THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone met with the Treasurer of Victoria, Tim Pallas, yesterday to put forward  seven key proposals for the 2016-17 State Budget.

“The Treasurer and I had a productive meeting to talk in detail about each of our seven recommendations and the benefit they would bring to Victorian business and the broader community,” said Mr Stone.

“I commend the Treasurer on his willingness to engage with us on our priorities for a pro-business budget that will address the many major challenges facing Victoria. Our recommendations will reduce business costs, deliver infrastructure improvements, build workforce skills and boost international engagement to strengthen Victorian competitiveness through 2016 and beyond.”

The Victorian Chamber will continue to advocate the priorities for Victorian business in the lead up to the release of the budget on 3 May 2016.

Visit the Victorian Chamber website for further details of our budget submission. 

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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THERE is no justification in prematurely shutting down sand mining on Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island before a thorough economic transition plan has had enough time to offset the impacts on jobs, the economy and the local community, peak resources body AMMA has told a Queensland Government inquiry today.

The Queensland Government is holding an inquiry into its plans to shut down Sibelco’s sand mining on North Stradbroke by 2019, well before the employer’s proposed end date of 2027 that fell well within the previous state government’s proposed deadline of 2035.
 
AMMA argues that with the size and history of North Stradbroke Island, there is no reason why tourism can’t be ramped up over a longer, more sustainable transition period.
 
“North Stradbroke Island has a diversified economy where tourism and sand mining have effectively co-existed for more than 65 years,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.
 
“The Queensland Government’s plan to reshape the island’s economy to one that relies primarily on tourism within a three-year timeframe and with just $20 million, is unrealistic at best and irresponsible at worst.
 
“Even if the government could attract significant private sector investment into new tourism infrastructure within this tight timeframe, there is no guarantee that visitation would increase dramatically enough to offset  the early shutdown of North Stradbroke’s major industrial sector.
 
“Expanded and higher spending North Stradbroke tourism is far from a sure bet, but what is certain is that forcing Sibelco off the island eight years early would cost at least $70 million and put hundreds of people out of work.”
 
In its detailed submission to the inquiry, AMMA also criticises the notion that long-serving sand mining employees would be able to take up new, yet-to-be created jobs in tourism on the island.
 
“Many of the theorised new tourism jobs are not going to easily translate into new opportunities for former sand mining employees. A chef or hotel manager, for instance, is unlikely to be recruited from Sibelco’s pool of experienced mining workers,” Mr Barklamb continues.
 
“It would appear the state government’s plan is for former mining employees to transition from full-time employment, many earning six figures, to seasonal or casual jobs like waiting tables.
 
“A highly truncated and premature closure date would harm the economy and community of North Stradbroke Island considerably, perhaps irreparably.”
 
AMMA urges the Queensland Government to engage further with industry, government, Indigenous groups and other community representative bodies to map out an agreed, sustainable transition for North Stradbroke’s economy to adjust.
 
“This would reduce reliance on an unrealistic immediate boost in the tourism sector and rather create a sensible, sustainable transition to the island’s long-term future without sand mining,” Mr Barklamb concludes.

AMMA (Australian Mines and Metals Association) is the peak employer group representing the national resource industry.

www.amma.org.au

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THE International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has congratulated the 2016 honourees of the Oslo Business for Peace Award which were announced today in a ceremony held to coincide with International Women’s Day.

John Danilovich, ICC Secretary General said: "The Oslo Business for Peace Award is a vital recognition of global business leaders who unlock the positive power of business for the benefit of peace and prosperity.

"By accelerating the development of ethical business practices, this year's honourees clearly show how responsible business conduct can play a central role in improving the state of the world and facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," he added.

By accelerating the development of ethical business practices, this year's honourees clearly show how responsible business conduct can play a central role in improving the state of the world and facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2016 Honourees are:

• Sarah Beydoun, who has built an international accessories business built on unique bags handmade in cooperation with prisoners and ex-prisoners in battle-scarred Lebanon;
• Dr Jennifer Nkuene Riria from Nairobi, who runs a micro-finance company that has made a significant effort to empower low-income women and their families in Kenya;
• Tore Lærdal, who through his company, Laerdal Medical, has manufactured modern resuscitation services and solutions that have helped save hundreds of thousands of lives.

During a high-level event held today, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark highlighted the role of female business leaders in driving positive societal change as she announced this year's Business for Peace Honourees.

"This year's winners are exceptional role models who exemplify how ethical and responsible business action can drive positive societal change", said Clark in the press conference taking place at the Oslo City Hall.

The Award Ceremony will take place in Oslo City Hall on May 3 as part of the annual Business for Peace Summit. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will attend this year's event.

Past Business for Peace awardees include Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Group and Ouided Bouchamaoui, Nobel Prize winner and ICC Tunisia Honorary Chairman.

Learn more about the Oslo Business for Peace Award.

 

Follow Oslo Business for Peace on Twitter @Businessworthy and #BfP.

 

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NOMINATIONS for the iAwards, Australia’s premier awards programme for innovation in the digital economy will close on March 31, 2016.

These awards recognise the best innovations and innovative projects from start-ups, mid-sized companies, students, government, corporate, research and academia.

The awards honour individuals and institutions that innovate to make a difference to society through solving a simple or complex solution.

Now in its 23^rd year, the iAwards will offer over $75,000* in prize money across 11 categories.

Valuable business services and mentoring will also be made available to finalists as part of a renewed focus to support Australian innovation.

According to Rob Fitzpatrick, CEO, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the AIIA has focused on building a strong network of business mentors this year to support the finalists throughout the process.

“Australia is full of people who are brimming with great ideas, and who are able to reach out to those who’ve gone before them and are now willing to provide support and guidance to our nominees.

"Mentors contribute world-class experience across a whole range of business practices. AIIA is delighted this year to help our entrants benefit from the commercial and business experience of our mentors and to provide them with knowledge that will continue to support them as their ideas and businesses grow.”

The iAwards provide a great opportunity for smart and innovative Australian companies and individuals to compete on the basis of great ideas across a diverse pool of competitors.

“The iAwards opens up new horizons for emerging Australian innovations. This is the only awards programme that enables entrants to compete across all industry sectors based on the strength of their innovative idea. It’s rare to see a student innovation compete with a government or a large corporate innovation, and this is what makes the iAwards particularly exciting. All innovators are potential winners – regardless of industry."

Nominees must first win at the state award ceremonies to be eligible to compete at the national iAwards held in Melbourne this August.

Winners will be selected by a panel of 100+ high profile industry business professionals, who volunteer their time. All national and state winners will receive a range of business services from Gartner, UTS, Deloitte, Pym’s Technology Lawyers, KPMG and Grant Thornton.

The iAwards is hosted by the AIIA, a non-profit organisation run by members for members driving innovation in the digital industry. 

About the iAwards:

The iAwards honours both companies at the cutting edge of technology innovation as well as leading professionals across the Digital Economy. Most importantly, the iAwards recognises the achievements of home-grown Australian innovators.

http://www.iawards.com.au/

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