THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to release more than 6600 square kilometres of land for gas exploration with 917sqm kept for the domestic market. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said opening up land for exploration was a commitment of confidence in the gas industry and another sign Queensland was getting on with the job to help ease the east coast gas squeeze.

"Yet again Queensland is demonstrating its willingness to actively attract private sector investment to create more jobs, more exports, more royalties and more gas into the domestic market,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“More gas being produced is good news for all gas customers, both domestic and export. With a go-slow on gas development in NSW, and a blanket ban on some types of gas projects in Victoria, what the Southern States are really saying is they’re not prepared to support local jobs and local industry." 

Companies are invited to bid for the right to explore for the gas south-west of Chinchilla in the Surat and Bowen basins. 

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has announced one of the world’s largest zinc companies, Teck, has been granted a permit to explore 102sqkm near Cloncurry. 

“This is a huge boost for exploration in Queensland with the Canadian mining powerhouse exploring in the State’s mineral rich North West Minerals Province,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“This province has the potential to unearth vast amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels. 

“The ongoing strength of our resources sector will lock in economic gains for all Queenslanders. 

“Only stable and predictable policy will ensure investment in exploration leads to new investment, new jobs and new exports for Queensland."

The Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass, according tot he QRC.

www.qrc.org.au

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AUSTRALIA'S transformative Naval Shipbuilding College has been officially opened.

The college will deliver a coordinated, national approach to workforce development and skilling for our naval shipbuilding enterprise.

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne officially opened the College at Osborne in South Australia.

Mr Pyne said it’s an integral interface with the shipbuilding industry to identify workforce requirements throughout all phases of construction and sustainment.

“Today is exciting day for the future of shipbuilding in this country,” Mr Pyne said.

Under the management of the Naval Shipbuilding Institute, the College will also link up with education providers, as part of a hub and spoke model, to ensure courses are offered across Australia which produce workers who are job-ready.

“The College is a critical enabler of the continuous naval shipbuilding program which will build and sustain Australia’s naval capabilities, create economic growth and secure Australian jobs for decades to come.”

“I’m particularly excited to launch the naval shipbuilding workforce register.

“It enables Australians who are interested in long-term shipbuilding career opportunities to express their interest and receive assistance through the skilling and employment process," Mr Pyne said.

“The workforce register will help connect people with potential employers or education providers.

“I encourage anyone interested in working on some of the most technologically advanced, cutting edge projects anywhere in the world to register.”

The Australian Government released the Naval Shipbuilding Plan in May 2017, which outlined a long term vision to establish Australian sovereign capability in naval shipbuilding.

The Government is investing $90 billion into the continuous shipbuilding program which is expected to create 5,200 shipbuilding jobs within 10 years, with additional jobs created in the sustainment and supply chain.

Those interested can register at www.navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to issue a mining lease for a mine north-east of Moranbah which will create 350 ongoing local jobs in Bowen Basin communities. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Fitzroy Australia Resources’ Ironbark No.1 underground coal mine was expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of coal per year. 

“Around 160 jobs will be needed for construction to build the greenfield mine which will produce coking coal for export in early 2020,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“It’s more good news for the coal industry and is another example of the Queensland Government’s commitment to responsibly develop the State’s rich mineral deposits to the benefit of all Queenslanders.

“Queensland coking coal is used in steel and other forms of manufacturing and is enjoying increased global demand especially in developing economies such as India. 

“Resources are a major contributor to Queensland’s economy creating a job every 40 minutes, investing $1 million every hour and exporting $1 billion each week.”

The QRC said Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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SMALL building businesses in rural and regional communities around the country will take on more apprentices as a result of new apprentice wage subsidies announced by the Federal Government, accpording to Master Builders Australia.

“There are more small businesses in the building industry than any other sector of the economy and thousands of them make a major contribution to strong local economies in communities around the country,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“We are forecasting strong future demand for workers in our industry and our members tell us that they need more access to local skilled tradespeople to work on local projects and the Government’s initiative will create opportunities for small building businesses and young people in rural and regional communities,” she said. 

“Master Builders also thanks Senator Pauline (Hanson) for her strong advocacy for this important initiative,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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LAWS to create a Director Identifier Number system (DIN) are one step closer but cutting red tape for building and construction businesses must remain top of the agenda, according to Master Builders Australia.

First canvassed in the 2001 Cole Royal Commission, a DIN concept has been long supported by Master Builders as a way to help government agencies and regulators enforce existing laws far more effectively while avoiding the need for higher levels of red tape and regulation.

"Master Builders acknowledges the work of Shadow Assistant Treasurer Dr Andrew Leigh MP and his leadership on this issue. Its good news that the Government is now getting on with delivering this important initiative,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

The proposed DIN register will see company directors assigned a unique number, allowing regulators, agencies and government departments to better track and identify unfair commercial conduct and enforce existing laws far more effectively and efficiently.

"The DIN will help reduce the incidence of phoenix activity and other types of capricious commercial conduct that undermines and hurts the overwhelming majority of businesses who do the right thing,” Ms Wawn said.

