THE Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) has praised the recent B20 summit held in Sydney last week, as the world’s business leaders put aside their own agendas to discuss global economic growth, ahead of the 2014 National Small Business Summit (NSBS) in Melbourne next month and the G20 to be held in Brisbane on 15 -16 November.

Peter Strong, Executive Director of COSBOA attended the B20 and shares his experience saying, “The B20 summit was the most successful international event I have attended and most of that success can be attributed to the leadership provided by this country’s heads of industry and the high quality support from the Australian government.

“The small business community was mentioned in all the sessions, and not just given lip service. We are seen as the way forward and THE key to a healthy world economy, this is the same for developed economies, emerging economies and those economies that are in crisis. 

“Small business people are in focus. COSBOA was there to inform the debate and help those in big business understand the best way to engage and support the hundreds of millions of small business people across the planet.

“We expect industry people to always focus on their own particular woes, and make demands for their own sector and often that is true as that is their job.  This B20 summit however was an event that focused on very real issues for businesses, large and small, issues that are important not just for Australia but for the world’s economy.

“While the heads of banks and our biggest companies, along with leaders of key industry associations rarely come together as a group, in this case they met and focused on developing and maintaining a global economy that works for everyone.

“There was general agreement on issues that affect both small and large businesses including: workforce skills development, the importance of infrastructure projects for all businesses not just the ones who win the big contracts; access to finance; and access to new markets. 

“Now that the B20 is finished these industry leaders will of course focus solely on their own companies and industries. COSBOA will continue to focus on domestic issues for small business, particularly around competition, B2B contract issues, compliance, access to finance, workplace relations and personal health.

“In August, we will hold our annual Small Business Summit, and will focus on workplace relations, competition policy, deregulation and tax.

"We hold our summit with confidence knowing that the international economy is under scrutiny, and while nobody can guarantee that we won’t have another global financial crisis; it is less likely due to the input of Australian business leaders and government. COSBOA will also keep a close eye on their behaviour, just to make sure.

“What the B20, NSBS and G20 summit all provide is an opportunity for industry leaders to meet more often and discuss issues and areas of concern in a boardroom and not just in the media.  In the end governments can only do so much and it is up to industry to come together and try to resolve issues between ourselves,” Mr Strong concluded.

The key themes of the B20 summit were:  financing growth; human capital; infrastructure and investments; trade; and ending corruption. 

Recommendations can be found on the B20 website HERE.

Visit www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au to see the full program and register for the 2014 National Small Business Summit.

ends

Resource industry employer group AMMA (Australian Mines and Metals Association), statement by Steve Knott, Chief Executive.

TODAY’S passing of the carbon tax repeal legislation is welcomed as the first of several critical measures required to put Australia back on a level playing field with our international competitors.

Australia has a strong track record as a leader on important social and environmental issues, however any program to reduce our emissions must be closely calibrated with international efforts to avoid damaging our globally exposed industries and living standards.

Repealing the carbon tax removes one of two ideologically driven, flawed taxes imposed by the former government that have added unnecessary costs and risk to investing and doing business in Australia.

The next step in restoring Australia’s global competitiveness should be repealing the Minerals Resources Rent Tax (MRRT).

We need to remove the impediments that stand in the way of further development of our resources sector and secured the associated employment opportunities and economic growth.

Following that, as a nation we need to get back in the business of long-term, sustainable workplace relations reform that will address deeper issues of productivity and competitiveness and bolster our reputation in the international marketplace.

www.amma.org.au

ends

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) lead the fight on behalf of the retail sector in opposition of the Carbon Tax and now can celebrate with the Government at long last getting its way in the Senate with the abolition of the tax.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the cost impact was not only felt by business but also consumers who were hit with less disposable income as a result of the tax.

“We have given direct evidence to both the former and new Governments over how much this tax impacted retailers.

“Bakeries reported additional costs at over $20,000 per annum, and these are small independent businesses, let alone the costs to supermarkets and even the roll-on effect and general energy costs hitting specialty retail such as clothing and fashion stores.
 
