THE Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is calling for FPA members to make submissions for the 2018 FPA Awards, a program that recognises excellence in financial planning and the notable contributions made by members to local communities.

The awards acknowledge the achievements of outstanding planners, paraplanners, students and practices, and celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori said the 2018 FPA Awards program was an important initiative that highlights the talent and passion within the financial planning profession.

“Financial planning professionals know that trust and respect is earnt through excellent client service – proactively going out of the way to answer questions before they are even asked and maintaining an open, transparent and communicative relationship,” Mr De Gori said.

“Hearing our members’ success stories makes me immensely proud, and this year we’ll be honouring them for the exceptional work they do across six different award categories.”

The six categories open for submissions are:

• • FPA Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year Award
• • FPA Financial Planner AFP of the Year Award
• • FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
• • FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award
• • FPA University Student of the Year Award
• • Community Service Award supported by Future2.

Future2 is the philanthropic arm of the FPA. The Future2 Community Service Award recognises FPA members who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded or financially disadvantaged members of the community in a probono, volunteering or community service capacity.

The next generation of financial planners are also acknowledged in the FPA University Student of the Year Award that recognises students who are excelling in the finance field and show a dedication to financial planning. Students who have demonstrated exceptional performance will be nominated by their respective accredited educational institution.

“With previous winners from Mackay, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth unveiled at the 2017 FPA Professionals Congress, I strongly encourage all FPA members across Australia to enter this year,” Mr De Gori said.

“Let’s share how financial planners make a meaningful positive difference to the lives of clients and within our communities.”

All categories will be judged by a panel of experts. Depending on the category, award winners will receive consumer media opportunities, financial contribution to professional development and complimentary registration to the FPA Professionals Congress.

The award winners will be announced at the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress in Sydney from November 21-23, along with the next winner of the bi-annual Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award.

Applications are now open and close on Friday August 31.

To enter: https://fpa.com.au/fpa-community/fpa-awards/

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BRISBANE will be a hub for the latest research and debate on world politics and governance with more than 2400 political science experts gathering for a five-day congress.

In an Australian first, Brisbane will host the 25^th IPSA World Congress of Political Science from July 21-25 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC), delivering an economic boost of $7.7 million for the local economy.

The congress was secured through a competitive Team Brisbane bid involving Tourism and Events Queensland, BCEC and the city’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing, in partnership with local and national universities, and professional conference organiser ICMS Australasia.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the congress had attracted nearly 1,000 more delegates than projected, with 80 percent of delegates visiting from international destinations.

“Hosting a congress of this scale demonstrates Brisbane’s appeal as a business, research and leisure destination, and contributes to employment and economic benefits across our accommodation, venue, tourism and service sectors,” Cr Quirk said.

The Queensland Government said it was proud to support the IPSA World Congress of Political Science through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

BCEC general manager Bob O’Keefe said the centre was honoured to be selected as the venue for the world’s most prestigious international meeting for political science scholars. Such events, he said, demonstrated the world-class capabilities and expertise of BCEC.

“Securing conferences of this nature reflects the close collegiate relationship the Centre shares with Brisbane’s universities and academic community,” Mr O’Keefe said.

The impact of information technologies on global borders, the future of human rights and the rise of global populism are a few of the topics to be explored under the congress theme ‘borders and margins’.

Guy Lachapelle, International Political Science Association (IPSA) secretary general and professor of political science at Canada’s Concordia University, said the 25^th IPSA World Congress would bring together over 2400 delegates from 85 countries.

“An IPSA World Congress is always a moment to look over the state of our discipline but also to look upon what IPSA has accomplished after 25 IPSA World Congresses. Today, our Association is certainly stronger, the collective membership has increased since 1949 (from four to 57) and has become a reference for debating world issues,” Mr Lachapelle said.

www.brisbanemarketing.com.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed progress in establishing the Mackay Resources Centre of Excellence with the Palaszczuk Government announcing construction of the Centre is due to start early next year.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment of $3.6 million for the centre was a commitment in confidence in the sector, its development and adoption of cutting-edge technology as well as acknowledging the industry’s contribution to jobs, exports and the broader economy.

