THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has today expressed its shock and dismay at a change to Western Australia’s regulations that will significantly affect tobacco retailing across the state from next week.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA said the ARA was advised late on Wednesday night of the changes, which will require price boards in retailers to be reduced from one square metre to an A4 sheet size. The changes also require as new graphic images to be placed next to price boards.

“Our members will always comply with new regulations; however, they require reasonable time frames to make changes. These changes have been poorly managed, and have been implemented without proper consultation and notification,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Retailers across the state are waking up to the news this morning that they have just a few days to implement the changes and are scratching their heads as to why they weren’t consulted or advised of the changes through proper process.”

The ARA has written to Roger Cook MLA, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, urgently requesting clarification to ensure retailers are not slapped with non-compliant notices, and unnecessary fines from Monday – especially given the uncertainty of what the fines are at this point in time.

“It is beyond my comprehension how significant changes of this nature can be passed without any consultation. I don’t see what the purpose of reducing price boards are, and how this can be justified in the realms of good public policy,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Mr Zimmerman’s letter to WA's Deputy Premier and Minister for Health can be found here: ARA Minister Roger Cook WA Tobacco Regulation Letter

About the Australian Retailers Association

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $320 billion-dollar sector, which employs more than 1.3 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,800 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold its final public hearing in Canberra on Tuesday March 26, 2019 for its inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits.

The chair of the committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, "The committee continues to gather evidence about how the removal of refundable franking credits would affect investors, particularly senior Australians whose financial security could be compromised."

Appearing at the hearing, the Self-managed Independent Superannuation Fund Association has called the ALP’s proposal regressive and inequitable, stating that it "goes against the progressive nature of the income tax system". 

Associate Professor Geoff Warren, who will also appear at the hearing, has said the proposal may cause adverse effects by "singling out a particular group within the context of a broader policy agenda".

The Australia Institute and Industry Super Australia will also give evidence at the hearing. The Australia Institute argues the proposal will mainly affect wealthy Australians and "could save the government around $35 billion per annum by the end of the forward estimates".

Similarly, Industry Super Australia argued "the vast majority of retirees will be unaffected by the proposal and the wealthy are the beneficiaries of most of the refunds of franking credit for non-pensioners".

Mr Wilson said, "The hearing will also provide an opportunity for Australians impacted by a change to refundable franking credits to address the committee directly with a three minute statement, and we welcome their contributions and participation."

Public hearing details:

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 1pm–4.40pm
Venue: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra

Program

1.00pm The Australia Institute
1.30pm Associate Professor Geoff Warren, Australian National University
2.00pm Self-managed Independent Superannuation Fund Association
2.30pm Break
2.40pm Industry Super Australia
3.10pm 3 minute public statements
4.40pm Finish

The hearing will be webcast live.

A number of submissions have been received and are available on the committee’s webpage at: www.aph.gov.au/economics. Further submissions are currently being processed and will be published over the coming weeks. Submissions can still be made online or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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EARLIER this week, the Seafarers International Union (SIU) of Canada president James Given concluded a successful trip to Australia, where he brought a message of solidarity and support for Australian seafarers, according to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)

During his visit, president Given participated in demonstrations against government inaction to protect domestic maritime jobs, an MUA spokesperson said.

SIU president Given’s visit came on the heels of Canadian seafarers "demonstrating in solidarity with their Australian brothers and sisters".

In February, over 100 SIU of Canada members rallied outside of the Australian embassies in Ottawa and Toronto, calling on the Australian Government to strengthen important cabotage laws which are crucial to protecting jobs.

“The SIU of Canada along with international resources through the International Transport Workers’ Federation are unwavering in their support for Australian Seafarers,” said Mr Given, who is also chair of the International Transportation Workers’ Federation (ITF) cabotage taskforce.

“We are mobilizing across the globe to combat this negligence,” Mr Given said.

During his trip to Australia, Mr Given addressed members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), which has been  working tirelessly in Australia to prevent further layoffs and strengthen domestic labour protections. SIU president Given solidified the international maritime union community’s commitment to Save Australian Shipping.

