THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has commended the NSW Government for delivering a budget that focuses on infrastructure, skills, and tax cuts for business, while running $3.4 billion in 2015-16, rising to $3.7 billion in 2016-17, and forecasts surpluses over the next four years averaging $2 billion each year.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said the NSW State Budget builds on economic strength for the state and should continue strong retail sales growth at the same time as supporting retail businesses, particularly in employing people.

“The just released 2016-17 Budget focuses on delivering infrastructure that communities in NSW need, with long term holes in infrastructure slowly being fixed for the first time in decades,” said Mr Zimmerman.

In 2016-17, the Government is allocating $16.9 billion to transport and roads projects and services, helping to cut congestion and allow faster travel times so workers can spend more time with their families.

“The $100 million Smart, Skilled, and Hired is a package of initiatives to build skills and actively match those most in need of a job, such as young unemployed people, with the sectors that are growing and in need of workers.

“The previously promised removal of the taxes on business transactions is an important step for businesses making decisions to improve their operations, so the economic costs of these taxes are particularly high,” 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 $293 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.

ends

STATEMENT by Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Michael Roche:

GREEN activist lawyers must be having the world’s biggest picnic lately after a slew of recent litigation against resources projects. 

Green activists have lodged two appeals against Adani in the past couple of weeks, the most recent late Friday in an appeal against its mining lease.

That project now has four appeals pending, and one pending decision, all lodged by taxpayer funded green activists. 

The Adani project has been wading through approval and court appeals for 68 months, while GVK Hancock is in its 93rd month, having formally entered the process on 18 September 2008. Both have been held up by a relentless barrage of ‘lawfare’.

GVK Hancock was back in court last week, an appeal against Adani’s environmental authority was lodged late Friday, New Hope will be in the land court from March to July. The list goes on...

The Queensland Government must urgently overhaul the process that enables green activists to disrupt and delay projects, thus stifling jobs and investment for the state. 

Governments both state and federal should be doing all they can to prevent the blatant abuse of the court systems to the detriment of Queensland jobs. 

This month we called on those whose jobs are in the sector, or rely on the sector, to vote in the Federal election for candidates who will support their jobs and the financial security of their families. 

www.qrc.org.au

ends

THE HUNT is on for the Queensland construction industry’s brightest stars, with nominations now open for the 2016 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards.

Members of the local construction industry are encouraged to nominate apprentices, trainees, schools, trainers, training organisations and employers they feel deserve recognition for their training achievements.

Over the last two decades, the CSQ Excellence Awards have grown to become the construction industry’s most prestigious and celebrated awards program.

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said the Awards provide an opportunity to honour those who have made an important contribution to Queensland’s building and construction industry.

“For 21 years, the CSQ Excellence Awards have shone a spotlight on the hard work that takes place in our industry on a daily basis but is often taken for granted,” he said.

“This could be an apprentice who has overcome challenges to complete their training, a company embracing new technology in their training programs or an inspiring supervisor who leads by example.

“We encourage individuals and organisations in the Queensland industry to nominate and tell us their stories.”

This year the Awards have introduced a new Innovation in Construction Training category which recognises employers who are utilising cutting edge training methods.

The simple online application process means applicants can submit details at any time of day to suit them with assistance available during business hours if needed. Nominations close 5pm Friday 16 September.

The website also provides the opportunity to purchase tickets to the gala awards evening. Tickets for the CSQ Excellence Awards are now on sale for $175.00 per person or $1600.00 for a table of 10.

The awards night will be held on Friday 25 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information about the Awards contact CSQ on 1800 798 488 or visit http://www.csq.org.au/excellence-awards.

2016 Award Categories

Stars of 2016 – Outstanding Individual Achievement

• Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year 
• National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year
• Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year
• Master Electricians Association Award for Construction Trainee or Apprentice of the Year
• All Trades Queensland Award for Construction School Student of the Year
• Construction Trainer of the Year 

Excellence in Construction Training

• Construction School of the Year
• Registered Training Organisation of the Year
• Innovation in Construction Training

Employer Commitment to Training Excellence

• Watpac Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – General Construction (up to $20 million turnover)
• Major Training Group Award for Employer Commitment to Training - General Construction (over $20 million turnover)
• Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – Civil Construction (up to $20 million turnover)
• Evolution Training Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – Civil Construction (over $20 million turnover)

Judges’ Outstanding Achievement Award

About Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ)

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry. Funded by an industry training levy, we work closely with students, schools, employers, apprentices, industry partners, training providers and individuals across Queensland to build capability at every level of business. As a recognised industry leader, our mission is to promote the building and construction industry as a career of first choice, encourage investment in skills and training and increase the number of skilled workers in the industry.

