: Roast Collection campaign today at Bendigo Wholefoods, Member for Bendigo West, Bob Cameron, [...]

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NEW ECONOMIC RECORD FOR NATION’S ENGINE ROOM

Posted on 27. May, 2010 by .

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Victoria has scored another economic win with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting today the State has had the highest growth in private capital investment of any state over the past 12 months. Treasurer John Lenders said the new record in private capital investment showed a 14.7 per cent increase in business investment compared to [...]

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SICK KIDS SUPPORTED IN THEIR RETURN BACK TO SCHOOL

Posted on 27. May, 2010 by .

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Victorian students returning to school after an extended stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital will soon have a new video to help classmates understand their experiences. Visiting the hospital today, Premier John Brumby and Education Minister Bronwyn Pike announced an interactive animation to help children readjust to school life. Mr Brumby said some children struggle [...]

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GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO OUT OF HOME CARE REPORT

Posted on 26. May, 2010 by .

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Minister for Community Services Minister Lisa Neville today welcomed the Ombudsman’s own motion report into Victoria’s out of home care system and said the Government would implement all but one of his recommendations. “The report comes at a time when over 5000 children are being cared for by foster parents, extended families or in residential [...]

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WHAT DOES THE LIBERAL PARTY STAND FOR?

Posted on 25. May, 2010 by .

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Age Environmental reporter Adam Morton wrote Tuesday 25 May, ‘Clean energy companies have launched an advertsing campaign attacking state Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu over his proposed wind farm policy, warning it could send thousands of jobs and more than $4 billion of investment interstate.’ This is in stark contrast to the Brumby Labor Government position [...]

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VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CERTAINTY FOR WIND FARM INDUSTRY

Posted on 25. May, 2010 by .

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Premier John Brumby and Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings today met with representatives from the wind farm industry to discuss the future of wind farms in Victoria and reaffirm the Government’s support of the renewable energy sector. Mr Brumby said wind energy was one of the most cost effective forms of renewable energy [...]

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MAJOR GLOBAL AWARD FOR MUSEUM’S WILD TECHNOLOGY

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by .

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Museum Victoria has beaten out museums from across the globe to take out a sought-after international accolade for the cutting-edge new technology in Wild: Amazing animals in a changing world. Arts Minister Peter Batchelor said Museum Victoria had received a coveted Gold MUSE Award from the American Association of Museums, which celebrate innovation and creativity [...]

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GETTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN BACK ON TRACK

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by .

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Vulnerable Victorian children will be reconnected with their local community through sport, hobbies and friendship thanks to a new $1.2 million Brumby Labor Government program. Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville was today joined by Victoria’s Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary at Federation Square to launch the program. Ms Neville said the program would help [...]

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CULTURE CARD GIVES OVERSEAS STUDENTS A KEY TO THE CITY

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by .

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Victoria’s 165,000 international students are set for a cultural boost thanks to a new card designed to enhance their way of life while studying down under. The Culture Card – launched today by Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Bronwyn Pike, Committee for Melbourne CEO Andrew MacLeod and Kangaroos vice-captain Drew Petrie – will give international [...]

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PROVISIONAL GAMING MACHINE AUCTION DATA RELEASED

Posted on 21. May, 2010 by .

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Provisional gaming machine auction results released by the Government showed there would be 37 fewer machines in Monash and an increase of 12 in Kingston after 2012, Member for Clayton Hong Lim said today. Mr Lim said the auction raised $981 million which would be mostly directly towards health, with any remaining funds to be [...]

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FESTIVAL CELEBRATES OUR EMERGING LITERARY TALENT

Posted on 21. May, 2010 by .

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Victoria’s freshest new literary talent will come under the spotlight during the 2010 Emerging Writers’ Festival, launched today by the Arts Minister Peter Batchelor. Mr Batchelor said the Emerging Writers’ Festival was an opportunity for up-and-coming writers to hone their craft and promote their work to a broader audience. “This Festival stands out from the [...]

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DESALINATION POWER GOES UNDERGROUND

Posted on 21. May, 2010 by .

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The first of 87 kilometres of underground power infrastructure for Victoria’s Desalination Plant has been laid, as the project continues to be delivered on time and on budget. The Premier, John Brumby, and Water Minister Tim Holding today visited Caldermeade to inspect works on the underground power supply and Wonthaggi to inspect progress at the [...]

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REVAMPED BETTER HEALTH CHANNEL WEBSITE GOES LIVE

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by .

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Australia’s top health website has undergone a modern revamp to make it even easier to access expert health and lifestyle information at any time and any place. Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the new Better Health Channel went live this week with a new interactive design and social media features. “The award-winning Better Health Channel [...]

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REGIONAL VICTORIAN FOOD AND WINE PROMOTED TO ASIA

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by .

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Regional Victorian food and wine will be plated up more often at Asian dinner tables thanks to a series of trade events showcasing the world-class qualities of our local produce at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Speaking following one of three Victorian Government dinners promoting the State’s food and wine capabilities, Industry and Trade Minister [...]

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ANDREWS WELCOMES 222 NEW PARAMEDICS AT ANNUAL EVENT

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by .

