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ARA chief outlines election policy considerations for retailers

THE AUSTRALIAN Retailers Association (ARA) chief executive, Russell Zimmerman, has outlined the key aspects of policies put forward by the major parties in relation to retailing. He has asked retailers to consider these carefully before casting votes on July 2:

AUSTRALIA needs a stable majority Government with a solid economic plan, which will support all retail, large and small.
 
The instability and compromise brought by a minority Government does not create the certainty business and consumers need to ensure they have confidence to invest or spend, as witnessed after 2010. This, as in the last election, remains the biggest single risk to the Australian economy and the retail sector as the economic ‘canary in a coal mine’.

Given the economic headwinds we have been facing for some time, the ARA recommends retailers vote for the political party they believe will provide clear economic leadership for the next three years.
 
As we enter the polling booths on Saturday, I encourage retailers to think about who will do the best job freeing up the economy and getting retailers and the business sector on track.
 
As a measure of how the major political parties sit and the demands under a minority government, the ARA has outlined a number of economic positions for the retail sector to assess who has the strongest economic plan for the country. No political party is promising a short term return to budget surplus.
 
The Coalition economic plan remains based on the Federal Budget announced in May
 
The plan is built around Tax and Superannuation Reform which supports tax cuts, commencing with small business and increasing to larger companies over the forward estimates along with personal tax threshold changes.

  • A Coalition Government will reduce the company tax rate for businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million in a year to 27.5 per cent, beginning on 1 July 2016
  • The Government will commit to reduce the company tax rate for all companies to 25 per cent by 2026-27 which drives investment, jobs and increased revenue
  • This will be done by gradually increasing the threshold at which the 27.5 per cent rate begins, from $10 million in 2016-17 to $1 billion in 2021-22. In 2023-24 the tax rate for all companies will be reduced to 27.5 per cent, decreasing yearly by 0.5 per cent until 2026-27; and
  • Provides an unincorporated small business discount to be available to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $5 million, an increase in the threshold from $2 million. The rate of the unincorporated small business discount will be increased to 8 per cent, and gradually increased over the next 10 years to 16 per cent
  • As part of the Superannuation Tax Reform Package, the Turnbull Government has announced a $1.6 million superannuation transfer balance cap for individuals transferring into retirement phase accounts; the lowering of superannuation concessional contributions cap to $25,000 in a single year; and a low income superannuation tax offset for those earning a taxable income of less than $37,000 per year. People in this income bracket will receive an effective refund of their tax paid on their concessional contributions of up to $500
  • A Coalition Government has made changes to the tax levels for individuals and businesses as part of its 10 Year Enterprise Tax Plan: In personal income tax, the 32.5 per cent marginal rate tax threshold will be increased from $80,000 to $87,000, effecting approximately 500,000 Australians.

The Coalition announced a Youth Jobs PaTH which will involve three stages as skills support:

  • Employability skills training will begin on 1 April 2017 to help prepare young job seekers for the workplace. The training will help young people better understand what employers expect of them and give them the skills, attitudes and behaviours required to be successful in a job
  • From 1 April 2017, up to 30,000 young job seekers each year will be eligible to undertake an internship placement of 4 to 12 weeks. The internships will be voluntary and provide incentives of $1,000 upfront to a business to host an intern and a $200 fortnightly payment to job seekers on top of their income support
  • From 1 January 2017 a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of between $6,500 and $10,000 will be available to businesses who take on an eligible young person as an employee or apprentice.

Employment law remains a major issue for the retail sector, with the Coalition making a commitment to support the independent arbitrator as being the body to assess issues such as penalty rates.
 
Part way through the campaign Federal Labor announced a 10 year economic plan
 
The announcement indicated a Federal Labor Government will support the transition of the Australian economy and identify opportunities to make investments that will drive innovation and local jobs in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and services.
 
The economic plan indicates a Federal Labor Government will build a strong education system by investing in schools, TAFE, and universities.
 
The plan also outlines that a Federal Labor Government will invest in infrastructure such as roads, rail, and a first rate National Broadband Network.
 
The plan highlights the uncertainty which surrounds a changing labour market – with the decline of the mining investment boom, climate change and the impact of technology.
 
