FEDERAL Parliament’s Northern Australia Committee is holding a public hearing in reference to its Inquiry into Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia on Thursday, March 29 2018 in Parliament House, Canberra.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, stated ‘the tourism industry in Northern Australia faces substantial challenges to growth, including the expense and distance associated with travelling to the north, seasonality and vulnerability to extreme weather events, and regulatory obstacles to development. The isolation of many parts of Northern Australia, including the Indian Ocean Territories, creates additional impediments to attracting visitors.’

‘At the same time, Northern Australia’s natural and cultural assets and its close proximity to Asia present significant economic and social opportunities. I look forward to hearing from government agencies about how we can build on these strengths and facilitate the development of tourism in Northern Australia, particularly in remote regions,’ the Chair said.

The hearing program and further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jscna. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.   

Public hearing details: Thursday, 29 March 2018, 9.15 am – 12.15 pm, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

ends

A SURVEY of 27 resources company chief executives has found half plan to spend more with local suppliers across regional Queensland in 2018 and none plan to spend less.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said resources companies spent $6.2 billion – the equivalent of $120 million every week - with almost 9000 businesses across regional Queensland last year.

“The resources sector directly employs more than 38,000 Queenslanders, with almost 80 percent of those men and women working in regional Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“We support and rely upon thousands more staff in the regions where we work to supply equipment, fuel, food, clothing and a full range of services.

“The latest survey of resources company CEOs shows half plan to spend more and almost 20 percent say they plan to spend ‘substantially’ more with their local suppliers.

“Working with local suppliers is an investment in building local capabilities and in turn create local opportunities.

“Not one CEO surveyed said they planned to cut spending with local suppliers this year. That’s great news for business and jobs in regional Queensland.

“It’s in the interests of resources companies and the sector to work with local suppliers to develop skills and support these businesses and the communities that depend upon these businesses.”

The Queensland resources sector now provides one in every $6 in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State - with almost 7000 businesses in the Greater Brisbane region - all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC survey results were consistent with the Productivity Commission’s Transitioning Regions report last year, which stated:

“Mining regions continue to have high incomes and have substantially more people employed than prior to the boom. Many regions with a high concentration of activity based on mining have transitioned well from construction to production following large expansions in capacity during the mining investment boom”.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

AS AUSTRALIA's largest retail peak body industry, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) isconcerned the proposed liquor restrictions by the Western Australia State Government will not only affect the economy it will stifle employment.

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said these proposed restrictions will only reduce consumer choice and convenience, affecting the retailer's bottom line and in turn, employment.

“As Australia’s largest retail association, representing over 7,500 retail members, who employ more than 1.2 million people, the ARA’s primary concern is the affect these restrictions will have on employment,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Restricting liquor stores to under 400 sqm and restricting developments based on the proximity of other stores will not only put retailers in danger, it will significantly cost jobs.”

The ARA understand the Government’s sentiment to reduce the harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption, but believe these proposed restrictions on liquor outlets will do more harm than good.

“Research states that nationally, total alcohol consumption per capita has declined during the same period that liquor licenses have been increasing,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Therefore, it would be a mistake to push through these reforms without substantial evidence as these proposed restrictions will significantly affect the Western Australian economy.”

The ARA are supportive of educational based measures to reduce excessive alcohol consumption but believe the Government need to better engage with the industry to reduce harm.

“The Government needs to support business growth and work with local retailers to find a steady transition in promoting a healthy lifestyle without harming Australian retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With retail trade in Western Australia declining over 2017, due to their economic struggles, the State Government should be helping to build, not block business development and retail employment.”

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 body industry, 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.

ends

WITH ONLY A WEEK until Easter, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) believe the Easter Bunny won’t be the only one preparing his Easter basket, with retailers across the country stocking their shelves with all sorts of Easter treats.

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said although many retailers release their Easter products just after the new year, the bulk of Easter sales do not occur until the week before Good Friday.

“As this Easter is earlier than last year, Australians will be heading in-store sooner rather than later to buy their seafood as the Sydney Fish Market is expecting to trade more than 650 tonnes of seafood before the big day,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Fresh food markets and supermarkets aren’t the only ones who will receive crowds of shoppers over the next week as many chocolatiers and bakeries will be also making delicious treats to add to the Easter table.”

Steve Plarre, CEO of Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, said over 55 percent of last year’s hot cross bun sales came from new flavours and is expecting these sales to grow even higher this year.

“As Easter will arrive two weeks earlier than last year, I believe there will be a slight headwind for sales this year, but these purchases will be outweighed by the solid growth from exciting new hot cross bun flavours”.

With Australians loving their hot cross buns for the past 35 years, Elise Gillespie, joint CEO of Bakers Delight, predicts more than 20 million hot cross buns to be pulled from their ovens this year.

“Easter is one of the highlights of our year, and we are proud that we have been able to play a role in helping Australian families create their own Easter traditions for nearly four decades,” Ms Gillespie said.

As a big chocolate fan, Mr Zimmerman said he will be sure to purchase an Easter Bilby this year to honor the first Haigh’s Chocolate Easter Bilby 25 years ago and support the important work they do to save the Bilby.

