THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has announced that submissions for the 2019 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are open.

This year’s awards will be held on August 15 at Myer Mural Hall, in front of 500 esteemed guests from across the country and will highlight the achievements accomplished by the breadth of talent across the ever-evolving retail landscape.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said he was thrilled to acknowledge the retail leaders who are propelling the industry forward, through Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program.

“The ARA Awards have now celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years and throughout this time, we have seen the retail industry enrich the lives of many Australians,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“As the industry continues to grow, the ARA believes it is important to recognise the dedicated retailers who have moulded retail into what is it today, and who continue to contribute to the vibrancy of retail.” 

The ARA is pleased to have major event sponsor, eftpos on board for the sixth consecutive year in a row, with Warwick Ponder, executive manager of Corporate Affairs and Communication expressing his support for Australian retailers.

“For over three decades eftpos has been the leading transaction provider for Australian shoppers and merchants and have revolutionised the way customers pay for goods and services,” Mr Ponder said.

“As retail makes vital contributions to the longevity of the Australian economy, we are proud to sponsor this incredible Awards program and recognise the Australian retailers who are the face of this industry.”

This year’s Awards includes 12 categories showcasing the diverse leaders in Australian retail – from digital retailers to national organisations, exceptional employees and cutting-edge store fit-outs. 

However, one of the most exciting additions to this year’s awards is the 2019 Retail Business Woman of the Year Award, which aims to honour the remarkable female leaders in the retail industry. 

“Through the successful application of our Women in Retail Series, the ARA have been inspired by the incredible stories shared by the strong female leaders working within the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

“With 57.7 percent of retail employees being female, the ARA believe it's important to acknowledge the achievements made by talented female retailers and hopes it will motivate young women across the nation to consider a personal and professionally fulfilling career in retail.” 

The ARA has already received an abundance of nominations and encourages all retailers to submit an entry or nominate an extraordinary retail employee before Friday May 17.

All submissions are free and category details, eligibility and registration forms are available now at www.retail.org.au/2019-ara-retail-awards.

“The industry is filled with such a rich portfolio of retailers, and the 2019 ARA Retail Awards are the perfect way to pay homage to the passionate retailers who are the backbone of this dynamic and thriving sector,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

“We welcome retailers from all walks of the industry to take up this excellent opportunity and nominate their chosen organisation or exceptional individual who are paving the future of the retail.”

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $320 billion-dollar sector, which employs more than 1.3 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,800 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE 2019 ELECTION year Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, April 2, and the ABC will have extensive coverage on all its platforms.

Coverage begins at 7:30pm (AEDT), as the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hands down his first Federal Budget live from Canberra on the eve of an election campaign.

From 8pm, our expert team of Leigh Sales, Andrew Probyn, Laura Tingle and Barrie Cassidy will discuss the winners and losers and what the budget means to you, with insights from Greg Jennett and Annabel Crabb.

The Budget Special will include the first interview with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, as well as an interview with Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen.

The coverage and analysis of Budget 2019 continues on ABC NEWS channel from 9pm (AEDT) with extended analysis by Greg Jennett, Andrew Probyn and Emma Alberici, who will be joined by Patricia Karvelas and Ian Verrender.

At 9.30pm (AEDT) Elysse Morgan presents a half hour special of The Business featuring:

• Mathias Cormann - Finance Minister
• Jim Chalmers - Shadow Finance Minister
• Diane Smith-Gander - Australian Business Executive
• Simon McKeon - Chancellor of Monash University

At 10pm (AEDT), there will be a late-night special edition of The Drum simulcast on ABC and ABC NEWS channel, hosted by Ellen Fanning, talking to leaders of the Australian business community for their reaction to the budget. Joining Ellen Fanning will be:

• Ketan Joshi – energy, science and technology expert
• Phil Coorey - Political Editor for the Australian Financial Review
• Wesley Enoch – artistic director and playwright

ABC will also broadcast Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s Budget Reply speech at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday, April 4, followed by extended coverage and analysis on ABC NEWS channel from 8pm (AEDT).

www.abc.net.au

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“MASTER Builders Australia welcomes the announcement of Labor’s Build to Rent tax concessions that will encourage institutional investment in housing and boost residential building activity,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said. 

“However, Labor’s announcement that its increase of capital gains tax and restrictions on negative gearing will start from January 1, 2020 does nothing to allay concerns about the impact on building activity and the housing supply. 

“Our modelling that shows Labor’s policy will reduce the number of new homes by up to 42,000 and deprive the economy of up to $11.8 billion worth of building activity,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Master Builders Forecasts tell us that we need 62,000 new homes built each year to meet the community’s demand for housing. 

“We need all incentives for investment on the table rather than taking away incentives from one part of the market to prop up another,” Ms Wawn said. 

“This is just robbing Peter to pay Paul."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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STRONG PROJECTIONS for key Queensland resource commodities was good news for the state’s economy, jobs, exports and royalty revenue, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.
 
Mr Macfarlane said the Australian Government’s Office of Chief Economist report had forecast strong market conditions for metallurgical and thermal coal, LNG, bauxite, copper and zinc.
 
“A strong and supported Queensland resources sector means a stronger Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.
 
“Figures in the latest Resources and Energy quarterly projects growing demand from India and south-east Asia which means even more exports, even more royalty taxes and even more jobs for Queensland.
 
“The resources sector already contributed more than $60 billion of Queensland’s exports, more than $5 billion in royalty taxes, more than 316,000 jobs across the State and will deliver an extra $1 billion in company tax to next week’s Federal Budget due to higher metallurgical coal prices. 

“I am urging Queensland community groups, charities, local councils and other industries to nominate their project and cause for this maroon money through our Maroon Fund (see link below).”

Mr Macfarlane said it was critical there was stable and predictable policy and royalty tax rates or Queensland will fail to benefit from the improved outlook across key commodities.
 
“The reality is that Queensland is a leading supplier of coal, LNG, bauxite, copper and zinc, but we are not alone,” he said.
 
“Haphazard or anti-investment policy will only allow our competitors to improve their market share, attract new investment, create new jobs and return more taxes to their own governments.”

Maroon Fund nominations.

www.qrc.org.au

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