VICTORIA'S peak events industry body welcomes today’s announcement that Melbourne will be the exclusive host of soccer’s International Champions Cup Australia in 2015.

“As the global sporting capital, Melbourne is the ideal place for this wonderful event that will bring together the world’s best players, their huge supporter base and local fans,” said Victoria Events Industry Council (VEIC) Chief Executive, Dianne Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments follow the announcement that three leading international soccer teams, including Real Madrid F.C., will feature in the tournament at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in July 2015.

“The tournament is expected to deliver an economic benefit of more than $50 million to Victoria, which is yet another example of the significant benefit major events and tourism bring to Victoria,” said Ms Smith.

And we can expect near capacity crowds, thanks not only to the calibre of the teams, but also to the commitment of organisers to making tickets as accessible and affordable as possible.”

VEIC Chairperson Peter Jones said: “This is only the third edition of this series and Melbourne has been able to secure this event because of its worldwide reputation for staging iconic sporting events."

“Having a stadium such as the MCG in the heart of the city is a big drawcard. We can host all the matches in one venue and this makes us a very attractive destination for these top tier clubs.”

Ms Smith added that the event will showcase Melbourne and Victoria globally, as the tournament will be broadcast to more than 150 countries.

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Established in December 2006, the Victoria Events Industry Council (VEIC) is the peak policy council representing Victoria’s $1.4 billion event industry.

vtic.com.au  

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone today applauded both major parties' adoption of many of VECCI's election agenda recommendations for business and state economic growth, but said business is disappointed that the opportunity to lift the payroll tax threshold remains outstanding.

Mr Stone’s comments came as over 250 of Victoria’s business leaders gathered to hear the chief executive report back on the economic commitments of both parties prior to the November 29 state election.

"We commend both major parties on their pre-election announcements that are consistent with the recommendations contained in VECCI's Taking Care of Business agenda,” said Mr Stone. 

“Taking Care of Business calls for action to support jobs, infrastructure, skills and international engagement and we have seen significant pledges in these areas that will help raise business competitiveness.”

Key outcomes:

Jobs

• Strong job creation plans, with the Coalition pledging to create 200,000 jobs over five years and Labor 100,000 over two years through a range of measures, including tax incentives. 

Infrastructure

• Support for major infrastructure projects including building a metro rail tunnel, privatising the Port of Melbourne, removing level crossings and widening the Tullamarine Freeway. 

The Coalition’s significant rolling stock investment, with a strong emphasis on local content and job creation, has been welcomed by industry and Victorian Labor now needs to demonstrate a similar commitment.

Two key points of difference between the major parties relate to their positions on constructing the East West Link and expanding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Both projects are strongly supported by VECCI, but only have commitment from the Coalition to date.

“These projects are vitally important to business and we would hope that Victorian Labor reconsiders its positions if elected to government,” said Mr Stone.
 
Skills

• Strong commitments to apprenticeships and training to support the creation of a well-trained, job-ready workforce. 

In keeping with VECCI’s recommendations, Victorian Labor committed to reforming the vocational training system by improving VET regulation and undertaking a review of VET funding.
 
International engagement

• Commitments to further boost Victoria’s strong international engagement record through an expanded inbound and outbound trade missions program and the establishment of new Victorian Government Business Offices in South America and Asia. 

However, Mr Stone said business is frustrated that neither major party has committed to raising the payroll tax threshold from $550,000 to $850,000, as this measure would reduce business costs and encourage job creation.

“While November 29 is fast-approaching, both parties still have the opportunity to influence business,” said Mr Stone.

“Business is asking why the parties are not taking the opportunity to create jobs by lifting what is currently Australia’s lowest payroll tax threshold.”

Mr Stone pledged to keep pushing policy makers to adopt outstanding commitments before the election and into the new term of government if required.

Mr Stone also urged voters to consider their choice this election.

“Don’t waste your vote. Use it wisely to make sure Victoria has a majority government with a mandate to deliver on its commitments,” said Mr Stone.

