THE  Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) today commended the Victorian Government on key progress in its efforts to grow Victoria’s reputation as a leading destination for tourism and events.

“VTIC has been heartened by the commitment the government has shown towards the tourism industry through a range of announcements in recent weeks and we look forward to even more action in the near future,” said Acting VTIC Chief Executive Erin Joyce.

“Last week’s announcement of $3.6 million in funding for six key tourism infrastructure projects under the joint Commonwealth-State Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program is particularly welcome after a long wait.”

Ms Joyce said projects such as the new Melbourne Cricket Ground Roof Walk and Buzz Line Fly experiences will enhance Victoria’s visitor attractions and offerings.

“It is encouraging to see these projects as a start to the activation of a critical pipeline of tourism infrastructure projects for the state,” said Ms Joyce. 

Ms Joyce said the government had also positively responded to calls for support of the Great Ocean Road region following the Wye River bushfires.

“Businesses in the Great Ocean Road area rely on the influx of tourists to the region during the warmer months and again in the upcoming Easter period,” said Ms Joyce.

“That’s why we are encouraged by the government’s critical approval of more than $400,000 to help boost visitor numbers in the lead up to Easter through initiatives such as destination marketing and events support.”

VTIC also acknowledged the efforts the Victorian Government is making to listen to the views and concerns of tourism and event businesses in the state.

“The appointment of the Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee earlier this month is welcome, but there is still more to be done to keep Victoria’s tourism industry growing,” said Ms Joyce.

“VTIC looks forward to the imminent announcement of the new Visit Victoria Board and establishment of the entity as well as the development of an action oriented tourism and events plan.”

“These initiatives are vital steps to ensure government and industry can get on with the job of driving growth and sustainability of this important business sector and economic pillar.”

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute more than $20 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has congratulated new Woolworths Group CEO and Managing Director, Brad Banducci, on his appointment.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said Mr Banducci is a worthy choice as leader of Australia’s largest retailer.

“Brad has a wealth of retail experience from his five years in various roles at Woolworths Group, as well as his background with Boston Consulting Group,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“The appointment of an Australian to lead the Woolworths business is fantastic to see, and I look forward to watching Brad in his and the board’s ambitions to reinvigorate the business.

“The Woolworths’ success story is one of retail’s best, and the ARA hope to see this continue.”

Mr Zimmerman thanked outgoing CEO, Grant O’Brien, for his service to the Australian retail industry.

“In his almost 30 years in retail, Grant served as a great ambassador for the industry, working his way up from the shop floor to the top role – it’s a fantastic example of the sort of career young people in retail can aspire to.

“We look forward to working with Brad moving forward on a range of issues for the betterment of Australian retail,” he said. 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s more than $300 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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OVER many years, Australian departments and agencies have worked closely with research and technical partners from across the Indo–Pacific region to improve food security and biosecurity protection for the region’s growing populations.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee is conducting an inquiry into the role of development partnerships in agriculture and agribusiness in promoting prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability in the Indo–Pacific region.

On Monday in Canberra, the Sub-Committee will meet with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), key agencies working to improve food quality, production systems and biosecurity through agricultural co-operative arrangements across the region.

Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP said Australia’s agricultural co-operation activities have played an important role in enhancing the availability of safe and healthy food through reducing crop and animal pests and disease.

“We know that access to fresh nutritious food is crucial to improve health across the region. Encouraging innovation at the village level through sustainable farming is also better for people’s wellbeing. Access to good food will reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, which is a growing problem across the region,” Dr Stone said.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources works to achieve these outcomes through harmonisation of laws regulating illegal logging and fisheries, and working to improve animal health and diagnostic capacity to uphold standards of biosecurity protection under a range of bilateral agreements.

The CSIRO has the largest single agricultural research capability in Australia. Its submission reports that technical innovation is a major driver of agricultural led growth, as long as it works to ‘create solutions and opportunities for farmers, consumers and businesses’ and ‘help move food and agricultural systems to a more inclusive and sustainable pathway’.

Dr Stone noted that in addition to promoting regional prosperity there are other advantages to Australian producers.

“The research and technical innovations designed to improve environmental sustainability will open new markets for both Australian and regional farms and fisheries,” Dr Stone said.

The public hearing will be held on Monday 29 February 2016:
Time: 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm         
Venue: Committee Room 1R3 
Parliament House, Canberra
A live audio broadcast will be available at http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

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THE House of Representatives Agriculture and Industry Committee will conduct a public hearing on Monday for the inquiry into agricultural innovation.

Appearing at the hearing will be representatives from a range of agricultural sector organisations.

The hearing will be held in Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra:
Monday, 29 February 2016
4.00 pm - Australian Pork Limited (Submission 70)
4.30 pm - Cotton Australia (Submission 72)
5.00 pm - Grains Research and Development Corporation (Submission 87)
5.30 pm - Bayer CropScience (Submission 78)
6.00 pm - close
The public hearing will be webcast live at: http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

Further details about the inquiry, including submissions received and the terms of reference, can be obtained from the Committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/agind.

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