The economic plan released by Labor outlines six key areas which address the challenges of the changing market and seek to drive productivity by:

  1. Investing in people – A Federal Labor Government will improve the quality of education and training, to ensure Australians are prepared for jobs of the future that meet market demands
  2. Building Australia – A Federal Labor Government will invest in roads, rail and the NBN in order to create jobs and improve the liveability of Australia’s cities and regions
  3. Driving investment in renewables and new industry – A Federal Labor Government will focus on creating jobs in manufacturing and attracting investment in renewables
  4. Supporting innovation and start-ups – A Federal Labor Government will provide tax relief and support for start-ups in order to create jobs and drive innovation
  5. Helping small business – A Federal Labor Government will deliver tax cuts to small businesses and provide support when competing in the marketplace
  6. Budget repair that's fair – A Federal Labor Government will support middle and working class families by providing targeted tax concessions. A Federal Labor Government will also encourage greater female participation in the workforce.

Labor has also announced a number of additional economic measures during the campaign including:

  • A Labor Government will provide small businesses with a tax break of up to $20,000 if they hire a parent returning to work, a carer or Australian under 25 or over 55. The tax break would offset the wages of up to five new employees
  • Businesses that have been in existence for two or more years and with a turnover of less than $2 million will be able to claim a 40 per cent deduction on top of the amount they can currently claim for their employees. This will decrease the small business company tax rate to 27.5 per cent
  • A Labor Government will set the capital gains discount on all asset sales from 1 July 2017. This means that assets held for longer than 12 months will attract a 25 per cent capital gains discount, lowered from the current 50 per cent. This proposed policy will not affect investments made by superannuation funds. Further, the capital gains tax discount will not change for small business assets
  • A Labor Government will limit negative gearing from 1 July 2017 to only new houses. Labor’s fiscal plan indicates that changes to negative gearing and capital gains will deliver $7 billion in savings by 2026.

As part of Labor’s jobs and skills program, job seekers will take part in:

  • A six week work readiness course focusing on essential employment skills as well as personal presentation, interview techniques and job hunting
  • A six month work placement with an employer, paid at an award equivalent training wage
  • A fully funded Certificate III in a subject of their choice.

Labor publicly opposed any change to penalty rates and has said it would submit that position to the independent arbitrator, they have also said they would not seek to overturn a decision by the independent arbitrator.
 
In the event of a minority Parliament there are multiple demands on Government
 
Whoever deals with various independents and minor parties will need to take on many of their policy positions. As an example two of the most likely king making groups have outlined the below positions.
 
The Greens, the seat of Melbourne is currently held by Greens MP Adam Bandt who has held the seat since 2010. The Greens may also win the seat of Batman, currently held by the ALP’s David Feeney, with the chance some Sydney CBD seats could also be in play. The Greens policies include:

  • Enforcing a 90 percent clean energy target by 2030 and installing a ban on new coal mines and fracking projects
  • Investing $1.2 billion in the Great Barrier Reef Repair Loan Facility and introduce a cap on water quality pollution
  • Fund a $5 million campaign to promote the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
  • Increasing the number of Family Reunion visas for migrants to 10,000 per year
  • A 20 percent tax levied on sugary drinks
  • Developing a needs-based school funding system and maintaining the National Education Reform Agreement through COAG
  • Minimising production of nuclear energy and exports to stall the generation of nuclear waste
  • Increasing welfare provisions through Newstart, Youth Allowance, and Rent Assistance; and
  • Supplying families with 24 hours of Early Childhood Care a week.

Nick Xenophon Team (NXT), the South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon’s NXT party, may also gain seats in the House of Representatives. Possible seats include Grey (contested by Andrea Broadfoot), Mayo (contested by Rebekha Sharkie), Hindmarsh (contested by Daniel Kirk), Adelaide (contested by Joe Hill), and Wakefield (contested by Richard Inwood). NXT’s policy priorities are:

  • Advocating preferential engagement with Australian suppliers for Commonwealth Government contracts, introducing stricter labelling laws for Australian-made products and tightening anti-dumping laws for imports
  • Looking at regulation of retail gift card schemes
  • Introducing for greater legal protections for whistle blowers and conducting a Royal Commission to the Financial Services Sector
  • Supporting the raising of the Small Business Threshold from $2 million to $10 million and introducing targeted tax breaks for small business in the first two years of operation
  • Introducing a best-practice Emissions Trading Scheme
  • Lowering the current Foreign Investment Review Board investment threshold to increase vetting of foreign investments and introducing stricter investment laws
  • Expanding the scope of gambling laws to restrict predatory gambling and gambling advertising.