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

vecci.org.au

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THE Australasian Investor Relations Association (AIRA) today urged listed entities to be more proactive in informing investors about their market briefings in order to comply with new best practice guidelines and also to lead by example.

AIRA, the industry association for investor relations professionals, used the release of its updated Best Practice Investor Relations guidelines to call on companies to lift the bar in communicating important information to their shareholders.

“We would like to see listed entities tell all shareholders exactly when they are scheduling investor briefings, presentations and webcasts so that more people can find out in a timely manner exactly what is happening,” AIRA’s CEO, Mr Ian Matheson said.

“Such routine details are not always made widely available, but it is essential to do so if all investors are to be kept fully informed. The details can easily be posted on a company’s own website and more particularly lodged with ASX and/or NZX.”

Mr Matheson said that regulators have made it clear that they want ALL investors to be provided with all price sensitive information in a timely manner. He said it was up to corporations to use the communications tools at their fingertips to engage effectively with as many of their shareholders’ as possible.

The fourth edition of AIRA’s best practice guidelines also calls for live webcasts of annual general meetings, including question and answer sessions. It also recommends that companies consider providing a full transcript of proceedings, including formal speeches and presentations, along with relevant question-and-answer exchanges of all significant briefings.

When it comes to investor days and analyst briefings, all questions and answers should be monitored for market-sensitive information and be released immediately to securities exchanges if any inadvertent disclosures are made. All presentations should be released prior to the investor day commencing, and also uploaded to company websites along with question-and-answer sessions.

AIRA also recommends that listed entities lodge all of these presentations and particularly financial results prior to the market opening to enable analysts and investors to digest the information before trading commences.

On the recent disclosure issue of releasing sell-side earnings consensus forecasts, AIRA says that any publication should be made on a company’s website and should also be updated on a regular basis to ensure the market was fully informed. If such details are published, the company should include a disclaimer saying it did not endorse the analysts’ forecasts.

“These guidelines reflect all recent regulatory initiatives, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) report on the handling of confidential, market-sensitive information,” Mr Matheson said. “They also cover the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s revised principles and recommendations, ASX’s updated guidance note related to continuous disclosure and ASIC’s regulatory guide on better disclosure.

ASIC, ASX and the New Zealand Securities Exchange (NZX) have all provided comments on the guidelines.

“We want to make it easier for listed entities to comply with their obligations by including in the guidelines an investor relations toolkit, which provides easy-to-adopt briefing templates, policy examples and content checklists.”

AIRA’s guidelines are intended to provide practical advice on how listed entities can better communicate information to investors. They account for regulatory imperatives and compliance options and outline the principles and practices that investor relations officers should apply to maintain an efficient and transparent market.

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About AIRA

AIRA is Australasia’s premier member-based organisation advancing awareness of best practice investor relations, thereby improving the relationship between listed entities and the investment community. The Association's 171 corporate members now represent more than A$760 billion of market capitalisation, which is greater than two-thirds of the total market capitalisation of companies listed on the ASX.

http://www.aira.org.au

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LEADING experts will discuss the crucial energy policy issues facing Australia ahead of the government’s Energy White Paper.

The Melbourne Economic Forum, hosted Thursday November 20 by Victoria University, will explore the impact of Chinese energy policy developments in Australia, the likely future of Australian gas and electricity prices, regulatory reform in the energy sector and renewable energy policy.

Presentations will include an overview of key issues by the University of Melbourne’s Professor Ross Garnaut, discussion of the government’s Energy Green Paper by Department of Industry Associate Secretary John Ryan and research into the economic impacts of rising energy costs by Victoria University’s Professor Philip Adams.

There will also be a special presentation by Victoria University’s Professor Peter Sheehan and Jiang Kejun, Director of the Energy Research Institute’s National Development & Reform Commission on energy policy developments in China.

