SATELLITE imagery depicting pictures of what was purported to be a coal spill from the Abbot Point port into wetlands have been shown as a clear misrepresentation of the satellite imagery supplied by NASA.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said NASA’s own website provided further evidence that the information supplied to the ABC by the Mackay Conservation Group was incorrect.

“It’s disgraceful that satellite imagery was misrepresented as coal particles in the water by the Mackay Conservation Group when in fact NASA’s website clearly says water absorbs light so it is usually black in the images.”

“Similar photos taken in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie show black water in the imagery which included swimming pools and waterways nowhere near coal terminals.”

In a statement Adani confirmed they were not only acting within its Temporary Emissions Licence (TEL) from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) but have not exceeded its normal licence limits.

“It’s time these extreme tactics of environmental activists were exposed and all media outlets should be alert to the constant misrepresentation of the truth by groups opposed to economic development in Queensland,” said Mr Macfarlane.

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THE HISTORY and future co-existence of the resources sector and farmers is a tradition that is reaping rewards for those on the land, resource companies and every Queenslander, Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Rural Press Club in Brisbane today.

However, that synergy is being threatened, ironically, not by many of those who live on the land, but by a majority living in the inner suburbs.

“The co-existence model we have in Queensland leads the nation and has been a major wealth creator and regional employer,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“While some states put their heads in the sand, most Queensland farmers have worked with the resources sector, not against it, to thrash out sensible solutions to the hard issues.

“My experience has been that if you work with the resources sector to strike a fair deal, the farmers will bring their rural communities along with them.  And that is what we continue to work on here in Queensland.”

It’s that co-existence and collaboration that provided $2.1 billion in royalties to the Queensland Government last financial year, which helped to fund such things as our infrastructure, police, nurses and teachers and the buildings they occupy. The greatest threat to Queensland’s economic development today is green activism, fuelled by some media that fail to fact check the propaganda fed to them by the radical groups, he said.

“Last week’s rollout of fake news by the Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC was just the most recent in a long line of propaganda published by various news outlets,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“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.

“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.”

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THE HOUSING affordability debate needs to consider the economy on an Australia-wide basis, according to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

“While there is a housing unaffordability crisis in Sydney and Melbourne, this is not the case in the rest of Australia's cities and regional areas,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“We urge the Government to consider a holistic and broad approach to housing affordability, and to consider the whole country and the entire economy. 

“This must include consideration of land supply problems in Sydney; giving time for APRA's macro-prudential levers to take effect; dealing with the over-reliance of state governments on stamp duty revenue; responsible lending by banks; responsible borrowing by consumers; a greater focus on financial literacy; getting over the 'fear of missing out'; dealing with the impact of foreign investors, including property vacancies; and, other factors.

“There is also another impact which must be considered.  Many small business owners are also individual consumers; some of whom have second mortgages on their homes to fund their business. 

“This means that Government housing policy can have flow on impacts to the health of these small businesses; not just the potential for financial distress but also impacts on the mental and health wellbeing of small business owners. 

“The IPA is urging the Government to consider the housing affordability situation not in isolation but in the broader context of the whole of the economy, and especially for the sake of the health of the small business sector and owners.

“All variables and options should be explored. However, any discussion of accessing superannuation for the purpose of entering the housing market needs to be cautioned to ensure the true objective of superannuation is not lost; that is to provide income in retirement to substitute or supplement the age pension.

“We welcome the fact that the Government seem to be looking at a range of solutions to address housing affordability and we will continue to be an active participant.  There is no panacea to this problem so we must all work constructively to find a range of solutions,” said Mr Conway.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) strongly supports the Federal Government in closing the Low Value Threshold (LVT) loophole for the purchase of offshore tangible goods under $1000.

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA said they have been working with the Federal and State Governments to reduce the low value threshold and provide a level playing field for Australian retailers.

“This is a tax equity issue and internationally-based retailers should pay their fair share of tax,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Retailers conducting business in Australia should pay their tax just like Australian retailers currently do.”

The ARA has said this GST has been a long time coming, expressing thanks to then Assistant Treasure Bill Shorten for his commencement of the process in 2011.

“Multiple jurisdictions are already introducing similar laws as this is a global tax issue,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This new legislation will create a fairer tax system for Australian retailers by creating a level playing field against international competitors.”

This new model may not be perfect but the ARA believes that the proposed system is the best model at this point.

“Freight companies and credit card businesses should not be responsible for collecting this tax, the onus should fall on internationally-based businesses to collect it” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Australian retailers already collect this tax in Australia, therefore it is unnecessary to complicate this process and allow international retailers to continue to exploit this legislative loophole.

“We already know that overseas retailers selling online have the capability of charging taxes as required by Australian law,” Mr Zimmerman said.

The ARA will be appearing as witnesses at the Senate Economics Legislation hearings this Friday, 21 April, to reiterate the importance of this GST.

“We strongly support this proposed GST model and will continue to work with the Government to resolve any implementation issues,” 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 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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