THE Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to keep the cash rate on hold today at 2.25 percent will support the retail industry for the time being but additional cuts are likely to be necessary in the near future.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA)  Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said there is a need to boost consumer confidence in light of low wages growth and a weak international environment which has left consumers and businesses feeling uneasy.

“At today’s meeting the RBA Board judged it appropriate to hold interest rates for now, however they did mention that further easing of policy may be needed over the period ahead.

“It is now up to both the RBA and the Federal Government to do all that they can to ensure that business is fully supported, especially as retailers are now starting to focus their attention on the upcoming Federal Budget and will be looking to ensure small business tax cuts are being delivered in order to boost their bottom lines.

“The ARA encourages the government to prioritise real productive reforms and for the RBA to consider further rate cuts next month to stimulate consumer confidence,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

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.

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BREAKING down trade barriers and improving market access for Australian industry and business are the focus of a report, released today by the Treaties Committee.

The long awaited World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation aims to help Australian businesses better connect to the global economy by removing red tape and simplifying customs procedures. The agreement was adopted by the 159 Members of the WTO in December, 2013. As the first major agreement since the establishment of the WTO in 1995, it is a significant step towards a multilateral trading system.

It will now be easier for exporters and importers to take advantage of Australia’s largest existing free trade agreement, the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA). With a combined population of 650 million people, the parties to this agreement account for $4.1 billion of global GDP. The First Protocol to Amend AANZFTA will make it simpler to complete the paperwork required to do business in these countries.
 
Committee Chair, Wyatt Roy MP, said these two treaties will open up opportunities for Australian businesses and industry.

“It is not just tariff barriers that make it difficult for businesses looking for global marketing opportunities. Often red tape and complicated customs processes prove too difficult to negotiate,” he said.

A mutual legal assistance treaty with Vietnam will make it harder for criminals to escape justice. Australia and Vietnam will now be able to exchange information and evidence to investigate and prosecute serious offenses. These types of treaties help Australia fight international crime.

Mr Roy said, “Vietnam is already a valuable Australian partner in the fight against transnational crime in our region and this agreement will strengthen that relationship.”

The full report is available on the committee’s website: http://www.aph.gov.au/jsct

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) congratulates the Federal Government for investing $5 billion to establish the jobactive initiative which will improve the quality of services delivered to job seekers and employers.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman attended the jobactive launch today with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and said the ARA has been working closely with both retailers and the government to deliver jobs around Australia. 

“We have worked with major retailers and retail developments to find employment opportunities and then ensure applicants are ready to fill those jobs by working hand in hand with the government and job services providers.

“The government must be commended on their approach to this initiative which will help more job seekers secure jobs and assist employers to find the employees they need to grow their businesses,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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.

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- More than 2,000 chief executives from 80 countries are gathered in Melbourne, Australia, today and tomorrow for the YPO Global EDGE conference, hosted by YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization).

“Because of YPO’s dedication to help business leaders through education and networking, this event focuses on the importance of sharing our collective knowledge, cultural values and belief systems.”

The event, which is one of the world’s largest meetings of chief executives, brings together YPO members for two days of exclusive networking opportunities, compelling dialogue and exciting idea exchange with global leaders, innovators and visionaries spanning business, politics, technology, science, entertainment, social enterprise and more.

Keynote speakers include Malala Yousafzai joining via live video, Nobel Laureate and founder of The Malala Fund; Bob Geldof, entrepreneur, activist and musician; H.E. Hamid Karzai, former president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; Bas Lansdorp, co-founder and CEO of Mars One; Olivia Newton-John, singer and philanthropist; and Andy Walshe, high performance consultant for Red Bull.

“The 2015 Global EDGE is the ideal opportunity for YPO members to embrace the concept of ‘Dreamtime,’ as they engage with innovative thought leaders and determine how they can make a significant mark for future generations,” said Bernie Auyang, 2014-2015 international chairman of YPO.

“Because of YPO’s dedication to help business leaders through education and networking, this event focuses on the importance of sharing our collective knowledge, cultural values and belief systems.”

The 2015 EDGE will focus on the theme of Dreamtime, an Aboriginal cultural belief centered on the concept of creation and interconnected relationships. Attendees will examine their place in the world, their connections to past, present and future, and their roles as leaders in business, family, community and beyond.

Past Global EDGE events have been held in Los Angeles, Istanbul, Singapore, Barcelona, Toronto, Cape Town, Sydney and other major cities and have featured prominent leaders including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; King Abdullah II of Jordan; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson. The 2016 event is slated for Dubai.

About YPO

YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) is a not-for-profit, global network of young chief executives connected around the shared mission of becoming Better Leaders Through Education and Idea ExchangeTM. Founded in 1950, YPO today provides 22,000 peers and their families in more than 125 countries with access to unique experiences, extraordinary educational resources, access to alliances with leading institutions, and participation in specialized networks to support their business, community and personal leadership. Altogether, YPO member-run companies employ more than 15 million people around the world and generate US$6 trillion in annual revenues.

For more information, visitwww.ypo.org

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Tax-deductible donations to hundreds of environmental groups will be scrutinised in a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Environment Committee.

The committee today launched an inquiry into the administration, transparency and effectiveness of the Register of Environmental Organisations (the Register) in supporting practical action to improve the environment.

Committee Chair, Alex Hawke MP, said the committee looks forward to hearing from a range of environmental organisations, including those currently listed on the Register, and other interested parties.

