THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Australian Infrastructure Plan.

“The plan presents a forthright, evidence based, non-political assessment of challenges in the Australian infrastructure landscape and required reforms to address those challenges,” said Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“It is important that Infrastructure Australia’s findings are carefully considered and actioned by governments and are not politicised.”

Infrastructure Australia has identified and prioritised a number of specific Victorian projects that must be progressed by governments, including:

• The Metropolitan Ring Road from Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway
• Melbourne Metro Rail
• A road connection between the West Gate Freeway and the Port of Melbourne
• Improved public transport to Melbourne Airport

“Many of the Victorian projects on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list are closely aligned with the priorities of the Victorian Chamber and represent a clear pathway for future Victorian infrastructure investment.”

"The Victorian Chamber hopes that Infrastructure Australia will work in close partnership with the newly established Infrastructure Victoria and the Victorian Government to drive the continued investment that is needed to meet Victoria’s future infrastructure needs."

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au  

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QUEENSLAND Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham, to reduce by up to 50 percent, the expenditure that explorers are required to make under their minerals exploration permits.

"This initiative will provide much needed relief to mineral explorers across the state in places like Cape York, Mount Isa and operations west of Townsville and Cairns," QRC chief executive Michael Roche said.

"This is an example of how government can partner with industry to provide incentive and some breathing space in tough times without providing a handout or subsidies. QRC also welcomes the fact that the Minister is investigating  extending this policy to coal explorers whose circumstances  are really no different to that of mineral explorers.

"We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss with the Premier and the Cabinet Jobs Committee, a wider partnership plan to provide breathing space for the resources sector or, as the Minister told the Parliament today: 'Giving time for the market to recover'.

"As QRC foreshadowed last week, jobs losses are an inevitable fact of the current severe cyclical downturn in commodity prices but there are areas where Government can partner with industry to alleviate the costs of doing business in Queensland to ensure we remain globally competitive and investment in existing and new projects continues," Mr Roche said.

"The Minister is correct that there is still a lot of interest in resource assets in Queensland. The decision by Anglo American to offer more of its Queensland coal assets for sale is based on a company strategy of repairing its balance sheet and we have no doubt those assets will find new owners.

www.qrc.org.au

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COUNCIL of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) today released its Pre Budget Submission, which outlines its recommendations to grow the Australian economy and support small businesses across the country.

COSBOA’s Pre Budget Submission focuses on tax, supporting growth and skills development; the key areas it feels that need an overhaul to help and grow small businesses.

The submission will be part of a presentation by Peter Strong in Sydney this evening at a meeting of the Paddington Branch of the Liberal Party, which is found in the Prime Minister’s seat of Wentworth.

It is the belief of COSBOA that a flexible and less complex tax system is needed and one that is not geared in the favour of big business, which in the past has seen its power and share of the market used to its own advantage.

CEO of COSBOA, Peter Strong, said: “We know that the tax system is a major point of debate and rightly so.  However, we need to make sure that the debate isn’t hijacked by ideologues to the detriment of mainstream Australia.”

In the submission, one of COSBOA’s suggestions is that that small businesses may ‘opt in’ to a system where they decline all deductions that may apply in exchange for a much lower tax rate.

Peter continues: “This is just one example that’s outlined in the report, which would provide businesses with the opportunity to have a less complex tax return. This would reduce costs and the administrative burden on the tax system and create less need to maintain records for tax purposes, which are currently a drain on the resources of small business.

“Essentially the process needs to be simplified, so that small business owners can focus on running and growing their business and their employees, not unnecessary admin. The outcome would be that the Australian economy will grow and communities will benefit from a range of independent providers,” said Mr Strong.

The report also focuses on skills development and describes the current Vocational Education and Training (VET) system as being in a crisis and not delivering quality service in many sectors.

Peter said:  “COSBOA believes in particular that much of the billions of dollars spent in the vocational training sector is wasted and wants to see funds invested into technical and ‘on the job’ training.”

In the submission it suggests how a major solution can be found, with a substantial part of VET and employment services funding directed through industry associations, who would ensure quality and relevant services and training would be delivered.

Peter concluded: “Giving small business associations greater influence over how that money is spent will create greater outcomes without an increase in expenditure.  There is money in the budget that can be better spent through small business.  We believe the ideologues should be put in a room together, the doors locked, the keys thrown away; and then we can get on with reality!”

For more information on COSBOA, visit www.cosboa.org.au.

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THE Australian Government is calling for ideas on how to streamline regulation affecting Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors in submissions to a Productivity Commission inquiry.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, today encouraged interested stakeholders to have their say on how their industry can be better regulated.

“The Productivity Commission has today released an issues paper outlining key issues for the sector—and I certainly hope that this will stimulate further discussion with industry and any interested parties,” Minister Ruston said.

“It is a key commitment of this Government to foster a competitive, transparent and efficient business environment. 

“The inquiry is a commitment of the Agricultural Competitiveness and Developing Northern Australia White Papers, and is yet another demonstration of our commitment to boosting farm gate returns to our primary producers.

“With a gross production value of $2.6 billion, Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture industry is in good shape and continues to grow. We can leverage that growth by cutting down unnecessary and duplicative regulation.

“The goal is to look for opportunities to increase productivity by cutting unnecessary and costly regulation without compromising our high food safety and environmental standards.

“The issues paper looks at areas where opportunity exists to improve—like coordination between jurisdictions, unnecessary overlap and the resulting cumulative impact on business.

“Any business, organisation or individual with an interest in marine fisheries and aquaculture should consider providing a submission to the inquiry.”

The Productivity Commission is due to report back to government by the end of 2016, and submissions on the issues paper are due by 31 March 2016.

The issues paper and details on how to provide a submission are available on the Productivity Commission websitewww.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/fisheries-aquaculture​.