THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has announced that Bendigo has been chosen to host the state’s annual tourism industry conference in 2016.

Presented by VTIC, the Victorian Tourism Conference is the annual opportunity for businesses and operators from throughout Victoria’s tourism and events sectors to share experiences and learn from industry leaders.

VTIC Acting Chief Executive Erin Joyce said Bendigo was selected because it shows leadership as a region, works collaboratively to develop rich cultural, artistic and historic tourism experiences, and is a vibrant, high-quality leisure and business tourism destination.

“Bendigo submitted a stand-out proposal to host the event, including the breathtaking new Ulumbarra Theatre as the venue, an innovative concept for the Gala Dinner, well presented pre-event tours and options, and a wide variety of quality accommodation for participants,” said Ms Joyce.

Ms Joyce said she expects that up to 400 delegates from throughout Victoria will attend the two day conference.

City of Greater Bendigo Tourism Manager Kathryn Mackenzie said conferences of this size inject considerable funds into the local economy.

“We are thrilled that Bendigo is being recognised as a leader and innovator in the tourism and events space by winning the chance to host the Victorian Tourism Conference 2016,” she said.

The tourism and events industry is a significant contributor to the visitor economy and is recognised as the seventh pillar of our state’s economy, generating 6 per cent (over 200,000) of Victoria’s jobs.

The conference will be held on 25 – 26 July 2016 at Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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SUBSTANTIAL benefits will flow to a wide range of Australian industries from the implementation of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, according to the just released Treaties Committee report.

China’s burgeoning middle class and ageing population both present significant potential for Australian businesses and industry. Producers will be able to capitalise on Australia’s reputation for premium quality, clean, green food and their proximity to one of the largest markets in the world, according to the report.  

Committee Chair, Mr Angus Taylor MP said it’s essential that ChAFTA is implemented quickly to help businesses and industry catch up.

“Australia is currently at a disadvantage as some of our major competitors, including New Zealand and Chile, gain ground in the expanding Chinese market,” he said.

Regarding the controversial issues involving Australia’s immigration framework for temporary workers, the report found that current safeguards are adequate, providing that the government organisations responsible for ensuring compliance are sufficiently resourced. The committee’s recommendations focus on ensuring that the relevant departments have the necessary funding to police compliance.

Ongoing concerns with non-tariff barriers were also confirmed, including sanitary and phytosanitary regulations. The committee has recommended that the Department of Agriculture be provided with the resources necessary to enable effective progress in removing these barriers.

Further recommendations target the need to provide information to business and industry about free trade agreements generally and better equip them to take full advantage of the opportunities available.

“We are well aware that only 19 per cent of Australian exporters make use of Australia’s existing free trade agreements. To achieve the promised economic growth, more steps must be taken to increase uptake,” Mr Taylor said.

The committee also released its report into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The AIIB is being set up to address the expected multi-trillion dollar shortfall for infrastructure spending across Asia in coming years. New infrastructure will drive economic growth and jobs, providing opportunities for Australian trade and business.

Both reports are available on the committee’s website: http://www.aph.gov.au/jsct

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THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has relaunched its digital hub with a fresh new look and expanded content; a terrific resource for IPA members, the accounting profession and the general public.

The pubacct.org.au site incorporates the IPA’s journal, Public Accountant and so much more.

The hub features past and present articles from the IPA’s journal, new and timely articles of interest, up-to-the minute news and updates from the IPA, videos, polls, expert advice, opinion pieces and regular blogs.

The hub is fully integrated with the IPA’s social media channels through which readers can access and share articles and commentary and is accessible on all devices: desktop, tablet and mobile.

“We thought it timely to do a refresh and deliver a more dynamic communication avenue for members and others,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“While our journal is highly valued by our members, we want to provide an ease of access medium with new and current content.

“Our objective is for the IPA to be a world leader in accountancy and SME thought leadership and our digital hub paves the way for truly meaningful, and at times provocative, dialogue on the big issues.

“The accounting world is constantly changing and our hub provides a dynamic way for IPA members, their clients, colleagues and others to interact,” said Mr Conway.

www.publicaccountants.org.au

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The Public Works Committee will hold a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow to examine an Airservices Australia proposal to refurbish air traffic control towers.

The hearing is part of the committee’s inquiry into proposed Brisbane and Cairns Control Tower Life Extensions. If approved, the works will see the facilities upgraded in preparation for the roll out of new technologies.

Airservices Australia said the towers are more than 20 years-old and largely original. Modernisation will ensure the towers have the capability to meet a forecast 60 per cent increase in aviation traffic across Australia’s air space by 2030.

The estimated cost of the project is $23.9 million (excluding GST). Construction work on the Cairns tower is scheduled to commence in early 2016 and to be completed by the end of the same year. Work on the Brisbane tower will start in late 2016 and is expected to be completed by mid-2017.

The Committee Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said the committee is looking forward to considering the works in more detail.

Public Hearing Venue: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra
Date: Friday, 16 October 2015
Time: 10.00am to 11.00am

The hearing will also be webcast at www.aph.gov.au/live.
Full details on the project are available on the committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pwc

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