MASTER BUILDERS Australia has warned that recent building industry job losses show government stimulus is needed.

“The 5.3 percent fall in the number of building and construction industry jobs revealed in the last six weeks shown in data released by the ABS is alarming and reinforces the need for immediate government stimulus measures,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said. 

“Stimulus can’t wait because jobs are being lost now and we need to protect the livelihoods of the 1.2 million people employed by the industry around the country and the viability of the nearly 400,000 building and construction businesses that pay their wages.

“Results of a new Master Builders survey of its members shows that 73 percent have seen a substantial fall in forward work on their books of 40 percent on average,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Governments must act now because while many builders and tradies are getting by on work that commenced prior to the onset of COVID-19 that work is fast running out and new orders have fallen off a cliff.

“This is a dangerous situation not only for the industry and the people we employ but for the country. The Treasurer and the Governor of the Reserve Bank have spoken of building a bridge to economic recovery, but no bridge will be built literally or figuratively if the building and construction industry is on its knees,” Ms Wawn said. 

“The housing sector was vital in helping Australia to recover from the last major economic shock of the GFC but the impact of COVID-19 is hitting particularly hard right now. We want to see measures such as the expansion of the numbers and eligibility of the Federal Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme to include anyone wanting to build a new home to help home builders keep their doors open and tackle the nation’s under-supply of housing,” she said. 

“Our clear message to governments is that while we commend current measures to support business and jobs more is immediately needed. Construction contractors need federal, state and territory governments to accelerate the construction of social, defence and transport infrastructure.

“State and Territory governments must provide their infrastructure planning agencies with more resources so that actual construction work can commence, and Federal Government payments can be made, and money enter the economy.

“As the nation continues to be successful in tackling the health emergency posed by COVID-19 with measures to suppress its spread in the community, the focus of governments is increasingly on the measures needed to meet the resulting economic emergency. However, governments must recognise that stimulus measures cannot be deferred until social restrictions are eased, nor can they only be future focused,” Ms Wawn said. 

“They must be put in place now so that the industry is in a position to drive the future economic growth necessary for a recovery in our economy and living standards."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will scrutinise the insurance sector over two days of hearings by videoconference on 28 and 29 April 2020, as part of its ongoing review of the four major banks and other financial institutions.

The chair of the committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, "These hearings are an important mechanism for the Parliament to publicly scrutinise and hold Australia’s insurance sector to account.

"Insurance is an essential way that Australians and Australian businesses manage risk and protect themselves from financial loss after disaster strikes. Australians must be able to rely on the insurance sector to provide high-quality policies and respond quickly when claims are made.

"Given the widespread misconduct in the insurance sector identified by the Hayne Royal Commission, it is important that insurers and those in the industry are held accountable to ensure that they are making the crucial improvements needed to restore trust in the sector.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has also raised a number of relevant issues relating to policy coverage ranging from travel insurance, landlord insurance and income protection that also need to be explored."

Public hearing details

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

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THE City of Melbourne has awarded the first tranche of grants as part of its financial support package to help businesses adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.

The $5 million grants program provides financial support for businesses to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities, take part in training and professional development and undertake capital works.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said 36 successful applicants will share in the first $166,000 of funding with the remaining $4.83 million to be allocated as soon as possible.

“This is just the beginning of our investment in Melbourne’s business community. Small businesses make up about 80 per cent of the total number of businesses in the City of Melbourne and are run by people and families who have turned an idea or a passion into an enterprise,” Lord Mayor Capp said.

“These businesses play a major role in providing jobs for Melburnians, and right now, they urgently need our support.

“We have received an overwhelming response to this grants program with thousands of small and medium-sized businesses applying for financial support.

“This goes to show that even in tough times, our local businesses are ready to tackle challenges head on, think differently and adapt, which is an admirable spirit we want to reward and support as much as we can.”

