THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) today welcomed the release of five issues papers for the Productivity Commission review into the Fair Work Act.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said wage inflexibility is killing Australian retailers’ ability to compete in the new global market.

“This review will finally address major flaws in the Fair Work Act that are driving up unemployment and undermining growth in the retail sector.

“In order to create more employment opportunities for Australians, retail wages need to be flexible.

“It is also imperative that excessive penalty rates are addressed, as unrealistic penalty rates have made many businesses unviable over the last year.

"Australia’s unemployment rate continues to increase and the ARA hopes this review will allow for greater flexibility when it comes to working conditions, allowing more Australians to remain employed.

“There’s no denying the fact that retailers would employ more staff if they did not have to pay penalty rates.

"However, seeking to be the voice of reason, the ARA is not calling for penalty rates to be abolished altogether but there is a strong need to get the balance right. Only then can retailers operate competitively on weekends and offer increased employment opportunities,” 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.

ends

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed the release of the issues papers regarding Australia’s Workplace Relations Framework.

"It is positive that the papers address areas of widespread concern identified by business, including the lack of flexibility in Australian workplace relations laws and the fragmented nature of these laws across jurisdictions, the adversarial nature of the current system, the high cost imposed on business and the absence of productivity improvement as a central feature of enterprise agreements," Mr Stone said.

"The key outcomes of the review must be the creation of a simpler, fairer and more efficient Workplace Relations Framework that spurs economic growth, increased productivity and improved business competitiveness and certainty.

"Job creation must be the priority as metropolitan and regional Victorian communities are faced with significant unemployment and industries continue to transition in the face of strong international competition," Mr Stone said.

"The operation of penalty rates needs to be reviewed to enable small business to employ more people and reflect the changing nature of the economy and labour market where the growth of the service sector, part time and casual work, extended trading hours and flexibility are the norm for many.

"We look forward to the review consulting thoroughly with business and encourage Victorian business to take this opportunity to make submissions on specific issues of concern."

*

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 Australian Government is taking another important step to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef with applications for the $5 million Reef Trust Tender—Wet Tropics programme now open.

“Over two hundred farmers registered an expression of interest last year and can now apply for funds to improve their farm’s nitrogen use efficiency,” said Mr Entsch.

“Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to submit a tender application to trial improvements in their fertiliser management practices.”

This is one of a number of programmes by the Australian Government, in partnership with other agencies, industry and communities, to achieve a common goal – protecting and managing the reef for current and future generations.

“This is an innovative approach to help farmers trial improved fertiliser management, leading to  cost-effective and long-term reduction in nitrogen fertiliser runoff entering the waters of the Great Barrier Reef,” said Minister Hunt.

“Nitrogen runoff from farms is a major factor affecting the health of the Great Barrier Reef and is linked to outbreaks of the damaging crown-of-thorns starfish.”

The programme is unique in its flexibility, allowing farmers to put forward a proposal and asking price to the Australian Government that meets their individual business needs and circumstances.

Terrain NRM, the programme’s delivery partner, is available to provide registered farmers with information and on ground support where needed.

Cane farmers who registered an expression of interest are invited to submit a tender application by 19 February 2015.

Tenders will be evaluated based on value for money and site visits may be conducted as part of the assessment process. Successful farmers will receive payments to implement their new fertiliser management practices from April this year.

The online tender application form, the programme’s guidelines and further information is available at:www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust-tender or www.terrain.org.au/Projects/Agriculture-and-Innovation/Reef-Trust.

ends