AUSTRALIAN researchers and businesses can now apply for up to $50,000 to help expand their work overseas, under the latest round of Global Connections Fund Bridging Grants.

The third round of Bridging Grants opens for applications today, with between $25,000 and $50,000 on offer to help viable Australian projects to grow in scope and scale, and to test commercialisation.

The Bridging Grants help Australian researchers build strong relationships with international partners, leading to the translation of knowledge and intellectual property into market-ready products and services.

They also help existing small-to-medium Australian businesses work with researchers overseas, leveraging their academic expertise to help them compete internationally.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said it is vital Australian researchers and businesses are given the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge with counterparts in key global economies.

“Through initiatives such as the Global Connections Fund, the Turnbull Government is helping Australian businesses and researchers collaborate with global partners on projects that build our economy and create job opportunities.

“The Government’s Bridging Grants give our top innovators the support they need to grow their great ideas into viable businesses,” Minister Cash said.

The Global Connections Fund is one of the key internationally-focused measures of the Global Innovation Strategy, part of the Government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda.

Extraordinary technological change is transforming how we live, work and communicate. Innovation is important to every sector of the economy. Innovation keeps us competitive. It keeps us at the cutting edge. It creates jobs. And it will keep our standard of living high.

Through the National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Turnbull Government is embracing new ideas to deliver the next age of economic prosperity to all Australians.

Applications close 14 June 2018. For more information visit https://globalconnectionsfund.org.au/bridge-grants/

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THE Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) recently launched a new online resource to help ensure vocational education and training (VET) qualifications and skills are evidence based and meeting the needs of industry.

The National Industry Insights Report combines industry intelligence from the AISC’s network of 64 Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) with broader labour market and training data.

“We need a workforce that can adapt to and take advantage of new opportunities as the nature of work changes. This resource is part of the AISC’s focus on creating a strong evidence base to inform VET training package development and ensure qualifications meet skills needs,” said AISC chair, John Pollaers.

“It draws on the skills forecasts from IRCs, providing valuable grassroots intelligence from employers, employees and industry peaks about future skills and training needs,” Prof. Pollaers said.

The National Industry Insights Report provides information on both an industry and national scale and includes economic and employment trends, skills forecasts and the factors that affect the demand for skills.

The Report was developed for the AISC by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and highlights a strong demand in many industries for workers with digital skills, cross-industry skills and technical knowledge.

“We all know increased digitalisation and automation of the workforce is already affecting the way we work. The National Industry Insights Report is a fantastic resource to help IRCs in their work to ensure Australian qualifications are relevant, up-to-date, and meet the changing needs and priorities of employers and the economy,” Prof. Pollaers said.

The report is available on the National Industry Insights Report website, or via the hyperlink on the AISC website.

About the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC)

The AISC provides industry advice to Commonwealth, State, and Territory Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approves nationally recognised training packages.

The AISC draws on advice from its network of IRCs, which are made up of people with experience, skills and knowledge of their particular sector. They work across their industry to ensure the needs of employers and the modern economy are addressed in vocational education and training qualifications. IRCs are supported in their work by professional service organisations called Skills Service Organisations.

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THE FEDERAL Parliament is currently considering changes to Australia’s copyright laws to extend the safe harbour scheme to the education, cultural and disability sector.

The changes aim to ensure these sectors are protected from legal liability where they can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to deal with copyright infringement by users of their online platforms.

To ensure the new sectors can comply with the scheme, the Parliament is seeking views on the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018.

The amendments aim to ensure the current safe harbour procedures and forms are fit for purpose for the new sectors.

The changes aim to compliment the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill by not seeking to deviate substantially from how the scheme currently operates.

Comments are being sought on whether the amendments will help the applicable institutions comply with the safe harbour scheme.

Submissions close on June 29, 2018 at 5pm AEDT.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) April retail trade figures showed a disappointing 2.62% seasonally adjusted total growth year-on-year. 

