THRIVE, a not for profit organisation that provides small loans and business support to refugees, today welcomed the NSW Governor’s visit to businesses in Western Sydney it has supported.

The visit demonstrated Thrive’s positive impact on refugees’ lives and the communities in which they live.

Thrive CEO Mahir Momand said he was honoured to host General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) and Mrs Linda Hurley and be given the opportunity to show them first hand how businesses are benefiting from Thrive loans and its business mentoring program, and to share the story of Thrive’s success.

The Governor visited Saheleh Rahmati Reysani, manager and owner of Sahel Beauty in Parramatta, and Jamei Mahmood, owner of signage company Oxin Signs in Merrylands.

“It is such an honour to host the Governor and introduce him to Saheleh and Jamei who are wonderful examples of Thrive success stories,” Mr Mahir said.

“Both of them have worked extremely hard since arriving in Australia and with Thrive’s support, they have established very successful businesses in Western Sydney and achieved financial independence.”

Thrive, which launched in NSW in April 2016 and expanded to Victoria six months later, has lent a total of $2.5 million to people of refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds which has helped establish more than 130 businesses and create 158 permanent jobs.

The Governor said Thrive was a wonderful initiative which was having a transformative impact on the lives of many.

“Thrive is not only meeting a clear demand, but is playing a very important role in helping people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds actively contribute to the economy, society, and their local communities.”

“I was delighted to receive the invitation from Thrive to visit these businesses and learn about how Thrive has helped them achieve success.”

www.thriverefugeeenterprise.org.au

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THE co-chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Jackie Huggins and Rod Little, know only too well the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing needs in this country.

“We have joined with Indigenous Peoples from across the world to bring together strong voices. Calling for our Rights to Shelter and Safe Housing.” said Mr Little, co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

"For too long we have had the embarrassment of Third World housing in remote Australia, this is whilst the nation has enjoyed economic booms which have not benefited our peoples or our communities. This is hidden from the United Nations. No more! 

"It’s time to join our brothers and sisters from around the world. This is a call to all first peoples to come join our partners NATSIHA to find solutions," he said.

"We have been guided our brothers and sisters in Canada where the inaugural conference was held in 2012 to here today, the 20th November 2018, on the Gold Coast at the Entertainment Centre to launch the 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference. 

"Headlining our launch will be a message from the Hon Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships."

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples co-chair Dr Jackie Huggins said, “This is serious business, time for solutions with advice from those that live in our Australian communities and communities across the world. We have attempted to negotiate with the Federal government, participated in government policies and not enough has occurred to support communities and families."

"The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, as the peak organisation with over 9000 individual members and 180 organisations, is seizing this opportunity with both hands for the change that is needed. We have waited far too long. It’s time for change, shelter is a human right.

"This media launch is an opportunity to call out to Indigenous people from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to come together for change."

Mr Little said, “Our Peoples know the importance of adequate and affordable housing is to education, health, safety and well-being of families. This conference will highlight that whilst governments squabble over money, basic needs and rights are being ignored, health is declining at alarming proportions and poverty increases.

"A change is coming is the theme song that translates to a basic human right. Come and join us to alert the world that the clock is ticking for the 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference."

For more information about the World Indigenous Housing Conference, visit: www.2019wihc.com

ABOUT NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PEOPLES
 
National Congress is the peak organisation representing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Congress was established following extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and leaders and has represented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the federal level since 2010. National Congress represents close to 10,000 individual members from across Australia as well as over 180 peak and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

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THE ACCC has decided not to oppose Santos Limited’s (ASX: STO) proposed acquisition of Quadrant Energy Holdings Pty Ltd.

THE Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) issued a Summary of Standards for the professional standards framework for financial advisers at 7:30pm on Friday November 16, 2018, as well as two draft legislative instruments.

The Summary of Standards provides an overview of the key parameters for each of the standards which will be reflected in the forthcoming legislative instruments and associated documentation.

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is now working through the detail and these FASEA developments will be the focus of an FPA Board meeting taking place on Wednesday November 21 in the morning before the start of the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress that afternoon.

The FPA is keenly aware of the many questions and concerns of its membership, the public, and the financial planning profession about the implications of this latest update, and is applying the necessary time and resources to a considered response.

"We will not be commenting in detail on this latest FASEA update until the right people and the FPA Board specifically has given it due priority attention," FPA CEO Dante De Gori, CPF said.

"What I can say is that one of our major priorities is to ensure that further detail is sought from FASEA regarding the practical operation of the proposed Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and what study/courses will be included in this process. There are more questions that naturally arise out of this Summary of Standards, and we're working closely with FASEA and our members to advocate for what we believe are the right answers, in due course."

Stephen Glenfield, CEO of FASEA, will be addressing delegates at the FPA Professionals Congress at ICC Sydney on Thursday morning November 22 and is expected to share more details of the announcement with those already registered to attend the event.

Following this, FPA Head of Policy and Standards, Ben Marshan CFP will run a Congress workshop at
10:30am titled FASEA: The new standards explained.

Over the coming weeks, FASEA will continue to release the legislative instruments for each of the standards. The two already announced are:
● Provisional Relevant Provider Expression Legislative Instrument
● Work and Training (Professional Year) Legislative Instrument.

There will be a very short consultation period for each legislative instrument, before FASEA then finalises each. The FPA is working closely, actively and with full advocacy for the interests of the Australian public, and current and future financial planning professionals. 

About the FPA
The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) represents the interests of the public and Australia’s professional community of financial planners. The Association is unrivalled in its reach of the financial planning market, influence on government and regulators, standards set through a world-class Code of Professional Practice, unique position as the certification body in Australia for the global CFP® designation, and reputation for quality professional development. With a growing membership of more than 14,000 members and affiliates, the FPA is home to Australia’s 5,700 CFP professionals. Building on a 20 plus year legacy, the FPA represents the changing face of the financial planning profession.

For more information, visit www.fpa.com.au

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