IN A LETTER to federal and state energy ministers ahead of their COAG Energy Council meeting on Friday, the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) demanded that energy productivity be put on the agenda.

“The cheapest and quickest way to reduce energy bills is to help businesses and householders use energy smarter – that means increasing energy efficiency and productivity,” said A2EP chair Jonathan Jutsen.

“High energy prices in Australia are for now an uncomfortable reality. If COAG ignores smarter energy use at this meeting, it will leaves householders and businesses to deal with higher energy costs.

“High costs are within COAG’s responsibility to address. It has a National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP) gathering dust on a shelf. At their meeting on Friday, energy ministers could deliver meaningful reductions to bills if they fund and implement the NEPP, and commit to expanding the program and setting firm deliverables and timetable.

“Using energy better is the smart, first move to reduce costs. Current approaches to energy policy fail to consider smarter energy use. This leads to increasing costs, and ever greater demand for energy.

“COAG has failed to progress the NEPP and therefore has failed to address energy costs for households and business.

“A2EP is calling on the COAG Energy Council to reduce costs immediately through smarter use of energy, not solely focussing on long-term and costly insfrastructure investments," said Mr Jutsen.

About A2EP

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity is a not for profit coalition of business, government and environmental leaders promoting a more energy productive economy.

www.a2ep.org.au

ends

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) are calling for retailers who truly master customer experience within the Retail Realm at this year’s ARA Retail Awards.

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail event, showcasing the most influential retail leaders and employees within the Australian retail industry.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said this industry leading event is a crucial platform where the industry can not only recognise Australia’s retail pioneers, but also showcase those retail leaders who exceed customer expectations.

“Customer fulfillment is a crucial aspect of any retail business, and this year’s Awards will pay special tribute to those retailers creating the right process, model and atmosphere to enhance the consumer experience at every step of the customer’s shopping journey,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With this year’s Awards encompassing three retail categories, the Excellence in Customer Experience category will search for exceptional retailers offering innovative marketing strategies, fit-outs and customer experiences.”

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards themed, The Retail Realm: thinking outside the shop, will touch on every element in the retail sphere including customer experience, technology, payments, sustainability, supply chain, growth, employee development and corporate social responsibility.

Naomi Simson, founding director of online experience retailer RedBalloon, will be this year’s Awards keynote speaker, addressing 500 Australian retailers at the iconic Mural Hall in Melbourne on the 18 October.

“It will be great to see so many retailers in one room thinking beyond their shopfront and discussing how we, as an industry, can turn our market challenges into triumphs,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“It is retail forums like our annual Awards breakfast, that retailers across the country can learn from, and gain insights into, how they can grow their business and build further opportunities for the retail industry as a whole.”

As the submission deadline is just around the corner, the ARA encourage retailers of all sizes to submit an entry before Friday 10 August.

“With 13 awards up for grabs across three retail categories, there may be more than one category your business can submit an entry to,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“It’s just about identifying the key strengths and attributes of your retail business and then sharing your success stories with us.”

The ARA believe knowledge is power and the more stories shared across the industry will only provide further opportunities to the retail sector and the Australian economy as a whole.

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards will be held on Thursday 18 October at the Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne. Submit your entry today via the 2018 eftpos ARA Retail Awards platform.

To secure your seat for the 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards head to The Retail Realm to purchase your tickets today.

About the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards:

First held in the 1970s, the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail event, recognising and rewarding outstanding retail businesses, innovations, and individuals across all sectors of retail. Relaunched in 2008, the annual 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast will commence on Thursday 18 October at the Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne. 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

ends

THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed a $100,000 contribution by Shell Australia and a $75,000 contribution by Santos to the Queensland Drought Appeal to help support regional communities affected by the drought. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the drought was causing extreme hardship on farmers which flows right through the community. 

“As a former farmer I know how devasting a drought is to people’s livelihoods and the pain has a direct impact on the local shops and suppliers. If the farms aren’t doing well everyone suffers in town,” Mr Macfarlane said.

"As two primary industries, resources and agriculture have a long and proud history of working together. In particular, the CSG industry has formed co-existence agreements with landholders delivering around $400 million in payments. 

“Today we saw another example of that longstanding relationship with the sales proceeds from a Santos cattle auction at the Ekka paid into the fund.” 

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

“I congratulate Shell, Santos and also Premier Palaszczuk for contributing a total of $277,000 into the fund in the last 24 hours and I strongly encourage everyone if they can to dig deep and donate what they can,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“It’s importance for the resources sector to help out regional communities with many of our own projects operating nearby.” 

Yesterday, Arrow Energy provided lunch for 550 farmers for Beef Week, along with $10,000 towards feed for livestock during the Ekka.

The appeal will remain open for at least three months with all donations of $2 or more to the appeal tax deductible - online donations can be made at www.qlddroughtappeal.com.au.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

THE HOUSE of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing in Canberra for its inquiry into impediments to business investment in Australia.

The Chair of the committee, Sarah Henderson MP, said, "The committee is examining how government at all levels can encourage more businesses to invest in Australia."

"At the recent hearings in Sydney and Melbourne, the committee heard that the combination of multiple layers of regulation and high corporate tax rates makes it difficult for Australian companies to compete in the global marketplace. Similarly, these factors can deter foreign investment in Australia. As a net importer of capital, Australia needs to be more competitive."

Ms Henderson said the committee looks forward to hearing from a range of stakeholders and interested parties in Canberra to gain a deeper understanding of impediments to business investment.

Public hearing details: Tuesday, 7 August 2018, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

9.15am: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

10am: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 

10.45am: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Trade and Investment Commission

11.30am: Break

11.45am: Clean Energy Council (via teleconference) 

12.30pm: Master Builders Australia

1pm: Lunch break

1.30pm: Red Meat Advisory Council

2pm: Australian Trucking Association

2.30pm: Finish

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

ends