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ARA respects passage of the Modern Slavery Bill

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has acknowledged the passage of the Modern Slavery Bill 2018 through the Federal Parliament.

The new legislation introduces a mandatory reporting requirement for large businesses and organisations, among other means designed to tackle modern day slavery. 

According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index, modern slavery is estimated to affect 45.8 million people across the world. Under the new laws, businesses exceeding $100 million in annual turnover will be required to investigate their supply chains and report on their activities to stamp out instances of modern slavery.

The ARA expects the first modern slavery reports to be completed by the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said many retailers have already employed ethical sourcing programs and are passionate about eliminating modern slavery from their supply chains.

“These new laws will introduce a collective approach to address instances of modern slavery, which will make it far easier for individual organisations to make a bigger impact through their supply chains,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We believe a competitive, market-based approach to investigating and stopping modern slavery will produce results by encouraging a ‘race-to-the-top’ mentality amongst retailers.”

The ARA undertook comprehensive consultations with major retailers, submitted to three separate inquiries, and engaged directly with the Federal Government to ensure that the new requirements were flexible and practical for retailers.

“We have been extensively involved in the development of the new laws over the last 18 months and the ARA continues to be the only retail organisation advocating for a pragmatic approach on behalf of the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The complex and interconnected nature of many supply chains can cause major headaches for retailers when trying to eliminate unethical practices and potentially also when complying with modern slavery reporting.”

Mr Zimmerman said previous calls for strict penalties and the introduction of an Anti-Slavery Commissioner went too far, and that the new laws strike the right balance.

“The ARA will continue to represent retailers when the development of regulations and guidelines begins in-earnest over the next few months, to ensure that pragmatism prevails,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Moving forward, we will be seeking for further clarity on behalf of retailers regarding a number of practical elements, including for concession retailers and resellers, as well as the financial impact of the extensive auditing which will be required to satisfy the reporting obligations.”

The ARA will has produced a brief explainer for retailers on what the changes will mean for their businesses, which can be accessed here.

Retailers can also stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments and guidance by visiting www.retail.org.au, or by checking the fortnightly Retail Voice newsletter.


About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 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 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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National Congress calls on Govt to enact recommendations on constitutionally enshrined Voice

NATIONAL CONGRESS has reported that it is pleased that the final Joint Select Committee report on the Voice to the Parliament has recommended the constitutionally enshrined Voice and setting up of the truth and justice commission.

Now the National Congress of Australia's is urging the Federal Government to now accept the recommendations and act on them.

"We would like to thank the committee for their work and recognising the inputs and recommendations made by our peoples," reported a National Congress  official communique.

"We echo the recommendations that accepting the Statement from the Heart at Uluru will inform Australians of facts of what has happened in the past and continues today, knowing and understanding the truth and history will only strengthen the identity of this nation.

"The recommendations in the final report are received with the hope that its implementation should be first priority of the 46th Parliament. We also hope that legislation is passed quickly to enact a process of truth-telling involving local organisations and regional communities and the creation of a truth and justice commission."

Recommendations made by the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples have been acknowledged and appreciated by professor Tom Calma in the report, underlining the work done by the organisation to further the rights of First Nationsl peoples and action on the voice to the Parliament.
 
Jackie Huggins, co-chair of the National Congress said, “We hope that the call to enshrine the voice, truth and justice commission in the 46th Parliament is met. We urge the government to now legislate the recommendations without further delay." 
 
National Congress co-chair Rod Little said, "The government must realise there is much that can be done before the election to progress important work identified within the recommendations of the report. First Australians continue to be locked out of making decisions on matters that impact our families and communities and ultimately rightful recognition in the Constitution will go a long way to improving the lives of future generations.”

"The success of this country has been built on First Peoples suffering, however here is an opportunity to create a brighter future for this nation through equality and justice for all Australian’s including First Australians.

"This report needs to be embraced positively and legislative action is urged to set us on a path that would enable a partnership to seriously close the gaps and address concerns our people have faced for so long. We call on this government to urgently enact the reforms proposed in the final report, commencing with a truth-telling and agreement making commission."

