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Credit Ombudsman slams talk of consolidation by big banks

THE Credit and Investments Ombudsman (CIO) has slammed Australia’s big banks and their dispute resolution scheme, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), for calling for the creation of a single industry Ombudsman scheme in the financial services sector.

Financial services businesses are required by law to join an Ombudsman scheme approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). CIO and FOS are the only two Ombudsman schemes currently approved by ASIC. Neither are statutory schemes.

“A single Ombudsman scheme would mean that about 37,000 licensed businesses would be forced by law to join and pay membership and service fees to a single private sector provider. No other provider would be allowed to operate in the sector," said Mr Raj Venga, CEO and Ombudsman, CIO.

“This would be a bizarre outcome. It’s like legislating that compulsory superannuation contributions should only be made to a named industry super fund. Or that a person can receive the Government’s private health insurance rebate only if they take out private health insurance with a named mutual health fund (both of these are not-for-profits, like CIO and FOS).

“It would be extraordinary for any government to mandate that its citizens and businesses financially contribute to, and comply with the requirements imposed by, a private sector provider operating to the exclusion of all other providers," Mr Venga said.

"Apart from being completely unacceptable and offensive to Australian norms, one wonders what its legal and constitutional basis is.

"And a single Ombudsman scheme like that being proposed by the big banks, FOS and, oddly enough, some consumer advocates, would essentially be a non-statutory private sector monopoly capable of dictating terms to businesses. It would not be subject to efficiency and cost disciplines. It could set any price it wanted. There would be little or no incentive to improve its services or performance, or to respond to the legitimate interests of its stakeholders”, Mr Venga continued.

“CIO’s 23,000 members, 97% of whom are sole traders and small businesses, would be forced to join a single Ombudsman scheme that would be beholden to the big end of town which generates the most number complaints and pays the most fees. Who’s looking out for the small guy?  It tends to be forgotten that these small businesses are also consumers.

“The paradox in all this is that the proposed solution to address the sins of the major banks is a measure which will do nothing more than entrench their dominant position to the detriment of consumers, businesses and the economy.

"A single Ombudsman scheme proposed by, and beholden to, the major banks will serve their interests in maintaining the status quo in the Australian financial sector. Imposing a ‘big end of town’ solution on smaller and more innovative financial services providers will damage their ability to compete with the major banks and will continue to leave Australian consumers and businesses with an uncompetitive financial system.

“A statutory scheme or tribunal is not the answer either because a large bureaucracy would be legalistic, less flexible and substantially less consumer-friendly, and this would have a negative effect on turnaround times, service levels and innovation.

“We believe that the present two Ombudsman scheme model has served both consumers and financial services providers exceptionally well.  The existence of two separate Ombudsman schemes has allowed each scheme to benchmark its performance against the other. This has produced better outcomes for businesses and consumers alike, and can’t be achieved under a single Ombudsman monopoly.

“Any consolidation of CIO and FOS would mean that businesses, particularly small businesses, who are dissatisfied with service levels or costs, will have absolutely nowhere else to go,” Mr Venga concluded.

 

The Credit and Investments Ombudsman (CIO) is an alternative dispute resolution scheme approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to provide consumers with an alternative to legal proceedings for resolving disputes with financial services providers who are members of CIO. These include finance brokers, non-bank lenders, building societies, mutual banks, credit unions, financial planners, finance companies, debt purchasers, small amount short term lenders and mortgage managers.

 

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Transport future is here -- including Hyperloop

THEHouse of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities will tomorrow hold a public hearing on new technologies in mass transit, including Hyperloop.

Committee Chair John Alexander MP says the hearing will include presentations from Hyperloop One, Bishop Austrans, Newhaven Wealth, the Korean Government and Consolidated Land and Rail Australia (CLARA), who will present their vision of how value capture could transform rail travel in Australia.

“Investment in new technology is vital to improving transport connectivity in our cities and regions,” Mr Alexander says.

“There are concepts coming on line now which have the capacity to completely transform the way we move about.

“High Speed Rail has the capacity to create opportunities for urban and regional development that do not currently exist. In addition, concepts like Hyperloop and Austrans offer completely new visions of the future.”

Hyperloop uses electric propulsion to accelerate a passenger or cargo vehicle through a tube in a low-pressure environment at speeds of up to 1,200 km/h using magnetic levitation. Austrans is a small vehicle, automated transit system developed in Australia.

