VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the State Government's announced establishment of the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority and initial $40 million funding for the Melbourne Metro rail construction.

"Melbourne Metro will significantly enhance the capacity of Melbourne’s transport system and create employment, with 3,500 jobs to be created during construction," Mr Stone said.

"Melbourne’s rail network, in conjunction with our road system, is relied upon daily by Victorians travelling to and from employment and while undertaking work duties, as well as by visitors to Victoria.

"More trains running from more stations will significantly improve Melbourne’s public transport system and support Victoria’s economic growth.

"In the early stages of determining the most suitable engineering solution, it will be important that the authority closely engages with business to ensure there is minimal impact on retail and professional services in the CBD and to ensure there is limited disruption to the movement of goods and services in and around affected areas.

"We also welcome the fact that the five new underground stations, Arden Hospital Precinct, Parkville University Precinct, CBD North (Melbourne Central), CBD South (Flinders Street) and Domain, will support employment in vital industries such as tertiary education, healthcare and medical research."

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 Retailers Association (ARA) today congratulates new Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Government on their appointment.

Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers are pleased to see stability, new employment opportunities and improving business conditions are top priorities for the Labor Government and Premier Palaszczuk.

“For some time now, Queensland retailers have reported they want certainty and security by having a stable government in place.

“There have been a number of concerns from retailers operating in Queensland and today’s swearing in is a relief for both local and national retail businesses following this week’s Federal ructions.

“Retailers, just like consumers, simply want to know that those in government are making clear decisions that provide financial support and stability,” Mr Zimmerman said.

ARA Queensland board member Ralph Edwards said Queensland-based retailers want to be certain their government is focussed on creating jobs and improving business conditions.

“All the retailers I have been talking to tell me they want clear direction from the new Queensland government on jobs and costs for business. We believe today’s outcome is a step in the right direction,” Mr Edwards said.

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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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the State Government's announced establishment of the Level Crossings Removal Authority and initial funding allocation to remove 50 level crossings.

"VECCI has long supported this project for the benefit it will bring to Victoria's transport network through the alleviation of congestion and its significant job creation potential, with 4,500 jobs to be created over the life of the project," Mr Stone said.

"It is positive to see the initial funding allocation of $100 million for the progression of planning works and establishment of the authority. The announced first tranche of removals, in St Albans, Blackburn, Glen Iris and Ormond, will be welcomed by local and affected surrounding communities, including business transport users.

"An efficient, convenient and affordable transport network is important for the economic growth of our state. We applaud the Government's action on this project and will continue to urge for the progression of other vital transport projects such as the Tullamarine Freeway widening."

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

EXPANDING the contribution of Australian enterprises to Australia’s defence industry exports will be explored at a public hearing in Canberra on Friday.

A range of companies which export defence products and services will appear before the Defence Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

These include Aspen Medical, an Australian-owned, global provider of healthcare solutions across a wide range of sectors. Also giving evidence will be Austal, which in addition to designing and manufacturing commercial and defence ships, provides support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support through their global supply network.

The Sub-Committee will also hear from the Australian Business Defence Industry, an association with membership ranging from large global stakeholders (primes) to small companies, and the Australian Industry Group Defence Council, which represents Australian defence businesses and supports ADF personnel.

Barriers to increasing Australia’s export performance identified by these submissions will be explored at the hearing. These impediments include;  management of intellectual property; an over-reliance on large off-shore companies; and difficulty selling products not in service with the ADF.

Chair of the Defence Sub-Committee, Senator David Fawcett (SA), said the hearing will provide an opportunity to explore these issues and other barriers to expanding exports of defence goods and services produced by Australian companies.

“Defence industry should be seen as fundamental to Australia’s defence capability, which means we need it to be innovative and sustainable. One way to achieve this is for the Government to encourage, and where appropriate, facilitate export to suitable nations,” Senator Fawcett said.

The inquiry's terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date/Time: Friday, 13 February 2015, 9:00am to 4:30pm.

Location: Parliament House Committee Room 1S4.

Organisations: Australian Business Defence Industry Group, Australian Industry Group Defence Council, QinetiQ, ASPI, Austal, BAE Systems Australia, Northrop Grumman, Aspen Medical and MBDA Systems.

The hearing will be audio broadcast live at www.aph.gov.au/live.

http://www.aph.gov.au/jfadt

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