IT IS TIME to penalise states that do not develop resources because of pressure from foreign-funded green activists, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Queensland Media Club today.

Queensland and Western Australia are currently disadvantaged by having resource royalties counted against the Grants Commission per capita distribution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“States that do the heavy lifting by supporting job creating resource projects and supplying the electricity market shouldn’t be worse off,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Politicians can’t keep ignoring the science and running away at the first sign of chanting and placard waving from green activists. If you want to fall to the ideology and expect other states to provide your energy needs, then the federal government should cut your GST distribution.

“Overseas in resource rich countries such as Canada, royalty income is discounted by 50 per cent before it is added to the equalisation calculations. If such a system was adopted here, Queensland would gain about an extra $100 million a year – which is money in the bank to pay for infrastructure and services to make our state an even better place to live.”

Mr Macfarlane also called out foreign-funded green activists who use deceptive tactics along with misinformation campaigns.

“The optimist in me knows that good journalism isn’t dead and that the reason behind no fact-checking is an under-resourced newsroom – but the cynic in me sees a pattern of behaviour from the same journalists at the same news outlets," Mr Macfarlane said.

“I call on everyone to question and check everything they are told, especially if the consequences have the potential to cause harm, to health, business or reputation.”

www.qrc.org.au

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QUEENSLAND Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane has released the following comment on the Kevin's Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin:

"TODAY the Land Court of Queensland recommended Minister Lynham grant the Mining Lease and the Environmental Authority be issued for the Kevin’s Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin, subject to the original draft conditions.

"The GVK backed mine would inject billions of dollars into regional Queensland with 1,800 construction jobs, 1,600 operational and thousands more through indirect employment for the life of the mine.

"The findings clearly recognise that both the Queensland and Commonwealth impact assessment frameworks are rigorous and appropriate.

"It is very disappointing to see green activists, yet again, attempting to derail a job creating mine after it had already passed through processes administered by democratically elected state and federal governments.

"Coast and Country, through the taxpayer-funded Environmental Defenders Office, have repeatedly failed in their combined attempts to stop the coal industry and deny Queenslanders jobs.

"In its decision, the Land Court had demonstrated the court system is starting to identify where activists’ claims have little or no basis other than to delay or attempt to jeopardise the project.

"Once operational the mine would produce up to 30 million tonnes of coal which provides the government with an extra $168 million of royalties to the Budget annually or 2,600 extra nurses or 3,000 police officers or 3,100 teachers.

"The Queensland coal industry delivered $32.7 billion dollars to the state’s economy last financial year while employing directly and indirectly 183,000 people."

AS THE RETAIL industry’s peak representative body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) recognised the Fair Work Commission’s decision today which requires retailers to offer casual staff part-time employment after being with the business for 12 months.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said while today’s decision gives retail staff employment security, the ARA are concerned the decision will reduce flexibility for retailers.

“We acknowledge Fair Work’s decision today, however we fear this verdict will significantly impact retailers as casual’s flexible hours are essential to the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Given the current change-of-hours rules around part-time employees, there is a continual need for casual employees and their flexible working arrangements.”

The ARA believes the decision will only be operationally viable if retail employers are able to offer part-time workers additional hours without incurring overtime penalties, as the procedural requirements for changes to the rostered hours of part-time employees can be unrealistic for retailers.

“The ARA believes that if there were flexibility in the hours of part-time employees this decision might have made sense, but the retail industry experiences peaks and troughs in trade which are an impediment to offering fixed hours for part-time employees,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Retailers would of course love to reward those long-term staff with a set amount of hours per week and an option to increase those hours without paying overtime, however the existing award provisions around part-time employees, highlight the necessity of casual employees. We will be acting to have those provisions changed.”

The ARA believe the existing requirements, combined with the new casual conversion provisions, will only bring further challenges to Australian retailers who are already facing a difficult operating environment.

“Retail employees are an important asset for retailers and the overall industry, therefore the ARA will be seeking more flexible part-time arrangements through the Award Review process,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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 7,000 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) said the positive trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) represent a better than expected trade in May with 3.82 percent total growth year-on-year.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the May retail trade figures illustrate a positive outlook for the industry as retailers head into winter.

“Retail figures have improved from April across the board with the cold winter snap driving consumers indoors,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Clothing Footwear and Personal Accessories figures have levelled out in May, showing a 3.76 percent increase year-on-year.”

Household Goods (5.11%), Electrical (5.80%) and Furniture (8.62%) have seen the strongest year-on-year growth with many new electronic products launched to the public in late April.

Mr Zimmerman said the late arrival of cold weather might have had a positive effect on retail sales but some retailers are still not getting the sales volume they need due to the considerable amount of discounting happening across Australia.

“Although liquor has slowed down considerably as we move away from Easter, Supermarkets, Cafés Restaurants and Takeaway Food remain strong.”

May trade figures remained steady across the board with all states showing a stable growth. Australian Capital Territory (5.68%), Victoria (5.19%), South Australia (4.90%) and Tasmania (4.53%) lead the pack with modest year-on-year growth.

While New South Wales (3.93%) and Queensland (3.07%) also show a moderate year-on-year increase. Both Western Australia (0.98%) and the Northern Territory (0.62%) might trail behind the other state still show fairly stable figures.

“As we enter the colder months we will see retail growth remain strong, giving retailers breathing room in the tough trading environment,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We look forward to seeing consumers take advantage of the end of financial year sales in June giving retailers another boost in sales.” 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (April 2017– May 2017 seasonally adjusted) 

Household goods retailing (2.2%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.3%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.6%), Other retailing (0.6%), Food retailing (0.1%) and Department stores (-0.7%). 

New South Wales (1.3%), Victoria (1.2%), South Australia (0.8%), Western Australia (0.3%), Tasmania (1.2%), Australian Capital Territory (1.0%), Queensland (-1.1%) and the Northern Territory (-0.5%).

Total sales (0.6%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (May 2016 – May 2017 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (5.11%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (3.76%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (5.26%), Other retailing (2.89%), Food retailing (3.75%) and Department stores (-0.32%). 

New South Wales (3.93%), Victoria (5.19%), South Australia (4.90%), Western Australia (0.98%), Tasmania (4.53%), Australian Capital Territory (5.68%), Queensland (3.07%) and the Northern Territory (0.62%). 

Total sales (3.82%).

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 7,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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