Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

I want to add my thanks to the Prime Minister’s. You’re all contributing your experience and your expertise in the service of the national economic interest, and we are very grateful to you for that. I also want to thank the PM – for his introduction and for his support for this effort since he first announced this Roundtable 10 weeks ago today. If there’s a defining characteristic of the government he leads it’s that it is considered and consultative. We share his belief that the best progress we can make, is the progress we make together.

From the outset, he’s been clear that this is about writing the next chapter on economic reform, and I want to acknowledge the leadership he’s shown in getting us here. Already there’s been a very intensive period of consultation. A ‘boardroom blitz’ with dozens of business leaders, union leaders, over 40 ministerial roundtables, almost 900 submissions from across the country, discussions with everyone here.

The appetite and ambition have been really encouraging. Again, I couldn’t be more grateful for that, because it’s helped put us in a good position for the coming days. Some of you have been in this Cabinet Room before, for others it’s your first time. I wanted to tell you why we chose this room, not because we want to usurp the role of Cabinet and ministers. Not to take decisions for them, but to inform them. We chose it to keep the numbers focused and the conversation flowing. We chose it because we want you to grapple with the same sorts of issues and trade‑offs and opportunity costs, we grapple with almost every week, as a group. And because it was in this room in one of the first Cabinet meetings after the election that we decided to put productivity at the very core of our second term agenda.

The timing for this gathering couldn’t be better, the responsibility couldn’t be bigger. In fact, it’s hard to recall a time when the balance between opportunity and uncertainty was so finely poised as it seems now. Between the progress we’ve made and the productivity we need to sustain it in uncertain times. We’ve had 4 major economic shocks in less than 2 decades. What used to be punctuation points marking the end and beginning of long periods of calm has become a near permanent state of upheaval.

At the same time as the bigger backdrop is being shaped by big challenges and uncertainty on the horizon in areas like energy, demography, industry, technology and geopolitics that were sketched out so starkly in our Intergenerational Report. We are realistic about the impact of all of this but optimistic too. In this world of churn and change we like Australia’s chances. We’re not complacent by any means, but the progress we’ve made together in the past few years does give us confidence.

Last week was the perfect illustration: On Tuesday, a third interest rate cut in 6 months because of the progress that’s been made on inflation. On Wednesday annual real wages growing for the seventh consecutive quarter, the strongest growth in 5 years. On Thursday, unemployment ticked down and 25,000 new jobs. Australia’s performance sets us apart, but we’re not satisfied, we need to do more and we need to do better and we will.

That’s why the discussions here matter, over the next 3 days. It’s why the decisions taken here matter, over the next 3 Budgets. But it’s the efforts and enterprise of people outside this room that have played and will continue to play the decisive role. It’s for them that we need to make the most of this defining decade – to build for them a new generation of prosperity.

Our progress in the near term, our ability to get on top of the cyclical issues in our economy, gives us the time and space and platform to attend to the bigger more persistent structural issues. As the PM and I both said at the National Press Club: We are proud of the progress we’ve made, we are focused primarily on delivering what we took to the election, but that’s not the limit of our ambitions, that is the foundation of our ambitions.

We have 3 clear objectives. Most importantly, to make our economy more productive over time, because that’s the best way to lift living standards and make people better off. To make our nation more resilient in a more contested world. And thirdly, to build on the budget repair we’ve begun, to make it more sustainable.

We have filled this room with experience and expertise. We have opened that door to you and opened our minds to your ideas. Twenty‑three core attendees, and 25 session‑specific attendees, from business, government, economics and academia, the union movement and civil society. As I said: please consider this as 3 days to inform 3 budgets – and beyond.

To make the most of this opportunity we need your concrete ideas, we need you to be specific. We need to be able to pay for them. We need you to be willing to test them with others in this room. We need you to be willing to compromise and find common ground. This is all about building consensus and building momentum. Which means going beyond our own narrow, sectional or commercial interests and serving the national economic interest. This is an ambitious group, an ambitious government, an ambitious agenda.

Global uncertainty surrounds us, big economic challenges confront us, and our ambitions must meet this moment. Broadly, we’re looking to build consensus around 3 types of outcomes. Clear reform directions – areas where there’s momentum and broad agreement on the direction of travel even if unanimity isn’t there yet. Specific reforms – the handful of changes we could all agree on now. And ongoing priorities – where there’s appetite in the room for further work. Over these 3 days I’ll try to keep it focused, keep it constructive, and keep it flowing.

