Mr Raj Venga, Chief Executive Officer and Ombudsman of the Credit and Investment Ombudsman (CIO), today expressed concern about the proposal apparently being considered by the Federal Government to establish a ‘tribunal’ to hear financial services complaints. 

“Australia is currently very well served by the existing dispute resolution architecture in financial services. The types of disputes referred to in the current debate about the need for a new body generally involve amounts that exceed the monetary limits of CIO and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), and so have not been able to be considered by either scheme”, Mr Venga said.

“The more appropriate course would be to expand the jurisdictional limits and responsibilities of the existing Ombudsman schemes in the financial services sector, rather than creating a new body. CIO is committed to reviewing monetary caps that apply to small business complaints, as well as other aspects of its jurisdiction,” Mr Venga continued.

According to Mr Venga, the establishment of a tribunal, which will necessarily be a statutory scheme, would:

• create a tax-payer funded right of appeal to the courts, defeating the objective to resolve disputes fairly, cheaply and expeditiously,
   
• not have the multiplicity of access points for industry and consumer representation that the current structure affords,
   
• not have specialised industry knowledge required for the sensible resolution of disputes,
   
• be substantially more inflexible, and
   
• not be capable of responding quickly to changes in relevant markets.

CIO receives about 22,000 enquiries and 5,000 complaints a year. Its 23,000 members include non-bank lenders, finance companies, consumer lease providers, small amount lenders, debt buyers, credit unions, building societies, finance brokers, credit reporting bodies and time share operators.

“We strongly urge Government to consider the wider impacts of the establishment of such a tribunal and to ensure that any decision about a tribunal or other changes to the dispute resolution landscape are fully informed and very carefully considered.

“The current independent review into dispute resolution and complaints services, chaired by Professor Ian Ramsay, should be asked to consider the relative merits of establishing a tribunal as compared to other models of dispute resolution”, Mr Venga concluded.

www.cio.org.au

ends

SMALL businesses caught-up in banking disputes are looking for immediate action to resolve their issue, not a drawn-out talk fest about the banks, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell said.

“Speaking from a small business perspective, the current political debate about the most effective ways to deal with community concerns regarding the banks, needs to acknowledge the importance of finding solutions to individual problems quickly and effectively,” Ms Carnell said.

“I’ve held extensive consultations with the small business sector in recent months, and bank-related complaints are certainly high on their list of grievances; so much so that in my view, without an increased level of accountability, some banking practices certainly have the capacity to stifle the growth potential of many small businesses in this country.

“More often than not, small businesses involved in disputes with their banks are hurting; they can ill-afford the time and money it takes to sort these kinds of problems out. They need help and support, and they need it now.

“This isn’t an argument for or against a Royal Commission; this is about getting immediate outcomes for small businesses and finding a mechanism that delivers solutions in a timeframe that helps business owners get back on track as soon as possible.

“A Royal Commission may allow mum-and-dad small business owners to tell their story, but it won’t save their businesses.  Royal Commissions typically go on for years, and by the time it produces its recommendations, businesses that are hurting now, will be long out the door.

“Whatever action the Government decides to take in dealing with concerns people have with the banks, my office stands ready to help small businesses who are experiencing bank-related problems; we can point them in the right direction and help assist them get on with what they’d rather be doing; running their small business and in doing so, making a significant contribution to the economy.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

ends

THE Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, today announced two significant defence industry contracts worth approximately $300 million and securing hundreds of local jobs while visiting defence industry facilities at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Mr Pyne said both BAE Systems Australia and Raytheon Australia had signed contract extensions with Defence securing the jobs of hundreds of workers which would drive growth in the local economy. The Minister made the announcement during his first trip to NSW as Defence Industry Minister. 

“These are exciting times for Defence industry and deliver on the Turnbull Government’s commitment to growing Australian industry as outlined in the Defence White Paper,” Mr Pyne said.

“Valued at approximately $200m, I am pleased to announce that BAE Systems Australia has won a two year extension to support the Hawk Lead-In Fighter ensuring ongoing work for approximately 300 people at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW and RAAF Base Pearce, WA.

“The Hawk, as the training aircraft for the Classic Hornet and Super Hornet fleets as well as the Joint Strike Fighter, is incredibly important in Australia’s combat training capability, providing experience for our trainee strike and fighter pilots as well as the Air Combat Officers.”

Minister Pyne said he was also pleased to announce an extension to the Air Combat Training Services Support Contract for the ongoing sustainment and operation of the Air Combat Group's Hornet, Super Hornet and Growler Aircrew Training Simulators Systems.  

“This extension awarded to Raytheon Australia and its subcontractor Milskil, is valued at approximately $100m and brings together separate contracts for the management and execution of training and support services for Classic Hornet and Super Hornet platforms currently being undertaken by Raytheon Australia and Milskil,” Mr Pyne said.

“It also adds the EA-18G - Growler Training Support Services, support to the Spiral Upgrade program and additional services including Force Generation Services.

“The revised contract will sustain approximately 50 jobs, supporting Air Combat Capabilities located at RAAF Bases Amberley (QLD), Williamtown (NSW) and Tindal (NT).   

“The contract will provide management, aircrew training services delivery, engineering, training device maintenance and operation, force generation and general support services for the RAAF’s Classic Hornet, Super Hornet and Growler aircrew training simulators and maintenance training devices.”

The Minister’s visit to NSW also included a roundtable discussion with key defence industry stakeholders across the state and meetings with the state government.

The trip reinforces the Government’s commitment to forming a new partnership with Australian defence industry with a national approach being taken to ensure that Defence gets the equipment, systems and personnel it needs now and into the future.

www.defence.gov.au

ends

CONFERENCE organisers can put colour into their next event by meeting with 80 key venues, hotels and suppliers in Brisbane next week.

Brisbane Pop-Up will see the city’s event products and services gather under the one roof for just over two hours at Brisbane City Hall on Wednesday 31 August.

Brisbane Convention Bureau General Manager Rob Nelson said Brisbane Pop-Up enabled conference organisers to seek out a kaleidoscope of products and suppliers for their events in the one hit.

New products attending include Brisbane’s first Art Series hotel The Johnson, Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments, Rydges Fortitude Valley and Howard Smith Wharves.

“Brisbane Pop-Up gives business event planners the opportunity to take their next event from ordinary to extraordinary by meeting with the city’s suppliers at the one time and in the one spot,” Mr Nelson said.

“Attendees can stay for as little or as long as they like to source contacts and new ideas for their next event.”

Attendance at Brisbane Pop-Up is free for registered guests and includes lunch and prize giveaways from the participating exhibitors.

For more information, go to http://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/conventions

ENDS