THE Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee will hold a public hearing in Singleton in the Hunter Valley on Monday, November 5, 2018 as part of its inquiry into mining sector support for regional businesses.

The Committee will meet with a diverse group of academics, community groups, local government members and business owners to discuss ways the mining industry can contribute more to the communities where resources are extracted. 

Mining company Glencore, which is headquartered in the Hunter Valley, will also give evidence.

“We’re heading into the final stages of the Inquiry, so we’re really going to be pushing for answers to the big questions that have come up,” said Committee Chair, Barnaby Joyce MP. 

“Questions around fair payment terms and contract provisions, local employment and apprenticeships, and whether mining companies are giving enough back to the regions.”

Public hearing details: 9:55am to 2pm, Monday, 5 November 2018, Singleton Diggers, York Street, Singleton.

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

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TELSTRA small business customers impacted by the national EFTPOS outage on Friday and Saturday may be entitled to business loss compensation, according to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman said small businesses "firstly need to attempt to have their issue addressed by Telstra".

If the matter remains unresolved, the small business can lodge a complaint with The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman via phone 1800 062 058 or online at www.tio.com.au.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a free and independent dispute resolution and complaint handling service for residential consumers and small businesses who have an unresolved complaint about their phone or internet service in Australia.

The Federal Government and the regulators set policy and regulations for the telecommunications sector. The telecommunications industry regulators are the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA - http://www.acma.gov.au)  and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC - https://www.accc.gov.au).

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TELSTRA small business customers impacted by the national EFTPOS outage may be entitled to business loss compensation, according to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman said small businesses "firstly need to attempt to have their issue addressed by Telstra".

If the matter remains unresolved, the small business can lodge a complaint with The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman via phone 1800 062 058 or online at www.tio.com.au.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a free and independent dispute resolution and complaint handling service for residential consumers and small businesses who have an unresolved complaint about their phone or internet service in Australia.

The Federal Government and the regulators set policy and regulations for the telecommunications sector. The telecommunications industry regulators are the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA - http://www.acma.gov.au)  and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC - https://www.accc.gov.au).

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) believes September trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) represent a strong lead into Christmas with September seeing a 3.67 percent total year-on-year increase.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said although September trade figures were slightly weaker than August trade, the 3.67 percent year-on-year growth is still a positive figure for the Australian retail industry. 

“Although September’s month-on-month figure isn’t as positive as we would have liked, we need to understand the year-on-year retail growth figure represents a better overview of the current state of Australian retail,” Russell Zimmerman said.

“The ARA know personal tax cuts play a big role in discretionary spend, and believe a second round of personal tax cuts before the next election would certainly boost consumer confidence, and see an increase in retail sales in the new year.”

Cafés, restaurants and takeaway services saw the strongest year-on-year growth at 4.75 percent as Australians saw the footy season come to an
end.

“As fashion is usually seasonally driven, we saw the Clothing, footwear and personal accessories category slow down, receiving a 2.89 percent year-on-year growth, compared to the 4.05 percent year-on-year growth received in August,” Mr Zimmerman said.

"While this is slightly lower than the previous three months, clothing remains strong and the ARA are hopeful of seeing an uptick in apparel and accessories retailing in the lead-up to summer.”

The ARA saw strong results for Other retailing (4.68%), Specialised food (6.29%), Supermarkets (4.16%), and Electrical goods (3.34%), but saw Department stores (-0.40%) drop off for the first time since April.

“Unfortunately, Other recreational goods remain in negative territory receiving -3.59 percent year-on-year growth, while Newspapers and books received -5.35 percent year-on-year growth – it’s 15^th negative figure in a row,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Across the country Victoria (6.73%), led the nation in September trade, with Tasmania (6.13%), the Australian Capital Territory (4.12%), South Australia (3.72%) and New South Wales (3.10%) were not far behind. Queensland (2.44%) remained steady in August, while Western Australia (0.29%) recorded growth for the first time since April. Unfortunately, the Northern Territory (-0.19%) received negative figures for the first time since February.

“We’re hoping the Government pays attention to the fluctuating nature of retail and brings a second round of personal cuts to consumers before the election next year,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We’re heading into Christmas and I know our members and retailers across the country would like to see more consumers out on their shopfloor, and increasing their basket size online this festive season.”

Monthly Retail Growth (August 2018 – September 2018 seasonally adjusted) 

Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.54 %) Food retailing (0.43%), Other retailing (0.05%), Household goods retailing (-0.02%), and Department stores (-0.02%) Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-1.18%),

Tasmania (0.75%), Victoria (0.72%), Queensland (0.40%), South Australia (0.34%), Western Australia (0.04%), the Australian Capital Territory (0.02%), New South Wales (-0.42%) and the Northern Territory (-0.92%).

Total sales (0.16%).

Year-on-Year Retail Growth (September 2017 – September 2018 seasonally adjusted)

Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (4.75%), Other retailing (4.68%), Food retailing (4.07%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.89%), Household goods retailing (2.78%) and Department stores (-0.40%).