For further information about CSQ’s services visit www.csq.org.au or call 1800 798 488.

ends

THIS July, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) will host the premier policy event for small business representatives, government and industry leaders in Brisbane – the Vodafone National Small Business Summit.

Key themes for the 14th Annual Summit include people, policy and power. In an election year, the Summit will ensure that the voice of small business is heard and safeguard this community of more than 3 million small businesses, making sure the needs of small business people are front and centre.

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT:  Vodafone National Small Business Summit
WHEN: Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 July 2016
WHERE: Hilton Brisbane Hotel
PRICE: Early bird available until 15 June, from just $690
WEBSITE: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/nsbs16/nsbs2016/
HASHTAG: #NSBS16

Delegates will join the event to exchange ideas, shape policy and discuss how the interests of small business are represented in Australia, to ensure economic growth.

This once-a-year event is the best opportunity for leaders in the small business community to connect with decision makers and key influencers, such as the newly created office of the Small Business & Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Fair Work Ombudsman.

Peter Strong, Chief Executive Officer, COSBOA says, “Every year the Summit brings together a community of business and policy experts and key decision makers to confront the key issues impacting small business. This year, I encourage you to get involved: join in the debates; let people know what you think and have an impact on the social fabric and economic future of Australia.”

To register for the Summit, visit http://www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au

ends

TODAY’S commitment from the Coalition to strongly crack down on trade union corruption and unlawfulness is a positive step towards Australia securing hundreds of billions of dollars of uncommitted investment in future resource industry projects.

“Resource employers welcome the Coalition bringing to account unions that wilfully break the law; better protecting businesses and employees from thuggery and intimidation, better safeguarding ordinary union members from being ripped off by corrupt officials, and ensuring Australian taxpayers are not grossly overcharged for new infrastructure,” says AMMA CEO Steve Knott.

“This is particularly vital for the future of Australia’s resource industry, with $255 billion of uncommitted project investment in the balance. A tougher stance against unlawful union behaviour is vital to converting this potential into jobs, economic growth and the taxes and royalties that fund hospitals, roads, schools and services.

“Extending effective legal enforcement to offshore resource projects is particularly welcome. Offshore construction has seen unsustainable cost escalations, inflexible working arrangements and major delays to project approvals due to a flawed workplace system and militant union tactics.

“No other country allows trade unions to so openly hold to ransom multi-billion dollar projects of significant national importance.  Australia must address these important issues if we are to thrive in a globalised, ultra-competitive investment environment and deliver jobs and growth for our future.”

Today, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash committed to adopt the majority of recommendations from the Heydon Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, and to the creation of a new Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) that will ensure trade unions are subject to proper governance and accountability standards.

“Coupled with the Coalition restoring the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), adopting the Heydon Royal Commission’s recommendations and properly regulating union governance and accountability will send a clear message that the Australian community no longer tolerates illegal and threatening behaviours, and will no longer tolerate union leaders playing fast and loose with their members money,” Mr Knott continues.

“The Heydon Royal Commission exposed the dark underbelly of Australia’s union movement. While most unionists honestly represent their members, too many wilfully break our laws, ignore our courts, and pursue personal gain at the expense of their members.

“This cannot be allowed to continue. Today’s commitment is a significant step in the right direction.”

In AMMA’s 2016 Election Survey of more than 100 resource employers, 80% said a new Registered Organisations Commission to properly regulate union governance and accountability should be a priority for the Australian Government.

To learn more about this survey and AMMA’s ‘5 reforms over 5 years’ campaign, visit www.amma.org.au/backontrack

THE FIRST of a series of community meetings on the impact the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s (RSRT) Payments Order had on small businesses was held in Adelaide this morning.

