OWNER truck drivers together with representatives from associated industry groups have met in Canberra today at a roundtable convened by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell, to gather feedback ahead of the ASBFEO’s inquiry into the effect the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s (RSRT) Payments Order has had on small businesses.

“Today’s roundtable is part of our initial scoping work as we begin the formal inquiry process exploring the impact the RSRT’s Payments Order has had on small business owner-drivers around the country,” Ms Carnell said. 

“The discussion was productive and wide-ranging and was an important step in gathering feedback on the issues now facing those affected by the Payments Order, as well as determining the best ways to engage with stakeholders throughout the inquiry,” she said.

Ms Carnell said it’s becoming clear there are owner-operators who continue to face significant financial hardship within an industry still plagued by uncertainty, and that the inquiry would seek to gather testimonials from as many owner-drivers as possible.

“There are some owner-drivers who are struggling to recover from the upheaval created by the Payments Order.  It’s also evident there’s a level of trepidation out there about what the future holds for the sector,” Ms Carnell said.

“We want to consult as broadly as possible to make sure we get an accurate picture of exactly what’s going on.  To do that, we need to hear from as many owner-drivers as we can, to learn directly from them about their experiences.

“Owner-drivers are telling us the best way to engage with the sector is through social media, so we’ll be conducting driver surveys via Facebook, while also utilising our existing consultation mechanisms – our interactive web-platform and 1300 number – to continue compiling testimonials from owner-drivers.

“We’re also in the process of scheduling a series of regional meetings around the country, which will provide owner-drivers and their families with a forum to tell their stories first-hand,” she said.

Ms Carnell said the inquiry will also bring together and evaluate the testimonials of those who had direct dealings with the RSRT.

“The Minister’s request to conduct the inquiry explicitly stipulates we also explore the most effective ways that tribunals and similar bodies can constructively and collaboratively engage with the small business sector in the future, so we certainly want to hear from owner-drivers about their experiences dealing with the RSRT, to help establish best practice guidelines going forward,” Ms Carnell said.

Groups represented at the roundtable: Australian Trucking Association, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Farmers’ Federation, the Council of Small Business of Australia, National Road Transporters Association, Australian Logistics Council, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, Trucking Support Agency of Australia, National Road Freighters Association, National Owner Drivers Association and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association.

Other bodies including the Australian Industry Group and the Transport Workers Union were also invited, but were unable to attend.

Further details on the ASBFEO inquiry, including regional forum dates, will be made available shortly.

In the interim, small businesses can contact the ASBFEO on 1300 650 460 or by visiting the website: www.asbfeo.gov.au

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A LONG-RUNNING quarterly Queensland Resources Council survey of resource company CEOs has found that confidence in the regulatory environment in Queensland is at a near-five year low.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said compared to a year ago, the latest findings revealed a stark change in the confidence of the CEOs confidence about regulation and doing business in Queensland.

"This time a year ago after a change of government in Queensland our sector deemed it business as usual for the resources sector, but in the space of 12 months a lot has changed," Mr Roche said.

"While the Labor Government's commitment to royalty stability for its first term of government is welcome there has been anything but stability elsewhere in the regulation of the sector.

"Our sector has been the target of a raft of regulatory changes – some enacted – and many more proposed – therefore it’s little wonder the resource leaders’ sentiment has substantially changed."

The survey also reveals that 44 percent of CEOs said that costs such as infrastructure charges, royalties and other taxes and charges were somewhat of significantly more expensive in Queensland than in other jurisdictions.

"One of the biggest issues facing our sector is that in recent years the sector has been loaded up with significant increases in local government rates and this came to the fore in the comments from the sector bosses," Mr Roche said.

as one company CEO put it: “See how long a mayor would last if they proposed a 500 percent increase on all ratepayers.”

Mr Roche said the majority of respondents to the survey did reveal that if the state government were able to reduce industry costs such as royalties this would improve the business outlook.

"While the QRC is getting a good hearing from Treasurer Curtis Pitt and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham, elsewhere our government continues to deliver nasty surprises and poor policy," Mr Roche said.

"I have written to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in the wake of the results from our latest survey in the hope that the government will recognise the damage being done to industry confidence due to the uncertainty."

Mr Roche said that the so-called Chain of Responsibility law enacted just over three weeks ago is causing enormous angst and uncertainty in the business community.

"QRC had no disagreement with the government's intent with that new law but, as we feared, it has gone too far and is doing serious damage to investor confidence."

One CEO put it this way in responding to the QRC survey: “Recent state government proposals and regulatory changes appear reactionary and populist.”

"The QRC is working with companies and the government to make this a great state to do business in, but if the government’s approach towards policy and regulatory stability does not change then investor confidence could keep spiralling down further, leaving taxpayers out of pocket.

"The resources sector contributes directly and indirectly one in every $5 of the State's economy and is responsible for one in six jobs, while also contributing $2.1 billion in royalties to the government in the last financial year.

"That $2.1 billion was the equivalent of funding the salaries of 35,000 teachers, 30,000 nurses or about 32,000 police officers.

"The state collects zero royalties from mines that close and from projects that are cancelled."