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said higher petrol prices and declining house prices were partly to blame for a soft April, with consumers tightening their belts to meet their household budgets.

“April’s figures are somewhat poor for the industry, with either flat or declining turnover across several key categories,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Hardware and Building (5.33%) and Cafes and Restaurants (4.86%) led year-on-year turnover growth in April, while Department Stores (-3.74%) and Clothing (0.56%) returned to their well-documented struggles.

Mr Zimmerman said an unseasonably warm Autumn impeded winter apparel sales, with a later-than-usual break in the weather pressuring retailers to begin early discounting to keep the tills ringing.

“The continued slide in the Department Store category shows no sign of abating, especially with its heavy reliance on Clothing and Footwear, which are also experiencing continual problems,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“While Household Goods retailing, and Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food remain strong, overall growth has been weighed down by mixed results in Food retailing and Clothing and Department stores going backwards.”

Food Retailing grew by 3.45 percent year-on-year, led by Supermarkets (3.62%), however, Specialised Food (0.28%) was flat, reflecting an earlier-than-usual Easter.

Across the country, Victoria (4.73%), the Northern Territory (3.64%) and New South Wales (3.55%) showed the strongest year-on-year growth of all the states, while the Australian Capital Territory (2.85%), Tasmania (2.82%) and South Australia (1.76%) remained steady. Western Australia (0.12%) saw a slight increase for the first time in 2018. Concerningly, Queensland saw a major drop off, posting a 0.03% rise to lag behind the rest of the country.

“We are hoping that relief will be just on the horizon for retailers, with the application of GST to overseas purchases under $1000 and potential income tax relief on the way from 1 July,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Local retailers will finally be able to compete on a more level playing field once the GST changes come into effect, and we are hoping this will see consumers increase their spending in local stores.”

Monthly Retail Growth (March 2018 - April 2018 seasonally adjusted) 

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.31%), Other retailing (0.87%), Household goods retailing (0.69%), Food retailing (0.30%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.82%) and Department stores (-0.90%).

Northern Territory (2.58%), Tasmania (0.90%), New South Wales (0.69%), Western Australia (0.69%), Australian Capital Territory (0.55%), Victoria (0.35%), Queensland (0.14%), and South Australia (-0.59%).

Total sales (0.27%).

Year-on-Year Retail Growth (April 2017 - April 2018 seasonally adjusted)

Food retailing (3.45%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (3.38%), Household goods retailing (3.00%), Other retailing (2.10%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.02%), and Department stores (-3.74%).

Victoria (4.73%), Northern Territory (3.64%), New South Wales (3.55%), Australian Capital Territory (2.85%), Tasmania (2.82%), South Australia (1.76%), Western Australia (0.12%), and Queensland (0.03%).

Total sales (2.62%).

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 coal industry is prepared to accept the independent competition regulator’s final decision on Aurizon’s rail maintenance budget and Aurizon should declare the same immediately and end the coal export impasse.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Aurizon should cooperate with the Queensland Competition Authority, immediately resume its normal maintenance program on the Central Queensland Coal Network and end the coal export impasse it started.

In its submission lodged with the QCA this afternoon, the QRC has noted the regulator’s preliminary position was for Aurizon’s rail maintenance budget to be increased by $73 million over four years, pending Aurizon itself providing the QCA with more information to support its position.

The QRC estimates the cost of Aurizon’s plan to stop the movement of up to 20 million tonnes per annum under its new maintenance regime would cost up to $4 billion per annum in lost Queensland export revenue and up to a $500 million cut in royalties paid to the Palaszczuk Government for services and infrastructure for all Queenslanders.

Link to Queensland Resources Council submission to the Queensland Competition Authority http://www.qca.org.au/getattachment/6892ea34-b870-45fe-8171-9ebc000aac56/QRC-submission-on-UT5-maintenance-matters.aspx

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MORE THAN 1200 seed industry professionals from 64 countries are in Brisbane this week to negotiate trade agreements and to address key issues facing the global seed industry.

