VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI has welcomed today's announcement by the State Government of a $50 million commitment to widen the Tullamarine Freeway from Melrose Drive to Melbourne Airport.

"This follows Victorian Labor's pledge to proceed with the project if elected to government, so the bipartisan support for this vital infrastructure project is a win for our state," Mr Stone said.

"This project will create 200 construction jobs and improve reliability and cut travel times for residents and businesses who rely on this crucial road.

"We also welcome the Federal Government's $200 million contribution to the project.

"The bipartisan support is an acknowledgement of the importance of Melbourne Airport to our state, for Victorians, as well as for business and recreational travellers.

"VECCI is pleased another of our Taking Care of Business state election agenda priorities has been adopted by both major parties for the good of our state."

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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  

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AMMA, the Australian Mines and Metals Association, welcomes a decision by the full bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to stop a union from trying to undo important workplace safety measures regarding employer drug and alcohol testing policies, specifically the employer’s use of both urine and oral/saliva testing procedures.

In the full bench appeal of DP World Brisbane and Others vs Maritime Union of Australia, the FWC has clarified that:

• Employers have, as they must always have, capacity to determine the form of testing (urine, oral or a mix of both) that will best manage safety risks in their individual workplaces.
• Deputy President Anna Booth fell into ‘significant error’ in her earlier decision trying to limit the use of urine testing on the basis that it is ‘unjust and unreasonable’.

The decision is significant for all mining, construction and other resource related workplaces that have responsibly used breath, oral and urine testing for more than 30 years to minimise potential harm to employees and others, in addition to removing a known safety risk.

“Resource industry employers take an uncompromising, professional and rigorous approach to managing occupational health and safety risks in their workplaces,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“Workplace safety relies on vigilance and clarity on the duties and obligations of both employers and employees. Today’s decision is a positive development for safer workplaces throughout Australia.

“Mining, oil and gas employers have long been at the very forefront of managing health and safety risks, and reducing fatalities and injuries globally. Countless safe work initiatives benefitting millions of people have been developed through our industry.

“The industry is very proud of what employers and employees do every day to make our workplaces safer and makes no apologies for not compromising on taking the best possible approaches to potential safety risks.”

AMMA’s longstanding view is that the Fair Work Commission should not have the power to diminish any organisation’s capacity to meet their OHS obligations and how, based on professional advice and expertise, they manage safety.

This critical point will be pursued by AMMA in its advocacy on much needed future workplace relation reforms designed to ensure employers’ rights to manage effectively are not eroded by erroneous claims by third parties.

www.amma.org.au

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VICTORIA's peak tourism industry body has encouraged Rolling Stones fans to take the opportunity to enjoy the array of cultural, culinary and natural attractions the Macedon Ranges region has to offer this week, despite the cancellation of the band’s concert.

“People planning a weekend in the beautiful Macedon Ranges can still enjoy so many wonderful restaurants, galleries, national parks and golf courses and we encourage them to take this opportunity to explore the region,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Attractions include:

- Boutique wine cellar doors and fresh farm produce shops
- Restaurants and cafes serving the finest local produce
- Specialist art galleries
- Six public golf courses
- The picturesque Macedon Regional Park, Hanging Rock, Lerdederg Gorge State Park and the Cobaw Ranges 

The area also boasts diverse wildlife, including more than 200 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals, including koalas, kangaroos, swamp wallabies, wombats, possums and gliders.

Ms Smith’s comments followed the rock band’s sudden cancellation of a scheduled concert this weekend due to a band member’s illness.

VTIC commended the Macedon Ranges Shire Council on working to ensure the detrimental impact of the cancellation on local industry was minimised.

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

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said retailers could count on some steady improvement in retail sales over the Christmas period based on 2014 pre-Christmas sales predictions prepared by the ARA and research partner Roy Morgan Research.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said shoppers would spend a whopping $45 billion from 15 November until 24 December, representing a 4.3 percent gain on sales during the same period in 2013 ($43 billion).

“The 4.3 percent growth may result in shoppers starting their Christmas shopping a little earlier this year, rather than leaving it until late December. However, we also know that the week before Christmas will remain the busiest time for pre-Christmas shopping, and therefore the most profitable time for retailers.

“Delving further into the ARA/Roy Morgan figures we are expecting the hospitality, food and household goods categories to experience higher levels of growth this Christmas than apparel. This comes as no surprise as department stores and clothing, footwear and personal accessories usually rely on last minute Christmas promotions for any significant growth in sales during the festive season.

“Looking at the states and territories, the ARA is pleased that all are expected to see growth of between 1.2 percent (WA) and 6.1 percent (NSW), apart from the ACT which may experience a slight decline in sales of -0.4%.

“This time last year the ARA forecasted $42.2 billion would go through retail tills during the pre-Christmas trading period and this figure was later confirmed at an actual pre-Christmas spend of $43 billion. The ARA’s forecast was almost bang on, and while concerns remain over consumer confidence and low jobs growth, it’s fairly safe to say the retail industry is optimistic for a cracker Christmas this year,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $258 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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