THE Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee today tabled the report for its mining inquiry, entitled Keep it in the regions: Mining and resources industry support for businesses in regional economies.

A key issue during the inquiry was the terms of payment offered by mining companies to their suppliers and contractors in regional areas. 

The Committee is pleased to be able to announce that, since the inquiry was launched, resource companies Anglo American and Peabody have decided to offer payment terms of 30 days or better to all Australian small and medium sized enterprises.

In addition, Australia’s biggest mining company, BHP submitted that it has now changed its payment terms policy to provide terms of 30 days or better to all locally-based supplier businesses – regardless of size.

"This change will benefit up to 700 local businesses around Australia," said Committee Chair, Barnaby Joyce MP.

"Mining companies have essentially been using regional businesses as a bank," Mr Joyce said, "It’s time for this practice to stop. Our Nation has an obligation to make sure that in the region where the wealth is extracted, the greatest benefit goes back to the people who live in the same area."

Deputy Chair, Luke Gosling MP, agreed, saying, "The Committee calls on all mining companies operating in Australia to provide fair payment terms to regional businesses.

"If the industry does not act, the Committee is recommending the Government revisit legislating maximum payment terms," Mr Gosling said.  

The Committee’s report also makes recommendations aimed at increasing local procurement by mining and resources companies, addressing gaps in regional areas around skills, training and apprenticeships, and building innovation through the mining equipment, technology and services (METS)  sector.

Other key issues for the inquiry were the impacts of FIFO work practices and the mining industry’s interactions with landholders.

"If you look back at the history, mining companies used to build whole towns – Murrumba and Dysart for example. Now they prefer to fly their workers in and out and do the bare minimum for the nearby towns. Benefits from mining should be long term, not boom and bust," Mr Joyce said.

"One thing we do know is that communities thrive when their workers and families live in the area and can contribute to the local economy. The Committee made some recommendations around this issue, but we think industry bodies like the Minerals Council of Australia also have a role to play in making sure their members do the right thing," Mr Joyce said.

The report will be available on the Committee’s website.

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BORDER and maritime security, as well as trade enforcement were high on the agenda at the 5th Australia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) Customs Bilateral Meeting in Canberra on November 27.

Hosted by the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner, Michael Outram APM, the meeting with Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) marked the end of a highly successful year for the Australia-PNG relationship.

Commissioner Outram reaffirmed the ABF’s commitment to working with the PNGCS as a trusted border security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We share many strategic challenges and opportunities with our PNG counterparts and other customs organisations in the region and it’s vital we are always looking for ways to collaborate, particularly on matters of intelligence, innovation and development,” Commissioner Outram said.

“Today’s meetings with representatives from across the Home Affairs portfolio ensures that the PNGCS has access to a breadth of operational, regulatory and policy experience and expertise.

“The ABF, along with the Department of Home Affairs, committed to continue officer exchange programs and other strategic programs to ensure our strong relationship with the PNGCS continues to grow.”

The Home Affairs portfolio provided extensive capacity building and advisory assistance to PNG border security agencies for PNG APEC 2018.

Following the plenary meetings, a post-APEC Corroboree celebration was organised for the PNGCS, which involved an indigenous performance and gifting ceremony.

“The success of APEC 2018 will leave a lasting legacy for PNG, and we recognise the generations of close border security and customs cooperation between our agencies,” Commissioner Outram said.

www.abf.gov.au

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ARTIFICIAL intelligence, biotechnology, ethical clothing and boutique wines are some of the big winners in the latest round of the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants for 2018.

A total of $286,000 will be shared between 16 local small businesses and social enterprises, with the council voting to also hold two funding rounds of the flagship grants program in 2019.

Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley, said the two funding rounds would help the City of Melbourne to support more small businesses than ever.

“Small business is the lifeblood of our city, making up almost 80 per cent of Melbourne’s total businesses,” Cr Riley said.

“The Small Business Grants program is one of the most successful run by the City of Melbourne.

“Between 2006 and 2016 alone, $3.5 million in funding was provided to 200 small businesses, assisting them to generate $70.9 million of gross turnover, $58.3 million of equity investment, creating more than 900 jobs and $2.9 million of export earnings.

“These are incredible numbers and a testament to why providing support to small businesses is so vital."

Melbourne’s knowledge sector is front and centre of the successful 2018 grant recipients, with nine of the 16 recipients working in the technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology industries.

