THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has applauded the significant achievements by Rio Tinto’s Amrun project near Weipa with diversity in its workforce and investment in supporting local suppliers.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the project is delivering on its target to develop local business opportunities as the project nears completion.

“Today we hear Rio Tinto has spent $1 billion on goods and services with Queensland suppliers which has a massive multiplier effect throughout the economy with jobs and investments,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Sourcing goods and services locally reinforces the development and sustainability of regional Queensland. Rio’s relentless commitment to buy locally maintains the sectors’ social licence to operate.”

Fundamental to the ongoing operations of resource projects is to share the success across the region in which the project operates. Rio Tinto’s indigenous employments and retention programs ensure local people from the Western Cape region gain employment.

“Currently the project has 930 construction workers on-site and close to 100 are indigenous workers. These workers can develop into professional and leadership roles within the sector in the years ahead,” Mr Macfarlane said.

QRC’s most recent data showed that resource companies spent $50 million with about 60 indigenous businesses last financial year, which naturally translates into further indirect employment opportunities for indigenous people.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill as a “first step in the right direction” to provide small businesses with a legislated mechanism to raise complaints.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell says the Australian Government spends between $50-60 billion each year on goods and services.

In 2015-16, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) accounted for 24 per cent of procurement by value ($13.7 billion).

Ms Carnell said the percentage, as a share of overall total value, had been steadily declining over the past three years.

“Our research and experience has highlighted several barriers to small business participation in government procurement processes,” she said.

“This has included an independent and effective complaints mechanism.”

The bill enables the Federal Court to grant an injunction or order payment of compensation in relation to a breach of Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPR).

The bill’s current form allows a supplier to lodge a complaint regarding a breach of the CPRs with the relevant Commonwealth entity undertaking the procurement.

This must occur as a first step before a supplier can apply to the court for an injunction or other remedy.

“I welcome this but note there is a time limit imposed on filing with the court (of 10 days) which can be waived in certain circumstances,” Ms Carnell said.

“The timeframe for lodgement should take into account the requirement for the responsible authority to investigate the complaint.

“Alternatively, a timeframe should be placed on the authority to investigate and report on a complaint.”

Ms Carnell said it’s not clear if the bill allows subcontractor suppliers access to the complaints mechanism.

Another concern reflects the sole use of courts as a remedy.

“This is potentially an expensive and complex pathway for many small businesses due to the time and costs associated with obtaining legal advice,” Ms Carnell said.

“There is a role for the courts but I would also like to see an alternative dispute resolution process that offers lower costs and more accessible access to justice for small business.

“This could be provided by formalising the Ombudsman’s existing role and functions as a complaint avenue or through an Industry Advocate, as proposed by the recent Joint Standing Committee on Government Procurement.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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BUSINESS heavyweights Kate Carnell, Anna Bligh and Philip Dalidakis will discuss the future of banking for Australian small businesses at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit next month.

Prominent business leaders and senior politicians, will come together to discuss key issues facing small businesses across Australia at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit in Melbourne on August 23-25, 2017.

Now in its 15th year the summit, hosted by the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), is regarded as the premier event of the year to represent small business needs and will focus on 'Collaboration and Communities', building and strengthening partnerships between policy makers and industry leaders with the focus on the future of small business owners in Australia.

Across the two days, more than 30 speakers will discuss and debate significant matters facing small business people including banking and finance, regulation red-tape, cyber security, workplace relations, Vocational Education & Training (VET) and owner work-life balance.

The summit’s focus on banking requirements for small businesses and impact of managing financial stress will see respected voices from both sides of the fence, including the Philip Dalidakis, Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade; Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Anna Bligh, CEO of the Australian Bankers' Association, share insights and discuss how banks can improve how they operate with small business owners.

Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA commented on the vital role the Vodafone National Small Business Summit plays in maintaining and improving the business environment, economy and regulations that guide small business people.

“Collaboration between small businesses with big business and government is essential to creating an environment that allows small businesses and therefore the nation’s economy to thrive," Mr Strong said.

