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Long-term infrastructure planning needed to underpin liveability

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s recent submission to Infrastructure Victoria’s consultation process urges liveability to be prioritised.

“Infrastructure Victoria’s engagement with business and the community represents a positive first step in setting Victoria’s infrastructure priorities for the next 30 years,” said Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“Infrastructure plays a vital role in underpinning and supporting long term economic growth and liveability.  Victoria’s liveability credentials, including modern health services, a world class education and training system, sporting and cultural events and water and environmental resources, all depend on efficient and well developed infrastructure.

“The Victorian Chamber’s submission argues for the prioritisation of a number of metropolitan and regional projects, including completing the Metropolitan Ring Road from Greensborough to Ringwood, and continued investment in regional road, rail and airport infrastructure.”

The submission also stresses the need for Commonwealth-State cooperation to ensure that Victoria’s infrastructure needs are progressed. This cooperation needs to extend to financial support from the Commonwealth and the sharing of information, expertise and analysis on proposed infrastructure projects.

“The development of a long term infrastructure plan, and the resulting pipeline of projects, will provide greater certainty to the community, business and firms involved in infrastructure provision,” said Mr Stone.

The Victorian Chamber looks forward to the next stage of Infrastructure Victoria’s work which will examine specific infrastructure options.

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.

victorianchamber.com.au

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Retailers crippled by Easter penalty rates

AUSTRALIAN retailers opening their stores on public holidays across the Easter weekend will be forced to bear the brunt of much higher costs, with penalty rates applicable for up to four days in some states, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said many retailers will not open this Easter long weekend due to prohibitive labour costs associated with public holiday penalty rates.

Penalty rates of up to two and a half times regular pay will place financial pressure on all retail businesses, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be the hardest hit by the additional costs.

The ARA believes retail penalty rates must be addressed to allow business to respond to customer needs, rather than having to fit their allocation of labour to an antiquated system. The ARA is currently engaged in a review of General Retail Industry Award 2010 (GRIA), with the view to reducing costs for retailers, particularly on Sundays, with the independent arbitrator, Fair Work Commission (FWC).

“Consumers are expecting retailers to be open and trading this Easter long weekend where laws allow, and retail businesses will be forced to wear the higher costs as a result,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“With the dawn of online retail and the effects of globalisation, we now live in a 24/7 economy. Australian lifestyles are changing, and it is important to allow physical retailers the scope to be able to keep up with this change and compete effectively against these new challenges to provide consumers with the access and convenience to shopping they expect.

“For most Australians, weekends and public holidays are seen as normal shopping day, making above the norm penalty rates unnecessary.

“Excessive penalty rates not only hurt business owners, but impact on the shopping experience, which is crucial to a retailer’s capacity to compete. Retailers will be forced to operate with a lower number of employees than required, and workers will have to be offered less hours of employment in order for retailers to afford penalty rates over the Easter long weekend.

Penalty rates were introduced in the early 1900s as compensation for employees’ work performed outside ‘normal’ hours, however, in 2016, standard working hours no longer fit the traditional pattern of 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.

“A reduction in penalty rates will have a number of benefits for the community and economy, in addition to cost reductions for retail businesses. Retailers would be able to afford to employ more staff for more hours, which will lead to more money in the pockets of these workers, increasing their spending power and a stronger economy overall.

“With youth unemployment rates increasing at a rapid rate, and retail one of Australia’s largest employers, this change will enable businesses to employ more staff, thereby helping to reduce unemployment levels, particularly in the sector of under 25s.

“Penalty rates should be determined by the FWC within an appropriate regulatory framework, and we look forward to collaborating with the Government to ensure the needs of both retail businesses and their employees are met by any changes that may occur to the payment of penalty rates.”

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s more than $293 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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Crossbench senators should govern in the interests of the entire nation or face the polls - AMMA

THE Prime Minister recalling parliament to debate the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and a new Registered Organisations Commission has sent a clear message to obstructionist crossbench senators that if they can’t govern in the interests of the entire nation, they should find themselves subject to the will of the people at the next election.
 
