AUSTRALIA has overnight been approved as a member of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), a co‑operative international endeavour, joining 12 other nations and the European Union to work together on long‑term research on advanced nuclear technologies.

The Forum develops Generation IV technology and addresses not only the construction and operation of the next generation of nuclear power reactors, but also considers fuel efficiency, reducing waste production, and meeting stringent standards of safety and proliferation resistance.

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said Australia’s success in gaining membership is based on the landmark research infrastructure and world-class research capabilities and expertise at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to contribute to the GIF’s goals.

“Australia’s invitation to join this important global project marks an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of global innovation in the nuclear industry,” Mr Pyne said.

“Inclusion in the GIF further strengthens Australia’s position as a nation that has the research muscle to deliver innovations on the global stage.

“It reinforces the Government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda, encouraging our best and brightest researchers to collaborate with international experts.

“ANSTO has particular research expertise in materials used in high-temperature and highly radioactive environments and in radioactive waste forms, through the development of Synroc, a modern solution for safely immobilising radioactive waste.”

GIF research is focused on six reactor designs that will deliver safe, secure, sustainable, competitive and versatile nuclear technology.

GIF expects that some of these reactor designs could be demonstrated and commercially rolled out in around 2030-2040, and current members are already developing and constructing prototype technologies.

“Australia’s membership of GIF is an affirmation of our international credentials in high-tech science and innovation,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop said.

“Australia has firm non-proliferation goals and nuclear safety objectives, and contributing to the global conversation on this level is an opportunity to assist in the research that is making nuclear technologies safer around the world in the long term.

“Australia will also be helping our neighbours and partners to more efficiently secure energy resources for the future, using even safer and more sustainable technology, which is in everyone’s interests.”

“A long term commitment to international research will further cement Australia’s position as a global energy technology leader.”

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Josh Frydenberg said that Australia’s membership will help further our expertise in nuclear science and research.

“Australia has significant expertise and established infrastructure to contribute to this important forum. In addition, we have the world’s largest known uranium reserves which are being used to fuel energy production in a number of countries,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“This forum will help develop the technologies that will be integral to the future of the international nuclear industry.”

www.industry.gov.au

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RETAIL stores are preparing for an influx of shoppers over the next week, as Aussies hunt for the perfect gift to give to mum this Mother’s Day, May 8, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).

The ARA estimates Australians will spend around $2 billion in celebration of Mother’s Day this year. Of this, flowers will account for $200 million, while dining out will account for the lion’s share at more than $300 million.

Russell Zimmerman, ARA Executive Director, said Mother’s Day is one of Australia’s biggest spending occasions, second only to Christmas.

“Mother’s Day has always been a big gift giving opportunity, with most Aussies touched by the day in some way, whether it be their own mother, the mother of their children, or grandmother,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“As a result, some retail categories are likely to see a much-needed lift in sales as mums around Australia are spoiled by their families.”

Categories expected to pick up extra sales in the lead up to Mother’s Day include florists, jewellery, newsagents (cards and wrapping), fashion stores, gift cards, experiences such as massages and spas, chocolates and confectionery, as well as restaurants and cafes.

“Mother’s Day lunches are hugely popular in Australia, with restaurants and cafes often booked out well in advance, while celebrating with the traditional Sunday roast at home will also lead to an increase in grocery purchases associated with home entertaining,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“With an election looming and consumer confidence traditionally declining in the lead up to elections, retailers will be using Mother’s Day as an opportunity to increase sales by offering tailored gifts, packages, or products that may have appeal to mums.”

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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THE NATION's most innovative start-ups will showcase their ground-breaking ideas next week at CeBIT Australia, the Asia Pacific’s premier business technology event at Sydney Olympic Park, May 2-4, through a start-up exhibition zone, dedicated conference and annual PitchFest.

Start-ups are estimated to deliver $109 billion to the Australian economy and create over half a million jobs by 2033. NSW is home to two-thirds of Australia’s technology start-up companies and has the largest expenditure on research and development of any Australian State. 

CeBIT Australia with its official partner, the NSW Government, has created a one of a kind innovation hub on the exhibition floor – The StartUp Zone. Entrepreneurs will showcase their innovations, share knowledge and connect with investors, venture capitalists and former start-ups that have transitioned into multi-million dollar, multinational companies.

