ACCORDING to International Standards, we are living in a digital age where the traditional boundaries between the physical and virtual spheres are becoming increasingly blurred.

This has given rise to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is characterised by disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology and the Internet of Things.

World Standards Day, October 14, highlights the crucial role of International Standards.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution affects almost every industry in every country as innovative cyber-physical systems evolve. The convergence of technologies holds immense opportunities, but also presents an array of ethical, economic and scientific challenges.

The rapid pace of change has no historical precedent and society cannot help but question the issues related to long-term sustainability.

International Standards can help shape our future. Not only do standards support the development of tailor-made solutions for all industries, they are also the tools to spread best practices, knowledge and innovation globally. International Standards have always had a pivotal role in enabling the smooth adoption of technologies.

In the same way that standards were crucial during the First Industrial Revolution, supporting the specialized mass production of manufactured goods, they will continue to play a critical role in this new era. Standards will ensure compatibility and interoperability around the globe, helping society to adopt technologies seamlessly as they emerge in the future.

That’s why October 14 is dedicated World Standards Day to “International Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. Each year, under the banner of the World Standards Cooperation (WSC), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) joins ISO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in celebrating the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop International Standards.

More information here: https://www.iso.org/news/ref2333.html 

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will hear evidence from the Attorney General’s Department at a public hearing for its inquiry into review processes associated with visa cancellations made on criminal grounds in Canberra on Wednesday 17 October.

The inquiry is examining issues including the efficiency of existing review processes as they relate to decisions made under section 501 of the Migration Act; present levels of duplication associated with the merits review process; and the scope of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s jurisdiction to review ministerial decisions.

The full terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details: 10.10am, Wednesday 17 October 2018, Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at www.aph.gov.au/live

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THE $1 billion Jewel resort project on the Gold Coast is a stark warning to government that laws governing the conduct of unscrupulous developers are grossly inadequate and must be urgently overhauled, according to CFMEU divisional branch secretary Michael Ravbar.

Although workers returned to the job today after a guarantee of job security until Christmas from builder Multiplex, the cause of the problems which saw workers down tools earlier this month remains unresolved.

Construction workers and contractors across Queensland are still reeling from the dispute, which was sparked after developer YuHu Group Australia sought to drastically alter the contractual scope of the project at short notice, resulting in the immediate loss of more than 150 jobs and putting hundreds more at risk.

“This is a brutal example of bad laws that put the interests of big money way ahead of the wellbeing of workers and contractors, and urgent legislative reform to prevent a repeat of this corporate thuggery is needed,” CFMEU's Mr Ravbar said.

As it stands workers, contractors, trade unions and builders are subject to often heavy handed regulation and guarantees on any given project in Queensland, he said.

“Developers, however, are left largely unregulated, resulting in the sort of callous abuse of power that we have seen on the Gold Coast.

“This is not an isolated problem, but a legislative failure that leaves the leaves construction workers and contractors across Queensland hanging out to dry.”

Mr Ravbar said the state government must review the laws, and give the Queensland Building and Construction Commission the power to regulate developers – a call that has been echoed by QBCC chair Dick Williams.

“A government that was a sensible economic manager would reform legislation to protect this vital pillar of the Queensland economy from this sort of bastardry," he said.

“There is nothing to prevent this happening again and again, with predatory developers like YuHu leaving a trail of economic ruin across the state.

“Public Works and Housing Minister Mick de Brenni needs to launch an immediate roots and branch review of legislation that, as we have seen with the Jewel project, has been proven manifestly inadequate.

“A failure to act swiftly on this sends a message to developers that they are free to alter contract terms, and cast workers adrift, at a whim and with little or no consequence.

“Construction workers know exactly what needs to change and will campaign relentlessly until we see meaningful reform,” Mr Ravbar said.

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BRISBANE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has invited the city's ambitious early career professionals and researchers to apply for a share of $30,000 to help attract leading international conventions and conferences.

Opening the second round of the Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant, Cr Quirk said recipients would be funded to attend an international association conference in their field to help pave the way for Brisbane to host the conference in the future.

“The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant was a recommendation of the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan, which outlined our commitment to winning more conferences and business events,” Cr Quirk said.

“The benefits of this grant are two-fold. Recipients will be funded to attend a conference that will benefit them professionally while also advocating for Brisbane to host a future rotation of the conference.

“Every convention that flows into Brisbane builds on our appeal as a business and research destination and delivers economic benefits for tourism and hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants and retailers.”

The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant is run by the Brisbane Convention Bureau, which is within the city’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing.

Convention Bureau general manager Juliet Alabaster said the grant was one way Brisbane could grow its reputation as a global conventions city while developing the city’s emerging talent.

“Conventions and business events generated more than $257 million for Brisbane’s economy in 2016/17. We want to build on that by hosting more conferences that attract the world’s leading minds to our city,” Ms Alabaster said.

“We’re looking for applicants who demonstrate passion and leadership in their field, and who can shine a spotlight on Brisbane’s expertise and make valuable connections to help our city secure conferences for the future.”

Applications close on January 30, 2019.

To view the criteria or to apply, visit https://choosebrisbane.com.au/trailblazer

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