“Over nine in 10 businesses across Australia are considered a small business, accounting for more than 33% of our nation’s GDP and 40% of the workforce. Yet, the level of regulation red-tape across government and stringent terms from corporations materially impacts the growth capacity for smaller companies.

“In 2017, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit will bring together the leading voices and decision makers in the industry to focus on what really matters to small business owners,” said Mr Strong.

The Summit will kick off on Wednesday, August 23 with the Small Business Start-Up reception where small business owners can meet and talk to industry leaders, followed by two days of Summit discussions.

COSBOA is the country’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses.

Register for the Summit: http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/registration
#NSBS17

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will conduct public hearings in Katoomba and Brisbane next week as part of its inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of Australia’s film and television industry.

The Chair of the committee, Luke Howarth MP, stated that ‘the Committee is looking forward to hearing perspectives from industry participants from the greater Blue Mountains area, where the creative industries are a significant employer.’

"The film and television industry also makes an important contribution to culture and the economy in Queensland, where the Committee will hear from Screen Queensland and others," Mr Howarth said.

Public hearings will take place in Sydney and Melbourne later this month.  

Public hearing details

Katoomba: 10am - 11:30am, Wednesday 12 July, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, 30 Parke Street, Katoomba NSW

10:00am     Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise
11:30am      Finish

Brisbane: 9:15am - 11:30am, Thursday 13 July, Level 36 conference room, Commonwealth Parliament Offices, 1 Eagle Street Brisbane QLD

9:15am     Screen Queensland
10:15am     Dr Anna Potter
11:00am     BMC Productions Pty Ltd
11:30am     Finish

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

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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IT IS TIME to penalise states that do not develop resources because of pressure from foreign-funded green activists, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Queensland Media Club today.

Queensland and Western Australia are currently disadvantaged by having resource royalties counted against the Grants Commission per capita distribution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“States that do the heavy lifting by supporting job creating resource projects and supplying the electricity market shouldn’t be worse off,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Politicians can’t keep ignoring the science and running away at the first sign of chanting and placard waving from green activists. If you want to fall to the ideology and expect other states to provide your energy needs, then the federal government should cut your GST distribution.

“Overseas in resource rich countries such as Canada, royalty income is discounted by 50 per cent before it is added to the equalisation calculations. If such a system was adopted here, Queensland would gain about an extra $100 million a year – which is money in the bank to pay for infrastructure and services to make our state an even better place to live.”

Mr Macfarlane also called out foreign-funded green activists who use deceptive tactics along with misinformation campaigns.

“The optimist in me knows that good journalism isn’t dead and that the reason behind no fact-checking is an under-resourced newsroom – but the cynic in me sees a pattern of behaviour from the same journalists at the same news outlets," Mr Macfarlane said.

“I call on everyone to question and check everything they are told, especially if the consequences have the potential to cause harm, to health, business or reputation.”

www.qrc.org.au

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AS THE RETAIL industry’s peak representative body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) recognised the Fair Work Commission’s decision today which requires retailers to offer casual staff part-time employment after being with the business for 12 months.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said while today’s decision gives retail staff employment security, the ARA are concerned the decision will reduce flexibility for retailers.

“We acknowledge Fair Work’s decision today, however we fear this verdict will significantly impact retailers as casual’s flexible hours are essential to the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Given the current change-of-hours rules around part-time employees, there is a continual need for casual employees and their flexible working arrangements.”

The ARA believes the decision will only be operationally viable if retail employers are able to offer part-time workers additional hours without incurring overtime penalties, as the procedural requirements for changes to the rostered hours of part-time employees can be unrealistic for retailers.

“The ARA believes that if there were flexibility in the hours of part-time employees this decision might have made sense, but the retail industry experiences peaks and troughs in trade which are an impediment to offering fixed hours for part-time employees,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Retailers would of course love to reward those long-term staff with a set amount of hours per week and an option to increase those hours without paying overtime, however the existing award provisions around part-time employees, highlight the necessity of casual employees. We will be acting to have those provisions changed.”