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More paramedics are operating throughout Victoria than ever before, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said today, at an annual function to welcome new graduate paramedics to Ambulance Victoria. Visiting the South Melbourne ambulance training facility, Mr Andrews welcomed some of the 222 new graduate paramedics to the service. “The Brumby Labor Government has more than tripled [...]

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VICTORIA GOING FOR GOLD AT SHANGHAI AS PREMIER ANNOUNCES WORLD HERITAGE BID FOR VICTORIAN GOLDFIELDS

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by .

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The Premier John Brumby has announced that the Victorian Government would seek World Heritage listing for the Victorian Goldfields. In Shanghai, following the opening of a Victorian exhibition about the contribution of Chinese Australians in the Gold Rush, Mr Brumby said the Government would submit the Victorian Goldfields, based around the Mt Alexander Diggings National Heritage [...]

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REGIONAL SES UNITS GET BRUMBY GOVERNMENT BUDGET BOOST

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by .

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Regional VICSES units were big winners in the 2010/11 State Budget, gaining $11.6 million across the state for a massive upgrade of rescue vehicles and safety equipment such as road accident kits and pagers. Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron today visited Bendigo VICSES headquarters to hand over a new $27,500 storm trailer, saying the Brumby [...]

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VICTORIAN DAIRY COMPANIES SHOWCASE PRODUCTS IN CHINA

Posted on 19. May, 2010 by .

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Australia’s two leading producers of dairy infant formula, Murray Goulburn Co-operative and Tatura Milk Industries, presented their world class products at a charitable event in Shanghai today as part of a Victorian Government-supported trade mission. Addressing the event, Premier John Brumby said Victorian companies were ideally placed to capitalise on surging Chinese demand for premium [...]

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SMART SCHOOLS SOUGHT TO LOOK AFTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

Posted on 19. May, 2010 by .

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Local MP Hong Lim is asking all schools in the Clayton electorate to commit to the environment by entering the 2010 Victorian ResourceSmart School of the Year Awards. “The Brumby Government is taking action to address the challenges facing our environment and encourages all Victorians to also do their part for the environment,” Hong Lim said. “And by [...]

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FRAMEWORK TO WEED OUT INVASIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Posted on 19. May, 2010 by .

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Protecting our parks, waterways, biodiversity and agriculture from the threat of invasive plants and animals through early intervention and eradication is the key element of a strategy released by the Brumby Labor Government today. Launching the Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings and Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said [...]

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VICTORIAN EDUCATION EXPORTED FROM MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS TO SHANGHAI

Posted on 18. May, 2010 by .

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Premier John Brumby today unveiled Victoria’s leading edge Connections 2010 classroom at the Melbourne Showgrounds – from 8000 kilometres away at the Shanghai World Expo. At the Australia Pavilion at the Expo, Mr Brumby was joined by Jin Cai High School students in Shanghai for a video link with Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and students [...]

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VICTORIA HELPS BUILD CHINA’S SUSTAINABLE URBAN FUTURE

Posted on 18. May, 2010 by .

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China’s strategy to move around 50 per cent of the country’s population from a rural to an urban environment by 2050 is opening up multibillion dollar opportunities for Victorian urban planning, design and engineering companies, Premier John Brumby said today. Addressing the Liveable Sustainable Cities of the Future Forum, a key Victoria Week event at [...]

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NEW JUNE TRAIN TIMETABLES

Posted on 18. May, 2010 by .

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To the city – morning peak All times have been altered during the morning peak to introduce consistent stopping patterns. •Metro will be adding 10 new morning peak services per week to the timetable to help alleviate overcrowding during the busiest hour (two additional city bound services each morning). •Journey time will be reduced by [...]

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SAFER TRAINS AND STATIONS WITH CCTV AND POLICE BOOST

Posted on 18. May, 2010 by .

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Melbourne’s suburban rail network has undergone a major safety boost with a multi-million CCTV upgrade complete and Victoria Police on track to boost to 250 the number of dedicated transit officers. Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula and Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said transit police would be riding the rails and would use [...]

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ASSET CONFISCATION SCHEME STRENGTHENED PROVING CRIME DOES NOT PAY

Posted on 18. May, 2010 by .

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Victoria’s tough asset confiscation laws are to be strengthened even further to ensure criminals are stripped of the proceeds of their crime more quickly and efficiently. Acting Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said asset confiscation was a powerful tool to fight illegal activities in this state and prove that crime does not pay. “Over the [...]

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VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE FIRM TAKING SHANGHAI BY STORM

Posted on 17. May, 2010 by .

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Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan today officially opened the new Shanghai office of Melbourne-based architecture firm Architektonic, which is delivering distinctive Australian urban design to the Chinese market place. Ms Allan said Architektonic’s new Shanghai office was an example of China’s strong uptake of Victorian urban design and development thanks to strong promotion [...]

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MORE SUPPORT FOR MUMS AND BUBS

Posted on 17. May, 2010 by .

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A new $415,000 Brumby Labor Government education program aims to boost breastfeeding rates across the state and increase local expertise available to mums. Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said the Breastfeeding Education Program would provide online breastfeeding education for 800 maternal and child health nurses across Victoria. “The Brumby Labor Government [...]

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