“Over 600 environmental groups are currently deductible gift recipients. This allows them to access tax-deductible donations to fund important, practical work to improve the natural environment. We need to ensure that tax deductible donations, which are a generous concession from the taxpayer, are used for the purpose intended and expected by the community,” he said.

The terms of reference empower the committee to inquire into and report on the administration and transparency of the Register of Environmental Organisations (the Register) and its effectiveness in supporting communities to take practical action to improve the environment. The inquiry will have particular regard to:

• the definition of 'environmental organisation' under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, including under Subdivision 30-E;
• the requirements to be met by an organisation to be listed on the Register and maintain its listing;
• activities undertaken by organisations currently listed on the Register and the extent to which these activities involve on-ground environmental works;
• reporting requirements for organisations to disclose donations and activities funded by donations;
• the administration of the Register and potential efficiency improvements;
• compliance arrangements and the measures available to the Department of the Environment and the Australian Taxation Office to investigate breaches of the Act and Ministerial Guidelines by listed organisations; and
• relevant governance arrangements in international jurisdictions, and exploring methods to adopt best practice in Australia

The Committee will accept submissions addressing one or more of the terms of reference until Thursday, 21 May 2015.

Further details about how to make a submission can be obtained from the committee’s website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/reo.

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THE ATO handles most disputes satisfactorily; however some disputes go off the rails, according to a report tabled today by Chair of the House Tax Committee, Bert van Manen MP.

The committee inquiry found that some disputes can go awry because of the ATO’s strong powers, the fact that the ATO does not engage with taxpayers, and that the ATO’s investigators and reviewers, for the great majority of disputes, are located in the compliance area of the ATO.

The committee Chair said poorly managed disputes had severe consequences for taxpayers.

“The committee received evidence that taxpayers suffer enormous emotional stress. Disputes can contribute to marriages breaking-up.”

The report, which focuses on small taxpayers and individuals, acknowledges the improvements that the ATO has made over the last few years. However, the committee believes that the ATO can build on these reforms with further actions.

A key recommendation is that the Government should create a new Second Commissioner to manage objections and litigation independently from the compliance and legal areas of the ATO. Further, the ATO should:
• have more robust protocols on communication between auditors and objections officers
• have more robust processes for making allegations or findings of fraud or evasion
• have the burden of proof in relation to fraud or evasion after the statutory record-keeping period has expired
• be more reasonable in terms of deadlines and volumes when making information requests of taxpayers
• consider having a direct discussion with taxpayers at the various stages of a dispute.

Mr van Manen said, “The ATO is a well-run, highly professional organisation, and the vast majority of disputes are handled in an appropriate and fair manner. The committee does not wish this report to be seen as lessening the ATO’s role in collecting revenue legally due. However, there is scope for improvement and full implementation of the committee’s recommendations will produce a fairer tax system, leading to better outcomes for taxpayers and also for the ATO.”

http://www.aph.gov.au/taxrev

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) today welcomes the release of the tax discussion paper, the first step in creating a tax system that supports economic growth, improves our international competitiveness and adjusts to a changing economy and new opportunities. 

ARA  Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the retail industry will support a real tax reform agenda and not just a talk-fest as the Henry review turned out to be.

"This enquiry should not limit tax reform until after the election. We also hope that simple resolutions - including overseas companies collecting low value GST from purchases under $1000 – can be implemented right away.

"The serious reform agenda needs to be based on tax rates remaining a concern, allowing sneaky revenue growth for government, as does the base of the GST which needs expanding and simplifying.

“Tax reform is needed to create jobs, growth and opportunity across all industries,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is calling on all retailers to enter now for the 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

The ARA Awards are now officially open across eleven categories and designed to celebrate success across the entire retail industry. As Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program, the ARA Awards have now celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years.

“The ARA Awards have become something of an icon,” said ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman.

“Each year, the ARA Awards capture stories of hardworking and innovative retailers who are thriving despite daily challenges. The ARA Awards provide retailers with the valuable opportunity to showcase their business on a national stage and demonstrate just how focussed they are on their customers and the communities in which they operate.

“While business conditions remain less than ideal, 2015 is shaping up to be an exciting year and it’s important for us as an industry to unite and celebrate all of the hardworking retailers across the country.
 
“The 2015 ARA Awards are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before, and we look forward to recognising those that are reinventing the retail industry at the Awards Breakfast ceremony on Thursday 2 July in Melbourne.

“There is an award category to suit every retailer - 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’ among others. You’ve got to be in to win!” 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 this year’s awards and share their inspiring success stories.

“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.

ARA Retail Awards -  key information and dates:

WHAT: 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards
WHEN: Entries now open and due by Friday 8 May 2015
(Winners will be announced at the ARA Awards Breakfast in Melbourne on 2 July 2015)
TO ENTER: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to view eligibility criteria and select from twelve award categories
MORE INFORMATION: Phone 1300 368 041 or 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
• MasterCard Australian Retail Payments Leader of the Year

With thanks to our sponsors:
Major event sponsor: eftpos
Category sponsors: Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software, Roy Morgan, BDO, The Realise Group, Pronto Software, NORA, FCB, Rest Industry Super, Shop for Shops and MasterCard
Major media partner: Inside Retail
Media partners: SmartCompany, Retail Biz and Crowther Blayne

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.

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