BOTH major parties must commit to measures that make Victoria’s key tourist attractions more enticing to Asian visitors and attract additional cultural events to regional Victoria, said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith today.

In welcoming the Coalition Government’s commitment to expanding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Ms Smith called on policy makers to adopt complementary recommendations to ensure Victoria capitalises on the resulting visitor growth.

“VTIC applauds the Coalition Government’s decision to expand MCEC, and urges Victorian Labor to echo this commitment, for the significant benefit it will bring to Victoria’s business events’ and tourism sector,” said Ms Smith.

“Improving this facility will result in more visitors to our state, so there’s now more than ever a need to ensure we take the opportunity to grow jobs.”

VTIC calls for the major parties to commit to the following:

- Grow the events’ sector by establishing a dedicated sales team to secure new and expand existing regional medium-sized events.

Cost: $2 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 600
 
- Make Victoria’s tourist attractions more appealing to the lucrative Asian visitor market through culturally appropriate upgrades to displays, ticketing and visitor information.
Cost: $7 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 1600
 
Tourism could create nearly 9,000 additional jobs for Victoria over the next two years if the right policy settings are in place, according to VTIC research.

“As a growth sector in a rapidly changing economy, tourism has great job creation potential as it brings in visitors who spend money, which creates jobs and sustains communities,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments come ahead of the tourism industry’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Victorian Tourism Awards, which showcases the leading tourism products, experiences and services across the state.

*

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

ends

VECCI chief executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the release of Victorian Labor’s “Back to School” plan for education and skills.

"The policy contains a number of initiatives consistent with Taking Care of Business, VECCI’s 2014 state election agenda, which will help Victoria’s education and training system meet the skills needs of Victoria’s service industries, emerging high growth sectors and industries undergoing change," Mr Stone said.

"Establishing 10 new technical schools will give many school students a head-start in gaining the skills needed for employment and we welcome the focus these schools will have on local industries.

"Technical schools have a vital role to play in providing students with industry experience through school based traineeships and apprenticeships. This training must be capable of evolving as the nature of industry and occupational requirements change," he said.

"The $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund needs to support system restructuring that is responsive to industry, rather than training providers. Sustainability will depend on the extent to which the TAFE sector can meet the training requirements of traditional goods producing industries, service industries and emerging high growth sectors.

"We welcome the commitment to tighten VET regulation to ensure the quality of qualifications; a move that will engender confidence in the system among all stakeholders.

"Increased funding for schools, including independent schools, is positive, however infrastructure alone will not improve student outcomes. Curriculum reform, school leadership and improvements in teacher training and assessment are also required.

"Labor’s promised VET funding review is timely and highly relevant to informing the future direction of skills reform, which must have as its objective the realisation of a significant improvement in training quality and responsiveness."

*

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

vecci.org.au

ends

THE legal rules for tax disputes will come under scrutiny at a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow.

Tax barrister, Mr John Hyde Page, will give evidence before the House Standing Committee of Tax and Revenue in support of his submission to the Committee’s Inquiry into Tax Disputes.

Mr Page has represented clients previously under investigation by Project Wickenby, a cross-agency task force which plays a role in the Government's fight against tax evasion, avoidance and crime.

In his submission, Mr Page stated that:

• objection decisions by the ATO are “often … little more than a ‘cut and paste’ of the audit decision”
• a body separate to the ATO should be responsible for making “fraud and evasion” findings, imposing large penalties, making large default assessments, and issuing garnishee orders and departure prohibition orders
• the Federal Court should have full powers to review a finding of fraud and evasion by the ATO.

A finding of fraud and evasion against a taxpayer has important consequences. The usual two or four year time limits on audits no longer apply and sometimes taxpayers need to provide documents about transactions going back as far as 10 years.

Committee Chair John Alexander MP said that, “The Committee looks forward to hearing about whether the legal rules for tax disputes could be made fairer for taxpayers, while still helping the ATO do its job. This especially applies for findings of fraud or evasion, which have been one of the key issues in the inquiry.”

The Committee will also hear from Mr Richard Wytkin, an accountant and tax agent in Perth.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
The hearing will be broadcast live at: www.aph.gov.au/live.

4.30 pm (approx.) Mr Richard Wytkin (teleconference) 
5 pm Mr John Hyde Page Submission 22
5.45 pm Adjournment 

For further information: contact the committee secretariat by telephone 02 6277 4821, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/taxrev.

ends

DESPITE challenging trading conditions, business sentiment for the Australian economy improved by four percentage points during the September 2014 quarter, while the Victorian economic outlook remained relatively stable, according to a leading business survey released this week.

The latest VECCI - Bank of Melbourne survey of business trends and prospects has shed further light on business sentiment and the challenges it anticipates in the year ahead.

The state-wide survey of more than 400 businesses, across seven major industry sectors, found that trading conditions remain positive over the quarter with a number of sectors reporting an improvement in sales, with further growth forecast into December.

However, trends in profitability and employment showed little improvement over the quarter, largely due to continuing increases in wages and other labour costs.

The survey found regional respondents were more likely to have experienced increased business costs and weaker profits than their metropolitan counterparts.

Looking at the performance of individual industries, the survey found that service sector exports, in industries like finance, property and business services, were relatively healthy over the quarter.

This relatively strong performance in part reflects the influence of the falling Australian dollar and strong efforts by business to develop new products and markets in the competitive global marketplace.

“While business prospects in the lead up to Christmas are positive, the fact remains that many small businesses continue to experience tough trading conditions,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

"In the lead up to the state election, both major parties must commit to measures that reduce costs for business and spur employment.”

VECCI & Bank of Melbourne partnership 

VECCI is pleased to partner with Bank of Melbourne. The bank supports VECCI’s quarterly survey of business trends and prospects, Business Leaders event series and Women in Business event series. The partnership builds on both VECCI’s and the Bank of Melbourne’s mutual goals in supporting businesses in Victoria.

Background – About VECCI

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

www.vecci.org.au

Background – About Bank of Melbourne

Bank of Melbourne is investing in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Since re-launching in July 2011, the bank has tripled its workforce, opened 93 branches and become even more involved in the local community. The bank partners with the organisations and events that matter to Victorians. As a full-service bank, its team of lenders, account executives and industry specialists are supporting Victorian businesses, both large and small.

www.bankofmelbourne.com.au

ends