AMMA, Australia's resource industry employer group believes a new public interest test for future trade union amalgamations will provide critical Australian commercial activities, such as the construction of nationally significant resource projects, with further certainty and safeguards against militant and unlawful union tactics.

“Australia’s resource employers support the Coalition’s commitment to ensure future mergers between unions can only proceed where they are consistent with the public interest,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“This will not only correct a glaring omission from the existing legislation and bring unions into line with the rules for corporate mergers, it will also ensure wider community interests are taken into account.

“It doesn’t matter if Australia has 20 unions or 2000 unions, as long as they all respect and abide by our workplace laws.  Unions that honestly and lawfully represent their members and comply with our workplace laws should easily pass such a test if they seek to merge with other unions.”

Although the Coalition’s policy will apply to all registered organisations seeking to amalgamate, AMMA called for a new public interest test following industry and community concerns about a proposed merger between the CFMEU and the MUA.

Concerns related to how two unions with a history of unlawful conduct and ignoring court decisions were looking to further bolster their influence on supply chains and contractor sectors.

In late 2015, the CFMEU’s record of breaking Australia’s workplace laws was lambasted by a Federal Court Judge who asked “has there ever been a worse recidivist in the history of the common law?”

The MUA has similarly forged a reputation for being openly and proudly militant, with its West Australian secretary infamously telling the union’s 2013 national conference that “laws need to be broken, you’re going to get locked up”.

"The resource industry is concerned that an amalgamation between the MUA and the CFMEU would potentially put at risk the stability of the supply chain supporting offshore and onshore resource projects,” Mr Knott says.

“Any coordinated ramping up of the militant industrial tactics of the CFMEU and MUA could jeopardise the timely completion of projects and supply of commodities to overseas buyers, and threaten future investment decisions.

“AMMA is pleased our recommendation for a public interest test has been taken up by the Coalition.

“Coupled with the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the extension of its coverage to offshore construction, also championed by AMMA, these measures will provide certainty to investors, industry and the broader Australian community that significant future resource sector projects will not be put at risk by union militancy or unlawfulness.”

In AMMA’s 2016 Election Survey of over 100 resource employers, representing 85,000 employees, 86% believed union amalgamations should be scrutinised against a public interest test. 82% supported the ‘urgent’ restoration of the ABCC.

www.amma.org.au

ends

A FAST-TRACK program to support up-and-coming female entrepreneurs is being supported by the City of Sydney as part of its efforts to foster business and boost the local economy.

Springboard Enterprises Australia (SBE) has received $35,000 in City sponsorship for their 2016 Accelerator Program that includes an education and coaching course designed for women entrepreneurs in the early stages of their company’s development. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was important to support women entrepreneurs, who are underrepresented in areas like emerging and high-growth businesses.

“Too little investment in women-led, high-growth companies impedes our city’s economic growth. So it’s not only a women’s issue, it’s a broader economic issue,” said the Lord Mayor.

“There are plenty of outstanding female entrepreneurs in Australia who could use Springboard’s support to take their business to the next level.

“Our upcoming Tech Startups Action Plan identifies the need to increase the number of female entrepreneurs launching and scaling high-growth businesses as an economic priority.”

The sponsorship falls under the City’s 10-year economic development strategy that aims to enhance the skills of business people and increase their awareness of business opportunities.”

Each year, SBE runs a ‘bootcamp’ for up to 10 companies, designed to accelerate their growth by providing skills and knowledge, coaching, mentorships and connections to local and international venture capitalists, angel and corporate investors.  

Companies selected to take part must:

•    Have a woman in a senior position with a significant equity stake;
•    Demonstrate a qualified and profitable market opportunity;
•    Have a track record of milestone achievement;
•    Have a credible management team or ability to attract one; and
•    Be based in or have significant operations in Australia.

SBE Australia Chair, Topaz Conway, said the City’s shared commitment to entrepreneurs was a key alignment with Springboard Enterprises Australia’s efforts to deliver a world-class program for women. 

“Since 2013, Springboard has worked with 26 women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. To date, 70 per cent of these companies have now received more than $68 million in investment capital and a third have expanded to US and UK markets.

“Our goal is to help women make high-value contributions to Australia’s economy through innovation and technology.” 

The City has supported the SBE Accelerator Program since its launch in Australia in 2012 as part of the Economic Development Strategy to encourage women entrepreneurs, help strengthen the Sydney economy and support business.

