THE Australian Human Rights Commission is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability.  Consultation forums will begin early in July.

The purpose of the Inquiry is to learn more about the kinds of barriers preventing capable older people and people with disability from getting access to the jobs they are qualified for.

“This Inquiry is a rare opportunity for every day Australians to share their insights and personal experiences to help us understand the factors that are holding back older workers and people with disability from participating in the work force and to help identify practical ways to improve access and ensure greater participation,” said Age and Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan. Commissioner Ryan, who was last week appointed Ambassador for Mature Age Workers by the Government, says attitudes need to change.

“We are very keen to engage with employers large and small, across all sectors to understand what changes would encourage them to include more older workers and people with disability in their workforces”.

“The onus is now on all of us to rethink how we see older workers and people with disability and the contributions they can make. They have a great wealth of skills, experience and know-how which can not only help the economy but enrich the nation with benefits for all. The right to work for those who want and need it, belongs to everyone. It is my hope that the Inquiry, when complete, will provide a road map for the way forward.”

The submissions period is open until Friday 4 December 2015.To make a submission, please visit our website:www.humanrights.gov.au/willing-work-how-make-submission. Public consultations are being conducted in every capital city and some regional centres, from July to November 2015, with the first taking place in Canberra on July 6 and 7.

For more information on the consultations and a list of consultation locations and dates please visit: www.humanrights.gov.au/willing-work-consultations

ends

THE Administration of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements by Emergency Management Australia and the Award of Funding under the Safer Streets Program will be the focus of new inquiries  under the Parliament’s Joint Public Accounts Committee.

The new inquiries, which commenced last Friday, have been initiated as part of the committee’s role of examining Australian National Audit Office reports. Committee Chair, Dr Andrew Southcott MP, said that the committee had an important role in holding Commonwealth agencies to account.

“Grants administration is an important activity involving a significant amount of public funds each year. The Committee’s new inquiries are an opportunity to further inspect the framework supporting the administration of programs involving Commonwealth grants to improve transparency, accountability and, ultimately, public outcomes,” Dr Southcott said.

The committee is also inquiring into the Management of Smart Centres’ Centrelink Telephone Services.

Interested persons and organisations are invited to make submissions to the committee’s inquiries, addressing the terms of reference. 

Further information about the committee’s inquiries, including details on how to lodge a submission, are available on the committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.

Public hearings will be held in the second half of the year.

The committee has selected three ANAO reports for detailed review:
• No. 34 of (2014-15) Administration of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements by Emergency Management Australia
• No. 37 of (2014-15) Management of Smart Centres’ Centrelink Telephone Services
• No. 41 of (2014-15) The Award of Funding under the Safer Streets Programme

For information about the inquiry and public hearing: please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4615, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.

ends

NEW budget changes have been applauded by small businesses and their peak body, Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA), for providing a boost in confidence and optimism as we turn the corner towards the new financial year.

From 1 July 2015, small businesses will see their tax rate fall from the current 30 per cent to 28.5 per cent. The good news continues; with small businesses, which aren’t operated through a company, also getting a tax cut.

In addition, sole traders, or businesses which operate through a partnership, trust or other non-corporate entity will get a 5 per cent discount (in the form of a tax offset throughout the year-end tax return) on the tax payable on their profits, up to a maximum of $1000 per individual.

Yet despite these changes, which can surely only be seen as a silver lining by small businesses, Peter Strong, CEO of Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA), says there is still a way to go with providing equality and support for small business, and advises against complacency.

Mr Strong commented: “We will continue to work with the Treasurer to implement the changes needed to the tax system, which can hopefully be achieved in the tax white paper.

“We will also continue to work with Bruce Billson on changes to contract processes, competition legislation and to help bed down the new Family and Small Business Enterprise Ombudsman’s position.

“The development of a performance framework for federal regulators also provides us with the opportunity to work more closely still with key regulators so that the right compliance is achieved with the least impact on small businesses.”

Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA) hosts the Vodafone National Small Business Summit on 16 and 17 July at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.

With a high profile line-up of guest speakers and attendees, the Summit brings together policy influencers and government leaders to meet to exchange knowledge on how to influence and make change that will contribute to the growth of small businesses in Australia.

