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ASBFEO: The banks are out of excuses

AUSTRALIAN Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell has used an Estimates hearing to once again call on the banks to implement the changes outlined in the ASBFEO bank loans inquiry report as quickly as possible, in order to establish balance in the relationship between financial lenders and their small business customers.

“(There have been) 17 inquiries from various perspectives since the GFC; 40 recommendations that have been repeated in various forms over that period of time, and very, very little movement from the banks in a range of things from really important issues, down to things you would have thought the banks would have picked up on by now,” Ms Carnell told the hearing.

“It shows the level of the lack of action by the banks on these things, that have been brought up time and time again,” she said.

When asked about the impact of current banking practices on the small businesses examined as part of the ASBFEO inquiry, Ms Carnell said that many were now bankrupt.

“There are people who used to be running successful businesses living in garages; we got a pretty good view of what actually happened in a range of these cases and the impact is huge.” Ms Carnell said.

“In a good number of the cases these were people who hadn’t missed a payment on their loan; so they weren’t in financial default, the default came as a result of non-financial default.

“The community believes – and small businesses believe – that if you pay the amount you’re supposed to pay every month and you don’t break any of the standard rules, that should be all you’re required to do, so for the banks to be able to default small businesses when people are compliant financially, we don’t think that’s a reasonable approach.

“Remember small businesses don’t have in-house lawyers and have little-to-no capacity to negotiate these contracts, so we believe that getting rid of non-financial covenants for loans under $5 million is really important for small businesses to be able to get on with the job of growing their businesses.

“We tried to come up with a group of recommendations that would make a difference to small business. 

“We’ve tried hard to make them do-able and do-able quickly, because we haven’t come up with any hugely new recommendations.

“I want them (the banks) to go with all of them,” she said.

Ms Carnell also reinforced her commitment to providing six monthly updates on the banks’ progress in implementing the ASBFEO recommendations.

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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MMG transfer focuses on rehabilitation - QRC

QUEENSLAND Resources Council Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, today applauded the decision by MMG to transfer its Century zinc mine in north west Queensland to Century Mine Rehabilitation Project Pty Ltd as a clear and practical example of MMG’s commitment to the environment and the local economy.

“I congratulate MMG on its decision to transfer the mine with not only a focus on reviving the region’s economy but also to the benefit of the environment,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“It provides a new economic opportunity for the mine while also supporting a dedicated rehabilitation plan.”

The announcement is a win win for rehabilitation and the region – the mine will be given a new life with substantial zinc still to be extracted while the rehabilitation plan will be in place for the end of the mine’s life.

www.qrc.org.au

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Resource employers launch 2017 campaign for workplace relations reform

AUSTRALIA’s resource employers have launched a 2017 workplace relations campaign focusing on ‘Five Urgent Reforms’, and is first calling on the Turnbull Government to take action on Labor’s excessive and costly union workplace entry laws.

“AMMA’s members across the national resource industry are deeply concerned that our parliament appears unable or unwilling to address fundamental problems in our workplace relations system,” Steve Knott, chief executive of AMMA, said.

“Reform priorities identified in 2016 by more than 100 leading resource companies – a highly representative cross section of an industry directly and indirectly employing around 1.1 million Australians - are yet to be acted upon or even debated.

“This is despite many of these reforms lining up with changes recommended by the Productivity Commission, and Australia’s deteriorating economic and employment conditions highlighting the urgent need for political action.”

The five reform priorities identified by AMMA's members and forming its 2017 campaign are:

  1. Restore balance to union workplace entry laws;
  2. Focus enterprise bargaining on employment matters;
  3. Expand agreement making options for employers and employees;
  4. Return to balanced termination of service laws, where a valid reason exists; and
  5. Replace the Fair Work Commission with modern, balanced institutions.

On the first priority, AMMA has released an animated video and written to key senators and members of parliament, highlighting the absurd costs, delays, productivity impacts and safety issues associated with the thousands of site entry requests resource employers now receive each year.

“When Labor’s Fair Work Act gave union officials and recruiters almost unlimited rights to enter worksites, the number of visits sky-rocketed to thousands. One project received 17 visits in just 24 hours, while another received more than 300 in 90 days,” Mr Knott said.

