AMMA chief executive Steve Knott has this Australia Day been appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the resources and energy industries, to the advancement of women, and to industrial relations”.

Mr Knott has led Australia’s resource industry employer group, AMMA, since 1998.

Over almost two decades he has overseen the organisation’s national policy development, workplace consulting services and employment support programs during a period where the industry’s workforce grew from about 85,000 employees to now directly employ 228,000 Australians.

In his role as one of Australia’s leading identities for the national resources and energy industries, as well as one of the country’s preeminent industrial relations specialists, Mr Knott has consistently advocated for policy and industry outcomes that promote AMMA’s long held vision:

To ensure the Australian resource industry is an attractive and competitive place to employ people, invest, do business and contribute to Australia’s national wellbeing.

In addition to leading AMMA, Mr Knott’s contribution to industrial relations in Australia extends to multiple advisory councils and board positions including: 

• Member of the International Labour Advisory Council since 2006.
• Represented the resources sector and Australian employers generally at numerous International Labour Organisation forums in Geneva and the Asia Pacific Region.
• Member of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council since 2006.
• Member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration since 2015.
• Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) since 2014, and member of the ACCI General Council since 1998.

Mr Knott’s contribution to the advancement of women has primarily been through leadership of the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), an Australian Government-backed initiative which since 2011 has worked to lift the number of women working within the resources, energy and allied construction and servicing sectors.

Among the programs overseen by Mr Knott to provide women with greater opportunity in the resources sector include specialist mentoring, implementing best practice diversity and recruitment processes within resource companies and developing innovative employer toolkits and support materials for greater workforce diversity outcomes.

“Being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia is a proud and special moment.  I am thankful that throughout my career I have been able to passionately advocate for policy and industry outcomes that maximise the employment opportunities available to Australians in our diverse and wonderful resources and energy sectors,” Mr Knott said.

“I wish to offer my sincere gratitude to the many people over my working life whom without their support this award would not have been possible.  I have been fortunate to have some great career and life mentors. This, together with working in an industry that provides prosperity here in Australia and abroad, is an absolute privilege.”
 
BACKGROUND

Steve Knott now resides in Melbourne however is proudly ‘born and bred’ in Tasmania, having attended Montagu Bay Primary, Rose Bay High and Hobart Technical College.

He is well known for an amateur track and field career in which he won more than 100 state titles, held national titles in both the long jump and pole vault, and compete in the 1982 Commonwealth Games three years after having open heart surgery.

Prior to joining AMMA he worked at Tasmania’s Hydro Electric Commission in roles ranging from Principal Industrial Advocate and Site Construction Industrial Officer through to IR and HR Manager Tasmania.

Mr Knott holds a post graduate diploma in business administration from Monash University and has professional memberships with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria, and is also a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

www.amma.org.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) supports the state government’s release of land in the Surat Basin for gas exploration.

QRC’s Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the pilot exploration project announced today will see the gas produced with an Australia-only sale condition.
 
“The gas produced will only be sold domestically that will help secure a reliable and affordable supply of gas to business and industry,” Mr Macfarlane said.
 
“It’s common knowledge the eastern seaboard of Australia is facing a gas shortage and instead of putting their head in the sand the government is opening up 58 square kilometers of land for exploration.
 
“Once again Queensland is leading the way in securing the energy security of Australia.
 
“The proactive release of new tenure conditioned for domestic market is an innovative response by the Queensland government to the lack of political back-bone shown by the governments of NSW and Victoria.
 
“The pilot should also be seen as chance to demonstrate best-practice regulations in action – fast, effective and focussed on outcomes.
 
“The Queensland government has set an aspirational goal of 50 percent renewables by 2030 and to achieve this goal will require a lot more gas if we are to keeping the lights on and protect Queensland jobs in manufacturing and energy intensive export industries.”

www.qrc.org.au

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NEW United States President Donald Trump has honored his election commitment, and withdrawn the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and agreement (TPP). 

