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CMI sees surge In Australian corporate climate activity

AS WORLD LEADERS join US President Joe Biden for his landmark climate summit starting tonight, Australian corporate interest and activity in climate action is surging, according to independent industry association the Carbon Market Institute (CMI).

Membership to the CMI has grown 36 percent this financial year with Coles signing on this month as the 100th member, following the retailer’s commitment to using 100 percent renewable electricity by the end of FY25, reducing Scope 1&2 emissions by more than 75 percent by the end of FY30 (from a FY20 baseline) and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Other recent CMI sign-ups include the NAB, HSBC, futures exchange FEX Global, regenerative farming business Macdoch Ag Group, carbon capture and storage research facility CO2CRC, and petroleum company Ampol.

CEO of the CMI John Connor said the surge in membership across the carbon market value chain was further evidence that this year is lining up to be a crucial one for corporate emissions reduction policies.

“Australian companies are now looking for economic opportunities in the transition to net-zero emissions and there is growing demand for more sophisticated carbon market services,” Mr Connor said. "FEX Global, for example, is looking to offer exchange traded futures contracts for low carbon energy and environmental products.

“While we welcome the Morrison government’s pragmatic approach to developing technologies to help Australia reach net-zero emissions, we are yet to see Australia commit to the scale and speed, or the policy framework, required to play our fair role," Mr Connor said.

“This year, whether at the Biden Summit or at COP 26, I hope to see other existing policy levers - such as strengthening the Safeguard Mechanism - brought in, to give clarity to Australian companies as they make key investment calculations.”

Coles Group’s chief sustainability, property and export officer, Thinus Keeve, said the company was proud to be the 100th corporate member of the Carbon Market Institute. 

“CMI provides a great platform to collaborate and share knowledge, something we have highlighted as a key pillar of our recently released sustainability strategy," Mr Keeve said. "Together to Zero acknowledges our commitment to work together with all stakeholders towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions and CMI provides an opportunity to do that."

FEX Global executive chairman Brian Price said, “We see opportunities in Australia’s future carbon market, with Australia well positioned to become an Asian energy and environmental finance hub.” 

FEX Global group executive for market infrastructure, Les Hosking, who was also CMI's first chair, said, "I am proud and delighted to be able to return to CMI as a member, and to be involved and contribute to the next phase of formation of 'carbon markets'."

Macdoch Ag Group, through its Wilmot Cattle Co, recently achieved a ground-breaking sale of private market carbon credits in the US.

Macdoch director, Eric Lawrence said, "We see an opportunity to achieve outcomes like this for a growing number of Australian farmers through the technological and practical support of farming practice change and the development of Australia’s carbon markets. We welcome CMI as a focal point and a channel for advocacy in realising this potential.”

CO2CRC chief executive David Byers said, “As a leader in carbon capture utilisation and storage research, CO2CRC joined CMI because its member network comprises a wide range of organisations pursuing a similar goal to us.

"Being a CMI member offers CO2CRC insights into national and global developments in carbon markets and policies, which stimulates the wider industry application of low emissions technologies like CCUS.”

CMI's John Connor said, “As our members show, the greatest value in joining CMI comes from the collaboration, knowledge-sharing and commercial opportunities that come from participating in its working groups, forums and its annual Australasian Emission Reduction Summit. 

“CMI also works robustly but constructively with governments to build current carbon markets and carbon pricing schemes, it recently released its Advocacy Positions which it will update each year.” 

About the Carbon Market Institute

The Carbon Market Institute is the independent industry association for business leading the transition to net zero emissions. Its members include primary producers, carbon project developers, Indigenous corporations, legal and advisory services, insurers, banks and emission intensive industries developing decarbonisation and offset strategies.

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Skilled migration inquiry hearings across Victoria

THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will hold a series of public hearings in Melbourne, Albury and Shepparton from April 21–23, 2021.

The committee has planned a busy program of public hearings and site inspections to investigate in more depth the challenges facing businesses and organisations who need to find and hire skilled migrants to fill job vacancies.

"The committee is looking forward to hearing from groups such as EY and CEDA who have considered this issue in detail, as well as exploring the practical difficulties faced by Australian business owners who have experienced navigating the skilled migration program," Mr Leeser said.

"Businesses such as those the committee will visit in regional NSW and Victoria have been vocal in their concerns about how hard it can be to fill jobs. Speaking directly to these businesses will give the Committee a valuable perspective on these issues."

More details on the inquiry and the hearing program are available on the Committee website.

Public hearing details

Melbourne

Date: Wednesday 21 April 2021
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Flinders Street, Melbourne

Albury

Date: Thursday 22 April 2021
Time: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Location: Mantra Albury Hotel, 524 Smollett Street, Albury

Shepparton

Date: Thursday 22 April 2021
Time: 12.30pm to 3pm
Location: Parklake, 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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Ombudsman calls on Australia Post to support food producers

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has called on Australia Post to defer its plans to stop delivering perishable goods, saying this would be a crushing blow to small business producers.

Mr Billson said Australia Post’s decision to cease delivery of various perishable goods from June 30 is a self-imposed deadline that could be delayed to work through its concerns, to support small business food producers.