Highlights from the first batch of successful applicants include:

• A barbeque and wood fired cooking school based at Queen Victoria Market planning to offer online bookings and virtual classes
• A school holiday program planning to deliver virtual school programs to support parents
• An art gallery seeking to introduce virtual exhibitions and online purchasing
• A dumpling restaurant pivoting to take-away and delivery

Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley said applications have been received from a broad range of industries with hospitality, retail, professional services, education and business services making up the top five.

“There has been an exceptionally high volume of requests and we are working through applications continuously so successful businesses can invest in making changes to keep their services running and people employed,” Cr Riley said.

“We have a community of entrepreneurial business owners who want to make changes so they can keep trading in this new environment.

“Undertaking a website upgrade or installing some new equipment could be what is needed to keep operating.

“The strength of our business community will help return our city to a thriving place to do business and these grants will provide crucial funding that will make a difference now, and into the recovery period.”

The COVID-19 business grants opened on 26 March 2020 with $5 million in funding available for 200 grants matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 for capital works projects, 400 grants worth up to $5000 for online and e-commerce activities, and 500 grants worth up to $2000 for training and professional development.

The business grants will close at midday on Friday 24 April 2020 melbourne.smartygrants.com.au

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WITH COVID-19 restrictions set to be eased over coming weeks, the fitness industry is ready with a robust re-opening framework developed to ensure gyms and exercise facilities can be among the first to reopen while ensuring the health and safety of members and employees.

Since gyms closed a month ago, Fitness Australia, the industry’s peak body, has been working with government authorities, industry stakeholders and international counterparts, including UK Active, IHRSA, Exercise NZ and the World Health Organization, to develop a comprehensive framework for the safe reopening of gyms.

Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said the industry is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of everyone so gyms can reopen sooner rather than later as reported.

“The fitness industry, like all Australians, want to ensure there is no further spread of COVID-19 as restrictions are slowly eased back. However, there’s no reason why gyms can’t be one of the first sectors to reopen,” Mr Elvish said.

“We believe gyms can safely reopen with social distancing and hygiene requirements in place, which is why we have prepared a strict reopening framework for all fitness facilities and personal trainers.

“Our framework includes a range of guidelines from temperature checking on arrival, high frequency cleaning and sanitation, spacing of equipment through to PPE for employees and members, reduced capacity for classes and outdoor fitness considerations.

“Unlike other establishments such as bars, restaurants and retail outlets, gyms also have a key advantage when it comes to instant contact tracking, with all members having to swipe in and out or book in for a class. Should it be necessary, no other industry has the ability to provide to health authorities this real time data.

“The industry is committed and onboard to do whatever is needed to reopen. We all want to ensure gym members and employees have the peace of mind to safely return to the gym, do a workout or take part in a group glass.”

Mr Elvish said the role exercise plays in our overall health and mental wellbeing cannot be underestimated and it will become more apparent as restrictions are eased back.

“Gyms and the broader fitness industry will have a vital role in ensuring the ongoing health and wellbeing of Australians during and following COVID-19,” Mr Elvish said.

“During the important phase of isolation, there has been a drastic increase in demand for mental health services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue as well as a steep increase in alcohol consumption and online gambling.

“This coupled with people being less active has the potential to not only affect the long-term health of our whole community but also future Health Budget outlays.

“Exercise and a regular fitness routine play a very important role in maintaining an individual’s immune system and their overall physical and mental health.”

www.fitness.org.au

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UNIONS are urging the Australian Government to deliver genuine fuel security to the nation by taking advantage of a unique opportunity to create a domestic fuel stockpile at a fraction of the normal cost, as the COVID-19 pandemic causes a collapse in global oil prices.

The Maritime Union of Australia and Australian Workers Union said the current crisis was not only a wake-up call — demonstrating how quickly global supply chains can break down in a crisis — but also an unprecedented opportunity to develop a strategic fuel reserve on Australian soil.