Further information on the committee’s inquiry into transport connectivity, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website. The Committee is expected to report by the end of the year.

Public Hearing: 9:30am Friday 28 October 2016, Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney

The hearing will be broadcast live (audio only) at aph.gov.au/live.

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

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Minister Michaelia Cash urged to fix dysfunction in the Fair Work Commission - AMMA

AMMA has today released a detailed record of the dysfunction and political in-fighting plaguing Australia’s so-called independent workplace relations tribunal, in a letter urging Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash to launch a full investigation into the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) structure and approach to administering Australia’s workplace laws.

The resource industry employer group’s correspondence to Minister Cash raises a number of serious issues which are seeing the national tribunal ‘failing to support the interests of employers and employees in contemporary Australian workplaces’.
 
“All evidence points to the FWC being highly dysfunctional, not serving users well and appearing to pursue political agendas rather than assisting constructive workplace relations outcomes for employers and employees,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.
 
“We are seeing FWC members, many with trade union backgrounds, operate outside of long-standing conventions and issue decisions at odds with long-standing industrial principles.
 
“The dysfunction is becoming personal with senior members of the tribunal attacking the decision making of their peers when reviewing controversial or contentious decisions.
 
“AMMA's analysis of several significant FWC decisions reveals a toxic culture of conflict between key FWC members, on open display for all to see in competing judgements. This comes at significant cost to users of the FWC, namely employers, employees and the taxpayer.”
 
AMMA’s concerns about the operation of the FWC, highlighted to Minister Cash, include:

  • Entrenched dysfunction that is blurring the line between respectful, constructive, collegiate differences of opinion and outright denigration and hostility.
  • The propensity of the FWC’s President to intervene in high profile industrial disputes which many believe is beyond the accepted precepts for the head of an industrial relations tribunal.
  • The need for the Coalition Government to urgently redress the imbalance in FWC appointments following the former Labor Government’s six year bias towards trade union appointees with little to no business experience.
  • Increasing incidences of individual FWC members handing down decisions which directly contradict established Full Bench principles and approaches.
  • The growing number of successful appeals against some tribunal members who have a record of handing down contentious decisions, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.

Mr Knott says the examples in AMMA’s letter ‘not only challenge the credibility of the tribunal in its role as independent umpire, but threaten to further diminish employer confidence in our workplace system’.
 
“A review of the FWC should examine the merits of having a specialist appeals body of industrial relations jurists; something found in other international employment systems such as the United Kingdom,” he says.
 
“These concerns are not solely for industrial relations specialists, but are at the heart of growing our economy through making Australia a more positive and rewarding place for employment.”
 
Replacing the Fair Work Commission with a set of ‘modern, balanced employment institutions’ is one of the 5 key workplace reforms identified by resource employers in a 2016 survey. Click here to learn more.

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GSMA Mobility Live: World-class speaker line-up set for next week’s show in Atlanta

THE GSMA and the Metro Atlanta Chamber have today confirmed the final agenda for the ‘GSMA Mobility Live! – North America’ conference being held next week (1-2 November 2016) in Atlanta.

More than 90 senior executives representing over 70 companies will feature across the two-day conference programme, which will cover topics such as 5G, connected cars, cyber security, digital health, fintech, the Internet of Things and augmented reality.

“We are looking forward to bringing the mobile world to Atlanta next week, for a stimulating event that will highlight North America’s role in pioneering the next generation of mobile services and technologies,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. “The world-class speaker line-up features leading executives from both the mobile ecosystem and from vertical industries that are being transformed by mobile such as automotive, consumer goods, leisure and sports.”

“With the presence of so many Fortune 500/1000 companies in metro Atlanta, we are pleased to host this dynamic event and to share the abundance of knowledge those company executives are bringing to the GSMA Mobility Live! – North America audience,” said David Hartnett, Chief Economic Development Officer of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Partnering with GSMA offers us the opportunity to highlight metro Atlanta’s significant role in the future of the mobile ecosystem in our region and beyond.”