In its submission to Treasury responding to a draft of the proposed laws, Master Builders expressed support for the DIN while suggesting improvements and highlighting the need to keep red tape cuts high on the agenda.

"As the DIN is intended to help regulators be more effective, there should be less need for more red tape and regulation. There is no better time than now to take stock of existing regulation and red tape to make sure it is necessary and still effective," Ms Wawn said.

"Protecting small business people from rogue operators and reducing the red tape so many small builders find suffocating must both remain top of the agenda,” she said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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INSTITUTE of Public Accountants (IPA) chief executive officer, Andrew Conway has told hundreds of delegates at the IPA annual national congress, that accountants must revitalise community trust in professions.

“Public expectations continue to rise in a time when overall trust in institutions is declining,” said Mr Conway.

“Trust impairment is a global trend and when you take into consideration such factors as the findings from the Hayne Royal Commission Interim Report and a growing distrust in financial institutions and financial advice, we as a profession must step up.

“Lack of trust only exacerbates people’s expectations, however, the fundamental need of people seeking trustworthy and competent professionals must still be met.

“There have been no systemic issues involving accountants and public accountants still hold the honour of being trusted advisers to their clients.

“However, as a profession we must do everything in our power to not only maintain that level of trust but also respect the community need for the trust they invest in us.

“As reflected in the interim findings of the banking royal commission, trust is in question and the brand of financial advice has been tarnished.  This means that all professional accounting bodies must stand together and rebuild trust for the sake of not just the profession but also the broader public interest,” said Mr Conway.

About the Institute of Public Accountants

The IPA, formed in 1923, is one of Australia’s three legally recognised professional accounting bodies.  In late 2014, the IPA acquired the Institute of Financial Accountants in the UK and formed the IPA Group, with more than 35,000 members and students in over 80 countries.  The IPA Group is the largest SME focused accountancy organisation in the world. The IPA is a member of the International Federation of Accountants, the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board and the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants. 

publicaccountants.org.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hold a public hearing in Sydney on Friday, November 2, 2018 for its inquiry into the Australian music industry.

The chair, Luke Howarth MP, said the Committee will examine the potential for continued growth and the factors affecting the success of the Australian music industry, both domestically and internationally.

The Committee will hear from a range of peak bodies, such as the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), that represent and support artists, managers, and major performing arts groups.

"We are keen to hear from organisations that are working with artists — songwriters, musicians, and others in the industry — to strengthen and build businesses and careers. We want to hear how we can support and grow the reach of Australian music, at home and abroad, and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by those working in the industry," Mr Howarth said.

The public hearing will be broadcast live on the web (audio only).

Hearing details

Date:                     Friday, 2 November 2018

Venue:                  Sydney Commonwealth Public Offices, 1 Bligh Street, SYDNEY

Program

9.00 am                Sounds Australia (Submission 95)

9.40 am                Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (Submission 96)

10.20 am              Association of Artist Managers (Submission 61)

11.00am               Break

11.10 am              Australia Council for the Arts (Submission 98)

11.50 pm              Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL) (Submission 100)

12.30 pm              Lunch break

1.30 pm                Live Music Office (Submission 96)

2.10 pm                Music Australia (Submission 63)

2.50pm                 Australian Major Performing Arts Group (Submission 77)

3.30pm                 Finish

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THE SUPREME Court of Queensland has ruled against the legal bid by rail transport group Aurizon to 'undermine' the regulator's draft coal rail network decision

"On behalf of the state’s coal industry and the 300,000 Queenslanders employed by the resources sector, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomes the Supreme Court of Queensland’s decision to dismiss Aurizon’s legal challenge to the draft decision of the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) for the future operation of the state’s major coal rail network," QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

"This outcome is very important for all Queenslanders, who are set to receive more than $3.5 billion in coal royalties this financial year.

"The Court’s decision allows the QCA to finalise its decision on the future management of the Central Queensland Coal Network."

Aurizon Network commenced the judicial review application on April 30, 2018, with the statement: “Aurizon Network has today applied to the Supreme Court of Queensland for the Judicial Review of the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) Draft Decision on the 2017 Draft Access Undertaking (UT5) for Aurizon’s Central Queensland Coal Network (CQCN) on the basis of apprehended bias.

"This application results from the QCA chairman, Professor Roy Green also being the chairman of the Port of Newcastle in NSW, part of the Hunter Valley coal supply chain. Aurizon Network is seeking judicial review of the draft decision on the basis that it was affected by legal error because the Queensland Competition Authority did not afford procedural fairness to Aurizon Network due to Prof. Green’s conflict of interest and the apprehension of bias.”

On July 26, 2018, 10 coal producers – among them Australia’s largest coal producers – were joined as respondents to the judicial review application commenced by Aurizon Network against the QCA in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

The coal producers that were joined as Respondents to the judicial review application by Aurizon Network were:

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd
BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd, 
BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd
Coronado Curragh Pty Ltd
Glencore Coal Pty Ltd
Idemitsu Australia Resources Pty Ltd
Jellinbah Mining Pty Ltd
Lake Vermont Resources Pty Ltd
Peabody Energy Australia Coal Pty Ltd 
Yarrabee Coal Company Pty Ltd

www.qrc.org.au

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