PLASTERBOARD manufacturer Boral has issued a warning to customers that some of their fire-rated plasterboard products may be contaminated with asbestos.

The contamination affects fire-rated plasterboards containing vermiculite imported from China and was discovered in routine testing. The company has told builders to quarantine any Boral fire-rated plasterboard products pending further advice.

“Workers using Boral board need to demand the company inform them whether the products they are using are asbestos free,” CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said.

“The company says the issue only affects its fire-rated plasterboard and that the level is 0.1 percent of the 3 percent vermiculite put into the board. Yet we know there is no safe level of asbestos exposure so construction businesses must take immediate steps to quarantine potentially contaminated products and ensure workers and customers are safe.

“The CFMEU will engage with the company to eliminate the risk of exposure from factories, distribution centres and construction sites.

“This latest asbestos contamination issue confirms the CFMEU’s repeated warnings that imported building products, particularly those from China, may not be safe," Mr Noonan said.

“We have seen too many instances of building supplies that are manufactured or sourced in poorly regulated markets like China failing basic safety requirements or exposing workers or end customers to unnecessary risk.”

Boral is advising customers to quarantine the following fire-rated plasterboard products and refrain from installing, distributing or supplying them to customers:

• Firestop® Plasterboard
• Fire WetstopTM Plasterboard
• MultistopTM Plasterboard range (3/3HI, 4/4HI, 5/5HI)
• ShaftlinerTM Mould Stop Plasterboard.

Boral said it had stopped using the Chinese-sourced vermiculite and will switch to another source and is arranging for the safe removal of all unused Chinese-sourced vermiculite from their facilities at Camellia, Port Melbourne, and Pinkenba, and is testing all finished products made using vermiculite as an ingredient.

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LAST YEAR’s eCommerce boom, after Australia went into lockdown, has continued well into 2021 while restrictions across the states continues. This year, with Victoria and NSW likely to continue lockdowns into the third quarter of the year, parcel delivery service CouriersPlease (CP) is forecasting a second parcel boom before Christmas.

Between March and May 2020, CP experienced an 80 percent spike in parcel volumes on the previous year. After lockdowns ended and restrictions began to ease, parcel volumes stabilised to a level that was still 53 percent higher than in 2019.

October to December is peak period for the logistics industry, given the popularity of major shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as Christmas shopping.

At CP, parcel volumes grew to more than 4.6 million in 2019, an increase of just 1 percent (52,000 parcels) on the 2019 September quarter. During last year’s December quarter, however, CP handled more than 8 million parcels. While this was a 4 percent increase in volumes (340,000 parcels) on the 2020 September quarter, it amounted to a significant 71 percent growth on the 2019 December quarter.

This year, from June 25 when Sydney went into lockdown, CP was well on its way to surpassing 2020 December quarter volumes while lockdowns continue, delivering more than 5.6 million parcels in just eight weeks. As a result, the company expects a further 30 percent growth in the December quarter compared with the same period last year.

This is about 2.4 million more parcels than the company delivered last December quarter, and 122 percent (5.7 million parcels) more than the 2019 December quarter.

CouriersPlease chief operations officer, Phil Reid said, “We’ve has continued to experience a surge in parcel volumes and the current lockdowns have seen volumes soar to the levels we see during peak periods.

“Since last year’s boom, we expanded the business rapidly, doubling our franchisee network and hiring hundreds more delivery drivers. However, volumes continue to soar to record levels, and a second parcel boom this November and December is inevitable.

"We are preparing for a more than 30 percent increase in volumes during this period and have already started recruiting more warehouse staff and delivery drivers where possible.

“It is important for shoppers to understand that couriers across the country are delivering more parcels than ever before, particularly as lockdowns continue in Australia’s two largest cities. While it is a challenge for the industry to keep up and deliver within timeframes, we do know how frustrating it can be for those waiting to receive essential and urgent items.

"There are several recommendations retailers can share with their customers to minimise delivery delays. However, preparing for potential delays remains important and shoppers should pay particular attention to notifications from couriers, who are updating delivery timeframes and communicating delays to the best of their ability.”

About CouriersPlease

CouriersPlease (CP) is a leading courier and freight service that delivers tens of millions of parcels each year. CP offers a network of pick up and drop off locations comprising more than 3500 lockers in 45 locations and more than 1000 retail outlets to enable consumers and businesses to pick up or post their parcels more securely and out of hours. Owned by Singapore Post (SingPost), a leader in eCommerce logistics in the Asia Pacific and USA, CP’s international and domestic air services connect customers to countries all around the world. couriersplease.com.au

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CHANGES TO LENDING markets over the last decade means there are now a wide range of finance options available for small businesses that don’t require property as security, according to a new report by the Productivity Commission.

“Every year, one in six small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeks finance to fund and grow their business. Traditional SME loans are usually secured by property. But spurred by new technology and new data, lenders now have more capacity and confidence to lend to SMEs using other forms of collateral or even lending unsecured,” Productivity Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay said.

There are 2.4 million SMEs in Australia employing more than 7.4 million Australians.