There are four keynote sessions on the conference programme:

Keynote 1: The State of the Industry (Tuesday: 09:00 – 10:15 EST)

The event’s opening keynote will explore the role of today’s mobile industry in driving technology innovation and transforming the lives of consumers and businesses. Speakers include:

  • Glenn Lurie, President and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Operations, AT&T

  • John Dwyer, President, Cricket Wireless

  • Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA

  • Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Keynote 2: Media & Content (Tuesday: 10:45 – 12:00 EST)

At a time of major disruption across the entire content value chain, this session will debate how mobile devices and connectivity is unlocking new opportunities in entertainment and interaction. Speakers include:

  • Michael Archer, Chief Strategist, Akamai

  • Allie Kline, CMO, AOL

  • Glenn Lurie, President and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Operations, AT&T

  • Gregory Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics North America

  • Jeremy Legg, CTO, Turner

Keynote 3: Connected Stadiums (Tuesday: 16:30 – 17:15 EST)

A session dedicated to the evolution of sports stadiums, which are responsible for delivering some of today’s most innovative consumer mobile experiences. Speakers include:

  • Steve Cannon, CEO, AMB Group

  • Jared Miller, CTO, AMB Sports & Entertainment

Keynote 4 (Wednesday: 09.15 – 10.30 EST)

This session focuses on a wide range of topics, including Atlanta’s flourishing tech scene; the importance of collaboration within the ecosystem; and how connectivity is transforming the fan experience at the Philips Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Speakers include:

  • Peter Sorckoff, Chief Creative Officer, EVP Brand and Innovation, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena

  • Doug Lodder, SVP, Business Development, Boingo Wireless

  • Jane Schachtel, Global Head of Technology and Telco Strategy, Facebook

  • Alan Dabbiere, Founder and Former Chairman, AirWatch; Chairman, Wandering Wifi

The full conference agenda and complete list of speakers is available at http://www.mobile360series.com/north-america.

Alongside the conference programme, the ‘Showcase’ area offers interactive demonstrations and expert discussions from GSMA programmes and GSMA Mobility Live! sponsors. Among the demonstrations, the GSMA Connected Living programme will highlight how US operators will scale the IoT with licensed low-power wide area networks.

Sponsors and partners for the event include AT&T (Platinum Sponsor); Weather Channel (Gold Sponsor); Huawei (Global Industry Supporter); Gemalto (Registration Sponsor); and Flex, Home Depot, Perficient (formerly BlueTube), SAP, Sequans Communications, Syniverse and VMware AirWatch (Silver Sponsors).

GSMA Mobility Live! – North America is part of the GSMA’s Mobile 360 Series of global conferences. Registration for GSMA Mobility Live! – North America is open at http://www.mobile360series.com/north-america/#register.

Follow the latest developments and updates on Twitter, using the #GSMAMOBILITYLIVE hashtag or following @GSMA, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Mobile360Series and LinkedIn on www.linkedin.com/company/gsma-mobile-360-series.

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Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students—re-referred

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs has announced that its inquiry into educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from the 44th Parliament has been re-referred to the Committee for further inquiry. 

The Chair of the Committee, Ms Melissa Price MP said “the cessation of the 44th Parliament prevented the Committee from completing this important inquiry so it has been re-referred to the Committee for that purpose.”

“The aims of the inquiry are to identify the best opportunities and pathways we can give to Indigenous students to assist them to succeed in school, regardless of whether they live in a remote community or in a regional or urban centre.”

The Committee invites submissions to the inquiry by Friday 25 November 2016.

For advice on making submissions see the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/indigenousaffairs or contact the committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4559.  If you made a submission to this inquiry in the 44th Parliament, it is not necessary to make another submission unless you have further information which you believe the Committee should receive

 

Terms of Reference

The Committee will inquire into and report on key aspects of educational opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students up to school leaving age, including but not limited to:

  • access to, participation in and outcomes of pre-schooling
  • the provision of boarding school education and its outcomes
  • access to, participation in, and benefits of different school models for indigenous students in different parts of Australia
  • engagement and achievement of students in remote areas
  • impacts on, and support for, families and communities whose children experience different models of educational services
  • best practice models, both domestically and internationally, and
  • comparisons of school models in the transition to further education and employment outcomes.  

For background:
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs
(02) 6277 4559
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
www.aph.gov.au/indigenousaffairs

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.

