GRAIN, legume growers and food and wine producers from South Australia will have the chance to speak with federal parliamentarians this week about the success of sustainable farming practices, as part of the inquiry into regional Australia.

House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia chair Tony Pasin MP said his home state is full of innovative people making the most of the regions.

"I’m proud to bring the Committee to my home state to see and hear these stories first hand," Mr Pasin said. 

"We’ll bring together the stories and experiences of how regional economies are diversifying, how regional industries are finding their way, and how regional communities are boosting their resilience and working together to secure their future,” he said.

"Among others, we’ll be meeting with the people from Pangkarra Foods in Rochester to learn more about businesses that grow and process their own products, and Myora Farm to witness first-hand the use of advanced technology in pig farming.

"After some site visits with primary producers, we’ll be bringing everyone together for roundtable discussions to really flesh out what’s working in regional South Australia," Mr Pasin said.

Community members are also encouraged to attend and speak to the Committee as part of the roundtable discussions, and can contact the secretariat for more information.

Information on the Committee’s work, including submissions and public hearing programs, may be found on the Committee’s webpage.

Roundtables

Date: Wednesday 18 March, 2pm (Food and Wine) 3pm (Regional Community)
Location: Novotel Barossa Valley , Shiraz Room A, 42 Pioneer Avenue via Golflinks Rd, Rowland Flat, Barossa Valley, SA

Public Hearing

Date: Thursday 19 March, 2pm
Location: The Barn - Oak Tree Room, 747 Glenelg River Rd, Mount Gambier, SA

The roundtable discussions will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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ENERGY efficiency experts say the NSW Government’s plan for meeting its new 2030 climate target is comprehensive, credible and achievable, and sets a new benchmark for action from other states.

The NSW Government has announced a target of reducing statewide emissions by 35 percent by 2030, and released a net zero plan setting out the detailed actions that will get them there.

Council CEO Luke Menzel said NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean has thrown down the gauntlet to his ministerial colleagues around the country.

“Every Australian state has set a goal of hitting net zero emissions by 2050. However the NSW Government is the first with a detailed plan for what they are going to do, right now, to begin driving this economic transformation," Mr Menzel said.

Mr. Menzel said the NSW Government’s plan did two crucial things.

“In the short term, it scales up deployment of cost effective technology that immediately cuts carbon and energy costs for families and businesses,” he said. “However it also has an eye to the future, supporting industry to gain experience with new ways of operating – like electrifying manufacturing processes – that will become crucial to emissions reduction efforts later this decade.”

The NSW plan:

• includes new funding for an expanded Energy Efficiency Program that will ramp up the NSW Government’s existing support for smart energy use across the state;
• commits $450 million over 10 years to an Emissions Intensity Reduction Program, which assist the rollout of cutting edge low carbon technologies in sectors where it is harder to reduce emissions;
• includes a range of other measures, including strategic investments in hydrogen, expanding building rating programs and reducing embodied carbon in building products.

Mr. Menzel said that NSW’s leadership position on emissions reduction was smart.

“This isn’t just an environmental policy, its an economic one,” Mr Menzel said.

“It is a blueprint for cutting the emissions of existing industries, and capturing the opportunities of a net zero economy.”

About the EEC

The Energy Efficiency Council is a not-for-profit membership association for businesses, universities, governments and NGOs. Founded in 2009, the Council’s members are diverse, but are united by a common cause: building a sophisticated market for energy management products and services that delivers: Healthy, comfortable buildings; productive, competitive businesses; and an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system for Australia.

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THE Federal  Government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package should bolster economic resilience in the face of the current challenge according to Master Builders Australia.

"In times of crisis people look to their leaders to respond and the government through this stimulus package has done that,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

"Right now what our industry most needs is confidence and this clear signal from the government that they are determined and committed to doing whatever it takes is extremely welcome,

"There are more than 380,000 small building businesses and tradies in our industry, more than any other sector of the economy, that will benefit from the Government’s strong focus on backing small businesses,” Ms Wawn said.

“We strongly back the moves to back businesses, particularly small businesses, to keep workers and apprentices employed. The danger with economic shocks is that the labour market recovers slower than the rest of the economy so moves to offset employers shrinking their workforce is very well targeted.

“Builders and tradies around the country will respond favourably to the huge boost in the instant tax write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expansion of its eligibility to businesses with turnover under $500 million (up from $50 million),” Ms Wawn said.

"Incentives to invest in business assets are also well targeted to our industry. There is no doubt builders and tradies will be encouraged to invest in new plant and equipment.

"However, if there is a major contraction in building activity then the benefit of these measures will be blunted. The government must take a strong leadership role in ensuring that construction of government projects currently underway continue and that projects scheduled to commence are not delayed or withdrawn,” Ms Wawn said.

"The government could also bring forward expenditure on existing projects. Accelerating construction of current projects and bringing forward construction of shovel ready projects, big and small, would provide an immediate strong impetus for building firms to take up tax write off and investment incentive measures.

"Our industry also remains nervous about how protracted the inevitable shortage and delayed delivery of imported building products will be. This is a hit to our industry that is looming over the next few months and additional measures and extensions of some of stimulus measures may be required to help the industry weather that storm,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has welcomed the Federal Government’s stimulus package of funding to address the impacts of the coronavirus on the Australian economy.

“ATEC is pleased the government is making a solid commitment to sustaining the tourism industry in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said.

"We have been greatly concerned by the impact the contraction in international travel will have on tourism’s future - we just can't afford to lose the important distribution channels currently in place.  We are particularly happy with the commitment to support businesses where there has been a supply-chain breakdown as a result of the virus outbreak.

“Despite the bushfires and subsequent COVID-19 crisis, the industry has been doing what it can to keep the doors open - this is a dire time and the industry needs every bit of support it can get."

Mr Shelley said money for Austrade to explore alternative export markets aligns with ATEC’s focus on training and development and small business grants along with wage subsidies and BAS deferral will help to keep the wheels turning and maintain positive trade relationships. Business grants similar to EMDG would go a long way to encouraging capable tourism exporters to invest in new markets.

ATEC stands poised to ramp up support programs for the industry, using its already successful learning and development platform to deliver meaningful benefits for export tourism businesses across the country.  Many of ATECs programs are available via an online learning platform and can reach regional businesses. Training programs available for immediate action include:

• Industry training programs designed to arm businesses with an understanding of the China, Japan and India markets with a focus on distribution, experience and product development;
• Virtual Trade Shows to allow businesses to continue building relationships in order to re engage trade quickly post COVID-19;
• International Ready training to move domestic tourism product towards export which can be driven throughout the tourism regions.

“Now is the time for action and ATEC looks forward to working with the Government in quickly delivering programs to Australia’s tourism industry which can help to put it back on its feet.”

www.tourismdrivesgrowth.com.au

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