QUEENSLAND'S first Chief Entrepreneur, Mark Sowerby will be the guest speaker at the Queensland Media Club next Wednesday, 4 October 2017.

Mr Sowerby will give his farewell address and talk about the talent he has seen, the places, spaces and people who are supporting entrepreneurs and the potential impact of the startup sector in Queensland.

His speech will be followed by approximately 15 minutes of question time with members of the Queensland Parliament Media Gallery.

The Queensland Media Club is the official political, business and media forum of the Queensland Parliament Media Gallery.

A catered table has been allocated for working media to attend and ask questions in media style format. Members of the Queensland Parliament Media Gallery have first right of refusal to these seats with the remainder of seats allocated on a first come first served basis. Additional seating will be available for working media to attend but will not be catered.

To register your interest in attending and for further information, please contact:

Emily Anderson
Three Plus
M: 0422 855 862 | T: 07 3167 1200
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, will attend the 2017 International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide today.

Minister Pyne said the 2017 International Astronautical Congress would bring more than 4,000 space professionals and enthusiasts together to discuss space issues and advancement.

“This year’s Congress would focus on secure access to satellites providing essential services, such as communications, timing, navigation and remote sensing,” he said.

“Through its diverse and extensive program of sessions and activities, the Congress will showcase space technologies, innovations, and ideas from around the world, including from Australian Government agencies’ space capabilities and Australia’s civil space sector.

“This is the second time the International Astronautical Congress has been held in Australia and there’s no more fitting place than Adelaide to host this first-class international event, with South Australia’s proud history in Australia’s space development.”

In addition to a walkthrough of the exhibits on display, Minister Pyne will open the panel session on ‘The evolving relation between Public Procurement and Industry on Space and Defence programs’ at the Global Networking Forum, as well as deliver the keynote speech at the Annual Awards Dinner of the International Institute of Space Law.

Minister Pyne said the Government was progressing its review of Australia’s space industry capability, while continuing with its program of investing in Australia’s space capabilities, including within Defence.

“This Congress is a fantastic opportunity for Australian industry to showcase its talents in space,” Minister Pyne said.

“I look forward to engaging with the world’s leading space experts and seeing the exciting space opportunities on offer.”

The International Astronautical Congress is the world’s largest annual gathering of space professionals, and has been held every year since 1950. Its parent organisation is the International Astronautical Federation, based in Paris, France.

For more information on the 2017 International Astronautical Congress visit: www.iac2017.org

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TODAY the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) will hear the Federal Court discuss the fate of the penalty rate reduction in a three day Judicial Review of the Penalty Rates Decision.

On behalf of the retail industry, the ARA have been at the forefront of Penalty Rates Decision in the hope to reduce the strain on Australian retailers, put the unemployed back into the workforce, and increase trading hours across the nation to sustain growth for the Australian retail industry.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said Australian retailers are suffering and need the support in reducing penalty rates to ensure the longevity of Australian Retail.

“It’s really hard out there for Australian retailers at the moment as some are actually forced to limit their days of operation due to significant cost pressures,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“If the Penalty Rates Decision is upheld it will give retailers a chance to stand strong against the economic pressures facing the industry and further assist in reducing the unemployment rate.”

The ARA will continue to advocate for employment in the retail sector as the current penalty rates impose numerous operational limitations for retailers.

“With the imminent arrival of Amazon, and the ability of consumers to shop online when they want, retail must be given the chance to grow; and growth will only occur by allowing retailers to trade longer hours,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Reducing penalty rates will give retailers the opportunity to open in regional and country areas, allowing retailers to employ more staff which will in turn increase customer service satisfaction.”

If the Penalty Rates Decision is upheld by the Full Court the ARA believe Australian retailers, employees and consumers can expect to see various opportunities arise.

The Judicial Review of the Penalty Rates Decision will begin today at the Federal Court in Melbourne and conclude Thursday 28 September. The ARA looks forward to a positive decision from the Federal Court upholding the Fair Work Commission’s Full Bench decision earlier this year.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA 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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THE  Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) latest quarterly State of the Sector report has found grave industry concerns over the tripling of electricity costs.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the survey of resource chiefs reaffirms the ongoing need for dispatchable power to balance intermittent sources of energy.

“Unreliable and high-cost power continues to harm the competitiveness of the sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland resource companies have absorbed a three-fold increase in wholesale electricity prices over the last five years. These costs switch off economic growth in our regions.

“The economy needs reliable, dispatchable power at an affordable price. The ideal way to deliver this, and reduce emissions, is to deliver a balanced energy mix.

“Renewable energy clearly has a role in the generation mix to drive down emissions, although it cannot entirely replace the reliability of baseload power. 

www.qrc.org.au

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