THE NEW Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, has today announced the completion of the review of opportunities to improve Australian industry involvement in Army’s Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability, LAND 400 Phase 2.

“I am pleased the review undertaken by Deloitte Australia found clear alignment between the LAND 400 Phase 2 tender evaluation process and the policy direction and priorities of the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement,” Mr Pyne said.

“The Turnbull Government is committed to maximising Australian industry involvement during the next stage of the evaluation process and Defence will continue to work collaboratively with companies as part of a broader Australian industry program.”

Defence will facilitate workshops around Australia where local industry can showcase their capabilities to the international manufacturers that are leading the bids for the LAND 400 Phase 2 tender.

These activities will result in the development of costed options for differing levels of Australian industry participation in the acquisition and support of LAND 400 Phase 2, including:

• an option that includes Australian-made components;
• an assembled in Australia option; and
• an option for a higher level of Australian manufacturing.

All options will be required to include through-life support in Australia.

The review also identified a range of broader initiatives that Defence could consider applying in other projects and more widely in Australian Defence industry environment to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Defence-industry partnership.

The Executive Summary of the public release version of the Deloitte review is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/EquippingDefence/Land400 with the full public version being available during the first week in August.

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JUDGING of the 2016 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards is underway, with a list of finalists, runners up, and winners to be decided by judges ahead of the August 10 Awards presentation breakfast in Melbourne.

A record number of entries were received by the ARA this year, reflecting the strong culture of innovation, success, and hard work by Australian retailers.

A shortlist for each of the nine categories has been created, with the ARA judging panel, consisting of retail veteran, Peter Wilkinson; NORA CEO, Paul Greenberg; and eftpos’ Warwick Ponder, to decide on the final outcome for each Award.

Russell Zimmerman, ARA Executive Director, said the calibre of entries this year had once again outdone that of previous years, with the Awards growing in size and strength with each event.

“The field of entrants for our 2016 Awards has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“The ARA has been hosting these annual Awards since the 1970s, and each year I remain impressed by the growth, development and operational success of retailers in Australia.

“This year’s Awards Breakfast is not to be missed, judging from the talent and skill of our entries, as well as the high quality of our key note speakers and networking opportunities,” he said.

In addition to the winners and runners up presentations, the 2016 Awards breakfast will feature two special guest speakers who have enjoyed their own success in Australian retail. Jeff Allis, Co-Founder of Boost Juice, and Daniel Flynn, Founder of social enterprise company, Thank You, and maker of Thank you branded water, food and bodycare products, will entertain guests and impart some words of wisdom to others looking to emulate their achievements.

“Jeff and Daniel have a high level of experience in the Australian retail industry, and the knowledge and insights they will impart are invaluable,” Mr Zimmerman said.

The eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the retail industry’s longest running recognition of success, and this year will take place in front of 500 guests at a prestigious breakfast event at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne on August 10. Tickets to the 2016 Awards Breakfast, can be purchased at http://retail.org.au/2016-retail-awards/

2016 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards categories include eftpos Retailer of the Year, Shop For Shops Store Fitout of the Year, Temando Multichannel Retailer of the Year, Frontline Recruitment Retail Employer of the Year, Rest Industry Super Retail Employee of the Year, FCB Retail HR Rising Star of the Year, Pronto Software Retail Innovator of the Year, ARA Retail Institute Retail Graduate of the Year, and ARA Independent Retailer of the Year.

2016 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast

When: Thursday 2 July 2015, 7am to 9:45am
Where: Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins St, Melbourne

Tickets & pricing: http://retail.org.au/2016-retail-awards/

ARA members $60/guests $80
ARA members table of 10 $550/guest table of 10 $750.

About the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards

First held in the 1970s, the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail event, recognising and rewarding outstanding retail businesses, innovations, and individuals across all sectors of retail.

Relaunched in 2008, the Awards culminate in the annual 2016 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt on August 10.
In 2016 there are nine Awards categories, judged by an experienced and distinguished panel of impartial fellow retailers, the 2016 awards event encompasses nine categories including, eftpos Retailer of the Year, Shop For Shops Store Fitout of the Year, Temando Multichannel Retailer of the Year, Frontline Recruitment Retail Employer of the Year, Rest Industry Super Retail Employee of the Year, FCB Retail HR Rising Star of the Year, Pronto Software Retail Innovator of the Year, ARA Retail Institute Retail Graduate of the Year, ARA Independent Retailer of the Year.

To enter the Awards or purchase tickets to the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast event, visit http://retail.org.au/2016-retail-awards/

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $293 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 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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FIGURES from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that the annual level of inflation in Australia has fallen to just one percent, however, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) says the latest quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures bring even worse news retailers for food, drinks and apparel.

CPI for food and non-alcoholic beverage dropped to -0.1 percent for the quarter to June 2016, year on year, while clothing and footwear has fallen even further to -0.2.

Russell Zimmerman, ARA Executive Director, said that while there had been an uptick in quarter on quarter CPI for clothing and footwear of two percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages continued its pattern of deflation, falling 0.4 percent on the first quarter of 2016.

“With inflation running well below trend there has been evidence for some time that deflation has been occurring, particularly in the grocery sector,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With grocery making up close to 50 percent of total retail and indications of stronger competition from international players within other retail segments, we are seeing volumes increase while prices fall.

“While this is a win, for the consumer, Governments at all levels must be conscious of cost pressure on the retail sector and the need to support a more productive retail environment to support the sector’s good health,” he said.

Alcohol and tobacco products showed one of the strongest year on year results of all categories, growing 5.9 percent year on year, while Furnishings, household equipment and services rose by 1.6 percent annually.

“Excise increases are clearly driving alcohol and tobacco prices, despite downward pressure on the real cost of the products,” Said Mr Zimmerman.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $293 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 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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QUEENSLAND businesses are being encouraged to reap the social and financial rewards of embracing diversity in the workplace at the inaugural Queensland Multicultural Month Business Lunch next Friday (August 5).

Sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, the lunch is hosted by the Queensland Minister for Multicultural Affairs Grace Grace and will feature an address by Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman Peter Beattie. Mr Beattie will share his insights on upcoming Commonwealth Games business opportunities and how the event’s culturally diverse workforce will ensure its success.

Latest figures show more than 20% of Queensland’s population was born outside of Australia, creating a diverse and growing potential customer base and workforce for local businesses to target.

Minister Grace said it was time to acknowledge the economic contribution migration and multiculturalism had made to the state.

“The growth and prosperity of our state always has and always will depend on our ability to harness skilled and talented workers from across Queensland, the nation and the world,” she said.

“The positive economic impacts of migration flows through every part of our economy – to population growth, labour participation and employment, skills and productivity.

“As it is Queensland Multicultural Month, it’s an opportune time to recognise the business leaders, entrepreneurs and all industrious Queenslanders who are working hard to make our state great, regardless of where they or their families originally came from.”

What:              Queensland Multicultural Month Business Lunch

Who:               Minister for Multicultural Affairs Grace Grace

                        Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chairman Peter Beattie

When:             11.45am for midday start, Friday 5 August 2016

Where:            Pullman Brisbane, King George Square, Brisbane

Tickets:            $30 per person plus GST and booking fee (includes two-course lunch)

Book online at www.qld.gov.au/multiculturalmonth

Queensland Multicultural Month is the state’s largest celebration of our unique diversity and its benefits. From Brisbane to Barcaldine, people will be coming together to perform, share, taste, listen, learn and acknowledge that while we may come from different cultures, we all love living in Queensland. Key themes this year include the Value of Diversity, Arts and Culture, Elders and Storytelling.