THE HOUSE Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources today launched a new inquiry into the barriers to increased investment in Australia’s agriculture sector by superannuation funds, and called for submissions.

According to the committee’s chair, Rick Wilson MP, the Australian agricultural sector is in danger of being left behind because of a lack of investment:

“The agricultural sector in Australia needs much more investment if it wants to remain competitive, and the superannuation industry is an obvious source of that. With this inquiry, the committee hopes to find out how investment can be encouraged," Mr Wilson said.

The committee will be inquiring into and reporting on whether:

• there are any regulatory requirements imposed on superannuation funds by ASIC, APRA and any other relevant regulators, which are acting as a barrier to superannuation fund investment in Australian agriculture; 
• the information required by the superannuation funds in order to invest in Australian agriculture is readily available, and if not, what statistical performance reporting of the agricultural sector is necessary; and
• there are any other practical barriers to superannuation fund investment in Australian agriculture.

The Committee will be accepting submissions until Friday, June 22.

www.aph.gov.au

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VICTORIA will benefit from a more independent Parks Victoria with expanded functions and powers to manage and protect the state’s natural assets, accordingto the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The chamber has welcomed the passage of the Parks Victoria Bill 2018 in Parliament today.

The new legislation will make Parks Victoria a statutory authority. It will provide the agency with direct land management powers and clearer responsibilities to better manage Victoria’s national parks and other reserves.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Mark Stone AM acknowledged the support of the Government and Opposition for this important bill, which will benefit our visitor economy.

“Strong strategic management from Parks Victoria is vital to ensure visitors have a great experience and local communities and businesses benefit from sustainable tourism,” said Mr Stone.

"Victoria’s national parks and reserves make a significant contribution to Victorian tourism and provide environmental and recreation benefits to the broader community. Each year, Parks Victoria welcomes 106 million visits to national and state parks across the state.

"The Great Ocean Road region alone draws more than five million visitors per year, adding $1.3 billion to the Victorian economy and generating over 9000 jobs. The number of international visits to the region is projected to double by 2025/26.

"As a statutory authority, Parks Victoria will be better placed to protect Victoria’s natural assets and support important initiatives like the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan – a comprehensive program to improve opportunities for visitors and strengthen the local economy and employment opportunities through sustainable tourism."

www.vicotrianchamber.com.au

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The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed a record of more than 50 nominations for its 5th annual Indigenous Awards to be announced during Reconciliation Week on May 28.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said record nominations for the awards, to be presented over five categories, reflected the growth in Indigenous Australians working in the resources sector.

“As the Closing the Gap report found, the number of Indigenous Australians employed by the resources sector increased by 250 percent to almost 7000 in the years between 2006 and 2016,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Over the same period, the share of indigenous Queenslanders employed in our State’s resource sector increased from 3 percent to 4 percent.  This is a milestone for our sector.  We have reached employment parity with population.  Indigenous Queenslanders make up 4 percent of our population,” he said.

“The Queensland Resources Council Indigenous Awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise this growing contribution to the resources industry that is so important to Queensland.”

Mr Macfarlane said the awards recognised contribution across the sector, including encouraging Indigenous business participation in procurement, which was recently highlighted by Indigenous leader Warren Mundine.

Mr Mundine said: “If you look at the other mining industry companies, you are looking at a few billion dollars just in that industry alone. The other industries are a bit behind that but they are starting to catch up.”

The QRC Indigenous Awards for six categories will be announced on May 28.  The award categories are:

• Indigenous Advocacy Award recognises Indigenous or non-Indigenous individuals that have demonstrated outstanding effort to encourage, promote and advocate for increasing Indigenous participation within the resources sector.
• Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources Award recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous person working with the Queensland resources sector in any occupation or profession.
• Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources Award recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous business supplying the Queensland resources sector.
• Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance supplier diversity and support increased Indigenous business participation within resources sector supply chains.
• Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance the attraction and retention of Indigenous people in the Queensland resources sector.
• Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous student at a QMEA school who has shown significant promise and passion for a career in the Queensland resources sector

www.qrc.org.au

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NEW JOBS in the Queensland resources sector advertised online have increased by 91 percent compared over the last 12 months, highlighting improved confidence and industry outlook, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

Mr Macfarlane said online employment market SEEK found new jobs advertised in the mining, resources and energy sector had the highest growth in Queensland compared with 2017.

Kendra Banks, SEEK ANZ managing director said, “New job ads in Mining, Resources & Energy increased across all states with Queensland (91% year on year), Victoria (86% YoY) and New South Wales (62% YoY) driving growth in the sector.”

Mr Macfarlane said the Queensland resources industry supported one in every eight jobs – or 282,000 full-time equivalent jobs

“Improved prices and strong international demand is increasing confidence, investment, exports and mostly, jobs,” he said.

“Last financial year, direct full-time equivalent jobs in the resources sector grew by 12.7 percent to 38,150.”

Mr Macfarlane said there was renewed interest in careers in the resources sector.

“Mining company New Hope advertised for eight plant operator traineeships with two at its West Moreton operations near Rosewood and six at its New Acland operations. They received more than 300 applications in response,” he said.

The Queensland Resources Council is the peak representative body for Queensland’s resource industry. The Queensland resources industry provides one in every $6 dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 business across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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