THOUSANDS of school children at 75 schools across the state will return for a record start for the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) along with a full calendar of events to prepare students for future careers.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said enhancing the teaching and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and trade skills would help students onto pathways to rewarding careers.

“QMEA has now partnered with a record 75 schools across the state to deliver hands-on events that have been shown to set students onto career pathways in our sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“We know that many of the jobs of the future will require STEM skills and it’s crucial that students are studying these subjects through primary and high school. Trade skills are becoming increasingly valuable with demand for welding and electrical expertise growing and the QMEA prides itself on connecting students with trade experts to help prepare them for apprenticeships after school.”

QMEA is Australia’s largest industry and government partnership and works with teachers to organise in-school and site activities along with experts from the resource industry to help lift students’ knowledge of STEM and trades. QMEA has schools in the south east, Darling Downs, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Mount Isa.

“The latest data provided by the Queensland Government shows that almost 22 percent of QMEA students who finished school in 2018 and went to university began studies in engineering and related technologies last year, compared with 15 percent of students in non-QMEA schools,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“And, 5.2 percent of QMEA students entered a mining field compared with 0.2 percent of non-QMEA students.

“Most pleasingly, 4 percent of Indigenous students in QMEA schools entered mining careers, compared with just 1 percent of non-QMEA Indigenous students," he said.

"And, 13 percent of QMEA female students in apprenticeships went into the mining sector compared with 2 percent of non-QMEA females.

“It’s clear that the sizeable investment from our member companies, along with that of the Queensland Government is paying dividends. It comes at a time when we are facing critical shortages of skilled people, combined with a lack of knowledge among students of careers in resources.

“A Minerals Council of Australia survey showed that 59 percent of students had no knowledge of the huge variety of careers we have in the resources sector, while the 2020 Hays report indicated there was a high demand for engineers, data scientists, diesel fitters and machine operators.”

QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland ‘s resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every five dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in seven Queensland jobs, and supports more than 14,400 businesses and community organisations across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass. 

 https://qmea.org.au/

www.qrc.org.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has extended the submission deadline for its inquiry into the intensity and frequency of bushfires.

Submissions are now invited by March 31, 2020.

Chair of the committee, Ted O’Brien MP, said, "As the threat and reality of the fires continue for many communities across Australia, the committee recognises that bushfire affected organisations and individuals need to direct resources to the immediate tasks of response and recovery.

"We extend our sympathies to fellow Australians who have been impacted by this season’s devastating fires, and our gratitude to those working tirelessly to control them.

"Once the current bushfire situation has eased, the committee looks forward to receiving a range of considered evidence to inform its inquiry. We want to develop recommendations that can assist in ensuring that Australia takes the best possible approach to preventing such terrible events in future and being better equipped to manage them," Mr O’Brien said.

The committee’s inquiry was adopted in December 2019 on referral from the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, David Littleproud MP. The inquiry’s terms of reference relate to the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment.

Submissions will be accepted until March 31, 2020. The committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.             

Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are available along with details on how to make a submission on the inquiry website.

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KAUFLAND has decided to undertake an orderly withdrawal from the Australian market, the company announced today, "after careful and thorough consideration".

The company will be concentrating its business on its European core markets in the foreseeable future.

Kaufland’s 200 Australian employees were informed of the decision today, with an assurance by the company that "generous packages including all entitlements will be offered, as part of a thorough support and consultation process for all".

"The future of Kaufland’s existing Australian investments, including properties purchased for retail outlets and distribution infrastructure, will be discussed with the relevant parties in coming days," a company spokesperson said.

"This decision is about focusing business activities in Europe and is in no way a reflection of the efforts of our local employees or management, or the support Kaufland has received from the Australian business community or governments."

Frank Schumann, acting CEO of Kaufland International, said, “This was not an easy decision for us. We always felt welcome in Australia. We would like to thank our employees and we apologise for the disruption this decision will cause.

“We would also like to thank our business partners, who offered us great support over the last few years. We would also like to thank the government for being very open-minded to our projects.

“In Europe, we see a great deal of growth potential. We will actively shape the consolidation of the European retail sector, thus further reinforcing our leading position.”

Kaufland is currently operating in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Republic of Moldova with roughly 1300 stores and 132,000 employees.

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THE Financial Services Council (FSC) has announced that life insurers will treat people making a claim related to the bushfires as vulnerable customers requiring additional support under the FSC Life Insurance Code of Practice (The Code).

FSC CEO Sally Loane said this announcement was in addition to the individual commitments already made by life insurers to support people affected by the bushfires.

“This means affected Australians will have their claims assessments and decisions prioritised and people may have access to advance payments to help alleviate financial hardship,” Ms Loane said.

“There are no general exclusions in life insurance which would stop an insurer from paying claims after a natural disaster like a bushfire. Australians can rely on their life insurance.

“The Code requires that all customers are treated with compassion, respect and empathy, but also recognises that some vulnerable people may have unique needs when making a claim on their life insurance, and if so, additional support will be provided,” Ms Loane said.

Last week the FSC launched a simple new service for Australians and their loved ones to use, if life insurance policy details have been lost or destroyed as a result of the bushfires. Detail of this service can be found on the FSC website.

Australia’s life insurers have also made a broad range of additional, individual commitments when handling claims related to the bushfires. While they vary from company to company, they include:

• Prioritising bushfire related claims;
• Waiving premiums for volunteer firefighters who are putting themselves at risk so they can maintain their vital cover while not earning in their usual job;
• Waiving premiums for affected people;
• Special leave days for staff who are emergency service volunteers who have been impacted;
• Reducing the evidence requirements for related claims;
• Offering mental health, Employment Assistance Program (EAP) and other support services to affected customers and their families;
• Proactively contacting customers in affected postcodes;
• Donating cash to fund raising organisations;
• Allowing more time for customers to submit documents;
• Contacting customers after hours; and
• Providing immediate information and referrals for affected customers to government agencies.

To access a copy of the Code: https://www.fsc.org.au/resources/1695-life-insurance-code-of-practice-with-appendix.

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