UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) has delivered a vote of confidence in Australia’s ongoing management of the iconic Great Barrier Reef (GBR). 

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said all Australians would welcome the committee’s decision in Doha (Qatar) to reject activist calls to place the reef on the World Heritage ‘in-danger’ list.

‘We are pleased the committee is as focused on the future management of the Great Barrier Reef as we are here,’ Mr Roche said.

‘The decision is global acknowledgement that Australia is on track to deliver a long-term plan for conservation of the Great Barrier Reef’s outstanding universal value (OUV).

‘The federal and state governments’ progress on improving the reef’s management and health is evident from the recently released Queensland Ports Strategy and Reef Water Quality Report Card.’

Mr Roche said the report card confirmed science-based programs were improving reef water quality, which in turn, would play a role in reducing Crown-of-Thorn starfish outbreaks.

Storm damage, starfish outbreaks and coral bleaching were identified by the Australian Institute of Marine Science in 2012 as the major threats to reef health.

‘In relation to future port management, the Cumulative Impact Assessment prepared for the Abbot Point coal terminal expansion has created a new standard for informing government decision-makers.

‘The cumulative approach to environmental impacts gave the federal government and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority the scientific confidence they needed to approve the project subject to 142 conditions.

‘Maintaining the outstanding universal value of the Great Barrier Reef was the centrepiece of the assessment process, which has set a world class benchmark for marine precinct management.’

Port-related activities along the 2,300 kilometre-long Great Barrier Reef occupy less than one percent of the coastline and the areas set aside for sediment relocation represent less than 0.02 percent of the world heritage property area.

www.qrc.org.au

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The Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) has partnered with the Victorian Government to bring the key issues facing small business to the top of the national agenda by co-hosting the 12th annual National Small Business Summit to be held at the Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne on 7 – 8 August 2014.

Robert Mallett, Chair for COSBOA said that Melbourne was the logical choice for this year’s summit location with the next State election for Victoria scheduled for Saturday, 29 November and the Small Business Festival Victoria running from 1 - 31 August, providing a robust platform for debate and discussions.

“Partnering with the Victorian Government will help to build on the momentum of last year’s hugely successful Summit held in the lead up to the federal election, and will ensure that COSBOA continues to provide a strong voice for Australian small businesses,” Mr Mallett said.

“We invite anyone interested in the health, wealth and wellbeing of the small business sector to participate in the important debates and discussions at the 2014 National Small Business Summit to help shape the future of our country and economy.”

The 2014 Summit is once again expected to draw a stellar line-up of speakers and attendees, such as the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Treasurer and Small Business Commissioner.

“The networking opportunities and depth of conversation presented will move the issues facing small business forward. The Summit attracts small business representatives, senior politicians, bureaucrats and big business representatives in an annual exchange of ideas, opinions and experiences aimed to drive change and build productivity,” added Mr Mallett.

“The theme of People, Policy and Productivity will continue to drive the Summit agenda and COSBOA will remain focussed on vital issues such as workplace relations; the collection of superannuation; contract law and competition policies; women in business and the burdensome compliance and regulation demands placed on small business people.

“Small businesses are a major part of the Australian economy, employing over 4.5 million people and greatly contributing to local communities. It’s small business people who have the capability to innovate and deal with adversity, and COSBOA is committed to ensuring they receive the recognition and support they need and deserve.”

Registrations for the 2014 National Small Business Summit are now open.

Visit: www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au for more information and to register today.

http://www.cosboa.org.au/

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SLASHING the long-running Survey of Tourist Accommodation statistics program has diminished the state’s tourism growth potential, says the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC).

“This data is a vital business resource and without it we will not be able to gauge how accommodation businesses are performing. This will severely hamper the industry’s ability to learn, grow and realise its potential,” says VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments come as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announces the abolition of its Survey of Tourist Accommodation program, which has provided crucial data to the tourism sector for more than 30 years.

“The data provided over three decades has been essential in informing policy and operational decisions across the tourism industry, as well as for building effective business cases for potential investors, both in the accommodation industry and the tourism sector more broadly,” says Ms Smith.

“In partnership with the Accommodation Association of Australia, we call for the reinstatement of this crucial program.

“We strongly urge Minister Robb and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Steven Ciobo, to address this situation which will significantly affect this vital industry.”

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au 

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IMPOSING a new tax on Australia’s 3000 largest companies to fund the Abbott government’s Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme would penalise those employers already leading the way in PPL practices, says Australia’s resource industry.

"In an industry that pays among the highest wages in the country and actively seeks to recruit and retain more women, many of our larger members already have in place more attractive paid parental leave arrangements than the government’s model,” says Steve Knott, CEO of Australia’s resource industry employer group, AMMA.

“Not only would these employers be paying for something they won’t use, but the proposed PPL levy would penalise those who have been leading the way for years.

“This is a particularly bad idea when Australia is already one of the most expensive places in the world for new resource industry development and employers are under increasing competitive and cost pressures.

“We have been very consistent with the Coalition, both in government and in opposition, that a PPL scheme that imposes a new tax on our members won’t be supported.”

AMMA believes increased workforce participation in areas where women are underrepresented is best achieved through investment in attraction and retention programs.

Through its national initiative the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), AMMA has enjoyed funding support from both the current and former Australian Government’s in increasing the level of women in the wider resource industry.

“The resource industry acknowledges the ongoing support from the Australian Government that is assisting to increase our level of women employees. This is highly beneficial to both the resources sector and the national economy,” Mr Knott says.

“Only last month the government announced it would provide a further $440,000 in funding for the AWRA e-Mentoring program, an initiative that has had great success in connecting women in the resource industry with mentors across the country.

“Such initiatives, coupled with company-sponsored childcare, flexible working arrangements and return to work programs as well as innovative parental leave entitlements, have seen our industry make great in-roads in this area.

“Employers in our sector continue to advance on these initiatives even as we face declining commodity prices and a more challenging economic environment.

“Any government PPL scheme should be funded through consolidated national revenues and not pushed onto those employers already heavily investing in gender inclusion initiatives.”

www.amma.org.au

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