THE Indigenous Affairs Committee will hear from Woolworths Group and Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT) this Thursday as part of its inquiry into pathways and participation opportunities for Indigenous Australians in employment and business. Witnesses will be attending by conference call.

Committee Chair Julian Leeser MP said both organisations would provide valuable insights to the inquiry as Woolworths is an industry leader in Indigenous recruitment and APO NT is a respected voice in Aboriginal governance.

"Woolworths currently employs over 4,500 First Nations people," Mr Leeser said. "Since partnering with the government under the Employment Parity Initiative, more than 2,800 Indigenous job seekers have been offered employment with the company.

"APO NT has long been an advocate for Indigenous self-determination and economic development. The committee looks forward to discussing ways to reduce barriers to Indigenous participation and economic opportunities at this hearing," Mr Leeser said.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 25 February 2021
Time: 11.40am to 12.50pm AEDT

A live audio stream of the hearing will be accessible at https://www.aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Listen.

A full program will be available at the inquiry website.

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to hold an inquiry into the impact of recent banking and insurance policy changes on export industries like resources.

The QRC will provide a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth to highlight increasing concerns about the impact of ‘anti-resources activism’ on the ability of some businesses to renew insurance policies, particularly public indemnity insurance, and their ability to access finance.

“This is an extremely serious situation for the resources sector and will lead to job losses and businesses closing down as no business can operate without access to adequate insurance and finance,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“As an example, the issue with public indemnity insurance is a problem because our members require all contractors and suppliers to have this cover or we cannot engage them to provide goods and services.

“It is becoming a massive issue, which is why the QRC is urging every Queensland business associated with mining and gas operations having problems with insurance or finance - whether it’s dealing with unreasonable premium increases or being refused cover or finance - to provide a submission to this inquiry before the closing date of March 31."

Mr Macfarlane said ‘anti-resources activism’ is starting to affect smaller businesses in vital regional centres like Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba.

“The QRC is hearing anecdotal evidence about regional businesses having problems renewing insurance policies or loan refinancing or even rental agreements because of their association with the resources sector,” he said.

“This is not only unfair and could put people out of business, but it’s very disappointing given resources has helped steer Queensland through the COVID-19 pandemic and resources is Australia’s number one export industry.

“The law-abiding businesses that work in and with the resources sector have every right to expect fair terms for banking and insurance and we want this inquiry to shine a spotlight on cases where that is not happening.”

Mr Macfarlane said it is in the national interest for a strong resources sector to continue to flourish.

“In Queensland alone the resources sector adds $82.6 billion to the economy and supports more than 420,000 jobs,” he said.

“All Australians benefit from a strong resource sector so we should be taking steps as a nation to further consolidate our position as a global leader, especially as Queensland resources are set to play a critical role in the further uptake of renewable energy sources and technologies around the world.

“The technical nous that will support this innovation lives in the Mining Engineering and Technology Services (METS) companies who are most affected by this insurance drought.

“We can’t do this without the support of the small businesses and expertise in our regional centres.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics at a public hearing on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 as part of the committee’s review of the 2019 ACCC Annual Report.

Chair, Tim Wilson MP said, "The committee is keen to continue scrutinising the ACCC on its pandemic response, enforcement, its review of hardship policies and in maintaining and promoting competition.

"Of particular interest, is the ACCC’s approach towards regulating the tech giants. Google, Facebook and Apple are dominant forces that could threaten competition and consumer interests. The committee is also interested in the ACCC’s role in the preparation and consultation phase of the News Media Bargaining Code currently before Parliament."

"The COVID-19 pandemic is not over. There’s still uncertainty in the accommodation and travel sectors as border closures and lockdowns continue. While mergers of struggling companies also warrant close examination," Mr Wilson said.

The ACCC last appeared before the committee in October 2020.

Public hearing details
Date: February 24, 2021
Time: 11am to 1pm
via videoconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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AN AUSTRALIAN portable entitlement scheme is now desperately needed and would be practical to introduce if based on proven models, according to a new report by the McKell Institute.

A portable entitlement scheme would see accumulated benefits like long service leave and sick leave follow workers from job to job in an account, like superannuation.

The new McKell Institute report, Insecure Work & Portable Entitlements: a solution for Australia, has found a scheme that allows Australians to carry entitlements like from job to job could be modelled on successful schemes that currently exist in sectors like Victorian construction.

A portable entitlement scheme was recently identified by Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese as an area of intended reform, but the Federal Government has so far attempted to dismiss the idea as impractical. 

But report author Ryan Batchelor, executive director of the McKell Institute Victoria, said the case for a more universal portable entitlement scheme was now impossible to responsibly ignore. 

"When one in five workers changed jobs in the past year and 3.7 million have no access to paid leave that should tell us we need a portable entitlement scheme urgently," Mr Batchelor said. 

“COVID-19 has shown how vulnerable we all are when people without enough sick leave show up to work sick. Fortunately, there are now a range of practical models for implementation, several of which with proven real world track records. 

"The Commonwealth should get on board instead of trashing a good policy idea before they’ve even had a chance to properly consider it.

"Our report shows there are actually significant benefits for the government, which currently picks up the tab when companies go bankrupt and workers lose their employees through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee. Claims that the sky will fall in are simply not borne out by the facts," Mr Batchelor said.

"Australians are extremely comfortable with the idea of superannuation, and a portable entailment scheme would be analogous and familiar.

"The pandemic has shown us the significant cost of people turning up to work when sick. Any extra costs from providing more people with sick leave pale by comparison with the costs of this pandemic on our community.

"Australia invented long service leave as one of our many civilising workforce innovations. It's now time we built on that proud legacy."

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