THE PEAK representative body for Queensland minerals and energy exporters has welcomed the release overnight by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) of a draft decision on current and future management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche congratulated the Australian and Queensland governments for their work to date in progressing a holistic long-term plan for conservation of the Great Barrier Reef’s outstanding universal values.

"It is of note that despite scaremongering by environmental activists that next month’s World Heritage Committee meeting would declare the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ‘in danger’, the draft decision welcomes the progress made to date," Mr Roche said.

The WHC also welcomed the release of a Reef Scientific Consensus Statement in 2013 that states:

"Declining marine water quality, influenced by terrestrial runoff, is recognised as one of the most significant threats to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef. Management of this issue will improve ecosystem resilience to other pressures including those associated with a changing climate."

The Consensus Statement goes on to say that compared with terrestrial runoff, the impacts of ports and shipping are ‘relatively small’.

In relation to future port management along 2,300 kilometres of coastline adjacent to the marine park, Mr Roche said the Cumulative Impact Assessment prepared by Abbot Point coal terminal expansion proponents had created a scientific benchmark to inform government decision-makers.

"The comprehensive approach of detailing and accumulating multiple environmental impacts of port expansions gave the Federal Environment Minister the scientific evidence he needed to approve the proposal with strict conditions," he said.

"The Abbot Point assessment included a study on options for the removal of sediment from the site of the proposed terminal expansion.

"It concluded that underwater relocation in a like environment some 40 kilometres distant from the reef would minimise environmental impacts."

Mr Roche said almost 80 percent of Queensland’s resources and agricultural exports moved through established ports adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and were worth $40 billion in 2011-12.

"Ecologically sustainable development is essential to the well-being of the reef and the Australian economy and what we are seeing in this draft decision is the encouragement of the international community to keep working towards that goal," he said.

However, Mr Roche said he was surprised at the draft decision comments about the work of the Federal and Queensland Governments towards a bilateral agreement on environmental approvals.

"Such a bilateral agreement is about removing unnecessary duplication of processes, but will not in any way result in a lowering of the standard of environmental safeguards," he said.

www.qrc.org.au

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) congratulates the Federal Government on its first step to delivering the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman with real power, with the discussion paper released today.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers were excited by the news and look forward to contributing their ideas as to how the Ombudsman can best meet their needs.

“It has always been a struggle for time-poor small businesses to know exactly where to go for assistance. We commend the Government’s vision of establishing a single entry point for small businesses and hope that this initiative will indeed make life easier for retailers wanting to find out information about services and programmes.

“The Ombudsman will give small businesses the best chance of success by reducing the time spent accessing advice, resolving disputes and having their voices heard. We were also pleased to hear that the Ombudsman will minimise compliance burdens and reduce red tape so that Government can get out of the way and let small businesses get on with their job.

“Small businesses have certainly faced a rough trading environment over the last few years. The ARA is positive, however, that the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is certainly a step in the right direction to getting the industry on the road to recovery,” Mr Zimmerman 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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A SOFTENING in business confidence has characterised the first quarter of 2014 despite the initial highs of the post-federal election period and a stronger-than-expected December 2013 quarter, according to the latest VECCI - Bank of Melbourne survey of business trends and prospects released today by Victoria's peak employer body.

The state-wide survey of more than 400 businesses shows that 27 per cent of Victorian businesses anticipate stronger national economic growth over the next 12 months. While this is still positive, it is noticeably lower than last quarter when 40 per cent of respondents held this view when surveyed at the end of 2013. 
 
A similar softening was reported in expectations for the Victorian economy, which is unsurprising given the recent closure announcements from automotive manufacturers and Alcoa. However confidence remains well ahead of the reported lows in 2012 and early 2013.

In the three months to March 2014, general business conditions and sales remained largely unchanged, while falls in selling price were widespread, adversely affecting profitability across a broad range of industries. 

The fall in confidence is also reflected in the reported continued decline in investment in buildings and structures. Employment and plant and equipment investment were flat.

“These findings reinforce the importance of governments continuing to prioritise measures that will improve business conditions, in particular by reducing business costs and regulations," says VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“Victorian business is eagerly anticipating the upcoming state budget which presents a timely opportunity to lower employment stifling taxes such as payroll tax, and accelerate important productivity and job enhancing infrastructure across the state.”

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Scott Tanner says: “The Victorian economy is going through a period of transition but remains fundamentally sound. We expect growth will continue to be slow and steady rather than a return to the boom times as the global economy continues to undergo structural change".

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

VECCI

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

www.vecci.org.au

Bank of Melbourne

Bank of Melbourne is helping build a better Victoria. Since launching in July 2011, the bank has tripled its workforce, opened 84 branches and become more involved in the local community. The bank partners with Victorian organisations and events including the MCG and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. It’s shaping a vision for the future of our state by supporting industry with initiatives including Agenda Victoria. 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

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VECCI welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement of the $155 million Growth Fund, including the significant State Government contribution, which will support Victorian workers and businesses impacted by the announced closures of automotive manufacturing operations in Victoria.

“It is very important that the response to these closures covers the provision of immediate support and analysis to identify and subsequently back those manufacturers capable of diversifying into the markets of the future,” says VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone. 

“VECCI is very pleased that the supply-chain businesses will have access to support as they face a challenging period of change. The Growth Fund also recognises the need to support the affected workers with career advice and training so they can start acquiring the skills they’ll need to transition to new employment as soon as possible.”

It also identifies the importance of helping supply chain businesses to identify new markets so that those which can diversify, are able to do so.

Recognising that particular regional areas will have been affected also, the $30 million funding for investment in regional infrastructure to encourage business investment is timely.

“It is positive to see recognition of various sectors that have also been highlighted by VECCI as having growth potential for the Victorian economy such as advanced manufacturing, food and agriculture, health and biomedical, mining services, tourism and education,” says Mr Stone. 

“VECCI is also particularly pleased that a significant $60 million component of the total funding aims to boost investment in advanced manufacturing. It is vital that there is investment to support businesses with the potential to break into new markets and provide new, sustainable career paths.

"Victoria has a proud manufacturing history and the Growth Fund will play a vital role in ensuring that the skills of Victorian manufacturing workers are not lost and Victorian manufacturers with leading edge technology and quality products are given every opportunity to build a sustainable future.”

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

www.vecci.org.au

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