THE Indigenous Affairs Committee will this week speak with representatives from the Department of Finance, Indigenous Business Australia, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Supply Nation, Accor Hotel Group, and Voyages Indigenous Tourism in the final series of public hearings for its Inquiry into Pathways and Participation Opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Employment and Business.

Committee Chair, Julian Leeser MP, noted that this discussion would offer key stakeholders an opportunity to make final observations on matters which have arisen throughout the inquiry.

"The committee looks forward in particular to discussing the merits of current government procurement and employment policies, as well as suggested improvements which have been canvassed by various stakeholders," Mr Leeser said.

"The committee has been focused throughout this inquiry on ways to overcome some of the barriers to employment and business for Indigenous Australians. These final hearings will shed further light on opportunities to do this through various Government programs," Mr Leeser said.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 22 July 2021
Time: 12pm to 5pm AEST

A live audio stream of the hearing will be accessible at www.aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Listen.

A full program will be available at the inquiry website.

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THE NUMBER of Queensland resources company CEOs investing in low emission technology (LET) research and development has almost doubled over the past two years.

The Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) latest State of the Sector report shows more than 70 percent of CEOs are now investing in LET research compared to 40 percent in 2019.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the level of industry investment in new technologies would continue to rise rapidly as resources companies strive to reduce emissions. 

The QRC’s March 2021 quarterly report showed 65 percent of member company CEOs expect to undertake investments to reduce emissions from their own operations over the next 12 months. Nearly a quarter (22 percent) are already using renewable energy to power parts of their operations. 

“Queensland resources companies are working hard to lower emissions and reduce costs by improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy and investing in co-generation or the latest low-emission research,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Our goal is to work towards a sustainable resources sector that produces a mix of traditional and renewable energy, along with the raw materials to achieve that, to meet growing world demand for Queensland commodities. 

“If the industry gets this right, and we have the right policy settings in place to support sustainable growth, Queensland will benefit from the new investment, jobs and prosperity that come from our sector for generations to come.” 

Based on Queensland Treasury’s most recent forward estimates, traditional resource exports of coal, LNG and metals will continue to be major contributors to the state economy and employment. 

Coal export volumes are predicted to rise by 23 percent out to 2024-25 and LNG and metals exports are expected to remain stable for the same period. 

Treasury figures also anticipate a broadening of the resources sector due to increasing demand for Queensland’s critical minerals and rare earths used in the production of emerging technologies.   

In more good news for the state’s resources sector, a recent International Energy Agency report said reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement would mean a quadrupling of mineral demand for clean energy technologies by 2040.    

An even faster transition, to hit net-zero globally by 2050, would require a six-fold rise in demand for minerals by 2040, largely driven by the increasing use of electrification, electric vehicles and battery storage. 

Mr Macfarlane said the resources industry is already well down the path of electrification, a critical first step in reducing the emission footprint of operations.     

“Many of our company’s compressor stations, conveyor belts, draglines, grinding mills and reverse osmosis plants are already electrified,” he said. 

“Our CEOs are telling us they’re considering everything from green power contracts to battery-operated underground vehicles as a way to reduce their carbon footprint.” 

The latest State of the Sector report also confirmed the number one concern for Queensland CEOs – for the seventh consecutive quarter – is the global economy. 

This is followed by concerns about the industry’s social licence to operate, which sits in equal second place with concerns about uncertain or poor government regulation. 

“Social licence to operate has moved from fourth to second place in this latest report, which shows CEOs know they need to meet community expectations around a project’s environmental impact and social benefits,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Likewise, the importance of having the right policy settings in place to attract global investors and stimulate growth is an absolute priority for our industry. 

“That’s why the QRC is working so closely with the State Government on rolling out a game-changing Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan. 

“This plan has the potential to set Queensland up for sustainable growth across the resources sector for decades, and to become a reliable, trusted supplier of high-quality energy and materials to the world."

www.qrc.org.au

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THE House Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has announced the dates for its July public hearings with a range of health and allied health stakeholders.

The Committee had planned to hold these hearings at various locations across the country, including Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. COVID-19 restrictions have meant these hearings will now be held via videoconference.

The Committee will hear from organisations, governments, and individuals on workforce concerns and service accessibility. The Committee will also enquire into digital models of service, affordability, and the capacity of mental health initiatives to meet the needs of at-risk communities.