“It’s great to see retailers taking initiatives in their corporate social responsibility and listening to consumer concerns, not only generating repeat customers but also increasing consumer loyalty – a crucial element in today’s uncertain trading environment,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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 body industry, 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.

ends

PACER Plus, the Pacific Island free trade agreement,  will be examined at a public hearing on Monday by the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

The Australian Government expects PACER Plus to encourage economic growth and social stability in the Pacific region by freeing up trade and investment opportunities.

However, the two largest Pacific Island economies, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, have not signed the agreement.

Committee Chair Stuart Robert MP said while PACER Plus offered many advantages for Pacific Island nations, some issues remain, including why PNG and Fiji decided not to take part.

“PACER Plus presents an opportunity for Pacific Island economies to grow beyond the need for development assistance, but the absence of countries that make up over 80 per cent of the region’s economic capacity is a concern for the Committee,” Mr Robert said.

The Committee will also examine PACER Plus’ impact on Pacific Island government revenues, public health, and business capacity.

Public hearing details: 11.00am – 12.50pm, Monday 26 March 2018, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

11.00am:     Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)
11.30am:     Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET)
12.00pm:     Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
12.50pm:     Close

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

ends

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is calling for nominations for its annual Indigenous Awards to celebrate excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the State’s resources sector.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the Queensland resources sector was providing more jobs and opportunities for Indigenous Australians, as acknowledged in the Closing the Gap report last month.

“The Closing the Gap 2018 update reported 6599 Indigenous Australians were employed by the mining industry and increased by 250 percent since 2006.  The number of non-Indigenous Australians employed in mining had increased by 150 percent over the same period. 

The Closing the Gap report also stated that: “The mining industry itself is employing significantly more Indigenous Australians than previously.  These mining jobs are providing crucial opportunities for employment in regional areas.”

Mr Macfarlane said the 5th annual awards, to be presented during Reconciliation Week in May, provided the opportunity to showcase Indigenous role models and ambassadors for the Queensland resources sector.

QRC is now accepting nominations across six award categories:

•    Indigenous Advocacy Award  |  recognises Indigenous or non-Indigenous individuals that have demonstrated outstanding effort to encourage, promote and advocate for increasing Indigenous participation within the resources sector
•    Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources Award  |  recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous person working with the Queensland resources sector in any occupation or profession
•    Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources Award  |  recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous business supplying the Queensland resources sector
•    Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award  |  recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance supplier diversity and support increased Indigenous business participation within resources sector supply chains
•    Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award  |  recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance the attraction and retention of Indigenous people in the Queensland resources sector
•    Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award  |  recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous student at a QMEA school who has shown significant promise and passion for a career in the Queensland resources sector.

For more information and to access the nomination forms, click here. 

ends

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, covers the significant achievements of the ASBFEO office as this week marks its second birthday.

“This week is our 2nd birthday. Over that period of time a lot of things have been achieved due to the great work of my wonderful staff and the input of small businesses from around Australia.

“You told us that one of the things upsetting you was big business and governments paying slower and slower. We did a major piece of work and we found that you were right; they are paying slower. The outcome of that has been that the Business Council of Australia has set up a new Code of Practice to encourage big business to pay in 30 days or less, and the Australia Government has announced that they will move to 15 business day payments by the middle of next year.

“We’ve been working with the fintechs, the online lenders, and released a major paper that will make fintech lending more transparent, and by the middle of the year a capacity for small businesses able to compare different fintech offerings so that they can make good decisions if they think fintech lending is the solution for their businesses.

“Please get in touch with our office if you have anything you’d like us to investigate or you’ve got a problem you’d like us to help you solve on your behalf.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

ends

TALK of extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off from both major political parties is a positive sign, according to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

The Treasurer has signalled that the $20,000 instant asset write-off will be extended for small business along with a possible increase in the amount that can be claimed, while the Labor Party has indicated the write-off initiative could be extended to all businesses.

“The IPA has long advocated for the write-off initiative for small businesses and we are keen for it to continue as part of the tax regime,” said chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“We were relieved by the decision made in last year’s Federal Budget for it to continue up to 30 June 2018 as the reversion to a limit of $1,000 at that time would have been a huge disincentive for many small businesses.

“The increase in the accelerated depreciation write-off threshold to $20,000 has proven to be of great assistance to small business cash flow.

“This initiative brings forward the tax deduction that would have previously been deductible over a number of years.

“What should be kept in focus is the positive impact that this initiative has on the broader economy as it incentivises small businesses to reinvest in their future, making way for growth, employment and prosperity.

“We fully support a higher instant asset write-off becoming a permanent feature of our tax system going forward.  The Henry Review into Australia’s tax system recommended that a higher threshold should apply.

“The need for this initiative to be set in stone, particularly for small businesses, is paramount as it brings an injection of economic growth, giving small businesses the confidence to buy new equipment, reinvest in their operations and grow,” said Mr Conway.

www.publicaccountants.org.au

ends