TAFE NSW workers are rallying in Newcastle over the loss of 678 frontline jobs and the sale of the Scone campus.

"The sale of the Scone TAFE is the latest in the Berejiklian Government's fire sale of state assets which will leave regional NSW worse off," CPSU NSW general secretary Stewart Little said.

"The sale of the Scone campus is incredibly shortsighted. The Hunter region has a youth unemployment rate of 18 percent but rather than investing in training opportunities the government is selling off campuses and cutting jobs."

News of the sale has come after TAFE NSW's own documents revealed 678 jobs were on the cutting block, via two restructures of student support services and facilities and management logistics. These job cuts include more than 470 jobs from regional areas, including 43 from Newcastle TAFE.

"Gladys Berejiklian and Dominic Perrottet are deliberately dismantling TAFE NSW piece-by-piece," Mr Little said. He was joined in the rally outside the Tighes Hill campus with Labor’s Shadow Minister for TAFE NSW, Jihad Dib and affected TAFE NSW workers.

"It's straight out of the privatisation playbook - under resource the system and then sell it off claiming the private market will do a better job. TAFE NSW should never be privatised."

Mr Little said the deliberate under investment in TAFE NSW was felt particularly in the regions.

"What do the people of NSW get from this gutting of critical training infrastructure? Fewer jobs and a hobbled education system. In the middle of the worst economic downturn the state has seen in a generation the Berejiklian government is closing pathways to prosperity."

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing road map as "an important next step in securing the investment needed for the next wave of Queensland resources projects".

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Queensland was a front-runner when it came to critical minerals, and a targeted strategy to develop the sector was essential to ensure we make the most of our resources.

Mr Macfarlane said the Morrison Government had recognised resources technologies and critical minerals processing as a focus of the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

“Queensland, and Australia, have a natural advantage when it comes to the development of these new economy minerals.  Not only do we have the reserves of the commodities, but we are leaders in the know-how and technology needed to reach their full potential,” he said.

“The Queensland Government has identified the resources sector as a major component of its economic recovery strategy through the Resources Industry Development Plan and 10-year METS Roadmap and Action plan. 

“The advancement of new economy and critical minerals will be an additional economic advantage for Queensland and will be an important focus for the Resources Industry Development Plan, alongside our high-quality coal, gas and minerals sectors.

“As Australia seeks to develop greater sovereign capability and the ability to process and manufacture more higher-value products onshore, Queensland’s vast resources can provide the building blocks across a range of sectors from Defence, to batteries and other renewable technologies," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland’s resources sector has been a pillar of economic stability for the state through the uncertainty of the pandemic. We look forward to the Queensland and Australian Governments working together with industry to fully develop the opportunities in the critical minerals sector.”

Queensland Exploration Council Chair Kim Wainwright said the Australian Government’s critical minerals roadmap highlighted some of the projects currently under development in Queensland including vanadium, nickel, cobalt and scandium projects.

“A QEC Technical Forum last month showcased a number of these projects as well as leading collaborative research between the Queensland Government and University of Queensland," Ms Wainwright said.

“The grants announced today are a welcome support for this important emerging industry,” she said.

CLICK HERE to view and for more information about the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing road map.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed a Federal Court ruling that Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) misled prospective franchisees.

Ms Carnell applauded the ACCC for taking action against Megasave, following a number of franchisee complaints to the Ombudsman’s office.

“I congratulate the ACCC for bringing proceedings against Megasave,” Ms Carnell said.

“This action taken by the regulator has resulted in the Federal Court’s judgement that Megasave breached Australian Consumer Law as well as the disqualification of Megasave’s sole director Gary Bourne from managing a corporation for five years.

“This outcome will be welcomed by the impacted franchisees who have suffered significant financial hardship and distress due to Megasave’s failure to fulfil its promises.

“More than 30 franchisees approached my office for assistance in late 2019, having spent as much as $27,500 to buy into the Megasave franchise.

“The franchisees raised a number of concerns including Megasave’s failure to pay guaranteed minimum weekly payments of around $2,000," Ms Carnell said.

“My office provided dispute resolution assistance to the franchisees under the Franchise Code of Conduct, including facilitating a group mediation.

“Aspects of the matter were referred by my office to the ACCC for its consideration and we assisted with the ACCC’s investigation.

“I encourage franchisees who believe they have been misled by a franchisor or in a franchise dispute to contact my office for assistance.”

Penalties and compensation for the affected Megasave franchisees is expected to be determined in a hearing next month.

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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A DEAL reportedly struck between unions and employer groups, that would allow retail business owners to offer part time workers more shifts without having to pay them overtime, will help generate more profit for businesses if approved by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

Under the agreement led by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia COSBOA), a part-time employee can be offered extra shifts beyond nine hours per week at their ordinary rate of pay without incurring penalty rates (up to a maximum of 38 hours a week). Currently, part-time workers are entitled to overtime if their boss makes them work beyond their normal contracted hours.

The deal, which will be submitted to the Fair Work Commission, contrasts with the Federal Government’s current proposal to allow part-time employees who work at least 16 hours a week to agree to work additional hours at their ordinary rate of pay subject to other overtime provisions in the relevant award. It also requires a shift be at least three hours long.

“This proposed change, if approved, will help employers keep their current staff on for longer, and eliminate the need to hire additional casual workers to do the same job at a slightly higher rate,” Employsure business partner Emma Dawson said. Employsure is Australia’s largest workplace relations advisor to more than 28,000 small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Currently, employers are hesitant to offer part-time workers more hours due to the overtime payable if a contract variation is not agreed. Along with benefiting the employer, this proposed change will also benefit those part time workers, who may not have previously been given those extra hours as a result.”

If passed by the FWC, the deal will greatly affect retail employers, who have had to carefully pick and choose the number and type of workers they can have on, due to the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Retail Industry Award has recently seen its final planned increase to casual weekday evening rates, giving casual workers who work hours after 6PM on Monday to Friday a minimum hour rate of 150 percent (inclusive of casual loading).

Employers looking to avoid paying those more expensive casual wages on a typical late-night shopping night, would be able to ask their current part time staff to work longer, while avoiding the extra penalty rates if the FWC approves the deal.

“Many employers who were hoping to take on extra casuals over the Christmas and summer period simply weren’t able to as a result of those increased penalty rates. Some were also stretched to breaking point due to having to pay overtime to part timers working beyond their contracted hours,” Ms Dawson said.

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