THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement from the Morrison Government of a new Skills Organisation Pilot to focus on the mining industry.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement today at the QRC’s annual launch of the economic contribution data for the sector.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the Australian Government’s recognition of the importance of an ongoing skills base for the resources sector reinforced the value of mining both now and decades into the future.

“The latest figures QRC released today showed that the Queensland resources sector added $74.3 billion to the state’s economy in the last year.  That’s due to the work of the 372,500 people who work in or with the resources sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The benefits are spread right across the state, from Burleigh Heads to Brisbane, and from Maroochydore tor Moranbah.

“We want to make sure those jobs are here to stay through a strong and resilient resources industry.  To do so, we must ensure that Queenslanders have the right skills to make the most of the opportunities in mining, mining technology and associated industries," Mr Macfarlane said.

“The resources industry is committed to providing young Australians with a rewarding, long-term career path.

“The QRC works through the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) to give Queensland students a taste of the diverse range of opportunities in the sector.  Research shows us that QMEA students are 20 per cent more likely to start studying or employment in engineering and related technologies compared to 11 percent of  students in non-QMEA schools.

“Mining workers don’t need to reskill, they need to keep their skills," he said. “We can’t have a strong Queensland without a strong resources sector, and to ensure the sector’s longevity we need a skilled workforce for the future.

“QRC will work with the Minerals Council of Australia on the new Skills Organisation Pilot in mining and resources to further strengthen the training opportunities for young Queenslanders who want a career in mining – whether it’s onsite or in a control room.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE THREE major professional accounting bodies – CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) – have joined forces to review the frameworks that regulate how financial and tax advice is provided in Australia.

CPA Australia, CA ANZ and IPA have released a video in which the CEOs of the three bodies call for more efficient regulatory frameworks for advisory services and pledge to work together in advocating for change.

CEO of CA ANZ Rick Ellis said, "The bodies were working together on a broader and more robust solution to the complexity of the current regulatory framework that will enable both businesses and Australians to not only access the advice they need but understand that advice.

“The failures that were revealed from the Banking Royal Commission brought to light the extreme complexity of the current frameworks in financial advice which are not in sync with each other,” Mr Ellis said.

CEO of CPA Australia Andrew Hunter said, "Accounting professionals need the flexibility to talk and engage with their clients – but this is often problematic when that advice falls under multiple regulatory frameworks in the same conversation, or even the same sentence.”

IPA Group CEO Andrew Conway said, "Our shared goal is to reduce the regulatory burden on our members, so we retain financial advisers in the industry.  For the first time in the best part of two decades we are at a risk of creating an advice gap in the market.”

This – coupled with the new education and professional standards under FASEA, the current review of the Tax Practitioners’ Board and the implementation of the recommendations from the Banking Royal Commission – means there is a very real threat of added complexity.

Given the impacts of an ageing population, forced retirement savings, and ongoing concerns around financial literacy, now more than ever Australians need access to affordable, quality advice.

The three bodies have a clear focus to revisit definitions, licensing regimes and to harmonise obligations where members operate under multiple regulatory frameworks to provide the advisory services to their clients.

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THE Queensland resources sector is powering the state’s economy, adding more than a billion dollars in value a week and now accounting for one in seven jobs, according to updated Queensland Resources Council (QRC) economic data.

The resources sector now supports 372,561 direct and indirect jobs, and in 2018-19 it added $74.3 billion to the Queensland economy. The new figures will be part of the QRC’s annual economic contribution launch in Brisbane today, attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the figures showed the resources sector is delivering long-term benefits for all Queenslanders.

“Queensland’s resources sector is now supporting one in every seven jobs, and one in every five dollars for Queensland’s economy,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“That means from Burleigh Heads to Brisbane and from Mackay to Mount Isa, the resources sector is powering local economies and employing local people.

“The strength of the sector is driven primarily by coal, which is worth a billion dollars a week to Queensland, or $52.5 billion over the year. The coal industry directly employs 34,667 Queenslanders and supports another 226,887 indirect jobs.

“This year’s figures are up substantially on last year, with both overall jobs and total value added growing by 18 percent," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Over the last ten years the resources sector has added an extraordinary $668 billion to the Queensland economy, reflecting the world-class reputation of our sector and the hard work of Queenslanders.

“The numbers are on a global scale, but the benefits are local.

“With one in seven Queenslanders working in or with the resources sector, just about every Queensland family has a connection to mining and the resources sector.

“The resources sector is diverse and growing for the future.

"While the resurgent coal price has delivered a budget benefit for Queenslanders, there is significant growth in the metals category, such as copper, zinc and bauxite, which is up 26 percent this year and is now worth $11.7 billion to the state’s economy. There are strong prospects for even greater returns and more jobs as Queensland’s world-class North West Minerals Province is developed.

“The resources sector has always been proud to be part of what makes Queensland great. But it is about more than just the budget bottom line.

“Brisbane is still Queensland’s biggest mining town, with 134,327 jobs and $28 billion in value, with Mackay and Gladstone the next biggest regions.

“We proudly support regional communities by providing extra economic value for farmers during drought, and earlier this year the resources sector answered the call for help as floods hit North Queensland.

“The economic data shows the resources sector supported almost 14,500 businesses and 1,395 community organisations over the last year.

“The resources sector will continue to be a long-term partner for both rural and regional Queensland and the South East to deliver ongoing investment and jobs in the decades ahead.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has launched a review of the impact supply chain finance has on the small business and family enterprise sector.

The review will examine the ways in which small and family businesses can use supply chain financing to manage cash flow and fund growth.

It will also look at the products being used by big business to offset extended payment times.

“Supply chain finance is a legitimate and effective tool to free-up cash flow for small and family businesses,” Ms Carnell said.

“However, it is totally unacceptable for big businesses to use supply chain financing arrangements as a replacement for reasonable payment terms being offered, 30 days or less from invoice.

“This review will provide a clearer picture on the range of supply chain finance options available on the market and which industries are using these products.

“More large businesses are offering supply chain finance to small businesses and we are keen to find out what’s driving that," she said.

“The review will investigate whether supply chain finance is being used by big business as a means to stretch out formal payment terms and as a strategy to manipulate the reporting of working capital and cash reserves.”

The full scope of the Review of Supply Chain Financing can be found here.

Small businesses and family enterprises who have had experience with supply chain financing can contribute to the Ombudsman’s review via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An interim report is expected to be released by the Ombudsman in March 2020, followed by a full report by the end of April 2020.

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