THIS FRIDAY, June 25, the Trade and Investment Growth Committee will commence its program of public hearings on the prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries, with representatives from export businesses.

Committee Chair, George Christensen MP, said the committee was interested in hearing from export businesses in the resources sector about any challenges they have faced in accessing insurance and financial services.

"Australia’s export industries, including the resources sector, are critical in supporting our national economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is timely that this Committee examine the challenges and opportunities for these industries in accessing financial services and insurance," Mr Christensen said.

Witnesses include the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Adani Australia and other peak associations and businesses. Future hearings in coming weeks will feature witnesses from banks and financial institutions, government agencies and a wide range of stakeholder groups.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 25 June 2021
Time: 9am–3.10pm
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including the public hearing program is available on the committee’s webpage.

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CHANGES to skilled migration rules announced by the Federal Government this week will have a positive effect on the engineering profession and have been endorsed by Engineers Australia.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been expanded to include civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, transport, mining and petroleum engineering occupations. This is in addition to the already-listed occupations of mechanical and software engineer.

Engineers Australia chief executive officer, Bronwyn Evans said, “Engineers Australia welcomes the addition of seven engineering occupations to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. This is an excellent outcome which is set to benefit many companies across a range of engineering-intensive sectors in Australia.

“On behalf of the profession, Engineers Australia has been engaging with the Commonwealth Government about improvements to skilled migration as Australia moves towards the economic recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s pleasing that the government has listened and taken appropriate steps," Dr Evans said.

“Some 58.5 percent  of engineers in Australia’s labour force are born overseas, compared with 30 percent for the broader population, which demonstrates a high degree of reliance on skilled migration and the value of this week’s changes to the PMSOL.

“Resolving long-term skills supply challenges will require further action. Notably, less than half of overseas-born qualified engineers are in engineering roles, compared with two-thirds for their Australian-born peers.

“More support is needed for migrant engineers to break into the domestic employment market to ensure the nation benefits from this under-utilised skills supply.”

Engineers Australia is conducting research into the reasons for different employment outcomes for migrant engineers, which will be finalised next month.

“Engineers Australia is also keen to see the development of a long-term policy for the re-opening of Australia’s international borders,” Dr Evans said.

“This could include metrics that indicate when it is safe for the international border to re-open, such as vaccination rates, and nationally-aligned protocols for management of outbreaks.”

About Engineers Australia

With over 100,000 individual members, Engineers Australia is the profession’s peak body and is the voice of the profession, existing to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. High standards, globally-recognised credentials and international agreements enable Engineers Australia members to live and work around the world – with members currently in more than 120 countries.

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A NATIONAL awareness campaign about a free tailored mental health support service for small business owners has begun, amid new research revealing the emotional toll on small business owners during the past year.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said the campaign would raise awareness about Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program, which offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches.

“It is vital small business owners know that help is available if they need it,” Mr Billson said.

“New Access for Small Business Owners offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress.

“Crucially, the New Access for Small Business Owners program is delivered by coaches that have experience in small business. It really helps to know that the person you’re speaking with understands what it takes to run a small business.

“We know many small business owners have been hit hard throughout the pandemic, particularly with going in and out of lockdowns and restrictions, and that has understandably taken a toll.

“New research released by Xero has found almost seven out of 10 (68%) of 500 small business owners surveyed reported the past 12 months have been more emotionally draining than any other year they’ve been in business.

“It also found small business leaders have collectively lost more than eight million hours of sleep each week due to the demands of running their small business. Trouble sleeping can be a sign of stress.

“It’s important small business owners understand if they look after their mental health, they can also help their business.

“Our My Business Health web portal is an excellent support tool for small business owners and it links with the New Access for Small Business Owners program, while also providing easy-to-read, practical tips on the day-to-day tasks of running a small business.”

Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program is available now.

mybusinesshealth.gov.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will today hold the first public hearing for its inquiry into dispatchable energy generation and storage capability in Australia. 

Committee Chair, Ted O’Brien MP said, “Australia’s energy system is evolving, with the rapid growth in renewables and the retirement of thermal energy capabilities creating risks for reliability and security within the system.

“In assessing Australia’s future energy mix, it is important to ensure that Australia can capitalise on the opportunities presented by new and emerging energy technology, that the lights stay on, and that Australian business can be competitive in seizing new local and global opportunities,” Mr O’Brien said.

At Wednesday’s hearing the committee will hear from the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is responsible for the operations and security of the National Energy Market; and from the Department of Infrastructure, Science, Energy and Resources, about the policy framework and settings for Australia’s dispatchable energy future.

Public hearing details

Date:               Wednesday 23 June 2021
Time:               10.30am to 11.30am (see program below)
Location:         Parliament House, Canberra

Program

10.30am – 11am: Australian Energy Market Operator

11am – 11.30am: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

11.30am: Close

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Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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