AT A PUBLIC hearing in Canberra today, industry and business advocacy groups will have their say on new rules for the Australian Government’s $59 billion procurement budget.

The Joint Select Committee on Government Procurement is considering how best to implement revised Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

The revised rules, which came into effect on 1 March 2017, require Commonwealth officials to consider:

• whether products or services being procured comply with Australian standards for goods and services;
• suppliers’ adherence to labour regulations, OH&S and environmental standards;
• the economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian economy; and
• meeting national and international obligations under trade and other agreements.

Committee Chair Senator Nick Xenophon said the revised Commonwealth Procurement Rules aim to increase the competitiveness of Australian businesses when they bid for Australian Government contracts, particularly against their international counterparts.

“The new rules require Commonwealth officials to consider how a procurement can benefit the Australian economy. This levels competition between domestic and international businesses when it comes to supplying the goods and services Australia needs,” Mr Xenophon said.

“However, it is crucial that the new rules are implemented effectively. It is essential that benefits to the Australian economy can be assessed efficiently and quickly without increasing red tape for businesses or government agencies.”

“This public hearing is the first in a series, in which the Committee will seek the perspective of industry, government agencies and the community on the best way to apply the rules.”

A public hearing program and inquiry Terms of Reference are available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details: 4pm - 6pm, Wednesday 29 March, Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

This hearing will be streamed live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends

THE Parliamentary Innovations Committee will tomorrow morning experience Volvo’s latest semi-autonomous vehicle as part of its inquiry into driverless vehicles.

Committee Chair, Michelle Landry MP, said the Committee was looking forward to Volvo demonstrating its latest automated vehicle technology on the roads around Canberra. Volvo will show the Committee members what autonomous features are currently in place for the XC90 Volvo, including:

• an automatic breaking functionality and collision avoidance system
• large animal detection
• auto steer function and run off road mitigation
• pilot assist also works up to 130 km/h on clearly marked roads.

The Committee will inspect the vehicles at 8.25am and depart Parliamentary Drive on the House of Representatives northern pull in bay at 8.30am.

A number of public hearings have been scheduled in Canberra and interstate during, April and May. The schedule can be found here.

The Committee is still accepting submissions for this inquiry. Please notify the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you intend to make a submission.

Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website. The Committee is expected to report by September 2017.

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

ends

THE Queensland Resources Council welcomes the announcement of ‘Project Ruby,’ the Shell Australia/QGC joint venture, that will employ hundreds of people, and inject new gas supply into the east coast gas market.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the announcement was yet another sign that Queensland was getting on with business.

The ‘Project Ruby’ development in the Surat Basin underpins 350 new and existing jobs, which is good news for the local community, and good news for Queensland’s gas supply,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The QRC is pleased that Queensland is leading the way when it comes to working to address the problem of the east coast gas shortage.”

Up to 161 new wells will be drilled in 2017 and 2018 in QGC’s existing tenements in south-west Queensland.

“This significant milestone for the QGC project is also a vote of confidence in Queensland’s onshore gas industry,” Mr Macfarlane said.
 
“Importantly, this is an investment into regional Queensland, where state and local governments and farmers support the gas industry, resulting in massive economic benefits for local and state governments as well as farmers and rural and regional communities.”

www.qrc.org.au

TOMORROW The Australian will host the fifth Global Food Forum in Melbourne. 

The previous four events attracted a combined 1,600 delegates and helped to set the agenda for agribusiness in Australia.

agribusiness is a vital sector which plays a key role in the nation’s economy, turning over more than $150 billion and employing more than 500,000 people.

Key speakers at this year's conference include:

• Brad Banducci Chief Executive Officer, Woolworths 
• Anthony Pratt Executive Chairman, Visy

Discussion topics and speakers also include: 

• The view from China. Louis Li Deputy General Manager, JD.com
• Cracking China’s consumer economy. John O’Loghlen Director of Business Development Australia and New Zealand, Alibaba Group and Albert Tse Founder, Wattle Hill
• Making hay: Riding the ASX food boom. Mick McMahon Chief Executive Officer, Ingham’s and Christine Holgate Chief Executive Officer, Blackmores
• The dairy crisis: Is the worst finally over? Barry Irvin Executive Chairman, Bega Cheese and René Dedoncker Managing Director, Fonterra Australia
• Farming and investing smarter: The ag tech revolution. Harry Debney Chief Executive Officer, Costa Group and Sam Trethewey Chief Executive Officer, SproutX

The Australian will be live blogging from the event. You can keep up to date with the discussions at: www.theaustralian.com.au/gff. 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

9.15am Conference Opening & Welcome
Paul Whittaker Editor-in-Chief, The Australian

9.20am Keynote Address
Anthony Pratt Executive Chairman, Visy

9.30am In Conversation
Brad Banducci Chief Executive Officer, Woolworths, with The Australian’s John Durie on putting the customer first.