The dedicated StartUp Conference will by emceed by Brad Rosser, Founder, TiE Board and Charter Member, BSF Group, and will delve into a world of insights from leading individuals.

Keynote presentations will include Bill Ferris, AC – Australia’s first venture capitalist and Chair of the Innovation and Science Australia Board, Australian Government; The Hon. John Barilaro MP, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Skills, Minister for Small Business, NSW Government; Karen Borg, CEO, Jobs for NSW; Anne-Marie Birkill, Partner and Executive Director, OneVentures; Jules Lund, Founder / TV & Radio Host, Tribe; and Gen George, Founder and Managing Director, OneShift.

Harvey Stockbridge, Managing Director, Hannover Fairs recognises the potential of connecting entrepreneurial minds within the fast-paced ICT community.

“The success of today’s start-ups are core to the strength of Australia’s economy tomorrow. CeBIT Australia provides a platform for business tech-preneurs to launch their ideas to the world.

“Australian start-ups including Airly, TouchOne, Knokal and SafeT Email will share their exciting innovations, giving them to a platform to share, source funding and learn from experienced entrepreneurs,” said Mr Stockbridge.

PitchFest is back in 2016, enabling start-up exhibitors the chance to pitch their business ideas to esteemed judges Steve Baxter, Founder, River City Labs and Shark on Shark Tank Australia and Karen Borg, CEO, Jobs for NSW.

Finalists battling it out to win PitchFest include 3DBrink which designs and manufactures Delta robot 3D printers; Blrt an app to get your point across quickly by talking, pointing and drawing over images, websites and documents; Health Care Innovate a fully, mobile, secure collaboration platform for health professionals; NetHealth-Data the next generation in tele-monitoring in the eHealth space; Open Orbit a diagnostic platform for business process optimisation; Operations Intelligence which delivers Industrial Process Control Solutions and Machine Learning using industrial IoT Platform and Artificial Intelligence; Propeller Aerobotics which unlocks the power of the drone; Shippit, the web’s simplest shipping platform; The Smart Form Guide which introduces the gambling software race.lotto; VR Panos which specializes in the production of beautiful, fully customised, one piece 3D cardboard goggles; and Xigrom introducing teleporting apps.

“CeBIT is proud to have launched successful start-up exhibitors over the past few years, who have gone on to find global success, including Ingogo and Mathspace. We look forward to another competitive PitchFest,” added Mr Stockbridge.

The StartUp Conference and PitchFest on Wednesday, 4 May 2016 are open to CeBIT exhibition pass holders.

Register via http://www.cebit.com.au/register/

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AUSTRALIA’S resource employers welcome the Fair Work Commission (FWC) today clarifying that fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers should not receive extra pay for a period of rest and relaxation (R&R) which coincides with their notice period when they are demobilised from a job.

“A Full Bench of the FWC has today upheld the longstanding practice in the resource industry whereby employers can give employees notice of demobilisation that runs concurrently with a period of R&R,” explains AMMA legal director Amanda Mansini.
 
“Resource employers welcome the FWC confirming on appeal that R&R is akin to weekends and is not a special kind of leave. The erroneous implication of the original decision was that employees should be paid-out for their R&R time if it falls within notice of their demobilisation.”
 
AMMA intervened to support the appeal of Kentz Australia, which is performing major construction works on one of Australia’s most significant resource sector projects, the Ichthys LNG Project in Darwin.
 
The involvement of Australia’s national peak representative was critical given wider concerns that the original decision could have exposed other resources projects using this longstanding practice to multi-million dollar back-pay claims.
 
“The resource industry intervened based on widespread and ongoing concerns about the barrage of union claims being made for back pay based on the decision at first instance,” Ms Mansini continues.
 
“Any argument that R&R is an entitlement that must be paid-out is fundamentally flawed. It fails to take into account the unique work practices of large-scale remote resource projects and long standing practices when project work comes to an end.
 
“The union line being argued here is like expecting to be paid-out for the weekend when your job finishes on a Friday afternoon.
 
“That logic wouldn’t wash with employees working a standard Monday-Friday job, and thankfully it hasn’t washed with the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission.”

www.amma.org.au

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