AMMA chief executive Steve Knott says ‘it should be of little surprise’ that the government has threatened a double dissolution election over its mandate on the ABCC and Registered Organisation bills, which have been repeatedly rejected by an intransigent senate since 2013.
 
“It should be noted that Malcolm Turnbull, as Opposition Leader in 2008, did not oppose the ALP’s workplace relations laws on the principle that the people of Australia delivered their judgment of that policy at the 2007 Election,” Mr Knott says.
 
“It is not unreasonable for the Prime Minister to now seek an end to more than two years of political pantomime and self-interested rejection of these two bills, which were key elements of the Coalition’s workplace relations policies released before the 2013 Federal Election.
 
“The fate of this legislation, along with that of many of the senators, is now in their own hands. It should not be a big call for the crossbench senators to support important legislation that was part of the Coalition’s election mandate and has since had a multitude of economic, industrial and criminal evidence to support its reintroduction.”
 
AMMA has long advocated for the importance of the ABCC and the need for more rigorous governance standards and penalties for all registered organisations. The peak resources body repeatedly warned the Rudd-Gillard government of the devastating impact to construction sector competition and lawfulness that would come from abolishing the ABCC.
 
“A strengthened building industry watchdog was specifically recommended by the Cole Royal Commission in 2003 and union conduct in the intervening years, much of it uncovered through the recent Heydon Royal Commission, has only made its case stronger,” Mr Knott continues.
 
“It is not too much to ask participants in the building and construction industry to be subject to the rule of law, just as it is not too much for all registered organisations to play by the same rules as corporations.
 
“AMMA would be delighted if in the future, the building and construction sector showed such an improvement in its cultures and industrial environment that a case could be made to examine and potentially remove its special compliance and regulatory arrangements.
 
“However it is clear that at present, with participants in the industry so routinely before the court for bad behaviour, intimidation and coercion, that an effective watchdog like the ABCC is not only warranted but essential to protect and strengthen one of our nation’s most critical industries.”

www.amma.org.au

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Superannuation choice should be open to all employees

STATEMENT by AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb:

AUSTRALIA’s resource industry employer group, AMMA, welcomes proposed legislation to ensure unions cannot use enterprise agreements to stop Australian employees choosing which fund they want to direct their superannuation into. 

Unions regularly insist that enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) covering wages, leave and hours also compel employers to direct all employee superannuation contributions into an industry superannuation fund nominated by the union. 
 
Employees covered by these enterprise agreements are denied superannuation choice.  This means they cannot choose where to direct their retirement incomes, and are denied the full range of competing superannuation products.  It also stops employees consolidating their superannuation into a single account to reduce fees.
 
This includes employees who did not vote for the agreement and are not members of the union.
 
This is unacceptable. Union bosses, enjoying the support of just 11% of private sector employees, should not be able to decide where the superannuation of working Australians is directed and remove their right of choice – particularly not to force contributions into funds with union officials sitting on the board.
 
The vast majority of Australian employees, ranging from highly paid professionals to those on minimum wages, have the right to choose where to direct their superannuation, to choose between retail funds, industry funds and competing products, or to not exercise superannuation choice and stay in default arrangements.  
 
Most employees also have the right to consolidate their superannuation into a single fund of their choice.
 
It is not acceptable that unions be able to extinguish these choices for individual employees through collective agreements, and AMMA welcomes legislation to put this right.  
 
The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Fund) Bill 2016 was introduced into the House of Representatives by Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer on 17 March 2016.

www.amma.org.au

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Future Industries Fund provides $20m in grants for key growth sectors

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone said the chamber supports today’s announcement by the Victorian Government of a $20 million Sector Growth Program to support economic growth and job creation in identified priority growth sectors.

The Program will provide up to $1 million in matched funding for projects that strengthen industry capability, pilot new technologies and invest in innovative infrastructure.

$100,000 grants are available for scoping, planning and feasibility studies that explore sector opportunities to strengthen market pathways, boost industry capability and increase supply chain efficiency.

Applications for either stream of funding must be submitted on behalf of a consortium of organisations that include at least one Victorian small to medium sized enterprise (SME).