“We are even seeing union recruiters target employees in their lunchrooms and resource employers expected to cop the costs and disruptions associated with union visits to remote projects.

“The resource sector needs the government to take action and address these well-documented concerns.  Our 2017 campaign will build public awareness by simplifying the practical impacts our unbalanced, prehistoric workplace relations system has on Australian employers every day.
“KPMG research indicated that if these five priorities were addressed, the benefits through the resources sector alone would be a $30.9 billion boost to national GDP and 36,000 additional jobs.

“Our nation can no longer afford to send these jobs and economic benefits overseas. It’s time to get the balance right in our workplace regulation.”

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Stupidity in the workplace can produce good results

FUNCTIONAL stupidity can be catastrophic. It can cause organisations to collapse, financial meltdown and technical disaster.

But, says Professor Mats Alvesson, an internationally respected expert on management, stupidity can also produce good short term results through enthusiasm, trust, focus and compliance.

Professor Alvesson of Sweden’s Lund University, describes this as “the stupidity paradox” and his book of the same name has become an international bestseller.

“It’s a tome against mindless conformism,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who included the book on the Christmas reading list, recently told The Guardian.

It explores the dangers of mindless conformity and deference, and how a culture which questions established ways of doing things better enables organisations to innovate and succeed.”

Professor Alvesson is to give an address at the University of Sydney Business School, titled The Stupidity Paradox – the power and the pitfalls of functional stupidity at work.

Previewing the talk, he said it would tackle head-on the pros and cons of functional stupidity.

“You'll discover what makes a workplace mindless, why being stupid might be a good thing in the short term but sometimes very problematic in the longer term, and how to make your workplace a little less stupid by challenging the thoughtless conformity that most organizations cultivate,” Professor Alvesson said.

www.sydney.edu.au

 

Date:               Thursday 9th March 2017

Time:              12:00 noon

Venue:            Room 5050, Abercrombie Building (H70)

                        Cnr Abercrombie and Codrington Streets, Darlington

ENDS

 

 

Breaking the gridlock: modernising Australia’s electricity networks

TODAY the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy launched an inquiry into modernising Australia’s electricity grid.

The electricity grid in Australia is entering a significant period of transition, driven by the shift from traditional sources of electricity generation to new sources such as wind and solar. At the same time, new technology is rapidly changing the way in which households and businesses interact with the grid.

The Chair of the Committee, Andrew Broad MP, said the inquiry would seek to understand the community’s expectations of the electricity grid, examine challenges and opportunities involved in modernising the grid, and learn from the experiences of other countries.

“New technologies such as renewables and energy storage are already transforming the grid—both here in Australia and overseas. We want to hear from the community about their priorities for the grid, and about how a modern grid can better meet the needs of all Australians,” Mr Broad said.

The Chair emphasised that the Committee would work together to identify practical recommendations that balance the need for security and affordability, and to ensure that the grid has the flexibility to adapt to emerging technologies and needs.

“The Committee sees this inquiry as an opportunity for all sides to work together in the national interest. The grid is essential to our way of life, but it is complex and needs careful consideration. Parliamentarians have an important role to play in building support in the community for changes that will bring about a grid that is more secure, more sustainable, and fairer for consumers,” Mr Broad said.

The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mr Pat Conroy MP, explained that despite the uncertainty about how the mix of electricity generation will evolve into the future, the Committee’s focus would be on the pressing need to modernise the electricity transmission and distribution networks.

“There is a legitimate debate about how our electricity will be generated in the future. Yet, it is already clear that the electricity grid is approaching the limits of what it was designed to do. The critical question for the Committee is, what actions can be taken now to ensure that the grid has the flexibility to integrate electricity from a variety of sources at the lowest possible cost?” Mr Conroy said.

In conjunction with the inquiry, the Committee has launched an online questionnaire, which asks households and businesses to share information about how they currently interact with the electricity grid, and about their expectations of the grid into the future.

The Committee will also accept written submissions, addressing one or more of the terms of reference, until 28 April 2017. To assist stakeholders in formulating their submissions, the Committee has prepared a brief discussion paper expanding on the terms of reference.