The forum panel members are:

• Anthea Harris, CEO of the Climate Change Authority
• Bruce Mountain, Director of CME consultancy and Victoria University PhD researcher
• Dr Leslie Martin, Assistant Professor at the University of Melbourne 

The Melbourne Economic Forum brings together economic policy thinkers from the University of Melbourne and Victoria University, and public and private institutions, to encourage sound government policy making.

Event details:

Thursday 20^th November 2014

11.00am – 1.45pm

Victoria University Convention Centre, Level 12, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Please register your attendance to:

Michael Quin, Marketing & Advancement, Victoria University

(03) 9919 9491; 0431 815 409; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement which presents Victoria with significant opportunities to widen and deepen trade and investment with the world’s second largest economy.

"With a diverse and competitive industry base, Victoria is well placed to leverage major growth opportunities from Australia's largest goods export destination ($95 billion in 2013), and largest services export market($7 billion in 2013)," Mr Stone said.

"The prospects for new trade and investment extend not only to our agriculture sector, but resources, energy, manufacturing and service industries, as the following examples highlight."

Dairy: Victorian dairy farmers will benefit from the removal of tariffs on their dairy products entering China, including infant formula, liquid milk, cheese, butter and yogurt. This puts Victorian businesses in a much stronger position when competing against New Zealand dairy farmers who already benefit from their FTA with China. 

Fruit and vegetables: As Victoria was Australia’s largest exporter of horticulture goods in 2013-14, the elimination of Chinese tariffs on vegetables, fruit and nuts will open up even more opportunities for Victorian farmers and other agribusinesses.

Legal services: Victorian law firms will be able to establish commercial associations with Chinese law firms in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

Financial services: Victorian financial services providers in the banking, insurance, and funds management sectors will enjoy improved market access as China continues to advance economic reform and liberalisation.

Education and training: Victoria’s world renowned private higher education sector will receive increased promotion and improved recognition in the Chinese student market with a Chinese Ministry of Education website listing all registered providers.

Health and aged-care: Increased ownership rights have been secured for Victorian hospitals and aged-care providers, allowing them to wholly own hospitals and aged-care facilities in China.

Manufacturing: Tariffs on Victorian pharmaceuticals being exported to China will be eliminated, including those on vitamins and health products.

Tourism and travel: Victorian tourism operators can now construct, renovate and operate wholly Australian-owned hotels and restaurants in China.  Victorian travel agencies/tour operators are also able to establish wholly Australian-owned subsidiaries in China for tours within China for both domestic and foreign travellers.

- Recognising that increased Australian market access by Chinese producers will put pressure on some Victorian industries, Australian tariffs on Chinese imports in some sectors will be phased out over time, giving businesses time to adjust and stay competitive. 

- The challenge for small to medium sized businesses is to understand what changes in business operations, practices or strategies are needed to capitalise on opportunities from the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

- Employers can access tools, tips and information on getting into exporting or growing existing exports by visiting www.vecci.org.au. 

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WITH only 40 days until Christmas, toy retailers are preparing for a very merry Christmas trade with toys based on blockbuster films tipped to be the hottest selling gift items for children this year.

While hospitality, food and household goods categories will experience the highest levels of growth this Christmas, toys* are also set to enjoy a significant year on year increase of 2.8 percent, as revealed by peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) official pre-Christmas retail sales figures released in conjunction with Roy Morgan Research.

According to eBay’s Trendwatcher data, retailers should prepare for a huge retro toy revival this year which has largely been influenced by major films such as Frozen, Transformers and the recently released Lego movie.

Topping the list of most sought-after toys on eBay this year are all things ‘Frozen’ related thanks to the Disney films beloved characters becoming household names since hitting Aussie cinemas last December. Frozen ice skating dolls and Frozen costumes are in hot demand, followed closely by cartoon toys and figurines based on Despicable Me, Lego, Transformers and Peppa Pig characters.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said not only are consumers looking to online platforms such as eBay to purchase toys for their children this Christmas but bricks and mortar retailers are also beginning to see an upswing in sales.

