THE Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to keep the cash rate on hold today at 2.25 percent will support the retail industry for the time being but additional cuts are likely to be necessary.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA)  Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the current period of stable interest rates is a positive sign for both business and consumers.

“While the stable cash rate has positively impacted consumer spending, both the Federal Government and RBA must now do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported.

“Unfortunately, we have seen some concerning data lately including low wages growth and a weak international environment which has left consumers and businesses feeling a little nervous. The ARA therefore encourages the government to prioritise real productive reforms and for the RBA to consider further rate cuts next month to maintain consumer confidence,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said the organisation was urging the Parliament of Victoria to support the passage of the Back to Work Bill as a priority for the job creation benefit it will bring to Victoria.

"VECCI, Victoria's major business organisation, has consistently supported this important legislation as it will establish a $100 million fund to give payroll tax relief to businesses hiring unemployed youth, the long-term unemployed and retrenched workers into full time work," Mr Stone said.

"Employers will be eligible for a payroll tax rebate of up to $1,000 per employee to subsidise the cost of training, uniforms, transport and tools.

"We understand that the Upper House resistance involves the Greens being unwilling to support the Government’s attempt to facilitate job creation in Victoria, as well as minor resistance from the Opposition on reporting requirements; both of which should not be the main game here.

"Every attempt by any Government to improve the job prospects for young people should be debated on merit, not on red tape trivia. Debate over reporting only creates more regulation and cost for small business. Jobs and the ability to employ more people is what matters," Mr Stone said.

"Any opportunity to create jobs for young Victorians and reduce the red tape impost on business must be seen as a step forward.

"VECCI hopes the two major parties resolve their differences quickly to give the Back to Work strategy a chance to succeed."

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

vecci.org.au

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KEEPING  the community safe and maintaining personal privacy and freedoms will be canvassed at a public hearing on Wednesday, as part of an Inquiry into the use of section 313 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

The House Standing Committee on Communications will hear evidence from two organisations that question the need for section 313 of the Act, which gives Australian government agencies the ability to obtain assistance from the telecommunications industry when upholding Australian laws.

Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) regards section 313 as a “dangerous impediment to Internet freedoms” and recommends that it be struck out completely, or, if retained, be restricted to law enforcement, national security agencies, and possibly oversight agencies such as ASIC.

The Australian Privacy Foundation (APF) is opposed to section 313 in its current form and believes its misuse has an adverse impact on Australians’ privacy. The APF says the section should be re-written to establish due process and appeal rights, and to remove conflicts and confusion between the diverse subject matter comprising law enforcement, crime prevention and national security.

Committee Chairman, Jane Prentice said, “The Committee is conscious of the wide range of views within the community about the need for balance between personal freedom and community protection—especially in the internet age. The Committee expects that by testing a range of views on the use of section 313, we will be able to find the right balance between the rights of citizens and the responsibilities of government agencies.”

Details of the hearing are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Time :8:00 am

Venue:Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Further information about the Inquiry, including the full terms of reference and how to prepare a submission can be obtained from the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/section313 or from the Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has continued to expand its physical presence by officially opening a Queensland office launching the ARA Queensland Division with Queensland based retailers.

The ARA Queensland Division is run by retailers, for retailers with our local board fully comprising Queensland retailers.

Following the collapse of smaller retail organisations over recent years which left local retailers with very little voice, the ARA has now officially opened offices in Brisbane with staff and board members working across Queensland.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the ARA Queensland Division looks forward to working with the new Queensland Government and will take a new bi-partisan approach to supporting retailers in the state.

“For some time now, Queensland retailers have reported they want certainty and security by having a stable government in place and an industry body that is accessible at all times to retailers which will advocate their issues to all sides of Queensland politics.

“In order to truly represent the retail industry and have a thorough understanding of the issues facing retailers on a day to day basis, an industry body must be run by those who know first-hand the opportunities and challenges that come with running a retail business. This is why the new ARA QLD division is proudly run by retailers, for retailers with nearly all key ARA staff also having retail backgrounds,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

ARA Queensland national board member and new Chair of the Queensland Division Ralph Edwards said Queensland-based retailers want to be certain their government is focused on creating jobs and improving business conditions.

“Retailers have told me they want clear direction from the new Queensland Government on jobs and costs for business. The ARA Queensland Division and Board will be working alongside the new government to ensure the retail industry and small business remain at the forefront of government initiatives,” Mr Edwards said.

ARA Queensland Division Board:

Ralph Edwards - Bright Eyes Sunglasses (ARA national board member and Queensland Chair)
Rowan Hodge - Battery World
Manjit Sadhwani - Dollars and Sense
Stuart Beechen - Aktiv Brands
Emmanuel Drivas - Coffee Club
 
Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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