Peter Strong, CEO of Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA) says: “Small business represents the Australian entrepreneurial spirit to allow everyone a ‘fair go’. They are the backbone of the Australian economy - impacting our people, culture, cities and communities – and as business and policy experts the Summit is our opportunity to come to together to confront the issues impacting small business.”

In 2015, small businesses will be invited to attend the inaugural Summit Start Up on Wednesday 15th July; a pre-Summit networking event where the community, culture, and diversity of small businesses will be celebrated. The Summit Start Up will be opened by Hon Bruce Billson, the Federal Small Business Minister.

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information please visit www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au

ends

NEW exports and imported food legislation designed to implement fairer, more equitable funding arrangements for users of export certification and biosecurity systems passed the Senate last week. 

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said the new legislation does not amend current fees and charges but it will now allow the Australian Government to progress the redesign of export certification and biosecurity cost recovery arrangements with industry and stakeholders. 

"Improving the performance and efficiency and reducing unnecessary red tape in export certification was a commitment made by the Coalition prior to the last election and I am pleased that this legislation has passed, enabling us to continue this work. 

"It is important that our exporters and importers pay a reasonable price that recovers the real cost of the services they receive from government," Minister Joyce said. 

"It's also very important that those charges do not unfairly discriminate against new or small exporters. 

"At the same time, we need to make sure our biosecurity and export certification systems remain world leading as Australia's $53 billion agricultural sector relies on it. 

"This legislation lays the foundation to work with industry to determine the best way to implement fees and charges that are fair, efficient and reduce the impact on small exporters and businesses." 

The department has been consulting with government-industry consultative committees about the redesign of the cost recovery arrangements since mid-last year. In July and August, the department will seek broader stakeholder feedback on the redesign that has been worked through with these committees. 

"We continue to listen to industry and work with clients, government-industry consultative committees and peak bodies," Minister Joyce said. 

"This engagement will continue as we design appropriate fees and charges that underpin each of the arrangements." 

Further information on draft cost recovery implementation statements, including proposed fees and charges, will be published on the department's website in July 2015. Information will also be available on how interested stakeholders can provide feedback and attend information forums that will held by the department. 

agriculture.gov.au/costrecoveryreview.

ends

NATIONAL resource industry employer group, the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA), is delighted to advise that two of Australia’s leading human resource professionals have joined its Board of Directors.

AMMA chief executive Steve Knott today welcomed the appointments of Chevron Australia General Manager – Human Resources, Kaye Butler; and Newcrest Mining Limited Executive General Manager – People and Community, Jane Thomas.

“I am pleased to welcome Kaye Butler and Jane Thomas, both recognised as among the top human resources professionals in the country, to AMMA’s Board of Directors. Their leadership and insight will further strengthen the existing AMMA Board and support our vision to ensure Australia’s resource industry is an attractive and competitive place to invest, do business and employ people,” Mr Knott says.

Kaye Butler

Kaye Butler joined Chevron Australia in 2007 and oversees people services for major energy projects including the landmark Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG developments in Western Australia. Prior to joining Chevron Australia, Ms Butler held various senior positions in the resource industry including for global aluminium producer, Alcoa.

Ms Butler says: “It is an honour to join the Board of AMMA, which has consistently been at the forefront of industry reform, especially at a time when the Australian resource industry is at a crossroads and our international competiveness is at risk. I look forward to being a member of a Board that will lead the case for policy reform to address our falling international competitiveness and productivity.”

Jane Thomas

Jane Thomas joined gold miner Newcrest in January this year. For the previous seven years Ms Thomas held the position of Group Head of People and Culture with AGL. Ms Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources in large organisations, including PepsiCo International, Westpac Banking Corporation and Philips.

Ms Thomas says: “I am passionate about achieving outcomes that ensure the Australian resource industry continues to be an attractive option for people already working in the sector, for enticing new talent to our businesses, and for ensuring companies continue to invest in their people and projects. I look forward to working with the AMMA Board on maximising the opportunities available to us.”

