ASSISTANT Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, has called on Australians to have their say on the future of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network.

Minister Andrews today released a discussion paper on the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network, following a recent evaluation of the AASN model of delivery.

“The release today of the discussion paper is the start of a process to build on the successes of the AASN model to date,” Ms Andrews said.

“For three years now, AASN providers have been supporting Australian Apprentices and employers to succeed in their apprenticeship arrangements. We’re looking to collect innovative ideas that will further enhance those services.

“Ithaca Group’s evaluation of the AASN model of delivery was completed in February 2018. It found the current model is comprehensive and widely supported by stakeholders, but also identified areas for improvement.”

The Department of Education and Training will tender later this year for the delivery of Australian Apprenticeships Support Services to commence from mid‑2019. The process will be informed by the Ithaca Group evaluation and consultations with interested parties.

Minister Andrews said the Turnbull Government is committed to building a high quality Australian Apprenticeships system to better support apprentices and respond to the needs of employers and the economy.

“The announcement of the government’s $1.5 billion Skilling Australians Fund aims to deliver up to 300,000 more apprenticeships and traineeships, pre- and higher-level apprenticeships and traineeships Australia-wide over the next five years," Ms Andrews said.

“This means that getting the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network model right is more important than ever.

“The discussion paper and consultations sessions are integral in bringing innovative ideas together and ensuring the system delivers for everyone who uses it.”

Consultation sessions will be held in the coming weeks with stakeholders via webcast and in‑person for all states and territories to further explore issues raised in the discussion paper.

Interested parties are invited to respond to the discussion paper by 31 July 2018.

Further information on contributing in writing or by attending a consultation session is available on www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/AASN-Discussion-Paper

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THE FEDERAL Government is establishing a new Australian Antarctic Science Council to revitalise science research on a new platform, as well as boost Hobart's position as an Antarctic science hub, and as the premier gateway to Antarctica.

The new Antarctic Science Council will provide further strategic direction for the Australian Antarctic Program, oversee science funding priorities and ensure funds directly support Antarctic research, reducing administrative costs and making it easier to plan multi-year projects.

Australia has developed world-class Antarctic science capabilities over many decades, much of which is based in Hobart. Comprising an independent Chair and representatives from key Antarctic science agencies, the Council will enhance Australia's international reputation for Antarctic science.

The Coalition Government has committed more than $100 million over the next 10 years for Antarctic science, delivered through two new initiatives:

• The Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative with $5 million per year for 10 years from 2019-20, delivered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
• The Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science with $8 million per year for seven years from January 2020, delivered by the Australian Research Council.

The establishment of the Council is the first step in implementing the recommendations of a review into the governance of Australia's Antarctic Science Program, undertaken by Mr Drew Clarke, a highly-respected former senior public servant.

The review was undertaken to ensure Antarctic investments are effective, joined-up and fit-for-purpose. The Government has supported, either in full or in principle, all nine recommendations in the Clarke Review.

This revamp of science funding delivers on the Coalition Government's Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan to increase Antarctic research.

The Clarke Review and the Government's response can be found at www.environment.gov.au/antarctic-review.

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THE QUEENSLAND resources industry has created more than 8400 extra jobs over the last 12 months – the equivalent of one new job every hour.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) labour force data reaffirmed the resources sector was a key Queensland employer with new jobs in mining regions and Australia's biggest mining town – Brisbane.

“This is good news for people working in the resources sector and more importantly people looking for work.  The resources sector has hundreds of vacancies looking for men and women to fill,” he said.

ABS labour force data shows:

• resource sector jobs increased from 56,705 in May 2017 quarter to 65,180 over 12 months to the May 2018 quarter, an increase by 15 percent or an extra 8,474 jobs;
• jobs in non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying increased by 53 percent to 4,094 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in coal mining increased by 34 percent to 28,945 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in oil and gas increased by 25 percent to 8,069 over the last 12 months;
• jobs in exploration and mining support services increased by 7 percent to 15,765 over the last 12 months.

Mr Macfarlane said the outlook for jobs in the coal, minerals, petroleum and gas industries was very strong with a survey of chief executive officers (CEOs) of QRC member companies that 52 percent would increase their Queensland workforce over the next 12 months, with 13 percent looking to increase employment ‘substantially'.  Only 9 percent of CEOs surveyed said they planned to reduce staff over the next 12 months, with none of the CEOs expecting a substantial decrease.

“Jobs in the resources sector are good jobs," Mr Macfarlane said. "Resource jobs are well-paid jobs.

"The mining industry has by far the highest average weekly full-time adult earnings of any industry at $2659 – or over $138,000 per annum,” he said.

The Queensland resources sector supports more than 280,000 full-time jobs and last financial year contributed over $55 billion to the State’s economy.

www.qrc.org.au

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TIME IS UP for Aurizon to stop playing games with Queensland exports and revert back to normal maintenance while the independent regulator, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA), makes its final decision said Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.

“Industry’s position hasn’t changed. Aurizon is a monopoly and it’s the role of the independent regulator to set the price they can charge customers. It’s a pricing system Aurizon agreed to when the company was floated and one which guarantees their revenue, which is a luxury Aurizon was happy to bank during the downturn,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Without explanation Aurizon has decided to unilaterally change its maintenance and undermine the performance of rail systems. Aurizon is damaging the reputation of Queensland’s largest export industry and short changing all Queenslanders with the loss of royalties from lost exports.

“The regulatory system is not broken. It’s supported by both the State Government and the Federal Government. Premier Palaszczuk backs the independent regulatory process and the Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan this week called out Aurizon saying the company was trying to force through an 'old-style industrial relations bargaining system.' 

“Queensland’s coal industry has promised to support the regulator’s final decision on the Aurizon rail maintenance budget. If the QCA, as the independent umpire, finds Aurizon should be paid more for maintenance, the industry will pay.

“Queensland needs to reliably transport coal to port if we are to take advantage of the strengthening outlook for coal across our existing and emerging Asian markets. If we don’t our customers will shop elsewhere and jobs in regional Queensland will be put at risk."

QRC estimates the cost of Aurizon’s new maintenance plan, which they say will choke off as much as 20 million tonnes of exports a year, would cost up to $4 billion per annum in lost Queensland exports and up to $500 million in lost royalties which pay for the wages of teachers, nurses and police. Queensland simply can’t afford to keep paying the price of Aurizon’s intransigence.

The QRC has responded to the QCA’s request for comments on maintenance and a final decision on UT5 is expected in September.

www.qrc.org.au

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