I’ll provide some opening remarks for each session which will help to set up our conversation before inviting contributions from around the table. Michele is kicking us off today. Danielle tomorrow. Jenny on Thursday. After hearing and testing your ideas, I’ll try to draw the main threads together.

As we move through the next 3 days, I would appreciate it if you could keep one thing front of mind. We don’t just want to know what you’d do if you were us. We want to know what we can do together, and what your contribution will be to that bigger more ambitious effort. If there are solutions to the big challenges we face, I’m confident all the people in this room can help us find them. With that, I’ll thank the Prime Minister, I’ll thank the media, and shortly we’ll go to Governor Bullock.

Source:

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is proposing to name the Heathcote Community Hub – the Bibi Bibi Community Hub with Geographic Names Victoria and is inviting the community to comment on the proposed name.  Bibi Bibi means “all here” in Taungurung language.

The City is currently undertaking a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Community Hub precinct which comprises the former Court House and Shire Offices building and the Mechanics Institute building located at 121-125 High Street, Heathcote.

City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Acting Manager Bridget Maplestone said the City is a Naming Authority for places that it owns or manages.  

“The naming of existing and new City-owned facilities in Traditional Owner language is in line with the City’s Reconciliation Plan Barpangu 2021-2025 and our strong commitment to supporting Aboriginal place naming and the use of Traditional Owner language in public spaces across the municipality,” Ms Maplestone said.

“Naming of all roads, features and localities in Victoria need to follow the statutory requirements of the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria.

“Following consultation with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council the City is now undertaking a naming process for the site.  

“Registering place names with Geographic Names Victoria is essential to identify locations for managing emergencies and delivering goods and services in Victoria.”

Members of the community can provide feedback on the proposed name via the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo community engagement website by Monday September 22, 2025.  

Submissions will then be considered and a report presented to Council with all the information. All submissions must comply with Naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities – 2022.

If anyone has any accessibility issues accessing Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo and making a submission, they can email or call:

[email protected]

1300 002 642

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is seeking feedback on a draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 which was developed following a community consultation process to ensure the views of the wider community are reflected.

The City is also seeking feedback on an amended Keeping of Animals Local Law which has simplified requirements for poultry housing, removed the ability to obtain a permit for a rooster in residential areas and increased the number of cats allowed in a residential area to three.

Over 450 residents (both pet owners and non-pet owners) contributed to the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan either by completing a survey or by making a submission.

Key findings from the community survey revealed that:

• Ninety-eight per cent of respondents knew about the City’s 24-hour cat containment with seventy-eight per cent having seen cats in public spaces or not on their owners property
• Sixty-five per cent of respondents think there are enough designated off leash areas within Greater Bendigo and seventy-two per cent find them suitable
• Good feedback to inform future works associated with fenced off leash dog parks was received
• There was support for the continuation of several City offered responsible pet ownership programs including microchipping, registration, desexing programs and discounted impound fees
• The impact of unrestrained dogs, dog barking and dog attacks still remain at a considerable level
• There is reasonable usage of the designated off leash areas and based on the feedback, no changes are urgently required

Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the City has a legislative requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to prepare a Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) and this is the fifth plan that the City has prepared

“Companion animals have been part of our lives since recorded history with dogs and cats playing an important role in the daily lives of many Greater Bendigo residents,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Therefore, it’s vital for the City to undertake the necessary planning to ensure that pets, pet owners and non-pet owners can coexist in a harmonious way.

“The draft plan builds on the achievements and work from the previous four plans to guide future service programs and actions through to 2029.

“Key areas of focus for the next four years featured in the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025/2029 include continuing to undertake responsible pet ownership programs and look for opportunities to improve our designated off leash areas.

“The City received great feedback from the community in the development of the draft plan and I thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and pass on their comments.

“The draft plan along with an amended Keeping of Animals Local Law is now available to view, and I encourage all interested people to visit the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website and pass on any comments they may have.”

Any comments and feedback must be received by Wednesday September 17, 2025.

All comments received will be considered with the final plan expected to go to Council for adoption later this year.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

The Government is funding a new community-led early childhood education and care service on Horn Island in the Torres Strait.

Once established, the service will provide care to about 25 children.  

