FACILITIES are required at RAAF Base Amberley to operate and maintain 10 new C-27J Battlefield Airlifter aircraft. This light tactical aircraft boasts greater speed, range and payload capabilities than the previous fleet of aircraft.

The Department of Defence told the committee that works will include constructing new training and operational facilities. Additionally, integrating the new aircraft will mean relocating some existing facilities. 

The project is expected to cost $370.4 million (excluding GST). Full details on the project are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pwc

Public Hearing Venue: Metro Hotel Ipswich International
Date: Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Time: 2.30 – 3.30 pm

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

NB the Public Works Committee is neither involved in the tendering process nor the awarding of contracts. Enquiries on those matters should be addressed to the Department of Defence.

For further information, including how to make a submission, the public hearing times, and copies of submissions when they become available, please visit the committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/pwc or contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4636.

ENDS

THE Government’s response to the Financial System Inquiry has put the spotlight on ethical investment according to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

In its response, Improving Australia’s financial system, the Government has stated that they ‘will examine how best to foster growth of impact investment in Australia to support private and for-profit investment funds being directed to projects with a social or environmental purpose’.

“The concept of social conscience investment is an area that we should all be making an effort to embrace; it creates win-win opportunities for investors and society,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“If investors can attain a relatively healthy return on their investments, why not do so in projects that deliver greater social outcomes.

“The Government’s announcement to develop legislative amendments to provide greater certainty for private ancillary funds wishing to invest in social impact bonds is to be commended.

“Consumer demand and superior financial performance have driven a huge growth in ethical investment around the world, including Australia,” said Mr Conway.

Also known as responsible investment and by other names, this sector is experiencing rapid growth around the world. In the US, for example, there was a 76% growth rate between 2012 and 2014, which means that 18% of the US$36.8 trillion in total assets under management is involved in ‘Sustainable and Responsible Investment’. 

Polling released by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia 2015 benchmark report found that 69% of Australians believe it is important that super funds make responsible investments and avoid harmful investments.

www.publicaccountants.org.au

ends 

THE continued decline in the number of Australians who choose to be trade union members must prompt further efforts from our national policy makers to reform our outdated employment laws to better reflect the choices employees are making in their workplaces.

That is the view of the national resources employer group, the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA).

The ABS’ Characteristics of Employment report, published today, shows that as of August 2014 trade union membership had declined significantly over the preceding 12 months – continuing a downward trend since the mid-1980s.

Mining industry trade union membership declined from around 16% twelve months earlier to 12% in the most recent figures. Coal mining union membership, which was previously at around 40%, has since declined to around 28%.

“Not only is union membership in the mining industry at an all-time low, but across the board in both the private and public sectors we are seeing a continued decline in people choosing to be members of a union,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“This is despite the fact that since 2009, Australia has had a workplace relations system that provides unions with a primacy in workplace bargaining that is more suited to a 1980s industrial environment.

“Australians are no longer working in an economy where one-in-two people belong to a trade union. The longer our workplace relations system ignores this fact, the longer it remains a barrier to employment and economic growth in this country.

“In the iron ore mining sector, for instance, only one in every 15 employees is a member of a trade union. Yet the architects of the Fair Work Act were so obsessed with propping up the influence of unions that the laws basically pushed the unions’ conditions on all iron ore employees.”

AMMA continues to advocate for a more flexible workplace relations system that contains a range of agreement-making options including individual and collective agreement making options both with and without trade unions involvement.

“Greater options for agreement making would better reflect the diversity of Australian workplaces,” Mr Knott says.

“This should include statutory individual agreement making, subject to a no-disadvantage test, similar to those that provided value for both employees and employers during the Howard-era.

“Our new PM is all about innovation and change. Australia needs to change from a workplace system suited to the horse and buggy era to one that represents today’s workplace environment.”

Click here to read AMMA’s recent reply to the Productivity Commission’s Review of Australia’s Workplace Relations Framework, and learn more about the organisation’s proposed reforms.

www.amma.org.au

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said last week his organisation "called on the Andrews Government to embrace our ideas to create meaningful and sustainable employment in Victoria by bolstering the Back to Work scheme". The move has borne fruit.
 
"Following a subsequent meeting with Tim Pallas, Treasurer of Victoria, I now applaud the Andrews Government for listening to business and taking quick and decisive action to strengthen the scheme," Mr Stone said.

"In addition to increasing the incentive for employers to take on new workers, today’s announcement to enhance employee skills will provide a much needed and lasting boost to Victorian business."
 
Mr Stone said the scheme will be strengthened by:

• Increasing payment amounts available to employers: Payments will be increased from $750 - $2,000 to $5,000 - $12,000. Plus an additional $2,000 - $4,000 towards accredited training for new employees in any eligible category.
• Broadening eligibility criteria: The definition of long term unemployed will be halved from 52 weeks to 26 weeks. A range of additional groups will also be included such as Aboriginal unemployed persons, disability pensioners and drought-affected farm households.
• Broadening eligibility for subsidised training: Participants who already have higher level qualifications will now be eligible for subsidised training at a lower level qualification than already held and will also be eligible for targeted fee relief.
• Reconnect Pilot Program: This program will specifically target assistance to young early school leavers helping them take the first steps to further education and into the workforce. 

"I again commend the Treasurer and the Hon Steve Herbert MP, Minister for Training and Skills, on their willingness to engage with business," Mr Stone said.

"VECCI looks forward to continuing to work with government and business to get more people into work sooner and reduce Victoria’s unemployment rate."

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), 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.

vecci.org.au

ends