MORE than $2.3 billion in vocational education and training (VET), which includes a $2 billion investment in TAFE that will build the skilled workforce of the future, Minister for Skills and Small Business John Barilaro announced today.

Mr Barilaro said small businesses will also benefit from a $14 million business package that includes the Small Biz Connect program, small business advocacy services, dispute resolution and multicultural advisors, as well as $15 million over 10 years for existing lottery agents to apply for approved shop re-fits.

“The investment in TAFE NSW represents an increase of $122 million compared to last year’s budget, which will help students get the skills they need to enter the workforce and includes a $101 million capital works program to create more modern facilities,” he said.

The major capital works program includes $46 million to deliver 13 ongoing projects across NSW, a further $38 million for minor works to improve the amenity of facilities for students and staff, and $17 million for seven new projects to provide students and staff access to the most modern facilities.

The new projects include:

• Hunter Institute Newcastle Campus: Customer Service and Industry Development Centre to improve services to students, businesses and industry clients, through refurbished facilities.

• Illawarra Institute: Flexible Information Technology Infrastructure will help students to access online learning tools and offer students and employers more choice in how, when and where training is accessed.

• North Coast Institute Coffs Harbour Education Campus: The construction technologies hub will improve vocational education and training opportunities on the Mid North Coast through industry standard training facilities.

• Northern Sydney Institute: A hospitality training centre will provide essential upgrades to critical infrastructure and training facilities, strengthening the delivery of high quality training.

• South Western Sydney Institute: A specialist engineering industry standard facility with flexible workshops to meet changing demand.

• Western Institute: TAFE Western Connect stage 2 will provide learners with access to quality education and training either at a physical location or facilitated online learning. 

www.nsw.gov.au

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NATIONAL resource industry employer group AMMA will work with the Western Australian Government and industry stakeholders following today’s recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into mental health impacts of fly-in, fly-out working arrangements.

The WA Education and Health Standing Committee today outlined 42 findings and 30 recommendations in its final report: The impact of FIFO work practices on mental health.

“The resource industry is committed to the health and safety of its workforce, and continues to invest in best-practice programs and services to support employee mental health and wellbeing,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.

“The findings in today’s report reflect challenges the industry has recognised and engaged with for some time. This includes the reality that, as is the case for all industries and communities, some employees in the resource industry can experience mental illness.

“It is vitally important that all stakeholders engage in sensible discussions on how to effectively address the complex issues covered in today’s report, particularly given the lack of sufficient data to make reliable conclusions on FIFO and mental health.

“Any actions following the Committee’s recommendations must be based on reliable evidence and resource industry input to deliver real mental health benefits and avoid unintended adverse impacts on the industry and its workforce.”

Mr Barklamb adds that it is positive that many of the recommendations are based on cooperation with industry.

“The resource industry looks forward to working with all stakeholders to increase understanding of what are very complex challenges and to translate the Committee’s aspirations into practical initiatives,” he says.

“The Committee’s report is essentially preliminary, and many of its ideas and proposals need significantly more consideration and input. 

“Today’s report should therefore be a starting point for further dialogue and engagement between government and industry stakeholders.” 

www.amma.org.au

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VICTORIA Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes the announcement that Jetstar will introduce daily flights between the Gold Coast and Avalon Airport, as a result of its agreement with the State Government that sees the continuation of the airport’s passenger operations.

"It is wonderful for Western Victoria to have direct access to a population of more than 500,000 people around the Gold Coast airport. The additional 65,000 seats a year coming into Avalon will provide a significant opportunity to showcase all the region has to offer throughout greater Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road," said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“We commend the State Government for working together with Jetstar to reach this outcome and deliver a win for Victorian tourism.”

VTIC applauds Jetstar’s commitment to work closely with local and state tourism bodies to promote the greater Geelong region in the South East Queensland market and looks forward to the release of the second of the two additional routes under the agreement.

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 $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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VICTORIA Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes Premier Andrews’ acknowledgement of the need for a more holistic and connected approach to tourism growth, as highlighted by the Victorian Visitor Economy Review.

“We are delighted that the Premier has acknowledged that we must bring the various aspects of the government’s tourism, marketing and events functions together, to drive growth with “one voice and one clear plan” for Victorian tourism,” said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

The changes could result in greater:

• Synergies between, and within, government at all levels and the tourism sector.
• Cohesion on the ground for delivering crucial aspects of the visitor experience such as transport, infrastructure and information to increase visitor satisfaction, length of stay and spending.
• Coordination with other sectors including international education, sports, food and wine, agritourism and business events. 

“VTIC supports an events focus to spur growth, however we must better leverage these events to capitalise on their significant economic potential by encouraging further spending on other parts of the economy such as restaurants, accommodation, entertainment and wider regional travel,” said Ms Smith.

“This holistic approach will reap the economic rewards only if it is accompanied by significant expenditure on tourism marketing and further regional infrastructure investment throughout Victoria.

“VTIC looks forward to continued work in partnership with the government as the review outcomes are implemented, to drive job growth and prosperity for 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 $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

ENDS

NSW Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said the rapid growth of Sydney’s technology startup industry is positioning the Harbour City as the global hub for entrepreneurs and investors.

Mr Barilaro is encouraging entrepreneurs and small businesses to take advantage of Innovate NSW, which offers matched funding of up to $15,000 to help technology SMEs demonstrate an idea, prove a concept or develop a prototype.

“More than 90 projects have been completed to date and early projections show companies have the potential to generate $210 million in sales, $179 million in export sales, and 800 jobs for NSW in the next three years,” he said.

“Fishburners provide an example of Sydney’s emerging entrepreneurial talent because they are prepared to take risks, innovate and attract new investments.

