DOMESTIC gas supply is set for a boost with Arrow Energy’s announcement of their sales agreement with Shell’s QCLNG for Queensland gas.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Arrow will unlock significant gas reserves in the Surat Basin which will increase supply into the domestic market.

“Today’s announcement brings the scale and infrastructure of LNG production to bear on Arrow’s proven gas reserves. That’s the only way to get this gas out of the ground at an affordable price”, said Mr Macfarlane

“More gas being produced is good news for all gas customers both domestic and export.

“The QRC congratulates Arrow and Shell’s QCLNG on this milestone agreement which again demonstrates that Queensland is leading the way when it comes to working to address the problem of the gas shortage."

The 27 year-year agreement will see Arrow use existing gas pipelines and related infrastructure. The project will create around 1000 new jobs and will benefit every Queenslander through royalties.

“These two companies are here for the long-haul and this agreement will deliver a whole generation of prosperity to the Darling Downs. Long term jobs allow training and supply opportunities to deliver enduring benefits to local communities such as Wandoan, Miles, Chinchilla and Dalby,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“We only hope that the other states follow Queensland’s lead and open up gas reserves to help fix the energy crisis households and businesses, especially manufacturers, along the eastern seaboard are facing.
 

“This one agreement alone will deliver enough extra gas to more than power Queensland’s entire industrial demand every year out to 2047."

QRC’s current data shows that in 2016-17, the state’s gas industry contributed $8.9 billion to the state’s economy and supported 42,938 full-time Queensland jobs.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has launched its second inquiry into Commonwealth procurement as part of its examination of Auditor-General’s reports.

Committee Chair Senator Dean Smith said improving the effectiveness of Commonwealth procurement has been a key focus of the Committee over this Parliament.

“The Committee’s inquiry will examine the procurement of the National Cancer Screening Register, and management of the Inland Rail Program’s pre-construction phase and contract for Telephone Universal Service Obligations,” Senator Smith said.

The Committee is also inquiring into Auditor-General’s Report No. 5 (2017-18), Protecting Australia’s Missions and Staff Overseas: Follow-on.

As Parliament’s joint public administration committee, the JCPAA scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies and has the power to initiate its own inquiries on the Commonwealth public sector.

The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General tabled in the Parliament and can inquire into any items, matters or circumstances connected with these reports.

The Committee invites submissions to the inquiries, addressing the terms of reference. Submissions are requested by Thursday, 25 January 2018, with public hearings to be held from February 2018. Further information about the inquiries can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

The Committee’s second Commonwealth procurement inquiry is based on the following Auditor-General’s reports:

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 9 (2017-18), Management of the Pre-construction Phase of the Inland Rail Programme

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 12 (2017-18), Management of the Contract for Telephone Universal Service Obligations

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 61 (2016-17), Procurement of the National Cancer Screening Register

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

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) urge the Senate to oppose Labor’s amendments to the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Reviews and Other Measures) Bill 2017 as this Bill has been developed to improve the flexibility and efficiency of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA)s.

As retail is the largest single private employer in Australia, employing more than 10 percent of the working population across the country, Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said it is crucial that the Labor party understands the risk small businesses are under if the proposed amendments are made to this Bill.

“The retail sector continues to face significant cost pressures, and for small businesses to survive this challenging trading environment, retailers need to open for longer hours over the weekend, to meet the demand of today’s consumers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The ARA are conscious that many small businesses across Australia are unable to rely on trade during the week as many consumers are at work during retail trading hours.”

The ARA have listened to their members and have identified that many small businesses are unable to afford opening their doors during the weekend.

“If retailers are limited to only opening their doors during the week, many consumers will shift their spending online, leaving our local retailers in the dark,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“For small retailers to compete in such a competitive market, retailers need to be given the opportunity to grow and prosper.”

The Penalty Rates Decision has been ruled by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and upheld by five judges of the Federal Court as these independent bodies have identified that the reduction in penalty rates would lessen the strain on Australian retailers, put the unemployed back into the workforce, and increase trading hours across the country.

“Any plan to overturn such a progressive decision in Australian history, will undermine the integrity of the independent umpire, and cause serious negative impacts to the prosperity of small and large businesses across the country,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“It is time for all Senators to put the community first, oppose Labor’s proposed amendments, and ensure the longevity of retail.”

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA 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.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) believe books are high on the wish list this Christmas, with the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicting Australians to spend over $7 million on ‘Other retailing’ during the Christmas trading period from November 15 to December 24, 2017.

The ARA believe physical and online books will be a big driver in the ‘Other retailing’ category with ARA and Roy Morgan Research projecting a 3.96% increase in sales for this category during the festive period.

The ARA’s Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said book retailers should be prepared for a rise in sales as Dymocks’ recent Omnipoll has revealed almost three quarters (73%) of Australians love reading a good book, and a further 60% love receiving books as gifts.

“With only five weeks until the big day, we have learned that books are big this Christmas, with Dymocks’ latest survey revealing 57% of adults – roughly 10.4 million people - thinking of placing a book or two under the Christmas tree this year,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The survey also revealed that parents love to give the gift of reading, as two thirds (65%) of Australians will be wrapping up a book for their child or family friend this Christmas.”

Sophie Higgins, Head of Marketing and Merchandise at Dymocks, said there has been a seasonal surge in non-fiction titles this year with non-fiction books accounting for 50% of Dymocks sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

“Cookbooks and biographies are the most popular of the non-fiction category, with cookbook sales usually doubling during the festive season,” Ms Higgins said.

“Celebrity chefs are leading the way this Christmas, with plenty of new books to choose from including the famous Matt Moran, Donna Hay, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and Poh Ling Yeow.”

With many Australians cooking up a storm this Christmas, Ms Higgins said 2017 has also been a big year for new biographies, with Jimmy Barnes releasing his new book, Working Class Man, earlier this year.

“It’s also been a big year for sport fans with new biographies on Muhammad Ali, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge, and Jelena Dokic hitting the shelves this Christmas,” Ms Higgins said.

To view the ARA and Roy Morgan’s Annual Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions for 2017 please click here. 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA 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.

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