The 69^th World Seed Congress, hosted by The International Seed Federation (ISF) and the Australian Seed Federation (ASF) is being held in Australia for the first time in 19 years at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
 
The World Seed Congress comes hard on the heels of the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation for a record 3,000 delegates, just two of 140 conferences on the BCEC calendar this year.
 
During the three day event at the BCEC, delegates from the Asia Pacific and across the world will debate opportunities and challenges facing the seed industry with a strong focus on innovation in industry in order to better feed the world.
 
With agricultural products accounting for more than 15% of Australia’s total exports, the strong business trading component of this event will take centre stage alongside other policy driven discussions and activities around agricultural technology, food security and the future face of the seed sector.
 
There was strong interest for this event with delegates from 16 international organisations attending, the strongest host country delegation on record  with Australians making up 10% of delegates, the highest ever number of exhibition booths and a full allocation of the 203 trading tables.
 
The Congress is significant for the seed and agriculture industry in Australia, and for Australian Seed Federation members it is a chance to showcase their product and conduct business on an international level in all areas of the seed sector worldwide.
 
Organisers said international delegates, many of whom were first time visitors to Australia, were enjoying experiencing Brisbane as a destination with many taking the opportunity to combine business with pleasure to plan some pre and post touring opportunities in Queensland and throughout Australia.
 
The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the 69^th World Seed Congress. Business events are vital to Queensland's tourism industry, attracting visitors and promoting our destinations to domestic and international visitors.
 
BCEC director of sales, Alison Gardiner said the centre was delighted to support the Australian Seed Federation in their bid to bring this key sector conference to Brisbane.
 
“Queensland has the highest proportion of land area in Australia dedicated to agriculture and attracting conferences in industries that are key to Queensland and Australia is fundamental to what we do as a venue to support our city and our State.”
 
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said hosting the World Seed Congress for the first time in nearly two decades came at a time when Brisbane was growing its profile as an Asia Pacific hub for food and agriculture.
 
“Growing Brisbane’s food and agribusiness industry is a priority of the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan for economic growth. I’m certain that with our city’s strong capabilities in agriculture technology, innovation and research, coupled with our offerings as a world-class conventions city, delegates have enjoyed every aspect of their time at this congress in Brisbane," Cr Quirk said.

www.bcec.com.au

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THE AUSTRALIAN Retailers Association (ARA) is concerned the National Minimum Wage increase of 3.5 percent announced today by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) will stifle jobs growth within the retail sector.

Today the FWC announced the National Minimum Wage will increase to $719.20 per week, or $18.93 per hour from 1 July 2018. The General Retail Industry Award (GRIA) will increase to $789.90 per week or $20.79 per hour for full-time and part-time employees and $25.98 per hour for casuals.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said Australian retailers were already facing an unsteady trading environment and this increase will be detrimental to the growth and stability of the Australian retail industry.

“Monthly retail sales growth is currently around 2 percent however we would like to see this growth increase to 4 percent to ensure retailers can invest in their business and employ more staff,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With retailers already struggling to keep their heads above water, today’s 3.5 percent minimum wage increase will stifle retail growth and delay staff employment across the sector.”

As the retail industry is volatile at present, the ARA sought a minimum wage increase of 1.9 percent to increase staff employment by 3.5 percent over the next 12 months.

Given the current state of the sector and recent store closures, Mr Zimmerman said today’s increase would certainly have a negative effect on retailers and could potentially result in job losses.

“The ARA are passionate about maintaining a sustainable wage growth and would like to see retailers given the chance to not only invest in their business, but invest in employment to promote retail as a vibrant career choice for all Australians,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Today’s minimum wage increase is well above inflation, putting the brakes on employment and innovation throughout the industry, which is detrimental for the retail sector.”

With the Australian retail industry employing over 1.2 million people, the ARA believed a 1.9 percent minimum wage increase would have brought balance back into the industry and preserved jobs for Australia’s largest private employer.

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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