About the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples

National Congress is the peak organisation representing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Congress was established following extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and leaders and has represented First People at the federal level since 2010. National Congress represents close to 10,000 individual members from across Australia as well as over 180 peak and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

www.nationalcongress.com.au

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Power networks show productivity improvements for customers

AUSTRALIA'S electricity network businesses have achieved significant productivity improvements in 2016-17, ensuring that consumers pay no more than necessary on their power bills.

Reports released by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) yesterday show that productivity among electricity distributors has increased by 2.7 percent, while productivity in transmission businesses rose a record-setting 5.8 percent.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon said distribution businesses had improved performance for the second year in a row, outstripping the productivity increases of the entire Australian economy and the utilities sector.

“Even better, transmission businesses have had the single biggest productivity increase in the measure’s recorded history,” he said.

“These results, plus the fact that network prices have been falling in every State across the national electricity market for the past three years – up to 20 percent in some cases - are great news for customers.”

Productivity is measured as the level of output a network business provides relative to the amount of inputs it uses.

“An increase in productivity means a business can produce the same or improved service to customers at a lower cost,” Mr Dillon said. 

“The main driver of the productivity gains is networks finding ways to reduce their costs while still managing to enhance reliability for customers.”

Mr Dillon said the AER investigation into productivity showed incentive regulation was working as networks were delivering real value to customers under the current regulatory framework.

“When networks save money by improving productivity, customers get a bigger slice of the savings than the businesses do,” he said.

“Seventy percent of any operating cost saving is given back to customers over time, so a more productive business means lower bills for customers.”

www.energynetworks.com.au

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Final report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition and a Voice to Parliament

THE Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples has presented its final report to the Parliament.

The committee was established in March to consider matters relating to constitutional change, including the recommendations of the Expert Panel, the previous Joint Select Committee, the Statement from the Heart, and the Referendum Council.

At the outset, the committee understood and acknowledged that the Statement from the Heart was a significant turning point in the discussion about the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As such, the committee focussed its efforts on the central proposal for constitutional change made in the Statement from the Heart — the proposal for a First Nations Voice.

The committee has also been mindful of the need to ensure that its recommendations are legitimate and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Parliament, and, ultimately, the Australian people.

In its interim report, the committee considered the proposal for a Voice in detail, and since July the committee continued to seek the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and others about how best to achieve constitutional recognition.

In its final report, the committee endorsed the proposal for a Voice. The committee recommends a process of co-design between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to determine the detail of the Voice, to conclude within the term of the 46th Parliament.

The committee further recommends that the appropriate legal form of the Voice be determined following this process of co-design.

The committee considers that these recommendations are significant steps for the Parliament to discuss and consider, and significant steps towards a bipartisan and agreed approach to advancing the cause of constitutional recognition. 

The committee also makes recommendations in relation to truth-telling about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, traditions, and culture. The committee hopes that a fuller understanding of Australia’s history will lead to a more reconciled nation.

The committee has acknowledged and thanked everyone who participated in the inquiry, including those who made written submissions and gave evidence at public hearings around Australia.

The final report is available on the committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/jsccr.

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QRC welcomes green light for Adani finance

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement that the Adani Carmichael project has full finance, and that work will soon get underway on the mine in the Galilee Basin.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the investment in the project was a sign of the strength of the Queensland resources sector.

“This is great news for Queensland and great news for regional Queensland in particular, because every new resources project benefits all of us,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Adani has shown it is committed for the long-term for an investment that will create jobs now and decades into the future.

“In recent months Adani has made sensible revisions to the project to ensure it can get underway as soon as possible, including a scale up to capacity and a decision to use common narrow gauge infrastructure.

“Today’s announcement will be an economic kickstart for all of Central and North Queensland, in particular for Rockhampton and Townsville where most of the jobs will be created. But there are also benefits for communities around Mackay, Bowen, Moranbah, Clermont and the Isaac and Central Highlands regions.

“For every job in the resources sector there are spinoff benefits in other industries. QRC’s most recent economic contribution data showed that for every direct job in the resources industry, there are four to five extra jobs in associated industries," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Just like every other project, Adani has followed the rules and gone through a rigorous and exhaustive approvals process.

“All resources projects comply with the highest environmental standards that allow mining to co-exist with other industries such as agriculture and tourism.