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Roadmap released to boost local industry opportunities in Land 400

AUSTRALIAN companies now have an innovative way to get involved in the multi-billion dollar LAND 400 Phase 2 armoured vehicle program.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, announced a new Australian Industry Opportunity Roadmap which helps Australian companies cash in on the work available.

“Australian industry involvement is at the centre of the Government’s plans for the project,” Minister Pyne said.

“Projects like LAND 400 give us the opportunity to modernise our defence capability while keeping jobs in Australia and boosting domestic manufacturing.

"We want to encourage Australian industry participation – particularly in assembly, systems design, integration, testing and evaluation, and support of the capability."

“This is the chance for Australian defence employers and suppliers to get their slice of a very big pie,” he said.

The Opportunity Roadmap was developed by the two shortlisted tenderers, BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall.

It lists opportunities for Australian industry to become involved in the acquisition and support for the project.

“This roadmap was one of the significant recommendations arising from the Deloitte Review of Australian Industry Opportunities for LAND 400 that was announced by the Turnbull Government,” Minister Pyne said.

“Both companies will participate in a series of industry showcase workshops before the end of the year, once responses to the Roadmap have been received.”

LAND 400 Phase 2 involves the purchase of 225 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Army, replacing the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

“BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall have been contracted to participate in the next stage of tender evaluation, involving extensive testing of supplied vehicles, before a final selection is made.

“I urge all Australian companies with services or capabilities sought on the Opportunity Roadmap to register for the Australian Industry Showcase Workshops now, as the closing date for registrations is Friday, 21 October 2016,” Minister Pyne said.

The Australian Industry Capability Opportunity Roadmap has now been published on Defence’s LAND 400 website.

http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/Multimedia/roadmap-9-7762.pdf

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Queensland Chief Entrepreneur to open QUT startup space

QUEENSLAND’s first Chief Entrepreneur will officially open a startup incubation space to nurture the next generation of business leaders at QUT on Friday, October 21.

The QUT Foundry, a co-working and mentoring space at QUT’s Gardens Point campus, will be launched by Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby at 9am.

mr Sowerby is one of the state’s most successful entrepreneurs and best known as the founder and former Managing Director of Blue Sky Alternative Investments Ltd, an ASX-listed diversified funds manager focussed on alternative assets. 

As the inaugural Chief Entrepreneur, Mr Sowerby helps set Queensland’s strategy to identify, attract and nurture opportunities to best position Queensland as the Startup State.

The QUT Foundry, powered by QUT’s innovation, venture and investment company qutbluebox, is a space for QUT student entrepreneurs, staff and alumni to devise and develop ideas. As well as mentoring opportunities, QUT Foundry startups will have access to regular events and advice from industry experts.  

WHAT: Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby to open startup space at QUT
WHEN: 9am, Friday, October 21
WHERE: P Block, QUT Gardens Point campus

 

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Transport connectivity is back in the spotlight

THE Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, has recommenced its inquiry into transport connectivity, with a public hearing to be held in Canberra tonight (October 18). CSIRO and RMIT will address the Committee.

Committee Chair, John Alexander MP, says enhanced transport connectivity is key to the economic and social development of our cities and regions.

“Greater transport connectivity will transform our cities and regions, making them economically more efficient and socially more connected,” Mr Alexander says.

“It will also raise the value of property along transport corridors and around transport nodes. Capturing the value of this increase will allow us to pay for enhanced connectivity, especially transformational projects like High Speed Rail.”

RMIT, in conjunction with CSIRO and others, is conducting research into how patterns of settlement may be changed by the development of transformational infrastructure like high speed rail, and what impact value capture may have on this development. This research has included a series of ‘Design Studios’ to test an Australian idea of urban density; and explore how a new inland city of 250,000-400,000 inhabitants might be planned.

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

Public Hearing: 5pm Tuesday 18 October 2016, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live (audio only) at aph.gov.au/live.

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

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Join the debate on 'loaded rates' - ASBFEO

SMALL BUSINESS owners across Australia are being invited to join a national conversation on a proposal to develop a ‘loaded rates’ schedule that provides higher hourly rates of pay for employees in lieu of penalty rates within the retail and fast-food awards.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell has launched a small business consultation period to encourage debate on the idea.

Ms Carnell acknowledged that while the proposal, put forward recently by Fair Work Commission president Iain Ross, will be explored formally next year, it’s a concept worthy of ongoing and sensible discussion.

