THE Federal Government is calling for submissions into the Review that will help prepare the consumer protections framework for the future telecommunications market.

The telecommunications landscape has changed significantly since the existing protections were put in place.

The discussion paper for Part A of the Review proposes recommendations and reforms to ensure that customers have access to effective redress and complaints handling mechanisms.

The proposals in the discussion paper build on the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA’s) Complaints-Handling Standard by reinforcing the requirement for providers to have robust processes and systems for managing and escalating consumer complaints.

The paper also recommends the establishment of an independent external dispute resolution body for complex complaints that cannot be resolved directly between the customer and their provider.

Public consultation on this part of the Review will be open until 13 July 2018. Discussion papers for Part B covering reliability of services and Part C covering choice and fairness will be released for comment shortly.

The review will report to Government by the end of 2018.

www.communications.gov.au

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QUEENSLAND Resources Council chief executive, Ian Macfarlane, today applauded Glencore’s environmental credentials after the company received certification from the Queensland Government for the rehabilitation of 220 hectares of land at its Rolleston Open Cut coal mine south of Emerald.

“It’s another clear and practical example of Glencore’s commitment to the environment and the sustainability of mining in regional Queensland,” he said.

"I congratulate Glencore on again demonstrating its high standards set by its team in the rehabilitation of mined land, this certification covers an area of around 200 Suncorp Stadiums.

“It’s the second time Glencore’s coal operations in Queensland have received certification with the company’s Newlands operations awarded certification for 73 hectares of land last year.

“Queensland’s coal industry adheres to some of the highest environmental standards in the world with a strong focus on the rehabilitation of land post mining.

“The Queensland resources industry is committed to sustainable environmental practices, including world-class rehabilitation, which ensures our resources are developed to our best advantage for local economies and local communities.”

Queensland resources sector supports 280,000 full-time jobs while only using 0.1 per cent of the State’s land mass, Mr Macfarlane said.

www.qrc.org.au

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FOOD Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for comment on a revised approach to cost recovery arrangements.

THE Turnbull Government is taking an mportant step to better target the Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI), today releasing draft legislation for public comment.

The Treasurer, Scott Morrison MP, alongside the Minister for Jobs and Innovation Senator Michaelia Cash, said the consultation will help strike the right balance for the R&DTI — the Government’s key program for supporting business R&D in Australia.

“We are committed to backing R&D investment and the economic opportunities and jobs it generates. At the same time we need to make sure that the investment of taxpayers’ money is well targeted by encouraging companies to do more, and not just be rewarded for R&D they would have conducted without an incentive,” the Treasurer said.

Minister Cash said the proposed amendments ensure the reforms operate consistently with their policy intent and continue to provide targeted and effective support to innovative Australian companies that undertake R&D in Australia.

“By better targeting R&D investment, these changes will lead to new ideas, products, services and jobs,” Mr Cash said.

The amendments to the R&DTI form the Government’s response to the recommendations of the 2016 Review of the R&D Tax Incentive and the Innovation and Science Australia 2030 Strategic Plan.

The Turnbull Government is seeking stakeholder feedback on the implementation of the proposed amendments. The exposure draft legislation, explanatory materials and consultation document are available on the Treasury website. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide their views by Thursday July 26, 2018.

Submissions can be emailed to R&This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. during the consultation period.

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INCREASED COAL, LNG and mineral sales have helped Queensland post a record export result of $73.7 billion for the 12 months until the end of May, according to the latest trade data released by the State Government.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the resources sector contributed almost $60 billion - or 80 percent - of the result.

“For every 10 dollars Queensland earns through exports, the resources sector contributes eight of those 10 dollars,” he said.

“This is a tribute to the more than 280,000 Queenslanders working directly and indirectly in the resources sector. To those men and women, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in the regions and the south-east – please accept the congratulations on behalf of all Queenslanders.”

Over the last 12 months:

• Coal exports increased by $5 billion or 18% to $32.8 billion;
• Mineral exports increased by $634.2 million or 9.3% to $7.4 billion; and
• LNG, alumina and semi-soft coking metallurgical coal to $20.9 billion of exports classified as confidential. This category of exports increased by $3.8 billion or 22%.

Mr Macfarlane said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was correct to highlight the increase in coal exports was due to a recovery from the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March and April 2017.

“What the Premier, the coal industry and Queenslanders do not know is how monopoly rail operator Aurizon will apply its threat to stop up to 20 million tonnes of coal reaching export ports in central Queensland. If Aurizon follows through with its threat, we estimate a $4 billion cut in coal exports,” he said.

Mr Macfarlane said the Palaszczuk Government last year set itself the target for Queensland to be the source of 22 percent of national exports annually until 2022.

“The latest trade figures put Queensland at 23 percent, ahead of its target. Without resources sector exports, Queensland would provide only 4.4 percent of the nation’s overseas trade. Without coal exports, it would be only 13 percent,” he said.

Link to Queensland Treasury trade data http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/exports-qld-goods-overseas/exports-qld-goods-overseas-201805.pdf

Link to the Premier’s statement on trade results http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/7/4/queensland-exports-continue-to-soar-to-new-heights

www.qrc.org.au

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BUSINESS and procurement professionals from around the Asia Pacific region will be networking and discussing the latest issues in global business as CIPS holds its annual conference and awards in the ICC Venue in Sydney on July 4-5, 2018.

The two day event starts with a ‘focus’ day where delegates can hear panel debates on ethics, eradication of modern slavery and sustainable procurement and how businesses can engage with indigenous suppliers. The second day, the future of procurement, creating diversity and talent management in presentations and workshops. There is also a strong focus on modern slavery.