Mr Macfarlane, who will be attending the Queensland Mining Industry Awards in Mackay tonight, said the QRC and its members would continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government and the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick on the development of the Centre to maximise its contribution to the resources industry and the Mackay region.

“The resources sector contributes more than $1 billion in wages alone to the Mackay region. Due to the strengthening of the mining sector, Mackay has the lowest unemployment rate in Queensland at 3.8 percent and there are currently more than 500 jobs advertised on-line in the mining, resources and energy sector in the Mackay region,” Mr Macfarlane said.

The centre will include an underground coal mine simulator which will be available for testing, demonstrating and filming new equipment and products operating in confined spaces.

It will also enable new emergency response procedures to be practiced and refined, and will allow tourists to experience what it is like working in an underground coal mine.

Link to QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane video interview

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PEAK bodies representing thousands of businesses across Australia are apprehensive about a government proposal that may cause serious damage to the lighting sector.

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), which represents 5,200-member organisations that in turn employ 125,000 Australians, has joined a growing group of industry bodies concerned about the new draft National Construction Code. 

The other bodies include Lighting Council Australia, the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Association of Lighting Designers (Australia New Zealand).

The changes relate to significant reductions in allowances for architectural and decorative lighting.

“While energy efficiency is an important objective in the development of policy, we worry that the government has not sufficiently and comprehensively consulted with industry on these changes," NECA CEO Suresh Manickam said in reference to the proposed draft of the National Construction Code.

The new regulations are slated to take effect from July 2019 and will apply to all commercial buildings across Australia, both newly built and redeveloped, that require development approval.

The concerns of NECA are shared by the peak bodies representing manufacturers, suppliers, designers and engineers in the lighting market.

Lighting Council Australia, which represents 100 Australian manufacturers and suppliers of lighting equipment, suggests that it is not a question of whether jobs will be lost, but of how many.

“Our industry provides about 5,000 manufacturing jobs.  There are a further 1,000 lighting designers and engineers in the sector," Lighting Council Australia’s David Crossley said.

“This proposal has not been properly evaluated and the consultation process was inadequate.”

www.lightingcouncil.com.au

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ENERGY Networks Australia has released a discussion paper that explores regulatory changes that could lead to better outcomes for both customers and businesses.  

Released yesterday at the ‘Power of collaboration’ seminar in Brisbane, the Why TOTEX paper considers a simplified approach to the way networks’ proposed expenditure is assessed by the Australian Energy Regulator.  

Energy Networks Australia chief executive officer Andrew Dillon said the proposed ‘TOTEX’ model could give network businesses greater flexibility in responding to customer needs.  

“Under the current system, operating expenditure and capital expenditure are assessed separately to derive the network business’ total revenue for a regulatory period,” Mr Dillon said. "It's a complex approach that can create incentives to favour one form of expenditure over another.

“This report proposes allocating total expenditure in one bucket to give networks a clear incentive to choose the most efficient and appropriate energy solutions for customers.

“The TOTEX approach doesn’t favour one form of spending over the other and is designed to encourage a flexible response by networks to the risks and opportunities created by the energy system transformation.” 

Mr Dillon said the need for more flexible regulation had been promoted in a range of reports, including the Energy Networks Australia-CSIRO Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap, the 2017 Finkel Review and most recently, the ACCC Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry.

“Having a unified TOTEX allowance would reduce complexity and streamline incentive schemes that have characterised network regulation over the past decade,” he said.

“This conversation is about updating the tools, not removing protections. Any future framework would still hold networks accountable, with the regulator overseeing proposed costs and any price increases. Networks would still have to ensure business decisions align with customers’ needs.”     

Mr Dillon said the TOTEX model was being adopted internationally, where regulatory approaches were being modernised to improve customer outcomes at a time of rapid change.

“We recognise that there will be diverse views. Our goal is to consult and look at alternative regulatory frameworks to ensure governance of our energy system evolves to meet customers’ needs. Doing nothing at a time of such great transformation is not an option,” he said. 

www.energynetworks.com.au

Energy Networks Australia represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas distribution networks. Members provide energy to virtually every household and business in Australia.

