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Regional leaders to plan for the future at RDA Forum

THE Regional Development Australia (RDA) National Forum was held in Canberra last week.

Regional leaders from across Australia met to network, collaborate and share experiences on best practice in regional development.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh, who hosted the forum, said the event was a great opportunity for RDA committees to connect and share ideas on how to bring innovation and economic investment to regional Australia.

“The national network of 52 RDA committees work with all levels of government, as well as business, industry and the community, to strengthen local economies across the country,” Dr McVeigh said.

“These local champions have an active role in helping our regions harness their competitive advantage, seize on economic opportunities, drive investment and create jobs.

“The forum is about bringing these regional leaders together with experts, academics and government to discuss issues, share knowledge and build important collaborative networks to ensure our regions continue to thrive.”

Dr McVeigh said the theme of the forum – collaborating and networking to grow regional economies – highlighted the importance of regional partnerships to continue the growth of these strong and diverse regional communities.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the ongoing success and productivity of Australia’s regions,” Dr McVeigh said.

“This national forum is about planning for the future of our regions and working together to ensure all local communities around Australia can reach their full potential.”

https://rda.gov.au/

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Aurizon prevented from closing Queensland intermodal business

THE Federal Court has ordered that Aurizon (ASX: AZJ) must continue operating its Queensland intermodal business while the ACCC’s case against Pacific National and Aurizon is heard and determined.

The ACCC instituted proceedings in July this year against Pacific National and Aurizon, and their related entities, for allegedly reaching an understanding about Aurizon’s intermodal business that had the purpose and/or would be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the supply of intermodal and steel rail linehaul services. 

In addition, the ACCC alleges that Pacific National’s proposed acquisition of Aurizon’s Queensland intermodal business and the Acacia Ridge Terminal, as well as an agreement for Pacific National to operate the interstate side of the Acacia Ridge Terminal, would each separately have the likely effect of substantially lessening competition.

Following today’s hearing, the ACCC has been granted injunctions against Aurizon which require it to continue to operate its Queensland intermodal business.  The ACCC also sought orders for injunctions against Pacific National not to solicit employees and the top 10 customers of the business until the court proceedings are finalised, however those orders were not made. 

“Given Aurizon’s previous announcements that it would close its Queensland intermodal business if the Pacific National acquisition was opposed by the ACCC, the ACCC sought an urgent interlocutory injunction to prevent Aurizon from closing its Queensland intermodal business until the ACCC’s proceedings involving that business are determined by the Court,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said. 

“It is part of the ACCC’s case that, at all times, Aurizon had alternatives to selling to Pacific National that would have been more competitive. The ACCC is aware of at least one alternative purchaser that is willing and able to acquire Aurizon’s entire remaining intermodal business.”

The final proceedings have been set down for a two week hearing starting on 19 November 2018. 

“The ACCC will allege that it was more lucrative for Aurizon to agree to sell parts of the intermodal business to the closest competitor and close parts of that business than it was to sell the whole intermodal business to a new entrant,” Mr Sims said.

www.accc.gov.au

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Defence and industry think outside the square

AUSTRALIAN companies are invited to have their say on how marine support services should be delivered in the future.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the release of a Request for Information for the Defence Marine Support Services (DMSS) Program.

The program includes services such as tugs for port movements, harbour refuelling, transport services between ships, stores and personnel transfer and aviation training.

The program is initially valued at $83 million annually over the next five years but is expected to increase over time as further services across Defence, and potentially other government agencies, are considered for inclusion.

It’s expected more than 287 jobs will be created across Australia in major ports and Defence establishments such as Sydney, Darwin, Cairns and Perth.

Mr Pyne said this innovative approach will allow Australian defence industry to work together to develop creative contracting options to enable capability delivery at sea.

“This is about thinking outside the square to deliver a long-term and flexible solution for Defence and industry,” Mr Pyne.

“Instead of just contracting one large prime to do all the work, perhaps the best option is engaging multiple smaller companies.

“It will also provide a sustainable ongoing business model for industry and provide taxpayers value for money.

“We know from experience contracts entered into now may not be fit-for-service in the future."

Once options have been received, Defence will work with industry to develop a contracting model which ensures support services remain up-to-date.

“This approach will shape a new way of doing business to ensure marine support services are adaptive to evolving requirements.”

The DMSS Program will commence in 2021 and will initially deliver marine support to Navy’s fleet in ports across Australia, including supporting exercises, operations and workforce training.

More information can be found at www.tenders.gov.au or by contacting the DMSS Program Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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QRC welcomes Rio Tinto’s $100k contribution to the Drought Appeal

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed a $100,000 contribution by Rio Tinto to the Queensland Drought Appeal to help support farming communities affected by the drought.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said everyone needed to play their part in helping regional communities affected.

“As two primary industries, resources and agriculture have a long and proud history of working together. The resources sector has played its part by building infrastructure which farmers use to service their farms today,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“All droughts bring extreme hardship and the impact flows through to the local butcher, barber and supermarket. Everyone feels the economic pain when the farms are in trouble.

“I congratulate Rio Tinto for its contribution to the appeal with the total contribution from resource companies standing at $316,000 – Shell Australia ($100k) and Santos ($75k + $41k in cattle sales at the Ekka).

“I strongly encourage everyone if they can to dig deep and donate what they can.”

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

The appeal started with a $100,000 contribution from the Queensland Government and will remain open for at least three months with all donations of $2 or more to the appeal tax deductible – online donations can be made at www.qlddroughtappeal.com.au

www.qrc.org.au

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Public sector management under scrutiny

PARLIAMENT’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is holding two public hearings tomorrow.

The first public hearing will hear from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian National Audit Office, for the Committee’s inquiry into Mental Health in the Australian Federal Police. The inquiry is based on Auditor-General report, No. 31 (2017–18), Managing Mental Health in the Australian Federal Police.

The second public hearing will hear from the Department of Finance and the Australian National Audit Office, for the Committee’s inquiry into Commonwealth financial statements. The inquiry is based on Auditor-General report No. 24 (2017–18), Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2017.

Committee Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said the first public hearing will focus on the AFP’s mental health support services, governance arrangements and procedures for managing the mental health of AFP employees.

“Following the six recommendations from the Auditor‑General’s report, the Committee will be interested to hear from the AFP about the progress made to improve the agency’s approach to employee mental health,” Senator Smith said.

“The second public hearing will focus on the significant and moderate findings from the Commonwealth financial statements audit; the accounting rules for equity investment, concessional loans and contingent liabilities; and agency management of IT security.”

“Commonwealth financial statements play a critical role in providing accountability to the Parliament and the public for the expenditure of public funds,” Senator Smith said.

The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General tabled in the Parliament and can inquire into any items, matters or circumstances connected with these reports.

The JCPAA is Parliament’s joint public administration committee. It scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies, and has the power to inquire into all expenditure of Commonwealth money.

Further information about the inquiries can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

Public hearings: Wednesday 22 August 2018, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

8.45am to 9.30am: Auditor‑General Report No. 31 (2017–18), Managing Mental Health in the Australian Federal Police

Witnesses: Australian Federal Police and Australian National Audit Office

9.30am to 10.30am: Auditor‑General Report No. 24 (2017–18), Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2017

Witnesses: Department of Finance and Australian National Audit Office

The public hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. The hearing programs are available from the Committee website.

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