THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has applauded the state’s tourism industry for the significant growth achieved in visitor numbers and expenditure over the past year.

The recently released Tourism Research Australia “International Visitor Survey” shows that for the year ended June 2014 Victoria performed well overall: 

“International visitor expenditure” grew by 8.1 percent to $4.9 billion, outperforming growth for New South Wales (+6.1 percent to $6.9 billion), Queensland (unchanged at $4.0 billion) and the national average (+3.5 percent).

“International overnight visitors” grew (+10.9 percent to 2.05 million) to exceed 2 million for the first time.

VTIC chief executive Dianne Smith said although China continues to be the leading source market, it is pleasing to see growth from traditional markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States, in terms of both visitor numbers and expenditure.

Importantly, expenditure in regional Victoria showed strong growth (+23.8 percent to $368 million), exceeding the previous high recorded for June 2012. There was also strong growth in visitors to (+17.5 percent year-on-year to 375,400) and nights in (+7.5 percent to 6.0 million) regional Victoria, with both at record levels. Visitors to regional Victoria increased from both Eastern (+28.5 percent) and Western (+14.2 percent) markets.

Ms Smith said continued efforts are needed to ensure regional Victoria reaps tourism’s benefits.

“It’s positive to see improvement in expenditure, visitor numbers and nights in regional Victoria, but compared to the state totals, the proportion of international visitors travelling to, and spending in, regional Victoria is modest,” said Ms Smith.

“More work is required to develop high quality products and experiences in regional Victoria, with a culturally appropriate interpretation, that will entice more international visitors. This is one of VTIC’s key recommendations for the major parties in the 2014 state election.”

The results of the National Visitor Survey for the year ended June 2014 will be released on 10 September and Ms Smith said the industry looks forward to seeing how Victoria fares in regard to domestic travel.

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.

www.vtic.com.au

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SOUTH-EAST Queensland business owners can learn how to unleash ‘the small business tiger within’ as part of the 2014 Queensland Small Business Week celebrations.

The Queensland Government is hosting a panel discussion in Brisbane with some of the nation’s best business minds on how to join the ranks of Queensland’s small business tigers on Monday, September 1.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey MP, said the panel discussion was the first of over 100 events across the state celebrating the 2014 Queensland Small Business Week from September 1-6.

“The panel discussion focuses on small business tigers, which are small businesses that expect to grow their revenue substantially in the next 12 months,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Research has shown that Queensland has 50 percent more small business tigers than any other state.

“The discussion will also be streamed live across Queensland, allowing interested business owners outside Brisbane to learn how to grow their business.”

The panel discussion will be held at Room Three Sixty, QUT Precinct, Gardens Point and is $20 to register. It is free to register to live stream the discussion.

Ms Stuckey said participants would hear from a Queensland company taking on the world with their products, the managing partner of a new crowd-sourced equity firm, and from an authority on how entrepreneurs start, develop and harvest their ventures.

She said media personality Adam Spencer will be the compere.

“The 2014 Queensland Small Business Week celebrates the important role small business plays in the Queensland economy,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Small business employs about one million Queenslanders and accounts for around 95 percent of all business in the state.

“I encourage all Queensland business, industry, government and community to get involved. Last year we saw 4500 people engage in this great event and this year will be even bigger.”

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland Brisbane West president Ian Kilpatrick said he encouraged small business owners to take the opportunity to network and “look out for each other”, and that he fully supported 2014 Queensland Small Business Week.

“Our mantra has always been: businesses helping businesses to do better business,” Mr Kilpatrick said.

“Small businesses have to be flexible, nimble and brave in embracing the digital economy and technology to realise their true potential and be successfully regionally, nationally and internationally, and this Queensland Government initiative as part of Queensland Small Business Week will help educate and hone small business operators’ skills to be more competitive.

“This is a great opportunity for our small business sector to partner with the Queensland Government to bring focus on policy and issues affecting small business operators, to help create a better business environment, grow profitability for small business and power our state’s economy.”

To register and live-stream this event go to: www.business.qld.gov.au/smallbusinessweek

QUEENSLAND BUSINESS QUICK FACTS

• Small business employs about one million people
• Brisbane has about 115,826 businesses and start-ups
• There are over 403,000 small businesses in Queensland
• Small business accounts for around 95 percent of all Queensland business.

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Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (0.4 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.6 percent rise in June 2014.

Year on year retail growth also rose 5.8 percent in July 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to July 2013.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said that after an unseasonably warm start to winter and post-Federal Budget drop in consumer confidence, retailers saw only a slight upswing in sales in July - largely thanks to the change in weather and last-minute EOFY sales.

“Winter had well and truly arrived in July and it’s no surprise department stores experienced an increase in sales (1.9%), with many consumers heading to their local department store to stock up on much-needed items to get through the cooler months. 