WWW.QRC.ORG.AU

ENDS

QUEENSLAND'S peak local government association and the NHVR have signed an agreement to improve the productivity and safety of the state’s road freight industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) would streamline heavy vehicle access to 150,000kms of council controlled roads throughout the state.

“A total of 2.1 billion tonnes of freight is moved by road annually throughout Australia with 22 percent originating in Queensland – the second highest amount behind NSW,” Mr Petroccitto said

“Road is the predominant mode for the transportation of freight in Queensland, with freight tonnages predicted to continue to increase over the coming decades.

“I’m pleased to be working with the LGAQ to improve the permit system at the local level and make sure the heavy vehicle industry is meeting their expectations.”

The Heavy Vehicle National Law requires local governments, as road managers, to consent to the operation of heavy vehicles on their roads before access permits can be issued.

LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam said the LGAQ and NHVR would work together to provide a standard approach to the way access permits are provided to the road freight industry.

“Under the MOA, the NHVR and the LGAQ will help more than 70 local governments throughout Queensland to fulfil their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

 “This will include the formation of a Partnership Steering Committee to oversee the Agreement’s implementation and an LGAQ Heavy Vehicle Access Liaison Officer to provide direct support to local governments,” he said.

“Both organisations have joint interest in working together to deliver heavy vehicle regulatory services. Collaboration between the Regulator, LGAQ and local governments is critical to improving the safety and productivity of Queensland’s road freight network,” he said.

“The MOA will encourage local governments to allow timely and safe heavy vehicle access to the vital ‘first and last mile’ linkages to strategic freight routes across Queensland.”

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is Australia’s independent regulator for all vehicles over 4.5t gross vehicle mass. We administer one set of laws for heavy vehicles to deliver a comprehensive range of services under one regulator, one rulebook. For more information, visit: www.nhvr.gov.au

ENDS

THE Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue has recommended that the present arrangements of the external scrutiny of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) should remain in place in its report tabled today.

Chair the Committee, Bert van Manen MP, said its inquiry into the external scrutiny of the ATO examined the roles of its main scrutineers – the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the Inspector-General of Taxation and parliamentary committees.

“The ATO has considerable resources and powers, which are necessary to administer the tax system, but their use also needs to be monitored,” said Mr van Manen.

“Taxpayers receive a great deal of comfort from knowing the ATO is subject to high quality external scrutiny and we have recommended that the present arrangements should continue.”

Mr van Manen said that complaints about tax administration were transferred from the Commonwealth Ombudsman to the Inspector-General in May 2015.

“The Committee supports the Inspector-General’s mandate and found that the Inspector-General plays an important role in scrutinising the ATO and is highly regarded by taxpayers and tax practitioners,” he said.

Mr van Manen said another key issue in the inquiry was the extent of overlap between the work of the ANAO and the Inspector-General.

“The Committee found that the extent of any duplication, if it does occur, is minimal,” he said.

The Committee also considered communication between the Inspector-General and the ATO and recommended that the Inspector-General and the ATO increase efforts to communicate effectively.

There are opportunities for improvement in how the scrutineers operate. The Committee’s other recommendations were that:

• the scrutineers increase the transparency of how they co-ordinate their work
• the scrutineers better explain in their reports how each review fits in with other reviews
• the Inspector-General consider how to conduct reviews based on complaints and emerging issues in tax administration
• in the next Parliament, the Committee scrutinise the work of the Inspector-General, similar to how the Committee scrutinises the work of the ATO.

For information about the inquiry: please contact the committee secretariat by telephone (02) 6277 4821, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the committee website www.aph.gov.au/taxrev

ENDS

PARLIAMENT'S Public Accounts Committee today tabled its report into the 2014‑15 Major Projects Report produced by Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and Defence.

The Major Projects Report consolidates information on major Defence acquisition projects—including cost, schedule, and capability performance. It also provides a longitudinal analysis of projects and commentary on Defence’s project governance systems.

“The Major Projects Report has developed into an excellent tool to assess the status of Defence major acquisition projects” Committee Chair, Mr Ian Macfarlane MP said.

“However, despite some significant capabilities being delivered in recent years, the Committee remains concerned that slippage of projects continues and believes it is critical that Defence correctly assess the project type early in the procurement cycle—be it ‘off the shelf’ or developmental.”

“The Committee was strongly concerned with the contracting model for the Air Warfare Destroyer project—making a recommendation that Defence undertake a detailed review to determine liability for the project’s problems and to help mitigate similar issues arising in the future.”

“The Major Projects Report is a key tool to improve the transparency of Defence procurement. Recent reforms of Defence represent an opportunity to further improve the Report and Defence procurement outcomes—but ongoing commitment, resourcing and leadership will be required. The Committee commends Defence and the ANAO for their strong efforts in this regard.”

The JCPAA’s report can be found at the Committee’s website http://www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.

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THE impact of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s (RSRT) Payments Order on small business owner-truck drivers will be investigated by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).

As set out under section 42(1) of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Act 2015, the Federal Government on Friday requested the ASBFEO conduct the inquiry; the first to be undertaken by Kate Carnell in her role as Ombudsman.