The new centre is part of the Australian Government’s $30 million expansion of the Community Child Care Fund Restricted (CCCFR) Expansion Program.

It is set to be run by the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC), the registered native title prescribed body corporate that looks after the land, seas and interests of the Kaurareg People. 

KNTAC is partnering with Astute Early Years Specialists and Goodstart Early Learning to establish the Ngurupai Early Childhood Education and Care Service.

The Ngurupai Early Childhood Education and Care Service is the ninth site to be announced under the CCCFR Expansion Program. 

The CCCFR Expansion Program establishes new early childhood education and care services in remote and very remote areas to increase participation in culturally appropriate early childhood education and care for First Nations children and families.

This is another example of the Albanese Government’s commitment to the Closing the Gap National Agreement, in particular increasing the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, Senator Dr Jess Walsh:

“This new service will give First Nations children on Horn Island access to the benefits of culturally inclusive early education.

“We know that quality early learning results in better health outcomes, improved school readiness and higher paying jobs later in life. 

“Quality and safe early education is beneficial for all children, and particularly for those living in remote and very remote areas such as Horn Island.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith MP:

“The lack of available early education on Horn Island (Ngurupai) has been brought up to me by many locals on my visits to the region.

“This funding will be a game changer for many families on Horn Island (Ngurupai), many of whom have had to travel to Thursday Island in the past to access early education. 

“The Albanese Labor Government will not leave local communities behind, and this funding will make sure there are more jobs and opportunities for families on Horn Island (Ngurupai).

“Remote communities deserve to have access to the services they need close to home.

“This would not be possible without the work of the previous Miles Labor Government, former state member for Cook Cynthia Lui and hard work of the Kuarareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC).” 

Source: Historic Cooma Gaol listed on the NSW State Heritage Register

The Albanese Government announced today it will strengthen the powers of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

TEQSA was created nearly 15 years ago to regulate the quality of higher education providers in Australia. 

TEQSA can currently cancel the registration of a university, impose conditions on registration or accreditation, apply to a court to seek fines, or publish statements of expectation. These powers have not significantly changed since TEQSA was created. 

In the next few weeks, the Government will release a consultation paper on how we should modernise and strengthen TEQSA’s powers to better meet the standards students, staff and the community expect of our universities.

The paper will focus on areas for potential amendments of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act). This includes:

• A regulatory system that puts students first;
• A modern regulator with powers to address emerging and systemic challenges;
• Opportunities to streamline regulation for universities and other higher education providers, so they can focus on teaching and learning; and
• A system that supports a joined up tertiary system, helping more Australians get the skills and qualifications they need.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“TEQSA’s powers haven’t really changed since it was created. Now is the time to look at this.

“At the moment TEQSA has a sledgehammer and a feather, and not much in-between.

“There is a good argument that TEQSA needs better tools to be able to step in and act when it’s justified in the public interest.

“And to be able to respond to systemic risks, not just the compliance of individual providers.

Quotes attributable to Dr Mary Russell, Chief Executive Officer TEQSA:

“Governance failures, risks to student safety and wellbeing, questions of financial viability, and the impact of new technologies on student outcomes point to the need for a legislative framework that better supports TEQSA’s ability to respond quickly and proportionately to emerging, systemic, and acute risks.

“Fourteen years after TEQSA’s establishment, the sector is larger, more interconnected, and more exposed to emerging and systemic risks. This consultation process will help ensure our legislation reflects those realities, supports independent and effective regulation, and enables us to work in partnership with other national bodies to maintain confidence in Australian higher education.”

Quotes attributable to Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Chief Commissioner TEQSA:

“The TEQSA Commission and I welcome the Minister’s announcement and the government’s focus on strengthening TEQSA’s legislative powers. This is a clear commitment to ensuring Australia has a regulator that is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving higher education sector.

“The TEQSA Commission and I are fully supportive of the government’s agenda to equip TEQSA with the powers it needs to address emerging, systemic, and acute risks. This consultation is an important and timely step towards a stronger higher education system that delivers on the government’s priorities and maintains the confidence of students, providers, and the Australian community.”

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will investigate whether energy retailers are misleading consumers by promoting energy plans that promise savings or value to consumers when they actually offer poor value for the customer, following CHOICE making a designated complaint to the ACCC.

This is the first designated complaint received by the ACCC from CHOICE and the second complaint received under the new designated complaints framework.

