AUSTRALIA'S electricity network businesses have achieved significant productivity improvements in 2016-17, ensuring that consumers pay no more than necessary on their power bills.

Reports released by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) yesterday show that productivity among electricity distributors has increased by 2.7 percent, while productivity in transmission businesses rose a record-setting 5.8 percent.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon said distribution businesses had improved performance for the second year in a row, outstripping the productivity increases of the entire Australian economy and the utilities sector.

“Even better, transmission businesses have had the single biggest productivity increase in the measure’s recorded history,” he said.

“These results, plus the fact that network prices have been falling in every State across the national electricity market for the past three years – up to 20 percent in some cases - are great news for customers.”

Productivity is measured as the level of output a network business provides relative to the amount of inputs it uses.

“An increase in productivity means a business can produce the same or improved service to customers at a lower cost,” Mr Dillon said. 

“The main driver of the productivity gains is networks finding ways to reduce their costs while still managing to enhance reliability for customers.”

Mr Dillon said the AER investigation into productivity showed incentive regulation was working as networks were delivering real value to customers under the current regulatory framework.

“When networks save money by improving productivity, customers get a bigger slice of the savings than the businesses do,” he said.

“Seventy percent of any operating cost saving is given back to customers over time, so a more productive business means lower bills for customers.”

www.energynetworks.com.au

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THE Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples has presented its final report to the Parliament.

The committee was established in March to consider matters relating to constitutional change, including the recommendations of the Expert Panel, the previous Joint Select Committee, the Statement from the Heart, and the Referendum Council.

At the outset, the committee understood and acknowledged that the Statement from the Heart was a significant turning point in the discussion about the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As such, the committee focussed its efforts on the central proposal for constitutional change made in the Statement from the Heart — the proposal for a First Nations Voice.

The committee has also been mindful of the need to ensure that its recommendations are legitimate and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Parliament, and, ultimately, the Australian people.

In its interim report, the committee considered the proposal for a Voice in detail, and since July the committee continued to seek the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and others about how best to achieve constitutional recognition.

In its final report, the committee endorsed the proposal for a Voice. The committee recommends a process of co-design between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to determine the detail of the Voice, to conclude within the term of the 46th Parliament.

The committee further recommends that the appropriate legal form of the Voice be determined following this process of co-design.

The committee considers that these recommendations are significant steps for the Parliament to discuss and consider, and significant steps towards a bipartisan and agreed approach to advancing the cause of constitutional recognition. 

The committee also makes recommendations in relation to truth-telling about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, traditions, and culture. The committee hopes that a fuller understanding of Australia’s history will lead to a more reconciled nation.

The committee has acknowledged and thanked everyone who participated in the inquiry, including those who made written submissions and gave evidence at public hearings around Australia.

The final report is available on the committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/jsccr.

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement that the Adani Carmichael project has full finance, and that work will soon get underway on the mine in the Galilee Basin.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the investment in the project was a sign of the strength of the Queensland resources sector.

“This is great news for Queensland and great news for regional Queensland in particular, because every new resources project benefits all of us,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Adani has shown it is committed for the long-term for an investment that will create jobs now and decades into the future.

“In recent months Adani has made sensible revisions to the project to ensure it can get underway as soon as possible, including a scale up to capacity and a decision to use common narrow gauge infrastructure.

“Today’s announcement will be an economic kickstart for all of Central and North Queensland, in particular for Rockhampton and Townsville where most of the jobs will be created. But there are also benefits for communities around Mackay, Bowen, Moranbah, Clermont and the Isaac and Central Highlands regions.

“For every job in the resources sector there are spinoff benefits in other industries. QRC’s most recent economic contribution data showed that for every direct job in the resources industry, there are four to five extra jobs in associated industries," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Just like every other project, Adani has followed the rules and gone through a rigorous and exhaustive approvals process.

“All resources projects comply with the highest environmental standards that allow mining to co-exist with other industries such as agriculture and tourism.

“There can be no more tolerance of anti-resources activists breaking the law to stand in the way of lawful projects. And there can be no more tolerance of activists abusing the law to delay projects on trumped-up grounds.

“Queenslanders have had enough of that, and they want the resources sector and all levels of Government to work together to create jobs," he said.

“New investments in the resources industry, including opening up the huge Galilee Basin, will deliver for all Queenslanders. There are six mines that could proceed in the Galilee, which would create a new wave of prosperity to build on the enormous investments that have transformed our state for the better over the last 25 years.

“Each new project adds to the return for Queenslanders, by building schools, roads and hospitals and adding to the $4.3 billion in royalty taxes the resources sector pays to Queensland.”

www.qrc.org.au

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CHILDREN across Australia are drafting their Christmas lists ahead of the upcoming festive season. With the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan predicting Australians to spend more than $51 billion over the Christmas trading period from November 9 to December 24 2018, the ARA believes toy retailers will be busier than Santa’s reindeers this Christmas.

With the ARA and Roy Morgan forecasting Aussies to increase their spending in the ‘Other retailing’ category by 2.7 percent, Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said toy retailers’ stockings are going to be filled with children’s choice this Christmas.   

“Last year we saw a significant amount of stock flying off the shelves during the pre-Christmas period. With a range of new and innovative products on offer, we encourage parents to get in quick and secure the perfect gift for their child this Christmas,” Mr. Zimmerman said.

“Retailers also need to be prepared for the rush of parents trying to wrap up their purchases during the busy festive season.”

Taking out the top spot for the second consecutive year in a row, LOL Surprise! Dolls remain a fan favourite for kids aged 3+ with nine layers of unwrapping excitement. A staple under any tree, the LEGO Duplo Steam Train Sets and are the ideal gift for the curious kids aged 2-5.

Gabby Anderson, executive manager of the Australian Toy Association, said although the toy industry has faced a major loss with the closure of Toys R Us, she believes this will provide an opportunity for local retailers to take the reins. 

“While the toy industry has seen some disruptions recently, the demand for toys always remains high, and parents still prioritise purchasing toys for their children through bricks-and-mortar stores, which should provide some joy for local toy retailers this Christmas,” Ms Anderson said.

New toys have also entered the market including Gravitrax, an innovative marble run system encouraging children aged 8+ to build their own customised race tracks, and Treasure X Sets, designed for kids aged 5+ with adventurous and inquisitive minds.

“This year we are noticing a range of toys that are designed to stimulate imagination and creativity, which is a refreshing change from the technology-driven pattern we have seen in previous years,” Mr Zimmerman said.  

“With new and exciting products on offer, parents have a range of gifts to spoil their kids with this Christmas. As customer experience is at the heart of retail, we know there will be no shortage of surprises when kids unwrap their presents on Christmas day.”

 https://www.retail.org.au/christmas-predictions/

 http://www.roymorgan.com/

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