“These businesses are the engine room of the Australian economy and a healthy small business sector is vital to the economy, especially as we recover from the COVID pandemic,” Commissioner de Fontenay said.

The report points to a significant evolution in the lending market for SMEs over the last decade, driven by technology and new business models.

While SMEs still mainly obtain their finance from the major banks, there is now a much broader range of products available from traditional and new lenders.

“A broader range of products can provide SMEs with finance more quickly and flexibly, allowing them to seize opportunities. Some SMEs may even be able to borrow for the first time,” Productivity Commissioner Malcolm Roberts said.

SMEs may not be aware of all their lending options and may not feel confident about new options. Brokers can help match them with appropriate lending options.

“Finding the right product may be challenging, but the benefits can be significant,” Commissioner Roberts said.

The report found the finance market is increasingly competitive, which will drive further improvements in access to finance for SMEs.

The full report on Small business access to finance: The evolving lending market can be found at: www.pc.gov.au.

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement of first coal on the re-opening of the Millennium metallurgical coal mine at Coppabella in central Queensland.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Queensland had much to gain from the ongoing strength of the met coal market.

“Metallurgical coal, which is essential for steelmaking, has surged to new high prices in recent weeks, driven by global demand,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“As Australia’s largest met coal supplier, Queensland’s commodities are creating jobs, creating investment in regional communities and delivering for all Queenslanders.”

The mine near Moranbah is a joint venture between Stanmore Resources and M Resources and was officially restarted in July, creating 330 jobs. It’s expected exports from the mine will begin by the end of the year.

“Queensland has what the world needs,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Our high-quality resources exports have helped keep Queensland’s economy strong during the Covid-19 pandemic, and they will be increasingly important as investment continues in the recovery phase around the world.

“The most recent forecasts from the Canberra-based Office of the Chief Economist have predicted Australia’s resources exports will hit a record $349 billion this financial year, driven by strong demand for Australia’s powerhouse commodities including coal and LNG. Those forecasts tip the value of met coal exports to hit $33 billion this financial year, up from $23 billion last year.

“Queensland resources sector is strong and diverse. Our traditional commodities including coal and gas have a strong future alongside new investments in Queensland’s renewables projects, hydrogen and critical minerals.

“We look forward to seeing the draft of the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan later this year, to provide a roadmap to keep the sector strong over the years and decades ahead.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has backed the passage of urgent reforms as part of a proposed two-step approach to protect Australia’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats. 

In its Advisory report on the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 and Statutory Review of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 tabled in late September, the committee has recommended that emergency powers be swiftly legislated in a standalone bill, with a second, separate bill to be introduced following further consultation.

This recommended two-step approach will enable the quick passage of laws to counter looming threats against Australia’s critical infrastructure, while giving businesses and government additional time to co-design the most effective regulatory framework to ensure long-term security of our critical infrastructure.

The PJCIS has made 14 recommendations in relation to the Bill, including proposing a split in the current proposed framework into two amended Bills:

• Bill One for rapid passage – to expand the critical infrastructure sectors covered by the Act, introduce government assistance measures to be used as a last resort in crisis scenarios as well as mandatory reporting obligations; and
• Bill Two for further consultation – including declarations of systems of national significance, enhanced cyber-security obligations and positive security obligations which are to be defined in delegated legislation

Chair of the committee, Senator James Paterson, said, “The committee received compelling evidence that the complexity and frequency of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure is increasing globally. Australia is not immune and there is clear recognition from government and industry that we need to do more to protect our nation against sophisticated cyber threats, particularly against our critical infrastructure.

“However, as the regulatory framework is still undergoing co-design with each of the eleven sectors and will not be finalised until after passage of the bill, many businesses have expressed concern about this uncertainty and asked for the entire bill to be paused in the current economic climate.

“While sympathetic to the concerns of industry leaders, the committee does not believe that pausing the entire bill is in Australia’s national interests given the immediate cyber threats that our nation faces.

“The committee’s recommended solution allows for the urgent measures to pass now to equip the government with the emergency powers it needs while allowing additional time for co-design to overcome the concerns of industry about the regulatory impact.

“The passage of both bills is essential because cyber-security is not just the government’s job. Industry has a role to play too and the second bill which imposes obligations on businesses is an important part of a comprehensive response to the serious challenges we face,” Senator Paterson said.

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the inquiry website.

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A NEW PROGRAM to encourage people into engineering careers has been welcomed by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the employment-based, pre-apprenticeship pathway is a great initiative by the Queensland Government at a time when our sector is experiencing skills shortages.

“Skills shortages are the number one concern of our member CEOs, according to a recent QRC report and engineering is one of those critical shortage areas,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The Pre-Apprenticeship Support program is also designed to increase the completion rate of apprenticeships. I applaud the Premier on the initiative, which includes a new Certificate I in Engineering to help people transition into an apprenticeship."

The two-year $25 million Pre-Apprenticeship Support program aims to support people looking to start a trade career or want to advance in their current trade, according to Mr Macfarlane.

