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<TITLE>FYI - Julie Bishop's media release about HEWRR compliance allocation</TITLE>
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<P ALIGN=LEFT><B><SPAN LANG="en-au"><FONT FACE="Verdana">Media Release</FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><B><SPAN LANG="en-au"><FONT FACE="Verdana">Minister for Education, Science and Training – Hon Julie Bishop, MP</FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><B><SPAN LANG="en-au"><FONT SIZE=4 FACE="Verdana">WORKPLACE REFORM IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR</FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><SPAN LANG="en-au"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Verdana">1 March, 2005</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Verdana">Universities across Australia have taken a step towards becoming more competitive, nationally and internationally, by meeting the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs).<BR>
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The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced that 40 higher education providers met the HEWRRS as at 30 November 2005.<BR>
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Two institutions have been asked to provide more information before a decision can be made on their compliance. A further assessment of the compliance will be made following the provision of that information.<BR>
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As a result of the Minister’s determination, the sector will receive an additional $147 million in 2006, part of the $11 billion additional funding being injected into the sector over the next decade as a result of the Howard Government’s reforms.<BR>
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This year’s funding will be effective from 1 January 2006 and paid as soon as possible.<BR>
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“Progress has been made to build more flexible workplaces, and I recognise the considerable effort by some higher education providers to achieve real workplace reform,” Ms Bishop said.<BR>
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“The reforms will provide for greater flexibility and individual choice in workplace relations at Australia’s universities. Importantly, universities will be able to reward and retain their best performing staff.”<BR>
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In addition the passage of the WorkChoices Act offers all employers and employees including those in the higher education sector the opportunity to better tailor workplace arrangements to suit their particular needs. The Government’s WorkChoices reforms are due to come into operation in late March 2006.<BR>
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</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Verdana">Media Contacts:</FONT></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><BR>
</SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Verdana">Ms Bishop’s Office: Murray Hansen 0417 886 155</FONT></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><BR>
</SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Verdana">Dept of Education, Science & Training: Julianne Stewart (02) 6240 7175</FONT></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-au"> </SPAN></P>
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