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NATIONAL Farm Safety Week is held each year to raise awareness of farm safety issues across Australia. In 2018, National Farm Safety Week runs from Monday July 16 to Sunday July 22. and the teme is ‘Innovative, Safe and Healthy’.

The 2018 National Farm Safety Week theme highlights the importance of business and industry continuing to work together to increase the well-being of Australian farmers through innovation and improved attention to health and safety outcomes.

WITH THE 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards slowly approaching, retailers across the country have already started submitting their entries for what has been coined the biggest retail Awards event of the year.

As Naomi Simson, founding director of online experience retailer RedBalloon, has been announced as the Award’s keynote speaker, Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said tickets to the Awards have been walking off the shelves.

“Having Naomi as our keynote speaker has definitely sparked interest amongst the industry, as tickets to these Awards have started selling themselves,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We’ve also seen a big spike in our Awards submissions with small, medium and large retailers around the country already submitting their entries through our Awards platform.”

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards will encompass three Award categories including customer experience, people in retail and outstanding retailers in their field. The People in Retail category has seen a lot of traction with individual’s nominating their employers and retailers putting forward their staff to win an award in this category.

“One of the most desired Awards across the Australian retail industry is the ARA’s Retail Leader of the Year Award,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This sought-after award, in the People in Retail category, recognises a Senior Executive or CEO of a retail organisation that is paving the future of Australian retail.”

The other Awards in this category include The Retail Employer of the Year Award and The Young Retailer of the Year Award. With this year’s 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards themed around the Retail Realm and focusing on retailers who think outside the shop, the ARA’s People in Retail category will surely be a hard one to judge.

“As the Australian retail industry has seen some considerable changes in the market this year, our panel of judges will certainly have their work cut out for them,” Mr Zimmerman said.

"In this category, each individual will be judged on their submission and the finalists will be announced on the 20th of September.”

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards will be held on Thursday 18 October at the Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne. The ARA encourage retailers of all sizes to submit an entry by nominating an influential leader or instrumental employee before Friday 10 August via the 2018 eftpos ARA Retail Awards platform.

To secure your seat for the 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards head to The Retail Realm to purchase your tickets today.

About the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards:

First held in the 1970s, the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail event, recognising and rewarding outstanding retail businesses, innovations, and individuals across all sectors of retail. Relaunched in 2008, the annual 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast will commence on Thursday 18 October at the Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne. For more information regarding the 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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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THE SDA, the union for workers in retail and fast food, is launching a new drive to recruit young workers starting their first job and to talk to them about their rights where they are, on social media.

SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said new recruitment drive, which would be rolled out over social media was a response to research which found young workers had very limited knowledge of their rights or the role of unions.

“Young people entering the workforce for the first time have very little knowledge of their rights or the role unions can play in helping them with their workplace problems," Mr Dwyer said.

“Its safe to say that a large number of young people barely know unions exist, let alone how they can help, or why they should join one.

“Additionally, research from the University of Sydney found that 25 percent of student retail workers were being underpaid, and 35 percent were not receiving the correct weekend rates.

“We decided that we really needed to take a ‘back to basics’ approach, providing simple, easy to understand information about workplace rights, what unions are and what they do.

“That’s why our first video answers the basic question of ‘what is a union?'

“Further videos explain basic workplace concepts like wages, weekends, annual and equal pay and are designed to speak with young workers at their level," Mr Dwyer said.

“In addition to providing accessible and straightforward information we also wanted to reach young workers where they currently were, and that’s on Snapchat, Instagram and to a lesser degree Facebook.”

Mr Dwyer said that in addition to the videos, which will be advertised across several social media platforms over the coming weeks, the SDA has also developed a young worker hub called 100% Pay to provide reliable information on workplace rights and how the union could assist.

“We developed 100% Pay as a place where young retail and fast food workers can go for simple and clear information about their basic rights at work," he said. 

“To get them started, we’ve provided a quick quiz on their six basic rights at work. If a young worker finds they are not receiving what they’re entitled to, they can get in contact with the union.”

Mr Dwyer said that the SDA’s new focus was consistent with the ACTU’s drive to recruit and assist young workers, which was to be discussed at the ACTU triennial Congress in Brisbane this week.

The 100% Pay videos can be found here or visit the 100% Pay website here.

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