THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to issue a mining lease for a mine north-east of Moranbah which will create 350 ongoing local jobs in Bowen Basin communities. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Fitzroy Australia Resources’ Ironbark No.1 underground coal mine was expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of coal per year. 

“Around 160 jobs will be needed for construction to build the greenfield mine which will produce coking coal for export in early 2020,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“It’s more good news for the coal industry and is another example of the Queensland Government’s commitment to responsibly develop the State’s rich mineral deposits to the benefit of all Queenslanders.

“Queensland coking coal is used in steel and other forms of manufacturing and is enjoying increased global demand especially in developing economies such as India. 

“Resources are a major contributor to Queensland’s economy creating a job every 40 minutes, investing $1 million every hour and exporting $1 billion each week.”

The QRC said Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hold a public hearing in Sydney on Friday, November 2, 2018 for its inquiry into the Australian music industry.

The chair, Luke Howarth MP, said the Committee will examine the potential for continued growth and the factors affecting the success of the Australian music industry, both domestically and internationally.

The Committee will hear from a range of peak bodies, such as the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), that represent and support artists, managers, and major performing arts groups.

"We are keen to hear from organisations that are working with artists — songwriters, musicians, and others in the industry — to strengthen and build businesses and careers. We want to hear how we can support and grow the reach of Australian music, at home and abroad, and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by those working in the industry," Mr Howarth said.

The public hearing will be broadcast live on the web (audio only).

Hearing details

Date:                     Friday, 2 November 2018

Venue:                  Sydney Commonwealth Public Offices, 1 Bligh Street, SYDNEY

Program

9.00 am                Sounds Australia (Submission 95)

9.40 am                Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (Submission 96)

10.20 am              Association of Artist Managers (Submission 61)

11.00am               Break

11.10 am              Australia Council for the Arts (Submission 98)

11.50 pm              Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL) (Submission 100)

12.30 pm              Lunch break

1.30 pm                Live Music Office (Submission 96)

2.10 pm                Music Australia (Submission 63)

2.50pm                 Australian Major Performing Arts Group (Submission 77)

3.30pm                 Finish

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LAWS to create a Director Identifier Number system (DIN) are one step closer but cutting red tape for building and construction businesses must remain top of the agenda, according to Master Builders Australia.

First canvassed in the 2001 Cole Royal Commission, a DIN concept has been long supported by Master Builders as a way to help government agencies and regulators enforce existing laws far more effectively while avoiding the need for higher levels of red tape and regulation.

"Master Builders acknowledges the work of Shadow Assistant Treasurer Dr Andrew Leigh MP and his leadership on this issue. Its good news that the Government is now getting on with delivering this important initiative,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

The proposed DIN register will see company directors assigned a unique number, allowing regulators, agencies and government departments to better track and identify unfair commercial conduct and enforce existing laws far more effectively and efficiently.

"The DIN will help reduce the incidence of phoenix activity and other types of capricious commercial conduct that undermines and hurts the overwhelming majority of businesses who do the right thing,” Ms Wawn said.

In its submission to Treasury responding to a draft of the proposed laws, Master Builders expressed support for the DIN while suggesting improvements and highlighting the need to keep red tape cuts high on the agenda.

"As the DIN is intended to help regulators be more effective, there should be less need for more red tape and regulation. There is no better time than now to take stock of existing regulation and red tape to make sure it is necessary and still effective," Ms Wawn said.

"Protecting small business people from rogue operators and reducing the red tape so many small builders find suffocating must both remain top of the agenda,” she said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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AUSTRALIA'S transformative Naval Shipbuilding College has been officially opened.

The college will deliver a coordinated, national approach to workforce development and skilling for our naval shipbuilding enterprise.

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne officially opened the College at Osborne in South Australia.

Mr Pyne said it’s an integral interface with the shipbuilding industry to identify workforce requirements throughout all phases of construction and sustainment.

“Today is exciting day for the future of shipbuilding in this country,” Mr Pyne said.

Under the management of the Naval Shipbuilding Institute, the College will also link up with education providers, as part of a hub and spoke model, to ensure courses are offered across Australia which produce workers who are job-ready.

“The College is a critical enabler of the continuous naval shipbuilding program which will build and sustain Australia’s naval capabilities, create economic growth and secure Australian jobs for decades to come.”

“I’m particularly excited to launch the naval shipbuilding workforce register.

“It enables Australians who are interested in long-term shipbuilding career opportunities to express their interest and receive assistance through the skilling and employment process," Mr Pyne said.

“The workforce register will help connect people with potential employers or education providers.

“I encourage anyone interested in working on some of the most technologically advanced, cutting edge projects anywhere in the world to register.”

The Australian Government released the Naval Shipbuilding Plan in May 2017, which outlined a long term vision to establish Australian sovereign capability in naval shipbuilding.

The Government is investing $90 billion into the continuous shipbuilding program which is expected to create 5,200 shipbuilding jobs within 10 years, with additional jobs created in the sustainment and supply chain.

Those interested can register at www.navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au

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