Business News Releases

Industry concerned over CWP committee changes

THE Queensland Resources Council is extremely concerned to see the broadening of the work of the select committee into Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis before the first inquiry has been finalised.
 
QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said to change the scope at this stage is unhelpful.
 
“It adds even greater uncertainty for all parties involved and further delays outcomes to the affected coal miners,” Mr Macfarlane said.  
 
“Industry is already taking pro-active steps to address dust levels on mine sites and we are working with unions and governments to ensure levels are kept below the regulated limits.
 
“Industry has also worked proactively to make sure that concerned retired workers, and workers who are no longer coal mining, are offered screening for the disease.
 
“Industry must have confidence in the medical assessments that our workers undergo. It is now clear that the advice the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM), industry and unions were receiving from many medical specialists, especially radiologists from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCAR) simply wasn’t good enough.
 
“There are examples of GPs in Rockhampton and Mackay diagnosing cases that the radiologists had missed. This is simply not good enough," he said.
 
“There must be a significant improvement in the standard of medical assessments that our coal workers are required to undergo. We want nothing less than the world’s best practice when it comes to the industry. It is vital the radiologists are highly skilled and using the best equipment that is available to make sure that we are getting every case at its earliest stages."
 
The committee’s first report is now not expected until late May and the date of the final report has been extended to September.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

  • Created on .

Council smart tech funding of up to $5million

LOCAL COUNCILS can apply for up to $5million in funding to support smart tech projects for their communities.

The Federal Government’s $50million Smart Cities and Suburbs Program was opened on Friday by Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor.

“I’m delighted to launch this exciting new program to support the rollout of technology and data solutions for local communities,” Assistant Minister Taylor said.

“This is not just for metropolitan areas, good ideas come from everywhere and we welcome applications from across Australia.”

The Federal Government is co-investing in innovative projects that apply smart technology, data-driven decision making and people-focused design.

“We’re looking for communities of all sizes and from all locations to put forward technology proposals that solve everyday urban or regional problems, and have the potential to be scaled up and delivered nationwide.”

A wide range of projects are expected to be developed such as app-based detection of infrastructure wear and tear, traffic sensors, smart street lighting, or computer generated programs that support local services.

Eligible organisations — local governments, private companies, not for profits and research organisations — can apply for grants of between $100,000 and $5million to fund up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.

Applications are open from 17 March until 30 June 2017.

The Smart Cities and Suburbs Program is supported by the Future Ready incubation series assisting councils to build smart cities know-how.

For more information and to download a copy of the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program guidelines, visit business.gov.au

ENDS

  • Created on .

Misguided activism toward Adani again misses the point

THE LATEST campaign by activists seeking to derail Adani’s proposed Queensland Carmichael Coal Project has again missed the point by using the signatories of dozens of successful, well-paid Australian identities to argue against a project that would significantly benefit the less fortunate.

The campaign, organised by millionaire businessman and serial activist Geoffrey Cousins, has seen a number of successful business people, musicians and former sportsmen and Greens Party senators, sign a letter to Gautam Adani claiming his company’s proposed project ‘does not have wide public support in Australia’.

“There are a number of well-known Australians among the signatories to this petition. No-one begrudges them their successes and any wealth that may have come as a result, but it must be remembered that the Adani project will provide enormous benefits to people and communities who are doing it much tougher,” AMMA chief executive, Steve Knott AM, said.

“During the construction phase, the Carmichael coal mine and railway will inject around $21 billion into the Queensland economy, provide around 10,000 jobs, countless opportunities for small and medium businesses along the supply chain and create a real buzz of economic activity in many rural communities.

“This potential comes in an environment where Australia’s unemployment has risen again to 5.9 per cent – another 6,400 people were made jobless in February alone - and underemployment is staggeringly high with 1.1 million Australians saying they do not have enough work.

“Disproportionate levels of young people who are unemployed or underemployed in Australia are leading to significant social issues such as crime, drug abuse and welfare dependence.

