WITH a career spanning multiple decades and continents, Professor Barbara Norman is well qualified to participate in the Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities’ inquiry into the Australian Government’s role in the development of cities.

The Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australian and Australian Centenary Medal recipient will share her views on how our cities and regional centres can be set on a more sustainable development trajectory at a public hearing on Tuesday evening.

Professor Norman said, “Australia is one of the very few, if not only, OECD nation not to have a national plan for settlement and growth. While much of the planning and development of our cities remains the responsibility of states and local councils, the scale of urban growth is now at a level that affects national interests.”

“Australia urgently needs a national sustainable development strategy that clearly outlines the vision for 2030, and beyond to 2050.”

Committee Chair, John Alexander OAM MP, said the Committee is interested to hear ideas for achieving greater coordination in the development of cities between different levels of government.

“A plan for settlement is essential for the future development of our cities and our regions,” said Mr Alexander.

“I’m looking forward to hearing Professor Norman’s suggestions on how Commonwealth activities can complement those of state and local governments.”

Public hearing details: 5pm – 6.30pm, Tuesday 12 September, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

5.00 pm: Professor Barbara Norman via teleconference
6.30 pm: Close

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website.

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AN ALLAINCE of small business organisations is being formed to present a united front on policy issues of mutual interest.

AT A PUBLIC hearing on Monday, the Joint Committee on Treaties will discuss a new treaty that will target international tax evasion.

The Multilateral Tax Treaty will complement existing treaties to establish a consistent global framework to prevent tax evasion by shifting profits to low tax countries.

Committee Chair, Mr Stuart Robert MP, said that this was the first truly international treaty to tackle international tax evasion.

“Using a set of principles developed by the OECD, this treaty will attempt to tie together a range of different agreements between countries so that international tax evaders have nowhere to hide,” the Chair said.

The treaty will also have benefits for businesses operating internationally by ensuring that they are not subject to double taxation.

Mr Robert said, “Australia alone has 43 bilateral tax evasion treaties.  This move towards a single international framework with consistent principles may be a great advance in the fight against international tax evasion.”

Public hearing details: 11:45 am to 12:30 pm, Monday, 11 September, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

11:45am: Treasury and the Australian Tax Office
12:30pm: Close

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the July trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) proved generally positive, with year-on-year growth remaining steady, and month-to-month growth contracting.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the July retail trade figures continued to show stable growth, and were a positive sign leading into the warmer months.

“Year-on-year growth remains strong for the retail industry with household goods, especially hardware, driving the figures,” Mr Zimmerman said.

The Household Goods category again saw a strong year-on-year increase with an overall 4.62% growth, while Department Stores recorded year-on-year growth for the first time this year with a 1.28% rise.

“It is encouraging to see the Hardware sector continuing to show robust growth year-on-year, with a 5.02% increase” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With the end of deep discounting events after the closure of Masters, the continued growth in the hardware sector as sales begin to normalise is a good sign for the retail industry as a whole.”

Mr Zimmerman said the return to growth in Department Stores was largely attributed to the early offering of spring fashions at the tail end of winter.

“New season fashions have brought customers back into the Department Stores, and the increase in sales bodes well as we move into summer.”

Clothing, Footwear and Personal Accessories continue to face tough conditions, with a modest 1.28% year-on-year increase.

Food retailing continued to remain strong, recording a 3.88% increase year-on-year, largely driven by continued strength in the supermarket sector with a 3.90% increase and a 1.51% increase in specialised food.

All states recorded growth year-on year, a positive sign for the months ahead. Victoria (5.63%) and New South Wales (4.18%) lead the pack with strong year-on-year growth. The Australian Capital Territory (3.95%), Tasmania (3.53%), and South Australia (2.99%) recorded a moderate increase year-on-year.  The Northern Territory (2.96%), Queensland (2.44%) and Western Australia (1.37%) showed gradual increases.

“It is great to see Victoria showing a significant increase in sales year-on-year, and Western Australia beginning to turn around with a change in government bringing some positivity to the west,” Mr Zimmerman said.

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (June 2017– July 2017 seasonally adjusted) 

Department stores (2.35%), Other retailing (1.33%), Food retailing (0.11%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.56%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-1.10%) and Household goods retailing (-1.26%).

Victoria (1.14%), Western Australia (0.51%), Queensland (-0.23%), New South Wales (-0.47%), Northern Territory (-0.56%), Australian Capital Territory (-1.37%), Tasmania (-1.59%) and South Australia (-1.70%).

Total sales (-0.03%). 

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (July 2016 – July 2017 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (4.62%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (4.48%), Other retailing (4.24%), Food retailing (3.88%), Department stores (1.28%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.15%). 

Victoria (5.63%), New South Wales (4.18%), Australian Capital Territory (3.95%), Tasmania (3.53%), South Australia (2.99%), Northern Territory (2.96%), Queensland (2.44%) and Western Australia (1.37%).

Total sales (3.77%).

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 

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