The co-contribution grants will encourage investment and business expansion in the identified priority growth sectors of medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, new energy technologies, food and fibre, transport, defence and construction technologies, international education and professional services.

Accompanying today’s funding announcement is the release of individual strategies to grow these priority sectors. Each strategy contains specific actions that the government will take to strengthen investment, improve university and business collaboration, create jobs and drive new opportunities in local and international markets.  

The Victorian Chamber has played an active role in contributing to the development of the Future Industries Sector Strategies and looks forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government to ensure their successful implementation.

Further details of the Future Industries Sector Growth Program can be found on the Business Victoria website.

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Victorian tourism businesses call for proposed backpacker tax to be abandoned

THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes the announced review of the proposed backpacker tax and hopes this will see an end to this policy that will stifle Victorian tourism growth.
 
Under the Federal Government plan as announced in the 2015-16 budget, from 1 July 2016 the tax-free threshold (currently $18,200) for working holiday makers will be removed and their earnings will be subjected to a 32.5 per cent tax rate from the first dollar earned.
 
“Tourism businesses have been opposed to this plan from the start as it will deter backpackers from visiting and working in Australia,” said VTIC Acting Chief Executive Erin Joyce.
 
“Backpackers are a valuable source of labour for Victorian tourism businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector which relies on the involvement of a transient workforce to meet seasonal market demands. Victorian tourism operators are facing a shortage of more than 30,000 workers over the next five years, so the government must do what it can to grow our workforce.
 
“Hitting travellers with this tax would make us a less desirable place to visit and work and damage our strong standing in the highly-competitive international tourism arena.
 
“We look forward to presenting our stance to the Federal Government’s review of this proposal on behalf of Victorian tourism operators.”
 
International backpackers contribute over $600 million to the state’s economy, and over $3 billion nationally, and represent more than one in 10 international overnight visitors to Victoria.

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

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Regional access to news and the arts up for discussion at Melbourne hearing

ARTS and broadcasting groups will address the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts next week in Melbourne for its inquiry into broadcasting, online content and live production to rural and regional Australia.

Committee Chairman the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP said the Committee will build on the valuable evidence already received at its hearings in Sydney and Canberra, when it hears from groups in Melbourne. It looks forward to learning from the perspectives that these groups will provide based on their Victorian and broader regional experience in arts and media matters.

“The Committee believes that while rural and regional Australians face a number of challenges, they should not have to compromise on access to reliable news services and emergency broadcasts, and to quality arts performances. These services are vital to these communities where almost a third of Australians live,” Mrs Bishop said.

Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Time: 10.00am to 3.15pm
Location: Parliament of Victoria, Room G3
55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria
Live webcast (audio only)

Hearing program:
10.00am - Live Performance Australia (Submission 25)
10.45am - Regional Arts Victoria (Submission 1)
11.30am - Australian National Theatre Live (Submission 52)
12.00pm - Lunch break
12.30pm - ACE Radio (Submission 15)
1.00pm - Deakin University (Submission 19)
1.30pm - Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Submission 29)
2.00pm - National and State Libraries Australasia (Submission 38)
2.30pm - Screen Australia
3.15pm - Finish

For further background information, including programs for the hearing and copies of submissions, please visit the Committee website www.aph.gov.au/communications

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Latest anti-dumping decisions support local steel industry

IN A MAJOR WIN win for local steel makers the Australian Government will today implement anti-circumvention measures against foreign steel importers who have been avoiding anti-dumping duties by slightly modifying their products.

Making the announcement today of duties payable in excess of $4 million, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said the decisions would prevent certain steel exporters in China, Taiwan and Malaysia making minor changes to their products to circumvent existing anti-dumping measures.

“Australian steelmakers need to be able to benefit from free and fair trade,” Mr Pyne said.

“When foreign suppliers try to get around Australian anti-dumping duties, in this case by substituting selected steel products with alloyed for unalloyed steel, this Government is committed to action.

“We are a world leader in fighting the avoidance, or circumvention, of anti-dumping measures.

