January 1999

Westar/Kinetik Energy privatised

The Victorian Government has sold the first of its first gas distribution and retail companies, Westar and Kinetik Energy, to Texas Utilities for $1.617 billion.

Police numbers and restructuring

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services has responded to recent media reports regarding police numbers.

Melbourne has lowest inflation rate

Melbourne continues to have the lowest inflation rate in Australia, with discounted winter power prices being a major factor in that achievement.

Numbers of large classes declining

In Victorian schools, the proportion of classes with more than 30 students has been steadily declining over the past three years.

Intel to invest in Melbourne software developer

The world's largest manufacturer of micro processors, US company Intel Corporation, and venture capital providers Allen & Buckeridge, are to provide capital and resources to Melbourne-based company 80-20 Software.

Internet helps with tertiary offers

Tertiary Education Minister Phil Honeywood has released this year's first round offer details by flicking a switch to commence the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) Internet service. This is the first time tertiary offers have been available on the Internet.

Major changes to VCE from 2000

Common Assessment Tasks are to be abolished, and the range of VCE subjects revised, under changes to be implemented from 2000.

Regulator-General reports on water

The Treasurer, Alan Stockdale, has welcomed a report by Regulator-General Dr John Tamblyn which showed more than 85 per cent of Victorian households were paying less for water under the new user-pays system.

New funding for bush nursing hospitals

Victoria's bush nursing hospitals and centres will receive State Government funding for the first time in history to buy new equipment and improve buildings.

Regulator-General reports on electricity performance

The Treasurer, Alan Stockdale, has welcomed the latest report by the Office of the Regulator-General, which shows Victoria's five electricity distribution companies have continued to improve average reliability and service levels for their customers.

Proposed liquor licensing regulations released

The State Government has released proposed regulations under the liquor licensing legislation passed in October, for public and industry comment. Areas covered include licensing polls in the dry area, control over the sale of alcohol-based food essences and the significant reduction in Victorian liquor licensing fees.

Prisons: education up, drugs down

The number of prisoners participating in education and employment programs has improved significantly since the reconfigured prison system, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Bill McGrath, has said.

Record participation expected in 1999 airshow

Record participation is expected in the 1999 International Airshow and Aerospace Expo at Avalon from 16 to 21 February, with the Aerospace Expo already booked out and all corporate chalets completely sold out.

For earlier news stories see our Archives.  For the latest New Releases from the Victorian Government's main media releases page, see What's New.

Page last changed Friday, 04-Jun-2004 05:22:23 EDT

(other news from the Government's web site main media releases page and other releases)

Mr Colin Barry, Deputy Electoral Commissioner since 1989, has been appointed as Victoria's new Electoral Commissioner  following the appointment of Dr Gregory Lyons to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upon the expiry of his term as Electoral Commissioner. (29 Jan)

The Minister for Planning and Local Government has confirmed that the State Government will not be imposing a toll on the Westgate Freeway. (28 Jan)

Mr Peter Allen has been to the position of Secretary to the Department of Education. (27 Jan)

Sunday community markets around Victoria will be asked to stay closed until 1pm on Anzac Day. (27 Jan)

Ms Kate Hamond has been appointed as Victoria's new Legal Ombudsman. (22 Jan)

The Premier, Mr Kennett, has opened the new Tribute Garden and Sarah and Baillieu Myer Immigration Discovery Centre at the State's Immigration Museum.  The Tribute Garden features the names of almost 3,000 immigrants immortalised in an artwork symbolising their journey to Australia.  The Discovery Centre houses the Ecumenical Migration Centre Library, providing resources on migration and cultural issues, a database of names registered on the Tribute Garden and information on specialist museums and archives around the world. (21 Jan)

An internationally recognised sailing regatta, with annual prize money of US$100,000, is to be established in Victoria by the State Government in partnership with Sail Melbourne and the Victorian Yachting Council, to ensure Port Phillip Bay continues to be a focus of world sailing. (17 Jan)

$1 million in grants has been allocated to projects that develop new products using recycled materials and others that help improve recycling infrastructure (15 Jan)

The State Government's Public Correctional Enterprise, CORE has won a contract to assist the Fiji Prisons Service with its training and staff development activities. (15 Jan)

The Police and Emergency Services Minister, Bill McGrath, has welcomed the release of the report "Pathways to Prevention - Early Intervention and Developmental Approaches to Crime in Australia" prepared for the National Anti-Crime Strategy. (14 Jan)

A new wooden products factory, dairy complex and three accomodation units, housing 96 prisoners, have been officially opened at Dhurringile prison. (14 Jan)

Attorney-General, Jan Wade, will be seeking legal advice and looking at the Freedom of Information Act in relation to issues raised in the FoI application involving nurses at the Frankston hospital.  Mrs Wade said that an unfortunate aspect of the case was the failure of the Frankston hospital to have legal representation at the VCAT hearing and that its failure to appeal against the decision meant that it would not be reviewed by the Supreme Court.  (14 Jan)

The Premier, Mr Kennett, has welcomed the decision of the South Australian Government to appoint Mr Geoff Spring, Secretary of the Department of Education in Victoria, to a similar position in South Australia. (14 Jan)

Alcoholic icy poles are to be classified as prescribed substances under the Liquor Control Act, meaning they can only be sold in licensed premises. (13 Jan)

$1.7 million will be spent on shared accommodation in Burwood and Wantirna for seriously troubled young people at risk of suicide, to be run by the Richmond Fellowship of Victoria. (12 Jan)

The Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Ms Louise Asher, has welcomed the world's largest festival of Royal Tennis to the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club in Richmond. (11 Jan)

The Premier has officially opened the 99 World Yachting Championships, the world's largest sailing regatta, on Por Phillip Bay. It involves more than 5000 competitors, coaches, support staff, volunteers and officials, and over 1200 yachts from 57 countries, and is expected to generate up to $30m for the Victorian economy. (6 Jan)

Retail trade in Victoria grew by 7.8 per cent in the year to November - Australia's highest growth rate - compared to 5.2 per cent nationally, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. (6 Jan)

The Government will legislate to to reinstate liability to stamp duty on changes in a beneficial interest in real property, following a recent Court of Appeal decision. (4 Jan)