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The ARA congratulates new Prime Minister and looks forward to retail stability

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has congratulated Scott Morrison, as Australia’s new Prime Minister, and looks forward to long-term certainty and stability in the retail sector.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said uncertainty is never good for business and retailers are looking forward to a strong and stable future.

“With retail trade averaging a 2.7 percent growth this year, retailers are looking for long-term certainty and stability, as stability enables retailers to make long-term decisions, grow their business and hire more staff,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We believe this strong and stable Government will support retailers through the current fluctuating trading environment and assist the ARA’s mission in transforming retail from a stepping-stone industry, to a long-term and fulfilling career.”

"The ARA would like to thank Malcolm Turnbull for his leadership in the past and look forward to seeing a strong and stable Government to provide solid growth in the retail sector.

“Australian retailers are constantly adapting to the ever-changing retail climate, therefore having a strong sense of unity will be a great relief for retailers across the country,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Although our local retailers are strong and resilient, retailers need our Government’s support in growing retail, growing employment and growing the Australian economy.”

With a continued weakened economy and high employment costs, the ARA is passionate about supporting members, securing skilled staff, progressing careers in retail and ensuring the longevity of Australian retail.

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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QRC statement on incoming Prime Minister Scott Morrison

THE Queensland Resources Council has congratulated Scott Morrison on his elevation to the office of Prime Minister. 

“Scott Morrison knows what makes regional Queensland tick, and he understands the importance of our most valuable industries – like resources,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said. 

“In recent times we’ve seen him make several visits to some of our resources heartlands in Central and North Queensland. And we know he’s a fan of the coal industry, which he proved on the floor of Parliament. 

“As Treasurer he’s seen the revenue roll in from our resources exports.

“His new Deputy, Josh Frydenberg, is a former Resources Minister, and will have seen first-hand how many Queenslanders rely on the resources sector for their jobs, and the contribution these tens of thousands of people make to our economy. 

“The QRC also commends the contribution of Malcolm Turnbull during his time as Prime Minister, in particular his focus on energy policy. 

“We look forward to the new leadership team turning their attention to implementing a policy to provide affordable and reliable energy for households and industry.”

www.qrc.org.au

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COSBOA says 'Thanks Malcolm, welcome new team ... not let's get on with it'

THE Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) today congratulated Scott Morrison on becoming the new Prime Minister of Australia and looks forward to hearing what the Coalition has in store for small business.

“Thanks Malcolm, welcome to the new team, now let’s get on with it,” declared Peter Strong, small business advocate and CEO of COSBOA, today after a tumultuous week in Canberra. 

"Mr Morrison has done an excellent job with the Australian economy and has shown a great understanding of and support for small business," he said.

"We believe in his new role as Prime Minister, this will only continue to improve. We also thank Malcolm Turnbull for what he achieved in office; the economy has improved under his leadership.

“We offer commiserations to Mr Dutton and hope that he will continue in the ministry to provide positive support for the Morrison Government.

“Our congratulations also go to Josh Frydenberg on becoming the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party,” said Mr Strong.

COSBOA is very aware that while the Liberal Party leadership drama was unfolding, small businesses continued to operate, providing employment, services and products to the Australian community.

Mr Strong said, “Next week we will host the key small business policy event of the year, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, which will focus on energy, telecommunications, regulations and the future for small business. This is an incredibly timely event which will help bed-down vital policy measures needed for certainty and direction in the small business arena. We will hear from Chris Bowen, the Shadow Treasurer, who will reveal his stance on the role small business plays in our economy.”

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information visit: www.cosboansbs.com.au

#NSBS18

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DTA calls for new suppliers for commercial off-the-shelf software and services

THE Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has released a Request for Tender(RFT) calling for providers of COTS software and services for inclusion on its Software Licensing and Services Panel.

The Software Licensing and Services Panel was established earlier this year, with the first category being for a Microsoft Licensing Solutions Provider.

In June, DTA released a Request for Information for a new category: COTS software. DTA said it appreciated the overwhelming response to the request for information, and have since incorporated many of the suggestions into its development of the new category.

Now, the DTA is looking for providers to come on board. DTA said it hoped to appoint multiple sellers to the new category.

Potential suppliers have until 2pm on 20 September 2018 to lodge their tenders, which will need to be lodged electronically via AusTender before the tender closing time.

If you are unable to access link above, or need help with access, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.dta.gov.au

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Hydrogen hits the road - Energy Networks Australia

ENERGY Networks Australia has welcomed the release of the National Hydrogen Roadmap, which sets out a blueprint for the development of a hydrogen industry in Australia, showing a cost competitive industry is on the horizon.

Energy Networks Australia was a member of the CSIRO led Roadmap steering committee and the network sector contributed $80,000 towards its development.

Chief executive officer of Energy Networks Australia, Andrew Dillon said across the sector there were many applications for hydrogen.

“We proactively engaged with CSIRO to identify the role networks could play in reducing emissions from the use of gas within homes and industry," Mr Dillon said.

“Hydrogen by itself, or as blended with natural gas provides exciting opportunities. Just like renewable power generation offers emission reductions from electricity generation, hydrogen offers similar potential to sectors where electrification does not make sense.”

Mr Dillon said Australia’s gas infrastructure was suitable to deliver hydrogen and there is growing interest from network businesses.

“Innovation to reduce the production cost of hydrogen will see it make commercial sense to be used as a network fuel to complement or replace natural gas in coming decades," he said.

Mr Dillon said using hydrogen in networks provides a better outcome for customers.

“Modelling by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group indicates that converting Victoria’s gas networks to hydrogen is 40 per cent cheaper than electrifying the energy supplied by gas networks.”

The Roadmap outlines a range of actions to be undertaken on the hydrogen journey.

“We’re already committed to this journey through pilot projects being carried out by our members, as well as supporting the Future Fuels CRC – that aims to create knowledge to facilitate converting networks to be hydrogen based,” Mr Dillon said. “This is a long-term strategy underpinning industry’s Gas Vision 2050.”

Download the National Hydrogen Roadmap.  

www.energynetworks.com.au

Energy Networks Australia represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas distribution networks. Our members provide energy to virtually every household and business in Australia.

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