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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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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THE 7^th Annual Australian Microcap Investment Conference starts in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 18.

Corporate advisory firm D H Flinders Pty Limited is presenting the 7^th Annual Australian Microcap Investment Conference over two days, October 18-19 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins in the ‘Arthur Streeton Auditorium’.

The conference is billed as Australia’s largest and most comprehensive emerging company investment event, showcasing the services, products, strategies and people driving today’s growth companies. The event will provide investors with an opportunity to hear firsthand from the CEOs of 25 of Australia’s leading and dynamic microcap companies, from a varied range of sectors, as they showcase their companies, strategies and people.

Microcap companies provide access to many niche industry sectors, as well as emerging technologies and business areas that are sometimes overlooked by larger companies.

Microcap success stories that have previously presented at the conference include Blue Sky Alternative Investments (current market cap of $524million), TFS Corporation ($609m), Vita Group ($738m) and Vocus Communications ($4.7 billion).

At last year’s conference there were 24 listed companies present. Seven of the companies that presented at last year’s conference achieved returns of over 40 percent in the year to September 30, 2016.

These companies include Australian Ethical Investments (49%), Centrepoint Alliance (50%), Blue Sky Alternative Investments (54%), Dubber (90%), YPB Group (118%), HUB24 (132%) and CML Group (159%).

The event will also welcome back Leaf Resources and Quickstep for the fourth year, IDT Australia and Melbourne IT for a third year and Australian Ethical Investments, CV Check, Gage Road Brewing, Hub24, Dyesol, Genetic Signatures, Greenearth Energy, , Micro-X and PS&C for a second year.

The companies presenting at this year’s conference include financial services groups (Australian EthicalInvestments,APN Property, HUB24 and Money); a drone technology business (DroneShield), a brewer (Gage Roads Brewing), an entrepreneur education provider iBosses, a manufacturer of carbon fibre composites for the aerospace industry (Quickstep Holdings) and a broad range of clean tech, technology and biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare equipment companies.

D H Flinders has partnered with The City of Melbourne, Thomson Reuters, investor relations firm Bourse Communications, and marketing communications group Motivo,to present the conference in conjunction with association partners the Association of Financial Advisers, Stockbrokers Association of Australiaand the UNSW Business School.

The Australian Microcap Investment Conference aims to act as a conduit and facilitate the sometimes challenging communication process between a company and its stakeholders, which may include shareholders, stockbrokers, fund managers, analysts, institutions, private investors and the business media.

Commenting on Australia’s largest microcap event, Craig Dunstan, Executive Director of D H Flinders said: “We are delighted to have secured 25 outstanding ASX listed companies to present as well as key note presentations from Dean Fergie of Cyan Investment Management and Alan Kohler  from The Constant Investor.

“This year we have over 400 professional investors, stockbrokers and financial advisers registered to attend. The microcap sector is generating greater interest each year as investors realise the gains to be made by investing in smaller companies.”

The microcap universe comprises more than 1700 companies with a market capitalisation of under $300m presenting many opportunities for investors.

Australia’s leading group of emerging ASX listed companies to showcase at this year’s Conference are:

Capital Goods

• Quickstep Holdings Limited (QHL) David Marino, Managing Director

Commercial Services & Supplies

• Collection House Limited (CLH) Anthony Rivas, Chief Executive Officer
• iBosses Corporation Limited (IB8) Dr Patrick Khor, Group Chief Executive Officer
• PS&C Limited (PSZ) Robert McAdam, General Manager

Diversified Financials

• APN Property Group Limited (APD) Tim Slattery, Executive Director
• Australian Ethical Investment Limited (AEF) Phillip Vernon, Managing Director
• Hub24 Limited (HUB) Andrew Alcock, Managing Director
• Money3 Corporation Limited (MNY) Scott Baldwin, Managing Director

Clean Energy

•  Dyesol Limited (DYE) Richard Caldwell, Managing Director
• Greenearth Energy Limited (GER) Samuel Marks, Managing Director
• Leaf Resources Ltd (LER) Ken Richards, Managing Director

Food and Beverages

• China Dairy Corporation Limited (CDC) Andrew Stoner, Deputy Chairman
• Gage Roads Brewing Co Limited (GRB) Marcel Brandenburg, Chief Financial Officer

Healthcare Equipment & Services

• Cyclopharm Limited (CYC) James McBrayer, Managing Director
  • Micro-X Limited (MX1) Peter Rowland, Managing Director

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

• AdAlta Limited (1AD) Samantha Cobb, Managing Director
• Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited (BOT) Matt Callahan, Executive Director
• Genetic Signatures Limited (GSS) Dr John Melki, Chief Executive Officer
• IDT Australia Limited (IDT) Dr Paul MacLeman, Managing Director
•  Race Oncology Limited (RAC) Peter Molloy, Chief Executive Officer

Software & Services

• CV Check Limited (CV1) Rod Sherwood, Director
• Melbourne IT Limited (MLB) Martin Mercer, Chief Executive Officer
• Search Party Limited (SP1) Ben Hutt, Chief Executive Officer

Technology, Hardware & Equipment

• DroneShield Limited (DRO) James Walker, Managing Director
• Smart Parking Limited (SPZ) Paul Gillespie, Managing Director

www.microcapconferences.com.au

www.dhflinders.com

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DETAILS of trade and copyright in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be examined by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties at a hearing in Canberra on Monday.

Committee Chair, Stuart Robert MP, says the Committee will hear about a range of issues, reflecting the broad scope of the TPP.

“The TPP should create a level playing field for trade and investment across the Asia Pacific, including major Australian trading partners like the United States, Japan and Singapore,” Mr Robert says.

“The diversity of witnesses appearing on Monday speaks to the TPP’s range of potential benefits.  The Committee will hear from experts in Intellectual Property, copyright, and the information technology industry. 

“In addition, the Committee will talk to the peak bodies of the mining industry, trade unions, food and grocery producers, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, grain growers, and legal professionals.

“This will be the Committee’s penultimate hearing into the TPP, with a final hearing involving Government witnesses to be held on 7 November.”

During the hearing, the Committee will also be taking evidence from trade unions on the Paris Agreement.

Mr Robert says people interested in the Committee’s inquiries can visit the Treaties Committee’s website for further information.

Public Hearing: Monday 17 October 2016, Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

8:15am: Australian Council of Trade Unions, Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

9:00am: Associate Professor Kimberlee Weatherall

9:30am: Copyright Advisory Group, COAG Education Council

10:00am: Minerals Council of Australia

10:30am: Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

11:00am: Australian Council of Trade Unions

11:30am: Food and Grocery Council

12:00pm: Law Council of Australia

12:30pm: GrainGrowers

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

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

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