With the ARA’s role to support the prosperity of the retail sector, we have been encouraged that some of the ‘Top 10 in 10’ we have co-developed with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been taken on board by both major Political groupings.

There are no decisions more important than those we make about our future government. I would encourage all retailers to consider the best outcome for their economic prosperity which in turn will drive the social outcomes we all desire.

- Russell Zimmerman, June 30, 2016.

Make your vote count for small business

THE Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) is urging Small Business owners and their employees to be aware of the consequences of their vote at the Federal Election this weekend, Saturday 2 July 2016, with some policies having the potential to have far reaching effects on small business.

Paul Nielsen, Chairman of COSBOA emphasised the importance of voters understanding the policies they are supporting rather than focusing on the politicians.

“Every vote counts. Small Business owners and employees need to be aware of the policies they’re supporting when they place their vote this weekend, especially when it comes to policies that don’t just affect the economy, but our entire country’s cultural fabric.

“Each party has policies that impact smaller private or family owned businesses, and these impacts may be felt for the next 20 years, so it’s imperative people understand what they are really voting for,” says Mr. Nielsen.

COSBOA outlines the top three core initiatives to be aware of:

Strengthen competitions laws by enacting the Effects Test

To allow small businesses to prosper and grow, in turn driving the economy and job creation, there must be a level playing field, which prevents big companies from dominating the market. The so called changes to Competition Policy, specifically Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act – The Effects Test - needs to be enacted as soon as possible, to hold big business accountable when they deliberately misuse their market power.

“Without the Effects Test there’s little to stop big businesses becoming bigger, and smaller businesses fewer, which is detrimental to Australia and to consumer choice,” says Mr. Nielsen.

Extend benefits for businesses with turnover under $2M to $10M

Currently a small business is defined as an entity with an aggregated turnover of less than $2 million, but this needs to change, says COSBOA.

“This $2 million figure was relevant ten years ago but not today. A business which was turning over $2 million then, could now be turning over $4 - $5 million, but grown minimally – thus it is still a small business, which requires Government encouragement for future growth,” says Mr. Nielsen.

Increasing the threshold would help some 870,000 businesses, who employ around five million Australians.

To see small businesses thrive, the Government of the day needs to support them by tax rate cuts from 28.5% to 27.5% and allow instant write-offs of many expenses, especially when setting up a new business.

“By cutting red tape and making it easier for small businesses to operate, billions of dollars per year could be saved,” says Mr. Nielsen.

Abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal

The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal needs to abolished says Mr. Nielsen.

“With this tribunal in place, many truck owner/drivers would be driven out of business. The initiative would lock them into union determined freight charges that now only apply to major trucking companies,” he says. Ultimately freight costs will increase for all businesses.

Since the 2013 Election, COSBOA has been instrumental to the growth of small business across Australia, shaping policies and lobbying Government. Some of the highlights achieved, include the appointment of the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, stronger protections for small businesses against unfair contact terms, $1.1 billion package of incentives to help businesses of the future get off the ground and the cutting of ‘red tape’ to make business operation easier.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and are a part of our daily lives.  When voting on Saturday, we want Small Business owners and their employees to make an informed decision and COSBOA is dedicated to making the facts unambiguous without the politics,” Mr. Nielsen concluded.

For more information visit http://www.cosboa.org.au/election-2016/

From 6 – 8 July, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) will host its premier policy event for small business representatives, government and industry leaders in Brisbane – the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. 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.

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Industry calls on QR to accept umpire’s final decision

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC), has called on Queensland Rail (QR) to accept the Queensland Competition Authority’s final decision on QR’s Draft Access Undertaking.

The decision rejects QR’s proposal and requires it to submit a new document by 16 August.

'QR needs to accept the umpire’s decision, move on from the regulatory process and get back to the core business of improving the performance and long-term utilisation of its railways as soon as possible,’ said QRC's Chief Executive Michael Roche.