Chair of the Committee, Dr Fiona Martin MP, said, "These upcoming hearings give the Committee an opportunity to explore how best to utilise the mental health workforce to ensure the safety, accessibility, equity and quality of mental health services across Australia. The public hearings enable the Committee to build upon its evidence base and understand pressing issues across the mental health and suicide prevention sectors."

The final report of the Committee is due to be presented by November 1, 2021.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 21 July 2021
Time: 10am to 4:30pm AEST

Date: Monday 26 July 2021
Time: 9:30am to 4pm AEST

Date: Wednesday 28 July 2021
Time: 10am to 4pm AEST

Date: Thursday 29 July 2021
Time: 10am to 4pm AEST

The public hearing programs will be available on the Committee website. Due to the public hearings being held by videoconference, public access will be available via the live broadcast at aph.gov.au/live.

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636

Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
eheadspace 1800 650 890

Kids Help Line 1800 551 800

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson has welcomed the additional support to small businesses impacted by protracted lockdowns, announced by the Australian Government.

From week four of the lockdown, small and family businesses that have suffered a 30 percent decline in turnover, will receive 40 percent of their payroll payments (between $1500 and $10,000 per week) so long as staffing levels are maintained.

Sole traders who have experienced a 30 prcent fall in revenue will receive $1,000 per week.

The payments are co-funded by the Federal and NSW Governments and will be administered by Services NSW.

“Extended lockdowns and COVID restrictions have been devastating for many Australian small and family businesses,” Mr Billson said.

“This latest Commonwealth commitment is in line with our calls for a clear national framework that identifies what support will be available as lockdowns and restrictions are introduced.

“Small and family businesses that have an understanding of what government support can be counted on when public health measures come into effect, are given a greater opportunity to plan and navigate their business through the difficult period.

“Of course the small business community needs support from the private sector as well and the banks have led with the re-activation of measures to help small businesses with loan repayments," Mr Billson said.

“It is critical that other service providers and suppliers, such as landlords and utility companies, follow suit.

“Unfortunately there has been a worrying deterioration in payment times over recent months. Now is not the time to delay paying small business supplier invoices when cash flow is essential to their survival and recovery.

“There is no doubt that lockdowns and trading restrictions put small and family businesses under enormous pressure.

“It is vital small business owners know that help is available if they need it. We welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to provide an additional $17 million in funding to crucial mental health support services," he said.

“I encourage those in small and family businesses who are struggling to cope, to reach out by visiting our My Business Health web portal or registering for Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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QUEENSLAND resources companies have been asked to put their hands up to help roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in regional communities once vaccine supplies increase in the coming weeks and months.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is working with the Queensland and Australian governments, Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) to determine how members can help with transport, logistics, facilities and medical staff to fast-track a regional vaccination program.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane has sent a survey to all members to gauge what level of support the Queensland resources sector can provide over the coming months.

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC would work with the State Government, Queensland Health’s Primary Health Networks and Hospitals, state-based vaccine delivery authorities and local councils to give regional Queenslanders faster access to vaccinations.

“Right through the COVID crisis, the health and safety of our employees and the regional communities in which we operate has always been our top priority,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“If we can go a step further to safeguard regional Queenslanders by supporting the ‘Team Australia’ vaccination roll-out, I know resources companies will do what they can to help out.”

Last week the MCA attended a roundtable meeting with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Vaccine Taskforce head Lieutenant General John Frewen to discuss how Australia’s business community could expedite the vaccine roll-out once more stocks became available.

As a result, the QRC and other MCA members around Australia have been asked to consider how resources companies can ‘encourage, incentivise and participate’ in a national vaccination program.

Mr Macfarlane said more details around vaccine availability and the roll-out program still need to be provided by government, but in the meantime the QRC is compiling a list of resources companies with the capacity to help fast-track vaccinations in regional areas.

www.qrc.org.au

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LEADING WEALTH manager Atlas Advisors Australia has taken a joint stake in key domestic tourism asset, Hunter Valley Zoo at Nulkaba, NSW.

Atlas Advisors Australia is the sole co-investor in ASX-listed Elanor Investors Group’s Elanor Wildlife Park Fund which purchased the property, bringing the total value of the fund to $60 million.

Atlas Advisors Australia is also joint shareholder in Elanor Wildlife Park Fund’s two other iconic wildlife park assets, Featherdale Wildlife Park, in Western Sydney and Mogo Zoo at Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.

Atlas Advisors Australia executive chairman, Guy Hedley said Atlas Advisors Australia Hunter Valley Zoo was a prime tourism and real estate asset that would thrive in the long-term.

