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Telling Australia's story: committee reports on Canberra's national institutions

CANBERRA’s iconic Parliament House served as a fitting backdrop as the federal parliamentary committee examining Canberra’s national institutions released its report today.

Chair of the Committee, Ben Morton MP, said the Committee found that national institutions play an invaluable role in preserving and promoting Australia’s history, culture, arts, science and democracy.

“Canberra’s national institutions are a treasure and are worthy of our continued support and patronage”, Mr Morton said.

“But they need to do more to recognise their shared value to the nation as a cohesive group, rather than as individual entities. A shared narrative should directly connect national institutions with Australia’s story, and should underpin all the work they do.”

Outlining some of the report’s 20 recommendations, Mr Morton said that the Committee was keen to see various measures taken to enhance national institutions’ engagement with the public. These include encouraging new migrants to visit national institutions, reviewing and improving access to educational programs for the more than 165,000 school students who visit Canberra each year, and promoting the science education offered by some institutions. 

“The Committee particularly welcomed Australians’ genuine interest in being informed about their democracy through visiting and accessing Canberra’s national institutions”, Mr Morton said. “We have therefore recommended reviewing, enhancing and better aligning the work of institutions in this area, as well as offering more parliamentary and electoral education programs to the general public.”

Mr Morton highlighted the Committee’s recommendation to relocate and expand the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), effectively creating a new national institution focused on the history, culture and heritage of Australia’s first peoples. ”A major national institution focused on positive and comprehensive recognition of Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture  is long overdue”, Mr Morton said. 

“An expanded AIATSIS, located within the Parliamentary Zone, would include public exhibition facilities to tell this important Australian story in a bigger way, to more people. It would also be home to a national resting place for repatriated ancestral remains that cannot immediately return to Country.”

The Committee also recommended that the Government develop a business case for the establishment of a natural history museum in Canberra.

Among other recommendations in the report, the Committee identified measures to strengthen national institutions’ governance, including through better collaboration, and to help ease pressures on their budgets and resources. These include recommendations that the Australian Government work with Canberra’s national institutions to:

  • establish a formal consultative structure for Canberra’s national institutions, to work on aligning their planning, policy, marketing, and sharing resources;
  • develop shared collection storage and public exhibition spaces for Canberra’s national institutions;
  • develop a whole of government strategy to ensure that analogue audio-visual items held by national institutions are digitised, before it is too late; and
  • consider measures to offset the impact of financial and staffing pressures on small agencies, including Canberra’s national institutions.

“This was a large and complex inquiry, and an important one”, Mr Morton said. “I hope the Committee’s report will contribute to making Canberra’s national institutions even more effective in their work to preserve, and tell, Australia’s national story.”

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Intelligence Committee reports on encryption and counter-terrorism legislation

TODAY, the Intelligence and Security Committee has tabled two reports reviewing legislation that seeks to assist intelligence and law enforcement agencies to better deal with challenges posed by encrypted communications, and a separate counter-terrorism bill providing for the temporary exclusion of certain persons from Australia.

Assistance and Access Act

The report on the Review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 notes that the Assistance and Access Act has attracted significant domestic and international interest since the introduction of the then Bill in mid-2018 and its passage in late-2018. The Committee understands the interest as the Act introduced significant new powers on technical matters that have global implications.

The Committee notes in its report that the Assistance and Access Act will be reviewed by the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor and this Committee in the next Parliament, under its statutory review function.

Temporary Exclusion Orders Bill

In its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Bill 2019, the Committee supports the intention of the Bill to provide the Government with greater control over the return of Australian foreign fighters — and their families and associates — to Australia. The Committee supports passage of the Bill, subject to the implementation of 18 recommendations for safeguards and accountability measures to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the scheme.

Committee Chair, Andrew Hastie MP said the Committee takes its responsibility to review national security legislation seriously.

“The Committee has a strong track record of recommending amendments that enhance the effectiveness of Australia’s intelligence and security legislation.” Mr Hastie said.

“The two reports tabled today build on this significant record.”

Both reports are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pjcis.

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Report into Australian music industry

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts today presented its report on the Australian music industry. The committee has made 16 recommendations to ensure the future growth and sustainability of this sector.

