THE NUMBER of building approvals for new homes jumped by 15.4 percent in seasonally-adjusted terms thanks to the continued success of the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder scheme, according to Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.

“During September, there was a 9.7 percent increase in private sector detached house approvals while approvals for apartments and units did even better, jumping by 23.4 percent up from August,” she said.

“These positive figures are mirrored by lending data showing a 25.3 percent surge in the number of loans to owner occupiers for new home construction. Even prior to the start of the Covid-19 crisis, new home building activity in Australia had been in the advanced stages of downturn.

"The introduction of HomeBuilder has turned things around. Approvals for new detached houses are now 20.7 percent up on this time last year,” Ms Wawn said.

“The recovery in residential building will benefit the whole economy. Every $1 million in residential building activity supports nine jobs right around our economy. The upturn generated by HomeBuilder is helping claw back some of the jobs lost as a result of the pandemic.

“Extending HomeBuilder until the end of 2021 will maximise the benefits of the scheme will be fully maximized. It will mean the renewed momentum in the housing market to reach its full potential over the course of next year and provide even more benefits to our whole economy in terms of restoring employment,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell is encouraging growers and traders in disputes that fall under the Horticulture Code of Conduct to contact her office.

“The Horticulture Code is a mandatory code that aims to improve the clarity and transparency of trading arrangements between growers and traders,” Ms Carnell said.

“My office can provide growers and traders with information and assistance with dispute resolution, including access to mediation services and produce assessors. Mediation is a far more cost-effective and timely way to resolve disputes than taking legal action.   

“Our website also features a list of horticulture produce assessors who can help resolve a disagreement by investigating and reporting on matters linked to a horticulture produce agreement.

“Assessors can address issues such as whether a trader was entitled to reject produce or whether a grower has received the correct payment from the trader," Ms Carnell said.

“Once an assessor is involved, all parties have to comply with the assessor’s reasonable requests and failure to do so can attract a penalty. At the end of the day we want to keep small businesses out of the courts, where let’s face it, the only winners are lawyers.

“The good news is that the majority of small business disputes my office assists with are resolved at mediation or before," she said.

“Since my office opened four years ago, we have provided free assistance to over 20,000 small businesses nation-wide. Two-out-of-three of those disputes were successfully resolved at mediation or prior to that through contact with our assistance team.

“We want to help small businesses resolve their disputes as quickly as possible so they can get on with what they do best – running their business.”

Small businesses that need information about the Horticulture Code or help with resolving a dispute that falls under the Code can visit www.asbfeo.gov.au or call the hotline 1300 650 460.

(For more information on alternate dispute resolution, check out this video.)

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VICTORIA is on track to have Australia’s best 10c refund scheme for drink containers, with the Victorian Government announcing its proposal for a ‘split governance’ approach to maximise recycling, accountability and community benefits, the Boomerang Alliance of 52 environment groups said today.

The announcement is good news for Victoria’s community groups, charities, schools and sports organisations, as well as almost 45,000 Victorians who have signed the change.org petition to stop the state’s container deposit scheme (CDS) being controlled by the makers of Coke, XXXX Gold and Powerade. 

Commenting on the announcement, Jeff Angel, director of the Bomerang Alliance, said the government had clearly done a significant amount of research before putting forward the split model as the best version for Victorians.

“The government’s preferred approach encourages the beverage companies to be accountable for the pollution they produce, and also creates an independent operator whose focus is on maximising refund points so we can get the best of both worlds, with good engagement of drink companies and a clear focus on collecting as many used bottles and cans as possible,’’ Mr Angel said.

“I’ve no doubt that many hundreds of community groups and charities will enthusiastically participate, as well as millions of Victorian households. It will be important to have a high level of convenience for people and groups to get their refunds – after all, it’s their money. 

"There will be multiple benefits to the community and businesses including millions of dollars to charities from donated refunds and running collection points, many small business opportunities, and reduced waste management costs for pubs, clubs and restaurants.