Now that the Australian Government has introduced The Modern Slavery Bill 2018 to become law by where over 3000 companies and organisations will have to produce an annual statement clearly stating their exposure to modern slavery, procurement and supply chain managers will be on the frontline protecting their supply chains, their businesses and seeking guidance.

The reporting requirement will support Australian businesses to create their modern slavery statements and will offer more information to consumers and investors by providing a practical, risk based framework and guidance. This will increase business awareness of modern slavery, reduce modern slavery risks in Australian goods and services, and drive a business ‘race to the top’ to improve workplace standards and practices. 

The Australian Government has run a comprehensive national consultation process to develop the reporting requirement, including 12 consultation roundtables with over 130 participants, 99 written submissions and over 50 direct meetings with key stakeholders.  The conference will explore these issues and more.

Conference and panel speakers include:

• Gerry Walsh, Group CEO CIPS on the future of procurement
• Mark Lamb, MD of Asia Pacific and conference chair
• Jennifer Morris, CEO, Walk Free Foundation
• Lisa Brock, Chief Procurement Officer, Qantas Airways
• Peter Curcio, Chief Procurement Officer, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
• Mike Blanchard, Deputy Chief Executive Operations Directorate, Tertiary Education Commission

Mark Lamb, managing director of CIPS Asia Pac, conference chair who also featured recently on ABC News about modern slavery said, “We take slavery in supply chains very seriously, so this conference is timely as the Bill goes through to become law.

“I think this is an excellent first step for Australia because we have already seen it implemented in other countries, and for Australia to have taken the next step is a great move. Understanding what goes on in international supply chains is crucial for any businesses. The exposure to reputation and cashflow damage is intense as consumers and other businesses are becoming more savvy to the horrors of this evil trade.

”Come to the conference and find out more.”

CIPS is also holding its annual awards ceremoney on July 5 to celebrate the best procurement individuals, teams and practice. The shortlist includes:
- NSW Prcourement (Dept. of Finance services and Innovation)
- University of Melbourne
- Western Power
- Queensland Government Procurement, Department of Housing and Public Works
- Wide Bay Hospital and health Service & EY

Find out more on the website.


The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is the world’s largest procurement and supply professional organisation.  It is the worldwide centre of excellence on procurement and supply management issues.  CIPS has a global community of over 200,000 in 180 different countries, including senior business people, high-ranking civil servants and leading academics.  The activities of procurement and supply chain professionals have a major impact on the profitability and efficiency of all types of organisation and CIPS offers corporate solutions packages to improve business profitability. 
In the Australasia region, CIPS has been supporting the profession for over 10 years and lists among its clients several blue-chip organisations including Rio Tinto, Air New Zealand, Spotless, Woolworth and the New Zealand Defence Force.

www.cips.org/en-au/; @CIPSAustralasia

THE Banking Royal Commission is currently investigating concerns about unethical conduct from finance companies, including funeral insurance companies, accused of targeting vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with unsuitable products.

This week, the Commission has heard from Aboriginal people in remote communities who have been sold funeral insurance policies which they did not understand and did not need.

Another non-Indigenous company with no Aboriginal affiliation used the rainbow serpent, which holds great importance for First Peoples, in its marketing to lure Aboriginal customers in.

According to consumer groups, some First Peoples have been paying for up to five funeral insurance policies for their families.

The Royal Commission is currently holding public hearings in Darwin, where they are shining the spotlight on these unscrupulous practices.

“Funerals hold great cultural importance for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and many peoples are concerned about how they will be able to afford funerals.” Jackie Huggins, National Congress co-chair, said.

“At the same time, we know that financial literacy is significantly lower among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples than the general population. This makes many First Peoples exceptionally vulnerable to predatory tactics from funeral insurance companies."

National Congress co-chair Rod Little said, “It is criminal that companies, including funeral insurance companies are taking advantage of any vulnerable person, especially Aboriginal peoples in regional and remote communities.

“This is a matter we have calling for action on for some time, however we feel we have been ignored by governments. It is commendable to see the Royal Commission finally drawing attention to this issue. However, we want to see this new evidence translated into affirmative action. This has gone on unaddressed long enough.”

National Congress is calling on governments and authorities to take urgent action to end the financial exploitation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by financial companies.

www.nationalcongress.com.au

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QUEENSLAND coal exports are yet to feel the full force of the repeated threat by monopoly rail operator Aurizon to stop the movement of up to 20 million tonnes annually from mine to port.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said it was unsurprising that coal exports were higher this year compared to 2017 due to stronger global demand and the impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie that crossed the coast in March last year.

“Aurizon’s threat - repeated to investors last week - will have a bigger impact on coal exports than Tropical Cyclone Debbie and it will be spread over the year, not just the wet season,” he said.

“Our trading partners, particularly Japan, are watching Aurizon’s actions closely. Coal is our top export commodity with overseas sales more than $30 billion annually.

"Aurizon continues to gloss over the facts. The coal industry is prepared to sit down with them to develop a united position to the Queensland Competition Authority. But we won't do it with a threat hanging over our head.

"Aurizon needs to resume normal maintenance practices immediately and keep that commitment until the next QCA undertaking is finalised and implemented. They need to remove the threat. We won't negotiate under duress."

The loss of up to 20 million tonnes of coal will slash exports by $4 billion per annum and cut royalties used to pay for State Government services and infrastructure by a staggering $500 million per year.

www.qrc.org.au

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