Victoria (6.73%), Tasmania (6.13%), the Australian Capital Territory (4.12%), South Australia (3.72%), New South Wales (3.10%), Queensland (2.44%), and Western Australia (0.29%), the Northern Territory (-0.19%).

Total sales (3.67%).

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to release more than 6600 square kilometres of land for gas exploration with 917sqm kept for the domestic market. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said opening up land for exploration was a commitment of confidence in the gas industry and another sign Queensland was getting on with the job to help ease the east coast gas squeeze.

"Yet again Queensland is demonstrating its willingness to actively attract private sector investment to create more jobs, more exports, more royalties and more gas into the domestic market,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“More gas being produced is good news for all gas customers, both domestic and export. With a go-slow on gas development in NSW, and a blanket ban on some types of gas projects in Victoria, what the Southern States are really saying is they’re not prepared to support local jobs and local industry." 

Companies are invited to bid for the right to explore for the gas south-west of Chinchilla in the Surat and Bowen basins. 

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has announced one of the world’s largest zinc companies, Teck, has been granted a permit to explore 102sqkm near Cloncurry. 

“This is a huge boost for exploration in Queensland with the Canadian mining powerhouse exploring in the State’s mineral rich North West Minerals Province,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“This province has the potential to unearth vast amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels. 

“The ongoing strength of our resources sector will lock in economic gains for all Queenslanders. 

“Only stable and predictable policy will ensure investment in exploration leads to new investment, new jobs and new exports for Queensland."

The Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass, according tot he QRC.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to issue a mining lease for a mine north-east of Moranbah which will create 350 ongoing local jobs in Bowen Basin communities. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Fitzroy Australia Resources’ Ironbark No.1 underground coal mine was expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of coal per year. 

“Around 160 jobs will be needed for construction to build the greenfield mine which will produce coking coal for export in early 2020,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“It’s more good news for the coal industry and is another example of the Queensland Government’s commitment to responsibly develop the State’s rich mineral deposits to the benefit of all Queenslanders.

“Queensland coking coal is used in steel and other forms of manufacturing and is enjoying increased global demand especially in developing economies such as India. 

“Resources are a major contributor to Queensland’s economy creating a job every 40 minutes, investing $1 million every hour and exporting $1 billion each week.”

The QRC said Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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LAWS to create a Director Identifier Number system (DIN) are one step closer but cutting red tape for building and construction businesses must remain top of the agenda, according to Master Builders Australia.

First canvassed in the 2001 Cole Royal Commission, a DIN concept has been long supported by Master Builders as a way to help government agencies and regulators enforce existing laws far more effectively while avoiding the need for higher levels of red tape and regulation.

"Master Builders acknowledges the work of Shadow Assistant Treasurer Dr Andrew Leigh MP and his leadership on this issue. Its good news that the Government is now getting on with delivering this important initiative,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

The proposed DIN register will see company directors assigned a unique number, allowing regulators, agencies and government departments to better track and identify unfair commercial conduct and enforce existing laws far more effectively and efficiently.

"The DIN will help reduce the incidence of phoenix activity and other types of capricious commercial conduct that undermines and hurts the overwhelming majority of businesses who do the right thing,” Ms Wawn said.

In its submission to Treasury responding to a draft of the proposed laws, Master Builders expressed support for the DIN while suggesting improvements and highlighting the need to keep red tape cuts high on the agenda.

"As the DIN is intended to help regulators be more effective, there should be less need for more red tape and regulation. There is no better time than now to take stock of existing regulation and red tape to make sure it is necessary and still effective," Ms Wawn said.

"Protecting small business people from rogue operators and reducing the red tape so many small builders find suffocating must both remain top of the agenda,” she said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hold a public hearing in Sydney on Friday, November 2, 2018 for its inquiry into the Australian music industry.

The chair, Luke Howarth MP, said the Committee will examine the potential for continued growth and the factors affecting the success of the Australian music industry, both domestically and internationally.

The Committee will hear from a range of peak bodies, such as the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), that represent and support artists, managers, and major performing arts groups.

"We are keen to hear from organisations that are working with artists — songwriters, musicians, and others in the industry — to strengthen and build businesses and careers. We want to hear how we can support and grow the reach of Australian music, at home and abroad, and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by those working in the industry," Mr Howarth said.

The public hearing will be broadcast live on the web (audio only).

Hearing details

Date:                     Friday, 2 November 2018

Venue:                  Sydney Commonwealth Public Offices, 1 Bligh Street, SYDNEY

Program

9.00 am                Sounds Australia (Submission 95)

9.40 am                Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (Submission 96)

10.20 am              Association of Artist Managers (Submission 61)

11.00am               Break

11.10 am              Australia Council for the Arts (Submission 98)

11.50 pm              Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL) (Submission 100)

12.30 pm              Lunch break

1.30 pm                Live Music Office (Submission 96)

2.10 pm                Music Australia (Submission 63)

2.50pm                 Australian Major Performing Arts Group (Submission 77)

3.30pm                 Finish

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