THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has congratulated Rio Tinto after the company’s Amrun project on Cape York made its first shipment of bauxite more than a month ahead of schedule.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the $2.6 billion project was a leading example of a resource company working with local communities and suppliers while delivering on targets.

“First shipment six weeks ahead of schedule is a great achievement for Rio Tinto which is a big part of the Far North economy and communities,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Rio’s commitment to hiring locally was demonstrated with 1,200 people employed at peak construction, and since project inception in May 2016, close to 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been employed by the project.”

More than 80,000 tonnes of bauxite is bound for Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery in Gladstone after a ceremony attended by local Wik-Waya Traditional Owners and representatives of the Western Cape Communities Co-existence Agreement (WCCCA). The company says Amrun is expected to reach a full production rate of 22.8 million tonnes a year by 2019.

“Bauxite is one of the building blocks of the modern economy, used to produce aluminium, which goes into everything from soft drink cans in your fridge to frames for solar panels on your roof,” he said.

QRC’s own economic data for the 2017-18 financial year showed the resources sector is a significant investor in the State’s economy and local communities.

“From Toowoomba in the south to Weipa in the north the resource sector contributed to 1,260 community organisations which is an increase of 38 percent on the previous year and in the Far North region the sector contributed $959 million to the economy and supported 6,291 full time jobs,” he said.

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 eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 15,400 businesses and community organisations across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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BORDER and maritime security, as well as trade enforcement were high on the agenda at the 5th Australia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) Customs Bilateral Meeting in Canberra on November 27.

Hosted by the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner, Michael Outram APM, the meeting with Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) marked the end of a highly successful year for the Australia-PNG relationship.

Commissioner Outram reaffirmed the ABF’s commitment to working with the PNGCS as a trusted border security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We share many strategic challenges and opportunities with our PNG counterparts and other customs organisations in the region and it’s vital we are always looking for ways to collaborate, particularly on matters of intelligence, innovation and development,” Commissioner Outram said.

“Today’s meetings with representatives from across the Home Affairs portfolio ensures that the PNGCS has access to a breadth of operational, regulatory and policy experience and expertise.

“The ABF, along with the Department of Home Affairs, committed to continue officer exchange programs and other strategic programs to ensure our strong relationship with the PNGCS continues to grow.”

The Home Affairs portfolio provided extensive capacity building and advisory assistance to PNG border security agencies for PNG APEC 2018.

Following the plenary meetings, a post-APEC Corroboree celebration was organised for the PNGCS, which involved an indigenous performance and gifting ceremony.

“The success of APEC 2018 will leave a lasting legacy for PNG, and we recognise the generations of close border security and customs cooperation between our agencies,” Commissioner Outram said.

www.abf.gov.au

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THE Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee today tabled the report for its mining inquiry, entitled Keep it in the regions: Mining and resources industry support for businesses in regional economies.

A key issue during the inquiry was the terms of payment offered by mining companies to their suppliers and contractors in regional areas. 

The Committee is pleased to be able to announce that, since the inquiry was launched, resource companies Anglo American and Peabody have decided to offer payment terms of 30 days or better to all Australian small and medium sized enterprises.

In addition, Australia’s biggest mining company, BHP submitted that it has now changed its payment terms policy to provide terms of 30 days or better to all locally-based supplier businesses – regardless of size.

"This change will benefit up to 700 local businesses around Australia," said Committee Chair, Barnaby Joyce MP.

"Mining companies have essentially been using regional businesses as a bank," Mr Joyce said, "It’s time for this practice to stop. Our Nation has an obligation to make sure that in the region where the wealth is extracted, the greatest benefit goes back to the people who live in the same area."

Deputy Chair, Luke Gosling MP, agreed, saying, "The Committee calls on all mining companies operating in Australia to provide fair payment terms to regional businesses.

"If the industry does not act, the Committee is recommending the Government revisit legislating maximum payment terms," Mr Gosling said.  

The Committee’s report also makes recommendations aimed at increasing local procurement by mining and resources companies, addressing gaps in regional areas around skills, training and apprenticeships, and building innovation through the mining equipment, technology and services (METS)  sector.

Other key issues for the inquiry were the impacts of FIFO work practices and the mining industry’s interactions with landholders.

"If you look back at the history, mining companies used to build whole towns – Murrumba and Dysart for example. Now they prefer to fly their workers in and out and do the bare minimum for the nearby towns. Benefits from mining should be long term, not boom and bust," Mr Joyce said.

"One thing we do know is that communities thrive when their workers and families live in the area and can contribute to the local economy. The Committee made some recommendations around this issue, but we think industry bodies like the Minerals Council of Australia also have a role to play in making sure their members do the right thing," Mr Joyce said.

The report will be available on the Committee’s website.

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ARTIFICIAL intelligence, biotechnology, ethical clothing and boutique wines are some of the big winners in the latest round of the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants for 2018.

A total of $286,000 will be shared between 16 local small businesses and social enterprises, with the council voting to also hold two funding rounds of the flagship grants program in 2019.

Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley, said the two funding rounds would help the City of Melbourne to support more small businesses than ever.

“Small business is the lifeblood of our city, making up almost 80 per cent of Melbourne’s total businesses,” Cr Riley said.

“The Small Business Grants program is one of the most successful run by the City of Melbourne.

“Between 2006 and 2016 alone, $3.5 million in funding was provided to 200 small businesses, assisting them to generate $70.9 million of gross turnover, $58.3 million of equity investment, creating more than 900 jobs and $2.9 million of export earnings.

“These are incredible numbers and a testament to why providing support to small businesses is so vital."

Melbourne’s knowledge sector is front and centre of the successful 2018 grant recipients, with nine of the 16 recipients working in the technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology industries.

The City of Melbourne Small Business Grants Program has been running since 1996, awarding over $8.3 million in funding to almost 400 small businesses.

“Now more than ever we need to continue supporting new and emerging businesses that make Melbourne their home and are so crucial to our city’s economy and prosperity,” Cr Riley said.

“I’m incredibly excited to announce this year’s successful recipients, who represent some of the most innovative and unique businesses which are changing the face of our city.”

Notable previous Small Business Grants recipients include KeepCup (2008), KokoBlack (2003),Melbourne Rooftop Honey (2011), UbiPark (2015), Reground (2017), Code Like a Girl (2017), Hidden Secret Tours (2002), West Space (1999) and e.g.etal (1998), which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

“I look forward to seeing what this year’s grant recipients can achieve, and encourage those who may have missed out this year to apply for our new expanded program in 2019,” Cr Riley said.

An expanded Small Business Grants program will include two funding rounds each year, mentoring, an alumni network, support for Aboriginal businesses and a ‘new development’ grant category.

For more information on the Small Business Grants, and to view the 2018 successful recipients, visit the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants Program website.

2018 SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS: SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS

Startup Category:

• ColourSpace Gallery
• Dreamwalk Apps
• MagicPi
• Justice Denim
• Viva La Cup
• Tilly
• She’s A Crowd
• Act of Wine
• Umps Health
• Zero Impact

Expansion Category:

• 10 Tickles Animation & Design
• Christine
• Girl Geek Academy
• Ion Opticks
• Silverpond
• The Sneaker Laundry