The City of Melbourne Small Business Grants Program has been running since 1996, awarding over $8.3 million in funding to almost 400 small businesses.

“Now more than ever we need to continue supporting new and emerging businesses that make Melbourne their home and are so crucial to our city’s economy and prosperity,” Cr Riley said.

“I’m incredibly excited to announce this year’s successful recipients, who represent some of the most innovative and unique businesses which are changing the face of our city.”

Notable previous Small Business Grants recipients include KeepCup (2008), KokoBlack (2003),Melbourne Rooftop Honey (2011), UbiPark (2015), Reground (2017), Code Like a Girl (2017), Hidden Secret Tours (2002), West Space (1999) and e.g.etal (1998), which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

“I look forward to seeing what this year’s grant recipients can achieve, and encourage those who may have missed out this year to apply for our new expanded program in 2019,” Cr Riley said.

An expanded Small Business Grants program will include two funding rounds each year, mentoring, an alumni network, support for Aboriginal businesses and a ‘new development’ grant category.

For more information on the Small Business Grants, and to view the 2018 successful recipients, visit the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants Program website.

2018 SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS: SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS

Startup Category:

• ColourSpace Gallery
• Dreamwalk Apps
• MagicPi
• Justice Denim
• Viva La Cup
• Tilly
• She’s A Crowd
• Act of Wine
• Umps Health
• Zero Impact

Expansion Category:

• 10 Tickles Animation & Design
• Christine
• Girl Geek Academy
• Ion Opticks
• Silverpond
• The Sneaker Laundry

WITH Santa and his reindeers scheduled to leave the North Pole in just a few short weeks, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan are predicting Australians to spend more than $51 billion over the Christmas trading period from November 9 to December 24, 2018.

The ARA expects Aussie shoppers will be dashing through local shops to purchase the ultimate gifts for their friends and family this Christmas, and Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA said shoppers will be turning to retail stores to tick presents off their lists.

“With the festive season commencing in less than two days, most Aussies will be in the process of setting-up their Christmas lights and decorating their Christmas trees in preparation for the upcoming festivities,” Mr Zimmerman said.

"Likewise, retailers have also followed suit, embellishing their store windows with captivating displays and offering a variety of new and exciting products for consumers to spoil their loved ones with.”

With the ARA and Roy Morgan expecting shoppers to increase their spending in the ‘Other retailing’ category by 2.7 percent, products from the Electronics and Hi-Fi categories are projected to be highly sought-after this Christmas, with Ryan Murtagh CEO at Neto explaining the uprise in popularity from this category.

“Being connected is now cheaper, easier and cooler than ever before. With new gadgets and technology hitting the high street, there is now a marketplace for both tech-savvy youngsters and adults to indulge in these products, providing significant opportunities for retailers who operate in this category,” Mr Murtagh said. 

According to the Neto State of E-Commerce report, the electronics category saw a 22 percent year-on-year growth in 2018.

With the average basket size for this category in excess of $116, Cameron Trainor, managing director at JB Hi-Fi, said the demand for personal devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops and advanced internet of things (IoT) connected devices like Google Home and Smart TVs have contributed to the high volume of rapid growth in the electronics category.

“Gaming, fitness accessories, smart home technologies and robotics are amongst the most popular items for consumers to purchase this Christmas. Our retailers are stocked and ready to go with innovative products to stimulate consumer preferences ahead of the upcoming festive season,” Mr Trainor said.

Hitwise’s Weekly Internal Site Searches data from eBay reveals gaming consoles, including Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, are the top trending products for Christmas, with wireless headphones and drones amongst the top 10 most popular searches, the ARA believe retailers who specialise in electronics will have a bountiful Christmas this year.

“As mentioned in Neto’s State of E-Commerce report, the electronics and hi-fi markets are worth a considerable $3 billion, and the ARA suspect gaming consoles and smart home technology products will be flying off the shelves this Christmas,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Christmas is the season of giving and with a fantastic range of technology on offer this festive season, Christmas trees across Australia will be filled with new and exciting and gifts to unwrap on the big day.”

ARA Roy Morgan Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions

November 9 – December 24, 2018

2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by Category

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by State

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

https://www.retail.org.au/christmas-predictions/

Neto’s 2018 State of eCommerce Report

Hitwse’s Hot Holiday Products and Top Toys.

About the Australian Retailers Association:
Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 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 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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