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Bill Shorten to speak at Vodafone National Small Business Summit

LEADER of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, has been confirmed to speak at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, hosted by the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) taking place at the Events Centre Collins Square, Melbourne on 23-25 August 2017.

Mr Shorten will open the Summit Breakfast on Friday, 25 August and discuss current issues facing more than two million small businesses across Australia.

Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA commented on the privilege to host Mr Shorten at Australia’s premier policy event discussing the current and future needs of small business owners.

“We are honoured to welcome Mr Shorten to speak at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit for the third year. 

“In 2017 the Summit will focus on ‘Collaboration and Communities’ and discuss how senior politicians, policy makers and industry leaders can come together to build and strengthen partnerships and secure the future of small business growth in Australia,” said Mr Strong.

Program highlights include:

Small Business Banking and Finance, with:

  • Hon. Philip Dalidakis, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade
  • Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
  • Anna Bligh, CEO, Australian Bankers' Association
  • David Gandolfo, Deputy Chair, COSBOA

Big and Small Working Together, with:

  • Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
  • Grant King, President, Business Council of Australia
  • Paul Nielsen, Director and Chairperson, COSBOA

Our Regulators – Can Their Jobs be Easier and Will That Make Our Jobs Easier?  with: 

  • John Price, Commissioner, Australian Securities and Investments Commission
  • Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman
  • Dr Michael Shaper, Deputy Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Export Opportunities And Other Business Via The Web, with:

  • Richard Flanagan, Head of Business Marketing, Google Australia and New Zealand

The Role of Business Associations in Modern Society, with:

  • Justice Iain Ross, President, Fair Work Commission
  • Sandy Chong, CEO, Australian Hairdressing Council and Director, COSBOA
  • John Hart, Executive Director, Restaurant & Catering Australia
  • Julie Owens MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information please visit: www.cosboansbs.com.au

To celebrate the commencement of the Summit, Small Business owners are invited to attend the Small Business Start-Up Reception from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, 23 August 2017. The event will provide an opportunity for owners to hear from Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA and network with industry leaders and key decision makers. A panel on the evening will highlight the next generation of employers and innovators and discuss what more our education system can do to support entrepreneurship.

 

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Committee launches inquiry into regional development and decentralisation

THE Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation is calling for submissions to its inquiry.  The Committee will examine best practice approaches to regional development, the decentralisation of Commonwealth entities, and supporting corporate decentralisation.

Committee Chair, Dr John McVeigh MP said, “The Committee’s inquiry is wide ranging and will explore ways to increase the growth and prosperity of regional and rural Australia.  While decentralisation of Commonwealth entities has been identified as a potential means to achieve this, the Committee wants to examine, more broadly, how public and private investment can assist in building and sustaining our regional communities.

 “So much of our economic success rests in the resources and work of our regional towns and cities. It is important that we examine ways to better support these communities and to strengthen their social and economic future.”

The Committee plans to hold public hearings across regional Australia to learn more about best practice approaches to regional development, and decentralisation opportunities.

Submissions to the inquiry will close on Friday 15 September 2017.  To make a submission, visit the Committee’s website and follow the prompts. The Terms of Reference can also be found on the Committee’s website, or by contacting the Committee Secretariat.

An issues paper is expected to be tabled in Parliament on 31 August 2017.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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Film and television industry inquiry arrives in Melbourne

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will conduct a public hearing in Melbourne this week as part of its inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of Australia’s film and television industry.

The Chair of the committee, Mr Luke Howarth MP, stated that ‘we will be hearing the perspectives of the Victorian Government and other agencies and businesses based in Melbourne.’

‘The Committee looks forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities facing our film and television industry with these key participants’ added Mr Howarth.

Public hearing details: 9.15am-3.30pm, Wednesday, 26 July 2017,
Meeting Room G6, Victorian Parliament Offices, Ground Floor, 55 St Andrews Place, 
East Melbourne

9.15am       Victorian Government
10.00am     Entertainment Assist
10.45am     Village Roadshow Limited
11.45am     Victorian Film & Television Industry Working Party
12.15pm     Iloura
1.30pm       Studio Moshi
2.00pm       Melbourne International Film Festival
2.30pm       White Hot Productions Pty Ltd
3.00pm       Australian Children's Television Foundation
3.30pm        Finish

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

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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Easier flying in to US market

AUSTRALIA’s aviation industry – including manufacturers and service companies – now has easier and cheaper access to the lucrative United States aviation market, after the signing of amendments to the bilateral aviation agreement.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the amendments would be a significant benefit to Australian aviation parts and products designers and manufacturers. Mr Chester said the changes would also benefit Australian companies and individuals who export aircraft and aircraft products to the US.

“There are more than 40 Australian aviation design organisations and more than 80 aviation production organisations that will have lower costs and less red tape when exporting to the US market,” Mr Chester said.

“A range of Australian design and manufacturing approvals will now be accepted in the US without the need for additional and sometimes costly work.

“People and organisations wanting to sell their aircraft into the US should have fewer regulatory hurdles to contend with.

“These amendments save money and streamline regulatory requirements without in any way compromising safety standards.

“I know that many large and small aviation organisations have been eagerly awaiting these changes so they can make greater inroads into the huge US aviation market.”

The amendments have been made to the Implementation Procedures on Airworthiness made under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australian and the US.

www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport

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More pulling power for the north

THE VOICE of Northern Australia has been further strengthened, with the first meeting on July 20 of the Northern Australia Advisory Council in Townsville.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Matt Canavan, said the Council would provide a direct link to Government for the regions of the North to provide regular updates about issues, projects and priorities.

“The members of this Council know what makes Northern Australia tick.  They represent a wide range of industries that are essential for the jobs and economic wellbeing of the North,” Minister Canavan said.

“Our Government takes Northern Australia seriously. We have Members and Senators across the North. I’m proud to live in Northern Australia and I regularly visit the towns and communities across all parts of this expansive region.

“But we know the best way to deliver for Northern Australia is to listen to the people who create the jobs and run the local businesses.”

The first council appointees are:

  • Councillor Jane McNamara, mayor of the Flinders Shire
  • Mr Nigel Browne, a Larrakia and Wulna man, Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive officer
  • Ms Nicole Roocke, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia deputy chief executive
  • Ms Colleen Costello, pastoralist
  • Mr Col McKenzie, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators chief executive officer and marine tourism consultant
  • Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Diocesan director, Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton
  • Councillor Peter Long, mayor of Karratha, engineer and environmental scientist

The Council will advise on issues including industry development, Indigenous employment, infrastructure and long-term planning.

“We are delivering on our plan for developing Northern Australia. We’re investing in the roads, dams and infrastructure that will create new opportunities and support new industries,” Minister Canavan said.

“I look forward to working with this Council as we build on these investments.”

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