QUT Faculty of Law intellectual property expert and international trade, Professor Matthew Rimmer, said Mr Trump had directed the United States Trade Representative ‘to begin pursuing, wherever possible, bilateral trade negotiations to promote American industry, protect American workers, and raise American wages.’
 
Professor Rimmer said Mr Trump’s clear opposition to the TPP was one of the reasons why he prevailed against Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.
 
“The Republican candidate was able to win key Midwest states in a Rustbelt Brexit, highlighting the impact of trade deals upon the manufacturing sector of the United States,” he said.
 
“Hillary Clinton flip-flopped on her position over the TPP during the campaign. Trump was able to exploit this equivocation during the presidential race.”
 
Professor Rimmer said Donald Trump seemed to be focused on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with Canada and possibly Mexico and was keen on a trade agreement with the United Kingdom Post-Brexit.
 
The US President has also engaged in threats of action against China over trade, currency, and intellectual property.

“It remains to be seen whether such policies will ‘Make America Great Again’ and revive United States manufacturing, particularly in light of the fast pace of technological change and innovation.”
 
Professor Rimmer said the withdrawal of the United States from the TPP had caused consternation within the Australian Government.
 
“The Turnbull Government has said that it will explore the possibility of a TPP – without the participation of the United States. This would be a complex undertaking.
 
“Many of the key chapters of the TPP – focused on intellectual property, investment, and
electronic commerce– were dictated by the United States Trade Representative. Such measures make little sense, without the countervailing access to United States markets.”
 
He said China had seized its diplomatic opportunity and promoted the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
 
“Australia has shown great interest in this alternative regional agreement as a means of consolidating a range of bilateral initiatives.
 
“Europe and Germany have also expressed a desire to forge fair trade deals with nations in the Asia-Pacific. The Turnbull Government is excited about the prospects of a partnership with the European Union.”
 
Professor Rimmer said the collapse of the TPP highlighted the need for Australia to modernize its model of conducting trade negotiations. The Productivity Commission report on Australia’s Intellectual Property Arrangements highlights the need for an open and transparent approach to trade, and independent, economic assessments of new trade agreements. There is also a need to better take into account the impact of trade agreements upon public health, the environment, and labor rights.
 
“The Turnbull Government has shown an interest in aligning its trade policy and its innovation policy.  This could be a fruitful and strategic approach in the future.”
 
Professor Rimmer convened a symposium on the topic of whether the TPP would be trumped in 2016.

www.qut.edu.au

 
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LION has posted the fifth biggest opening weekend for an Australian film of all time and the biggest ever opening weekend for an independent Australian film.

The box office for the weekend of  $4,155,636 (unaudited) puts Lion behind only the studio films The Great Gatsby, Australia, Happy feet and Mad Mad: Fury Road in the opening weekend record books.  Lion's total box, including previews, now stands at $4,967,656 (unaudited).

Lion is also taking the world by storm. The film has also opened at number 1 at the NZ box office, number 4 at the UK box office and in the US has already taken $14.5m before going into wide release, with strong releases also posted in Canada, Italy and other major territories.
 
“It is exhilarating to see audiences both here and internationally engaging with this incredible true story.  The fact that it is an Australian story and an Australian film makes it all the more satisfying.  It is a privilege to be releasing this film on behalf of Saroo, his family and the filmmakers,” said Richard Payten and Andrew Mackie from Transmission Films.
 
Lion was nominated for four Golden Globe awards, has received SAG, DGA, BAFTA and Critics Choice nominations and is the winner of more North American film festival awards than any other film this year.  Oscar nominations will be announced Tuesday US time.
 
Lion stars Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, David Wenham and the captivating Sunny Pawar as the young Saroo.  Adapted from the incredible true story “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, LION is directed by Garth Davis (TOP OF THE LAKE) from a screenplay by Luke Davies (CANDY, LIFE).

