THE Australian Parliament’s Trade and Investment Growth Committee is currently undertaking an Inquiry into the Business Experience in Utilising Australia’s Free Trade Agreements.

The Inquiry is examining the experience of Australian business in using existing free trade agreements (FTAs), including any barriers that may be preventing business from realising the benefits of these FTAs.

As part of its inquiry, the committee will be holding public hearings in Melbourne on 27 July and Sydney on 28 July.

The Melbourne hearing features a range of industry associations including many representing horticulture businesses.

"Horticulture businesses are being prevented from accessing some export markets because of quarantine and phytosanitary concerns. Without market access these businesses cannot benefit from Australia’s FTAs. We need to understand why this is occurring and how these obstacles can be overcome," Chair of the Committee, Mr Ken O’Dowd said.

In Sydney, witnesses will include representatives from a range of service industries.

"Asia’s growing economies present many opportunities for Australian service industries to expand. To benefit from these opportunities we need to seek to remove any barriers to Australian foreign investment, and ensure that Australians are enabled to conduct business in key overseas markets," Mr O’Dowd said.

Melbourne
Date: Monday 27 July 2015, 9.00 am – 3.40 pm
Location: Room G6, Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne

Sydney
Date: Tuesday 28 July 2015, 9.00 am – 5.40 pm
Location: Macquarie Room, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney

More information is available at: www.aph.gov.au/fta

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THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has welcomed the completion of lease negotiations that will see the construction of the Mornington Peninsula’s Arthurs Seat Skylift.

“Nature-based tourism is vital for the growth of Victoria’s tourism industry and we’re delighted to see the progression of this exciting project,” said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

The 50-year lease allows for the construction of an all-weather, all-abilities access gondola which is proposed to open in late-2016.

“It is also positive that the State Government will complement the project with $1.5 million in public space upgrades including safety, car parking and other visitor facility improvements, making the attraction more accessible for guests,” said Ms Smith. 

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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THE House Environment Committee will conduct a public hearing in Hobart on Tuesday, 21 July 2015 as part of its inquiry into the Register of Environmental Organisations.

Representatives from environmental organisations and other interested parties will appear before the committee.

Details of the public hearing are as follows:
Time: 9:00 am
Date: Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Location: Conference Room 1, Legislative Council, Parliament of Tasmania,
Cnr Salamanca Pl and Murray St

9.00 am The Bob Brown Foundation
9.30 am Environment Tasmania
10.00 am Tasmanian Land Conservancy
10.45 am Tasmanian National Parks Association
11.15 am Landcare Tasmania
11.45 am Tasmanian Conservation Trust
1.15 pm Tarkine National Coalition
1.45 pm Markets for Change
2.15 pm Mr Ian Sauer

Audio from the hearings will be webcast at: http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament.

Submissions to the inquiry, including those from the organisations appearing at this hearing, are available at:  http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Environment/REO/Submissions.

Further details about the inquiry, including submissions received and the terms of reference, can be found on the inquiry’s website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/reo.

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NEXT week’s Victorian Tourism Conference 2015 will bring Victoria’s tourism leaders together with policy makers to identify growth opportunities for business in this new chapter for the sector.

“This is a time of transformation for global tourism and we must challenge the status quo in Victoria and work together to reach our potential through 2015 and beyond,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Over 400 delegates have registered to attend the conference which VTIC is proudly presenting for the second time, in partnership with Tourism Victoria.

“Our conference will bring business and government leaders together to explore this dynamic new chapter for Victorian tourism. It will be an opportunity to get a glimpse of what the future may look like for our industry, through exploring global and local business stories, challenges and triumphs,” said Ms Smith.

Speakers include: 

Dianne Smith
VTIC Chief Executive

Dianne will open the conference on the need for industry and governments to identify and embrace opportunities for growth in the ever-changing tourism sector.

Sir Rod Eddington, AO
Business and aviation leader; Chair of Victoria Visitor Economy Review 2015;
Chairman of Victorian Major Events Company and President of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee.
 
Sir Rod will set the scene for discussion as he shares his thoughts on the broader state of play for Victorian events.
 
Mark Pesce
Futurist, inventor, author, educator and broadcaster.
 
Mark’s ‘Sixty Months to Everywhere’ session will explore the value of digital communication strategies that anticipate and meet the needs of customers on a personal and social level.
 
Shawn Callahan
Founder and Director, Anecdote; Business storytelling consultant.
 
Shawn will advise on how businesses can support their customers to convert experiences into stories.
 
victourismconference.com.au
 
When: 20 – 21 July 2015
 
Where: Level 2, Melbourne Convention Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
 
Full program and schedule victourismconference.com.au/programs/

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