The Chairman of the Australia Saudi Business Council, Tom Harley, will discuss how Australia can grow its $2.2 billion in exports to Saudi Arabia with federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade at a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow.

The Trade sub-committee’s inquiry into trade with the Middle East will also hear how to build on the nearly $5 billion of Saudi investment in Australia last year. Australia also invested nearly a $1 billion into projects and businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014.

Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest economy with a 2013 budget surplus of $55 billion and population of over 30 million. The Kingdom, which is estimated to hold more than 20 per cent of the world’s conventional oil reserves, has become Australia’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East behind the United Arab Emirates.

This oil-rich economy has helped build massive construction projects that have in turn fed increased demand for imports, services and education. The Saudi infrastructure and transportation sectors received US$17.3 billion in their 2014 budget.  Major Saudi projects include roads, railways and sea ports, as well as upgrading airports. 

Saudi Arabia also remains the largest market for Australian-built motor vehicles, importing $748 million worth of cars in 2014 – mostly Toyota Camrys.

Food security remains a key concern for Saudi Arabia, with Australia well placed to assist by exporting more than $310 million in Australian beef and other meats to the Kingdom last year. The Australian government believes there are opportunities to increase the trade in barley and wheat to Saudi Arabia to cement Australia’s place as a long-term grain supplier.

Education for its young population is another priority area with Saudi Arabia allocating US$56 billion to education and training in 2014, including almost US$6 billion to fund 185,000 students studying abroad. More than 10,000 Saudis are enrolled at Australian universities under the global King Abdullah Scholarships Program. Vocational education and training is also seen as a growth area.  

Public hearing:
Date/Time: Wednesday 24 June 2015, 11:10 am
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
Organisations: Australia Saudi Business Council
Live audio broadcast will be available at www.aph.gov.au/live

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NATIONAL resource industry employer group AMMA will work with the Western Australian Government and industry stakeholders following today’s recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into mental health impacts of fly-in, fly-out working arrangements.

The WA Education and Health Standing Committee today outlined 42 findings and 30 recommendations in its final report: The impact of FIFO work practices on mental health.

“The resource industry is committed to the health and safety of its workforce, and continues to invest in best-practice programs and services to support employee mental health and wellbeing,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.

“The findings in today’s report reflect challenges the industry has recognised and engaged with for some time. This includes the reality that, as is the case for all industries and communities, some employees in the resource industry can experience mental illness.

“It is vitally important that all stakeholders engage in sensible discussions on how to effectively address the complex issues covered in today’s report, particularly given the lack of sufficient data to make reliable conclusions on FIFO and mental health.

“Any actions following the Committee’s recommendations must be based on reliable evidence and resource industry input to deliver real mental health benefits and avoid unintended adverse impacts on the industry and its workforce.”

Mr Barklamb adds that it is positive that many of the recommendations are based on cooperation with industry.

“The resource industry looks forward to working with all stakeholders to increase understanding of what are very complex challenges and to translate the Committee’s aspirations into practical initiatives,” he says.

“The Committee’s report is essentially preliminary, and many of its ideas and proposals need significantly more consideration and input. 

“Today’s report should therefore be a starting point for further dialogue and engagement between government and industry stakeholders.” 

www.amma.org.au

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MORE than $2.3 billion in vocational education and training (VET), which includes a $2 billion investment in TAFE that will build the skilled workforce of the future, Minister for Skills and Small Business John Barilaro announced today.

Mr Barilaro said small businesses will also benefit from a $14 million business package that includes the Small Biz Connect program, small business advocacy services, dispute resolution and multicultural advisors, as well as $15 million over 10 years for existing lottery agents to apply for approved shop re-fits.

“The investment in TAFE NSW represents an increase of $122 million compared to last year’s budget, which will help students get the skills they need to enter the workforce and includes a $101 million capital works program to create more modern facilities,” he said.

The major capital works program includes $46 million to deliver 13 ongoing projects across NSW, a further $38 million for minor works to improve the amenity of facilities for students and staff, and $17 million for seven new projects to provide students and staff access to the most modern facilities.

The new projects include:

• Hunter Institute Newcastle Campus: Customer Service and Industry Development Centre to improve services to students, businesses and industry clients, through refurbished facilities.

• Illawarra Institute: Flexible Information Technology Infrastructure will help students to access online learning tools and offer students and employers more choice in how, when and where training is accessed.

• North Coast Institute Coffs Harbour Education Campus: The construction technologies hub will improve vocational education and training opportunities on the Mid North Coast through industry standard training facilities.

• Northern Sydney Institute: A hospitality training centre will provide essential upgrades to critical infrastructure and training facilities, strengthening the delivery of high quality training.

• South Western Sydney Institute: A specialist engineering industry standard facility with flexible workshops to meet changing demand.

• Western Institute: TAFE Western Connect stage 2 will provide learners with access to quality education and training either at a physical location or facilitated online learning. 

www.nsw.gov.au

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VICTORIA Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes the announcement that Jetstar will introduce daily flights between the Gold Coast and Avalon Airport, as a result of its agreement with the State Government that sees the continuation of the airport’s passenger operations.

"It is wonderful for Western Victoria to have direct access to a population of more than 500,000 people around the Gold Coast airport. The additional 65,000 seats a year coming into Avalon will provide a significant opportunity to showcase all the region has to offer throughout greater Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road," said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“We commend the State Government for working together with Jetstar to reach this outcome and deliver a win for Victorian tourism.”

VTIC applauds Jetstar’s commitment to work closely with local and state tourism bodies to promote the greater Geelong region in the South East Queensland market and looks forward to the release of the second of the two additional routes under the agreement.

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 $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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