“It’s interesting to note that cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services also benefitted from the change the season (1.4% increase) as well as food retailing (0.5% increase). As we all know, during winter consumers often choose to keep warm at their local restaurant or order takeaways with their friends and family. Food retailing often enjoys a boost in sales at this time of year as the outside weather can deter consumers from other activities.

“Some other categories including clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%) and household good retailing (-0.2%) remained relatively flat in July, and according to the Australian Retail Index (delivered by BDO and Retail Express), stagnant retail sales in July mirrored similar results seen this time last year.

“Overall, turnover rose in New South Wales (0.7%), Victoria (0.6%), the Australian Capital Territory (2.6%), South Australia (0.4%) and Queensland (0.1%). These rises were partially offset by falls in the Northern Territory (-2.3%), Western Australia (-0.1%) and Tasmania (-0.4%).

“With the festive season right around the corner, the ARA is urging the Federal Government and RBA to do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported as we gear up toward the spring/summer racing season and the Christmas trading period,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (June 2014 – July 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Department stores (1.9%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.4%), Food retailing (0.5%),  Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%), Household goods retailing (-0.2%) and Other retailing (-0.6%). Total sales (0.4%).

Australian Capital Territory (2.6%). New South Wales (0.7%), Victoria (0.6%), South Australia (0.4%), Queensland (0.1%), Western Australia (-0.1%), Tasmania (-0.4) and Northern Territory (-2.3%). Total sales (0.4%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (July  2013 – July 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (10.8%), Department stores (8.2%), Food retailing (5.5%), Household goods retailing (5.3%), Other retailing (3.6%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.1%) .Total sales (5.8%).

New South Wales (9.7%), Tasmania (7.9%), Victoria (6.4%), Queensland (3.4%), South Australia (2.1%), Northern Territory (2.0%), Western Australia (1.8%) and Australian Capital Territory (0.6%). Total sales (5.8%).

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.

THE Queensland Government is celebrating 2014 Queensland Small Business Week in Brisbane today by releasing a book showcasing some of the state’s brightest stars.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman released the e-book, entitled Shining bright: a celebration of Queensland’s small business, at the official launch of the Week at Ithaca Auditorium, City Hall at 12.30pm.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey MP said 17 businesses in Brisbane, Townsville, Gold Coast, Moranbah, Mt Isa, Roma, Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Yandina, and Tully were chosen for their great stories of success.

“Small businesses are critical to growing Queensland’s four pillar industries – tourism, agriculture, resources and construction – and form a key part of the supply chains for larger projects,” Ms Stuckey said.

“With approximately 403,000 small business in Queensland, they span every industry sector and employ around 50 percent of all private sector workers.

"Shining bright highlights how these businesses have made a positive contribution to their local community.”

About 200 guests attended the event When Small Business Thinks BIG, featuring an address by Professor Josh Lerner, Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School and head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit.

Professor Lerner is a member of the World Economic Forum, at which he presents annually on small business issues and entrepreneurship.

He has drawn on his vast experience running Harvard’s flagship executive education program for smaller, fast-growing businesses to provide insight into how business can flourish when it thinks “big”.

Speaking in the lead-up to the event, Professor Lerner emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship to the country’s economic growth and vitality and the role governments play in recognising that importance and adjusting policies to support it.

Professor Lerner said Queensland was “region which has many blessings, not least of which is its abundant natural resources".

“But if the region is to thrive over the next century, it almost surely will have to bolster its entrepreneurial sector: around the world, these ventures have been a key source of economic growth, additional employment, and innovation,” he said.

“Thus, 2014 Queensland Small Business Week effort is an important initiative to boost this vital sector of the economy.”

Professor Lerner said there was no “secret source” or one formula that translates into entrepreneurial success.

“The proper recipe is likely to vary with the structure of the industry and nature of the opportunity that the firm is pursuing,” he said.

“Nonetheless, there have been some recent insights as to what strategies characterize successful entrepreneurs.

“One of the key messages that has emerged in recent work is the importance of experimentation.

“Entrepreneurs are unlikely to have the resources to undertake the kind of comprehensive study and massive launches of new products and services that characterize major corporations.

“But they can move more rapidly, and adjust quickly to what they learn from the market, which gives them a critical advantage.”

2014 Queensland Small Business Week recognises the role small business plays in the Queensland economy.

Business owners are attending more than 200 events and activities across Queensland during the Week, all of which are designed to either inspire them, or help to build their business.

Minister Stuckey will host an event on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow with US CEO of TerraCycle, Tom Szaky, and in Roma on Friday with Matthew Hayden.

The e-book can downloaded free from the Queensland Government Business and Industry Portal www.business.gov.au/smallbusinessweek

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THE Queensland Resources Council has congratulated Glencore International AG on its selection by the state government as preferred developer of the Aurukun bauxite deposit on Western Cape York.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said today the job creating potential of a new bauxite project on the Cape was welcome news for Queensland, the Far North region and especially the Aurukun community.