The ACCC is satisfied that the designated complaint made by CHOICE relates to a significant or systemic market issue that affects consumers.

“Energy plans that promote ‘savings’ or value may entice many consumers to a particular plan and influence their decision making,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“We are concerned that consumers may be misled or deceived by plan names or descriptions of plans that offer ‘savings’ that are not genuine, or that consumers may be discouraged from switching to cheaper plans that are available to them.”

“It is essential that energy retailers provide clear and accurate information about their energy plans so that consumers can make informed decisions when choosing an energy provider and plan,” Ms Lowe said.

If the ACCC identifies conduct that may contravene the Australian Consumer Law following its investigation of the issues raised by this complaint, it may take enforcement action where appropriate. The ACCC may also prepare industry guidance or contribute to policy or law reform initiatives.

CHOICE’s designated complaint to the ACCC also raises issues in relation to consumer confusion from retailers’ use of identical names for plans with different rates and energy retailers prompting consumers to change plans when the recommended plan is not available to them.

These additional issues arise particularly in the context of ‘Better Offer’ and ‘Best Offer’ messages included on consumers’ energy bills. Energy retailers are required to regularly include a message on bills to residential customers to alert them if they can save money by switching to a different plan with the retailer. These messages are referred to as Better or Best Offer messages.

“The issues raised by CHOICE exacerbate the challenges and confusion that consumers may face when navigating the often complex energy market,” Ms Lowe said.

A recent decision by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) requires retailers that elect to re-use plan names, to provide additional information below certain “Better Offer” messages. This aims to address any customer confusion from some retailers creating newer (and differently priced) versions of existing plans using identical plan names.

The ACCC will continue to engage with the AER and Victorian Essential Services Commission (ESC) on their upcoming review and law reform processes including on their consideration of the issues raised in CHOICE’s complaint. 

After careful consideration, the ACCC considers that the issues raised by CHOICE relating to the use of identical plan names in Better or Best Offer messaging with different rates, and Better or Best Offer messages with plans that consumers may not be eligible for, are most effectively addressed through the review and law reform processes currently underway by the AER and the ESC.

“The upcoming reviews by the Australian Energy Regulatory and Victorian Essential Services will provide the opportunity to consider some of the issues raised by CHOICE while reflecting on the broader issues facing consumers in the energy market.”

“We thank CHOICE for the work that has gone into submitting this designated complaint. CHOICE is an important member of the ACCC’s Consumer Consultative Committee and we value its insights as a leading consumer advocate group. The designated complaints framework is one of several avenues for highlighting important issues that cause consumer harm,” Ms Lowe said.

The ACCC’s response to CHOICE’s designated complaint is available on our website

Background

A new designated complaints framework in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA) came into effect on 1 May 2024.

Under the law, 3 bodies can be designated by the Minister as designated complainants. Currently these are Australian Consumers’ Association (CHOICE), Consumer Action Law Centre, and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).

In March 2025 the Consumer Action Law Centre submitted the first designated complaint to the ACCC under the new framework. The ACCC responded to this complaint in June 2025

In May 2025 CHOICE submitted a designated complaint to the ACCC under the new framework.

A designated complainant may only make one designated complaint within a 12-month period.

Under the framework, designated complaints must meet certain criteria, including that they relate to a significant or systemic market issue affecting consumers or small business in Australia, and that they relate to a potential breach of the CCA, which includes the Australian Consumer Law, or the ACCC’s powers or functions under the CCA.

The ACCC is required to assess and publicly respond to the designated complaint within 90 days. The ACCC’s response must state what further action, if any, will be taken in response to the complaint.

ACCC’s response to further designated complaints

In general, the ACCC may take a broad range of actions in response to a designated complaint. This may include conducting in-depth investigations into specific businesses’ practices, reviews into a specific sector or issue, advocacy activities, and/or undertaking research, education or engagement.

The ACCC’s response to a designated complaint may also include advising that we won’t take any further action. We may do this when:

• the designated complaint doesn’t meet the necessary criteria;
• we consider the subject matter of the designated complaint is already the focus of certain types of existing inquiries, reviews, investigations or legal proceedings, and has been or is likely to be adequately addressed through those other processes; or
• we consider no further action would be appropriate, having regard to the nature of the issue, the nature and extent of the harm or potential harm, and the likely impact ACCC action may have.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

This is the fourth time I have had this privilege.

