THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is urging the Government to move forward with the Harper Review and get on with the job of competition policy reform.

“Australia is in desperate need for competition reform to ensure we have a healthy and effective competitive market and in particular, address the need to protect the competitive process so that small and medium-sized enterprises can compete on a more level playing field,” said IPA chief executive, Andrew Conway.

“Reform means more than just tax reform, which of course is also essential for our economy; it is about healthy competition and the Harper Review has provided a framework for Australia to move forward – so let’s get on with it.

“Key areas of current policy to be addressed include unconscionable conduct and section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act.  Section 46 needs an overhaul to strengthen the prohibition on firms using their market power to substantially lessen competition; including the removal of the ‘take advantage’ element from the existing prohibition.

 “In essence, section 46 needs to be amended with an appropriate 'effects test'.  These recommendations form part of our Australian Small Business White Paper.

“There are other areas to be addressed for effective competition policy reform such as small business access to remedies, collective bargaining and competitive neutrality.  The IPA supports a strengthened ACCC to implement the changes.

“We need to ensure a fair and level playing field for small business that encourages innovation and growth of the SME sector,” said Mr Conway.

www.publicaccountants.org.au

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The City of Melbourne is recognised as a leader in both civic engagement and urban innovation. Tomorrow, representatives from the City of Melbourne will address the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications’ Inquiry into the role of Smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure, to provide an insight into how Smart Cities can overcome urban challenges.

In their submission, the City of Melbourne discusses how its Smart City policies “recognise and prioritise the potential benefits flowing from collaborations enabled by technologies”.

It goes on to say that “Complex urban challenges can now be addressed collaboratively via Smart communities comprising hyper-connected, technologically agile and often entrepreneurial innovators. These Smart communities are the new agents of change and the generators of knowledge.”

Committee Chairman Jane Prentice MP (Ryan, Qld) said, “Smart cities are the way of the future. By embracing new technologies, local governments are making a major contribution to the future productivity and liveability of our urban environments.”

Hearing details
Date: Friday, 25 September 2015
Time: 8:00 am–3:00 pm
Venue: Legislative Council Committee Room, Parliament House, Melbourne

8:00 am Victorian Government (Submission 24)
8:30 am Australian Academy of Science (Submission 5)
9:00am Victorian Spatial Council (Submission 6)
9:30 am Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Submission 13)
10:00 am City of Melbourne (Submission 35)
11:00 am Independent Project Analysis (Submission 11)
11:30 am Professor Keith Hampson, Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (by teleconference)
12:00 pm Swinburne University of Technology (Submission 36)
1:30 pm University of Melbourne (Submissions 17, 31 & 32)
2:30 pm IBM (Submission 2)

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

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AS DEBATE swirls around disruptive forces such as Uber, Airbnb and Apple Music, the third annual technological innovation conference, DISRUPT.SYDNEY, will this year have as its theme 'disruption for good'.

Amongst other things, DISRUPT.SYDNEY will look at digital innovation in rural Australia and China; the workplace of the future; the empowerment of women in the high-tech world and the role of virtual reality in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of posttraumatic stress.

“Digital Disruption is typically associated with the various challenges new technologies and business ideas bring to incumbent organisations and jobs in established industries,” says Associate Professor Kai Riemer. “While digital technologies certainly bring challenges, there are equally many opportunities to shape our lives for good.”

Associate Professor Riemer leads the Digital Disruption Research Group at the University of Sydney Business School, which is hosting DISRUPT SYDNEY in association with the School’s Balanced Enterprise Research Network.

"Tomorrow’s conference will be tackling a number of issues including the future of work, flexible and activity-based working; enterprise social networking, engagement and collaboration through networking,” Associate Professor Riemer said.

University of Southern California researcher Albert 'Skip' Rizzo will join the conference to present his work utilising immersive VR technologies in trauma therapy with war veterans.

ABC Radio National presenter Antony Funnell will give the keynote address, taking a critical look at our often uncritical engagement with new technologies in business and our daily lives.

DISRUPT.SYDNEY Details:

Event              8.30am – 6.30pm, Friday 25^th September 2015   

Venue             University of Sydney Business School CBD Campus

Level 17, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Contact           Kai Riemer Office 02 9036 9053, Mobile 0435 557 909

Further Info            https://disruptsydney2015.wordpress.com

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AUSTRALIA’S national resource industry employer group, AMMA, welcomes the appointment of ministers and assistant ministers in portfolios critical to the future prosperity of the resource industry, and for jobs and opportunities across the Australian community.

“AMMA congratulates Michaela Cash and Josh Frydenberg on their appointments to the portfolios of Employment and Women, and Resources, Energy and Northern Australia respectively,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.

“Minister Cash is very highly regarded by the resource industry for her consultative approach as Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Women, and her appreciation of the importance of our industry to the national wellbeing.  She brings to the employment portfolio professional experience and a keen interest in workplace relations, which will be a great asset.

“Minister Cash takes on the portfolio at a time when the Productivity Commission is completing a once-in-a-generation workplace relations framework review, and AMMA looks forward to working closely with her on ensuring the system better supports growth, jobs and living standards.

“Increasing workforce gender diversity has also emerged as a key priority for resource employers, and AMMA appreciates the opportunity to continue our work with Minister Cash on bolstering women’s participation across the mining, oil and gas sectors.

“AMMA also looks forward to working closely with Minister Frydenberg as he takes on the important task of enhancing Australia’s reputation as a globally competitive destination for resources investment, and continuing the very positive work of Ian Macfarlane and his predecessors. 

“Unlocking greater productivity is one of the key challenges facing our nation, so AMMA welcomes Dr Peter Hendy being appointed as Assistant Minister for Productivity.”

AMMA also pays tribute to long-serving former ministers Eric Abetz and Ian Macfarlane for their support for the resource industry and unwavering commitment to strengthening the economy and lifting living standards of all Australians.

“Mr Abetz leaves the employment portfolio having successfully set Australia on a course to achieve a more modern and flexible workplace relations environment” Mr Barklamb says.

“AMMA thanks Mr Abetz for his commitment to essential reforms in often highly adversarial circumstances. The lasting value of his work will be seen in years to come”.

“Mr Macfarlane has been a dedicated and committed minister for industry, with a strong focus on delivering a framework that fosters the innovation and skills necessary for Australia to be recognised as a resources powerhouse well into the future.  His decades of work with and for the industry have made a very significant national contribution.

“AMMA wishes the outgoing ministers well and looks forward to working with the new Turnbull Ministry to ensure Australia’s resource industry is a more attractive and competitive place to invest and do business. This will ensure the resource industry can play a central role in maximising employment, growth and opportunities for all Australians.”

www.amma.org.au

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