PROFESSOR Ian Harper, chair of the Abbott Government’s Competition Policy Review and Dr John Hewson AM, former Liberal Party and federal opposition leader, will speak about the challenges facing small business, and discuss plans for the future with reference to the recent B20 summit and the government’s Competition Policy Review at next week’s National Small Business Summit (NSBS) in Melbourne 7-8 August.

The goal of the Competition Policy Review is to consider the state of competition in the Australian economy and how institutional frameworks and policy principles can be designed to strengthen the competitive process.

Professor Ian Harper will share an in-depth progress report of the Review.

“Small business issues have been the second most commonly raised topics in submissions to date.

“At the Summit, I will elaborate on major concerns submitted by the small business community such as market concentration, competitive neutrality issues and concerns about government, particularly in local government, having unfair advantages. I will also discuss the Review’s timetable, disclosing key opportunities for small business to continue their contribution to the Review,” said Professor Harper.

Meanwhile, Dr John Hewson will focus on the challenges facing small business in this uncertain world – both internationally and domestically, referencing the long awaited government’s tax reform white paper.

The 12th annual NSBS, hosted by the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), provides a platform for small business representatives, senior politicians, bureaucrats and big business representatives to exchange ideas, opinions and experiences aimed to drive change and build productivity across the small business sector.

This year, the Summit has attracted yet another great line-up of high-profile speakers and attendees, also including Senator Bridget McKenzie; Ged Kearney, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions; Tim Reed, CEO of MYOB; Brent Thomas, VP of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs – Australasia MasterCard Worldwide and Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman.

While COSBOA is focussed on key issues such as workplace relations; the collection of superannuation; contract law and competition policies, these exciting and passionate speakers provide specialist insights and information covering a diverse and comprehensive range of small business subjects.

For more information or to register for the 2014 NSBS visit:

www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au

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THE PEAK representative body for Queensland minerals and energy sector has congratulated Adani Mining on winning federal approval for its $16.5 billion Carmichael mine and rail project in central Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said the announcement was confirmation of the resources sector’s continuing key role as one of the state and the nation’s economic pillars.

‘Importantly, this is being done without compromising the world-leading environmental standards, for which Australia is rightly recognised,’ Mr Roche said.

‘Adani’s Carmichael mine, rail and port infrastructure will drive thousands of new jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders in construction and permanent operational jobs for decades to come.

‘Regional communities including Alpha, Clermont, Emerald, Bowen, Moranbah, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville are all expected to benefit from the development of the so-far untapped resources in the Galilee Basin.’

Mr Roche said that despite the hard work and scientific rigour that had gone into the Carmichael project’s federal approval, he expected environmental activists would continue their campaign to ‘disrupt and delay’ major job-creating and revenue raising projects in Queensland.

‘We have seen activist groups commence litigation as part of their strategy to delay projects from starting, thus preventing local communities across regional Queensland seeing the benefits flow sooner,’ Mr Roche said. 

‘Regional communities are anxious for good economic news, an injection of confidence and most importantly, new job creation.

‘Every day that projects like these are delayed is another day project benefits are denied to local communities and Queenslanders.’

www.qrc.org.au

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association together with the Industry Security Initiative is encouraging cardholders to make any last minute preparations before PIN officially becomes the main form of card payment authorisation in Australia as of this Friday, 1 August 2014.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said consumers have been warned they risk being ‘stranded at the checkout’ when signatures for scheme debit and credit cards are replaced by PIN as of this Friday.

“Retailers have been busy preparing for August 1, when over the next three months, 800,000 merchant payment terminals nationwide will undergo a software update, rendering the signature obsolete.

“The ARA is urging all cardholders without a PIN to contact their issuer immediately. Not only is the move to PIN about strengthening payment security across Australia, this initiative will also help protect consumers and retailers alike from fraudsters. PIN is much more secure than signature - there is only a one in ten thousand chance of someone guessing your PIN.

“For retailers who are concerned about the old method of taking the credit card receipt to the customers, there are now mobile terminals that retailers can get from their bank which can be taken directly to the customer. For restaurants and cafes this means tips can be put into the terminal as either a percentage of the sale or as a fixed amount.

“We look forward to this industry-wide change that will save retailers both time and money, allowing them to get on with the important job of doing business,” 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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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has responded to a so-called report prepared by a conga line of ex and current trade union officials (suggesting local economies across rural NSW would be up to $111 million worse off each year if penalty rates for retail workers were cut) as having completely missed the point about penalty rates.

Seeking to be the voice of reason, the ARA is not calling for penalty rates to be abolished but there is a strong need to get the balance right so that retailers can operate competitively on weekends and offer increased employment opportunities.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retail staff in regional areas do not usually have the opportunity to work on Sundays.
 
“A lower penalty rate would mean these retail employees would have the opportunity to work extra hours. We cannot ignore the major benefits for all involved, including additional hours retailers will be able operate, if penalties are reduced.

“The ARA is aware that many large retail chains have been closing as many stores as possible on Sundays and public holidays to avoid paying penalty rates. If these stores could afford to be open, they would in turn employ a number of staff on a Sunday and this would not only improve business in country and regional stores but increase employees discretionary spending,” 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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