The ARA believe the existing requirements, combined with the new casual conversion provisions, will only bring further challenges to Australian retailers who are already facing a difficult operating environment.

“Retail employees are an important asset for retailers and the overall industry, therefore the ARA will be seeking more flexible part-time arrangements through the Award Review process,” Mr Zimmerman said.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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QUEENSLAND Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane has released the following comment on the Kevin's Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin:

"TODAY the Land Court of Queensland recommended Minister Lynham grant the Mining Lease and the Environmental Authority be issued for the Kevin’s Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin, subject to the original draft conditions.

"The GVK backed mine would inject billions of dollars into regional Queensland with 1,800 construction jobs, 1,600 operational and thousands more through indirect employment for the life of the mine.

"The findings clearly recognise that both the Queensland and Commonwealth impact assessment frameworks are rigorous and appropriate.

"It is very disappointing to see green activists, yet again, attempting to derail a job creating mine after it had already passed through processes administered by democratically elected state and federal governments.

"Coast and Country, through the taxpayer-funded Environmental Defenders Office, have repeatedly failed in their combined attempts to stop the coal industry and deny Queenslanders jobs.

"In its decision, the Land Court had demonstrated the court system is starting to identify where activists’ claims have little or no basis other than to delay or attempt to jeopardise the project.

"Once operational the mine would produce up to 30 million tonnes of coal which provides the government with an extra $168 million of royalties to the Budget annually or 2,600 extra nurses or 3,000 police officers or 3,100 teachers.

"The Queensland coal industry delivered $32.7 billion dollars to the state’s economy last financial year while employing directly and indirectly 183,000 people."

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the positive trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) represent a better than expected trade in May with 3.82 percent total growth year-on-year.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the May retail trade figures illustrate a positive outlook for the industry as retailers head into winter.

“Retail figures have improved from April across the board with the cold winter snap driving consumers indoors,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Clothing Footwear and Personal Accessories figures have levelled out in May, showing a 3.76 percent increase year-on-year.”

Household Goods (5.11%), Electrical (5.80%) and Furniture (8.62%) have seen the strongest year-on-year growth with many new electronic products launched to the public in late April.

Mr Zimmerman said the late arrival of cold weather might have had a positive effect on retail sales but some retailers are still not getting the sales volume they need due to the considerable amount of discounting happening across Australia.

“Although liquor has slowed down considerably as we move away from Easter, Supermarkets, Cafés Restaurants and Takeaway Food remain strong.”

May trade figures remained steady across the board with all states showing a stable growth. Australian Capital Territory (5.68%), Victoria (5.19%), South Australia (4.90%) and Tasmania (4.53%) lead the pack with modest year-on-year growth.

While New South Wales (3.93%) and Queensland (3.07%) also show a moderate year-on-year increase. Both Western Australia (0.98%) and the Northern Territory (0.62%) might trail behind the other state still show fairly stable figures.

“As we enter the colder months we will see retail growth remain strong, giving retailers breathing room in the tough trading environment,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We look forward to seeing consumers take advantage of the end of financial year sales in June giving retailers another boost in sales.” 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (April 2017– May 2017 seasonally adjusted) 

Household goods retailing (2.2%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.3%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.6%), Other retailing (0.6%), Food retailing (0.1%) and Department stores (-0.7%). 

New South Wales (1.3%), Victoria (1.2%), South Australia (0.8%), Western Australia (0.3%), Tasmania (1.2%), Australian Capital Territory (1.0%), Queensland (-1.1%) and the Northern Territory (-0.5%).

Total sales (0.6%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (May 2016 – May 2017 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (5.11%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (3.76%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (5.26%), Other retailing (2.89%), Food retailing (3.75%) and Department stores (-0.32%). 

New South Wales (3.93%), Victoria (5.19%), South Australia (4.90%), Western Australia (0.98%), Tasmania (4.53%), Australian Capital Territory (5.68%), Queensland (3.07%) and the Northern Territory (0.62%). 

Total sales (3.82%).

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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