‘QR’s approach to this process has resulted in four years of delay and uncertainty, which has in turn undermined investment confidence in Queensland and seriously eroded the attractiveness of investing in the Darling Downs region.’

QRC's March 2016 submission to the QCA sets out just some of the many extra regulatory steps that have been created by QR’s approach to this process.

Mr Roche said that the cost of this process now runs into many millions of dollars, much of which will be borne by taxpayers, as the ultimate owners of QR – a cost that will be further exacerbated if QR seeks to judicially review the Authority's decision.

‘QRC is calling on QR to bring this process to an end immediately,’ said Mr Roche. 

‘Going forward, we support the review of the QCA Act currently being contemplated by the Government. The QR experience demonstrates the need to improve the Act so that processes are not delayed by, and millions spent on, debates regarding whether the QCA has, or does not have, the power to make reasonable decisions.’

In QRC’s March submission, QRC called on the regulator to make a final decision and we welcome the news that our advice has been heeded. 

‘In February, two Queensland energy GOCs needed a direction from the shareholding Minister to accept a regulator's decision. Now is the time for QR to listen to its customers, accept the reality of the final outcome of a thorough QCA investigation, and immediately confirm its intention to accept the umpire’s decision,’ Mr Roche said.

‘If QR refuses to accept the QCA’s decision, then the responsible Ministers (the Transport Minister and the Treasurer) need to step in and put an end to QR’s intransigence.’

www.qrc.org.au

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Consultation deadline approaching

SMALL BUSINESS owners wanting to contribute to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s (ASBFEO) consultation initiative have one more week to put forward their ideas.

ASBFEO chief executive Kate Carnell said small businesses across the country have been weighing-in and having their say throughout the consultation process, which was launched to hear directly from small business people about the specific issues they want the ASBFEO to focus on.

“We started the consultation period in April, and since then, some common themes have certainly emerged as being hand-brakes on the growth of small businesses around Australia, including excessive red tape, broadband speeds and payroll tax,” Ms Carnell said.

“Payment times in particular is an issue that has been consistently raised with me by small business owners, so much so that it will more than likely be the focus of a future ASBFEO inquiry,” she said.

Ms Carnell said feedback from small businesses was being gathered in a range of different ways.

“I’ve been travelling around the country speaking with small businesses directly, while many people have made use of the ASBFEO’s interactive online platform ‘thinkBIGsmallTALK’ to share their ideas,” Ms Carnell said.

“The platform allows users to submit their views and rate the opinions of others, so essentially it’s an online meeting place for the small business community to gather and brainstorm,” she said.

Ms Carnell said that while the official consultation period closes at the end of June, small businesses are encouraged to continue contacting the ASBFEO in the future, with any issues they feel are impacting their operations.

The results of the consultation discussions with the sector will be reflected in an advocacy agenda, which will be released in the coming weeks and will outline the ASBFEO’s focus going forward.

www.asbfeo.gov.au/consultation

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AMMA praises union action 'public interest' test

AMMA, Australia's resource industry employer group believes a new public interest test for future trade union amalgamations will provide critical Australian commercial activities, such as the construction of nationally significant resource projects, with further certainty and safeguards against militant and unlawful union tactics.

“Australia’s resource employers support the Coalition’s commitment to ensure future mergers between unions can only proceed where they are consistent with the public interest,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“This will not only correct a glaring omission from the existing legislation and bring unions into line with the rules for corporate mergers, it will also ensure wider community interests are taken into account.

“It doesn’t matter if Australia has 20 unions or 2000 unions, as long as they all respect and abide by our workplace laws.  Unions that honestly and lawfully represent their members and comply with our workplace laws should easily pass such a test if they seek to merge with other unions.”

Although the Coalition’s policy will apply to all registered organisations seeking to amalgamate, AMMA called for a new public interest test following industry and community concerns about a proposed merger between the CFMEU and the MUA.

Concerns related to how two unions with a history of unlawful conduct and ignoring court decisions were looking to further bolster their influence on supply chains and contractor sectors.

In late 2015, the CFMEU’s record of breaking Australia’s workplace laws was lambasted by a Federal Court Judge who asked “has there ever been a worse recidivist in the history of the common law?”

The MUA has similarly forged a reputation for being openly and proudly militant, with its West Australian secretary infamously telling the union’s 2013 national conference that “laws need to be broken, you’re going to get locked up”.

