TICKETS are now on sale for the Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards – The Retail Realm.

These prominent Awards are renowned for being the country’s largest and longest running national retail awards program with last year’s Awards being crowned the best retail awards in the country.

Russell Zimmerman, ARA executive director, said this year’s Awards breakfast will be held at the iconic Mural Hall in Melbourne, a venue rich with retail history and known for its revolutionary nature.

“This year’s Awards are themed around the Retail Realm and focuses on retailers who think outside the shop, because it’s crucial for retailers to not just think of the shopfront in today’s marketplace,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With retail now touching every aspect of consumers lives, this year’s ARA Retail Awards will search for retailers who encompass every element of the Retail Realm within their business as the dynamic nature of retail means businesses needs to engage with consumers through a myriad of channels.”

With the 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards touching on every element in the retail sphere, retail businesses across the country have already started submitting their entries.

“We’ve had small, medium and large retailers around the country already submit their entries across our three Award categories - customer experience, retail workers and industry leaders,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This year’s Awards breakfast will celebrate the breadth of talent across customer experience, technology, payments, sustainability, employee development, supply chain management, business growth and corporate social responsibility within the retail marketplace.”

The 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards will be held on Thursday 18 October at the Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne in front of 500 guests. With 13 awards up for grabs, the ARA believe this symbolic venue will draw a variety of retailers around the country to learn and share their insights on the Retail Realm.

“Our keynote speaker, yet to be announced, knows a lot about the Retail Realm and thinking beyond the shopfront,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Not only is she an icon in the retail world, she has a strategic mind for business and I think retailers across the country will try to get tickets just to see her in action.”

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, nominate 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 buy tickets here.

The Retail Realm.

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 Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA)  has announced that registrations are now open for the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress, to be held in Sydney from 21-23 November 2018.

The largest annual event of the financial planning calendar is being held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney this year. Around 1,000 financial planners from across Australia are expected to gather over three days of keynote sessions, networking events, workshops and panels, and honour outstanding contributions by members to the profession and the Australian public it serves.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori, CFP said the 2018 FPA Congress promises to help all levels of financial planners be better informed, better connected and better prepared to realise the many opportunities facing the fast-evolving profession.

“We look forward to announcing informative, motivational and engaging speakers as part of the program in the lead up to Congress. They will share relevant, up-to-the-minute insights and information that will benefit delegates both personally, and professionally,” Mr De Gori said.

The Future2 Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the FPA and will again play a significant part in the 2018 FPA Congress.

Delegates actively raise funds at the event, and celebrate the tireless contributions of its members to various disadvantaged communities throughout the year.

Delegates are encouraged to book soon for the Congress to take advantage of the $245 early bird discount available until 31 August 2018. To secure the best rates, attendees should book flights and accommodation as far in advance as possible, as both are consistently in high demand.

“Bringing the financial planning community to the ICC Sydney will further add to the element of Congress excitement. It’s easy to hop on a ferry, take in a show or go a little further afield to enjoy Sydney’s beaches. It’s the perfect location to relax and unwind for a weekend stay following the Congress,” added Mr De Gori.

Congress registrations opened on 1 June 2018, with early bird pricing ending on 31 August 2018. The Future2Foundation Wheel Classic annual fundraising cycle event and Blue Mountains Hiking Challenge will also be finishing at the ICC Sydney just in time for FPA Congress 2018 kick-off.

For more information or to register, visit: www.fpacongress.com.au.

Follow the FPA on Twitter @AustraliaFPA 

Follow FPA CEO Dante De Gori on Twitter @ddegori10 

Follow FPA Head of Policy Ben Marshan on Twitter @bennymarsh

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THE Brisbane Lord Mayor's Business Awards (LMBAs) are open for nominations until July 20.

Now in their 13th year, the awards have become a touchstone for the excellence, success and innovative approach that are the hallmarks of Brisbane’s business community.

The awards celebrate the significant achievements and enormous contribution made by the local business community to Brisbane’s economy.

From product innovations to sustainable practices and emerging leaders, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has called for Brisbane’s best businesses and businesspeople to step forward for a 2018 Lord Mayor’s Business Award.

“Brisbane is a great place to live, work and relax and is brimming with thought leaders, innovators and problem solvers,” Cr Quirk said.

“The ingenuity of our New World City’s businesses is what gives Brisbane an edge over other major Australian cities.

“The awards are one way we recognise the outstanding contribution businesses make to grow our $154 billion economy and enrich our communities.

“Whether it’s a small business offering an unrivalled service, a new product that is transforming an industry, or a business person who has demonstrated leadership and innovation in their field, I encourage all nominations.”

Nominations close on July 20, with the winners announced at a gala dinner on October 19.

Find out about the categories and how to enter here.

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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.