Throughout the inquiry, the Committee will hold public hearings with government agencies, industry and community groups, and other interested stakeholders. In the coming weeks, the Committee will be looking to set the context for the inquiry, so that the Committee and the community can better understand the current state of the grid, and have a clearer picture of the task at hand.

Further information about the inquiry—including the terms of reference, the discussion paper, and the online questionnaire—is available on the inquiry webpage. Information about how to make a submission to an inquiry can be obtained from the Parliament of Australia webpage.

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Organisations to brief committee on innovation

AS PART of its inquiry into Innovation and Creativity: Workforce for the New Economy  the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training will hear from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Committee Chair Andrew Laming MP said hearing from these important and innovative government organisations was very important to the Committee.

“Each of these organisations is at the cutting edge of technology and innovation and the Committee is keen to hear about the research that each organisation is currently undertaking,” Mr Laming said.

Committee Deputy Chair Terri Butler MP said she was looking forward to hearing from the organisations.

“As well as an impressive research and technology focus each of these organisations are involved with training some of Australia’s top scientists. It will be interesting and important for the Committee to hear their views on Australia’s education priorities,” Ms Butler said.

Public Hearing Details: 11:20am - 12:45pm, Wednesday 1 March, Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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Public hearings on driverless vehicles rev up

THE Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development will address the Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation Science and Resources as hearings into its inquiry into driverless vehicles commence.

Committee Chair, Michelle Landry MP, said the Committee was looking forward to taking evidence on how driverless vehicles have the potential to improve many aspects of life for all Australians.

“Testing of driverless vehicles has begun here in Australia and in many other countries around the world.

It is time to consider not just the technological developments but importantly the social issues that will impact all Australians in the near future. Driverless vehicles have the potential to significantly improve road safety, environment outcomes, and productivity of the economy while also assisting people with mobility issues.” Ms Landry said.

During the inquiry the Committee will focus on issues such as:

  • Safety concerns for passengers and non-passengers
  • Security risks and privacy requirements of automated technologies
  • Legal frameworks and changes to regulations
  • Management of labour market impacts
  • Accessibility outcomes for rural and regional Australians, and
  • Accessibility outcomes for disability groups and the ageing population.

A number of public hearings have been scheduled in Canberra and interstate during March, 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.

Public Hearing Details: 10:45am - 11:45am, Wednesday 1 March, Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be webcast in audio format at www.aph.gov.au/live.

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Under the spotlight: Hearings on social security, nuclear research cooperation and vehicle standards

THE Treaties Committee will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Monday to examine three separate treaties: a bilateral social security agreement with New Zealand, a multilateral agreement for regional cooperation for nuclear research, and a multilateral agreement for the harmonisation of standards for vehicles.

Committee Chair Stuart Robert MP said public hearings allow the text of each treaty to be carefully examined.    

“Although treaty making remains the prerogative of the Executive, the role of the Committee is to examine each treaty brought before it, to determine if it is in the national interest. This public hearing is an opportunity for the Committee to examine the terms of each treaty and ensure that they meet the needs and expectations of Australians and is in our national interest,” Mr Robert said.

Social Security Agreement – New Zealand

Under this Agreement people who have lived in both countries will have access to specified income support payments in their current country of residence. The new Agreement replaces a similar existing agreement, and provides that both countries will contribute to these social security payments on a proportional basis.

Nuclear Research Cooperation Agreement

The proposed Agreement will facilitate regional cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the East Asia-Pacific region, through joint research, development and training projects. The proposed Agreement is an important mechanism to fulfil Australia’s obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 

Harmonisation of Wheeled Vehicles – Revision

The proposed Agreement updates earlier agreements that harmonise technical safety and environmental regulations for vehicles, and consequently reduce barriers to the international export and import of vehicles between countries.

Public Hearing Details: 11am - 1pm Monday 27 February, Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

11:10am: Social Security Agreement - New Zealand
Department of Social Services

11:50am: Nuclear Research Cooperation Agreement
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

12:30pm: Harmonisation of Wheeled Vehicles - Revision
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

1pm: Close

The hearing will be webcast in audio format at www.aph.gov.au/live.

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

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Give back the over 50s cap - IPA

THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is calling on the Government to reinstate the superannuation concessional contribution cap for the over 50s to $35,000.

