THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), in association with the Victorian Events Industry Council (VEIC), welcomes the State Government's announced additional $20 million annually for the next four years in funding to support the growth of major events throughout Victoria.

"Victoria is the major events capital of Australia and we're delighted this funding will enable us to further bolster our standing, by delivering more events to Melbourne and regional places throughout Victoria," said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

"We have consistently urged policy makers to further leverage our strength in major events and we are thrilled that the Andrews Government is using its first budget to recognise the important contribution tourism and events make to our economy and community."

The measure will be provided through a significant boost to the Victorian Major Events Company, lifting its annual budget from $42 million to $62 million.

The tourism and events industry contributes $20 billion annually to the Victorian economy and employs 200,000 people.

"As the Premier has highlighted today, major events draw tourism and create great opportunity for local operators such as restaurants and hotels. VTIC will continue to work with government and operators throughout Victoria to make sure we leverage the job creation possibilites that this measure brings," said Ms Smith.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

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WITH JUSTt over one week until entries close on Friday 8 May, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) encourages all retailers to prepare their submissions for the 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

Tickets are selling fast for the retail industry’s most recognised awards event of the year - the ARA Awards Breakfast on Thursday 2 July at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne – where all award winners will be announced.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman encourages any retailers who are yet to enter to visit the ARA Awards website and submit their entry.

“There is an award category to suit everyone - from our HR superstars, retail graduates and mum-and-dad owner operators, right through to those who have completed an amazing retail store fit-out or those leading the way in retail payment technologies. Of course, we’re also looking for the ‘Retailer of the Year,’ ‘Innovator of the Year’ and ‘Retail Employer of the Year.’

“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response this year from retailers across Australia who have put their hands up and are willing to share their stories. As Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program, the ARA Awards have celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years and have become something of an icon in the retail industry.

“The Awards Breakfast, where all winners will be announced, is a valuable networking event for all retailers to attend and enjoy. Attendees will gain valuable insights from this year’s keynote speaker Jodie Fox, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of multichannel sensation Shoes of Prey and have the opportunity to network with retail professionals from across Australia and abroad,” Mr Zimmerman said.

This year, the ARA Awards are again proudly supported by eftpos as the events major sponsor. eftpos Managing Director Bruce Mansfield said he hoped to see a record number of retailers enter the awards and share their inspiring success stories about how they contribute to Australia and the communities in which they operate.

“eftpos is proud to support these awards because they recognise the extraordinary work that is done by the hundreds of thousands of retailers who serve Australian communities every single day,” Mr Mansfield said. 

“Retail is an industry that touches all Australians and contributes to the economies of almost every community across the nation, no matter how small.  It is an exceptionally important industry that impacts all of our daily lives and it is great to have an opportunity to recognise the contribution of these businesses and the people who run them."

ARA Awards Breakfast

When: Thursday 2 July 2015, 7.00am (for 7.30am start) to 10.30am
Where: Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne
Ticket prices:
ARA members $60 / guests $80
ARA members table of 10 $500 / guest table of 10 $700
 
The 2015 ARA Awards are open now – visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to enter. Entries close Friday 8 May. To reserve your tickets now email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ARA Award categories:
eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, The Realise Group Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Pronto Software Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, NORA Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year, FCB Australian Retail HR Rising Star of the Year, Rest Industry Super Individual Retailer of the Year, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Fit-out of the Year and MasterCard Australian Retail Payments Leader of the Year.
 
Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.
 

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said it was a big positive that the State Government’s announced $257 million investment in new regional rail carriages and infrastructure will create nearly 200 Victorian jobs and boost skills in the Geelong region.

"VECCI welcomes the fact that the new carriages will be built by Bombardier in Victoria, securing 64 jobs," Mr Stone said.

"In addition, the new maintenance and stabling yard in Geelong will create 100 jobs during construction, 30 ongoing jobs and include apprenticeship and education opportunities.

"The 21 new VLocity carriages adding an additional 1,500 passengers to the daily capacity of the V/Line system will be welcomed by commuters and leisure travellers.

"We welcome the State Government’s announced budgetary commitments to Victoria’s transport network and look forward to further job creating infrastructure commitments in Tuesday’s budget."

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.

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VECCI has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announced release of draft legislation to extend unfair contract term protections to small business, according to Chief Executive Mark Stone.

"VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce report, “Small Business. Big Opportunity”, urged the Commonwealth Government to commit to implementing the proposed protections detailed in this scheme and we welcome the progression of this important measure," Mr Stone said.

"Once the protections are implemented, a court will have the power to strike out a term of a small business contract that is considered unfair. 

"The protections will apply to small businesses (employing less than 20 people) for transactions under $100,000, or $250,000 for contracts that last longer than 12 months.

"The changes will support small businesses in their daily operations, but businesses must remain vigilant in conducting due diligence on large contracts.