‘Cape York needs industry development to deliver jobs and the improved economic and social outcomes that flow from them,’ Mr Roche said.

‘The Cape has vast potential but a recent history of stop-start development proposals has eroded local community confidence.

‘By selecting a tier one resources company such as Glencore as preferred proponent, the state government is giving the Aurukun project every opportunity for success.’ 

www.qrc.org.au

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MORE than one hundred Queensland businesses are on the road to growing their revenue following the first 2014 Queensland Small Business Week event in Brisbane today.

Business owners from Brisbane, Townsville, Pittsworth, Gold Coast, Mount Isa, Sunshine Coast either attended or live-streamed a panel discussion about becoming one of Queensland’s Small Business Tigers at QUT Gardens Point, Brisbane.

The event Are you a Small Business Tiger? How do you become one? was the first of five events to be hosted by Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Business and the Commonwealth Games from 1-6 September.

2014 Queensland Small Business Week is a Queensland Government initiative recognising the role small business plays in the Queensland economy.

The panel included:

• Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey MP
• QUT Business School’s Professor Per Davidsson
• Media personality turned entrepreneur Emily Jade O’Keeffe
• Managing Director of DBM Consultants Dhruba Ghupta
• Chief Marketing Officer of Liquid State Kit Kriewaldt
• Paul Niederer, CEO from Australian Small Scale Offerings.

Ms Stuckey said participants heard how a Queensland company was taking on the world with their products and from an authority on how entrepreneurs start, develop and harvest their ventures.

Also on this week in Brisbane, Premier Campbell Newman will officially launch 2014 Queensland Small Business Week at a business lunch at Ithaca Auditorium, City Hall on Tuesday, 2 September. The keynote speaker is Professor Josh Lerner, the Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School, and head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit, USA.

On the Sunshine Coast, the CEO of “America’s coolest little start-up” TerraCycle, Tom Szaky, will join Facebook consultant and entrepreneur Nick Bowditch on stage at the Sunshine Coast University Innovation Centre on Wednesday 3 September. The event #Accelerating Small Business includes a question and answer session with the guests.

On Friday, 5 September former international cricketer Matthew Hayden will address a business lunch, Turn your ideas into action, at Roma Explorers Inn.

Registrations are now open at www.business.qld.gov.au/smallbusinessweek. 

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IN ORDERING a trucking employer pay $16,000 compensation to a former employee sacked for urinating on client property, the Fair Work Commission is again undermining managerial capacity to address clear cut workplace misconduct, says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

In Cowan v Sargeant Transport Pty Ltd, Commissioner Michelle Bissett found the former employee’s conduct was ‘unacceptable’, ‘unprofessional’ and his termination valid, after the truck driver was caught on CCTV urinating outside the entrance to a Woolworths warehouse during a delivery.

However, the Commissioner upheld the employee’s unfair dismissal claim and ordered compensation for lost income, citing concerns over the investigation process.

“It beggars belief that an employer could be found to have a valid reason to sack someone for clear misconduct and then be slapped with a $16,000 penalty for unfair dismissal,” Mr Knott says.

“This decision is just the latest example of the Fair Work Commission complicating and confusing matters involving clear breaches of community standards and company policies.

“Valid reasons for dismissal are being increasingly subjected to the discretionary whims of tribunal members, most of whom have little or no experience in running a business, seeking to substitute their decision for that of qualified business managers.”

Other Fair Work rulings demonstrating this concerning trend include:

• Employer DP World ordered to reinstate an employee who seriously assaulted his supervisor.
• A ferry master being reinstated after crashing a passenger vessel and then failing a drug test. 
• Ruling Australia Post employees were dismissed unfairly after distributing porn to co-workers.

Mr Knott says introducing a separate independent body to hear appeals of FWC decisions would deliver greater consistency and balance in tribunal decisions.

While the FWC President has publicly defended the Commission’s existing appeals processes, this new jurisdiction would result in far less unmeritorious cases being brought before the Commission and fewer costly appeals.

“A properly separate, genuinely independent appeals jurisdiction would refocus the tribunal on simple, consistent determinations. Over time, this consistency would see far fewer employers having to defend claims which should never have made it to hearing in the first place,” Mr Knott says.

“While AMMA represents many large employers, more than half of our members employ less than 500 people. For these employers, unnecessary business costs of this nature is revenue foregone which could otherwise have been invested in employment generating initiatives.

“An independent appeals body would reflect international best practice, such as in the UK. It would set clearer precedents for employers to follow, reduce the number of costly, unnecessary matters and further appeals, and restore confidence in our national employment tribunal.”

www.amma.org.au

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