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Government priorities and activities

A new Government, led by the Leader of the Australian Labor Party, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007.

The Government has announced the creation of a new Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Existing information relating to the portfolio is available on the former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Department of Education, Science and Training websites:

former Department of Education, Science and Training website
former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website

Key priorities of the current Australian Government include:

Digital Education Revolution

Tapping Into Retired Tradespeople To Mentor In Classroom - Addressing Skills Shortage  
Includes the Mentors For Our Students policy document

Labor's Plan for Early Childhood
Includes the Early Childhood policy document

Skilling Australia - Federal Labor's Plan To Fight Inflation By Closing The Skills Gap
Includes the Skills policy document and factsheet

More Education Opportunities For Indigenous Students In The Northern Territory Under A Rudd Labor Government
Includes the Indigenous Economic Development Statement

Budget information from the previous Australian Government (prior to 3 December 2007) is available on the former Department of Education Science and Training website .

Related resources

  • 2006 e-Government Strategy: Responsive Government: A New Service Agenda.
    URL:  http://www.agimo.gov.au/...overnment
    The 2005-06 e-government strategy, Responsive Government: A New Service Agenda, is about strategically applying ICT to improve and reform underlying government processes. The strategy charts how the government will build on progress in e-government to date, and how government will progress towards the vision of connected and responsive government by 2010. A more connected approach to service delivery will mean more efficient government. Greater use of online, electronic and voice-based service delivery will help reduce costs. More targeted and strategic investments in technology will result in...

  • Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples
    URL:  http://www.aph.gov.au/..._Speech.pdf
    On Wednesday, 13 February 2008, an apology to Australia's Indigenous People was made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The full text of the speech is available on the Australian Parliament website. Following the apology to the stolen generations, it proposes a new beginning, starting with early childhood programs for Aboriginal children; and a joint policy commission with the Opposition party on Indigenous policy.

  • AusIndustry
    URL:  http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
    An initiative of the Australian Federal Government, to provide business information and help Australian businesses become more successful and internationally competitive. The site provides access to information on over 800 assistance programs offered by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and industry associations and chambers of commerce. Other resources include: media releases and publications, calendar of events, and links to related sites.

  • Australia 2020
    URL:  http://www.australia2020.gov.au/
    The Australia 2020 Summit is an important initiative to harness the best ideas for building a modern Australia that is ready for the challenges of the 21st century. The Summit will help shape a long term strategy for the nation's future - covering the economy, the nation's infrastructure, environment, farmers, health care, indigenous Australians, the arts, national security, how we improve our system of government, and how we strengthen our communities and ensure nobody is left out of Australia's future. Reports from the summit are available to download.

  • Australia 2020 Summit: Final report
    URL:  http://www.australia2020.gov.au/.../
    The Final Report of the Australia 2020 Summit on 31 May 2008 is intended to provide a record of the Australia 2020 Summit and recommendations on each of the discussion areas for consideration by the Australian Government. It is based on ideas put forward by participants during the Summit discussion sessions, outcomes from preliminary Summit events and ideas generated from public submissions received prior to the Summit. It may be downloaded by chapter.

  • Australian Education International (AEI)
    URL:  http://aei.dest.gov.au/...efault.htm
    AEI - The Australian Government International Education Network, is part of the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). AEI integrates the development of international government relations with support for the commercial activities of Australia's education community. To do this, AEI liaises with all sectors of the education and training industry and all levels of government. This site includes information about government activities, market information, events, offshore support, publications and research and qualifications recognition.

  • Australian Government 2008-09 Budget Overview
    URL:  http://www.budget.gov.au/...w_01.htm
    The 'Budget Overview' provides a summary of the Australian Government's 2008-09 budget position, economic forecasts and budget priorities. It funds a substantial $55 billion Working Families Support Package. Information about the Child Care Tax Rebate and the Education Tax Refund is on page 11. Better outcomes, Education, and Economic participation begins on page 15.

  • Australian Government Budget
    URL:  http://www.budget.gov.au/
    The site includes the budget speech, overview and highlights, as well as other ministerial statements and documents.

  • Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme (AGQTP)
    URL:  http://qualityteaching.dest.gov.au/
    This is the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program national website. This site is an information exchange for the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme, particularly best practice in teacher professional development.

  • Australian ICT in Education Committee (AICTEC)
    URL:  http://www.aictec.edu.au/aictec/go
    The Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee (AICTEC) is a cross-sectoral, national committee responsible for providing advice to all Australian Ministers of Education and Training on the economic and effective utilization of online technologies in Australian education and training. The Committee, known as the Education Network Australia Reference Committee (ERC) before 2001, has been endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) as the national forum for advice on issues relating to the educational use of ...