“With the halt on skilled migration because of Covid-19 restrictions, we are also experiencing a shortage of trades people, so we really welcome programs that encourage people to take up trade careers," he said

Mr Macfarlane said the program complemented the efforts of QRC’s education arm, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), which is on a mission to encourage young people into professional and trade careers, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous and female participation.

“Our sector has kept the Queensland economy afloat during Covid and will also lead us through the post-Covid recovery, so attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is vital,"Mr Macfarlane said.

“Despite the uncertainty and upheaval in 2020, the resources sector remained the largest source of Queensland’s merchandise exports.

“Over the 12 months to July 2021, resources exports made up $46 billion of the state’s total merchandise exports of $60 billion.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to encourage new investment in Queensland’s critical minerals sector through a $2 billion loan facility.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the loan facility would help secure the vital resources needed to drive the new energy economy and support ‘green’ resources jobs of the future.

"The announcement of a new, $2 billion loan facility for critical minerals projects will help convert exploration interest into long-term job opportunities and support Australia’s transition to a lower emissions future,” Mr Macfarlane said.

A recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report -- referred to in the QRC’s State of the Sector report for the March quarter -- showed that a concerted effort to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement would lead to a quadrupling of mineral demand for clean energy technologies by 2040.

“The IEA report demonstrates Queensland explorers and potential explorers are in a prime position to capitalise on growing global interest in our minerals sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland mineral exploration expenditure has already grown by 32 percent over the past two financial years, according to the latest ABS exploration data, and we expect today’s announcement will help Queensland capitalise on the increased activity.”

Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) chair Kim Wainwright said Queensland had a range of critical mineral exploration projects underway that would support the world’s transition to lower emission energy.

“Queensland is highly prospective for many of the minerals used to manufacture everyday items such as smart phones, and renewable energy products like wind turbines, electric cars, solar panels and batteries,” Ms Wainwright said.

“For example, we have some critical minerals projects underway involving commodities such as vanadium, tungsten and rare earths as well as the more traditional minerals required like copper, gold and zinc, but the sector will need to expand further to realise its full potential.”

Ms Wainwright said the Queensland Government’s approval of Multicom Resources’ Saint Elmo vanadium mine near Julia Creek last week was a sign of more to come, with vanadium an in-demand component used to strengthen steel alloys and vanadium batteries, which complement lithium battery options.

“Queensland is in prime position to provide the rare earths and other critical minerals that are essential to the supply chains of the new economy minerals,” she said.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Joint Select Committee on Road Safety will hold further public hearings for its inquiry into Road Safety on October 12 and 14, 2021.

The hearing on October 12 will be an opportunity for the committee to hear from representative bodies and research institutions about road safety issues for specific cohorts of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and members of the caravan industry, as well as about targeted measures that can be taken to reduce road trauma.

Committee Chair, Darren Chester MP said, "Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are at higher risk of death and serious injury when involved in a road traffic incident, and are overrepresented in road trauma statistics. Regrettably, these road users are often overlooked in road safety strategies in favour of improving safety for passenger vehicles.

"Further, road safety initiatives often group cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians together under the heading of 'vulnerable road users', notwithstanding that these groups of road users have very different wants and needs. Accordingly, the committee will hear about the particular concerns of road users other than passenger vehicles, and about targeted solutions to improve safety outcomes."

The hearing on October 14 will be an opportunity for the committee to hear from representative bodies and state and local governments about road safety in regional, rural, and remote areas. The committee will also consider road safety concerns facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and measures that can be taken at the state and local government level to address road trauma.

Mr Chester said, "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are overrepresented in road trauma statistics, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate countermeasures which prioritise self-determination and account for the social determinants of health. In addition, we continue to see higher rates of death and serious injury on regional, rural, and remote roads, with fatality rates associated with crashes on very remote roads more than 13 times higher than fatality rates in our major cities.

"Local governments, which are responsible for managing most of our road networks, will be critical to addressing road trauma outside of our major cities, and indeed at the national level. The work of state governments will also be crucial as we look to develop integrated, holistic, nationally consistent solutions. The committee looks forward to hearing from state and local government organisations about measures that can be taken to improve safety for all Australians."

Public hearing details

Date:               Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Time:              9.30am to 5pm

Witnesses:    

Amy Gillett Foundation
AusCycling
Streets Alive Yarra
Motorcycle Council of New South Wales
Australian Motorcycle Council
Riders Action Group Western Australia
WalkSydney
Pedestrian Council of Australia
Institute for Sensible Transport
Caravan Industry Association of Australia

Date:               Thursday, 14 October 2021
Time:              9.30am to 5pm

Witnesses:    

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
National Rural Health Alliance
Australian Capital Territory Government
Tasmanian Government
Western Roads Federation
Western Australian Local Government Association
Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
Municipal Association of Victoria

Programs for the hearings are available on the committee’s website.

Due to health and safety concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, hearings will be held remotely via videoconference and will not be open for public attendance. However, interested members of the public will be able to view proceedings via the live webcast at aph.gov.au/live.

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