Oil prices in the United States have gone negative for the first time in history as producers run out of space to store excess supplies, while international benchmark Brent crude has dropped to its lowest price in nearly two decades.

MUA assistant national secretary Ian Bray said the COVID-19 crisis was both a warning and an unprecedented opportunity to improve Australia’s resilience.

“This pandemic has exposed how vulnerable Australia’s supply chains are, how quickly an unforeseen crisis can develop that drastically impacts global trade, and how important it is to have stockpiles of essential products on Australian soil,” Mr Bray said.

“More than 90 percent of our liquid fuel comes from overseas, we have less than three weeks worth of supplies in the country at any point in time, yet without fuel our economy would grind to a halt.

“Instead of tapping into the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve — with no plan to transport that fuel to Australia if needed in a crisis — the Morrison Government should take advantage of the unprecedented collapse in oil prices to build our own domestic fuel stockpile.

“The government should also commence the process of developing a strategic fleet that includes Australian-owned oil tankers, ensuring supplies can keep flowing during times of crisis.

“Instead of viewing the International Energy Agency’s 90-day fuel stockholding obligation as a technicality that needs to be ticked off, Energy Minister Angus Taylor should take steps to deliver genuine fuel security with a readily-accessible government-owned stockpile on Australian soil.

“As an island nation reliant on sea-borne trade, we are highly susceptible to disruptions caused by pandemics, military conflict, economic crisis, and natural disasters, which is why a strategic shipping fleet and domestic fuel stockpile are vital for delivering genuine fuel security to the nation.”

AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said the Australian Government must learn from the current crisis to ensure the country was ready for future global emergencies.

“For Australia to meaningfully address our fuel security problem we need to approach the challenge from two angles simultaneously: boosting our internal liquid fuel stockpile and ramping up our domestic fuel refining capacity,” Mr Walton said.

“If we take advantage of this current crisis to achieve both of these things then we will not be so vulnerable if the next global emergency threatens our fuel imports.”

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WOOLWORTHS will open up tens of thousands of extra weekly home delivery windows for its online customers from this week.

The extra capacity will be fulfilled out of hundreds of Woolworths Supermarkets across Australia and a new “Pop-Up” Delivery Hub in Notting Hill, Melbourne opening at the end of the week.

In supermarkets, Woolworths team members will hand pick online orders for customers before passing onto Sherpa and Drive Yello couriers to fulfil the last-mile delivery. These orders are capped at 40 items and will be delivered next day. 

Sherpa and Drive Yello have signed up more than 5,000 new delivery drivers onto their on-demand platforms to help meet the soaring demand for online groceries.

Together with recent increases out of the existing home delivery network, Woolworths has now doubled its online capacity over the past month.

WooliesX managing director Amanda Bardwell said, “We’re seeing a big increase in demand for home delivery as more and more customers seek to limit their outings in the community.

“While our first priority remains the most vulnerable in the community, we can now serve many more of our regular online customers, including Delivery Unlimited subscribers, as well.

“We’ve worked hard behind the scenes to find innovative ways to provide much-needed additional delivery capacity across Australia.

"In partnership with Sherpa and Drive Yello, we now have a highly flexible and scalable way to meet the needs of many more of our online customers in the weeks and months ahead.”

Woolworths’ Melbourne Pop-Up Delivery Hub has been setup at a 7,000 sqm warehouse in Notting Hill and is expected to service more than 5,000 orders each week. The Hub - which won’t open to walk-up shoppers - will hold a curated range of popular online products and provide employment to more than 400 Melburnians.

Ms Bardwell said, “Our Pop-Up Delivery Hub in Notting Hill is designed to complement the incredible work our online teams have been doing for our Priority Assistance customers in Victoria.

"We’ll keep a close eye on customer feedback to see if there is value in standing up more sites like this across Australia.”

Woolworths continues to offer Community Pick Up from more than 850 supermarkets across Australia. This allows customers to place a Pick Up order online for themselves or on behalf of another member of the community.

