THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the state government’s ongoing commitment to the development of the mineral rich North West Minerals Province as a major driver of prosperity in North Queensland.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the targeted incentives announced by Minister Lynham would encourage investment and deliver jobs for regional communities.

“The QRC commends the Palaszczuk government on its proactive and consultative approach by working with industry, local government, unions and the community to ensure all stakeholders were considered in mapping out this blueprint for the North West,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Locating a hyperspectral logger in Mount Isa at the government’s existing drill core facility is an excellent initiative. It’s a simple practical approach that can deliver cost savings and efficiencies for explorers in the region.

“Already one of the world’s largest zinc companies Teck has been granted a tenure to explore 102km2 near Cloncurry which would be a huge short in the arm for the local economy.”

Newly appointed Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) Chairman, Brad John said the blueprint would attract investors both domestically and from overseas.

“It was pleasing to see the Minister announce an investor forum in Townsville which recognises the significant level of economic activity that is driven out of the North West and the Port of Townsville,” Mr John said.

The state’s North West has the potential to unearth vast amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels.

“Last year the QRC launched its ‘Resourcing Innovation’ campaign about the importance of minerals for new cutting edge technologies and the state’s contribution to the future of these technologies could be secured with the North West,” Mr Macfarlane said.

The blueprint includes the Resources Development (Royalties) Policy and builds on the work of the Collaborative Drilling Initiative. In previous years this initiative had been a staggering technical success for exploration, specifically the discovery of mineral occurrences in Queensland.

www.qrc.org.au

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PARLIAMENT’s Northern Australia Committee will hold public hearings in the Northern Territory on Sunday 23 July, Monday 24 July, and Thursday 27 July 2017 at Yulara, Alice Springs, and Darwin as part of its inquiry into Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia.

The Northern Territory is home to three of the most well-known tourism icons in the world—Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park, Kakadu National Park, and Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The Territory has many other attractions and a wealth of untapped tourism potential. The Committee will hear evidence from the Northern Territory Government, a range of tourism operators, national parks officials, and traditional owners.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, said Northern Australia has many places with great tourism potential, but which are generally unknown to the travelling public.

“As the bitumen rolls out on many of the northern roads, drive tourists will follow, eager to experience the beauty of Northern Australia,” he said.  

“The Committee has learned that cultural tourism is high on the wish list of many international tourists, but there is relatively little on offer when they arrive.

“While much effort is spent on promoting Australia’s tourism icons to the world, there needs to be a corresponding emphasis on developing new tourism businesses especially in cultural tourism and especially in regional and remote Australia,” Mr Entsch said.

Public hearing details:

3:15 pm to 5:45 pm, Sunday 23 July, Wanari Room, Uluru Meeting Place (adjacent to Sails in the Desert Hotel), Yulara Drive, Yulara

1:00 pm to 4:45 pm, Monday 24 July, Andy McNeill Room, Civic Centre Complex, 93 Todd Street, Alice Springs

8:00 am to 3:20 pm, Thursday 27 July, Litchfield Room, NT Legislative Assembly, Mitchell Street, Darwin

The hearing will be broadcast live  (audio only) at aph.gov.au/live

The hearing program and further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including submissions and the terms of reference, is available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

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THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) have entered into a new service agreement which will extend further benefits to their respective membership bases and importantly, strengthen their shared voice on behalf of small business.

The two organisations have shared office accommodation at 555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne since 2009.

“When the IPA formed the IPA Group at the end of 2014, making it the largest SME focused accounting organisation in the world, it was always our intention to expand to drive positive outcomes for the small business sector,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway. 

“This new agreement with the AAT will enhance the IPA and AAT’s capacity to work more closely together to provide end to end service for the sector.

“We continue our advocacy effort on behalf of small business in Australia and other jurisdictions including Asia and the UK.

“Recognising the value that accounting technicians bring to the SME sector, we believe that AAT members have a natural place within the accounting profession and the IPA family.

“We will be working with AAT to extend new member benefits which will include: further education pathways; access to continuous professional development; discussion groups and networking opportunities; technical advice; and, ongoing advocacy that works in the best interests of members and small business.

“For accounting technicians and professional bookkeepers, this includes a pathway to the IPA’s professional program; a fully-fledged Master of Business through Deakin University. 

This program will mean that members can broaden their education and skill base, enabling them to diversify and grow their businesses,” said Mr Conway.

 publicaccountants.org.au

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