THE Australian Government is taking another important step to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef with applications for the $5 million Reef Trust Tender—Wet Tropics programme now open.

“Over two hundred farmers registered an expression of interest last year and can now apply for funds to improve their farm’s nitrogen use efficiency,” said Mr Entsch.

“Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to submit a tender application to trial improvements in their fertiliser management practices.”

This is one of a number of programmes by the Australian Government, in partnership with other agencies, industry and communities, to achieve a common goal – protecting and managing the reef for current and future generations.

“This is an innovative approach to help farmers trial improved fertiliser management, leading to  cost-effective and long-term reduction in nitrogen fertiliser runoff entering the waters of the Great Barrier Reef,” said Minister Hunt.

“Nitrogen runoff from farms is a major factor affecting the health of the Great Barrier Reef and is linked to outbreaks of the damaging crown-of-thorns starfish.”

The programme is unique in its flexibility, allowing farmers to put forward a proposal and asking price to the Australian Government that meets their individual business needs and circumstances.

Terrain NRM, the programme’s delivery partner, is available to provide registered farmers with information and on ground support where needed.

Cane farmers who registered an expression of interest are invited to submit a tender application by 19 February 2015.

Tenders will be evaluated based on value for money and site visits may be conducted as part of the assessment process. Successful farmers will receive payments to implement their new fertiliser management practices from April this year.

The online tender application form, the programme’s guidelines and further information is available at:www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust-tender or www.terrain.org.au/Projects/Agriculture-and-Innovation/Reef-Trust.

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THE Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Department of Communications today launched a review into information and communications technology (ICT) statistics. 

The review will assess the priority information areas for data relating to ICT statistics, as well as ways to improve the quality of digital economy data available for Australia’s decision-makers.

The public consultation phase, which opens today and is open until 27 February, invites parties to submit proposals for improving the information available on ICT statistics.

The discussion paper provides background information including the terms of reference.

This is a unique opportunity for ICT data users and the public to have their say on the current information available and how well it meets their needs says Diane Braskic from the ABS.

"Information and communications technology statistics assist government, business, researchers and the community to make informed decisions.” Ms Braskic said.

"The input from the submissions will help us make sure that these statistics continue to provide the valuable information that meet people's needs.

"I encourage anyone interested in a making a submission to go to the ABS website for more information."

The consultation period is open from today until 27 February 2015. To make a submission, visit Submission Process for the Information and Communications Technology Statistics Review.

AS RECOMMENDED by an independent peer review, a Technical Advisory Forum comprised of leading scientists and statisticians will review and provide advice on Australia’s official temperature data set. The Technical Advisory Forum is scheduled to meet in March.

The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for the climate record, and as a trusted and respected organisation, welcomes robust assessment of its work in order to maintain the highest levels of public confidence.

The establishment of this Forum will provide an independent framework for quality assurance tests and analysis of the Bureau’s data sets for greater transparency.

The Bureau’s climate information services were subject to a rigorous independent peer-review in 2011. The Review was conducted by a panel of international experts and found the Bureau's data and analysis methods met world’s best practice.

The Bureau’s methods and processes are published on its website, in addition to the findings of the 2011 Review.

An important recommendation of this review was that a Technical Advisory Group should be established "in order to review progress on the development and operation of the ACORN-SAT data-set."

The establishment of this forum is in line with this recommendation in the Report of the Independent Peer Review of ACORN-SAT data-sets.

The Australian Climate Observations Reference Network - Surface Air Temperature (ACORN-SAT) dataset is an important part of Australia’s official climate record. It has been developed for monitoring climate variability and change in Australia and is held by the Bureau of Meteorology.

The members of the Technical Advisory Forum are:

www.bom.gov.au

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THE Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) has called for small business people across the country to use the natural awareness of their environment to provide support to the government in its security processes.

Peter Strong CEO of COSBOA has written an article calling on small business people to report anything they consider suspicious or strange to the relevant authorities.

Mr Strong stated, “Small business people by nature have an enhanced awareness of what is happening in or around them and have always been an important part of the security in our communities.  We know that the government agencies involved in national security would like small business people to report anything they consider suspicious - whether it’s the purchase of chemicals that normally wouldn’t occur, odd money transactions or any other behaviour that may be of concern.”

COSBOA and its members know that small business people are represented in every industry and in every community across Australia.  We have always kept a watch out for criminals and thieves, for fire traps and dangerous situations and we work with the relevant authorities as necessary to help minimise risk. 

Peter Strong said, “The current national security situation is challenging for all of us as we try to understand the dangers and risks.  The government agencies do not want us to be alarmed but they do want phone calls to be made if we see something of concerns. 

"We may need to get over a natural reluctance to “dob” someone in or get involved.  Make the phone call and then let the authorities deal with the issue professionally.”

Mr Strong further added, "I would like to thank the COSBOA directors and members who assisted in putting the article together as well as officials from the Attorney- General’s Department, and I would like to particularly thank Kate Carnell, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and industry for her advice and support. 

"This is a very different issue from what we normally address and the advice and information received was important in getting the message right to send to the 2.1 million small business people in Australia.”

www.cosboa.org.au

National Security Hotline:  1800 1234 00.

www.nationalsecurity.gov.au

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