“There is no doubt this boost to retailer’s bottom lines and the pockets of consumers will assist the sector to overcome pressures from excessive costs and be a boost to current low consumer confidence.
 
“On behalf of the ARA I would like to thank our fellow industry groups who have fought this tax from day one, and also thank the new Government for removing a measure which undoubtedly damaged the retail sector,” 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.

THE Victoria Events Industry Council (VEIC) has welcomed the announcement of the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in the Geelong region.

“This exciting new event reinforces Victoria’s credentials as a global leader for sporting events and complements a rich calendar of activity already in place,” says VEIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“The race will draw people to iconic, regional Victorian locations, which is consistent with VEIC's recommendations to grow the tourism and events sector.

“It will bring thousands of people to the route which includes Geelong, Evans’ home town of Barwon Heads, Thirteenth Beach, Torquay, Bells Beach, Moriac and finish on Geelong’s waterfront.”

Ms Smith’s comments come as cycling World Champion and Tour De France winner, Cadel Evans, joined Victorian Premier, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine MP, today to announce the event in Geelong in 2015.

“Victoria will put this event on brilliantly!” says VEIC Chair Peter Jones.

“It will bring some of the world’s best cycling teams to Victoria and, with Cadel Evans' name, will certainly attract strong international media attention.”

The timing of the event ties into a strong summer of sport which includes South Australia’s Tour Down Under prior to the race and the ICC cricket world cup soon after.

“There will be significant flow-on benefits throughout the economy to hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions from the Victorian, interstate and international guests coming to enjoy the event and experience what our great state has to offer,” says Ms Smith.

*

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

www.vecci.org.au

ends

THE Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) has announced today that Gerardine Kearney, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Chris Jordan, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Commissioner will deliver key plenaries at the National Small Business Summit (NSBS) to be held in Melbourne on 7 – 8 August 2014.

Peter Strong, Executive Director of COSBOA says the calibre and number of keynote speakers and attendees at this year’s NSBS reinforces the importance and impact of small businesses on the Australian economy and culture.

“We’re pleased to see so many quality speakers and attendees already confirmed for this year’s event, ensuring that small business issues remain at the top of the public and political agenda,” Mr Strong said.

The annual two-day summit will also feature presentations from industry leaders including:

• Mark Brennan, Australian Small Business Commissioner;
• Geoff Browne, Victorian Small Business Commissioner;
• Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman;
• Dr Michael Schaper, Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
• Warren Day, Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC)
• Plus many others.

Industrial relations, workplace relations, productivity for Gen-Y and Baby Boomers, and women in business are just some of the hot topics that will be discussed and debated as part of this year’s event, bringing together the country’s most influential small and big business delegates, senior politicians and bureaucrats.

Visit: www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au to see the program and register for the 2014 National Small Business Summit.

ends

THE Queensland Government is asking Queenslanders to nominate to host an event during 2014 Queensland Small Business Week.

The Queensland Government wants to position Queensland Small Business Week, from September 1-6, as a positive catalyst for business development on the annual business calendar.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the Queensland Government was looking for as many government, industry and community groups to get involved by hosting an event, as a way of “celebrating the commitment, efforts and passion of the largest group of employers in the state”.

“Queensland Small Business Week is a chance to celebrate the contribution small business (people) make and remind Queenslanders of the importance of buying locally,” Ms Stuckey said.

“This government is unashamedly pro-small business and committed to growing a strong and prosperous small business sector, cutting red tape by 20 percent by 2018.”

The week features a comprehensive calendar of events and activities such as seminars, workshops, webinars and networking events.

The events are hosted by business, industry and community groups across the state, with numbers expected to exceed the 4500 direct attendees last year.

All business is invited to take part in the week, whether as an attendee or as an event host, Ms Stuckey said.

Each event is promoted through the Queensland Government’s online business and industry portal and social media, providing an opportunity for businesses to showcase to people throughout the state.

“The events are designed to help people learn how to start or grow a small business, gain new ideas and inspiration, network with other businesses, or gain a better understanding of the support available,” Ms Stuckey said.

The statistics show the importance of small business to the Queensland economy. The 403,000 small businesses in Queensland employ about one million people and account for close to 95 percent of all Queensland business.

