THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is looking forward to the low-value import threshold (LVIT) GST changes from July 1, as it will create a fairer tax system and put local retailers on a level playing field.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said the ARA had been lobbying this issue for several years as this new legislation will provide a significant lift for the local industry.

“For too long, Aussie retailers have been at a pricing disadvantage to overseas retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We’re hoping this tax fairness will give a much-needed boost to the industry and we will continue to work with the Government to ensure a 100 percent collection rate.”

As the GST has not previously applied to purchases under the A$1000 threshold, the ARA reminds overseas retailers that this legislation took effect on Sunday 1 July 2018. This move follows the successful introduction of measures in July 2017, which saw GST applied to LVIT digital products and services purchased from overseas.

“This, in combination with the extended GST application to tangible products and services under the LVIT will help to level the playing field for local retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This will provide a fairer trading environment for our local retailers and a welcome boost to our members and the broader retail industry.”

The ARA has been in close communication with the ATO during the lead-up to the implementation of LVIT GST and will continue to work with Government and the ATO to ensure the best possible outcome for the local retail industry, including proposing additional collection models to improve compliance.

For more information, retailers can access the ATO website here.

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 sugar industry and community stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say as part of the Federal Government's review of the Sugar Code of Conduct from today.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said it was logical to review whether the Code of Conduct was providing certainty and stability for the sugar industry.

"I understand there are a range of views on the effect the Code has had on the industry," Minister Littleproud said.

"We want to hear from all players along the supply chain to get a clear picture of how the Code is working."

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said those interested in making a written submission have six weeks to do so.

"It's important everyone gets their say on this important reform, so they need to get in and do it before it's too late.

"Face-to-face meetings will also take place and I really encourage as many cane growers, millers and marketers as possible to have their say," Ms Landry said.

Member for Dawson George Christensen said the Code was put in place in 2017 to regulate the conduct of growers, mill owners and marketers.

"We introduced the code to make sure that our canegrowers would be able to negotiate contracts with mills and marketers in a fair environment and to give growers choice in marketers," Mr Christensen said.

"The Coalition introduced the Code to take a stand for hard-working canegrowers and to make sure they are guarded against the power imbalances in the sugar supply chain."

The review will examine the Code in accordance with its terms of reference and provide advice to the government before the end of the year. Submissions close 5pm (AEST) Wednesday 22 August 2018.

For more information about the Code review visit https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/sugar-code-of-conduct-review.

Fast Facts:

• The terms of reference released for public consultation week of 1 July 2018
• Submissions open the week of 1 July 2018 and close 22 August 2018
• Targeted consultation will be undertaken in September 2018
• The final report will be delivered to government by the end of 2018​

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POWERED by CSIRO and delivered in partnership with DST under the Next Generation Technologies Fund, ON Prime5 will be run nationally starting September 2018.

Applications are open until July 13, 2018.

ON Prime Defence is a part-time pre-accelerator experience which gives researchers a unique opportunity to fast-track their science or technology proposition with expert guidance from those who've been there and done it before.

Participants will be integrated with their local ON Prime cohort, in their closest capital city hub, as well as invited to attend an exclusive national session, expressly designed for all ON Prime Defence participants from across the country.

All prospective participants need to do is indicate that they are on a research team working on a Defence technology on the ON application form. 

It is  free to participate and all intellactual property (IP) and equity remains the property of the participating team or their sponsoring institute. 

All ON accelerator experiences are open to teams with at least one research employee from CSIRO, Australian universities or Australia's publicly funded research agencies (PFRA). The research employee may be full time, part-time or a casual employee of a PFRA.

ON Prime Defence offers a unique opportunity to apply  science or tech research to Australia's national security and defence.

For more information visit the ON Prime: Defence web page.  

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

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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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 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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