“With the Government’s superannuation reforms passed in Parliament in November 2016, the concessional contribution cap was reduced to $25,000 per annum for all eligible contributors; a position that the IPA does not support,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“In particular, we do not support the reduction of the current cap of $35,000 for individuals over 50 years of age.

“People aged over 50 should be encouraged to make further superannuation contributions especially when they have the capacity to do so to address any superannuation balance shortfall.

“This situation is further exacerbated with the Government’s announcement of the deferral of the proposed catch up measure until 1 July 2018 which effectively means the first catch up will not be available until the 2019/20 financial year.

“The deferral was a budgetary decision to partially offset the cost of reintroducing an annual non-concessional contributions cap.

“The Henry Tax Review recommended a higher contribution cap for Australians aged 50 and over and yet the current cap of $35,000 is less than a third of what the cap was 10 years ago.

“We need to encourage contributions to superannuation in line with the original intent of superannuation and that is self-funded retirement,’ said Mr Conway.

publicaccountants.org.au

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a road map to how to change your brain

WORLD-RENOWNED brain scientist Dr Michael Merzenich will deliver a keynote address at the 'I Can Change My Brain' conference at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Dr Merzenich is Chief Scientific Officer at Posit Science and Professor Emeritus at University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Dr Merzenich will speak on how breakthroughs in brain plasticity in his lab (and in the labs of colleagues across the globe) have now entered the final stage of translational research – resulting in strategies and products that people can engage with today to monitor and improve brain performance and brain health.

Three decades ago, Dr Merzenich forever changed the way scientists look at the brain with his seminal experiments showing that the adult brain remains plastic – capable of changing chemically, physically and functionally, throughout life, based on sensory and other inputs.  Previously, scientists believed that the brain was plastic only in childhood.

Dr Merzenich realized that plasticity could be harnessed to create tools to benefit humanity. He first applied plasticity in the co-invention of the cochlear implant, which has restored hearing to hundreds of thousands of people living with deafness.

With the wide adoption of personal computers and, then, mobile devices, Dr Merzenich focused on how to create online (and in app) assessments and exercises that continuously adapt and personalize to monitor and improve individual health and performance. 

The exercises in the BrainHQ brain-training platform from Posit Science have been shown to improve performance across a wide range of populations in more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Studies in healthy mature adults have shown gains in standard and real world measures of cognition (e.g., brain speed, attention, memory and executive function); quality of life (mood, confidence, self-rated health, functional independence); and everyday activities (balance, movement, driving).

Last year, Dr Merzenich was awarded the Kavli Prize, the highest honor in neuroscience. The prior year, he was awarded the Russ Prize, the highest honor in bio-engineering.  

He has been elected by his peers to both the National Academy of Sciences and to the National Academy of Medicine in the USA. He also is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters.

Dr Merzenich frequently appears on television and in the press. He may be best known to Australian audiences for his role in the award-winning television series Redesign My Brain.
Dr Merzenich is the author of several books, including Soft-Wired: How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Can Change Your Life.

More information about the conference can be found at http://changemybrain.businessbrainmapping.com

ENDS

Sunday penalty rates decision tomorrow - ARA

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been informed by the Fair Work Commission that the Penalty Rates decision will be handed down tomorrow, February 23, 2017 at 11am in Melbourne.

Members will be aware that the ARA has been leading the case to reduce the Sunday Penalty Rates under the General Retail Industry Award 2010, from double time (200%) to time and a half (150%).

Following the considerable financial contributions made by retailers and associations including the ARA, Master Grocers Association (MGA) and Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), we are hopeful on behalf of the sector that the decision will be in the industry’s favour.

A positive outcome will increase employment in the retail industry and support economic growth in the overall sector.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman and his senior legal team will be at Fair Work tomorrow on Exhibition Street and will be available for comment following the decision.

The ARA wishes to clarify, that despite reports from some media outlets, the ARA was not privy to when the Sunday Penalty Rates decision would be made, nor privy to any content regarding the decision.

ARA regularly conducts general briefings as part of their ongoing commitment to members. The Employment Relations briefing held yesterday broadly discussed potential outcomes and what they could mean for retailers, and eagerly awaits Fair Work’s decision tomorrow. 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $300 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 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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