"VECCI commends the 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.

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VECCI recognises that the focus of this year’s State Budget is going to be on delivering the Andrews Government’s pre-election commitments.

These commitments have a strong focus on jobs and are closely aligned to the priorities for reform VECCI championed through its 2014 pre-state election campaign Taking Care of Business. 

With this in mind, the budget must fund important productivity enhancing, job creating infrastructure projects.

“We have already welcomed the recently announced funding to progress Melbourne Metro Rail, the Transurban proposal for the Western Distributor project and the agreement to deliver the CityLink / Tullamarine Freeway Widening Project,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“The Andrews Government must build on these announcements by funding and progressing its level crossings removal project and the establishment of Infrastructure Victoria.”

A commitment to expand the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, to be completed by 2018, would also be of great benefit to Victoria’s major events and tourism sectors.

A budget allocation from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund will be important to ensure the delivery of a number of regional infrastructure projects committed to pre-election including:
- The Ballarat Station Redevelopment
- Geelong Performing Arts Centre
- Eureka Stadium, Ballarat
- Grampians Peak Trail

Business is also looking forward to the budget funding a range of other pledged initiatives including:
- The Back to Work Act
- The Premier’s Jobs and Investment Panel
- The Future Industries Fund
- Start-Up Victoria
- Projects Victoria
- Inbound trade missions and new Victorian Government Business Offices

“If not contained in this year’s budget, future budgets must continue to work towards encouraging jobs by lifting the payroll tax threshold and strengthening Victoria’s international engagement capabilities,” said Mr Stone.

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.

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IN acknowledgement of VECCI’s outstanding record of quality service delivery, VECCI Apprenticeships Services (VAS) has secured a new, expanded Federal Government contract to deliver apprenticeship services.

“We take pride in our record of quality in the provision of traineeship and apprenticeship services. We’re delighted to be delivering this crucial program to increase the completion rates of apprentices, as it will be a win for both employers and apprentices,” said VECCI Executive Director and Apprenticeship Support Australia Chairman Denis James.

The announcement means VAS will be part of the newly-formed country-wide Apprenticeship Support Australia organisation which also includes ABAC in NSW, CCIWA Apprenticeships Solutions in WA and Business SA’s Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

The organisation combines 60 years of collective experience in the area to deliver Australia’s premium apprenticeship support service throughout the country from 1 July 2015.

The Australian Government has committed $600 million over three years to the new scheme that is designed to give young Australians the best opportunity to find work through earning and learning opportunities, while facilitating businesses being matched with suitably skilled employees.

The new program will build on the existing apprenticeship model and include:
- Offering job-matching services to connect apprentices and employers.
- Delivering tailored mentoring support to apprentices who need additional help.
- Managing the administration of an apprenticeship and traineeship, including the training contract.
- Administering the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, including employer incentives and trade support loans.
- Assisting individuals to find the right Vocational Education and Training or employment pathway. 

“This new program gives VECCI a wider, national reach with greater opportunity to work with Victorian business and workers to deliver strong results,” said Mr James.

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.

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VECCI has welcomed the release of Melcourne's Western Distributor proposal, according to Chief Executive Mark Stone.

"The project has the potential to visibly enhance freight productivity by reducing traffic congestion, decreasing commuter travel times and improving port access," Mr Stone said.

"VECCI has consistently called for a second river crossing. The proposal represents a major step forward in achieving this and improving the movement of freight around Melbourne.

"With the Port of Melbourne’s throughput expected to triple by 2041, improved access to the port provided by this project will be crucial to the state’s longer-term trade and economic performance.

"Together with the government’s planned widening of the CityLink / Tullamarine Freeway, the announcement represents a major step forward in improving Melbourne’s transport network. These projects will save business money, help people get to work on time, improve urban liveability and create thousands of new jobs," Mr Stone said.

"The proposal also demonstrates the important role the private sector has to play in not only funding major projects, but bringing forward new ideas that have the potential to address Victoria’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. VECCI commends Transurban on this great initiative.

"If realised, the proposal would be one of a small number of projects that transform our transport system, delivering enduring economic benefits for generations to come."

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.

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government that will see the continuation of Avalon Airport’s passenger operations and the expansion of Jetstar’s services at the airport.

"We are delighted that the agreement will see 200 jobs saved, as well as an increase in the number of Jetstar flights from five to seven daily and the introduction of flights to two new domestic destinations," Mr Stone said.

"Avalon Airport supports tourism and business travel in Victoria, particularly to our state’s drawcard tourist destinations such as the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula.

"The expansion will see the arrival of approximately 700 more visitors in the region each week which will be a positive for the local tourism industry.

"We commend the State Government for working together with Jetstar to reach this outcome and deliver a win for Victorian business."

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.

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