Chair, Luke Howarth MP, stated that "investment in the support and promotion of Australian artists and other industry careers is essential to the retention of talent and, ultimately, the sustainability and growth of the Australian music industry.

"The music industry has experienced significant disruption as a result of technological advances and the rapid digitisation of the distribution of music; however, the industry’s recent return to growth and decrease in the number of consumers downloading music illegally is evidence of the industry’s successful adaption to the digital disruption," Mr Howarth said.

Key recommendations include:

  • removing the pricing cap on licence fees for the radio broadcast of sound recordings;
  • investing in supporting artists to tour in Australia, both in major cities and regional areas;
  • investing in the Live Music Office, to continue its work advising and supporting state and local governments to develop regulation that encourages and celebrates live music;
  • changing the application and monitoring of Australian music content quotas for commercial radio;
  • investing in Sounds Australia’s music exports program;
  • prioritising and supporting Australian music at government activities and events;
  • developing mutually beneficial visa arrangements with the United States of America to allow artists from both countries to more easily showcase and tour;
  • encouraging states and territories to improve access to music education for public primary and secondary school students;
  • investing in initiatives aimed at training and supporting Australian artists and industry professionals to grow and develop their businesses;
  • investing in grants and industry partnerships that support artists in the creation of new music and new recordings; and
  • investing in Support Act to enable it to expand its services and deliver crisis support for artists and others working in the Australian music industry.

The report can be accessed from the Committee’s website.

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Innovating mass transit report

REVOLUTIONARY developments in mass transit technology need to be met with the development of a revolutionary automated transit ecosystem, according to a new report.

House of Representatives Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee Chair John Alexander said if done well, the automation and electrification of mass transit has the potential to make Australian cities and regions cleaner, greener, more accessible and more liveable.

"Achieving this outcome will demand vision and leadership from government," Mr Alexander said.

"We need to make the timely provision of the supporting infrastructure for the transition to the fuels of the future."

The report, titled Innovating Transport across Australia, makes 17 recommendations addressing a range of issues around automated transport and alternative energy sources. These recommendations include establishing the Office of National Chief Engineer, developing a new automated transport ecosystem and developing a national hydrogen strategy.

"Ideally, our transport networks will consist of integrated multi-modal networks—systems operating across a variety of transport modes, connected by information exchanges with seamless ticketing," Mr Alexander said.

A copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website or from the secretariat on (02) 6277 2352.

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ACS and DXC Technology launch national events for World Autism Awareness Day

ACS and DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) today announced a series of national events for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, including a major event at ACS’s Technology and Innovation Hub in Sydney’s Barangaroo, designed to highlight opportunities in ICT for people on the autism spectrum.

Additional events are being held on April 2 and throughout April for World Autism Awareness Month, in Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

DXC has been a leading advocate for inclusive employment for people on the spectrum since 2014 when it started the DXC Dandelion Program, focussed on building valuable technology, life and executive functioning skills to help establish careers for people on the autism spectrum.

“The launch of these events with ACS to mark World Autism Awareness Day will help us share our knowledge and learnings from our DXC Dandelion Program and our neurodiversity hubs to allow other organisations to establish sustainable employment programs,” said Seelan Nayagam, managing director, DXC Technology Australia and New Zealand.

“Our goal is make a greater social impact from the work we have done over the last five years and ACS is an excellent platform from which we can collaborate with the broader industry.”

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to highlight the value of a marginalised group of people,” said ACS president Yohan Ramasundara. “People on the autism spectrum represent an untapped resource and an opportunity to expand a business’ diversity and inclusion.

“Far from being a liability, many people with autism excel in the kinds of tasks required by ICT professions. They often have a very high attention to detail, an eye for detecting patterns, the capacity for lateral thinking and the ability to sustain superior levels of concentration. As we see with so many forms of workforce diversity, it’s actually to a business’s benefit to look at people on the spectrum as a source of business value.

“We really wanted to highlight on World Autism Awareness Day that there is this huge source of talent, with people who aren’t just capable, but excel in certain kinds of tasks.”