“Starting from tomorrow until 24 December, shoppers are expected to spend a whopping $45 billion in retail stores, representing a 4.3 percent gain on sales during the same period in 2013 ($43 billion).

“eBay’s Trendwatcher data not only confirms the hottest children’s toys for 2014 but also illustrates how technology has come a long way and is now reflected in more toys than ever before. The popular ‘My Friend Cayla’ doll, for example, uses speech-to-text Google software synced via Bluetooth with a smartphone or tablet to answer questions regarding general knowledge or sports results. The toy even uses Google’s SafeSearch technology, no doubt providing a level of comfort to parents.

“With less than six weeks before Christmas, retailers are hopeful that shoppers will start their festive shopping a little earlier this year rather than leaving it until late December. However, we also know that the week before Christmas will remain the busiest time for pre-Christmas shopping, and therefore the most profitable time for retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

*Toys fall under the category of ‘other’ in ARA/Roy Morgan figures
 
* 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

DETAILS:

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AS the G20 leaders commit to reducing the gender employment gap in their respective nations, Australian resource employers are meeting in Perth today to discuss strategies to increase women’s participation in the resource industry to 25 per cent by 2020.

The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA) Forum, hosted by national resource industry employer group AMMA, brings together organisations that are paving the way in addressing the resource industry’s male-dominated workforce.

“It was very encouraging to see women’s workforce participation become a global economic priority at the G20 Summit, specifically to reduce the gender employment gap in leading economies by 25 per cent by 2025,” says AMMA executive director Tara Diamond.

“As one of the key pillars of Australia’s economy and with more than $500 billion worth of major projects either under construction or in the investment pipeline, the resource industry will play a key role in Australia meeting this objective.

“Since AWRA was launched in 2011, the resource industry has been working to increase women’s employment from the national industry average of 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020.

“As governments around the world commit to policies that will support the greater participation of women in the global workforce, the Australian resource industry is already doing its part by continuing to focus on innovative and practical strategies at a workplace level.”

Ms Diamond says the AWRA Recognised Program is one such initiative that is helping the resource industry to improve the way it attracts, retains and develops women employees.

“AWRA Recognised assesses how well workplace policies and practices support workforce diversity and inclusion,” she says.

“The program provides resource employers with a roadmap to improve the way they attract and retain women across all levels of their organisations.

“This includes practical strategies such as changing the language used in recruitment campaigns, targeting female graduates, reviewing pay equity, and mentoring and professional development support for women.

“Resource sector organisations including Farstad Shipping, BHP Billiton Manganese Australia and Caterpillar Australia have stepped up to take part in the pilot round of AWRA Recognised as part of their commitment to secure the benefits of more gender diverse workforces.”

As well as discussions on key AWRA initiatives, delegates of the AWRA Forum will hear from companies including St Barbara, Iluka Resources, Deloitte Australia and Georgiou Group.

A special panel session on employment participation by Indigenous Australians will feature Fortescue, Leighton Contractors, Morris Corporation and Australian Indigenous Women in Mining.

www.amma.org.au

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VICTORIA's peak tourism industry body welcomes bipartisan support for further development of the Grampians Peaks Trail for the increased benefit this vital tourism attraction could bring to the Victorian economy.

“This development will position Victoria as a key nature-based tourism destination, which means significant job creation and economic benefit,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments follow today’s announcements from both major parties of funding for further development of the trail should they be elected to the next term of government.

The project is expected to create 170 full time jobs in construction and operation, generate more than $6 million annually in tourism spending and attract an additional 86,000 visitor nights annually to the region.

The development of this trail has long been supported by VTIC and is a priority in its 2014 state election agenda to grow tourism in Victoria.

“We welcome this announcement as VTIC wants to see initiatives that support tourism growth and create jobs. Investments in the Phillip Island Nature Parks, Sovereign Hill and the Shipwreck Coast remain outstanding opportunities for policy makers that we will continue to urge commitment to,” said Ms Smith.

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

Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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