The investigation will examine the overall effect of the RSRT’s Payments Order on owner-driver businesses, taking into account the period before and after its implementation and subsequent cessation.  The inquiry will also consider the role small businesses can play in the development and operation of tribunals and other similar bodies.

“The anecdotal evidence we’re hearing of the financial difficulties small businesses continue to face as a result of the Payments Order is extremely concerning, so a formal investigation into the extent of the impact is certainly warranted,” Ms Carnell said.

Ms Carnell said the inquiry will consult broadly with stakeholders to establish exactly how widespread situations of financial hardship are across the sector.

“Some owner-drivers are saying the battle to stay afloat has only just begun, as they struggle to stay on the road and try and re-coup the income they were forced to forgo during the weeks of uncertainty triggered by the RSRT, so we’ll be looking for feedback to determine just how prevalent these sorts of cases are,” Ms Carnell said.

Ms Carnell said she is particularly interested in hearing from small businesses who have been subjected to heavy-handed practices from creditors.

“I’ve been made aware of instances whereby people have resorted to borrowing money from family members in order to stay on top of their payments,” Ms Carnell said.

“I once again encourage all creditors, including suppliers, banks and other financial institutions, to show some leniency towards owner-driver small businesspeople who may be struggling financially due to the recent upheaval,” she said.

Further particulars on the inquiry including submission details and reporting dates will be announced shortly. 

In the interim, small businesses can contact the ASBFEO on 1300 650 460 or by visiting the website: www.asbfeo.gov.au

ends

THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes investments in the visitor economy made by the Andrews Labor government in the 2016-17 State Budget.

VTIC is pleased to see the government follow through with significant funding allocations which align with our pre-budget submission priorities - increased visitor spending in regional Victoria, and investing in tourism assets across the state.

VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith said, “The benefit of drawing more international visitors to regional Victoria is huge. The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the Regional Events Fund will boost the tourism offerings across the state, encourage visitation and help create jobs in regional Victoria.”

"It would be great to see every international visitor to Melbourne going to our regions as well.”

The visitor economy currently contributes $19.6 billion to the Victorian economy and employs more than 200,000 people. With the right settings, this could grow to $34 billion and 310,000 jobs by 2020.

“Increasing the payroll tax threshold will ease the cost of doing business for the thousands of small and medium businesses in our sector. This will help the industry grow and help meet these ambitious targets,” said Ms. Smith.

Some of the key tourism investments included in the state budget are:

• $101 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, including $48.2 million for the redevelopment of the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at Phillip Island Nature Parks;  
• $38 million over 2 years for Visit Victoria Marketing;
• $20 million over 4 years for a Regional Events Fund;
• $9 million over 2 years for Business Events;
• $66 million for the Victorian Government Business Office network, with 18 offices around the world, including five in China, as part of Victoria’s China Strategy; and
• $8 million for the Gundij Mirring Traditional Owners to implement stages one and two of the Budj Bim Master Plan, which will open this natural heritage landscape to all visitors and strengthen a bid for the national heritage landscape to receive UNESCO World Heritage listing.

The visitor economy will also benefit from the $115 million investment in the Creative State, which includes:

• $7 million to support a cultural hub for Bendigo;
• $23 million to expand and upgrade the state’s cultural collections storage, including a new facility in Ballarat;
• $50 million boost for the State Library of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre; and
• $14.2 million for the screen industry, including funding for the Melbourne International Film Festival

Getting around Melbourne and Victoria will also be made easier with $1.3 billion allocated to improve regional rail services and $134 million for a safety upgrade to the City Loop.

As well as giving the sector a good confidence boost, VTIC is pleased that the government has delivered some tax relief to the thousands of small businesses that contribute to the visitor economy.

VTIC will continue to advocate for strategic investment in the sector and more practical measures that lower business costs and help realise the significant jobs potential of the tourism and events industry in this state.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute more than $20 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au  

THE Australian Parliament’s Trade and Investment Growth Committee has released its report entitled Inquiry into Australia’s Future in Research and Innovation.

The Inquiry examined Australia’s innovation system from the creation of ideas through research and innovative thinking, to the commercialisation of these ideas.

The Chair of the Committee, Mr Ken O’Dowd MP said, “Australia faces a world of rapid change as technology creates new products, new processes, and new industries. New innovative companies are expected to significantly contribute to Australia’s economy and assist in its diversification, increasing employment and improving its global competitiveness.”

“New innovative businesses need to be flexible and globally focussed from the outset. For them, it is no longer the case that the big will consume the small—instead, the fast will surpass the slow.” Mr O’Dowd said.

The report made six recommendations:

• Emerging industries should be identified where strategic research investment could enable Australia to become a world leader.
• There should be a review of overseas models of university-business collaboration to identify strategies which could be introduced in Australia.
• Initiatives introduced as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda should be reviewed after three years of operation to determine their effectiveness and whether the programs should be expanded.
• If a patent box scheme is introduced, it should be subject to a sunset clause after three years of operation, in addition to a review.
• The Manufacturing Finance Corporation proposal should be reviewed.
• The Advanced Manufacturing Tax proposal should be reviewed.

The report is available from the Committee’s website.

ends