DXC’s Social Impact Practice leader and Dandelion program executive, Michael Fieldhouse, will be hosting the event at Barangaroo at 12pm on April 2, which will also showcase panellists Mike Tozer, CEO and founder of Xceptional; Natalie Phong, human resources business partner, SAP; and Susannah Pondekas, senior manager, strategic initiatives at CBA.

www.acs.org.au

About ACS

ACS is the professional association for Australia's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. More than 45,000 ACS members work in business, education, government and the community. ACS exists to create the environment and provide the opportunities for members and partners to succeed. ACS strives for ICT professionals to be recognised as drivers of innovation in our society, relevant across all sectors, and to promote the formulation of effective policies on ICT and related matters. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.

About DXC Technology

As the world's leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) leads digital transformations for clients by modernizing and integrating their mainstream IT, and by deploying digital solutions at scale to produce better business outcomes. The company’s technology independence, global talent, and extensive partner network enable 6,000 private and public-sector clients in 70 countries to thrive on change. DXC is a recognized leader in corporate responsibility. For more information, visit dxc.technology and explore THRIVE, DXC’s digital destination for changemakers and innovators.

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Company tax cuts top SME wishlist

SME GROWTH INDEX research released today shows that, when asked what SME priority the new Federal Parliament should focus on, company tax cuts was the top response.

SME Growth Index research is conducted independently by banking analysts East & Partners, on behalf of national working capital funder Scottish Pacific. The owners, CEOs or senior financial staff of 1257 SMEs across all states and key industries, with annual revenues of $A1-20 million.

Scottish Pacific CEO Peter Langham said company tax cuts topped the wish, nominated by 27 percent of business owners as the initiative that should have top priority.

The Federal Government’s moves last month to further expand the instant asset write-off should please respondents, as almost 24 percent said this should be their focus.

One in five SMEs want the newly elected government to prioritise cutting red tape by reducing their administrative and regulatory burden.

Mr Langham said SMEs were far more concerned about government action on things they see affecting their business on a day-to-day basis, rather than big picture projects such as the NBN or small business funding initiatives.

“Over the past six years, the SME Growth Index has repeatedly highlighted that company tax cuts and a reduced regulatory burden are the most pressing reforms SMEs are crying out for. Nothing has changed this round,” Mr Langham said.

“The Index has recorded a three year high in SMEs expecting to grow in the first half of 2019, despite the uncertainty surrounding the property market, Royal Commission aftermath and pre-election period.

“Simplifying the complex tax system and cutting red tape, and on a state basis getting rid of payroll tax, would have the biggest daily impact for Australia’s small to medium business sector.

“These are the everyday impact items that will energise SMEs, encourage business investment and drive growth and innovation,” he said.

Mr Langham said Federal Government efforts to simplify BAS must be starting to hit the mark – in this latest research, only one in 10 SMEs named further BAS simplification as their top priority, down from one in four when this question was last asked 18 months ago.

Only 7 percent thought reducing SME energy costs should be the main focus for the new parliament.

“Despite significant publicity around the announcement of a $2 billion SME lending fund, not even 3 percent of respondents felt that implementing this fund should be the top priority,” Mr Langham said.

“The research also found that very few SMEs thought the first order of business for any new Federal Government should be extending legislation to ease late payment times, working on SME infrastructure such as the NBN or funding national cybersecurity education for small businesses.”

Most SMEs weren’t seeking the extension of legislation designed to ease late payment times and to mandate participation in the Australian Supplier Payment Code, despite much public debate about ever-lengthening supplier payment times.

Just over 2 percent of business owners named it as their preferred top post-election priority.

Dedicated SME infrastructure such as fast tracking the NBN (less than 2%) and cybersecurity (1%) are seen by business owners as lower on the agenda for a new government relative to tax cuts and cutting red tape.

This is despite a recent Chubb and YouGov survey, Too Small to Fail? Australia SME Cyber Preparedness Report, that found 71 percent of SMEs have experienced a cyber-attack or error in the past 12 months and 45 percent of SME owners are not confident that their employees who have access to sensitive data are fully aware of their data privacy responsibilities.

 

About Scottish Pacific

Scottish Pacific is Australasia’s largest specialist working capital provider, helping thousands of business owners with the working capital they need to succeed. Scottish Pacific lends to small, medium and large businesses with revenues ranging from $500,000 to $1 billion. www.scottishpacific.com

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Academy applauds funding to boost gender equity in STEM

THE Australian Academy of Science has applauded the announcement by the Federal Government to invest $3.4 million to improve science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) equity in Australia and boost the participation of girls and women in STEM careers.