And the first since the election.

Just after the election Julie wrote an article in the Fin about all the problems and challenges in higher education.

And it said that over last three years I have been focused on students.

And there is some truth in that.

We have cut student debt – by about $20 billion.

We have created a Student Ombudsman.

And we have started Paid Prac.

Financial support for teaching and nursing students. 

For midwifery and social work students.

They’re just a couple of examples.

But over the last few years I have also been focused on the bigger systemic changes we need to make, to make sure we are ready for the changes that will come at us.

That is fundamentally what the Accord is all about.

Setting us up for the future.

That’s what the ATEC is about.

It’s what the new funding system that starts to roll out from next year is all about.

It’s what the work we are doing to break down the barriers between university and TAFE is about.

It’s what the work that is happening right now on governance is about.

All of this will change what our universities look like and how they operate.

And that’s what I want to talk about today.

First, just a reminder about what the Accord is all about.

About three years ago I asked Professor Mary O’Kane to give us a blueprint for reform. 

For the next decade and the one after that.

That’s what the Accord is.

It gives us an idea of what the workforce will look like in 25 years.

A workforce where four out of five people have a TAFE qualification or a university degree.

And what we need to do to get there.

Getting there means a bigger system than the one we have today. 

A lot bigger.

It means breaking down that artificial barrier between vocational and higher education.

And breaking down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people getting to university in the first place. 

And succeeding when they get there.

We are not going to hit the sort of targets the Accord talks about by helping more people from Mosman or Toorak go to university.

They are already there.

We need to help the sort of people who aren’t there right now.

People from poor families.

People from the sort of places where I grew up.

In our outer suburbs.

In the regions.

That’s really what the Accord is all about.

It’s not an island.

Even doing everything in it is not enough.

We will fail to hit the targets it talks about unless we also fix other parts of the education system.

That’s what the school funding agreements I have signed over the last 12 months with every State and Territory are about.

They are the biggest new investment by the Australian Government in our public schools ever.

About $16 billion over the next 10 years.

And that money is tied to reform.

The sort of reforms that are needed to turn around the drop in the number of students finishing school.

The sort of reforms that are needed to make sure more Australians are ready and able to take on a uni degree.

The Accord is the connective tissue here.

It recommends we massively increase funding for the free bridging courses that help people who aren’t ready for uni, just yet.

We are doing that.

That started this year.

We are uncapping funding for these courses.

We think that means about an extra billion over the next 10 years to help more people bridge that gap between school and university.

The Accord also says if someone from a disadvantaged background gets the marks to do a course, we should fund them.

We should provide them with a Commonwealth supported place.

We have done that for Indigenous students.

That started last year.

It’s already having a positive impact.

Indigenous enrolments were up about 5 percent last year. 

And another 3 percent this year.

Over the next 10 years we think it could double the number of Indigenous students at university.

The next step is to do the same thing for other students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A demand driven system for all students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

That starts in 2027.

Next year is a transition year.

Next year is all about moving from the current funding system to this new Managed Growth System.

Australians are back at uni this year in record numbers.

When you take out COVID it looks like more Australians started a degree this year than ever before.

That’s a big turnaround after years of decline.

And we have got to build on that.

Universities are telling us that they are expecting more growth next year.

Over the next 10 years there will be about 200,000 more students in our universities.

It’s important that this is managed in the right way.

That means allocating places to support the whole system, rather than the hunger games we sometimes see at the moment.

Next year something else happens.

Needs based funding starts.

Think Gonski for universities.

The school funding system provides schools with extra funding based on where they are located and the needs of the students they educate.

Students who come from economically disadvantaged families receive additional support. 

So do schools in the regions and the bush.

At the moment we have programs like HEPPP that provide funding for extra student support.

This is different.

This isn’t a capped program.

Its demand driven.

The money follows the student.

The more students a university has that meet this criteria the more funding they will receive.

The more students there are at regional unis, the more funding those unis will receive as well.

These two big structural changes – Managed Growth and Needs Based Funding – aren’t sexy, they don’t make headlines, but they’re important.

They will inject $2.5 billion into the system over the next decade.

They are what will do the heavy lifting to help hit the targets in the Accord.

To help build a country where you can’t tell where someone was born based on whether they have a university degree or not.

What I bang on about all the time.

A system where more kids like the kids I grew up with get a crack.

