AUSTRALIAN companies now have an innovative way to get involved in the multi-billion dollar LAND 400 Phase 2 armoured vehicle program.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, announced a new Australian Industry Opportunity Roadmap which helps Australian companies cash in on the work available.

“Australian industry involvement is at the centre of the Government’s plans for the project,” Minister Pyne said.

“Projects like LAND 400 give us the opportunity to modernise our defence capability while keeping jobs in Australia and boosting domestic manufacturing.

"We want to encourage Australian industry participation – particularly in assembly, systems design, integration, testing and evaluation, and support of the capability."

“This is the chance for Australian defence employers and suppliers to get their slice of a very big pie,” he said.

The Opportunity Roadmap was developed by the two shortlisted tenderers, BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall.

It lists opportunities for Australian industry to become involved in the acquisition and support for the project.

“This roadmap was one of the significant recommendations arising from the Deloitte Review of Australian Industry Opportunities for LAND 400 that was announced by the Turnbull Government,” Minister Pyne said.

“Both companies will participate in a series of industry showcase workshops before the end of the year, once responses to the Roadmap have been received.”

LAND 400 Phase 2 involves the purchase of 225 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Army, replacing the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

“BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall have been contracted to participate in the next stage of tender evaluation, involving extensive testing of supplied vehicles, before a final selection is made.

“I urge all Australian companies with services or capabilities sought on the Opportunity Roadmap to register for the Australian Industry Showcase Workshops now, as the closing date for registrations is Friday, 21 October 2016,” Minister Pyne said.

The Australian Industry Capability Opportunity Roadmap has now been published on Defence’s LAND 400 website.

http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/Multimedia/roadmap-9-7762.pdf

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THE Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, has recommenced its inquiry into transport connectivity, with a public hearing to be held in Canberra tonight (October 18). CSIRO and RMIT will address the Committee.

Committee Chair, John Alexander MP, says enhanced transport connectivity is key to the economic and social development of our cities and regions.

“Greater transport connectivity will transform our cities and regions, making them economically more efficient and socially more connected,” Mr Alexander says.

“It will also raise the value of property along transport corridors and around transport nodes. Capturing the value of this increase will allow us to pay for enhanced connectivity, especially transformational projects like High Speed Rail.”

RMIT, in conjunction with CSIRO and others, is conducting research into how patterns of settlement may be changed by the development of transformational infrastructure like high speed rail, and what impact value capture may have on this development. This research has included a series of ‘Design Studios’ to test an Australian idea of urban density; and explore how a new inland city of 250,000-400,000 inhabitants might be planned.

Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website. The Committee is expected to report by the end of the year.

Public Hearing: 5pm Tuesday 18 October 2016, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

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

Further information about the inquiry can be accessed via the Committee’s website. 

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QUEENSLAND’s first Chief Entrepreneur will officially open a startup incubation space to nurture the next generation of business leaders at QUT on Friday, October 21.

The QUT Foundry, a co-working and mentoring space at QUT’s Gardens Point campus, will be launched by Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby at 9am.

mr Sowerby is one of the state’s most successful entrepreneurs and best known as the founder and former Managing Director of Blue Sky Alternative Investments Ltd, an ASX-listed diversified funds manager focussed on alternative assets. 

As the inaugural Chief Entrepreneur, Mr Sowerby helps set Queensland’s strategy to identify, attract and nurture opportunities to best position Queensland as the Startup State.

The QUT Foundry, powered by QUT’s innovation, venture and investment company qutbluebox, is a space for QUT student entrepreneurs, staff and alumni to devise and develop ideas. As well as mentoring opportunities, QUT Foundry startups will have access to regular events and advice from industry experts.  

WHAT: Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby to open startup space at QUT
WHEN: 9am, Friday, October 21
WHERE: P Block, QUT Gardens Point campus

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SMALL BUSINESS owners across Australia are being invited to join a national conversation on a proposal to develop a ‘loaded rates’ schedule that provides higher hourly rates of pay for employees in lieu of penalty rates within the retail and fast-food awards.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell has launched a small business consultation period to encourage debate on the idea.

Ms Carnell acknowledged that while the proposal, put forward recently by Fair Work Commission president Iain Ross, will be explored formally next year, it’s a concept worthy of ongoing and sensible discussion.

“Few can argue that there’s certainly a need for greater hiring flexibility for small business owners particularly when it comes to weekend staffing,” Ms Carnell said.

“By raising the idea of increasing hourly rates in lieu of penalty rates, Iain Ross has started an important conversation and it’s one I want small business people to be a part of. 

“On face value, this idea certainly has merit; obviously the details will matter, but we need to remove the complexity in the system and create flexibility for employers to structure their business in a way that maximises its potential, and this idea has the capacity to do just that.

“As a small business advocate, it’s my job to listen to what small business owners are thinking about any given issue, and to create a means of allowing them to have their voice heard. This issue is close to the hearts of most – if not all small businesses – and I’m sure each and every one of them has an opinion on this,” she said.

Ms Carnell said the ASBFEO is now taking feedback from small business on the ASBFEO website.

“Basically I’m interested to hear from small businesses about their views on things such as will the measure allow them to operate longer hours on weekends; will it allow them to take on more workers; do they think their employees will embrace the idea; what are other alternatives in their view; should it be limited to the retail and fast-food sectors or should it be across the board; has it worked in the hospitality sector; that sort of thing,” Ms Carnell said.

“Over the coming weeks and months I’ll gather this feedback – which can be provided anonymously if preferred – and present it to the Fair Work Commission to better inform the anticipated discussions on the issue, ensuring the voice of small business is heard in this debate.

“I welcome the opportunity to have a sensible discussion about this issue; we need to find common ground on this and reach a position that works for both employers and their workers, ensuring our small businesses don’t simply survive, but thrive,” she said.

To join the conversation visit www.asbfeo.gov.au/consultation

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