THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the announcement by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to invest $100 million into autonomous haulage trucks at its Daunia coal mine in the Bowen Basin.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the Queensland coal industry was an early adopter of technology and a world leader in creating the long term jobs of the future through automation.

“What we are seeing from the resources sector, such as BMA today, is companies building high-tech capacity into their operations to improve safety and efficiency,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Technology is a multiplier of jobs and through this investment up to 10 regional businesses including Indigenous businesses would share in $35 million worth of contracts, creating 150 project jobs on top of the 56 new permanent jobs on site.

“In addition Hastings Deering would see an additional 30 regional jobs to work on fitting and converting the trucks.

“Queensland’s resources industry will continue to invest in technology to ensure it maintains leading practices in safety and innovation which will secure the sector’s competitiveness over other mining jurisdictions around the world.”

BMA said the rollout of the Caterpillar trucks would be completed by the end of 2021.

www.qrc.org.au

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INDUSTRY SUPER FUNDS are poised to spend $19.5 billion on projects across Australia as part of a three-year investment pipeline that will create more than 200,000 jobs.

The capital expenditure was identified as part of a comprehensive survey of industry super funds, IFM Investors and Industry Super Property Trust (ISPT).

The projects will be a key feature of a new advertising campaign fronted by Industry Super Australia (ISA) chair Greg Combet, which highlights how Industry SuperFunds’ investments will help get member balances and the economy growing again.

The projects include new commercial construction, redevelopments, public infrastructure upgrades and making assets more energy efficient.

“We’re already big investors, but we’ve got much more planned that will not only grow our members’ balances but generate jobs and economic activity across Australia," Mr Combet said.

“Government will need to mobilise private investment to create jobs and stimulate the economy – the super system will be vital for this task and industry funds will play a significant role.”

“Crucial to the industry funds contribution to economic recovery will be policy stability in the super system.”

Industry super fund members already collectively own more than $104 billion in Australian infrastructure, property, and other physical assets. These investments create jobs and drive productivity and growth.

The profits generated by these investments have been critical to the good performance of the funds with members reaping the benefits through strong returns. Analysis shows that $100 invested in unlisted assets 15 years ago is now worth $510, in comparison $100 invested in international shares would be worth $351 now.   

The survey has also revealed the funds are venturing into new investment opportunities across many sectors – ploughing billions into aged care, affordable housing, direct lending to business and agriculture.     

Since the Covid-19 downturn Industry SuperFunds have poured hundreds of millions into the balance sheets of good Australian business, this helps them to rebuild and to expand operations.

And there could be billions more to come, at the end of the Global Financial Crisis superannuation funds provided a significant portion of the $120 billion in capital raised by local businesses.

Industry super funds hold a major stake in Australia’s economic life. They invest in Australian listed companies - holding 10 percent of the ASX – are active in debt markets, have significant infrastructure and property holdings and invest in the wider Australian financial system.  

The super system needs a strong Australian economy to deliver for members, and the economy needs a strong super system to support its recovery.

The campaign (which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/RoRYeb7Mmeg) will run across mass media markets including broadcast TV, digital and catch-up TV, online, throughout social media and more. The Shannon Company is the creative agency and ISA’s director of marketing is Alana Burnside.

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THE CFMEU NSW has placed a 'green ban' on the demolition of the Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces buildings in Parramatta, earmarked for destruction by the NSW Government as part of plans for the new Powerhouse Parramatta.

"These green bans mean no work can be done to destroy these historically significant sites," said Darren Greenfield, CFMEU NSW secretary.

"If the Berejiklian government wants work on the museum to proceed they need to sit down with the local community, listen to what they say and come up with a plan that preserves these buildings," he said.

"The local community, through the North Parramatta Residents Action Group, has campaigned for years to save these two heritage buildings and they are supported by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and the Historic Houses Association.

"The CFMEU is proud to stand with the community in support of this important campaign. This is the first green ban the CFMEU has put in place since the recent passing of Jack Mundey who inspired a generation of unionists and community activists to fight for our shared built, cultural, and environmental heritage.

“As shown by the recent success of the green ban on the Bondi Beach Pavilion, the CFMEU won’t stand by while local communities are ignored and important heritage sites are destroyed," Mr Greenfield said.

“Built in the 1870s as a residential home, Willow Grove is a rare remaining example of Victorian Italiante Villa in Parramatta. Many generations of people in the Parramatta community were born there during the three decades it served as a maternity hospital between 1919 and 1953.

“The Berejiklian government has ignored the local community and refused to look at alternative designs that incorporate these two heritage buildings in the design,” said Darren Greenfield.

Suzette Meade, spokesperson for North Parramatta Residents Action Group said, "For four years the community has tried to reason with Premier Berejiklian. Over this time we’ve offered solutions but they have been ignored.  We will not stand by and watch as more local heritage is destroyed.

"The Berejiklian government bulldozed Parramatta's war memorial pool, then it was the historic Royal Oak Hotel - a hotel older than Perth. This hotel was knocked down in the dead of night.  Premier Berejiklian should be under no illusion; if the destruction of Willow Grove or St Georges Terraces commences people will be prepared to put their bodies in front of machinery," Ms Meade said.

"Jack Mundey saved Sydney's historic Rocks precinct. Jack's recent passing has reminded all of us that to simply be passive will only accelerate the destruction of Australia's heritage and our activities honour Jack Mundey’s legacy," she said.

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AUSTRALIA'S accommodation sector has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement to open Queensland borders from midday this Friday.
 
The Accommodation Association, the industry’s peak body, said the decision will bring much needed relief to the many hotels, motels, serviced apartments, resorts, caravan parks and accommodation providers at the heart of Queensland’s tourism sector.

Accommodation Australia CEO Dean Long said the Accommodation Association represented close to 3,500 hotels, over 150,000 rooms and nearly 100,000 employees across Australia. He said accommodation contributed $17 billion to the Australian economy each year.

About 60,000 tourism accommodation jobs have been lost due to COVID-19 with 8,000 Queenslanders now unemployed.

“This announcement has brought a big smile to the faces of our Queensland hotel, motel and accommodation operators," Mr Long said. "While leisure travel is just a small part of revenue and on-going government support is critical to help the sector through the ongoing restrictions, this is a very welcome announcement.
 
“For the many locals who work in the accommodation sector, the prospect of being able to welcome guests once again as restrictions on travel and gatherings ease is great news," Mr Long said.
 
“The accommodation sector has adjusted quickly from the get-go to implement all the recommended health measures. The systems, cleaning protocols and necessary measures are all in place and we’re ready to open for business.”

About the  Accommodation Association
The Accommodation Association represents over 80 percent of all known accommodation providers from small regional parks, caravan parks, serviced apartments and resorts through to the largest hotel groups in the world including Accor, Hilton, Wyndam Destinations and IHG.

www.aaoa.com.au

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