THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has commended Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman MP and the Tasmanian Government on their initiatives to implement the Tasmanian Bag Check Code of Conduct (the Code) ahead of the Security and Investigations Agents Amendment Bill 2018 (the Bill) debate in Parliament next week.

Tasmanian Minister for Resources, Sarah Courtney MP, will be making an announcement this Sunday regarding the Bill, which fulfils the Tasmanian Government’s election commitment to crackdown on shoplifting.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said the Bill and the Code together will assist in alleviating the significant financial burden shoplifting places on small and large retailers.

"Annual retail industry turnover amounts to over $310 billion across Australia and in Tasmania alone, retail turnover is in excess of $6.1 billion. With an approximate loss of $216 million from theft in Tasmania, this is an ongoing concern for the retailers and the industry," Mr Zimmerman said.

"With Christmas just around the corner, shoplifting is set to be at its highest across this peak trading period. Current laws stipulate that retailers must employ a licensed security guard if they want to search a customer’s bag when on the business premises, which adds further costs to retailers."

The Tasmanian Government is legislating to allow retailers large or small to enable bag checks to be physically inspected by retail staff as a condition of entry. The Bill is intended to protect the livelihood of Tasmanian retailers and provide stability to protect the longevity of the retail industry.

"The passage of this legislation will deliver certainty to consumers, by assisting in reducing retail theft by ensuring bags checks are conducted in an appropriate and regulated manner," Mr Zimmerman said.

"We would like to thank the Tasmanian Government for not inventing new guidelines, but for using the ARA guidance material that was originally developed for retailers in New South Wales," Mr Zimmerman said.

"The ARA encourages all States and Territories across Australia to follow in the lead of New South Wales and Tasmania in implementing the ARA’s guidelines to ensure a nationally consistent approach."

Retailers can stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments and guidance by visiting www.retail.org.au.

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 Financial Services Council welcomes the new Free Trade Agreement with Hong Kong but urges the Australian Government to expedite the long overdue Double Tax Agreement with Hong Kong at the conclusion of the FTA negotiations.

“Yesterday’s announcement that the agreement will feature a new Bilateral Investment Treaty to enhance two-way investment flows is welcomed,” FSC CEO Sally Loane said.

“The agreement is an important building block to improve export of Australian financial services into Asia and further enriches Australia’s trade relationship with Hong Kong

 “To ensure the benefits are maximised for Australia, we need to ensure our tax and regulatory settings are competitive with Hong Kong, otherwise we Australia will lose out.

“This agreement emphasises the need for Australia to put in place a long overdue Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with Hong Kong, one of the largest fund management industries in the region.

“The FSC congratulates the Australian and Hong Kong Governments and the respective central banks for achieving this significant outcome for financial services.”

About the Financial Services Council

The Financial Services Council (FSC) has over 100 members representing Australia's retail and wholesale funds management businesses, superannuation funds, life insurers, financial advisory networks and licensed trustee companies. The industry is responsible for investing almost $3 trillion on behalf of more than 14.8 million Australians. The pool of funds under management is larger than Australia’s GDP and the capitalisation of the Australian Securities Exchange and is the fourth largest pool of managed funds in the world. The FSC promotes best practice for the financial services industry by setting mandatory Standards for its members and providing Guidance Notes to assist in operational efficiency.

ends

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has commended Will Hodgman and the Tasmanian Liberal Government on their initiatives to legislate Tasmanian Bag Check Guidelines  ahead of the Security and Investigations Agents Amendment Bill 2018 debate in Parliament next week.  

Minister Courtney will be making an announcement this Sunday regarding the Tasmanian bag check legislation, which fulfils the Tasmanian Government’s election commitment to crackdown on shoplifting.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said the legislation will assist in alleviating the significant financial burden shoplifting places on small and large retailers.

"Retail industry turnover is over $310 billion across Australia and in Tasmania alone, retail turnover is in excess of $6.1 billion. With an approximate loss of  $216 million from theft, this is an ongoing concern for the retailers and the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With Christmas around the corner, shoplifting is at its highest during this peak trading period. Current laws stipulate that retailers must employ a licensed security guard if they want to search a customer’s bag when on the business premises which incurs further costs to retailers.”

The re-elected Hodgman Liberal Government will legislate to allow retailers large or small to authorise bag checks to be physically inspected by retail staff on the condition of entry. The legislation is intended to protect the livelihood of Tasmanian retailers and provide stability to the longevity of the retail industry.

“The passing of this legislation will deliver certainty to consumers, assist in reducing retail theft and will also protect consumers by ensuring bags checks are conducted in an appropriate and regulated manner, ” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We would like to thank the Tasmanian Government for not reinventing new guidelines, but for using the ARA guideline that was developed for NSW,” Mr. Zimmerman said.

“The ARA encourages all States and Territories across Australia to follow in the lead of NSW and Tasmania in implementing these guidelines.”

Retailers can stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments and guidance by visiting www.retail.org.au.

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

QUEENSLAND is strengthening its position as the most reliable supplier of gas on the East Coast, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said today.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed announcements from the Palaszczuk Government of a call for tenders for gas exploration on a block designed specifically to supply the manufacturing industry, and to award Armour Energy and a Shell/Santos Joint Venture (JV) rights to explore for more than 900 square kilometres of land near Surat.

Mr Macfarlane said the Queensland Government understands the only way to drive down gas prices is to increase supply. 

“The economics of supply and demand are simple, if demand for gas is strong you need to increase supply to put downward pressure on prices,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“This is another example of Queensland leading the way when it comes to unlocking new gas reserves, with industry and Government working together for the benefit of all. I congratulate Armour Energy, Shell and Santos for investing in regional Queensland.”

Armour won a tender to explore 457sqkm of land south of Surat while the Shell/Santos JV won rights to explore 393 kilometres of land east of the Surat, both releases have a domestic-only condition with the gas being sold in Australia. 

Meanwhile, Minister Lynham announced a Queensland first, opening tenders for a 18sqkm block of land in the Surat Basin with all gas to be supplied to local manufacturers. 

“If manufacturers are able to reduce their energy bills they can hire more people so this is a good initiative to ensure Queensland’s manufacturing industry remains competitive,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

The Queensland resources sector provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

ends