LORD MAYOR Graham Quirk will tonight officially welcome delegates to Brisbane for the Australian International Education Conference – the largest international education conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

“More than 1300 international education practitioners, teaching staff, researchers, policy makers are in Brisbane to learn about major industry trends and network with Australian and international colleagues,” Cr Quirk said.

“The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) represents an economic impact for the city of more than $2.8 million, but its real value is far greater.

“The AIEC is one of the world’s top three international education conferences and the fact it will be held in Brisbane reinforces our growing global reputation for excellence in education delivery.

“International education is one of Brisbane’s biggest export industries with 75,000 student enrolments annually generating $2.8 billion in course fees and other spending.

“The Australian Government’s Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) says education will be a standout export earner for Australia over the next six years, alongside tourism and agriculture.

“In July EFIC predicted that international student numbers are set to surge 30 per cent by 2020. Brisbane will be the first choice for many because of our world-class educational offerings, sub-tropical climate, affordability, community spirit and reputation for being a multi-cultural hub of creativity and innovation.”

Cr Quirk said that earlier this year Brisbane was ranked by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in the top 15 per cent of cities worldwide for nurturing innovation.

“The 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index ranked Brisbane well above average for international students, describing us as a ‘global student city’ with an educated population,” he said.

The Australian International Education Conference is on at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Speakers include Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb, Walkley Award-winning journalist and ABC News presenter Virginia Trioli and Dan Gregory, CEO of The Impossible Institute.

The conference runs from 7-10 October. For more information visit http://aiec.idp.com/

www.brisbanemarketing.com.au

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (0.1 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.4 percent rise in July 2014.

Although year on year retail growth rose 5.1 percent in August 2014 (seasonally adjusted, compared to August 2013) year on year retail growth in July was a much healthier 5.8 percent.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers enjoyed only a small increase in sales in August. 

“Consumers spent more on food retailing (0.3%), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.2%) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.3%) during August. Department stores suffered a decline in sales (-2.9%) as well as household goods retailing (-0.8%). It will be interesting to see whether next month’s figures show a rise in both household goods and department store retailing as we welcome the start of spring. 

“In seasonally adjusted terms the states which displayed rises were Victoria (0.7%), Northern Territory (1.7%) and Western Australia (0.1%), whilst South Australia and Tasmania were relatively unchanged (0.0%). The states which displayed falls were Queensland (-0.6%), New South Wales (-0.1%) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.4%). 

“It’s no surprise Victoria experienced a jump in sales late August as Melbourne prepared for 2014 Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW). Over the years MSFW has showcased hundreds of local and international designers and continues to attract thousands of people into Melbourne’s retail stores. 

“The Australian Retail Index (delivered by BDO and Retail Express) also confirmed the stand-out performers for late August were Fashion & Accessories and Sporting & Recreational Goods - both categories up by over 8%. These results were even better than those seen in the same week in 2013, confirming that retail sales are in a healthier position than they were 12 months ago. 

“While we are hopeful that September figures will continue to highlight positive growth with the change in season encouraging consumers to update their wardrobes, it is imperative that the Federal Government and RBA do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported. The festive season is also fast approaching and interest rates must remain low in order to support business,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (July 2014 – August 2014 seasonally adjusted) 

Food retailing (0.3%),  Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.3%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.2%), Other retailing (1.6%), Household goods retailing (-0.8%) and Department stores (-2.9%). Total sales (0.1%). 

Northern Territory (1.7%), Victoria (0.7%), Western Australia (0.1%), Tasmania (0.0), South Australia (0.0%), New South Wales (-0.1%), Australian Capital Territory (-0.4%) and Queensland (-0.6%). Total sales (0.1%). 

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (August  2013 – August 2014 seasonally adjusted) 

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (10.1%), Other retailing (6.0%), Food retailing (5.5%), Household goods retailing (4.2%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.4%) and Department stores (-3.1%). Total sales (5.1%). 

New South Wales (8.4%), Tasmania (6.9%), Victoria (6.5%), Northern Territory (2.3%), Queensland (2.0%), South Australia (1.9%), Western Australia (1.3%) and Australian Capital Territory (1.0%). Total sales (5.1%).

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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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed the announcement of 'Back to Work' -- Labor’s plan to create 100,000 jobs. 

"The plan has an important and timely focus on tackling youth unemployment, prioritising infrastructure investment, driving new industry growth and bringing more business to Victoria," Mr Stone said.

"The Back to Work Act: this is a step in the right direction as it acknowledges the important role payroll tax relief can play in generating new jobs. 

"The Premier’s Jobs and Investment Panel: the early identification and prioritisation of major infrastructure projects is vital to ensuring there is a long-term, independent focus on job-creating infrastructure. 

"The Future Industries Fund: this recognises the significant potential that Victoria can leverage from the competitive strengths that exist in our leading manufacturing and fast growing service sectors. 

"The Regional Jobs Fund: the $200 million boost to job-creating projects in regional Victoria and incentives to realise new export opportunities is positive. 

"Work with the World: this builds on Victoria’s success in international engagement with a strong focus on investment attraction and marketing to showcase Victoria’s emerging and growing industries in areas such as medical technology, new energy, food and fibre and international education," Mr Stone said.

"This announcement shows that the major parties are taking note of the priorities in VECCI’s Taking Care of Business election agenda and we look forward to more detail about these initiatives."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential body for employers in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au 

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MACKAY: A program to monitor and improve the health of North Queensland waterways from the rivers to the Reef was launched in Mackay today. 

Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Michael Roche, who was at the launch, said that the QRC was proud to be a financial contributor to get off the ground the Mackay-Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef partnership, which will assess waterway health from Abbot Point to south of Mackay.

‘The health of the Great Barrier Reef and our waterways is of vital importance to our communities, our governments and all the industries that operate alongside, or within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,’ Mr Roche said.

‘This is yet another example of the partnerships that have been formed to improve the water quality in and adjacent to the Reef.

‘Funding has come from a variety of sectors, including from the QRC, to ensure that we have a fact-based and scientific approach to target the biggest threats to the health of North Queensland waterways.

'An annual report card will be produced and cover catchments of the Don, O’Connell, Proserpine, Pioneer and Plane basins, the urban area of Mackay, the ports of Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point, marinas and the coastal marine area', Mr Roche said. 

The report card will specifically report on the health of freshwater rivers, wetlands, estuaries, near shore coastal and marine environments.

‘This is the third initiative of its type along the Great Barrier Reef coastline and the QRC is proud to be involved with all of them,’ Mr Roche said.

The other initiatives are Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership and the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health and will complement the Reef 2050 Plan and the annual Reef Water Quality Protection Plan report card.

www.qrc.org.au

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