“While the Victorian Government has recommended the best scheme for the community, there is no doubt the beverage giants will fight for their own, inferior version. In states where the beverage giants have run the CDS we have seen lower container returns, and it’s essential that the beverage industry’s focus on retaining profits does not contaminate the scheme’s capacity to offer the best level of refund service.’

“Victoria needs community support now, more than ever before, to keep the CDS clean. We are preparing an information campaign - Recycle right Victoria: say yes to a clean CDS - to ensure everyone knows the facts and can participate in the consultation process over coming weeks.

“As in all other jurisdictions with a CDS – the drinks industry will be required to follow the law and participate regardless of their particular policy position,’’ Mr Angel said. 

Victorians can express their support for the split governance CDS by signing the petition to ‘Stop Coke and Lion taking over our 10c drink container deposit schemes’ here.

About the Boomerang Alliance

Boomerang Alliance was founded by a group of passionate individuals wanting to implement a container deposit system across Australia. From surfers, recyclers to clean up groups, they banded together to form a movement of thousands of people to give communities power over their waste solutions. Today, the Boomerang Alliance is comprised of 52 environment and charity organisations that are committed to zero waste in Australia.

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is ready to get to work with the re-elected Labor Government and its new Mines Minister to deliver on a Resources Industry Development Plan to help Queensland recover from COVID.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said today the Plan, which Treasurer Cameron Dick endorsed prior to the election campaign, was a blueprint for the growth of the coal, metals and gas sectors to supercharge Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

He said Labor’s re-election as a majority government was great news for the resources sector and negated the impact of the Greens, whose anti-mining policies would have shut down the industry and put thousands of Queenslanders out of work.

Prior to the election the QRC had secured bipartisan support for the Resources Industry Development Plan on behalf of the state’s explorers, producers and suppliers.

Mr Macfarlane said the Plan and other commitments from the Government included agreement to: 

•  implement an industry development plan to support the sector’s future growth
•  encourage exploration to uncover new discoveries for coal, metals and gas
•  commit to a 12-week consultation period on regulatory changes that may impact on the sector
•  streamline assessment and approval processes for new and expansion projects
• promote the development of the North West Minerals Province, particularly for the critical minerals to support the growth of advanced manufacturing, battery storage and renewable energy
• progress the CopperString project in the State’s North West.

Mr Macfarlane said the latest economic contribution data showed the mining, gas and energy sector was supporting 420,000 jobs – one in six jobs – across Queensland and has been a bedrock of financial support and stability for the state economy during COVID-19.

“In the lead-up to the election, the QRC received the most comprehensive set of election commitments from major parties the resources industry has seen in more than two decades,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The resources industry – which contributed $82.6 billion in the past financial year to the state economy plus $4.5 billion in royalties – looks forward to working closely with the next government to secure our state’s long-term economic and environmental wellbeing by producing, working and earning our way out of COVID.”

Mr Macfarlane said receiving a commitment from the new government that it will not increase royalty rates during its four-year term remained a priority for the resources sector.

“The Labor Government has previously committed to a three-year freeze on royalties for coal and metals and five-year freeze on gas, and costings for its new four-year term do not include any changes to royalties, but the QRC is looking forward to the government’s confirmation of its plans,” he said.

“Stability on royalties is critical for our sector because it gives companies the confidence to invest more, employ more and export more.

 “All Queenslanders benefit from a strong state economy and the jobs that flow from that, and as the resources sector has already demonstrated since the outset of the pandemic, our industry is crucial to helping Queensland recover from COVID.”

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC will also ask the new Palaszczuk Government to act against the use of continuous court appeals, which prevent mines that have received all relevant State and Federal Government approvals from proceeding.

“First cab off the rank must be to give the green light to New Hope’s New Acland Stage 3 mine project and to secure the 600 jobs that come with that,” he said.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Accommodation Association today stated it is vital that whichever party wins tomorrow’s election open the Queensland borders as quickly as possible. 
 
according to The Accommodation Association, Tourism Research Australia reported that travel from New South Wales (NSW) to Queensland is worth $4.4 billion each year and from Queensland to NSW $3.3 billion.

