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Driverless vehicles inquiry motors on

SAFETY, employment, legal concerns, public transport, infrastructure needs, access and equity and Australia’s role in driverless vehicle technology – all topics are on the table as the parliamentary driverless vehicle inquiry holds its final public hearing in Canberra this morning.

The Industry, Innovations, Science and Resources Committee will be hearing from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science as it wraps up its public hearings for its inquiry into the social impacts of driverless vehicles.

The Committee has heard from 30 organisations and individual witnesses and held four inspections over the course of the inquiry.

Committee Chair Michelle Landry MP commented that members of the Committee were looking forward to being able to follow up with the two departments on some of the questions that have arisen throughout the inquiry.

“We have heard from a wide range of stakeholders – from manufacturers, regulators, industry groups, academics and many others – about the social issues relating to driverless vehicles," Ms Landry said. 

"Today we will get the chance to discuss some of the issues we’ve heard about with representatives of the Commonwealth departments responsible for infrastructure and industry and innovation.”

Public hearing details: 10.45am – 12.30pm, Wednesday 21 June, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website

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Law Council to discuss Brexit and UK trade

HOW should Brexit affect the work of Australian lawyers in the United Kingdom? At a hearing in Canberra today, the Law Council of Australia will have its say.

The Trade Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from the Law Council at a public hearing today for its inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relationship with the United Kingdom.

The Law Council, which is the peak representative body for the Australian legal profession, believes the decision by the UK to leave the European Union should not diminish the current level of access for Australian lawyers into the UK and should potentially expand access.

The Law Council’s submission says any proposed trade agreement with the UK should recognise the importance of multi-jurisdictional legal services in facilitating two-way trade and investment without costly legal disputes and possible failure. It supported the free movement of legal service providers from Australia and the UK.

The submission also raises concerns that as a consequence of Brexit, Australian legal firms and lawyers may no longer be in a position to recommend their clients to set up companies in the UK under the laws of England and Wales due to the uncertainties of post-Brexit trading rules and tariffs when trading with the EU.

Public hearing details: 10:05am - 11:00am, Wednesday 21 June, Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website

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Small businesses encouraged to claim instant asset write-off

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has encouraged small business operators to take advantage of the Government’s instant asset write-off extension.

More businesses are now eligible to buy equipment (new or second hand) up to $20,000 and write it off immediately after legislation passed the Senate. Multiple claims can be made under the program.

Small business has also been redefined for tax purposes as having a turnover less than $10 million, up from $2 million.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell welcomed the changes.

“The instant asset write-off program enables small business to immediately deduct assets costing less than $20,000 instead of claiming deductions over a number of years,” she said.

“This is a welcome incentive for small business to invest, which provides benefits for the broader economy and employment.”

Ms Carnell said anecdotal evidence suggested only a small proportion of eligible businesses were taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I encourage small business operators to invest before June 30 and claim the tax deduction,” she said.

Assets that cost $20,000 or more can't be immediately deducted.

Ms Carnell said small businesses in some industries would generally require assets above the $20,000 threshold.

“Effectively, this means that some industries are disadvantaged,” she said.

“It makes more sense for the threshold to be raised so that all businesses can benefit, upgrade their assets and continue to grow to benefit the economy.

“I will continue to urge the Government to lift the $20,000 threshold because for some industries, like farming, it’s too low for them to purchase equipment.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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NSW Government releases steady infrastructure budget

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has commended the NSW Government for delivering a Budget that focuses on infrastructure, while running a surplus in 2016-17.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said the NSW State Budget builds on economic strength for the state, assisting retail sales growth while supporting retail businesses and employment through continued skills funding and tax relief.

“The 2017-18 Budget released today focuses on delivering infrastructure projects that NSW communities need, with long term holes in infrastructure slowly being fixed for the first time in decades,” Mr Zimmerman said.

From January next year, businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million will be exempt from paying duties on insurance for work vehicles, professional indemnity and public liability.

The ARA also welcomes the increased support for the Business Connect Programme in helping small businesses to plan and adapt.

“As always, the industry needs the Government to further reduce business taxes to sustain retail growth,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The tax cuts on business transactions is an important step for retailers making decisions to improve their operations.”

The ARA further congratulates the NSW Government for their $96 million commitment to the Jobs for NSW initiative which ARA members have participated in to stimulate jobs growth across NSW.

Retailers will also welcome stamp duty cuts with exemptions for homes worth up to $650,000, and discounts for purchases up to $800,000 for new homebuyers as these initiatives will stimulate consumer spend.

“These business cuts, along with the homebuyers’ stamp duty cuts will help grow retail spend across the industry,” 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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Tourism rebounds after Cyclone Debbie

PARLIAMENT's Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia will hold public hearings at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island for its inquiry into Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia on Sunday 25 June and Monday 26 June 2017.

The region recently bore the brunt of Cyclone Debbie and the tourism industry has rebounded and is gearing up for the 2017 season.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, said North Queensland has bounced back after Cyclone Debbie and the Committee will be talking to the major tourism operators in the region.

“A wide variety of tourism experiences are offered in the Whitsunday Islands including island resorts and small businesses on the mainland. In the face of extreme weather events, business resilience is key to the success of an industry that is vital to the local economy,” Mr Entsch said.

The Committee will receive evidence from resort operators and small tourism operators on the mainland as well as from the region’s tourism representative bodies.

 

Public hearing details:

HAMILTON ISLAND: 9.45 am to 1.00 pm, Sunday, 25 June 2017, Ketch Room, Yacht Club, Hamilton Island

AIRLIE BEACH: 9.45 am to 2.35 pm, Monday, 26 June 2017, Mantra Club Croc, Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale

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 the terms of reference is available on the Committee’s website.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website

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