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Resources sector has plan to dig Queensland out of COVID-19 unemployment hole

A QUEENSLAND resources industry plan for the COVID-19 recovery will assist keeping Queenslanders in work and get more back into employment, with confirmation today the State’s jobless rate was now the nation’s highest at 8.8 percent.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry had worked extremely hard to flatten the curve and to keep the workers prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The resources industry is seeking an industry development plan to work in partnership with government to seize on the opportunities for new investment and new jobs across the state,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The industry needs greater certainty about the assessment and approval processes for new projects and stability on the taxes and royalties the industry pays.

“On the same day, the ABS confirms Queensland’s unemployment rate is 8.8 percent, there are 800 job vacancies in resources and energy across Queensland on Seek."

QRC’s Resource Industry Recovery Agenda is a detailed plan that has been presented to the State Government, all Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Government’s economic recovery. 

Link to the QRC’s plan https://www.qrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Resource-Industry-Recovery-Agenda_updated.pdf.

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Additional hearings into food insecurity in remote communities

THE INQUIRY into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities is holding further public hearings on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th August, 2020.

Julian Leeser MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Indigenous Affairs Committee, said key stakeholders from Queensland and Western Australia would be appearing including local councils, health agencies, Aboriginal Corporations, the WA Government and Metcash. The chairman of the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board will also appear before the committee.

"These hearings will contribute significantly to the existing body of evidence for this inquiry. The committee looks forward to discussing some of the reasons for food insecurity in remote Indigenous communities, its impacts, and some of the possible solutions," Mr Leeser said.

"We will be particularly interested to hear from the National COVID-19 Commission on the additional challenges the pandemic is causing for remote food supplies."

The hearings will be conducted via telephone and video links due to social distancing requirements relating to COVID-19. Full programs are available at the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Time: 9.40am to 4.20pm
Location: Via conference call

Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Time: 9am to 3.40pm
Location: Via conference call

An audio broadcast will be accessible at aph.gov.au/live.

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Ombudsman tells SCF providers to follow Greensill’s example

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed action taken by Greensill to cut ties with clients that have poor payment terms, calling on other supply chain finance providers to follow suit.

“Greensill has issued discontinuance notices to its supply chain finance clients who fail to comply with 30-day payment terms,” Ms Carnell said.

“This is strong action taken in response to our Supply Chain Finance Review, showing that Greensill takes prompt payment times to small business seriously.

“There is no reason why other supply chain finance providers can’t do the same.

“As outlined in our Supply Chain Finance Review, we know there are large companies extending their payment terms to 60 or more days from the end of month the invoice is lodged and offering supply chain finance to those that want to be paid earlier and are willing to take a discount on the invoiced amount," Ms Carnell said.

“This practice is unacceptable and harmful to small businesses, especially in the current difficult trading conditions.

“Now, more than ever before, small businesses need to be paid the full invoiced amount owed, on time. Their survival depends on it.

“That’s why my office has recommended federal legislation requiring small businesses to be paid in 30 days. It is the only way to drive meaningful change in business payment performance across the economy," she said.

“Greensill has shown that supply chain finance providers can lead by example by cutting off clients that fail to pay on time.

“This should be the position adopted by all supply chain finance facilitators.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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Improving funding approaches for rail projects

OPTIONS for improving how major rail projects are funded will be discussed at a videoconference public hearing on August 17, 2020 for the inquiry into options for financing faster rail.

John Alexander MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, said, "Governments have a responsibility to ensure that tax payer dollars are being used effectively on vital rail and wider infrastructure projects.

"Mr Steve Skinner will provide the committee with interesting evidence on opportunities lost for value capture, where infrastructure projects have created significant uplifts in land values," Mr Alexander said..

The Property Council of Australia will provide a stakeholder perspective on planning and tax reform challenges and opportunities, including voluntary planning agreements and government investment in infrastructure projects through ‘asset recycling’, involving the sale or lease of existing public assets to the private sector.

The committee will also hear from independent think tank Infrastructure Partnerships Australia about alternatives for funding major infrastructure.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 17 August 2020
Time: 9.15am to 11.45am
Location: Videoconference

A program for the hearing is available on the Committee’s website.

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

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Working holidays makers' and their role in the agricultural sector

THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Working Holiday Maker program, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector.

Committee Chair Julian Leeser says the hearing will be an opportunity to hear from groups about the upcoming harvest season, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the available workforce.

"In our inquiry so far, we have heard from a diverse range of groups and government departments with a wide range of connections to the Working Holiday Maker program," Mr Leeser said.

"This hearing is an opportunity to focus on the workforce issues facing the horticulture industry from groups on the front line of this issue, including Fruit Growers Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council.

"The Committee will hear from AgriLabour, a labour hire company working with both Working Holiday Makers and agriculture businesses around Australia."

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 13 August 2020
Time: 12.30pm – 4pm
Location: by teleconference

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

Further details on the inquiry, including the terms of reference, are available on the inquiry website.

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