The Accommodation Association represents close to 3,500 hotels, with more than 150,000 rooms, and prior to COVID nearly 100,000 employees across Australia -- but this has fallen to about 58,000 at present. 

Prior to the closure of the international and state borders, the accommodation industry contributed $17 billion to the Australian economy each year.

Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long isaid, “The decision to close Queensland’s border to the whole of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory was disappointing given the limited number of cases.

"Tomorrow’s election provides an opportunity to set things right for QLD’s accommodation businesses. Both the Queensland and wider accommodation sector understand some of the health considerations that have governed political decision making to date, however, continued border restrictions will continue to lead to even more devastating job losses in the state’s tourism sector.

“It is absolutely critical that the new Premier of Queensland begins the process of opening the state’s borders. The Queensland Premier’s decisions also impact businesses in NSW and the ACT, therefore moving forward we ask to work closer together on a more collaborative and constructive approach," Mr Long said.

“Keeping Queensland’s borders closed is devastating hotels, motels and serviced apartment providers, and the symbiotic relationship they have with many tourism reliant communities and local economies.

“We urge the new Queensland Government to work closely with our member businesses so we can walk the line between protecting our people and protecting their jobs. We need to start making more democratic decisions to begin rebuilding consumer confidence in Queensland’s accommodation sector.”

www.aaoa.com.au

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GLOBAL ETHICS Day is celebrated each year in late October, and it is a timely reminder of the importance of ethics in public, private and not-for-profit organisations. Ethics are the principles and values that guide and regulate an organisation’s behaviour and provide guidelines on the choices individuals within the organisation make.

In a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic has brought so many challenges to the economy, it is imperative that individuals and organisations behave ethically and not contribute any more damage to the already fragile economic environment. Unfortunately, impaired judgement and poor ethical decision-making result in sub-optimal outcomes for organisations and individuals.

The Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (APESB) issued the restructured Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) in 2018 that sets out requirements on how to act in the public interest for accounting professionals who play a crucial role across public, private and not-for-profit organisations.

The five fundamental principles which underpin the Code: integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behaviour, are supported by an enhanced conceptual framework that provides accountants with a systematic approach to identify, evaluate and address threats to the five fundamental ethical principles. The conceptual framework requires the individual to exercise professional judgement to determine whether their actions comply with the fundamental principles.

APESB chair, Nancy Milne said, “The Code of Ethics provides a robust framework for professional accountants to incorporate ethical considerations to their decision making. Individuals and firms that adhere to the Code's fundamental principles and adopt strong ethical practices will create stronger and healthier businesses.”

A recent Deloitte Access Economics study commissioned by the Ethics Centre, The Ethical Advantage (2020), found that better ethical behaviour and infrastructure were associated with improved financial outcomes. The report noted that by improving its governance score by one standard deviation, an Australian organisation could expect a 7 percent increase in its return on assets.

Ms Milne said, "As we work towards rebuilding the economy in the COVID-19 normal environment, the importance of behaving according to the five principles that underpin the Code takes on greater relevance and is critical in establishing exemplary ethical behaviour in the accounting profession.

“Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to embark upon a financial recovery that is both ethical and profitable. Organisations that take a measured and ethical approach in their recovery will perform better in the long run,” Ms Milne said. “It is vital that professional accountants recognise the importance of the Code of Ethics to govern all aspects of their professional conduct and behaviour.”

About APESB

APESB is the National Standards Setter that sets the Code of Ethics and professional standards by which members of Australia’s three major professional accounting bodies: CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountant, are required to abide.

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FINANCIAL RIGHTS has serious concerns that sweeping changes to the Consumer Data Right will allow highly sensitive consumer data to be accessed by unauthorised third parties.

Financial Rights director of casework, Alexandra Kelly said the new rules could enable companies which are not required to meet the regime’s higher security and safety standards for privacy, to access private and sensitive consumer data.

These concerns have been outlined in a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as part of consultation concerning proposed changes to the Consumer Data Right Rules.

“The entire point of the Consumer Data Right (CDR)  is to build a secure data environment in which consumers feel confident and safe using and sharing their data,” Ms Kelly said. “This proposal will fundamentally undermine consumer trust and confidence in the CDR. 

