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2009 Sponsors

Caring for our Country

The Australian Government Land and Coasts team is an alliance of staff from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry who work together to implement Caring for our Country (www.nrm.gov.au). This initiative invests in the protection of our natural environment and Australia's agricultural resources. We recognise that the future wellbeing of these assets depend on close collaboration between governments, regions, industry and communities.
Caring for our Country is designed as an integrated package with one clear goal, a business approach to investment, clearly articulated outcomes and priorities and improved accountability. It commenced on 1 July 2008.

More information is available:

Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (formerly the Department of the Environment and Water Resources) develops and implements national policy and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage and to promote Australian arts and culture. The role of the Department is to focus on national environmental issues by:

The Department is working with Local Governments through several community focused initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local Greenhouse Action is a $13.8 million Australian Government initiative which assists Local Government, communities and individual households reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Introduced in May 2004, the measure builds on the Cities for Climate Protection Australia, Travel Demand Management and Cool Communities initiatives to enhance the ability of Local Governments to work with their communities to reduce emissions, particularly in the areas of energy use, transport and waste.

For more information on:

Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) recognises that 'Indigenous business is everyone's business,' and strives to integrate this concept into its core business. Through government arrangements for Indigenous programs, FaHCSIA aims to reinforce this commitment and expand its responsibilities in delivering Indigenous services at national and regional level. FaHCSIA has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan that states a strong commitment and actions to progress reconciliation.

FaHCSIA administers a number of Indigenous-programs and also keeps a focus within its mainstream programs on Indigenous services and initiatives that support children, young people, individuals, families and communities. The Department is also undertaking significant research into the links between early childhood experiences and outcomes in later life for Indigenous children through the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.

General information about FaHCSIA can be found at www.fahcsia.gov.au 
Indigenous specific information can also be found:

  • outlines the FaHCSIA Strategic Framework 2006-2009, Priority Business Results (2006-07), Measurement improvement in outcomes for Indigenous people from maintstream and targeted programmes;
  • outlines the Australian government's approach to improving the well-being of Indigenous Australians;
  • details FaHCSIA's Reconciliation Action Plan; and
  • details the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.

Through government arrangements for Indigenous programmes, FaHCSIA aims to reinforce this commitment and expand the department's responsibilities in delivering Indigenous services. This expansion is supported by staff in the regionally-based Indigenous Coordination Centres, which help implement the governments approach in programme and service delivery.

Contact Details:
Tuggeranong Office Park,
Cnr Soward Way & Athllon Drive, Greenway ACT 2900
Box 7788, Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610
Ph: 1300 653 227 FAX: 02 6244 7978
TTY: 1800 260 402
Web: www.fahcsia.gov.au

Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

The Australian Government Office for Youth is part of Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The Office for Youth coordinates the Australian Government's significant investment and effort for young people across government. The Office for Youth leads the Australian Governments commitment to working for and with young people, acknowledging that young people are valuable participants in Australian society and are crucial to our nation's economic and social prosperity.

The Office for Youth is one way the Australian Government is building on its commitment to young people. The Office ensures there is a coordinated approach to youth affairs across government.

Guiding principles

The guiding principles for the Australian Government, Office for Youth are:

  • Universality - every young person is important. Young people have diverse life experiences, circumstances and needs. To support all young people, government policies and services need to be multi-faceted. The Office for Youth brings a whole-of-youth perspective and understanding of diversity, to working with government. 
  • Engagement - in order to be effective, governments must stop talking at young people, and start engaging with young people. The Office for Youth respects and understands the value and contributions young people offer as citizens of today, not just the leaders of tomorrow. 
  • Inclusion - the Office for Youth acknowledges there are gaps in opportunity and achievement between young people who are doing well and those faced with disadvantage and social exclusion. The Australian Government is addressing broad social gaps in achievement through its productivity and social inclusion agendas. The Office supports these government agendas by considering the specific needs of young people. This will include young people facing disadvantage like Indigenous people, homeless people and those experiencing compromise to their mental health and wellbeing.

More information on the Office for Youth can be found at:

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

The Rural Health Branch within the Department of Health and Ageing provides advice on general rural health strategies and delivers a range of targeted initiatives to improve the health and well being of people living in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. It monitors programs delivered by other parts of the Department that impact on rural and regional communities and coordinates a strategic approach to the implementation of the Rural Health Strategy.