“In addition, the Carmichael Coal Project will help more than 300 million people living in India without electricity and still cooking with solid fuels like wood, animal dung and crop waste, which the World Health Organisation attributes to more than four million premature deaths each year.

“This project has been through years of delays, challenges and vexatious litigation by misinformed activist groups. It is subject to more than 200 strict environment conditions that will ensure no impact on the Great Barrier Reef, and has had bi-partisan support from Liberal and Labor state and federal governments.

“It is time to drop the misguided activism that fails to consider the facts around the Carmichael Coal Project and to support Adani in getting this significantly positive development off-the-ground.”

www.amma.org.au

ends

  • Created on .

Independent review of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

 

A YEAR ON from the creation of the office of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) by the Turnbull-Joyce Government, Small Business Minister Michael McCormack today announced its first independent review.

"The review will look at how effectively and efficiently the Ombudsman has undertaken the role of providing assistance and advocacy for Australian small businesses," Mr McCormack said.

"I am determined to see Australia's 2.1 million small businesses grow, invest and hire more people. Supporting small and family-owned businesses through advocacy and support is a central part of this plan, and a year on from the Ombudsman's creation, this process will help ensure that support is targeted in the right places."

Under the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Act 2015, the Minister for Small Business is required to instigate an independent review of the Ombudsman's assistance function at least every four years.

The Office of the Ombudsman began operation on 11 March 2016 and was established with advocacy and assistance functions, underpinned by statutory powers. The first review is required to be completed by no later than 30 June 2017.

The review team will be chaired by a lead reviewer, Ms Su McCluskey, assisted by a secretariat. Ms McCluskey's current roles include Chairperson of Energy Renaissance, a Director of Australian Unity and a Director of the Foundation for Young Australians, and she is a former CEO of the Regional Australia Institute. She is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration and is on the New South Wales Regulatory Policy Review Panel.

"Su was a member of the Harper Competition Review Panel and has extensive experience in small business policy, as well as being a small business person and a farmer herself," Mr McCormack said.

"I have worked with Su on many projects and goals – especially during her time at the Regional Australia Institute – and am confident her review will ensure support and advocacy for small businesses and family-owned enterprises will continue well into the future."

The review will consult with Government agencies, businesses and the community during a consultation period from 15 March to 12 April 2017. A short discussion paper will be released on the Treasury's website seeking public submissions.

Information about the review, its terms of reference and consultation process will be available from a dedicated webpage on the Treasury website.

Public submissions are invited for the review. The email address for lodging submissions is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ends

  • Created on .

IPA says venture capital to boost Australia's 'entrepreneurialism'

THE Federal Government should introduce a publicly supported venture capital (VC) fund to enhance the entrepreneurial environment in Australia, according to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

“We acknowledge that the Government through the National Innovation and Science Agenda is considering measures to increase the availability of VC funding in Australia,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“The VC fund could be established by either providing a significant proportion of funds to assist VC managers to attract other institutional investors to publicly supported VC funds or by becoming an institutional investor in a range of individual VC funds.

“This level of support by government to small business equity finance will improve the entrepreneurial environment in Australia and act as a catalyst in identifying and overcoming hurdles to successful and profitable investment.

“Many young firms face funding problems, particularly in uncertain technological or new knowledge environments because of their unattractiveness to bank lenders.

“It is a lost opportunity to the Australian economy when innovative firms with high commercial potential are constrained by the absence of external finance.

“Any government with a strong commitment to economic growth via research and development and investment which facilitates greater enterprise and innovation activity must ensure that early-stage venture capital finance remains available to high potential, young firms.

“Otherwise, we risk a reduction in new commercialisation opportunities stemming from national investments in science and technology,” said Mr Conway.

These recommendations form part of the IPA’s pre-Budget submission.  For more information go to: http://bit.ly/2jxoU7L

publicaccountants.org.au

ends

  • Created on .

More Articles ...

Contact Us

 

PO Box 2144
MANSFIELD QLD 4122