“Given Australia Post has 80 percent share of the total delivery market, this abrupt decision could prove to be devastating to those small business food producers who rely on this essential postage service,” Mr Billson said.

“So many small businesses moved to selling their products online as a result of the COVID crisis. They need some additional time to consider what options they have to fulfil their orders.

“We strongly encourage Australia Post to consider the impact this will have on their small business customers and to work with regulators to find a way to continue this essential service. 

“Australia Post says the carriage of perishable food requirements differ state-by-state however there has been a national Food Regulation Agreement in place since 2000.

“My office has reached out to Australia Post and the state small business commissioners, who have all expressed their willingness facilitate discussions with industry regulators, to help resolve any issues Australia Post is experiencing across the delivery network," Mr Billson said.

“It is crucial to support small businesses as they work to recover from an incredibly challenging 12 months.

“Part of that is ensuring essential services such as postage of goods are both readily available and affordable to these affected small businesses.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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Refresh of North Queensland Defence bases

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has announced that it will scrutinise a new project from the Department of Defence which aims to provide vital estate maintenance and upgrades to support capability across RAAF Base Townsville, Townsville Field Training Area and HMAS Cairns.

Details of the project are: Department of Defence - North Queensland Mid Term Refresh Program – RAAF Base Townsville, Townsville Field Training Area and HMAS Cairns — $111.2 million.

It is anticipated that the committee will conduct a public and in-camera hearing for the inquiry in mid-May 2021. The committee wants to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the project.

Submissions for the project will be accepted until Thursday May 13, 2021.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings.

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The untold story: Women veterans on ANZAC Day

AS WE APPROACH ANZAC DAY, Sunshine Coast veteran Krishell Ennis hopes that time can be taken to highlight the support structures available to fellow female veterans along their transition back to civilian life.

Ms Ennis hopes that by sharing her own struggles, other veterans will navigate the experience a little easier.

Joining the navy when she was 22 years old, Ms Ennis served for nine years as a communications information systems sailor. Like many other veterans, Ms Ennis found it difficult to find her footing after rejoining civilian life in 2013.

“I think the biggest issue when I left, and I think it’s still that way today, is the transition between military and civilian world,” Ms. Ennis said. “There is no explanation of your skills and what sort of job you can now go for.

“You have to fumble around a lot.”

Ms Ennis emphasises the mental toll that this struggle can take, and how it can make veterans feel as if no-one wants to give them a chance.

“Getting my first job, it was hard…  I was unemployed for ages,” Ms Ennis said. “You end up thinking maybe I should just go back [to service] because as far as I know I have all these skills, but no-one wants to give me a job.”

Ms Ennis believes that it is not lack of services that is causing veterans to feel alone, but instead the lack of information about where to find the right services in an already overwhelming process.

“There is no little handy pack that says where you can go when you leave,” Ms Ennis said. “If you are feeling isolated, especially with mental health, there is nothing that says who your contacts are. Even one little sheet of paper would make a huge difference.”

Ms Ennis said that making this information readily available would help veterans to be able to easily access services before they may begin to feel isolated or overwhelmed.

Ms Ennis specifically hopes to stress this to young female veterans, who she believes can often be especially isolated upon their return. Speaking of a wellness group she helped create for fellow female veterans, she noticed the importance of making sure that everyone felt included.

“We had women who had not really been engaged and had just looked at programs and events,” Ms Ennis said.  

“They came to our wellness event and were saying ‘This is the first thing I have come to’ and it was just wonderful to see that we could engage those who otherwise may have been isolated.”

Ms Ennis pinpoints connection for all veterans as one of the most important factors in successful reintegration.   

“It’s hugely important for people to still connect, it’s the disconnect that makes a lot of problems,” Ms Ennis said.  “It’s important for people to know who you are so if you’re not doing well, we can tell.

“If someone isn’t commenting on the page or they’re speaking negatively, you will be able to know what is out of character.”  

Ms. Ennis highlights STEPS Young Veterans Support Program as one of the important available resources to veterans.

The program provides specialised employment support, from helping to identify career pathways, translating military experience into applicable workplace skills, and providing support for how to excel in your new role.

Ms Ennis specifically credits the importance of the program’s consultants having lived experience.

“You can talk to them in a different way knowing that they’ll understand, you feel like you don’t have to filter and they’re really open and sharing,” Ms Ennis said. “They have been so encouraging.”

Ms. Ennis approached the program to undertake a community services diploma and was grateful to feel involved and valued in the process.

“I wanted to start doing a community services diploma and they were so helpful,” Ms Ennis said. “It was amazing to have someone say ‘hey, we could help you’, rather than just directing you to a website or getting you to do something online.

“It’s personal, you’re not just another number because no-one wants to be just another number.”

Ms Ennis hopes that accessing these programs will become standard for veterans and wishes to see a more positive shift in the experience of all veterans.

“Put yourself out there to engage with others and know that there is always the support and help available to you,” Ms Ennis said.

“Never feel like you’re alone and you have got nowhere to go to.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from the STEPS Young Veterans Support Program, speak to one of the veteran support consultants today on 5453 8700 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information can be found at https://www.stepsemploymentsolutions.com.au/young-veterans-support-program/

 

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