Nature-based and eco-tourism is a rapidly growing sub-sector of the tourism industry in Australia and around the world, he said. Hunter Valley Zoo boasts an amazing diversity of native and exotic wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, lions, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys and reptiles.

“Wildlife parks and zoos have remained resilient and profitable despite COVID-19 posing the greatest challenges the Australian tourism sector has ever faced,” Mr Hedley said.

“Individuals and families are keen for outdoor adventures that connect them with nature and our unique environment while also providing life-long educational experiences.”

Atlas Advisors Australia would continue to leverage its valuable relationship with property experts Elanor Investors Group to expand its tourism and tourist-property assets.

“We are looking forward to taking on more opportunities in this thriving tourism subsector while also expanding our asset portfolio to include nature retreats, luxury resorts and high-quality hotels,” Mr Hedley said.

Mr Hedley said it was also notwithstanding that Australia’s borders would remain closed until mid-2022.

About Atlas Advisors Australia

Atlas Advisors Australia is a leading funds manager, operating between China and Australia. With operations in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia and Hong Kong, Atlas is able to support investors in all China and Australia locations.

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INTERNATIONAL Exhibition and Conference Group Pty Ltd has been closely monitoring and considering the current situation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2021 Workplace Health and Safety Show Sydney.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty of border closures and lockdowns by various State Governments, the difficult decision has been made to reschedule the Workplace Health and Safety Show Sydney until September 20 and 21, 2022.

‘’After speaking with our exhibitors, who share our disappointment, we are buoyed by their excitement and eagerness to take part in the re-scheduled event in Sydney 2022. We are now in the fortunate position of being able to offer our partners, sponsors, visitors and entire safety community the choice of two events in 2022,” IEC Group Aust Pty Ltd chief executive officer Marie Kinsella said.

The Workplace Health and Safety Shows are the biggest such events in the Australia-Pacific Region and will now be held in 2022 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 25-26 and Sydney Showground from September 20-21, 2022

The Workplace Health and Safety Show is regarded as Australia’s leading workplace health and safety event spanning across two days. Destined to be more than just an exhibition, the Workplace Health & Safety Show, promises a live, interactive two-way learning experience with a trade show featuring over 100 brands, thought-provoking talks and interactive forums, led by the industry’s finest, who will shed light on everything from workplace mental health to game-changing new technologies, and the dizzying world of ever-changing safety regulations.

The Workplace Health and Safety Show is a must attend event for all safety professionals from a range of industries including manufacturing, building/construction, mining, councils/local government, hospitals, transport and more.  Professionals  have the broadest range of offerings under the one roof where they can compare, buy and stay updated on the latest policies and resources.

MELBOURNE
When: Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May 2022
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

SYDNEY
When: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September 2022
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

https://www.whsshow.com.au/

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A NEW parliamentary committee has been appointed to investigate how to reduce trauma and deaths on Australian roads.

The Joint Select Committee on Road Safety will build on the work of the previous committee and will investigate and identify opportunities to improve road safety programs and policy; embed road trauma prevention across agencies; and reduce road trauma in the workplace.

Committee Chair, Pat Conaghan MP, said over 1000 people die on our roads every year while tens of thousands are hospitalised.

"This inquiry will focus on the practical and immediate steps that can be taken to reduce trauma and deaths on our roads," Mr Conaghan said.

"The committee will be focusing on what can be done in the short to medium term to achieve real and tangible results. We need to focus on action and cooperation in the prevention of further trauma and deaths on our road networks. We will also focus attention on ensuring the Federal Government’s 2021-22 Budget commitment of $3 billion over three years to the Road Safety Program continues to be effective."

For many Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional Australia, our roads are an essential and unavoidable means of travel. Rural and regional Australians are disproportionately impacted by road trauma, with two‑thirds of deaths on Australian roads in 2019 occurring in regional or remote areas.

Vehicles and our roads are also a workplace for many Australians. More than half of all worker fatalities in Australia are related to vehicles.

"We always have to remember that these are people not just statistics. They are mums and dads picking the kids up from school; truck drivers keeping our supermarkets stocked; cyclists and pedestrians heading to work; farmers driving into town to re-supply; and gig‑economy delivery workers," Mr Conaghan said.

He said it was important that Australia explored options to meet its road safety targets.

"We must all work together towards zero deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads by 2050. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our roads," Mr Conaghan said.

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