Earlier this month, Woolworths announced a partnership with leading Australian food services supplier PFD to support the temporary fulfillment of orders to its B2B customers. It provides business customers with access to PFD’s current product range and stock, and its order fulfilment and last-mile solutions through Woolworths’ website.

In March, Woolworths introduced an $80 Basics Box of meals, snacks and essential items to simplify online ordering for customers in need. These boxes - which can be ordered by customers directly or on behalf of someone in need - are packed by DHL and delivered by Australia Post within two to five business days.

About Priority Assistance

Woolworths first introduced its Priority Assistance service in March to help the elderly, people with disability and those in mandatory isolation access online grocery services. It has since delivered to more than 300,000 customers in need. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, customers are asked to complete the form at woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance or call 1800 000 610 to find out more.

MORE THAN 1200 people have registered to be part of ATEC’s free online weekly tutorial series, Road to Recovery.

The tutorials, part of ATEC’s ‘Build Back Better’ strategy, offer a 12-week program of valuable, learning opportunities designed to give individuals and businesses tools to be stronger than ever once the industry gets back on track. 

“ATEC is rolling out the ‘Road to Recovery’ tourism tutorial series as a way of supporting our industry members and helping them use this time to work on their business,” ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said.

“This is undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge for our industry and many people have lost their jobs or their entire business, but the tourism industry is full of passionate and committed people who will be there at the other end of this pandemic, looking to re-engage and find new opportunities.

“We are offering our Road to Recovery tutorials free to the tourism industry in order to help individuals use this time as an investment in their future, learning and building on their strengths and finding new paths."

Over the past month ATEC has successfully delivered industry webinars to an audience of 3000 plus registrants through its Build Back Better Leadership Webinars where members gain insights from panellists discussing a range of industry-relevant topics and challenges.

The Road to Recovery Tutorials are just 45 mins and are hosted every Thursday at 2pm (AEST).  

Upcoming Tutorials:

Week 1: Resilience- self-care, team care and how to work from home healthily    
Week 2: Build your Road to Recovery checklist    
Week 3: The virtual world - There's never been a better time
Week 4: How to adapt and Innovate in this new world
Week 5: Leading remote & virtual teams
Week 6: Facebook, Instagram and Linked-In stay connected and grow your customer base.

For a full program and to register click here.  https://www.atec.net.au/build-back-better/road-to-recovery-series/

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THE Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) is switching to virtual teaching to assist students, teachers and parents, with children learning from home due to the COVID-19 outbreak said the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the Academy had been working with the Queensland Department of Education and teachers to deliver the educational content remotely, with direct links to the Australian curriculum, when term two starts today, Monday, April 20, for the majority of schools.

“Technology is the great connector during these challenging times and the QMEA will continue to deliver its services to students in the south east and the regions through virtual classrooms,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“QMEA will deliver the educational content using the capability of the QRC led national minerals and energy education portal www.oresomeresources.com as well as through interactive webinars and online videos to teach students science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and tips to enter the essential trades in our industry. ”

The QMEA will offer additional access to more educational resources and online experiences to assist teachers in understanding the skills needed in our sector and the teaching and learning of minerals and energy.

QMEA is the education arm of the QRC and partners with 75 schools across the State with the help of industry professionals and is Australia’s largest industry and government educational partnership.

“The latest data provided by the Queensland Government shows that almost 22 percent of QMEA students who finished school in 2018 and went to university began studies in engineering and related technologies last year, compared with 15 percent of students in non-QMEA schools,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“And, 5.2 percent of QMEA students entered a mining field compared with 0.2 percent of non-QMEA students.

“Most pleasingly, 4 percent of Indigenous students in QMEA schools entered mining careers, compared with just 1 percent of non-QMEA Indigenous students.

“And, 13 percent of QMEA female students in apprenticeships went into the mining sector compared with 2 percent of non-QMEA females."

www.qrc.org.au

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