Entrepreneur and Switch Automation co-founder, Deb Noller, completed the SBE Inaugural Accelerator Program in 2013 and last year expanded her businesses to the United States. 

“The Springboard Enterprise Australia Induction Program was perhaps one of the most eye-opening experiences of my personal AND professional life. I will never forget the feedback I received—mostly in the form of learning how to present myself and my company in a confident, clear light,” said Noller.

“Those mentors were invaluable in helping shape our approach to global expansion. We now have more than 7,000 buildings on our platform around the world; 38 employees; and are raising our first big Series A round.

The continued coaching and support means that I can stand in front of any potential customer, my global team and any investor and present our solution to the buildings industry the way that it deserves to be presented.”

Switch Automation is a cloud-based software program that provides a remote energy-management and sustainability reporting for buildings to help business cut costs and run more efficiently. 

For more information, visit sb.co/australia 

ends

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has commended the NSW Government for delivering a budget that focuses on infrastructure, skills, and tax cuts for business, while running $3.4 billion in 2015-16, rising to $3.7 billion in 2016-17, and forecasts surpluses over the next four years averaging $2 billion each year.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said the NSW State Budget builds on economic strength for the state and should continue strong retail sales growth at the same time as supporting retail businesses, particularly in employing people.

“The just released 2016-17 Budget focuses on delivering infrastructure that communities in NSW need, with long term holes in infrastructure slowly being fixed for the first time in decades,” said Mr Zimmerman.

In 2016-17, the Government is allocating $16.9 billion to transport and roads projects and services, helping to cut congestion and allow faster travel times so workers can spend more time with their families.

“The $100 million Smart, Skilled, and Hired is a package of initiatives to build skills and actively match those most in need of a job, such as young unemployed people, with the sectors that are growing and in need of workers.

“The previously promised removal of the taxes on business transactions is an important step for businesses making decisions to improve their operations, so the economic costs of these taxes are particularly high,” Mr Zimmerman said.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $293 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 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

ends

THE HUNT is on for the Queensland construction industry’s brightest stars, with nominations now open for the 2016 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards.

Members of the local construction industry are encouraged to nominate apprentices, trainees, schools, trainers, training organisations and employers they feel deserve recognition for their training achievements.

Over the last two decades, the CSQ Excellence Awards have grown to become the construction industry’s most prestigious and celebrated awards program.

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said the Awards provide an opportunity to honour those who have made an important contribution to Queensland’s building and construction industry.

“For 21 years, the CSQ Excellence Awards have shone a spotlight on the hard work that takes place in our industry on a daily basis but is often taken for granted,” he said.

“This could be an apprentice who has overcome challenges to complete their training, a company embracing new technology in their training programs or an inspiring supervisor who leads by example.

“We encourage individuals and organisations in the Queensland industry to nominate and tell us their stories.”

This year the Awards have introduced a new Innovation in Construction Training category which recognises employers who are utilising cutting edge training methods.

The simple online application process means applicants can submit details at any time of day to suit them with assistance available during business hours if needed. Nominations close 5pm Friday 16 September.

The website also provides the opportunity to purchase tickets to the gala awards evening. Tickets for the CSQ Excellence Awards are now on sale for $175.00 per person or $1600.00 for a table of 10.

The awards night will be held on Friday 25 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information about the Awards contact CSQ on 1800 798 488 or visit http://www.csq.org.au/excellence-awards.

2016 Award Categories

Stars of 2016 – Outstanding Individual Achievement

• Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year 
• National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year
• Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year
• Master Electricians Association Award for Construction Trainee or Apprentice of the Year
• All Trades Queensland Award for Construction School Student of the Year
• Construction Trainer of the Year 

Excellence in Construction Training

• Construction School of the Year
• Registered Training Organisation of the Year
• Innovation in Construction Training

Employer Commitment to Training Excellence

• Watpac Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – General Construction (up to $20 million turnover)
• Major Training Group Award for Employer Commitment to Training - General Construction (over $20 million turnover)
• Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – Civil Construction (up to $20 million turnover)
• Evolution Training Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence – Civil Construction (over $20 million turnover)

Judges’ Outstanding Achievement Award

About Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ)

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry. Funded by an industry training levy, we work closely with students, schools, employers, apprentices, industry partners, training providers and individuals across Queensland to build capability at every level of business. As a recognised industry leader, our mission is to promote the building and construction industry as a career of first choice, encourage investment in skills and training and increase the number of skilled workers in the industry.

For further information about CSQ’s services visit www.csq.org.au or call 1800 798 488.

ends