Website: www.health.gov.au/ruralhealth

Phone: 1800 020 787 Rural Health Hotline

The National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy provides leadership, policy direction, research and national information and education campaigns to prevent and minimise alcohol related harm in the Australian community. Through this Strategy a range of resources have been developed to provide information and promote low risk drinking in the Australian community. The Department also promotes the National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 - a plan for action developed through collaboration between Australian governments, non-government and industry partners and the broader community. More information on the National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 and the current Australian Government activities in relation to alcohol can be found at www.alcohol.gov.au.

 

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

The National Awards for Local Government program highlights the excellent and innovative work being undertaken by Local Government in communities across Australia to improve business practice within Councils and also service delivery to their people. The Awards recognise ingenuity, resourcefulness and self-reliance, and identify and promote Councils who are finding new ways of delivering services and developing local solutions to complex and challenging problems.

The Department supports the Australian Government's regional policy by influencing macro level policy formulation, ensuring the impacts of Government policy generally on regional Australia are considered, administering targeted programs in regional Australia, and supporting regional networks through Area Consultative Committees.

Postal address GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone 1800 065 113 (Freecall)
Fax (02) 6274 8155
Web: www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/awards
www.infrastructure.gov.au/regional
Email: awards@infrastructure.gov.au

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

The Department delivers a diverse range of services. The services we provide are defined under two broad outcomes:

  1. Contributing to Australia's society and its economic advancement through the lawful and orderly entry and stay of people.
  2. A society which values Australian citizenship and social cohesion, and enables migrants and refugees to participate equitably.

Some DIAC program areas

Settlement

Regional humanitarian settlement

In recent years, the department has sought to support and increase humanitarian settlement in regional areas where appropriate settlement infrastructure, services, employment opportunities and community support exist. Regional settlement can be beneficial for some humanitarian entrants, particularly those who come from a rural background or who have skills suited to regional employment opportunities, and receiving towns, which can benefit from increased population, economic growth and labour force. A number of recent evaluations of regional humanitarian settlement have been undertaken and are available on the Department's website. 

Adult Migrant English Program

The Australian Government considers learning English to be one of the most important steps migrants and humanitarian entrants can take towards successfully settling in Australia. New settlers are helped to learn English through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). The program provides basic tuition in the English language to help eligible migrants achieve their personal, social and economic goals. Eligible adult permanent migrants have a legislative entitlement of up to 510 hours of AMEP tuition. Depending on circumstances, humanitarian entrants with special needs may be eligible for additional hours of tuition in a supportive environment.

Free Translating and Interpreting Services

Free interpreting services are provided to approved individuals and organisations, for example doctors in private practice and pharmacies, to help them communicate with non-English speaking migrants and humanitarian entrants who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. Local government is eligible to register for free interpreting services to communicate with non-English speaking constituents.

More information is available at: www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/

Multicultural affairs

Diverse Australia Program

The Diverse Australia Program is a community-based educational initiative for all Australians and aims to address issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance by promoting respect, fairness, inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone.

The program provides funding and information to help organisations create a spirit of inclusiveness and to help ensure all Australians are treated fairly regardless of their cultural background or circumstance.

Community Liaison

The Government is committed to building and maintaining effective linkages with our diverse communities to encourage community harmony, social cohesion and participation by all in community life. The government engages closely with community and government organisations across Australia to foster connections and to identify and manage community relations issues.

National Action Plan

The National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security is a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiative that provides a framework for the promotion of a more inclusive society through government action, community consultation and research. It focuses on four areas of implementation: education, employment, integrating communities and enhancing security.

Access and Equity

Government programs serve the whole community and, subject to the purpose and eligibility of each program, they should be inclusive of all Australians. Access and Equity is about building the capacity of government agencies to respond effectively to the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australians.

Citizenship

Citizenship promotion

This year the department celebrates the 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship. On 26 January 1949 the Nationality and Citizenship Act came into effect creating the new legal status of Australian citizen. Prior to this, most people living in Australia were known as British subjects.

The 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship is an opportunity for us to reflect on the changes that have shaped our nation over the past 60 years. It is also an opportunity for all Australians, whether Australian citizens by birth or by choice, or those on the pathway to formal citizenship, to understand the role Australian citizenship plays in building a strong, harmonious and unified nation.

The 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship will see a year long program of events, including special citizenship ceremonies on key dates such as Australia Day, Refugee Week, Harmony Day, Constitution Day and Australian Citizenship Day.

Migration

Economic Migration

DIAC manages the entry of skilled and business migrants. State-specific and regional migration programs help employers and state and territory governments fill skill shortages that cannot be filled locally. These programs are targeted to address existing and projected skill shortages and help in the development of local communities.

More information about the department is available at: www.immi.gov.au


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Last Updated: 5 August, 2009