10.00am Keynote Address via video
Gina Rinehart Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting Group and S. Kidman and Co. Why Hancock is betting its future on agriculture.

10.40am In Conversation
The Chinese food revolution. John O’Loghlen, Director of Business Development Australia and New Zealand, Alibaba Group with Glenda Korporaal Associate Editor-Business, The Australian.

11.00am Panel Discussion
Cracking China’s consumer economy. Albert Tse, Founder, Wattle Hill and Peter Nathan, Chief Executive Officer A2 Milk with Glenda Korporaal Associate Editor-Business, The Australian

11.30am In Conversation
Former Minister for Trade Andrew Robb talks to Sue Neales Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian about northern Australia, China and life after politics.

11.50am Panel Discussion
Making hay: Riding the ASX food boom. Mick McMahon Chief Executive Officer, Ingham’s and Christine Holgate Chief Executive Officer, Blackmores with Damon Kitney, Victorian Business Editor, The Australian

1.20pm In Conversation via video
David MacLennan Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Cargill with Cameron Stewart Associate Editor, The Australian.

1.35pm Panel Discussion
The dairy crisis: Is the worst finally over? Barry Irvin Executive Chairman, Bega Cheese and
René Dedoncker Managing Director, Fonterra Australia with Eli Greenblat Retail Writer, The Australian

2.05pm Panel Discussion
Banking on the farm - a good investment? David Goodfellow Chief Executive Officer, Rifa Australia and Michael Dundon Chief Executive Officer, VicSuper with Eric Johnston Business Editor, The Australian

2.30pm Panel Discussion
Farming and investing smarter: The ag tech revolution.
Harry Debney Chief Executive Officer, Costa Group and Sam Trethewey Chief Executive Officer, SproutX with Sue Neales Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian.

3.25pm Panel Discussion
Smashed avocados, healthy fast food and organic: the consumers of the future. Steven Marks Chief Executive Officer, Guzman Y Gomez and Katrina Myers Chief Executive Officer, Barham Avocados with Bernard Salt Columnist, The Australian.

3.50pm Panel Discussion
In the kitchen: Restaurant trends. Peter Gilmore, Quay restaurant and Alla Wolf-Tasker, Lake House and John Lethlean restaurant reviewer, The Australian

4.20pm Conference review and wrap
Darren Thomas Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Foods International, with Damon Kitney Victorian Business Editor, The Australian and Sue Neales, Specialist Agriculture Writer, The Australian

ENDS

PARLIAMENT’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will hold a public hearing tomorrow for its inquiry into Commonwealth infrastructure spending, based on two recent reports tabled by the Auditor-General: ANAO Report No. 14 (2015–16) relating to the East West Link Project, and ANAO Report No. 38 (2016–17) into the WestConnex Project.

Committee Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said that infrastructure projects can be large and nationally significant undertakings, offering the potential for important economic and social benefits. As a result, departments need to provide sound advice, actively protect the Commonwealth’s interests, and obtain value for money for taxpayers.

“The Auditor-General has examined the processes supporting the funding approvals for two recent road projects: WestConnex in Sydney and East West Link in Melbourne. The audits provide important insights into the quality of advice supporting infrastructure funding decisions and how departments are managing key risks through payment arrangements and agreements.”

“The Committee will be discussing the findings of the audits with the ANAO, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Department of the Treasury. The Committee will also discuss the progress made by these departments toward implementing ANAO recommendations,” Senator Smith said.

The JCPAA is the Parliament’s joint public administration committee. The Committee scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies, and has the power to inquire into all expenditure of Commonwealth money.

Further information about the inquiry can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details: 9:00am - 10:30am, Wednesday 29 March, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

ANAO Report No. 14 (2015–16) Approval and Administration of Commonwealth Funding for the East West Link Project
Australian National Audit Office
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
Department of the Treasury

ANAO Report No. 38 (2016–17) The Approval and Administration of Commonwealth Funding for the WestConnex Project
Australian National Audit Office
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
Department of the Treasury

This hearing will be streamed live  at aph.gov.au/live.The hearing program is available from the Committee website.

