CO-CHAIRS of National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Jackie Huggins and Rod Little have welcomed the submission by four former Social Justice Commissioners together with the current Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar in offering a pathway forward on constitutional recognition.

They said the submission to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition was based on decades of advocacy and clearly identified unfinished business of recognising Australia’s first people in constitutional reform, embedding a voice in the constitution, "a truth telling process and agreement or treaty making framework as critical to meaningful reform".

The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples is a democratically elected body representing a membership of more than 9,500 individuals and 180 community organisations.

Dr Huggins said, “The National Congress was developed by first peoples for the people responding to the silence of a representative voice since the abolishment of the ATSIC model."

"Although, the establishment of National Congress had bi-partisan support, we were defunded in 2014, which destabilised our development.

"The Joint Submission states that whilst National Congress is in its infancy, with the appropriate resourcing and recognition it can be a far more effective representative voice. As the appropriately constituted national peak First Peoples organisation, National Congress, already carries out the important work of developing responses and providing independent advice to Government. We continue to be the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia."

Mr Little said, “Whilst governments wage internal warfare, the commitment to us as a people is forgotten."

www.nationalcongress.com.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has congratulated Scott Morrison, as Australia’s new Prime Minister, and looks forward to long-term certainty and stability in the retail sector.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said uncertainty is never good for business and retailers are looking forward to a strong and stable future.

“With retail trade averaging a 2.7 percent growth this year, retailers are looking for long-term certainty and stability, as stability enables retailers to make long-term decisions, grow their business and hire more staff,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We believe this strong and stable Government will support retailers through the current fluctuating trading environment and assist the ARA’s mission in transforming retail from a stepping-stone industry, to a long-term and fulfilling career.”

"The ARA would like to thank Malcolm Turnbull for his leadership in the past and look forward to seeing a strong and stable Government to provide solid growth in the retail sector.

“Australian retailers are constantly adapting to the ever-changing retail climate, therefore having a strong sense of unity will be a great relief for retailers across the country,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Although our local retailers are strong and resilient, retailers need our Government’s support in growing retail, growing employment and growing the Australian economy.”

With a continued weakened economy and high employment costs, the ARA is passionate about supporting members, securing skilled staff, progressing careers in retail and ensuring the longevity of Australian retail.

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 Queensland Resources Council has congratulated Scott Morrison on his elevation to the office of Prime Minister. 

“Scott Morrison knows what makes regional Queensland tick, and he understands the importance of our most valuable industries – like resources,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said. 

“In recent times we’ve seen him make several visits to some of our resources heartlands in Central and North Queensland. And we know he’s a fan of the coal industry, which he proved on the floor of Parliament. 

“As Treasurer he’s seen the revenue roll in from our resources exports.

“His new Deputy, Josh Frydenberg, is a former Resources Minister, and will have seen first-hand how many Queenslanders rely on the resources sector for their jobs, and the contribution these tens of thousands of people make to our economy. 

“The QRC also commends the contribution of Malcolm Turnbull during his time as Prime Minister, in particular his focus on energy policy. 

“We look forward to the new leadership team turning their attention to implementing a policy to provide affordable and reliable energy for households and industry.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) today congratulated Scott Morrison on becoming the new Prime Minister of Australia and looks forward to hearing what the Coalition has in store for small business.

“Thanks Malcolm, welcome to the new team, now let’s get on with it,” declared Peter Strong, small business advocate and CEO of COSBOA, today after a tumultuous week in Canberra. 

"Mr Morrison has done an excellent job with the Australian economy and has shown a great understanding of and support for small business," he said.

"We believe in his new role as Prime Minister, this will only continue to improve. We also thank Malcolm Turnbull for what he achieved in office; the economy has improved under his leadership.

“We offer commiserations to Mr Dutton and hope that he will continue in the ministry to provide positive support for the Morrison Government.

“Our congratulations also go to Josh Frydenberg on becoming the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party,” said Mr Strong.

COSBOA is very aware that while the Liberal Party leadership drama was unfolding, small businesses continued to operate, providing employment, services and products to the Australian community.