The film was produced by See-Saw Films in association with Aquarius Films and Sunstar Entertainment. Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Angie Fielder are producers with Andrew Fraser, Shahen Mekertichian and Daniel Levin executive producing.

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THE shock resignation of a senior and well-respected member of Australia’s national employment tribunal, the Fair Work Commission, raises serious questions about the operation, effectiveness and relevance of the Commission and the workplace relations laws it administers.

The Australian Financial Review today reports longstanding FWC Vice President Graeme Watson has resigned from his position and written a letter to Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash outlining grave concerns with the way workplace relations is regulated and administered in Australia.
 
“Vice President Watson is well respected by all users of Australia’s workplace system and, in almost 10 years’ service to the employment tribunal, has proven to be fair, objective and pragmatic in his application of Australia’s workplace relations laws,” AMMA chief executive Steve Knott said.
 
“While VP Watson’s resignation is a real loss to the Fair Work Commission, of even greater concern is the dysfunction in the tribunal and our workplace laws that has prompted the early resignation of one of its most senior and widely respected members.
 
“This is the second senior FWC member to have recently left the tribunal well before their statutory retirement date. Senior Deputy President Peter Richards, a Howard Government appointee like VP Watson, left in September 2016.”
 
Many of the concerns outlined by VP Watson to Minister Cash echo those detailed by AMMA in a letter to the Minister last October, which included:
 

• Increasing evidence that the FWC is dysfunctional, not serving users well and appearing to pursue political agendas rather than assisting constructive workplace relations outcomes.
   
• The growing need for an independent appeals tribunal to ensure greater rigour and consistency in the decisions of the FWC, including that its members respect established Full Bench principles.
   
• The application of the Fair Work Act’s unfair dismissal and adverse action provisions seeing employees rewarded for making speculative claims against their employers, even where their actions clearly justify dismissal from their workplaces.
   
• The failure of enterprise bargaining to support productivity and industrial harmony in Australian workplaces, and instead rewarding unions for threatening and taking strike action.
   
• Increasing instances where the FWC is not approving agreements based on technicalities such as minor typos in forms or documents incorrectly stapled together.

“The issues raised in the Vice President’s resignation letter add further weight to previous calls from the business community for the government to conduct an urgent review of the Fair Work Commission, its structures, powers and decision making,” Mr Knott said.

“The serious problems identified by VP Watson also reaffirm the importance of the government acting on the Productivity Commission’s 2015 review of Australia’s workplace relations framework, and implementing the majority of its recommendations for reform during 2017.”

Click here to learn more about AMMA’s workplace relations reform priorities.

www.amma.org.au

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STATES currently considering making changes to the way owner-truck drivers are paid should not ignore the disastrous impact the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s (RSRT) Payments Order had on small businesses, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell said.

The Federal Government today tabled its response to the ASBFEO’s inquiry into the impact of the Order, which not only found it to be discriminatory towards owner-drivers, but found it caused significant financial and emotional distress for mum-and-dad owner-drivers.

“Our report provided a unique insight into the small business owner-driver sector. It shone a light on issues and concerns that had previously been dismissed, and provided a voice for small businesses who through their experience with the RSRT, felt ignored,” Ms Carnell said.

“In response to our report, the Federal Government has supported the majority of our recommendations, the chief among which is to commit “to never re-establishing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, or a similar body that sets mandatory rates of pay for owner drivers and small transport businesses’.

“We’re now calling on decision-makers in Victoria and New South Wales when reviewing mandated minimum rates of pay in this industry, to embrace our report; to learn the lessons of the past and make the same commitment as the Federal Government to never go down this path again,” she said.

The Victorian Government is conducting a review into the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005 (Vic) and associated regulations, while the NSW Industrial Relations Commission is considering an application to vary the NSW General Carriers Contract Determination.