“Few can argue that there’s certainly a need for greater hiring flexibility for small business owners particularly when it comes to weekend staffing,” Ms Carnell said.

“By raising the idea of increasing hourly rates in lieu of penalty rates, Iain Ross has started an important conversation and it’s one I want small business people to be a part of. 

“On face value, this idea certainly has merit; obviously the details will matter, but we need to remove the complexity in the system and create flexibility for employers to structure their business in a way that maximises its potential, and this idea has the capacity to do just that.

“As a small business advocate, it’s my job to listen to what small business owners are thinking about any given issue, and to create a means of allowing them to have their voice heard. This issue is close to the hearts of most – if not all small businesses – and I’m sure each and every one of them has an opinion on this,” she said.

Ms Carnell said the ASBFEO is now taking feedback from small business on the ASBFEO website.

“Basically I’m interested to hear from small businesses about their views on things such as will the measure allow them to operate longer hours on weekends; will it allow them to take on more workers; do they think their employees will embrace the idea; what are other alternatives in their view; should it be limited to the retail and fast-food sectors or should it be across the board; has it worked in the hospitality sector; that sort of thing,” Ms Carnell said.

“Over the coming weeks and months I’ll gather this feedback – which can be provided anonymously if preferred – and present it to the Fair Work Commission to better inform the anticipated discussions on the issue, ensuring the voice of small business is heard in this debate.

“I welcome the opportunity to have a sensible discussion about this issue; we need to find common ground on this and reach a position that works for both employers and their workers, ensuring our small businesses don’t simply survive, but thrive,” she said.

To join the conversation visit www.asbfeo.gov.au/consultation

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Australian Microcap Investment Conference opens

THE 7th Annual Australian Microcap Investment Conference starts in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 18.

Corporate advisory firm D H Flinders Pty Limited is presenting the 7th Annual Australian Microcap Investment Conference over two days, October 18-19 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins in the ‘Arthur Streeton Auditorium’.

The conference is billed as Australia’s largest and most comprehensive emerging company investment event, showcasing the services, products, strategies and people driving today’s growth companies. The event will provide investors with an opportunity to hear firsthand from the CEOs of 25 of Australia’s leading and dynamic microcap companies, from a varied range of sectors, as they showcase their companies, strategies and people.

Microcap companies provide access to many niche industry sectors, as well as emerging technologies and business areas that are sometimes overlooked by larger companies.

Microcap success stories that have previously presented at the conference include Blue Sky Alternative Investments (current market cap of $524million), TFS Corporation ($609m), Vita Group ($738m) and Vocus Communications ($4.7 billion).

At last year’s conference there were 24 listed companies present. Seven of the companies that presented at last year’s conference achieved returns of over 40 percent in the year to September 30, 2016.

These companies include Australian Ethical Investments (49%), Centrepoint Alliance (50%), Blue Sky Alternative Investments (54%), Dubber (90%), YPB Group (118%), HUB24 (132%) and CML Group (159%).

The event will also welcome back Leaf Resources and Quickstep for the fourth year, IDT Australia and Melbourne IT for a third year and Australian Ethical Investments, CV Check, Gage Road Brewing, Hub24, Dyesol, Genetic Signatures, Greenearth Energy, , Micro-X and PS&C for a second year.

The companies presenting at this year’s conference include financial services groups (Australian EthicalInvestments,APN Property, HUB24 and Money); a drone technology business (DroneShield), a brewer (Gage Roads Brewing), an entrepreneur education provider iBosses, a manufacturer of carbon fibre composites for the aerospace industry (Quickstep Holdings) and a broad range of clean tech, technology and biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare equipment companies.

D H Flinders has partnered with The City of Melbourne, Thomson Reuters, investor relations firm Bourse Communications, and marketing communications group Motivo,to present the conference in conjunction with association partners the Association of Financial Advisers, Stockbrokers Association of Australiaand the UNSW Business School.

The Australian Microcap Investment Conference aims to act as a conduit and facilitate the sometimes challenging communication process between a company and its stakeholders, which may include shareholders, stockbrokers, fund managers, analysts, institutions, private investors and the business media.

Commenting on Australia’s largest microcap event, Craig Dunstan, Executive Director of D H Flinders said: “We are delighted to have secured 25 outstanding ASX listed companies to present as well as key note presentations from Dean Fergie of Cyan Investment Management and Alan Kohler  from The Constant Investor.