And we have got a lot of work to do over the next few months to get this right.

If we are going to hit the sort of targets that the Accord talks about, we also need something else to drive it.

Something that will outlast all of us.

Something that can help lift those words off the page.

And will that future into being.

And that I hope is the ATEC.

It started a few weeks ago, with Mary O’Kane at the helm.

As I said back in February, I have gotten a few members of the band back together.

Mary, Barney and Larissa. 

They were a big part of the team who wrote the Accord and recommended the ATEC, and now I am getting them to help build it.

What they are working on right now is Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding.

And what next year looks like.

That transition year I talked about.

To make sure we get it right.

They are working with the Department on that.

And they will be working with you on that too.

Later this year, or early next year, I will introduce legislation to formally create the ATEC.

That will cement it in. 

Make it permanent.

But before I do that there is more consultation I need to do with you on what goes in the bill. 

To make sure we get it right.

That will happen later this year.

In the next few months there are also some big decisions we have to make about university governance.

I think everyone knows there is work to do here to make sure governance is up to scratch.

This was a big issue in the Accord.

They called for us to create a Student Ombudsman – and we have done that.

A bill to establish a new Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence is also in the Parliament.

That will hopefully pass next week or the week after. 

And come into effect from next year.

That will give the Ombudsman’s recommendations real teeth.

The Accord also asked me to work with States and Territories on other areas of university governance.

That led to the establishment of the Expert Council on University Governance earlier this year.

The head of that team is Melinda Cilento, the CEO of CEDA.

They are looking at everything from remuneration to accountability, transparency and culture.

I expect their report will set out the principles they expect all universities to sign up to, and the recommendations they want Education Ministers to agree to, when we meet in October.

This is not about belting universities. 

I think you know now that’s not my style.

It’s about working together to make our universities better.

To meet the sort of standards students, staff and the community expect of our universities.

I have encouraged you in a lot of different meetings to lean in to this.

And I have seen examples of that.

The recent public statement about VC remuneration by the University Chancellors Council is a good example.

But can I just encourage everyone again, don’t be defensive about this.

I am calling you in, not calling you out.

Be part of this.

While I am talking about reforms to governance, I also want to thank Mary Russell and the team at TEQSA for the work they are doing here.

Mary has written to me suggesting a number of changes to what TEQSA does and how it works.

At the moment TEQSA can cancel the registration of a university but doing that would almost always cause more harm than the problem it’s trying to fix.

They can also put conditions on registration or accreditation. 

But that too is sometimes not a useful response.

They can impose fines, but only after applying to a court.

They can publish statements of expectations, but they don’t always have the full force of law.

At the moment TEQSA has a sledgehammer and a feather, and not much in-between.

I think there is a good argument that it needs better tools to be able to step in and act when it’s justified in the public interest.

And to be able to respond to systemic risks, not just the compliance of individual providers.

TEQSA’s powers haven’t really changed since it was created almost 15 years ago.

Now is the time to look at this.

And in the next few weeks I will release a consultation paper on what this could involve.

Everything I have talked about today, everything we are doing:

• Paid Prac
• The Free Bridging Courses
• Managed Growth
• Needs Based Funding
• ATEC
• The work on governance.

All of that is the first stage of our response to the Accord.

It’s a big chunk of it.

About 31 of its 47 recommendations. 

In full or in part.

In dollars it’s about an extra $6.7 billion over the next decade.

My job is to make sure we deliver it.

But I am also conscious it’s not everything we have to do.

There is more in the Accord and more we need to do to make sure the higher education system, and the whole tertiary education system, is built right for the challenges that lie ahead.

The conversation that’s happening up in Canberra today could be the spark for some of that.

They are going to be talking about lots of things to boost productivity.

And obviously we are a part of that.

Making the whole tertiary education system more joined up, more seamless, will help.

Cracking the code of credit transfer and RPL will make it easier to get the skills you need quicker and cheaper.

That’s not easy.

If it was, it would be done by now.

But its something Andrew Giles and I have also asked the ATEC to work on.

To plot out a roadmap for reform here.

We have also written to the States and Territories to set up a Tertiary System Advisory Council to guide this work.

Another quick example.

There has been a lot of talk in the lead up to today about AI.

What rules and regulations should or shouldn’t wrap around it.

Over the last few years in schools and universities we have been preoccupied with what it means for how we assess students.

