THE House of Representatives Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee will hold a roundtable public hearing tomorrow as part of its Internet Competition inquiry. The public hearing will feature Data61, the CSIRO’s digital innovation group, and Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, the PwC Chair in Digital Economy at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

Data61’s expertise is in digital technologies and data analytics and it provides research and advisory services to businesses, universities, and government agencies. The PwC Chair in Digital Economy is a joint venture between QUT, PwC, Brisbane Marketing, and the Queensland Government that undertakes research into the digital economy and aims to help businesses develop their digital capabilities.

Acting Committee Chair Luke Gosling OAM, MP said that the Committee will be discussing with Data61 and Professor Kowalkiewicz emerging trends in the digital economy and their implications for small Australian businesses.

‘The popularity of online shopping means that many small Australian retail businesses are facing increasingly intense competition from global internet retailers,’ Mr Gosling said.

‘For Australian businesses this increased competition is a significant challenge but, on the other hand, online shopping also provides small retailers with a great opportunity to sell their products directly to consumers across the globe. The Committee is investigating how the Government can assist small business to make the most of the opportunities presented by the digital economy.’

Public hearing details: 10.45am – 12.00pm, Wednesday 28 February, Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

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

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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MELBOURNE will host its first Retail Week from today (Monday), as we welcome 10,000 retail industry delegates to celebrate our thriving retail industry and collaborate on new ways to ensure its profitability.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the event has previously been based in Sydney.

“Australia’s fashion and shopping capital is looking forward to hosting Retail Week for the first time in 2018 as we welcome 10,000 industry delegates to a range of events that will inspire collaboration, innovation and excellence,” the Acting Lord Mayor said.

“Retail Week is the latest recognition of Melbourne’s growing identity as a globally sought after retail destination and comes after David Jones relocated its head office here, from Sydney.

DOMESTIC gas supply and regional jobs are set to gain considerably with Santos GLNG to invest $900 million in gas developments in Maranoa, Western Downs, Central Highlands and Banana this year. 

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Santos GLNG would unlock significant gas reserves in regional Queensland, which would increase supply to the domestic and export markets.

“Today’s announcement will bring intergenerational benefits for the people of these regions and again demonstrates that Queensland is leading the way to boost east coast gas supply”, said Mr Macfarlane. 

“More gas being produced is good news for all gas customers, both domestic and export. Queenslanders increasingly understand that CSG is an evergreen industry with billions more dollars invested in new fields to supply the LNG plants. 

“The QRC congratulates Santos GLNG and Minister Lynham, who continues to lead a proactive approach to the development of gas in this state. We only hope that the other states follow Queensland’s lead and open gas reserves to help fix the energy crisis households and businesses, especially manufacturers, along the eastern seaboard are facing.” 

The first year of funding for the new $750 million Roma East project would create up to 400 construction jobs and add nearly 50PJ of supply a year in 2020, along with significant flow-on benefits to local small and medium businesses. 

QRC’s data shows that in 2016-17, Queensland’s gas industry contributed $8.9 billion to the state’s economy and supported almost 43,000 full-time Queensland jobs. 

www.qrc.org.au

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WHEN the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) partnered Deakin University last year to deliver a Master of Business Administration (MBA) as its professional program, there was deliberate focus on small business.

“The accounting profession continues to evolve and we want our members undertaking the IPA’s MBA professional program to be well-placed to provide the essential advice their small business clients are seeking as their trusted advisers,” said IPA chief executive officer, Professor Andrew Conway. 

“The IPA MBA has a dedicated small business advisory unit to help members, better service small business clients, extending from planning and marketing to socioeconomic factors affecting small business, including their mental health and wellbeing.

“The IPA is the only Australian professional accounting body offering an MBA as its Professional Program and we believe this will keep our members ahead of the competitive pack and help to provide the high quality, professional services that the small business owner needs and deserves. 

“The Program is structured to be very flexible, providing members with a streamlined system to achieve one of the most sought-after MBA degrees in the southern hemisphere.

“New or Associate members who have studied the six units required to complete the former IPA Professional Program, are eligible to commence the Deakin MBA at the second stage of the IPA Program which means they can attain a fully-fledged MBA in half the time and half the cost.

‘Small business clients can only benefit from their trusted adviser having this prestigious qualification.

“Globally, an MBA has the track record of increasing employment and promotion opportunities as well as rises in income,” said Prof Conway.

For more information on IPA’s MBA go to http://bit.ly/2v11huG

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