“This year we have over 400 professional investors, stockbrokers and financial advisers registered to attend. The microcap sector is generating greater interest each year as investors realise the gains to be made by investing in smaller companies.”

The microcap universe comprises more than 1700 companies with a market capitalisation of under $300m presenting many opportunities for investors.

Australia’s leading group of emerging ASX listed companies to showcase at this year’s Conference are:

 

Capital Goods

  • Quickstep Holdings Limited (QHL) David Marino, Managing Director

 

Commercial Services & Supplies

  • Collection House Limited (CLH) Anthony Rivas, Chief Executive Officer
  • iBosses Corporation Limited (IB8) Dr Patrick Khor, Group Chief Executive Officer
  • PS&C Limited (PSZ) Robert McAdam, General Manager

 

Diversified Financials

  • APN Property Group Limited (APD) Tim Slattery, Executive Director
  • Australian Ethical Investment Limited (AEF) Phillip Vernon, Managing Director
  • Hub24 Limited (HUB) Andrew Alcock, Managing Director
  • Money3 Corporation Limited (MNY) Scott Baldwin, Managing Director

 

Clean Energy

  •  Dyesol Limited (DYE) Richard Caldwell, Managing Director
  • Greenearth Energy Limited (GER) Samuel Marks, Managing Director
  • Leaf Resources Ltd (LER) Ken Richards, Managing Director

 

Food and Beverages

  • China Dairy Corporation Limited (CDC) Andrew Stoner, Deputy Chairman
  • Gage Roads Brewing Co Limited (GRB) Marcel Brandenburg, Chief Financial Officer

 

Healthcare Equipment & Services

  • Cyclopharm Limited (CYC) James McBrayer, Managing Director
    • Micro-X Limited (MX1) Peter Rowland, Managing Director

 

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

  • AdAlta Limited (1AD) Samantha Cobb, Managing Director
  • Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited (BOT) Matt Callahan, Executive Director
  • Genetic Signatures Limited (GSS) Dr John Melki, Chief Executive Officer
  • IDT Australia Limited (IDT) Dr Paul MacLeman, Managing Director
  •  Race Oncology Limited (RAC) Peter Molloy, Chief Executive Officer

 

Software & Services

  • CV Check Limited (CV1) Rod Sherwood, Director
  • Melbourne IT Limited (MLB) Martin Mercer, Chief Executive Officer
  • Search Party Limited (SP1) Ben Hutt, Chief Executive Officer

 

Technology, Hardware & Equipment

  • DroneShield Limited (DRO) James Walker, Managing Director
  • Smart Parking Limited (SPZ) Paul Gillespie, Managing Director

www.microcapconferences.com.au

www.dhflinders.com

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Trade, copyright probed in TPP hearing

DETAILS of trade and copyright in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be examined by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties at a hearing in Canberra on Monday.

Committee Chair, Stuart Robert MP, says the Committee will hear about a range of issues, reflecting the broad scope of the TPP.

“The TPP should create a level playing field for trade and investment across the Asia Pacific, including major Australian trading partners like the United States, Japan and Singapore,” Mr Robert says.

“The diversity of witnesses appearing on Monday speaks to the TPP’s range of potential benefits.  The Committee will hear from experts in Intellectual Property, copyright, and the information technology industry. 

“In addition, the Committee will talk to the peak bodies of the mining industry, trade unions, food and grocery producers, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, grain growers, and legal professionals.

“This will be the Committee’s penultimate hearing into the TPP, with a final hearing involving Government witnesses to be held on 7 November.”

During the hearing, the Committee will also be taking evidence from trade unions on the Paris Agreement.

Mr Robert says people interested in the Committee’s inquiries can visit the Treaties Committee’s website for further information.

 

Public Hearing: Monday 17 October 2016, Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

8:15am: Australian Council of Trade Unions, Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

9:00am: Associate Professor Kimberlee Weatherall

9:30am: Copyright Advisory Group, COAG Education Council

10:00am: Minerals Council of Australia

10:30am: Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

11:00am: Australian Council of Trade Unions

11:30am: Food and Grocery Council

12:00pm: Law Council of Australia

12:30pm: GrainGrowers

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

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

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