THE CONTRAST between resources-friendly Queensland and the Southern States has deepened, with yet more investment in the local gas industry while other states remain locked up according to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane has welcomed Queensland Resources Minister Anthony Lynham’s announcement that another four companies would explore for gas on more than 6600 square kilometres in the Surat and Bowen Basins, and the Eromanga and Adavale Basins.

“We back our resources industry in Queensland, and that means we’re in the box seat to supply local gas users and support local jobs,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“This latest release of land from the Queensland Government, with the condition that gas developed be used to supply the domestic market, will further entrench Queensland’s role as the state keeping the East Coast gas market afloat.

“How much longer will NSW and Victoria rely on Queensland to make the investments that keep their industries supplied with gas and keep their economies ticking?

“Reliable and affordable gas is a must-have for Australian industries, including refining and manufacturing. Given transport costs add at least an extra $2 a gigajoule to the price of gas, it’s time for Australian businesses and manufacturers who are based in either NSW or Victoria to consider a move to the Sunshine State.

“With a go-slow on gas development, or in the case of Victoria a blanket ban on some types of gas projects, what the Southern States are really saying is they’re not prepared to support local jobs and local industry," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland is putting up its hand for more investment made possible by a strong resources industry that creates jobs, supports regional communities and has paid $387 million in agreements with landholders to develop CSG/LNG projects.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is crushed with the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) decision to increase penalty rates for over 350,000 casual retail workers on Saturdays and after 6pm on weekdays, as it claims this increase will create more strain for retailers already working in such an overwrought market.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said this decision is a grave outcome for Australian retail, as 135,000 independent retailers currently operate under the General Industry Retail Award (GRIA).

“With this decision taking place from November 1 this year, we can be certain retailers will have to re-think their Christmas trading strategy,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Christmas trade is the biggest trading season for retailers, and these increases to casual workers pay on Saturday’s and weekday evenings will certainly impact on trading hours around the country.”

Although the ARA welcomed the FWC’s decision to reduce Sunday penalty rates for full-time and casual shiftworkers, the ARA is concerned these inconsistent Fair Work decisions bring more complexities to the GRIA.

“The Modern Award system is already complex, and we are concerned the Australian Labor Party’s selective acceptance of Fair Work’s employment decisions will continue to jeopardise the Australian retail industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We are disappointed with the casual employment decision, and would like to remind the Labor Party that the Fair Work Commission was established for a reason, and that they should not try to overturn an independent body when they don’t agree with their decisions.”

Due to the inflexibility around part time employment and the reduced number of Enterprise Bargaining  Agreements (EBAs) the ARA believes this disastrous decision will see many retailers out of pocket at their busiest time of year.

“Retailers usually thrive during the Christmas period, however this year, I’m concerned many retailers will bear the brunt of an unjust and detrimental decision,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Casual staff are the lifeblood of the retail industry, and instead of seeing our retailers shine this Christmas, we will see them undertake more pressure and have to make serious decisions about their Christmas trade.”

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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AN ALLIANCE of Far North Queensland businesses, including Great Barrier Reef tourism operators, have urged the Federal Government to fight for the Great Barrier Reef on World Tourism Day.  

In May the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) released a historic Reef Climate Declaration, calling on the federal government to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.

“It’s not too late to save the Reef but time is critical”, the statement said. The declaration is now signed by 150 businesses including the peak tourism industry body, AMPTO, the Cairns Aquarium and the Pullman International Hotel.

Col McKenzie, AMPTO’s chief executive said, “On World Tourism Day we’re calling on all our political leaders to stand up for Far North Queensland businesses and jobs and demonstrate leadership on climate change to protect the future of our Reef.

“The Reef is a magnet for people all around the world. It generates $6 billion each year and sustains 64,000 jobs.

“The Reef is still a beautiful and dynamic place but it’s under serious threat from climate change and we need our leaders to put in place strong climate and energy policies to protect its future,” he said.

AMCS’s Great Barrier Reef campaigner David Cazzulino said, “Climate change, mainly driven by mining and burning coal and other fossil fuels, is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef.

“Taking action on climate change for our Reef means stopping Adani’s polluting coal mine and embracing clean renewable energy.

“Here in Cairns we’re seeing the impacts of climate change on our Reef but local businesses are joining the fight to protect it.

“It’s been fantastic to see support from the business community - including cafes, restaurants, hotels, law firms, hairdressers and builders - who want our representatives to step up and protect the Reef.”

Far North Queensland businesses can add their business name to the Reef Climate Declaration by going to www.fightforourreef.org.au/fnq

THE REEF TOURISM CLIMATE DECLARATION:

We love the Great Barrier Reef.

As Reef tourism businesses operating in the World Heritage area, we take seriously our responsibility to look after one of the world’s most beautiful and biologically rich ecosystems.

Together we’re calling for bold action to protect this natural icon.

We cannot understate the economic contribution of Reef tourism. The Reef is a magnet for people from Australia and around the world and generates $6 billion each year and sustains 64,000 jobs.

Despite the negative press, the Reef is a dynamic, vibrant, awesome place. But, like coral reefs around the world, it is under serious threat.

Climate change, mainly driven by burning coal and other fossil fuels, is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef. The carbon pollution from coal, oil and gas is heating the air and the oceans to dangerous levels. Coral reefs around the world were damaged during an unprecedented marine heatwave in 2016 and 2017.

It’s not too late to save our Reef but time is critical.

The Federal Government has a responsibility to honour the Paris Agreement and protect the Reef on behalf of all Australians, all humanity and future generations. Yet our representatives continue to support the expansion of coal and gas, including Adani’s mega coal mine.

To give our Reef the best chance for the future, Australia must join the rest of the world to rapidly phase out coal and other fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.

We call on all our political leaders to stand up for Far North QLD businesses and jobs and fight for the future of our Reef. #

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THE decision to increase the Queensland Drought Appeal payment for every drought-affected family to $7500 has been welcomed by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the increase from $5000 to $7500 means the donations from QRC member companies will help more than 40 families doing it tough.

“QRC members have donated in excess of $300,000 and we supported the Appeal dinner at Parliament House last week,” he said.

Both Rio Tinto and Shell Australia matched the Queensland Government’s $100,000 donation to the Queensland Drought Appeal, Santos contributed $116,000 with a donation of $75,000 and $41,000 in proceeds from the sale of cattle at the Royal Queensland Show and Arrow Energy provided lunch for 550 farmers for Beef Week, along with $10,000 towards feed for livestock.

Queensland Alumina Limited delivered $35,000 worth of hay to Rural Aid and New Hope Group donated $50,000 to Aussie Helpers

The Queensland Drought Appeal was launched by the Queensland Government at the Ekka and will provide all money raised to the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA).

Mr Macfarlane said agriculture, like the resources sector, was a key industry for Queensland and it is important for all Queenslanders to support our farming families battling drought.

“Our companies work with primary producers. Indeed the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority recently reported the LNG industry, through agreements with landholders, have paid them $387 million,” Mr Macfarlane said.

www.qrc.org.au

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