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Public submissions open for the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service

THE PANEL for the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service has called for public submissions.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, Kelly O'Dwyer, said public consultations were an opportunity for people to have their say about the future of the Australian Public Service.

"It is important that our public sector is fit-for-purpose in the years ahead," Minister O'Dwyer said.

"Public consultations are an excellent opportunity for people to share their vision for the future of the APS. It is a chance to let the Panel know what works well, and what needs to change."

The Panel is seeking views on all areas raised in the Terms of Reference, as it begins its examination of the capability, culture and operating model of the Australian Public Service.

"Anyone can make a submission. Whether a public servant, business owner or member of the public, this is a chance to have your say on how our public service can best serve all Australians into the future," Ms O'Dwyer said.

The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm AEST Friday 13 July 2018.

Make a submission and read the Terms of Reference at the Independent Reviews' website.

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Local industry experts to boost Aussie defence exports

THE Australian Defence Export Office and Austrade have taken the first steps towards delivering enhanced export support for Australian defence businesses, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to engage dedicated local industry experts in key export markets.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne said that partnering with Austrade will capitalise on whole-of-government expertise and knowledge of foreign markets to assist Australian defence industry to access greater export opportunities.

"Cooperation between Austrade and the Defence Export Office is one of a range of initiatives being delivered under the Defence Export Strategy, to drive a more competitive defence industry to support Australian Defence Force capability," Mr Pyne said.

"A strong, internationally competitive and sustainable defence industry is key to meeting Australia's current and future defence capability needs."

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo said local industry experts, working closely with the Defence Export Office, will provide advice and support for Australian defence businesses using Austrade's established international networks to assist in navigating foreign markets.

"The MOU is another step in supporting the Defence Export Strategy and employing industry experts across several overseas Austrade offices will assist exporters in navigating foreign markets to grow their business," Mr Ciobo said.

"Growing the defence export sector will boost the Australian economy and build upon the Turnbull Coalition Government's strong record of job creation."

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed following last month's inaugural Defence Export Forum. The Forum, which aims to provide an integrated national approach to Defence exports, included representatives from Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments and industry peak bodies.

Austrade and the Defence Export Office will work closely to support targeted multi-year campaigns and deliver integrated support for defence exporters. 

For more information, the Australian Defence Export Office can be contacted at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Grant to help researchers and businesses seize global opportunities

AUSTRALIAN researchers and businesses can now apply for up to $50,000 to help expand their work overseas, under the latest round of Global Connections Fund Bridging Grants.

The third round of Bridging Grants opens for applications today, with between $25,000 and $50,000 on offer to help viable Australian projects to grow in scope and scale, and to test commercialisation.

The Bridging Grants help Australian researchers build strong relationships with international partners, leading to the translation of knowledge and intellectual property into market-ready products and services.

They also help existing small-to-medium Australian businesses work with researchers overseas, leveraging their academic expertise to help them compete internationally.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said it is vital Australian researchers and businesses are given the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge with counterparts in key global economies.

“Through initiatives such as the Global Connections Fund, the Turnbull Government is helping Australian businesses and researchers collaborate with global partners on projects that build our economy and create job opportunities.

“The Government’s Bridging Grants give our top innovators the support they need to grow their great ideas into viable businesses,” Minister Cash said.

The Global Connections Fund is one of the key internationally-focused measures of the Global Innovation Strategy, part of the Government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda.

Extraordinary technological change is transforming how we live, work and communicate. Innovation is important to every sector of the economy. Innovation keeps us competitive. It keeps us at the cutting edge. It creates jobs. And it will keep our standard of living high.

Through the National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Turnbull Government is embracing new ideas to deliver the next age of economic prosperity to all Australians.

Applications close 14 June 2018. For more information visit https://globalconnectionsfund.org.au/bridge-grants/

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Consultation on draft Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018 to implement safe harbour reforms

THE FEDERAL Parliament is currently considering changes to Australia’s copyright laws to extend the safe harbour scheme to the education, cultural and disability sector.

The changes aim to ensure these sectors are protected from legal liability where they can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to deal with copyright infringement by users of their online platforms.

To ensure the new sectors can comply with the scheme, the Parliament is seeking views on the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018.

The amendments aim to ensure the current safe harbour procedures and forms are fit for purpose for the new sectors.

The changes aim to compliment the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill by not seeking to deviate substantially from how the scheme currently operates.

Comments are being sought on whether the amendments will help the applicable institutions comply with the safe harbour scheme.

Submissions close on June 29, 2018 at 5pm AEDT.

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Whitsunday tourism opportunities open up for operators

ELEVEN permits for the Whitsundays region are now up for grabs through an expression of interest process run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

These special permissions improve access to the Whitsunday Planning Area, especially for tourism operators, and will be allocated through a two-phase application and assessment process.

Great Barrier Marine Park Authority policy and planning director Belinda Jago encouraged any interested operators or individuals to submit an expression of interest for these rare opportunities.

“The opportunities now available do not come around regularly and so we are pleased to be opening up further prospects for ecologically-sustainable tourism and use in the area,” Ms Jago said.

“These permits mean businesses or vessel owners can apply to offer new tourism services in the area or apply for private mooring permissions.

“We want people to visit the area, learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s ecological value and wonder, and then be inspired to share Reef information with friends and family and contribute to the Reef’s health when they get home.

“Tourism operators are key sharers of information about the Reef and are invaluable stakeholders in its future.”

The available permissions on offer include conducting daily regional scenic flight tours using a fixed-wing aircraft and daily operations from Bowen.

The third type of permissions are for three private moorings in the Woodwark Bay South Location.

Interested applicants may also wish to comment on the draft Woodwark Bay Site Plan, which will govern the mooring opportunities.

Applicants for the special permissions can expect a two-phase process starting with an expression of interest, which includes a lodgement fee.

The Marine Park Authority will assess proposals against criteria, with the long-term benefit of the Reef in mind.

“Protection of the Marine Park’s values is something we will be looking for in the expressions of interest,” Ms Jago said.

“For example, seeing environmental best practice and use of sustainability-focused technologies from the applicant."

The Whitsundays is a key tourism destination for Queensland and attracts the most number of visitors to the Great Barrier Reef.

Latest statistics from Tourism and Events Queensland show the region welcomed 760,000 overnight visitors for the year ending September 2017 and contributed $529 million to the gross regional product.

More information about the special permissions expression of interest process are available on the Marine Park Authority's website www.gbrmpa.gov.au

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