THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the release of the Annual Exploration Program for 2017-18, which includes more than 19,000 square kilometres for gas, minerals and coal exploration.

Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Queensland is continuing to lead the way in responsibly developing the resources sector.

“The economics of supply and demand are simple, if demand for gas is strong you need to increase supply to put downward pressure on prices. Queensland’s latest exploration program includes almost 18,000 square kilometres for gas and petroleum exploration, which builds on the state’s advanced gas industry,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“New South Wales and Victoria must follow in the footsteps of Queensland and work with industry to responsibly develop their own gas reserves. Both states were quick to claim that they supported the recommendations of Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s report, but they have overlooked the recommendation which calls on governments to adopt evidence-based regulatory regimes to manage gas projects.

“We need all state governments to follow the advice of science, not shock jocks and scare campaigns, to underpin the east coast gas market and the jobs that rely on it.”

In total, four gas basins are set for exploration which include the Surat, Bowen, Eromanga and Adavale basins. The exploration program also includes 1100 square kilometers of land for minerals in the North-West Minerals Province and 540 square kilometers of coal in the Bowen and Galilee basins.

“Queensland is home to some of the highest quality coking and thermal coal in the world and over the last four years we’ve set new export records. In the state’s North West there is potential to unearth significant amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels,” Mr Macfarlane said.

Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) Chair Brad John said investors from around the world would be interested in these new Queensland exploration opportunities.

“There’s nothing like greenfield land releases of premium coal and gas provinces and the world class North West Minerals Province to catch the attention of investors, geologists and explorers,” Mr John said.

In 2015/16 Queensland coal, gas and metal industries contributed $55.7 billion to the state’s economy, supported more than 275,000 jobs and paid $2.2 billion in royalties.

www.qrc.org.au

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MINISTER for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, has launched the Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Australia’s report, which outlines the significant economic benefits of naval shipbuilding to South Australia over the coming decades.

Mr Pyne welcomed the report which estimates 8000 new jobs will be created in South Australia, demonstrating the impact of the Government’s commitment to this national enterprise.

“This PwC report illustrates just how beneficial to the South Australian economy the Turnbull Government’s $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding program will be. This is great news for South Australians currently working in the shipbuilding industry as well those wanting to find work within the industry in the coming years,” Minister Pyne said.

“Not only will there be thousands of new jobs as a result of the Government’s $90 billion naval shipbuilding endeavour, but South Australia will be hallmarked as Australia’s key naval construction centre.

“The shipbuilding aspect of programme alone will triple the South Australian workforce and boost Gross State Product (GSP) by $134.4 billion over the next 40 years.”

“The report also states that for every $10 million in expenditure in South Australia directly related to shipbuilding, there is a total of $24 million in additional gross state product,” he said.

“PwC also estimates that the shipbuilding enterprise will deliver a 3.4 per cent increase in South Australia’s total economic activity. In reality this means adding a total new mining industry to the South Australian economy year on year.

“The Turnbull Government is committed to maximising Australian industry involvement in the naval shipbuilding enterprise and as outlined in the Naval Shipbuilding Plan released in May 2017, the continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment programs will bring long-term employment and economic benefits to all South Australians.

Report link: https://www.pwc.com.au/publications/pdf/defence-briefing-note-oct17.pdf

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) strongly oppose the NSW Gift Card Reforms as the proposed regulation by NSW Fair Trading will significantly disadvantage consumers, hurt small businesses and place NSW at a competitive disadvantage to other states. 

The ARA on behalf of the NSW Business Chamber (NSWBC), Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA), Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA), and Restaurant and Catering Australia (RCA) all disapprove of the proposed reforms to NSW gift cards as previous Federal inquiries into the operation of gift cards have found no associated consumer benefit to altering the regulations.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said the ARA along with the above industry groups are concerned that members and the business community were not properly notified of these reforms and believes implementing any changes without consultation to key stakeholders is concerning. 

“Introducing a three-year minimum expiry limit for gift cards within New South Wales places an unnecessary regulatory burden and significant additional administrative costs on small, medium and large businesses,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“It is unreasonable to expect small retailers and family businesses to amend their administrative practices and incur extra liabilities on their books simply to respond to unnecessary regulation.”

The ARA are highly concerned these reforms will also create jurisdictional and competitive issues for small businesses in New South Wales. 

“Gift cards are issued to consumers free of charge, with the majority used within their first 12 months. Increasing red tape and imposing conflicting rules on gift cards from retailers who operate across the nation will simply not work,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This will restrict trade and competition between New South Wales and other states, and there is no means of monitoring the use of gift cards across borders.”

Given the issues of consistency, the extra administrative burden on small business, and the lack of engagement with stakeholders, the ARA call upon the NSW Government to abandon these unnecessary regulations, which will serve to hurt consumers and small businesses alike.

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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SMALL business owners across Australia are encouraged to take part in Stay Smart Online Week by taking simple steps to ensure that they don’t fall victim to cyber criminals.