Academy president, Professor John Shine said the $1.8 million commitment to extend the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) — a partnership between the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering — was particularly significant.

“SAGE is the only transformative gender equity program of its kind in Australia designed to achieve sustained change via ongoing evaluation and a national accreditation framework,” Prof. Shine said. 

SAGE was set up to pilot the UK’s Athena SWAN Charter and accreditation framework in Australia. Fifteen Australian institutions were recognised for their efforts to improve gender equity, receiving the inaugural Athena SWAN Bronze Awards from SAGE in December last year.

“Australia has taken a leadership role by piloting the Athena SWAN Charter program, with countries such as Canada and the United States now following our example,” Prof. Shine said. 

The Australian Government’s continued support of the SAGE pilot positions Australia well and represents a strategic and forward-thinking investment that will allow the successful pilot to have greater reach and impact, he said.

“The Academy called for a stronger commitment to equity in science as one of its key priorities for the upcoming Federal election, recognising the positive and sustained impact of SAGE,” Prof. Shine said.

“Minister Andrews’ bold vision to have all eligible Australian research institutions being SAGE members and demonstrating their commitment to gender equity is commendable and achievable."

The Academy also welcomed funding for a national digital awareness raising initiative to be supported by Australia’s Women in STEM ambassador, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith.

“Efforts to improve the visibility of girls and women in STEM and showcase the diverse career opportunities available by studying STEM are critically important,” Prof. Shine said.

“In making these announcements, Minister Andrews has recognised that supporting women’s participation in STEM has a positive economic impact.

“Australia needs access to all its available talent regardless of who or where they are, and we must ensure everyone takes action through the Women in STEM Decadal Plan,” Prof. Shine said. 

The plan was developed by the Australian Academy of Science in partnership with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. It will be launched on Monday evening, April 1, at Parliament House by the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews.

It will identify opportunities to bring about the systemic changes required to achieve gender equity in STEM and will call on leaders across the STEM ecosystem to drive action to achieve this.

See the Academy’s other science priorities for the 2019 federal election.

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The 2019 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards nominations are open

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has announced that submissions for the 2019 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are open.

This year’s awards will be held on August 15 at Myer Mural Hall, in front of 500 esteemed guests from across the country and will highlight the achievements accomplished by the breadth of talent across the ever-evolving retail landscape.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said he was thrilled to acknowledge the retail leaders who are propelling the industry forward, through Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program.

“The ARA Awards have now celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years and throughout this time, we have seen the retail industry enrich the lives of many Australians,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“As the industry continues to grow, the ARA believes it is important to recognise the dedicated retailers who have moulded retail into what is it today, and who continue to contribute to the vibrancy of retail.” 

The ARA is pleased to have major event sponsor, eftpos on board for the sixth consecutive year in a row, with Warwick Ponder, executive manager of Corporate Affairs and Communication expressing his support for Australian retailers.

“For over three decades eftpos has been the leading transaction provider for Australian shoppers and merchants and have revolutionised the way customers pay for goods and services,” Mr Ponder said.

“As retail makes vital contributions to the longevity of the Australian economy, we are proud to sponsor this incredible Awards program and recognise the Australian retailers who are the face of this industry.”

This year’s Awards includes 12 categories showcasing the diverse leaders in Australian retail – from digital retailers to national organisations, exceptional employees and cutting-edge store fit-outs. 

However, one of the most exciting additions to this year’s awards is the 2019 Retail Business Woman of the Year Award, which aims to honour the remarkable female leaders in the retail industry. 

“Through the successful application of our Women in Retail Series, the ARA have been inspired by the incredible stories shared by the strong female leaders working within the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

“With 57.7 percent of retail employees being female, the ARA believe it's important to acknowledge the achievements made by talented female retailers and hopes it will motivate young women across the nation to consider a personal and professionally fulfilling career in retail.” 

The ARA has already received an abundance of nominations and encourages all retailers to submit an entry or nominate an extraordinary retail employee before Friday May 17.

All submissions are free and category details, eligibility and registration forms are available now at www.retail.org.au/2019-ara-retail-awards.