“There can be no more tolerance of anti-resources activists breaking the law to stand in the way of lawful projects. And there can be no more tolerance of activists abusing the law to delay projects on trumped-up grounds.

“Queenslanders have had enough of that, and they want the resources sector and all levels of Government to work together to create jobs," he said.

“New investments in the resources industry, including opening up the huge Galilee Basin, will deliver for all Queenslanders. There are six mines that could proceed in the Galilee, which would create a new wave of prosperity to build on the enormous investments that have transformed our state for the better over the last 25 years.

“Each new project adds to the return for Queenslanders, by building schools, roads and hospitals and adding to the $4.3 billion in royalty taxes the resources sector pays to Queensland.”

www.qrc.org.au

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Children’s toys at the top of Santa’s list this Christmas - ARA

CHILDREN across Australia are drafting their Christmas lists ahead of the upcoming festive season. With the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan predicting Australians to spend more than $51 billion over the Christmas trading period from November 9 to December 24 2018, the ARA believes toy retailers will be busier than Santa’s reindeers this Christmas.

With the ARA and Roy Morgan forecasting Aussies to increase their spending in the ‘Other retailing’ category by 2.7 percent, Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said toy retailers’ stockings are going to be filled with children’s choice this Christmas.   

“Last year we saw a significant amount of stock flying off the shelves during the pre-Christmas period. With a range of new and innovative products on offer, we encourage parents to get in quick and secure the perfect gift for their child this Christmas,” Mr. Zimmerman said.

“Retailers also need to be prepared for the rush of parents trying to wrap up their purchases during the busy festive season.”

Taking out the top spot for the second consecutive year in a row, LOL Surprise! Dolls remain a fan favourite for kids aged 3+ with nine layers of unwrapping excitement. A staple under any tree, the LEGO Duplo Steam Train Sets and are the ideal gift for the curious kids aged 2-5.

Gabby Anderson, executive manager of the Australian Toy Association, said although the toy industry has faced a major loss with the closure of Toys R Us, she believes this will provide an opportunity for local retailers to take the reins. 

“While the toy industry has seen some disruptions recently, the demand for toys always remains high, and parents still prioritise purchasing toys for their children through bricks-and-mortar stores, which should provide some joy for local toy retailers this Christmas,” Ms Anderson said.

New toys have also entered the market including Gravitrax, an innovative marble run system encouraging children aged 8+ to build their own customised race tracks, and Treasure X Sets, designed for kids aged 5+ with adventurous and inquisitive minds.

“This year we are noticing a range of toys that are designed to stimulate imagination and creativity, which is a refreshing change from the technology-driven pattern we have seen in previous years,” Mr Zimmerman said.  

“With new and exciting products on offer, parents have a range of gifts to spoil their kids with this Christmas. As customer experience is at the heart of retail, we know there will be no shortage of surprises when kids unwrap their presents on Christmas day.”

 https://www.retail.org.au/christmas-predictions/

 http://www.roymorgan.com/

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Applications for Queensland Small Business Grants are now open

THE LATEST round of Small Business Entrepreneur Grants to assist Queensland small businesses are now open for application.

The funding can be used for professional advice and support for business planning, marketing strategy development, as well as social media and digital strategies, research, mentoring and coaching.

Matched funding of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses to engage a consultant, advisor or business coach for up to three months to help establish or develop the business. The minimum grant funding amount is $1,000.

Round four applications opened November 15 and close at 5pm on December 13, 2018.

www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/entrepreneur-grants.

Read Small Business Application Guidelines HERE.

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Intelligence Committee public hearing on telecommunications to proceed

THE CHAIR, Andrew Hastie MP, and the deputy chair, Anthony Byrne MP, of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security make the following joint statement:

“The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is assessing the timeframe for its report. The Committee continues to operate in a cooperative and bipartisan manner as it considers the Telecommunications and Other Legislation (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018.

"The Committee has met today and confirmed that the scheduled hearing for Friday will proceed.

"The public hearing on Friday will include representatives from industry and community groups. ”

A program for the hearing will be published later today.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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New home building remains solid despite credit crunch - Master Builders

"NEW HOME building held up well during the September 2018 quarter despite the tougher market conditions,” according to Master Builders Australia’s chief economist Shane Garrett. 

