THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has applauded the State Government’s pledge to provide Museum Victoria with $3 million in funding for its exhibition renewal program.
“We welcome the State Government’s continued support for cultural tourism as this sector is a significant driver of Melbourne’s development as a travel destination for Victorian, interstate and international visitors,” says VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith. "A vibrant tourism industry creates and sustains jobs and it’s positive to see the government prioritising this in the budget.”
Ms Smith’s comments follow last night’s announcement by the Hon. Heidi Victoria MP, Minister for the Arts, that the government will allocate $3 million in the 2014-15 State Budget to support Museum Victoria’s exhibition renewal program in the year ahead.
PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) was somewhat disappointed to see consumer confidence remain flat after the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment rose by only 0.3 percent in April to 99.7.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers were hoping for a better result, given that the index has fallen by a total of 9.6 percent since November.
“Consumers need to see some of the Government’s promised boosts to increasing hip pocket flexibility delivered by the Senate such as the abolition of the carbon tax.
“What the industry also needs now is Government support through cutting red tape, greater employment flexibility, addressing the GST loophole and reducing other burdens on Australian businesses who are struggling to keep their heads above water.
“Employment flexibility is a major for issue for the retail sector - retailers must be able to trade when customers want to shop. Today we live in a global market and we will only lose trade to overseas competitors if we do not trade to meet customer requirements.
“All levels of Government and the Fair Work Commission (FWC) must recognise the need to broaden the definition of normal working hours for those employees who wish to be flexible.
“It is perfectly reasonably that many employees are happy to start at 10am or 11am and finish work at (a still reasonable) 6pm or 7pm, allowing them to coordinate child, school and other duties with their partners.
“Why, in this day and age, retail businesses are punished for opening after 6pm, when many families find these flexible times fully reasonable, is anachronistic,” Mr Zimmerman said.
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 Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that it will fix mobile blackspots and provide free Wi-Fi on V/Line trains travelling between Melbourne and Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon.
Chief Executive Dianne Smith says “This initiative will enhance the visitor experience of Melburnians together with interstate and international visitors when they travel by train to enjoy the many attractions of these fantastic regional cities”.
“VTIC has consistently called for the introduction of free Wi-Fi on V/Line trains so it is very pleasing that there has now been this commitment made by the State Government to deliver this to support regional tourism operators and related businesses.
“We encourage the State Government to consider further rolling out of Wi-Fi services across the V/Line network.”
VECCI chief executive Fi on some regional train services.
"Fi on V/Line trains travelling between Melbourne and Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon," Mr Stone said.
"This initiative will help commuting employees, business owners and managers continue working and servicing clients while travelling, as well as provide benefits to tourism travelers.
"Fi on V/Line trains and we applaud the state and federal governments for collaborating for the good of regional business," he said.
"We encourage the State Government to consider rolling out Wi-Fi services across the V/Line network more broadly."
The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the peak body for employers in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.
PEAK retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for the retail industry’s most recognised awards event of the year - the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast.
The 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday July 15 at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the 2014 ARA Awards are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before.
“The ARA Awards have become something of an icon. It’s currently an exciting environment of change for the retail industry and there are countless stories of retailers achieving growth and excellence during challenging times - all of which need to be told and celebrated.
“The ARA Awards Breakfast is not only a fantastic platform for award winners to gain recognition amongst their peers and in the media, but also a great opportunity for all retailers, students, entrepreneurs and business professionals in general to enjoy a morning of valuable insights and networking with some of retail’s finest.
“We are fortunate enough to have one of Australia’s most inspiring retailers (and past ARA Award winner) present at this year’s event. Derek Dyson, Specsavers Global Retail Director, will deliver the keynote address and it will be a pleasure to have Derek’s extensive experience and insights showcased at the Awards Breakfast.
“The Specsavers brand has certainly become a centrepiece of Australian retail. Specsavers first came to the Australian market in 2007 as a wholesale business before opening their first stores in 2008 in Melbourne. There followed one of the fastest retail roll-outs ever seen in Australia with 100 Specsavers stores opened over the course of just 100 days – a truly inspiring retail story that needs to be shared,” Mr Zimmerman said.
The ARA encourages Australian retailers to be in quick to purchase their tickets as tables are expected to sell out fast. Prices are as follows:
ARA members $60
Non members $80
ARA members table of 10 $500
Non members table of 10 $700
key information and dates:
WHAT: 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards WHEN: Nominations now open and due by Friday 16 May 2014 Winners will be announced at the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast in Melbourne on 15 July 2014 (tickets available at www.australianretailawards.com.au). TO ENTER/NOMINATE: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to view eligibility criteria and select from eleven award categories TO BUY TICKETS: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.australianretailawards.com.au, call 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
AWARD CATEGORIES: eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, Visa Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Quest Payment Systems Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, eBay Inc Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year, FCB Australian Retail HR Practitioner of the Year, Rest Industry Supermale & female, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, Victorian Government Victorian Retailer of the Year and the Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Upgrade of the Year.
Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au, call 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
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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