‘Underutilisation of infrastructure assets is rife across Australia—in both the private and public sectors.’

That is the view of National ICT Australia (NICTA), the nation’s largest ICT research organisation, which is set to give evidence tomorrow at an Inquiry into the role of Smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure.

NICTA believes that ‘there are simple and specific steps (the) government can take that will greatly enhance the efficiency of Australia’s infrastructure,’ including:

• The harmonisation of data formats;
• The development and deployment of more innovative technology; and
• An examination of the productivity benefits of Smart ICT in transport and supply chains.

The Infrastructure and Communications Committee will look at smarter ways to build and use public and private infrastructure, and will hear from witnesses representing industry and the university sector.

Committee Chairman Jane Prentice MP (Ryan, Qld) said, “Australia needs to do more than just simply build more infrastructure; we need to build smarter, more efficient infrastructure, and make better use of the infrastructure we already have.”

Mrs Prentice noted that the technology and information systems required to build smart infrastructure were already available—governments and industry just needed to apply them.

Details of the hearing are as follows:
Date: Friday, 21 August 2015
Time: 10:30 am–1:15 pm
Venue: NICTA (Australian Technology Park), Level 5, 13 Garden Street, EVELEIGH NSW

10:30am NICTA(Submission 23)
11:15am Lynnwood Consulting (Submission 16)
11:45am buildingSMART (Submission 10)
12.15am SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong (Submission 12)
12:45am Laing O’Rourke (Submission 15)

The public hearing will be webcast live at http://www.aph.gov.au/live

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THE Northern Australia Committee will be holding hearings in Queensland from 24, 26 and 27 August as part of its inquiry into opportunities to expand the aquaculture industry in Northern Australia.

Global annual production of prawns alone amounts to 7 million tonnes, of which 3.9 million tonnes are produced through aquaculture. Globally, China is the biggest aquaculture producer (1.2 million tonnes) followed by Vietnam (0.5 million tonnes); and Indonesia, India, and Ecuador (each producing about 0.3 million tonnes). In comparison, Australia produces only 4000 tonnes annually.

 Committee Chair, the Hon Warren Entsch MP, said: 'There is a huge opportunity for the expansion of Australia’s aquaculture sector, especially in Northern Australia, which could capitalise on the global and Australian demand for prawns, fish, shellfish and other aquaculture species.’

 ‘A good example is the proposed Sea Dragon Project, where the aquaculture sector is poised for expansion on the Northern Territory–Western Australia border. The Sea Dragon Project is estimated to generate, at full production, 100 000 tonnes annually of premium black tiger prawns and $800 million in exports,’ Mr Entsch said.

 Witnesses at the hearings in Cairns, Townsville, and Brisbane include

• Sea Farms Group (the proponent of the Sea Dragon Project)
• Australian Prawn Farmers Association
• Pacific Reef Fisheries (proposing a new prawn farm at Guthalungra)
• James Cook University
• Australian Institute of Marine Science
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

'It is important that the environmental impact of new aquaculture developments has minimal or no impact on the Great Barrier Reef,’

 ‘New technology and improved farm design and management is already mitigating potential contamination of the Reef catchment and in many cases, there is actually a net benefit to water quality at the outlet point. These factors will also help to allow the development of an industry which will contribute significantly to regional economies,’ Mr Entsch said.

Hearing programs are available at: www.aph.gov.au/jscna

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is dismayed at the decision of the Victorian Government to go ahead with two new public holidays for the state, with many retailers expected to be forced close their doors, as a result of two extra days of penalty rates.

The introduction of public holidays on Grand Final Friday and Easter Sunday will increase Victoria’s public holidays to 13 a year – the most of any state.

“These two new public holidays come at a high cost to retail businesses, as it means increased wages as a result of high penalty rates if they are to open,” said Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association.

“Many Victorian retailers have indicated to the ARA that they will have no choice but to close their doors on these two days,” he said.

“Wages can be 50 per cent higher on Easter Sunday and 150 per cent higher on Grand Final Eve. Retailers face the difficult choice between remaining open and paying incredibly high penalty rates, or closing and losing sales or production.”

Grand Final Friday and the iconic annual CBD parade has always been a key event for Melbourne CBD retailers, with increased visitors to the area driving sales. The confirmation of this day as a public holiday will lead to less consumers in the city area.

"Grand Final Friday will have the greatest impact on the profitability of CBD retailers, as workers will not be in the city before AFL Grand Final, diminishing what has traditionally been a peak business period in the Victorian events calendar,” said Zimmerman.

“There will be no wages transfer through higher penalty rates being paid or the traditional net benefit from tourism during AFL Friday as workers and businesses abandon Melbourne CBD to stay at home.”

The ARA is currently engaged in a review of the General Retail Industry Award 2010 (GRIA) with Fair Work, with the view to reducing costs for retailers who trade on Sundays and public holidays.

The ARA supports recommendations by the Productivity Commission in its workplace relations report earlier this month that penalty rates must be reduced to support retail growth and sustainability.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $265 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.

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THE National Capital and External Territories Committee will examine Crown land management, local planning processes and the prospects for economic development on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands as part of its inquiry into governance in the Indian Ocean Territories.

Local government representatives from the Indian Ocean Territories will participate via teleconference in a public hearing to be held in Canberra tomorrow.

Committee Chair, Mr Luke Simpkins MP said, “Access to land, together with clear policy and processes that support development are essential to improve investor confidence and increase opportunities for tourism and other industries in the Indian Ocean Territories’ economy.”

PUBLIC HEARING DATE: Thursday 20 August 2015
VENUE: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra
PROGRAM: 10:35 am  Chair’s opening statement
10:40 am  Shire of Christmas Island
11:05 am  Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
11:30 am  Close.

Members of the public are welcome to observe proceedings.

The hearing will also be webcast at www.aph.gov.au/live.

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