THE FEDERAL Government is establishing a new Australian Antarctic Science Council to revitalise science research on a new platform, as well as boost Hobart's position as an Antarctic science hub, and as the premier gateway to Antarctica.

The new Antarctic Science Council will provide further strategic direction for the Australian Antarctic Program, oversee science funding priorities and ensure funds directly support Antarctic research, reducing administrative costs and making it easier to plan multi-year projects.

Australia has developed world-class Antarctic science capabilities over many decades, much of which is based in Hobart. Comprising an independent Chair and representatives from key Antarctic science agencies, the Council will enhance Australia's international reputation for Antarctic science.

The Coalition Government has committed more than $100 million over the next 10 years for Antarctic science, delivered through two new initiatives:

• The Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative with $5 million per year for 10 years from 2019-20, delivered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
• The Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science with $8 million per year for seven years from January 2020, delivered by the Australian Research Council.

The establishment of the Council is the first step in implementing the recommendations of a review into the governance of Australia's Antarctic Science Program, undertaken by Mr Drew Clarke, a highly-respected former senior public servant.

The review was undertaken to ensure Antarctic investments are effective, joined-up and fit-for-purpose. The Government has supported, either in full or in principle, all nine recommendations in the Clarke Review.

This revamp of science funding delivers on the Coalition Government's Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan to increase Antarctic research.

The Clarke Review and the Government's response can be found at www.environment.gov.au/antarctic-review.

ends

THE QUEENSLAND resources industry has created more than 8400 extra jobs over the last 12 months – the equivalent of one new job every hour.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) labour force data reaffirmed the resources sector was a key Queensland employer with new jobs in mining regions and Australia's biggest mining town – Brisbane.

“This is good news for people working in the resources sector and more importantly people looking for work.  The resources sector has hundreds of vacancies looking for men and women to fill,” he said.

ABS labour force data shows:

• resource sector jobs increased from 56,705 in May 2017 quarter to 65,180 over 12 months to the May 2018 quarter, an increase by 15 percent or an extra 8,474 jobs;
• jobs in non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying increased by 53 percent to 4,094 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in coal mining increased by 34 percent to 28,945 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in oil and gas increased by 25 percent to 8,069 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in exploration and mining support services increased by 7 percent to 15,765 over the last 12 months.

Mr Macfarlane said the outlook for jobs in the coal, minerals, petroleum and gas industries was very strong with a survey of chief executive officers (CEOs) of QRC member companies that 52 percent would increase their Queensland workforce over the next 12 months, with 13 percent looking to increase employment ‘substantially'.  Only 9 percent of CEOs surveyed said they planned to reduce staff over the next 12 months, with none of the CEOs expecting a substantial decrease.

“Jobs in the resources sector are good jobs," Mr Macfarlane said. "Resource jobs are well-paid jobs.

"The mining industry has by far the highest average weekly full-time adult earnings of any industry at $2659 – or over $138,000 per annum,” he said.

The Queensland resources sector supports more than 280,000 full-time jobs and last financial year contributed over $55 billion to the State’s economy.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

TIME IS UP for Aurizon to stop playing games with Queensland exports and revert back to normal maintenance while the independent regulator, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA), makes its final decision said Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.

“Industry’s position hasn’t changed. Aurizon is a monopoly and it’s the role of the independent regulator to set the price they can charge customers. It’s a pricing system Aurizon agreed to when the company was floated and one which guarantees their revenue, which is a luxury Aurizon was happy to bank during the downturn,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Without explanation Aurizon has decided to unilaterally change its maintenance and undermine the performance of rail systems. Aurizon is damaging the reputation of Queensland’s largest export industry and short changing all Queenslanders with the loss of royalties from lost exports.

“The regulatory system is not broken. It’s supported by both the State Government and the Federal Government. Premier Palaszczuk backs the independent regulatory process and the Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan this week called out Aurizon saying the company was trying to force through an 'old-style industrial relations bargaining system.' 

“Queensland’s coal industry has promised to support the regulator’s final decision on the Aurizon rail maintenance budget. If the QCA, as the independent umpire, finds Aurizon should be paid more for maintenance, the industry will pay.

“Queensland needs to reliably transport coal to port if we are to take advantage of the strengthening outlook for coal across our existing and emerging Asian markets. If we don’t our customers will shop elsewhere and jobs in regional Queensland will be put at risk."

QRC estimates the cost of Aurizon’s new maintenance plan, which they say will choke off as much as 20 million tonnes of exports a year, would cost up to $4 billion per annum in lost Queensland exports and up to $500 million in lost royalties which pay for the wages of teachers, nurses and police. Queensland simply can’t afford to keep paying the price of Aurizon’s intransigence.

The QRC has responded to the QCA’s request for comments on maintenance and a final decision on UT5 is expected in September.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

EIGHTEEN mayors from Aboriginal communities in Queensland are braving Canberra’s cold weather to lobby for the continuation of the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH).

The NPRH was negotiated in 2016 to replace the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing. It aims to address the housing crisis facing remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The NPRH is due to conclude on June 30, 2018. While replacement funds have been allocated to the Northern Territory, the Federal Government is yet to come to an agreement with Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

Community groups warn that the discontinuation of funding in these three states will lead to a loss of jobs and exacerbate overcrowding.

The mayors are meeting with Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, to discuss the standstill.

National Congress is calling for housing to be a Closing the Gap target. About 39 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in very remote areas are overcrowded, while 20 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in remote areas are overcrowded.

A lack of adequate housing is one of the social determinants leading a number of negative social and health outcomes including poverty, criminality, incarceration, educational attainment, disease and substance abuse.

 “Investment equals prevention,” National Congress co-chair, Jackie Huggins, said. “By investing in adequate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the government will save money in the long-run through decreased expenditure on welfare, incarceration and social programs.”

Rod Little, National Congress co-chair said, “Housing is key. Without adequate housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cannot break the cycle of poverty.

"National Congress looks forward to hosting the World Indigenous Housing Conference in 2019 and to working with governments to improve the current housing crisis facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities."

www.nationalcongress.com.au

ends