Organisations can nominate to host an event visit the 2014 Queensland Small Business Week through the website.

www.business.qld.gov.au/smallbusinessweek

ends

ONE of Australia’s biggest public policy mistakes in decades has been fittingly consigned to the dustbin with today’s repeal of the carbon tax legislation.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said that with the net cost of the carbon tax to the Queensland resources sector approaching $700 million this financial year, its axing would come as welcome relief for mineral and energy exporters. 

"Repeal of the carbon tax is good news for the Queensland economy," Mr Roche said.

"The carbon tax was a massive double-fail.

"It failed to achieve its environmental objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while loading the Australian economy with costs over and above anything imposed on minerals and energy export competitors.

"Report after report found that energy-intensive industries were likely to shift out of Australia to countries without an onerous tax on carbon."

A Griffith University study for the US-based Institute for Energy Research released last September concluded that carbon leakage was one of the most important lessons learned from the introduction of Australia's carbon tax.

The report said: "The effect of a carbon tax on emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries is similar to a tax on exports or a tax on import-competing industries. Domestic emissions in these industries may fall after a carbon tax is imposed, but that cannot be counted as an environmental gain if the ultimate effect is that emissions simply rise overseas. The net effect is a pure deadweight cost to the economy." (link to report below) 

Mr Roche said the resources sector had argued consistently that without global alignment in emissions management, the imposition of a broad and expensive domestic carbon price would damage the Australian economy without benefit to the environment.

"Fixing the carbon tax – as advocated by the federal opposition – is not just a question of the price. 

"Dropping the carbon tax and adopting Europe’s emissions trading system would require a massive design overhaul as the European scheme provides genuine protection for the international competitiveness of its trade-exposed industries. 

"Furthermore, and crucially for Queensland, it excludes fugitive emissions from coal mining. Australia’s carbon tax regime afforded no such protections."

Mr Roche said the Queensland resources sector supported a measured transition to a low-emissions economy, subject to major global emitters and Australia’s resource competitors moving in the same direction.

"An effective policy response to managing climate change requires a global agreement on greenhouse gas abatement including comparable emissions-reduction commitments from all major emitting nations, substantial global investment in low emissions technologies and mechanisms to encourage the lowest-cost abatement.

"The Abbott Government’s Direct Action model correctly targets abatement where it is achievable through the provision of direct incentives.

"This contrasts with the approach of the former carbon pricing scheme which was characterised by a blunt and punitive tax on a firm’s entire CO2 emissions footprint, irrespective of whether the firm had the capacity to reduce those emissions," he said.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

PRESENTED by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), in association with Tourism Victoria.

Where: The Pier Precinct, 10 Western Beach Foreshore, Geelong

When: 14-15 July, 2014

Why: Showcases a diverse program of local, national and international speakers with a focus on building profitable and sustainable businesses and a resilient tourism industry.

What: Guests will be exposed to industry experts and peers, information on the latest trends and practical workshops to enhance skills relevant to growing a business in the sector.

Attendees: Over 330 tourism industry professionals.

Speakers:

Dianne Smith, Chief Executive, VTIC on the need for industry and governments of all levels to work together to drive sector growth.

The Hon. Dr Denis Napthine MP, Premier of Victoria on the importance of tourism to the state’s prosperity.

The Hon. Louise Asher MP, Minister for Tourism and Major Events on the strategy to drive growth in the sector. 

Anna Pollock (Conscious Travel UK): consultant, strategist, international speaker, change agent and a recipient of The Visionary of the Year Award from the Canadian tourism industry.

John O’Sullivan (Managing Director, Tourism Australia): former executive with Fox Sports, Events Queensland, Football Federation Australia and member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee.

Dr Jason Fox: motivation strategy and design expert who shows forward thinking leaders how to influence work culture, drive progress and build for the future.

Michael Gudinski, Chairman, The Mushroom Group of Companies: rock guru, music mogul, mushroom man and widely recognised as one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian music industry.

Full program and schedule http://victourismconference.com.au/programs/

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

ends