Hosted by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell, the meeting was an opportunity for owner-drivers and their families to contribute to the ASBFEO’s inquiry into the effect the Order had on their operations.

“A number of owner-drivers along with representatives from associated businesses came along and shared their experiences on this important issue for the industry,” Ms Carnell said.

“We were also pleased to welcome representatives from the Transport Workers Union, who after staging a small protest outside the venue, eventually came and joined the meeting.

“While all but one of the union representatives left the meeting early, they did participate in the discussion and, like everyone else, were given time to present their views.

“It’s important to remember, my office works independently of government; our sole purpose is to advocate and assist small business owners around the country.

“Road safety is vitally important for all road users, however the purpose of this particular inquiry is to examine the impact the RSRT’s Payments Order had on the operation of small businesses, before, during and after its implementation.

“This morning for instance we heard from small business truck drivers and others, that the impact the Order had on their livelihood was significant, and in many cases the financial ramifications are ongoing.

“There are other meetings planned around the country, and we look forward to welcoming anyone who would like to attend, to come along, express their views and contribute to this important inquiry,” Ms Carnell said.

Dates for future community meetings are also on the website.

Those wishing to contribute to the inquiry can do so at: www.asbfeo.gov.au/consultation 

ENDS

GREEN activist tactics used to disrupt and delay coal projects are now being deployed against the gas sector with today’s announcement of a federal legal challenge.

The green activist group is challenging the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt’s, approval of the Santos GLNG Gas Field Development in Queensland. This action shows that no commodity is safe from the anti-resources activists. 

This comes as no surprise though given that we are well aware of the activists' strategy handbook ‘Stopping the Coal Export Boom’, which details tactics, such as litigation, to disrupt and delay resources projects. 

The strategy reads: “Legal challenges can stop projects outright, or can delay them in order to buy time to build a much stronger movement and powerful public campaigns. The can also expose the impacts, increase costs, raise investor uncertainty.”

Last year, Origin Energy Chief Executive Grant King said during a speech that if the green activist tactics deployed against coal projects had also been used against the gas sector we would have been unlikely to have seen the creation of an entirely new LNG export industry, which is delivering to Queensland faster growth in 2016-17, than any other state.

All resource projects go through world-class rigorous environmental approvals by scientists not green activists, therefore it is ludicrous that these taxpayer-funded groups can challenge years of scientific research and subsequent approvals that have passed scrutiny of state and federal governments. 

We can only hope that the Federal Court will at the outset of this case determine the ability of the Western Downs Alliance to meet costs if and when awarded against them.

Excerpt from Mr King's speech:

"Many of those opportunities will be in Queensland and whether they’re in Queensland or elsewhere in Australia, ought be developed for the benefit of the world. It is not right to say that coal is somehow bad and should not be developed. It was extraordinary we achieved approval for APLNG in 18 months to two years, but I would hate to be doing it today. We do need to make sure that there’s a balance in those approval processes between the legitimate concerns of communities and stakeholders in the development of these projects and the claims that might be more ideologically based because if we don’t do that, we will not give the world the benefit of the great resources that we have in Australia and that we have in Queensland. Queensland is well placed to be part of that great story of the future, which is one of fuel substitution, because there are great high quality resources in Queensland."

www.qrc.org.au

ends

The Victorian Parliamentary report into portable long service leave released today makes a number of alarming findings that would threaten Victorian jobs and put employers under strain from rising costs.

The Victorian Chamber is particularly concerned with the recommendation that the Victorian Government further explore the feasibility of introducing portable long service schemes in the contract cleaning and security industries.

“The Victorian Chamber’s submission to the inquiry argued that there is no merit in extending current arrangements relating to the portability of long service leave entitlements. To do so would threaten Victorian jobs and put Victoria at a disadvantage with other states who offer a more competitive environment for business,” said Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“It’s clear that the committee has ignored the advice of business that such schemes would result in higher costs to employers and the flow-on effect of less jobs will be felt by workers.”

“These schemes increase the cost of employment but deliver no boost to productivity, impose additional administration costs on business, discourage employment and are difficult and expensive to administer.”

Separate reviews currently underway into the Long Service Leave Act and labour hire have also been tasked with looking at changes that would impose significant and unnecessary costs on employers, putting jobs at risk.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

ends