“The NSW Government is making sure our great state remains the leading entrepreneurial place to do business by encouraging the growth of innovative small businesses,” he said.

Other initiatives include the creation of a $25 million Jobs of Tomorrow Scholarship fund, which will provide 25,000 scholarships to support students undertaking qualifications in technology.

The latest Startup Muster survey showed 78 percent of Australian startups created an average of three jobs.

Entrepreneurs looking for affordable, tailored one-on-one business advisory services are also eligible for the NSW Government Small Biz Connect Program.

www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

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THE VECCI submission to the State Government’s regional review supports business growth and job creation throughout Victoria, according to Chief Executive Mark Stone.

Mr stone said, "VECCI has recently made a submission to the State Government’s Regional Service Delivery Model and Strategic Directions for Regional Policy Review, on behalf of businesses throughout Victoria.

"Our submission, based on extensive regional member consultation, reinforces the fact that the economic performance of our regional and rural communities over the past decade has been a standout feature of Victoria’s overall economic growth.

"It also notes the important role our regions will continue to play into the future, helping ease Melbourne’s population growth pressures and forge new trade, employment and investment opportunities."

Mr Stone said the message to policy makers is that regional growth needs to be accelerated through a series of reforms that include:

INFRASTRUCTURE: Fast track outstanding regional infrastructure projects including the:

• Ballarat Railway Station redevelopment
• Bendigo Airport redevelopment
• Geelong’s Yarra Street Pier reconstruction
• South Gippsland Highway upgrade
• Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton bypass construction
• Mildura Riverfront Precinct redevelopment (Stage 2) 

LOCAL CONTENT: Aim for up to 20 per cent local content in all regional major projects and government purchasing.
 
DECENTRALISED GOVERNMENT: Further relocate key state government departments or agencies to regional areas.
 
SKILLS: Strengthen youth employment pathways, increase regional apprenticeships and traineeships and improve the quality of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
 
COSTS: Set a regional red and green tape reduction target of at least $100 million per annum by 2015/16.
 
TRADE: Enhance international connections and networks and ensure our agribusiness manufacturers and service industries capitalise on Free Trade Agreements.

"VECCI stands ready to work with the State Government to progress the outcomes of the Review, supporting continued regional growth and job creation," Mr Stone said.

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

vecci.org.au

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Joint statement by the Hon JB Hockey MP, Treasurer; Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance; the Hon Bruce Billson MP, Minister for Small Business:

THE hard working women and men of Australian small business were delivered surety to make the most of the Government’s Jobs and Small Business package today with key measures passing through the Parliament.

All small businesses can immediately deduct every asset costing less than $20,000 that they have purchased since Budget night and can continue to do so until the end of June 2017.

Small companies with a turnover of less than $2 million will benefit from a 1.5 per cent tax cut from 1 July 2015. This will mean we have delivered the lowest tax rate to small business since 1967.

With the passing of these measures we have delivered the lowest tax rate to small business since 1967 through our historic budget package.

The $5.5 billion Jobs and Small Business package is the biggest small business package in our nation’s history.

Since Budget night we have both travelled across the country meeting with a vast array of small business owners and their employees.

It is clear that they feel energised by the small business measures in our Budget and has given them the confidence to carefully invest in growing their business.

The Government is committed to ensuring Australia is the very best place to start and grow a small business. Our Jobs and Small Business package is creating the right conditions for Australian businesses to thrive and grow.

www.financeminister.gov.au

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THE Palaszczuk Government’s proposed changes to Queensland’s work health and safety laws to provide unions unfettered workplace access would create an environment ‘rife for misuse of entry privileges’, national resource industry employer group AMMA told a parliamentary inquiry.

This week AMMA appeared at a hearing for the Queensland parliament’s Inquiry into the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, where it reiterated concerns outlined in its submission on behalf of the state’s resource employers.

The Bill proposes to reverse the previous Newman LNP Government’s amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) that took effect in May 2014. It seeks to overturn a provision requiring union permit holders to give at least 24 hours’ notice to enter Queensland workplaces to investigate alleged safety breaches.

“AMMA supports a well-resourced inspectorate exercising appropriate powers to investigate alleged safety breaches. We do not support handing unions unrestricted access to worksites,” says AMMA senior workplace policy adviser Lisa Matthews, who appeared at the inquiry.

“Unions have a role to play in workplace safety that includes consulting with and advising members on safety issues. However, that role should not automatically extend to the immediate triage of incidents without appropriate notification.

“This is particularly relevant to safety critical resource operations where management, authorised inspectors and emergency teams must be able to immediately respond, investigate and act on serious incidents if and when they occur. Other less serious issues should be brought to the immediate attention of management.”

AMMA highlights that Australia’s other prominent ‘resources state’, Western Australia, would abstain from the same right of entry provisions that are proposed in the Queensland Bill.

AMMA also has concerns with the Bill’s proposed reinstatement of the power of elected health and safety representatives to order work to cease.

“While elected health and safety reps have a role in consulting with members of their work group, they should not be empowered to order work to cease. The potential for such powers to be used for industrial purposes is obvious,” Ms Matthews says.

“Everyone has a common law right to stop work if there is an imminent risk to health or safety, without being directed to do so by a health and safety representative. Our members have made a sustained cultural effort over many years to create an environment where all employees immediately identify, assess and act on safety risks. We are concerned these proposed changes would create a culture of ‘leaving it to someone else’.”

The changes implemented to the Work Health & Safety Act in Queensland by the former state LNP government followed a wide-ranging review and consultation with stakeholders.

Click here to read AMMA’s full submission to inquiry.

www.amma.org.au

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