VICTORIAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the appointment of Kate Carnell to the role as Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

"The Victorian Chamber congratulates Ms Kate Carnell AO on her new role as Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and welcomes her appointment to this important position," Victorian Chamber chief executive Mark Stone said.

"Ms Carnell has been a strong and effective advocate for small business in her previous role as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and we look forward to continuing to work with her to advance the interests of Victorian small business," he said.

"The establishment of the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is strongly supported by the Victorian Chamber and is in-keeping with the united chamber movement’s Small Business – Too Big to Ignore 2013 election agenda.

"This important new position gives small business a stronger voice, helping them to continue to innovate, grow their workforces and achieve further success.

"We commend the Turnbull Government on this appointment and wish Ms Carnell all the best in her new role."

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 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.

victorianchamber.com.au

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MORE than 60 senior business leaders and politicians will sell street magazine The Big Issue this week in a national campaign to shine a spotlight on homelessness and disadvantage.

Telstra CEO Andy Penn, PwC CEO Luke Sayers and Perpetual Managing Director and CEO Geoff Lloyd are among the high-profile cohort taking to the streets for half an hour to spruik the magazine from February 1-5.

ACTU President Ged Kearney and politicians including Premier of NSW Mike Baird, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek and Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher are also taking part in the event.

The leaders will don The Big Issue’s trademark fluoro vest at various times and locations during the week.

The initiative is part of the fourth annual International Vendor Week (February 1-7, 2016), which raises awareness for the 11,000 people who sell street papers in 35 countries around the world.

For a list of guest sellers participating in International Vendor Week 2016, please visit http://www.thebigissue.org.au/news/2016/01/18/international-vendor-week/

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THE House of Representatives Agriculture and Industry Committee will conduct a public hearing in Wodonga on Thursday, January 28, for the inquiry into agricultural innovation.

Appearing at this first interstate hearing for the inquiry will be a range of local farming, research and scientific organisations with experience of emerging agricultural technology and barriers to its adoption.

The hearing will be held in the Meeting Room, The Cube Performing Arts Centre, 118 Hovell St, Wodonga:

Thursday, 28 January 2016

8.30am North East Catchment Management Authority

9.00am Mr Don Lawson OAM

9.30am NutriHealth International

10am Riverina Local Land Services

10.45am Alpine Valleys Dairy Pathways Project

11.15am Rutherglen Premium Lamb

11.45am Charles Sturt University

The public hearing will be webcast live at: http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

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THE CAPA Iran Aviation Summit – the first international business event in Iran in any sector of the economy since the lifting of international sanctions – opened in Tehran today (January 24) with 400 delegates and media in attendance.

The Summit was inaugurated by the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Dr Abbas Akhoundi, Government of Iran.

The summit brings together senior Iranian government and aviation officials and international guests from leading aviation and travel organisations to explore the prospects for market development in the post-sanctions environment in Iran.

Peter Harbison, CAPA’s Executive Chairman, said, “The aviation market potential in Iran is immense due to the pent-up demand after decades of sanctions. We are delighted to have been part of this landmark international event and wish to thank Iran Airports Company and the Iran Civil Aviation Organization for their invaluable support."

According to CAPA research, the size of Iran's economy, on a PPP basis, sits somewhere between that of Turkey and Australia whose commercial airline fleets range between 500-600 aircraft. In sharp contrast, Iran's airline industry is understood to have an operational commercial fleet of just 135 aircraft, with one of the highest average ages in the world. A further 80 aircraft are grounded due to the impact of sanctions on the ability to maintain their airworthiness.

In theory the economic fundamentals in Iran should support the ability to absorb 300 aircraft over the next five years, but it is another question as to whether that is feasible in practice will depend on Iran’s vision and ability to achieve it.

Such a rate of growth would place immense pressure on airport and airspace infrastructure as well as management and technical skills, even in mature markets.

“Rapid growth will not come without challenges”, said Mr Harbison. “This is especially the case as Iran’s aviation eco-system will need to adapt to a generational leap forward in aircraft technology and develop aviation skills and competencies. The opportunities for the people of Iran, its aviation sector and for global suppliers however are very exciting," he concluded.

About the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit

Following the announcement in Vienna on January 16 that nuclear-related sanctions against Iran have been lifted, the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit is the first international gathering of business leaders in post-sanctions Iran in any sector.

The Iranian delegation comprised some 160 senior officials from the national airport, airline, travel and transportation industries including government ministers and leaders. The foreign delegation of over 160 attendees were drawn from 35 countries:

CAPA Iran Aviation Summit Attendees by country (%)

About CAPA

Established for over 25 years, CAPA delivers market analysis and data that support strategic decision making at many of the world’s most recognised organisations. CAPA Membership provides access to the premium news, analysis and data services.

CAPA also organises leading aviation and travel summits around the world. Global aviation Summits will be held this year in Tehran, Mumbai, Singapore, Dublin, Las Vegas, Brisbane, Tokyo, Cartagena and Amsterdam. Corporate Travel events will be held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Adelaide, Perth and Singapore. 

www.capaevents.com

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