“The leadership of the MUA has initiated a strong local campaign but the Global Union movement must now flex our muscle to assist," Mr Given said.

The SIU of Canada is calling for a world day of action to support Australian seafarers.

“The time has come for a coordinated action across the globe in order to highlight the blatant disregard for Australian seafarers,” Mr Given said. Further, the ITF will remain active in Australia and continue its efforts to strengthen Australian cabotage law. At home, the SIU of Canada is committed to continuing its efforts with Canada Steamship Lines to get Australian seafarers up to the gangway.

“When we support our brothers and sisters, our industry becomes stronger. It is our duty as maritime leaders to protect our workers and protect our industry,” Mr Given said. “The whole of the global union federation is watching Australia right now, and we will not back down.”

About the SIU of Canada

The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) is affiliated with the Seafarers’ International Union of North America serving unlicensed sailors since 1938. The most important sailors’ union in Canada, the SIU represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, on the East and West Coasts.

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AUSTRALIA's shipping industry is in crisis, putting the nation’s economic, environmental, and national security at risk, but urgent government reform could address the issues and deliver a multi-billion dollar benefit to the economy, according to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).

The union today presented a detailed proposal to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the Australian shipping industry in Melbourne, including recommendations that the Australian Government:

• provide tax incentives to support investment in ships, ship-related infrastructure, and local seafarers;
• reform the seafarer visa system to improve maritime security and support skills investment;
• reform legislation and regulations governing coastal trading;
• create a national strategic fleet to guarantee fuel security and enhance the nation’s economic security;
• develop a strategic approach to maritime workforce development; and
• introduce better ship safety and pollution reduction measures to protect Australia’s coastlines, tourism industry and oceans.

“There’s no question that Australian shipping is in crisis,” MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said.

“Since 2013, we’ve lost more than half our remaining coastal fleet, leaving the country with just 12 large trading vessels to carry our growing coastal cargoes.

“With the right political leadership and policy settings, this dramatic decline can be arrested and our shipping industry can be rebuilt.”

Mr Crumlin said ongoing political inaction was causing a serious drain to the nation’s economy.

“Each Australian vessel that is lost is replaced by foreign ships that don’t pay tax here, don’t employ local seafarers, and don’t support local maintenance and service businesses,” Mr Crumlin said.

“The result is a major drain on the economy, with the use of foreign vessels to transport Australian resource and agricultural exports, along with coastal cargoes, estimated to be costing the nation more than $8 billion a year.

“Our research suggests that current coastal cargoes are sufficient to sustain between 50 and 60 additional Australian ships, but we need the political will and right policy settings if Australia is to once again become a shipping nation.”

Mr Crumlin outlined the union’s vision to save Australian maritime industries through both reforming cabotage laws and creation of a new national strategic fleet.

This would be achieved by expanding on the nation’s expertise and innovation in a range of maritime sectors, including:

• offshore oil and gas exploration, construction, production and transportation;
• opportunities in the emerging offshore wind farm sector;
• defence shipbuilding arising from the Federal Government’s existing $80 billion investment in the sector;
• civilian shipbuilding, particularly aluminium hulled ships;
• expedition cruise shipping and other forms of marine tourism; and
• marine and oceanographic research.

This would result in a maritime cluster that would be a significant economic boost to the nation, the MUA reported.

“At its core, government policy must aim to maintain and grow Australian maritime skills,” Mr Crumlin said.

“As an island nation, we depend on maritime skills to operate our ports, our regulatory and safety agencies, our freight and logistics sectors, tourism, and offshore oil and gas industries.

“This must include industry incentives that encourage investment in modern and efficient ships that are owned and operated by Australians.

“The introduction of purpose-built Australian ships would create a more productive freight network for Australia, delivering businesses greater flexibility, reliability, efficiency and productivity.

“This national strategic fleet will also protecting our environmental, fuel, and national security by providing greater control over the vessels that operate in our national waters.

“But before any of this can be achieved, we need clear vision and leadership from government.”

www.mua.org.au

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