AMMA’s Board of Directors now comprises:

• Graeme Hunt (President) – Managing Director and CEO, Transfield Services
• Richard Owen – Chairman, ExxonMobil Australia
• Richard Weston – Executive Vice-President, Australasia Region, Gold Fields
• Johnpaul Dimech – Chief Executive Officer, Sodexo Australia
• Michael Utsler – Chief Operating Officer, Woodside Energy
• Kaye Butler – General Manager, Human Resources, Chevron
• Jane Thomas – Executive General Manager, People and Community, Newcrest.

www.amma.org.au

ends

THE Public Works Committee is conducting an inquiry into the proposed refurbishment of the Perth Air Traffic Services Centre (ATSC).

The ATSC at Perth Airport provides military and civilian control services. These services are managed by two separate systems, both of which require upgrading. Consequently, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence have partnered to develop a single aviation communication and management system, OneSKY.

Airservices Australia told the committee that refurbishment of the ATSC in Perth is planned such that it will allow the current system and the new OneSKY systems to operate in parallel over a four year period, before OneSKY is fully functional. The refurbishment will extend the life of the building for a further 20 years.

Subject to parliamentary approval the work is due to commence in 2015 and be completed in early-2016. It is estimated to cost $23.05 million (excluding GST).

The Committee Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said the Committee will conduct public and in-camera hearings for the inquiry in Perth in August 2015.

Full details on the project are available on the committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pwc

Submissions to the inquiry close on 22 July 2015.

Full details of the public hearing will be available soon.

NB the Public Works Committee is neither involved in the tendering process nor the awarding of contracts. Enquiries on those matters should be addressed to Airservices Australia.

For further information, including how to make a submission, the public hearing times, and copies of submissions when they become available, please visit the Committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/pwc or contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4636.

ends

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said his organisation welcomes the release of recommendations from the State Government’s external Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) System.

"VECCI’s submission and ongoing advocacy highlighted the vital need to restore the confidence of both employers and students in the quality of Victoria’s VET system," Mr Stone said.

"It is positive to see the government’s acknowledgement of this need and the swiftness of the release and planned implementation of these recommendations."

VECCI has welcomed the direction of the reforms to:

- Enforce stricter requirements on providers entering and operating in the VET system.

VECCI has consistently called for a risk-based regulatory and compliance framework that subjects high-risk providers with a record of poor training behaviour to stricter regulatory oversight and reporting than that which low-risk providers are subjected to.

- Help students chose the right course and provider through a consumer awareness information campaign and access to independent employment pathway support.

- Provide greater transparency of poor quality training providers, including those that have had contracts terminated previously.

- Improve online information and feedback facilities for businesses, students and industry.

"However, many of the industry’s concerns with training quality stem from the abuse of the current VET funding model," Mr Stone said.

"For this reason, VECCI has called for the VET funding model to be overhauled to create a stronger alignment with employer skills needs and vocational outcomes.

"We understand these recommendations will feed into the VET Funding Review currently being undertaken and look forward to the government’s response in the near future.

"VECCI also looks forward to working with the government to implement these recommendations and those outlined in the VET Funding Review report when that is released."

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

vecci.org.au

ends

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed the introduction of legislation to Federal Parliament that will extend unfair contract term protections to small business.

"This legislation will see the consumer unfair contract terms protections extended to cover contracts, fitting the prescribed criteria, entered into by small business," Mr Stone said.

"It will give a court the power to strike out a term of a small business contract that it considers unfair.

"The protections will apply to small business contracts where at least one party has fewer than 20 employees and the contract value is below the prescribed threshold of $100,000, or $250,000 for a multi-year contract.

"VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce report, Small business. Big opportunities, released in April this year, urged the Federal Government to commit to implementing the protections detailed in this legislation.

"Prior to this, leading-up to the 2013 federal election, VECCI, as part of the united chamber movement led by ACCI, ran the Small Business. Too Big to Ignore campaign in support of small business.

"The campaign highlighted the fact that there are over 2 million small businesses in Australia, employing more than 7 million Australians, which need government support to grow jobs and remain competitive.

"Today’s announcement demonstrates a commitment to help small business grow and we commend the Federal Government for this action."

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

vecci.org.au

ends