THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has recommended a modest increase to the minimum wage of no more than 1.2 percent in its submission to the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) Annual Wage Review.

The ARA’s position preserves the value of the minimum wage over recent years, where wages have outstripped selling prices in the retail industry for an extended period.

Russell Zimmerman, ARA Executive Director, said that the peak retail industry body strongly recommends FWC hand down a minimum wage increase that is realistic and reasonable.

“Any changes to the minimum wage must consider weak economic trading conditions, current and imminent wage bill increases for industries undergoing structural adjustment and underemployment levels,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We ask the FWC to consider high minimum wage increases over recent years as compensation that the economy, employment levels, and businesses can no longer afford.

“We recommend FWC adopts the 2015-2016 Annual Wage Review andawards an increase of no greater than 1.2 percent, which translates to a $7.90 per week increase to the national minimum wage and bringing it to $664.80 per week.”

In putting forward its recommendation, the ARA has worked with national business group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), in addition to the ARA’s retailer membership.

“The ARA supports ACCI’s position in outlining the economic risks and the state of the national economy capacity to pay within the sector.

“The Australian economy is facing a difficult period of transition in the near term, and our proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage seeks to minimise employment losses in a weak labour market,” 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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AUSTRALIA’S resource employers have thanked former West Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Marmion, for his "support for the industry and service to Western Australia during his three year tenure in this critical and often challenging portfolio."

Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) Executive Director Policy & Public Affairs, Scott Barklamb made the following statement:

"Minister Marmion has taken a highly considered, common sense approach to regulating one of Australia’s most important industries, and has been generous with his time and engagement at several AMMA industry events.

"Significantly, he leaves the mines and petroleum portfolio with Western Australia ranked as the world’s most attractive destination for mining investment (source: Fraser Institute, Annual Global Survey of Mining Companies 2015).

"We wish him well in his new role as Minister for State Development.

"AMMA and our members throughout Western Australia also welcome and congratulate Sean L'Estrange’s promotion to Cabinet as the new Minister for Mines and Petroleum. After serving on important parliamentary committees, Minister L'Estrange takes on a central portfolio for the West Australian economy and community.

"While the Premier has described today’s reshuffle as a commitment to diversifying the state’s economy, there is no question that the ongoing success and growth of the state’s resources sector remains critical to Western Australia’s economic, employment and community wellbeing.

"Iron ore remains Australia’s most important export and Western Australia is responsible for the vast majority of it. By 2020, Australia is also forecast to be the world’s largest exporter of LNG, driven in substantial part by major West Australian projects.

"Key priorities for Minister L'Estrange should be encouraging ongoing resources exploration and looking at new ways to ensure West Australian resource projects successfully transition from feasibility, into construction, and then production – delivering ongoing royalties and jobs for the state for decades to come.

"With suppressed commodity prices and other economic challenges, all eyes will be on lifting productivity, cutting red tape and supporting innovation and agility within Western Australia’s resources marketplace.

"AMMA looks forward to working with Minister L’Estrange in tackling these issues."

www.amma.org.au

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FOR the first time the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) will hold itsNational Conference and Exhibition: ACE 2016 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra from May 24–25.

The association and not-for-profit sector in Australia is a large and diverse group and ACE 2016 aims to provide a platform for hundreds of professionals to come together to gain industry insight, network and connect and learn from high-profile speakers.

ACE 2016 will address a wide range of highly relevant topics including membership, governance, leadership, advocacy, revenue streams, event management, culture, innovation, future trends, engagement and content marketing.

Conference Details:

WHAT: AuSAE Conference and Exhibition

WHERE: National Convention Centre Canberra, 31 Constitution avenue,  ACT 2601

WHEN: 24-25 May 2016

PRICE: AuSAE Member $1,015 Non-Member $1,365

HASHTAG: #ACEACT16

REGISTER: www.ausae.org.au/ace

Speaking at the conference will be influential keynote speakers:

Holly Ransom, CEO of Emergent Solutions, a company specialising in the development of workforces, leadership and social outcomes. Holly holds a Law degree and BA (Economics) and in 2012, was the youngest person to be named in Australia’s ‘100 Most Influential Women’.

Steve Vamos has more than 30 years’ experience in the information technology and online media industry. Steve presently serves as a non-executive director for Telstra and Fletcher Building Limited, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Technology Sydney Business School.

Wendy McCarthy has held many significant national and international leadership roles such as, Deputy Chair ABC, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Global chair for Plan International, Non-Executive of IMF Bentham, and was inducted into the Women’s Agenda Hall of Fame in 2013.

Registrations are now open, or more information visit: www.ausae.org.au/ace 

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THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s recent submission to the Federal Government’s Quality of Assessment in Vocational Education and Training (VET) consultation calls for reforms to the national VET system to drive economic growth and create jobs.

“Restoring Australia’s reputation as a quality provider of VET programs is a priority,” said Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“It is crucial to improving workforce skills, lifting productivity and helping to address the recent fall in apprenticeship and traineeship numbers.”

The Victorian Chamber’s submission focuses on measures to reduce the complexity of the VET sector and boost quality standards across the training system.

“Feedback from our members shows that more must be done to ensure student, industry and employer demands are front and centre of the VET system.”

Mr Stone said differences in operating models in various states and territories increased complexity for employers operating across state borders.

“There is a clear need for greater national consistency in course funding, qualification assessment, qualification content and contact hours.”

Mr Stone said practical reforms were needed to lift the quality of training right across the system.

“Businesses need assurance that employees are equipped with the right skills to do their job and need to be able to trust in the quality of training that the VET system provides,” said Mr Stone.

“While many training providers are working hard to deliver high quality training that meets the needs of the labour market, all too often we see instances of providers engaging in inappropriate conduct.”

The Victorian Chamber’s submission supports changes to the regulatory framework that improve the capacity of the Australian Skills Quality Authority to monitor and enforce standards of conduct and assessment.

These include the re-testing of graduates where there have been a high number of complaints, a stronger role for employers in the validation of assessment and better targeting of high risk providers.

“Reforms in these areas will help make the system more responsive to individual and business needs,” said Mr Stone.

“Governments at all levels must commit to overcoming the currently disjointed VET models and their inconsistent and unreliable funding.”

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

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