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

ends

AUSTRALIAN Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) CEO Steve Knott has welcomed the Australian Government today making three exceptional appointments to Australia’s national employment tribunal, the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
 
The appointment to Deputy President of Peter Anderson – business experienced, legally qualified, and well regarded both domestically and internationally – ticks all the boxes for the type of people the FWC needs to restore its credibility and independence, Mr Knott said.
 
"Peter is widely-known and well-regarded by business, unions and the legal community, most notably for his six-year leadership of the nation’s umbrella business representative organisation, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)," Mr Knott said.
 
"AMMA worked very closely with Peter during this time and found him to be a highly effective and considered statesman, engaging equally with all social partners to support valuable investment and employment outcomes in Australia.
 
"Perhaps less well known is the high regard to which Peter is held at the international level, having been our region’s representative for the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In that role, Peter has advocated Australia’s interests and values in discussions on workplace relations, youth unemployment, freedom of association, economic and taxation policy and many other key social issues.
 
"AMMA also congratulates the two additional appointees announced today: Corrs Chambers Westgarth Partner, Alan Colman, as Deputy President; and Sarah McKinnon, general manager of workplace relations and legal affairs at the National Farmers’ Federation, as Commissioner.
 
"Mr Colman and Ms McKinnon are both highly qualified and have the type of broad experience across law, workplace relations and business that will see the FWC better support employment outcomes in the future."
 
In recent months AMMA has highlighted the issue of growing vacancies at the FWC and the urgent need for new appointees to have business experience and legal qualifications.
 
"We are pleased the Australian Government has acted to fill vacancies on the national employment tribunal and have selected quality appointees who add considerably to the FWC’s bench strength," Mr Knott said.

www.amma.org.au

ends

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will hold a roundtable public hearing on Thursday for its inquiry into modernising Australia’s electricity grid.

The Committee is conducting an inquiry into this important topic and has been receiving wide-ranging feedback from the Australian community via the online questionnaire created for the inquiry. The questionnaire can be accessed here.

In this initial roundtable the Committee is looking forward to hearing from the key players about the history of the electricity grid in Australia, how it developed to its current operational state, and the current challenges being faced by the grid in meeting modern demands.

Committee Chair, Andrew Broad MP, said “It’s becoming increasingly clear that the electricity grid in Australia is entering a significant period of transition. There are new sources of electricity, such as wind and solar, being fed into the grid, and consumers are demanding more information about how and why their electricity is being generated and distributed.”

“The Committee is conscious that there is a lot of work being done in this space currently. The government, regulators, operators and consumers are at a pivotal point in the future of energy in Australia, and a modern electricity grid is essential. There is a role for the community and lawmakers in shaping this change and modernisation. This Committee needs to be well-informed to ensure that its contribution is meaningful and appropriate,” Mr Broad said.

The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Pat Conroy MP, said “To kick off this inquiry, the roundtable being conducted on Thursday will help set the scene for this inquiry and help us —and the community—understand how the grid got to the point it did today. We will also be looking to identify some of the challenges with the current grid, which the Committee can investigate further and address throughout the inquiry.”

The Committee will hear from:

• The Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy
• Australian Energy Regulator
• Australian Energy Market Commission
• Australian Renewable Energy Agency
• the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
• Australian Energy Council
• Energy Networks Australia
• Energy Consumers Australia
• CSIRO
• The Australian National University – Energy Change Institute.

Public hearing details: 10:00am - 12:00pm, Thursday 30 March, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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

ends

THE Queensland Resources Council is extremely concerned to see the broadening of the work of the select committee into Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis before the first inquiry has been finalised.
 
QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said to change the scope at this stage is unhelpful.
 
“It adds even greater uncertainty for all parties involved and further delays outcomes to the affected coal miners,” Mr Macfarlane said.  
 
“Industry is already taking pro-active steps to address dust levels on mine sites and we are working with unions and governments to ensure levels are kept below the regulated limits.
 
“Industry has also worked proactively to make sure that concerned retired workers, and workers who are no longer coal mining, are offered screening for the disease.
 
“Industry must have confidence in the medical assessments that our workers undergo. It is now clear that the advice the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM), industry and unions were receiving from many medical specialists, especially radiologists from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCAR) simply wasn’t good enough.
 
“There are examples of GPs in Rockhampton and Mackay diagnosing cases that the radiologists had missed. This is simply not good enough," he said.
 
“There must be a significant improvement in the standard of medical assessments that our coal workers are required to undergo. We want nothing less than the world’s best practice when it comes to the industry. It is vital the radiologists are highly skilled and using the best equipment that is available to make sure that we are getting every case at its earliest stages."
 
The committee’s first report is now not expected until late May and the date of the final report has been extended to September.

www.qrc.org.au

ends