NATIONAL resource industry employer group, AMMA, has urged a Queensland inquiry into FIFO practices to consult thoroughly with industry before making recommendations that could negatively impact business and employment opportunities in the state.

AMMA’s submission to the Queensland Parliamentary inquiry: fly-in, fly-out and other long distance commuting work practices in regional Queensland is based on feedback from its member companies which rely on FIFO working arrangements for their operations.

“The resource industry has been a major pillar of the Queensland economy and will continue to play a vital role in Australia’s anticipated emergence as the world’s largest exporter of LNG by 2020,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.

“FIFO work practices have played an important role in developing the state as a resources investment destination. This benefits all Queenslanders through economic growth, royalties and taxes.

“AMMA urges the inquiry to undertake a sensible, considered and consultative approach to work practices which are critical to many resource operations remaining viable.”

Mr Barklamb says resource employers rely on non-residential employees primarily where their operations are remote from communities. He adds that such arrangements often suit both employers and employees, and numerous resource projects would not survive without FIFO.

“For such employers, utilising FIFO is the only way they can source the range of specialised skills they need, and ensure their employees travel safely to and from work,” he says.

“If FIFO was restricted or banned, many of Queensland’s remote mines would close down. This would be devastating for FIFO workers and their families, as well as the flow-on support sectors, and tax and royalty payments that help fund services for the wider Queensland community.”

Mr Barklamb says the inquiry should consider ‘robust data and evidence’ before coming to any conclusions about the economic, social and health impacts of FIFO.

“Australia’s resource employers take the health and wellbeing of their employees very seriously, and provide health services and support programs to FIFO and non-FIFO employees in Queensland,” he adds.

“Resource organisations that utilise FIFO also continue to invest significant capital and in-kind support into the social fabric of regional communities.

“FIFO is vital for our industry, the Queensland economy and the community.  AMMA hopes the inquiry will carefully consider all the facts and consult with industry before making any recommendations that could negatively impact Queensland’s reputation as a resources investment and employment destination.”

www.amma.org.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is concerned for the future of the retail industry after the Fair Work Commission has today awarded an unmanageable $16 a week increase in the minimum wage.

From 1 July 2015, the National Minimum Wage will increase to $656.92 per week, or $17.29 per hour.

Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the ARA advocated before the tribunal a realistic and manageable minimum wage increase of no more than $5.70 per week for the retail sector.

“We are obviously concerned about the effects this decision will have on retailers.

“Retailers and young Australians have been reliant on pay rates to enable retail to bring on low-skilled young staff and increase their skill levels, reducing youth unemployment. Many small to medium enterprise retailers are reliant on a minimum wage workforce, and the announcement today to increase wages during this time of low consumer confidence and low growth will sadly result in further job losses and business closures – a very distressing truth for retailers.

“The minimum wage increase, coupled with weak trade figures and penalty rates, will only cause further damage to retailers who are struggling to keep their heads above water as it is. While interest rates are currently at a record low (with the Reserve Bank of Australia today deciding to keep rates on hold at 2.0 percent) and there is support from the recently released Federal Budget, the retail industry cannot simply keep up with excessive wage increases.

“The ACTU and SDA aren’t about creating jobs and opportunity but they now appear to be on a low productivity/high wages rampage which will only harm retailers and their employees,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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HON. BRUCE BILLSON MP will join the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) to put the individuals behind small businesses in the spotlight ahead of its annual policy event, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit in July.

The inaugural Summit Start Up will be opened by the Hon Bruce Billson, the Federal Small Business Minister on the evening of Wednesday 15th July; where the community, culture, and diversity of small businesses will be celebrated.

All individual business owners are invited to join the Summit Start Up, to network with their peers, showcase their entrepreneurial force and meet with key leaders and policy influencers and makers.

During the evening, attendees can hear commentary from various sectors – from accountants and gym owners, to mechanics and hairdressers – about what role they play in the community and how this impacts the public’s welfare.

Minister Billson said: “I am delighted to join small business owners and representatives at the inaugural Start Up to COSBOA’s Summit. Our Government knows the hard working women and men of small business really are the engine room of our economy. Small business has been and continues to be an enduring focus and priority for me, both professionally and personally.”

Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA, added: “Small business is vital to the Australian economy, although we sometimes get caught up discussing the financial impacts of small business; it’s important not to lose sight and be aware of their contributions to communities and the cultural fabric on a daily basis – whether that’s the local cafe owner, who knows you on a first name basis, or local hairdresser, who stays open to work around your calendar.”

Peter Strong and the Minster will also be joined by Andrew Chanmugam, Vodafone’s General Manager of Business, and Robert Gerrish founder of Flying Solo, home to a community of over 75,000 Australian solo and micro businesses, sharing their advice and learning with owners.

COSBOA is also pleased to announce Westpac is a major sponsor for this year’s Summit. General Manager for Small Business, Julie Rynski, adds: “Small business is the backbone of the Australian economy, and Westpac is excited to be involved in an event celebrating the success of Australia’s small business owners and entrepreneurs.

“As a major sponsor of the inaugural Small Business Summit Start Up, we look forward to advancing the conversation around small business community and culture, which is vital to the continued strength of the small business sector and Australian economy as a whole.”

Tickets for the Small Business Summit Start Up on Wednesday 15th July are $20 per person. Full registration for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit is now also open.

For more information please visit www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au

1. The Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) was founded in 1979 and was incorporated in 1985.
2. COSBOA is Australia’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses.
3. The VODAFONE National Small Business Summit 2015 will be held at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney on 16 and 17 July.
4. The VODAFONE National Small Business provides the small business sector with the opportunity to discuss and identify relevant issues, promote innovation and generate ideas to stimulate growth within the industry.
5. For more information about the summit visit: www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au
6. For more information on COSBOA visit: http://www.cosboa.org.au/
7. Interviews with Peter Strong, CEO are available upon request.
8. Connect through social media channels: 

Facebook: /COSBOA

Twitter: @COSBOA

Hashtag: #NSBS15

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/cosboa

9. COSBOA is a long-time advocate of small business on issues from taxation and workplace relations, through to competition law and retail tenancy.

The goals of COSBOA are to promote and support the development of small businesses in Australia and the council recognises that it is a national imperative for Australia that the needs of small business are on the national policy agenda.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment will conduct public hearings in the week of 15 June 2015 as part of its inquiry into the Register of Environmental Organisations.

Public hearings will commence in Canberra, beginning with the Department of the Environment at 4 pm on 16 June 2015 and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission at 9.30 am on 18 June 2015. Further information will be available from the committee’s website closer to the date.

Submissions to the inquiry closed on 21 May 2015.

Committee Chair, Mr Alex Hawke MP, said he is pleased with the level of interest in the inquiry and appreciates that many organisations and individuals have taken the time to make a submission or share their views on the Register of Environmental Organisations.

“The response to the inquiry is evidence of the strong level of public interest in the work of not-for-profit environmental organisations. We look forward to, in the first instance, hearing from the government agencies involved in the administration of the sector, and we anticipate gathering evidence in a range of communities around Australia as the inquiry progresses over the coming months,” he said.

Further details about the inquiry, including submissions received and the terms of reference, can be found on the inquiry’s website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/reo.

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