THE decision to increase the Queensland Drought Appeal payment for every drought-affected family to $7500 has been welcomed by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the increase from $5000 to $7500 means the donations from QRC member companies will help more than 40 families doing it tough.

“QRC members have donated in excess of $300,000 and we supported the Appeal dinner at Parliament House last week,” he said.

Both Rio Tinto and Shell Australia matched the Queensland Government’s $100,000 donation to the Queensland Drought Appeal, Santos contributed $116,000 with a donation of $75,000 and $41,000 in proceeds from the sale of cattle at the Royal Queensland Show and Arrow Energy provided lunch for 550 farmers for Beef Week, along with $10,000 towards feed for livestock.

Queensland Alumina Limited delivered $35,000 worth of hay to Rural Aid and New Hope Group donated $50,000 to Aussie Helpers

The Queensland Drought Appeal was launched by the Queensland Government at the Ekka and will provide all money raised to the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA).

Mr Macfarlane said agriculture, like the resources sector, was a key industry for Queensland and it is important for all Queenslanders to support our farming families battling drought.

“Our companies work with primary producers. Indeed the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority recently reported the LNG industry, through agreements with landholders, have paid them $387 million,” Mr Macfarlane said.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

THE Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is playing its part in attracting more women to the financial planning profession by fostering community, innovation and leadership amongst financial planners at a series of networking events included in its Women in Wealth program.

FPA is partnering with Financial Executive Women (FEW) to present FPA Women in Wealth – events that have been developed to promote mentoring opportunities for women, supporting them in their career progression.

Adelaide will play host for the first time on Tuesday 25 September, before Sydney and Brisbane in October.

The FPA Women in Wealth networking event series is intended to benefit men and women alike since everyone has a role to play in advancing work culture and diversity.

FPA CEO, Dante De Gori CFP said, “Currently, women make up 26 percent of the FPA membership, and only around 20 percent in the profession. And yet research tells us consumer demand for female financial planners is growing.

“The most important attributes for a good planner are being trustworthy, knowledgeable, and having strong emotional intelligence (EQ), according to the Attitudes Towards Women in Financial Advice 2017 report. In fact, female advisers are associated strongly with EQ qualities and are perceived on par with males in terms of knowledge and intelligence. These qualities drive client satisfaction and could explain why satisfaction and trust is high among consumers with female planners.

“The profession and consumers will benefit from greater gender balance. The FPA is committed to supporting more women to consider a career in financial planning as well as to progress from financial associate roles to achieving the highest designation in financial planning.

“Following the success of the FPA Women in Wealth events last year, I’m delighted we are extending the reach of the program to Adelaide this year. It gives more of our members the opportunity to network, and potentially grow the number of women in the profession by bringing along a mentee, young planner or student free of charge,” Mr De Gori said.

Additionally, attendees in Sydney and Brisbane can join FEW founder, Judith Beck, when she hosts the FEW Circle discussion group for women to discuss topical issues with their peers.

The SA networking lunch hosted by the FPA Adelaide Chapter Committee on Tuesday 25 September will feature a discussion with local business women Sarah Gunn and Marilyn Little. Ms Gunn runs GOGO events, a social enterprise which educates and trains homeless and disadvantaged people to produce décor items and event materials. Ms Little, a fashion stylist with Australian label Liz Davenport, will share clever travel and styling secrets with guests.

Following the Adelaide event, on Wednesday 17 October the FPA Sydney Chapter will host a FPA Women in Wealth breakfast featuring peace advocate, Dr Gill Hicks AM, MBE. Ms Hicks miraculously survived the 2005 London Underground bombings and in 2007 founded the not-for-profit organisation M.A.D for Peace. She is considered to be one of the world’s most thought-provoking and powerful speakers.

The FPA Brisbane Chapter will host the final networking lunch on Wednesday 24 October and will feature 2018 NSW Rural Women’s Award winner, Jillian Kilby.  An engineer and infrastructure entrepreneur, Ms Kilby specialises in moving horizon infrastructure projects from planning to shovel ready. Ms Kilby will share how her intuition led to some of her best decisions.

The FPA Women in Wealth networking event series is supported by Macquarie Bank. 

Adelaide event:

Date: Tuesday 25  September 2018

Time: 12pm – 2.30pm

Cost: Individual Ticket: $75 (incl. GST), Table of 8:$560 (incl. GST)

Includes presentation by Sarah Gunn and Marilyn Little, two-course lunch and beverages.

Location: National Wine Centre of Australia, Botanic St & Hackney Rd, Hackney SA 5069

Tickets here.

Sydney event:

Date: Wednesday 17 October 2018

Time: 8:30am – 11.00am

Cost: Individual Ticket $85 (incl. GST), Table of 8 $640 (incl. GST)

Includes presentation by Dr Gill Hicks and breakfast.

Location: Macquarie Bank, Conference Room 1 & 2, 1 Shelley Street, Sydney

Tickets here.

Brisbane event:

Date: Wednesday 24 October

Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm

Cost: Individual Tickets $85 (inc GST), Table of (8) – $640 (inc GST)

Includes presentation by Jillian Kilby, two-course lunch and beverages

Location: Black Bird, Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane

Tickets here.

Attendees are encouraged to bring along a mentee, young planner or student free of charge.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ends

NECA has advised  that negotiations between the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) and the Master Electricians Association (MEA) exploring better ways to represent the electrotechnology industry as a single entity have now ceased.

NECA president, Alan Brown said, “This is a missed opportunity for electrical contractors, our industry stakeholders and our long- term sponsors.”

Mr Brown said NECA would continue to focus on delivering improvements to members and itslong-term sponsors across Australia.

"As the peak industry association, NECA will maintain its efforts in delivering positive outcomes for our industry," he said.

www.neca.asn.au

ends

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics has announced an inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits.

The chair of the committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, " The ability for investors, including individuals and superannuation funds, to claim their full credits is an established feature of our tax system and is core to the financial security of retirees."

Mr Wilson remarked, "There has been legitimate community concern about proposals to remove cash refunds for their full allocation of credits for individuals and superannuation funds, and that it amounts to a tax on the savings of retirees.

"The committee is examining what impacts the removal of refundable franking credits would have, particularly on retirees who have made long term retirement saving decisions based on their ability to claim refunds on their franking credits and whether it will compromise their financial security," Mr Wilson said.

The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are for the committee to inquire into and report on the use of refundable franking credits, their benefits and the implications of their removal, including:

• analysis of who receives refundable franking credits, the opportunities it provides to offer alternative savings and investment vehicles to low and middle income earners, and the impact it has on lowering tax bills
• consideration of how refundable franking credits support tax principles, particularly implications for tax neutrality, removal of double taxation and fairness
• if refundable franking credits are removed; who it would impact and how and the implications from expected behavioural change by investors, including for
  • increased dependence on the pension
  • stress and complexity it will cause for Australians, including older Australians to adjust their investments
  • if there are carve outs applied, what this might mean for additional complexity, uncertainty and fairness
  • reduced incentives to save and distortions to which asset classes are invested in and funds are used, and
  • the reliability of providing a sustainable revenue base over the longer term.

Submissions are being sought by Friday, November 2, 2018 although submissions will be received throughout the inquiry. Submissions can be made online or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For information about the inquiry visit the committee’s webpage at: www.aph.gov.au/economics

Inquiry updates, submissions and public hearing transcripts will be published as the inquiry progresses.

ends