“The Australian Government will continue to work to give Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commissioner the power and capabilities he needs to ensure that local producers are not injured by unfair competition.”

Assistant Minister for Science Karen Andrews was proud to be part of Australia’s effective and equitable anti-dumping process.

“Our system is fair and transparent in providing support for Australian manufacturers.”

Across the two types of goods, the duties for alloyed galvanised steel will range from 2.6% to 62.9% and for alloyed Hollow Structural Sections from 3% to 57.1%.

Information on the decisions can be found at http://www.adcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

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Report tabled on the inquiry into barriers for small business employment

SMALL BUSINESS is the engine room of the Australian economy—it generates investment and employment opportunities for thousands of Australians.

The Standing Committee on Education and Employment tabled its report on Tuesday into the barriers that jobseekers face when seeking employment with small businesses.

Committee Chair, Andrew Laming MP, said the report’s recommendations are aimed at making it easier for small businesses to invest and employ and for disadvantaged jobseekers to find work with these businesses.

“We want small businesses to succeed, to grow, and to employ. This report recognises that while the Coalition Government have achieved a great deal to promote opportunities for small business, there are some specific areas for improvement” Laming said.

The Committee recommended:

  • establishing a working group to examine the alignment of the definitions of employee and contractor and relating legislative barriers, and to consider a proposal for the establishment of a register of building contractors;
  • investigating the impact of lowering the GST threshold on the importation of low value physical goods;
  •  improving the promotion of the value of employing culturally and linguistically diverse people;
  •  reviewing careers advice provided in schools;
  • further funding and support for driver’s licence programs;
  • assessing skills recognition and apprenticeship programs;
  • better supporting for providers of ancillary services for jobseekers;
  • changing welfare eligibility criteria for sufferers of episodic illnesses; and
  • reassessing the policy case for the taxation of redundancy payouts for persons over 65 years.

The full report and information about the inquiry, including submissions, can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

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New Inquiry: Inquiry into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016

THE Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016 proposes to establish the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility which would provide up to $5 billion in concessional financial assistance to infrastructure projects that promote the economic development of Northern Australia.

The Facility is designed to supplement State and Territory Government and private sector investment and to target projects that would be significantly delayed, or not be built, without financial assistance from the Commonwealth.

A copy of the Bill is available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5631

Written submissions are being invited from interested individuals and organisations to be received by 5pm Thursday, March 31, 2016. Guidance on preparing a submission is available on the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

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Supporting the Indo-Pacific region's best and brightest in agricultural research

AN OUTSTANDING group of young agricultural scientists and economists, representing six countries across the Indo-Pacific region, met today with the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee in Canberra.

As part of its inquiry into the role of development partnerships in agriculture and agribusiness in promoting prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability in the Indo‑Pacific region, the Sub-Committee heard from the ten recipients of the 2016 John Dillon Memorial Fellowships.

Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP said that the Fellowships are provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) as part of the Australia Awards and recognise the late Professor John Dillon, who was one of Australia's leading agricultural economists and a strong advocate of international agricultural research and collaboration.

“As part of a six-week leadership development program, the Fellows will draw on Australia’s experience in agricultural research management, agricultural policy and extension technologies, and take the lessons they’ve learnt back to their home countries,” Dr Stone said.

“I am delighted the Sub-Committee had an opportunity to speak to these talented agricultural research experts from across our region, to tap into their own views on key development challenges facing their countries and how Australian aid can be delivered more effectively to meet these challenges.”

Dr Stone also said that it was particularly pleasing to see that four of this year’s Fellows are women given that, while agricultural research has traditionally been a male-dominated field, the growing of food globally is largely in the hands of women. 

“The Sub-Committee appreciated hearing their unique perspectives and insights into gender issues in their home countries, especially on addressing existing barriers to women’s proper pay and entitlements to land in the agriculture sector,” Dr Stone said.

The 2016 John Dillon Fellows come from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.  Their program includes opportunities to connect with Australians working in similar fields, with visits to agricultural industries and research collaborators also in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

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