Mr Strong said, “Next week we will host the key small business policy event of the year, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, which will focus on energy, telecommunications, regulations and the future for small business. This is an incredibly timely event which will help bed-down vital policy measures needed for certainty and direction in the small business arena. We will hear from Chris Bowen, the Shadow Treasurer, who will reveal his stance on the role small business plays in our economy.”

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information visit: www.cosboansbs.com.au

#NSBS18

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ENERGY Networks Australia has welcomed the release of the National Hydrogen Roadmap, which sets out a blueprint for the development of a hydrogen industry in Australia, showing a cost competitive industry is on the horizon.

Energy Networks Australia was a member of the CSIRO led Roadmap steering committee and the network sector contributed $80,000 towards its development.

Chief executive officer of Energy Networks Australia, Andrew Dillon said across the sector there were many applications for hydrogen.

“We proactively engaged with CSIRO to identify the role networks could play in reducing emissions from the use of gas within homes and industry," Mr Dillon said.

“Hydrogen by itself, or as blended with natural gas provides exciting opportunities. Just like renewable power generation offers emission reductions from electricity generation, hydrogen offers similar potential to sectors where electrification does not make sense.”

Mr Dillon said Australia’s gas infrastructure was suitable to deliver hydrogen and there is growing interest from network businesses.

“Innovation to reduce the production cost of hydrogen will see it make commercial sense to be used as a network fuel to complement or replace natural gas in coming decades," he said.

Mr Dillon said using hydrogen in networks provides a better outcome for customers.

“Modelling by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group indicates that converting Victoria’s gas networks to hydrogen is 40 per cent cheaper than electrifying the energy supplied by gas networks.”

The Roadmap outlines a range of actions to be undertaken on the hydrogen journey.

“We’re already committed to this journey through pilot projects being carried out by our members, as well as supporting the Future Fuels CRC – that aims to create knowledge to facilitate converting networks to be hydrogen based,” Mr Dillon said. “This is a long-term strategy underpinning industry’s Gas Vision 2050.”

Download the National Hydrogen Roadmap.  

www.energynetworks.com.au

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

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SAFE WORK Australia chair, Diane Smith-Gander released Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2018 today, with the latest figures in national work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities.

While encouraging Australians to use the trends, comparisons and industry breakdowns within this publication, Ms Smith-Gander urges us to look beyond the numbers.

“Understanding the national work-related injury, disease and fatality statistics can help reduce work-related fatalities, injury, illness and disease," Ms Smith-Gander said.

“I would like those who read this publication to remember that every number in the publication represents a life changed forever.

“While there is a 47 percent decrease in the national workplace fatality rate since 2007, there were still 191 workplace fatalities and every worker fatality is one too many,” Ms Smith-Gander said.

The data used in Key Work Health and Safety Statistics is sourced from jurisdictions, the National Coronial Information Service and the media.

Key Work Health and Safety Statistics is an annual publication. Improvements to this year’s release include hyperlinks and data breakdowns to make it easier to find the information business leaders want and ‘did you know’ animations to help industry spread the word.

www.swa.gov.au

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THE Regional Development Australia (RDA) National Forum was held in Canberra last week.

Regional leaders from across Australia met to network, collaborate and share experiences on best practice in regional development.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh, who hosted the forum, said the event was a great opportunity for RDA committees to connect and share ideas on how to bring innovation and economic investment to regional Australia.

“The national network of 52 RDA committees work with all levels of government, as well as business, industry and the community, to strengthen local economies across the country,” Dr McVeigh said.

“These local champions have an active role in helping our regions harness their competitive advantage, seize on economic opportunities, drive investment and create jobs.

“The forum is about bringing these regional leaders together with experts, academics and government to discuss issues, share knowledge and build important collaborative networks to ensure our regions continue to thrive.”

Dr McVeigh said the theme of the forum – collaborating and networking to grow regional economies – highlighted the importance of regional partnerships to continue the growth of these strong and diverse regional communities.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the ongoing success and productivity of Australia’s regions,” Dr McVeigh said.

“This national forum is about planning for the future of our regions and working together to ensure all local communities around Australia can reach their full potential.”

https://rda.gov.au/

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