“The industry is filled with such a rich portfolio of retailers, and the 2019 ARA Retail Awards are the perfect way to pay homage to the passionate retailers who are the backbone of this dynamic and thriving sector,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

“We welcome retailers from all walks of the industry to take up this excellent opportunity and nominate their chosen organisation or exceptional individual who are paving the future of the retail.”

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $320 billion-dollar sector, which employs more than 1.3 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,800 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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ABC: Find out what the Budget means for you

THE 2019 ELECTION year Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, April 2, and the ABC will have extensive coverage on all its platforms.

Coverage begins at 7:30pm (AEDT), as the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hands down his first Federal Budget live from Canberra on the eve of an election campaign.

From 8pm, our expert team of Leigh Sales, Andrew Probyn, Laura Tingle and Barrie Cassidy will discuss the winners and losers and what the budget means to you, with insights from Greg Jennett and Annabel Crabb.

The Budget Special will include the first interview with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, as well as an interview with Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen.

The coverage and analysis of Budget 2019 continues on ABC NEWS channel from 9pm (AEDT) with extended analysis by Greg Jennett, Andrew Probyn and Emma Alberici, who will be joined by Patricia Karvelas and Ian Verrender.

At 9.30pm (AEDT) Elysse Morgan presents a half hour special of The Business featuring:

  • Mathias Cormann - Finance Minister
  • Jim Chalmers - Shadow Finance Minister
  • Diane Smith-Gander - Australian Business Executive
  • Simon McKeon - Chancellor of Monash University

At 10pm (AEDT), there will be a late-night special edition of The Drum simulcast on ABC and ABC NEWS channel, hosted by Ellen Fanning, talking to leaders of the Australian business community for their reaction to the budget. Joining Ellen Fanning will be:

  • Ketan Joshi – energy, science and technology expert
  • Phil Coorey - Political Editor for the Australian Financial Review
  • Wesley Enoch – artistic director and playwright

ABC will also broadcast Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s Budget Reply speech at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday, April 4, followed by extended coverage and analysis on ABC NEWS channel from 8pm (AEDT).

www.abc.net.au

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All housing tax incentives need to be on the table - Master Builders

“MASTER Builders Australia welcomes the announcement of Labor’s Build to Rent tax concessions that will encourage institutional investment in housing and boost residential building activity,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said. 

“However, Labor’s announcement that its increase of capital gains tax and restrictions on negative gearing will start from January 1, 2020 does nothing to allay concerns about the impact on building activity and the housing supply. 

“Our modelling that shows Labor’s policy will reduce the number of new homes by up to 42,000 and deprive the economy of up to $11.8 billion worth of building activity,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Master Builders Forecasts tell us that we need 62,000 new homes built each year to meet the community’s demand for housing. 

“We need all incentives for investment on the table rather than taking away incentives from one part of the market to prop up another,” Ms Wawn said. 

“This is just robbing Peter to pay Paul."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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Resources sector outlook is good news for Queensland

STRONG PROJECTIONS for key Queensland resource commodities was good news for the state’s economy, jobs, exports and royalty revenue, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.
 
Mr Macfarlane said the Australian Government’s Office of Chief Economist report had forecast strong market conditions for metallurgical and thermal coal, LNG, bauxite, copper and zinc.
 
“A strong and supported Queensland resources sector means a stronger Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.
 
“Figures in the latest Resources and Energy quarterly projects growing demand from India and south-east Asia which means even more exports, even more royalty taxes and even more jobs for Queensland.
 
“The resources sector already contributed more than $60 billion of Queensland’s exports, more than $5 billion in royalty taxes, more than 316,000 jobs across the State and will deliver an extra $1 billion in company tax to next week’s Federal Budget due to higher metallurgical coal prices. 

“I am urging Queensland community groups, charities, local councils and other industries to nominate their project and cause for this maroon money through our Maroon Fund (see link below).”

Mr Macfarlane said it was critical there was stable and predictable policy and royalty tax rates or Queensland will fail to benefit from the improved outlook across key commodities.
 
“The reality is that Queensland is a leading supplier of coal, LNG, bauxite, copper and zinc, but we are not alone,” he said.
 
“Haphazard or anti-investment policy will only allow our competitors to improve their market share, attract new investment, create new jobs and return more taxes to their own governments.”

Maroon Fund nominations.

www.qrc.org.au

 

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