The ABS figures on Construction Work Done released this morning indicate that new residential building work eased back by 1.8 percent during the quarter but was still 4.7 percent  higher than a year earlier, he said.

“Surprisingly, the apartment/unit side of the market put in a strong performance and came close to surpassing its busiest quarter on record. Work on detached houses fell by 3.2 percent compared with the previous quarter,” Mr Garrett said. 

“The performance of residential building has proven more resilient than expected in light of the unfolding credit crunch and less favourable conditions in Australia’s largest housing markets.

“Going forward, we do expect the tougher financial environment to take its toll on the volume of new home building over the next few years. Larger apartment projects will probably see the biggest reduction,” Mr Garrett said. 

Today’s figures also indicated that non-residential building declined by 2.4 percent during the September 2018 quarter and engineering construction fell by 4.5 percent 

“With the Federal Budget set be delivered earlier next year, it is important that it includes measures to support our sector’s capacity to meet the building needs of a steadily growing population,” Mr Garret said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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Dee Why hearing for inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits

THE HOUSE of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing in Dee Why on Friday November 30 as part of its inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits.

The Chair of the committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, "The committee is examining how removing refundable franking credits would affect investors, particularly senior Australians who have planned for their retirement under the existing rules."

"During last week’s hearings in Sydney and Melbourne, many retirees shared their concerns that they stand to lose up to a third of their income and may be forced onto the Age Pension if the ability to claim a refund on their franking credits is removed," he said.

Wilson Asset Management, who will appear at Dee Why, said in its submission, "The current system ensures that individuals who are subject to a tax rate below the 30 percent company tax rate are compensated for the tax that has been paid at a higher rate."

Wilson Asset Management argues that the proposal to remove refundable franking credits is "regressive", since "high-income earners would still receive credits to offset their tax liabilities, with low-income earners paying the price."

By contrast, the Australian Council for Social Services (ACOSS) submitted that "those most adversely affected by the removal of refundable imputation credits would for the most part be relatively wealthy people with substantial income from self-managed superannuation funds, who pay little or no income tax".

ACOSS recommend that if such a policy is implemented, investors with low income from dividends could be protected by simply allowing ‘the refunding of imputation credits up to a modest annual limit.

Mr Wilson said, "The final hour of the public hearing will provide the opportunity for members of the public to make short statements to the committee about how the removal of refundable franking credits would affect their retirement savings and whether it would increase reliance on the Age Pension."

Public hearing details: 9.30am to 1.30pm, Friday, November 30, 2018, Dee Why RSL Club, Oaks Room 2, 932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, New South Wales.

Further public hearings will be announced as the inquiry progresses. Program information will be available closer to the event on the inquiry webpage. The hearings will be webcast live (audio only).

A number of submissions have been received and are available on the committee’s webpage at: www.aph.gov.au/economics. Submissions can be made online or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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First post-Brexit agreement approved

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report supporting the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

The Agreement is the first of a series of agreements with the UK resulting from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. As part of the Brexit arrangements, the UK is in the process of establishing new treaties, so while this treaty is new, all current arrangements relating to Australian nuclear materials will be unchanged.

Committee chair, Russell Broadbent MP, said the Agreement would ensure that the transfer of Australian uranium to the UK, and the commercial operations of Australian uranium mining companies, is uninterrupted post-Brexit.

Australia imposes strict rules on the use of exported Australian nuclear materials.  Australian nuclear materials can only be used for peaceful purposes.

Australian rules also require that Australian nuclear material must be safely and securely stored, and must be accounted for at all times.

“The UK is a significant international manufacturer of nuclear fuel.  Australian nuclear materials transformed into nuclear fuel can only be exported from the UK to other countries that have a nuclear cooperation agreement with Australia,” Mr Broadbent said.

In addition, the UK must seek Australia’s prior consent before exporting Australian nuclear material to another country.

The Agreement will ensure that Australian nuclear materials are always subject to Australia’s stringent safety and security standards. It will come into force on either March 29, 2019 or December 31, 2020, depending on the outcome of the Brexit negotiation process.

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