“It is also likely to open the floodgates to non-accredited companies to obtain sensitive data without having to meet higher privacy standards. In some cases they won’t have to meet any privacy standards at all.”

According to Office of the Information Commissioner’s 2020 Community Attitudes to Privacy survey, 83 percent of Australians want the government to do more to protect the privacy of their data.

“There is scant evidence of any consumer demand for open banking services but there is real evidence of high levels of consumer demand for increased privacy protections,” Ms Kelly said.

“It is disappointing that the ACCC’s proposal places the finance sector’s interest in obtaining consumer data ahead of the consumer interest in a stronger privacy regime."

The ACCC also proposes to introduce new rules that allow more direct marketing to take place, and the sale of consumer data.

Other proposals include a raft of complexities to the regime including multiple tiers of accreditation, self-regulation with minimal oversight and a new set of confusing and contradictory consents that undermine the voluntary and informed nature of consent in the digital age.

“These proposals could result in financially vulnerable people being targeted by new open banking players and sold expensive credit and inappropriate debt and credit solutions they can’t afford,” Ms Kelly said.

“We urge the ACCC to reconsider these erroneous recommendations and instead put consumer interests at the heart of the new data regime.”

Background

Open banking is the ability for consumers to access and control their financial data and share it with other banks or third party financial services who may provide a range of services using the data – from account and credit card switching to budgeting and tax advice. 

The Consumer Data Right (CDR) is the broader right the government is introducing to enable people to access their data and provide it to an accredited business (an accredited CDR provider). 

The banking sector – via open banking – is the first sector to provide this access. It is expected to roll out to other sectors include telecommunication, energy, superannuation, insurance and others.

About Financial Rights

The Financial Rights Legal Centre is a community legal centre that specialises in helping consumers understand and enforce their financial rights, especially low income and otherwise marginalised or vulnerable consumers. It provides free and independent financial counselling, legal advice and representation to individuals about a broad range of financial issues. The Financial Rights Legal Centre operates the Insurance Law Service which provides advice nationally to consumers about insurance claims and debts to insurance companies. Financial Rights also operates the National Debt Helpline in NSW, assisting consumers experiencing financial difficulties. Financial Rights took over 25,000 calls for advice or assistance during the 2017/2018 financial year. 

• National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
• Insurance Law Service 1300 663 464
• Mob Strong Debt Help 1800 808 488

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AFTER A COVID-19 delay, the inquiry into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge will finally travel to Western Australia next week to see the damage first hand.

Northern Australia Committee Chair Warren Entsch said the visit to Western Australia would be an opportunity for the Committee to experience the fallout from the destruction from the perspective of those affected most directly, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and the Pinikura peoples (PKKP).

"This will be the defining moment of this inquiry," Mr Entsch said.

"We need to see the scale of the devastation and feel the loss of the people to fully understand the significance of what has happened.

"The Committee will have a long yarn session with the PKKP in Karratha on Monday morning before flying to Juukan Gorge on Tuesday to see the sites for ourselves.’

The Committee will also hold a public hearing on Monday afternoon with the owner of Cheela Plains Station (Juukan Gorge was formerly located on the pastoral lease), and representatives of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and the Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation.

In its submission, the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation highlighted its positive engagement with a range of stakeholders, but also emphasised the constant struggle to protect heritage and the need for ongoing engagement by industry with Traditional Owners. It noted that Western Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act had "not prevented damage to, or the destruction or removal of, sites or cultural objects". 

For instance, during the construction of Woodside’s NW Shelf facilities during the 1980s, 1,828 pieces of rock art were removed from their cultural context and stored in a fenced compound for some 30 years – these were only returned to places agreed by Traditional Owners in 2014. The operation of the 1972 AHA did not prevent the removal of these objects from their cultural sites, nor the damage that occurred to some during their collection and storage.

Programs for the public hearing are available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 2 November 2020
Time: 1pm to 3pm AWST
Location: Leisureplex, Karratha

The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Further details of the inquiry, including terms of reference, can be found on the Committee’s website.

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