“As our report highlighted, the RSRT Payments Order caused significant uncertainty in the road transport industry.  This uncertainty and confusion would arguably be worse if Victoria and NSW were to mandate minimum rates of pay on a state-basis,” Ms Carnell said.

Ms Carnell said it was encouraging to see the Federal Government’s support for ASBFEO recommendations promoting greater road safety education and awareness measures.

“Re-directing the millions of dollars saved from abolishing the RSRT to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is money much better spent, however it’s important that timelines soon be put in place for the implementation of a range of flagged measures, to help increase the safety of all drivers as soon as possible,” Ms Carnell said.

“It’s also simply unacceptable that states and territories still have different laws and requirements in this space; we need a truly national system as a matter of urgency.

“The ASBFEO report into the impact of the RSRT Payments Order – and the Government’s response today – highlights our important role as small business advocate; we’re here to provide a voice for small business; to raise issues of concern and ensure governments at all levels, factor-in the impact of legislation and policy on small businesses and family enterprises,” she said.

For a copy of the ASBFEO RSRT Payments Order report visit: www.asbfeo.gov.au.  For a copy of the Federal Government’s response to the ASBFEO report visit: www.docs.employment.gov.au. 

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THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today launches its pre-budget submission to the State Government, outlining nine key recommendations that are vital to ensure success for Victorian businesses in 2017-18 and beyond.

A key recommendation of the Victorian Chamber’s submission is for Victorian agribusiness to be the next priority in the State Government’s small business regulation review.

The Victorian Chamber believes this must be done through a complete review of regulatory burdens facing those operating in the agribusiness sector.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone AM said specific reforms to red tape should be identified and implemented to support the industry.

“Victoria’s is known to be a producer of high quality food and fibre and simplifying regulatory processes must be promoted and prioritised to enable business expansion,” he said.

“Our state’s agribusiness producers have indicated that costly and unnecessary red tape needs to be addressed if we are to enable them to be more competitive at home and abroad.

“We must improve the regulatory process for agribusiness producers so it is not as complex and inconsistent as it currently is, across all three levels of government. If regulation is simpler and easier to navigate, our state will benefit from more innovation and business startups, and lift our reputation as a premium agribusiness producer.”

The Victorian Chamber is delighted that one of its longstanding recommendations, the North East Link, has already been committed to prior to the budget being handed down.

Other recommendations of the Victorian Chamber’s State Budget Submission are:

• Increase the payroll tax threshold to $850,000 by 1 July 2018
• Allocate $25 million to extend Back to Work to small businesses with turnover of less than $2 million
• Create a $5 million Export Insights program to help new exporters engage with international markets.
• Allocate $23 million a year to support Visit Victoria in regional, domestic and international marketing activities.
• Ensure expenditure growth does not exceed revenue growth.

About the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

www.victorianchamber.com.au

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THE Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market, chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel, is commencing a wide-ranging open public consultation process.

The Independent Panel’s preliminary report, released on 9 December 2016, included a number of observations and questions to guide these consultations. A blueprint informed by the public’s perspectives will be released in the first half of 2017.

“Electricity is the lifeblood of the nation and I encourage members of the public to share their point of view with the Review Panel,” Dr Finkel said.

The consultation sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Adelaide, Crowne Plaza Adelaide: 30 January 2017: 5 pm – 7 pm
• Brisbane, Sofitel Brisbane Central: 2 February 2017: 5 pm – 7 pm
• Melbourne, Ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments: 8 February 2017: 5 pm – 7 pm
• Hobart, Hotel Grand Chancellor: 13 February 2017: 5 pm – 7 pm
• Sydney, Karstens Sydney Function Centre: 15 February 2017: 5 pm – 7 pm

Members of the public are invited to attend the session in their capital city.

The Panel will also hold targeted meetings in capital cities for businesses, researchers, policy specialists and consumer groups involved with the energy sector.

Details on registering for public sessions and the targeted meetings are available on the Department of the Environment and Energy’s website.

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