THE Federal Parliament's Northern Australia Committee today recommended the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016 be passed by the Australian Parliament in its report titled ‘Advisory Report on the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016’.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility established by the Bill will provide up to $5 billion in concessional financial assistance for infrastructure projects designed to stimulate economic and population growth in Northern Australia. 

The Committee Chair, the Hon Warren Entsch MP, said: ‘The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will provide up to $5 billion in concessional loans, but by leveraging private sector capital, the value of the infrastructure projects it supports will be far greater than $5 billion. The Facility will accelerate the development of an infrastructure base that can underpin the long-term growth needed to unlock the economic and social potential of Northern Australia.’ 

The report is available from the Committee’s website

www.aph.gov.au/jscna

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VICTORIANS who have shown leadership in sustainability and a commitment to improving the environment are encouraged to enter the 2016 Premier's Sustainability Awards and share their stories.

Entries are now open for state and local government, businesses, organisations, community groups, and individuals who are leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices. 

Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said the awards are a great way of acknowledging groups and individuals that have made innovative developments in reducing their environmental impact, and are contributing to a more sustainable future.

“Delivering these awards each year means we continue to discover the passion and talent Victorians have for protecting their natural environment and thinking creatively about new sustainable practices.

“The awards encourage innovation across all sectors, with a focus on delivering a triple bottom line – environmental, economic, and social benefits for Victoria.

“It has been inspiring to see the awards continue to grow and strengthen throughout their 14-year history,” Mr Krpan said.

The Premier's Sustainability Awards continues to promote leadership and innovation in sustainability, and encourage a broader adoption of these practices by all Victorians.

There are 10 award categories this year:

• Built Environment
• Community
• Education
• Environmental Justice
• Environmental Protection
• Government
• Health
• Innovative Products or Services
• Large Business
• Small and Medium Enterprises

In addition to these awards, the Premier will personally select two overall winners for the Premier's Regional Recognition Award and the Premier's Recognition Award.

Entries close Monday 27 June, 5pm.

For more information on how to enter, key dates and to register to attend an information session, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au

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CEBIT AUSTRALIA, the largest and longest running business technology event in the Asia Pacific region, has launched CeBIT BLACK, a VIP program to connect the C-suite of Australia’s leading enterprise and government organisations.

Whilst CeBIT Australia has delivered inspirational and informative business intelligence to nearly half a million attendees over its 15 year history, CeBIT BLACK will create an exclusive invite only engagement opportunity for tier one enterprise technology leaders and a limited number of enterprise level technology providers.

CeBIT BLACK will welcome over 200 of Australia’s most influential technology leaders on Thursday 28 April at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, providing them with a unique learning and networking opportunity.

Harvey Stockbridge, Managing Director, Hannover Fairs Australia is excited to launch the dedicated CeBIT BLACK program.

“We recognise that the requirements of elite Australian businesses, and the enterprise and government level technology suppliers they engage, require a distinct event to cater for their needs.

“CeBIT BLACK will be held the week prior to the CeBIT Australia exhibition and conferences, and will feature presentations by Kathryn Parsons, CEO of Decoded from the UK, plus Scott Monty, Crisis Communication Strategist will join us from the US. The Hon Anthony Roberts, Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, NSW Government will also present at the event.

“We believe events like this will assist the growth and productivity of services across the business technology landscape,” concluded Mr Stockbridge.

Registered attendees are from AGL, AMP, Bank of Queensland, Bupa, Caltex, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Cochlear, Deutsche Bank, Network Ten, Nokia, NSW Government, OFX, PwC, Qantas, Red Cross, Samsung, Twitter, Uniting Care, Veolia, Water NSW, Westpac, Woolworths and more. Job titles include, CIO, CTO, CEO, CMO, CISO and Heads of Digital.

The event will be emceed by ABC personality James O’Loghlin, and feature keynote speakers, entertainment and a charity auction in aid of The Smith Family.

CeBIT Australia: 2-4 May 2016, Sydney Olympic Park

www.cebit.com.au

A CUT in the company tax rate could see Australians worse off by an estimated $1600 each, according to economic modelling to released at the Melbourne Economic Forum today.

The modelling, undertaken by Victoria University’s Centre of Policy Studies, reveals that the cost to government revenue from a company tax rate cut outweighs benefits that could eventually flow from increased foreign investment and higher wages.

“The cost to revenue from a company tax rate cut would add to pressure on government to reduce spending in areas such as health and education and income support, or to raise personal taxes,” Dr Janine Dixon, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Policy Studies, who will present the modelling results said.

Dr Dixon, who undertook modelling for last year’s National Reform Summit, said a company tax rate cut amounted to a transfer of government revenue to foreign investors – but that those investors were expected to invest more in Australia, making workers more productive and driving up wages.

Any new investment, however, would take time and a large share of future company profits would accrue to the same foreign investors.

“Our modelling results for the impact on national production, as measured by GDP, are similar to Treasury’s, but this is not a suitable measure of national benefit,” she said.

"The right indicator of national benefit is the impact of a company tax rate cut on national income and that’s clearly negative.”

Presentations on tax reform from leading economists Professors John Freebairn, Ross Garnaut, and Beth Webster and John Daley from the Grattan Institute were also on today’s agenda.

The Melbourne Economic Forum is a joint collaboration between Victoria University and the University of Melbourne. It is run in association with the Australian Financial Review.

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