"The resource industry is concerned that an amalgamation between the MUA and the CFMEU would potentially put at risk the stability of the supply chain supporting offshore and onshore resource projects,” Mr Knott says.

“Any coordinated ramping up of the militant industrial tactics of the CFMEU and MUA could jeopardise the timely completion of projects and supply of commodities to overseas buyers, and threaten future investment decisions.

“AMMA is pleased our recommendation for a public interest test has been taken up by the Coalition.

“Coupled with the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the extension of its coverage to offshore construction, also championed by AMMA, these measures will provide certainty to investors, industry and the broader Australian community that significant future resource sector projects will not be put at risk by union militancy or unlawfulness.”

In AMMA’s 2016 Election Survey of over 100 resource employers, representing 85,000 employees, 86% believed union amalgamations should be scrutinised against a public interest test. 82% supported the ‘urgent’ restoration of the ABCC.

www.amma.org.au

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Providing a springboard for women-owned businesses

A FAST-TRACK program to support up-and-coming female entrepreneurs is being supported by the City of Sydney as part of its efforts to foster business and boost the local economy.

Springboard Enterprises Australia (SBE) has received $35,000 in City sponsorship for their 2016 Accelerator Program that includes an education and coaching course designed for women entrepreneurs in the early stages of their company’s development. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was important to support women entrepreneurs, who are underrepresented in areas like emerging and high-growth businesses.

“Too little investment in women-led, high-growth companies impedes our city’s economic growth. So it’s not only a women’s issue, it’s a broader economic issue,” said the Lord Mayor.

“There are plenty of outstanding female entrepreneurs in Australia who could use Springboard’s support to take their business to the next level.

“Our upcoming Tech Startups Action Plan identifies the need to increase the number of female entrepreneurs launching and scaling high-growth businesses as an economic priority.”

The sponsorship falls under the City’s 10-year economic development strategy that aims to enhance the skills of business people and increase their awareness of business opportunities.”

Each year, SBE runs a ‘bootcamp’ for up to 10 companies, designed to accelerate their growth by providing skills and knowledge, coaching, mentorships and connections to local and international venture capitalists, angel and corporate investors.  

Companies selected to take part must:

•    Have a woman in a senior position with a significant equity stake;
•    Demonstrate a qualified and profitable market opportunity;
•    Have a track record of milestone achievement;
•    Have a credible management team or ability to attract one; and
•    Be based in or have significant operations in Australia.

SBE Australia Chair, Topaz Conway, said the City’s shared commitment to entrepreneurs was a key alignment with Springboard Enterprises Australia’s efforts to deliver a world-class program for women. 

“Since 2013, Springboard has worked with 26 women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. To date, 70 per cent of these companies have now received more than $68 million in investment capital and a third have expanded to US and UK markets.

“Our goal is to help women make high-value contributions to Australia’s economy through innovation and technology.” 

The City has supported the SBE Accelerator Program since its launch in Australia in 2012 as part of the Economic Development Strategy to encourage women entrepreneurs, help strengthen the Sydney economy and support business.

Entrepreneur and Switch Automation co-founder, Deb Noller, completed the SBE Inaugural Accelerator Program in 2013 and last year expanded her businesses to the United States. 

“The Springboard Enterprise Australia Induction Program was perhaps one of the most eye-opening experiences of my personal AND professional life. I will never forget the feedback I received—mostly in the form of learning how to present myself and my company in a confident, clear light,” said Noller.

“Those mentors were invaluable in helping shape our approach to global expansion. We now have more than 7,000 buildings on our platform around the world; 38 employees; and are raising our first big Series A round.

The continued coaching and support means that I can stand in front of any potential customer, my global team and any investor and present our solution to the buildings industry the way that it deserves to be presented.”

Switch Automation is a cloud-based software program that provides a remote energy-management and sustainability reporting for buildings to help business cut costs and run more efficiently. 

For more information, visit sb.co/australia 

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NSW Govt hits the mark on tax, infrastructure and skills: ARA

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.

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Queensland called to showcase local construction talent

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.

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Tackling unions’ dark underbelly will benefit all Australians, resource industry - AMMA

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

Green 'lawfare' activists target gas

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

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Green activist litigation is lawyers’ picnic

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

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