THE THIRD Queensland Mining Awards were officially launched yesterday at the Bowen Basin Mining Club’s November luncheon, following a key partnership announcement with the QRC earlier this week.

The 2018 Awards will take a step up in prestige, with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to co-host the event with the Bowen Basin Mining Club during next year’s Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME). 

As the QRC comes on board, the Awards will change from the Queensland Mining Contractor Awards to simply the Queensland Mining Awards.

BBMC director Jodie Currie said this change symbolised increasing industry unity and a focus on collaboration.

“Industry response to the Awards has always been supportive, but this year with the Queensland Resources Council’s partnership, we are hoping to make the Awards the ‘night of nights’ for the Queensland mining industry," Ms Currie said.

“Our sector can be full of ups and downs, so it’s important to take time to recognise our successes, and promote the great work that contractors, suppliers and producers are consistently generating."

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane believes the new partnership, as well as the name change, will open the door for mining producers to participate in the Awards.

“The Bowen Basin Mining Club has done terrific work in establishing the Awards, and the QRC is proud to join in hosting the 2018 Awards to celebrate the sector that contributes 1 in 8 jobs for Queensland, and $55.1 billion to the state’s economy,” said Mr Macfarlane.

In the 2018 Awards, contractors and suppliers will be able to enter categories recognising cost and time-saving outcomes, the innovation they bring to mining, production and exploration companies, and in a first for the Awards, recognition of safety outcomes.Producers will also be able to enter the 2018 Awards, nominating themselves for collaborative efforts within the industry when partnering with a supplier or contractor to improve efficiencies and save costs.

One contractor or supplier will be recognised by the independent judging panel as the Mining Contractor of the Year for outstanding overall performance.Projects delivered in Queensland between April 2016 and December 2017 will be eligible for entry to the Awards. Company size and project scope is not a limiting factor, as the Awards aim to recognise and reward the full spectrum of businesses within the Queensland mining industry.

Winners will be announced at the Queensland Mining Awards Gala Presentation Dinner in July 2018, with a panel of industry judges presenting peer-reviewed feedback and accolades. 

The Awards are also partnered by Reed Mining Events and Mackay Regional Council.

Award entries will open on Monday January 15, 2018, with more details about entry requirements available at www.bbminingclub.com/QMA2018

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WITH the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan Research predicting Australians to spend more than $50 billion over the Christmas trading period from November 15 to December 24, 2017, the ARA believe toy retailers will be as busy as elves this Christmas.

With the ARA and Roy Morgan Research tipping Australian consumers to spend 2.8% more on Christmas compared to last year, ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said it’s a busy time for toy retailers across the country.

“Keeping up with hottest-selling toys for kids at Christmas is like keeping up with digital technology in the retail landscape… both retailers and consumers need to be prepared,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With many new toys hitting the shelves this year, parents need to start their shopping early to ensure they can get the toy at the top of their children’s wish list.”

“Likewise retailers need to be prepared for the onslaught of parents trying to secure the perfect gift for their children.”

With the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicting Aussies to increase their spending in the ‘Other retailing’ category by 3.96%, the ARA have worked with Toys“R”Us to identify the Top 20 Toys for kids this Christmas.

“It appears Hatchimals continue to outperform retailer’s expectations as they completely sold out last year, so we urge retailers to be prepared for a similar toy rush this pre-Christmas period,” Mr Zimmerman said.

New to the toy scene, LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is one of the most sought-after interactive toys in the tech space this year. This innovative creation targeted for boys aged 7+, enhances the building and learning experience for boys by not only building the robot but also coding its behaviour.

“Gone are the days when we used to fly model planes, it seems LEGO Boost is now a must have for tech savvy youngsters this Christmas,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Just like retail, Christmas is all about the consumer experience, and for girls aged 3+ this year’s highly sought-after toys include LOL Dolls and Pikmi Pops as they provide the ultimate unwrapping experience this silly season.”

With many Australian children on Santa’s nice list this year, the ARA expect both retailers and Santa’s elves to be extremely busy over the next few weeks.

To view the ARA and Roy Morgan’s Annual Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions for 2017 please click here. And for more information regarding the Top Toys this Christmas please click here.

ARA ROY MORGAN PRE-CHRISTMAS SALES PREDICTIONS 2017

November 15 – December 24, 2017

2017 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by Category

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

2017 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by State

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

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 Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman today released a study into factors impacting small to medium enterprise investment.

Speaking at the Institute of Public Accountants national conference on the Gold Coast, Ombudsman Kate Carnell said barriers to investment included access to capital, red tape and energy prices.

Ms Carnell said removing barriers to investment would give small businesses confidence to grow and boost jobs.

Despite recent claims by bank executives that lending to small firms is booming, Ms Carnell said this wasn’t the case for borrowers who don’t have equity in property.

“Traditional bank loans are backed by real property mortgages and although alternatives are emerging, they are not currently mature and affordable,” she said.

“Young aspiring small business operators are particularly disadvantaged and increasingly rely on their parents to provide seed finance.”

Ms Carnell said this meant the “Bank of Mum and Dad” was often called on to help young entrepreneurs.

“This offers convenience and flexibility, but it puts people’s retirement savings at risk,” she said.

“It also raises social equity issues in that the children of affluent parents have greater opportunities to buy and grow businesses.”

Ms Carnell said a government-backed guarantee scheme could be the answer, similar to the British Business Bank.

The Ombudsman’s study also takes aim at red tape, saying past reduction efforts have largely been “window dressing”.

Ms Carnell said a successful pilot in Parramatta to make compliance requirements seamless should be extended to other areas.

“It was found there were more than 50 pieces of regulation which applied to setting up a hospitality business in Parramatta and the regulation meant it took up to 18 months to commence trading,” she said.

“Regulation wasn’t removed, but was instead sped up and made invisible. Information provided once was used to automatically complete forms in other areas of bureaucracy.

“This is a smart way of using systems and technology to relieve regulatory burdens on business.”

The ASBFEO paper is available for download.

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WITH just five weeks left in 2017, the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has revealed approximately 9500 tax and financial advisers still need to apply to renew their registration by January 1, 2018.
 
Chair of the TPB, Ian Taylor warned that time is running out for advisers to renew their registration with the TPB and that they will put their business at risk if they fail to renew on time.

"Like most Australians, these 9500 tax and financial advisers will be looking forward to a break over the Christmas and New Year period. Don’t put your business at risk – make sure renewing your registration is on the top of your to do list before you go on leave," Mr Taylor urged.

"If advisers fail to renew their registration they can no longer provide advice services for a fee or reward. They will also need to lodge a new application and cannot provide services until the new application is decided," Mr Taylor warned.

So long as tax and financial advisers submit their renewal application on time, they remain registered until the TPB makes a decision on their application. Mr Taylor encouraged advisers to take immediate action to make sure they are ready to renew:

• make sure they have updated their email address and mobile number (for SMS messages) on My Profile so they don’t miss important renewal information
• register for the TPB’s final free webinar for the year – Top Tips for renewing with the TPB to be delivered 5 December 
• ensure they have had their completed statement of relevant experience verified by appropriate persons before they apply
• the TPB’s frequently asked questions for tax (financial) advisers will assist with registration questions.

www.tpb.gov.au/financialadvisers


About the Tax Practitioners Board:
The Tax Practitioners Board regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Follow us on Twitter @TPB_gov_au and LinkedIn

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