AFP chairman Emmanuel Hoog and global news director Michèle Léridon expressed their ‘horror’ and ‘indignation’ over this ‘attack of unprecedented violence on the French press’ in the reaction ot the attack on the offices of satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
They also expressed their ‘greatest solidarity and support for their colleagues at Charlie Hebdo who have been so cruelly attacked.’
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BRISBANE - Tennis great Roger Federer returns to Brisbane, Australia to revisit the form and the feeling that led to one of his best years ever.
The world number two and 17 times Grand Slam champion began last season at the Brisbane International and went on to win 73 matches around the world... more than any other ATP player.
Federer took out five tournaments and was only narrowly beaten at Wimbledon.
Now he's back to do even better, starting his year for the second time in what he calls the laid back atmosphere of Queensland.
Federer is already relaxing in the Sunshine State, and will feed wild bottlenose dolphins at Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island just off Brisbane.
The hand feeding of the wild dolphins at sunset has been a feature of the resort for over three decades, and an international attraction.
Federer first came to Queensland with his parents 19 years ago and says it is the ideal destination to launch his 2015 campaign.
He's arriving in top form for the Brisbane International from the 4th to the 11th of January...and would no doubt relish another chance to take on local hero and last year's winner Lleyton Hewitt.
Federer is top seed for the men's singles and Maria Sharapova leads the top flight field in the women's singles.
THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) thanks shoppers for their patience in what were bumper Boxing Day sales yesterday, with more than $2.072 billion expected to have gone through retail tills across Australia (year on year increase of at least $72 million).
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers saw unprecedented crowds yesterday with many stores forced to restrict entrance due to the sheer number of people already in store.
“Shoppers remained patient and understanding as they hit retail stores yesterday. Many shoppers spent hours trying to find a car park as well as waiting in lines – lining up to get into the store and lining up to make their purchases.
“Even with online shopping the new norm, shopping in-store on Boxing Day remains an Aussie tradition - we seem to get real a kick out of organised chaos. While consumers can now purchase almost anything from the comfort of their own living rooms, online shopping can never fully replace the five-sense experience that comes with being amongst the craziness and excitement at the local mall on Boxing Day.
“The ARA would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all retail employees throughout the Christmas period, but particularly on what was undeniably a large Boxing Day. Rather than spending time with family and friends, retail staff are at the coal face trying to make the shopping journey as seamless as possible.
“If sales continue like those we saw yesterday throughout the post-Christmas period, the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicated post-Christmas figure of $16.1 billion will certainly be exceeded,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Australian shoppers (aged 14 and older) are tipped to spend an average of $850 each from Boxing Day through to 15 January 2015, representing year on year growth of 3.6 percent.
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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.
THE Australian Retailers Association today welcomed the certainty of a Queensland state election on Saturday 31 January 2015 as opposed to months of potential instability and speculation.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the Queensland Government has done the right thing by business with the certainty of an election date which should assist consumer confidence and the wider retail sector for the remainder of the year.
ARA Queensland board member Ralph Edwards said Queenslanders wanted to see strong plans in place to boost the economy and sustain retail investment, consumer confidence and spending.
“It is important to get a strong plan in place which will pay off debt but also keep taxes, costs and business inputs low while maintaining effective services and infrastructure investment.
“As a Queenslander who runs retail businesses in Queensland, I am aware of the three areas Queensland retailers need certainty with - a strong majority government, lower business costs and a strong plan for infrastructure and services.
“The ARA would support strong pro-business policies and will fight on behalf of small, medium and large Queensland retailers throughout the election campaign,” Mr Edwards said.
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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.
THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) congratulates the Federal Government today on its decision to review the low value GST loophole as part of its tax white paper process in the New Year.
In a bid to protect retail jobs, the review has been backed by new Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg who declared that retailers were operating ‘with one hand tied behind their backs’ due to the GST loophole that allows for goods under $1000 purchased from online retailers to be exempt from the goods and services tax.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said Mr Frydenberg’s comments couldn’t be more accurate.
“At this time of year, more than ever, we realise how important retail jobs are to the Australian economy. You’ll only have to go near a shopping centre today – Boxing Day – to understand the importance of supporting employment in the retail industry.
“The LVIT loophole is costing thousands of retail jobs in Australia – a further 33, 000 jobs will be lost in 2015 in the discretionary retail sector, having already lost 80,000 jobs since 2007.
“At the end of the day this GST loophole has done nothing but damage our retail sector. Retailers have been forced to play on an uneven playing field for too long as the current system is does not reflect the realities of today’s marketplace.
“The ARA is therefore relieved to see Mr Frydenberg pushing for the issue to be addressed as soon as possible and we look forward to seeing what positive effects the closing of this loophole could have on local retailers in 2015,” Mr Zimmerman said.
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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.
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