CONTINUED growth in Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) May 2015 retail trade figures released today indicate the strength of Australian retail, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), with year on year sales growing 4.6 percent to $24.1 billion.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman attributes the growth to a more palatable Federal Budget in May 2015, compared to 2014.

“Consumers appear to have been more confident with the Government’s more conservative budget, and that has played out in the pleasing boost to May 2015 retail trade figures,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“In addition to the more appealing spending conditions, many states have seen an earlier winter in 2015, driving more shoppers into stores for winter essentials such as heating appliances and winter fashions.”

Mr Zimmerman’s observations are backed up by the annual growth of household goods retailing at 9.5 percent, and clothing, personal accessory and footwear retailing, up 8.8 percent.

This is most evident in Canberra, which produced the most buoyant growth for May 2015 of all the states and territories of seven percent. The Northern Territory was the only state to see a decline in annual sales of 1.4 per cent.

“It’s important for retailers to be aware of the annual growth of their industry as opposed to monthly growth, as this is the figure most retail businesses use in their own reporting. Year on year figures provide the most accurate measure of the sector’s performance,” said Mr Zimmerman.

Month on month sales for May 2015 grew by 0.3 percent.

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (April 2015 – May 2015 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (0.9%), Food retailing (0.7%), Other retailing (0.3%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-0.2%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.8%), and Department stores (-1.4%). Total sales (0.3%).

Australian Capital Territory (0.9%), New South Wales (0.7%), Tasmania (0.6%), Western Australia (0.2%), Queensland (0.2%), South Australia (0%), Northern Territory (0%) and Victoria (-0.1%).Total sales (0.3%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (May 2014 – May 2015 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (9.5%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (8.8%), Food retailing (4%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (3.2%), Department stores (1.6%) and Other retailing (1.4%). Total sales (4.6%).

Australian Capital Territory (7%), New South Wales (6%), South Australia (5.5%), Victoria (5%), Western Australia (3.2%), Tasmania (3.3%), Queensland (3%) and Northern Territory (-1.4%). Total sales (4.6%).

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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VICTORIA'S tourism sector is disappointed that a compromise was not reached to continue with an innovative project in Mornington Peninsula’s Point Nepean site, following the State Government’s decision to walk away from an agreement with the private sector.

“The plan centred on the Quarantine Station part of this National Park and entailed a sustainable development that was sensitive to the local environment. Its focus was to preserve the integrity of the site’s natural and cultural heritage and to create more access for people to experience this wonderful place. However the failure to reach a compromise means the state is delayed in realising the benefits of sustainable tourism,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“Public private partnerships are vital to the growth and prosperity of our sector. Point Nepean is a significant cultural and heritage site and the private sector was positive about working with government on a great project for Victoria.

“The State Government has turned its back on this Point Nepean development, which has the potential to diminish private sector confidence in investing in Victorian tourism projects.

“Our industry saw this as a litmus test for future developments and there is now concern regarding investment in innovative, job creating new tourism projects in Victoria.” 

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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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed the Federal Government’s changes to the taxation of employee share schemes which come into effect today and support start-up businesses to attract talent and grow.

The changes mean that employees who are issued with options will generally be able to defer tax until they convert the options to shares. Previously, employees were obligated to pay tax when those options vest.

"Also, under the changes eligible start-ups can issue options or shares to their employees at a discount, and have that discount exempt (for shares) or further deferred (for options) from income tax," Mr Stone said.

"These measures were called for by VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce in its report, Small business. Big opportunities. They will encourage innovation and productivity which are key to keeping small business competitive."

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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THE Australian Human Rights Commission is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability.  Consultation forums will begin early in July.

The purpose of the Inquiry is to learn more about the kinds of barriers preventing capable older people and people with disability from getting access to the jobs they are qualified for.

“This Inquiry is a rare opportunity for every day Australians to share their insights and personal experiences to help us understand the factors that are holding back older workers and people with disability from participating in the work force and to help identify practical ways to improve access and ensure greater participation,” said Age and Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan. Commissioner Ryan, who was last week appointed Ambassador for Mature Age Workers by the Government, says attitudes need to change.

“We are very keen to engage with employers large and small, across all sectors to understand what changes would encourage them to include more older workers and people with disability in their workforces”.

“The onus is now on all of us to rethink how we see older workers and people with disability and the contributions they can make. They have a great wealth of skills, experience and know-how which can not only help the economy but enrich the nation with benefits for all. The right to work for those who want and need it, belongs to everyone. It is my hope that the Inquiry, when complete, will provide a road map for the way forward.”

The submissions period is open until Friday 4 December 2015.To make a submission, please visit our website:www.humanrights.gov.au/willing-work-how-make-submission. Public consultations are being conducted in every capital city and some regional centres, from July to November 2015, with the first taking place in Canberra on July 6 and 7.

For more information on the consultations and a list of consultation locations and dates please visit: www.humanrights.gov.au/willing-work-consultations

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