How do we make sure that students are learning, not cheating.

But there is a bigger game here.

If this is going to be as ubiquitous as we all think, if it is more likely to augment rather than automate work, then how do we prepare for that?

I was at UTS a few weeks ago to launch Paid Prac.

Talking to nursing students and midwifery students.

They told me they are getting trained to use AI as part of their degree.

It’s part of the course.

I asked a VC at another university about this the other day.

He told me he thinks AI will be embedded in every degree at his university in the next 5 years.

Another Vice-Chancellor told me last week she thinks her university will do this in the next two years.

If that’s right, and this is a tool set that almost everyone will use, then that’s real productivity enhancing reform.

But it won’t all be organic.

There is work for us to do here.

And I think Barney Glover will talk a little bit later here about the paper that JSA has just released.

That’s just another example of where we have an opportunity to be part of a bigger reform agenda.

In the wake of the election, I think there is also a real opportunity to build a bit of bipartisanship here that is badly needed.

A little later today you will hear from the new Shadow Minister for Education, Jonno Duniam.

He is a serious person. 

A serious thinker.

He thinks about the national interest.

I’m working with him on all the challenges we are grappling with in early education at the moment.

And I am looking forward to working with him on everything I have talked about today as well.

As I have said a number of times, this is bigger than one Budget, one Minister, or one government.

It’s about building a better and fairer education system.

For the next decade.

And the one after that.

We have made a start.

There is a long way to go. 

Source: Mental Health Australia

Protecting local waterways is a key goal of the NSW-first environmental innovation taking place as the Coffs Harbour bypass project transforms the city’s transport network.

The bypass is under construction in an area with high rainfall and multiple hills and valleys, making it essential to manage water quality before it is released into the environment. This is done by catching construction stormwater runoff and removing as much of the suspended solids, like clay and organic material, as possible.

This is usually done in sediment basins after rainfall events. But in a first for NSW, the Coffs bypass team is also using high efficiency sediment basins that operate continuously.

Transport for NSW Snr Manager Environment & Sustainability Scott Lawrence said this allows stormwater runoff from the site to be managed in real time.

“This method is a real game changer, and we have the evidence to prove that it is leading to better outcomes for local waterways and the local flora and fauna that rely on them,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Recent trials completed under the project’s Environmental Protection Licence showed impressive results in the reduction of total suspended solids using this system, compared to a standard construction sediment basin.

“During a major recent 480mm rainfall event in Coffs Harbour, the new basins achieved a 78 per cent reduction in total suspended solids.

“These solids are things like clay, silt and plant debris, as well as heavy metals that bind to clay particles.

“They can choke the water, smother aquatic habitats, clog fish gills, reduce oxygen levels and carry pollutants, so it’s critical as much of this can be removed as possible before water is released back into the environment.”

Mr Lawrence said the benefits of the high efficiency basins go beyond performance alone. 

“Traditional sediment basin management often involves time-consuming dewatering, chemical handling, and for staff to work on and above water, and in challenging weather conditions,” Mr Lawrence said.

“The high efficiency basin system on the bypass includes auto-dosing technology, which reduces the need for manual chemical handling and for workers to be onsite during rain events.

“And they don’t need to be emptied after rainfall. Instead, they retain water, which can be reused for construction purposes, further supporting sustainable site practices and reducing demand on potable water.

“This cutting-edge approach to sediment and erosion control helps protect the environment, simplifies operations and reduces labour demands.

“As construction progresses, the Coffs Harbour bypass is proving major infrastructure can go hand in hand with environmental innovation, which is good news for the community, our workforce, local wildlife and the natural landscape we all share.”

Source: New South Wales – News

A victim reported his Honda motorcycle had been stolen from Gouger Street, Adelaide between 5.30pm and 7pm on Monday 18 August.

About 8.30pm, police received information that the stolen motorbike had been spotted at Dover Gardens.

PolAir then tracked the motorcycle through the southern suburbs until it was dumped in a unit block car park on Auburn Court, Morphett Vale.  The rider ran off and jumped the back fence but, with the assistance of Police Dog Duke, a 16-year-old boy was tracked down and arrested.

The Morphett Vale teen was charged with illegal use and riding unlicensed.  He was bailed to appear in the Christies Beach Youth Court on 11 September.

The stolen motorcycle was returned to the owner.