THIS AUGUST is Tradies Health Month, and Safe Work Australia is reminding employers to protect their business’ greatest assets – their workers.

The nationwide initiative aims to raise awareness of work health and safety risks for tradies. Safe Work Australia’s CEO Michelle Baxter said worksites for tradies were hazardous by nature, and that employers have a duty to ensure their team is working safely.

“According to the latest WHS statistics, tradies make up almost one-third of Australia’s workforce, but they represent over half of the country’s serious workers’ compensation claims,” Ms Baxter said.

The most common serious claims for workers’ compensation are attributed to muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects.

“Injuries that tradies often experience include traumatic joint/ligament, and muscle/tendon injuries. Most distressingly, almost 50 tradies a year die from vehicle incidents,” Ms Baxter said.

Throughout August, Safe Work Australia will share resources on tradies’ health and safety by publishing a collection of data, videos, resources and information on our website. These can be accessed at any time, from any smartphone or tablet device.

“We want every tradie to go home safe. For more information and guidance on WHS in the trade industry, contact the local WHS regulator in your area,” Ms Baxter said.

“Serious injuries and fatalities will end up costing you more if you take shortcuts. Deadlines are serious, but injuries and fatalities are worse.”

Visit the www.swa.gov.au for resources, WHS contacts and general guidance on how to keep safe as a tradie.

Note: ‘Tradies’ are comprised of technicians and trades workers, labourers, and machinery drivers and operators.

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THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed progress in establishing the Mackay Resources Centre of Excellence with the Palaszczuk Government announcing construction of the Centre is due to start early next year.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment of $3.6 million for the centre was a commitment in confidence in the sector, its development and adoption of cutting-edge technology as well as acknowledging the industry’s contribution to jobs, exports and the broader economy.

Mr Macfarlane, who will be attending the Queensland Mining Industry Awards in Mackay tonight, said the QRC and its members would continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government and the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick on the development of the Centre to maximise its contribution to the resources industry and the Mackay region.

“The resources sector contributes more than $1 billion in wages alone to the Mackay region. Due to the strengthening of the mining sector, Mackay has the lowest unemployment rate in Queensland at 3.8 percent and there are currently more than 500 jobs advertised on-line in the mining, resources and energy sector in the Mackay region,” Mr Macfarlane said.

The centre will include an underground coal mine simulator which will be available for testing, demonstrating and filming new equipment and products operating in confined spaces.

It will also enable new emergency response procedures to be practiced and refined, and will allow tourists to experience what it is like working in an underground coal mine.

Link to QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane video interview

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THE Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is calling for FPA members to make submissions for the 2018 FPA Awards, a program that recognises excellence in financial planning and the notable contributions made by members to local communities.

The awards acknowledge the achievements of outstanding planners, paraplanners, students and practices, and celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori said the 2018 FPA Awards program was an important initiative that highlights the talent and passion within the financial planning profession.

“Financial planning professionals know that trust and respect is earnt through excellent client service – proactively going out of the way to answer questions before they are even asked and maintaining an open, transparent and communicative relationship,” Mr De Gori said.

“Hearing our members’ success stories makes me immensely proud, and this year we’ll be honouring them for the exceptional work they do across six different award categories.”

The six categories open for submissions are:

• • FPA Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year Award
• • FPA Financial Planner AFP of the Year Award
• • FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
• • FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award
• • FPA University Student of the Year Award
• • Community Service Award supported by Future2.

Future2 is the philanthropic arm of the FPA. The Future2 Community Service Award recognises FPA members who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded or financially disadvantaged members of the community in a probono, volunteering or community service capacity.

The next generation of financial planners are also acknowledged in the FPA University Student of the Year Award that recognises students who are excelling in the finance field and show a dedication to financial planning. Students who have demonstrated exceptional performance will be nominated by their respective accredited educational institution.

“With previous winners from Mackay, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth unveiled at the 2017 FPA Professionals Congress, I strongly encourage all FPA members across Australia to enter this year,” Mr De Gori said.

“Let’s share how financial planners make a meaningful positive difference to the lives of clients and within our communities.”

All categories will be judged by a panel of experts. Depending on the category, award winners will receive consumer media opportunities, financial contribution to professional development and complimentary registration to the FPA Professionals Congress.

The award winners will be announced at the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress in Sydney from November 21-23, along with the next winner of the bi-annual Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.

Applications are now open and close on Friday August 31.

To enter: https://fpa.com.au/fpa-community/fpa-awards/

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ENERGY Networks Australia has released a discussion paper that explores regulatory changes that could lead to better outcomes for both customers and businesses.  

Released yesterday at the ‘Power of collaboration’ seminar in Brisbane, the Why TOTEX paper considers a simplified approach to the way networks’ proposed expenditure is assessed by the Australian Energy Regulator.  

Energy Networks Australia chief executive officer Andrew Dillon said the proposed ‘TOTEX’ model could give network businesses greater flexibility in responding to customer needs.  

“Under the current system, operating expenditure and capital expenditure are assessed separately to derive the network business’ total revenue for a regulatory period,” Mr Dillon said. "It's a complex approach that can create incentives to favour one form of expenditure over another.

“This report proposes allocating total expenditure in one bucket to give networks a clear incentive to choose the most efficient and appropriate energy solutions for customers.

“The TOTEX approach doesn’t favour one form of spending over the other and is designed to encourage a flexible response by networks to the risks and opportunities created by the energy system transformation.” 

Mr Dillon said the need for more flexible regulation had been promoted in a range of reports, including the Energy Networks Australia-CSIRO Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap, the 2017 Finkel Review and most recently, the ACCC Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry.

“Having a unified TOTEX allowance would reduce complexity and streamline incentive schemes that have characterised network regulation over the past decade,” he said.

“This conversation is about updating the tools, not removing protections. Any future framework would still hold networks accountable, with the regulator overseeing proposed costs and any price increases. Networks would still have to ensure business decisions align with customers’ needs.”     

Mr Dillon said the TOTEX model was being adopted internationally, where regulatory approaches were being modernised to improve customer outcomes at a time of rapid change.

“We recognise that there will be diverse views. Our goal is to consult and look at alternative regulatory frameworks to ensure governance of our energy system evolves to meet customers’ needs. Doing nothing at a time of such great transformation is not an option,” he said. 

www.energynetworks.com.au

Energy Networks Australia represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas distribution networks. Members provide energy to virtually every household and business in Australia.

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