SIX finalists will present at QUT today (THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER) for the chance to win the G20 Global Business Challenge and $100,000 in prize money.

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s support in delivering retail training specifically tailored to the Indian market through new funding under the Victoria India Skills Partnership Start-Up Allowances program.

The ARA’s training arm, the ARA Retail Institute, is Australia’s leading retail training organisation.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said this funding will enable the ARA Retail Institute to partner with India’s peak organisation for retailers, the Retail Association of India, to deliver retail training in the Indian state of Maharashtra over the next three years.

“The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) looks forward to working alongside the Retail Association of India and forging a close relationship to ensure retail success both today and in the future. We are extremely proud to be part of this innovative project.

“The ARA welcomes the Victorian Government’s support in developing trade around skills in retail education, creating a significant skills export opportunity for Victoria and the retail sector.

“The ARA would like to thank the Victorian Government for this $100,000 grant that will certainly help people in India to develop internationally transferable skills in the retail industry as well as enhance the reputation of Victoria’s world class vocation training system,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has congratulated the winners of the 2014 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards for the outstanding contribution they make to the state’s tourism sector.

“On behalf of the industry I congratulate the award winners who have been recognised for the outstanding contribution they make to tourism in our state,” said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

"VTIC is delighted to see so many of our members achieving success and recognition through these awards, as the majority of winners and finalists (over 62%), are VTIC members.

"Solid business foundations are essential for a sustainable and professional tourism industry. The Victorian Tourism Awards are a wonderful way of showcasing business excellence, as well as the depth and breadth of products and experiences in our state."

Ms Smith’s comments come in the wake of more than 900 tourism and event industry leaders and professionals gathering at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last night to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the awards which showcase the leading tourism products, experiences and services across the state.

Some of the winners by category included: 

- Sovereign Hill - Major Tourist Attractions
- Peninsula Hot Springs - Tourist Attractions
- Melbourne Cup Carnival - Major Festivals and Events
- Bendigo Tramways - Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - Business Tourism
- BIG4 Beacon Resort - Tourist and Caravan Parks
- Naturewise Eco Escapes - New Tourism Development
- Alla Wolf-Tasker - Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- Fowles Wine Cellar Door Café - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
- Frankston Visitor Information Centre - Visitor Information and Services 

The evening was opened by Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Hon. Louise Asher MP, and the audience was also treated to a performance by the cast of “Once”, the musical currently showing at the Princess Theatre.

Once again VTIC played a significant role in the tourism awards program, delivering preparatory workshops across the state, as well as coordinating the entrants’ mentoring program and judging panel.

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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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the retail industry is hoping the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to keep the cash rate on hold at 2.5 percent will provide enough stability to stimulate pre-Christmas sales as the crucial festive season fast approaches. 

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the RBA remains one of the few central banks able to offer that support to the economy globally.

“While retailers didn't receive their Christmas wish of an interest rate cut today, the industry remains optimistic that the festive trading period will soon be in full swing and the stable cash rate may encourage consumers to loosen their purse strings early-mid November in the lead up to Christmas.

“While in an ideal world the RBA would be able to lower interest rates even further to support small businesses, the fact that the cash rate has remained low for some time now has seen retail trade figures increase (albeit slightly) month on month.

“ABS figures released this morning indicated monthly retail sales for the month of September increased 1.2 percent (month on month). In order for sales to continue building momentum as Christmas approaches, and for the retail industry to return to a growth of 6 percent, the Federal Government and RBA must do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported as consumers start to plan their holiday shopping.

“Some areas of Australia have also felt the effects of upcoming state elections which may result in lower levels of consumer confidence – an issue that businesses could certainly do without at this crucial time of year. With states such as Tasmania (0.8%) Queensland (0.4%) and Northern Territory (-0.6%) all falling under the month on month growth of 1.2 percent, the RBA must continue to hold a steady hand and ensure these states return to a percentage growth closer to the national average.

“There has been talk that interest rates may start to rise in 2015 but retailers believe the RBA will need to continue to support the economy via low interest rates for some time,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

BOTH major parties must commit to measures that make Victoria’s key tourist attractions more enticing to Asian visitors and attract additional cultural events to regional Victoria, said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith today.

In welcoming the Coalition Government’s commitment to expanding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Ms Smith called on policy makers to adopt complementary recommendations to ensure Victoria capitalises on the resulting visitor growth.

“VTIC applauds the Coalition Government’s decision to expand MCEC, and urges Victorian Labor to echo this commitment, for the significant benefit it will bring to Victoria’s business events’ and tourism sector,” said Ms Smith.

“Improving this facility will result in more visitors to our state, so there’s now more than ever a need to ensure we take the opportunity to grow jobs.”

VTIC calls for the major parties to commit to the following:

- Grow the events’ sector by establishing a dedicated sales team to secure new and expand existing regional medium-sized events.

Cost: $2 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 600
 
- Make Victoria’s tourist attractions more appealing to the lucrative Asian visitor market through culturally appropriate upgrades to displays, ticketing and visitor information.
Cost: $7 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 1600
 
Tourism could create nearly 9,000 additional jobs for Victoria over the next two years if the right policy settings are in place, according to VTIC research.

“As a growth sector in a rapidly changing economy, tourism has great job creation potential as it brings in visitors who spend money, which creates jobs and sustains communities,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments come ahead of the tourism industry’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Victorian Tourism Awards, which showcases the leading tourism products, experiences and services across the state.

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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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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (1.2 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.1 percent rise in August 2014.

Year on year retail growth rose 5.7 percent in September 2014 (seasonally adjusted, compared to September 2013).

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers noticed a small upward swing in sales in September despite unsteady levels of consumer confidence.

“In seasonally adjusted terms the largest contributor to the rise was household goods retailing (4.1%) where electrical and electronic goods retailing recorded growth (9.2%). According to the ABS, this figure was heavily influenced by the release of the iPhone 6 during the month of September.

“Other industries which experienced rises were cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0%), food retailing (0.4%) department stores (1.3%) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4%).

"As the ARA predicted last month, the arrival of spring certainly provided the above sectors with a boost in sales with consumers stepping out to socialise at their local cafes and restaurants as well as much-needed encouragement to start purchasing new summer stock in stores across the country.

“In seasonally adjusted terms the states which displayed rises were New South Wales (1.7%), Victoria (1.3%), Western Australia (1.3%), Queensland (0.4%), South Australia (1.2%), the Australian Capital Territory (1.9%) and Tasmania (0.8%). This was partially offset by a fall in the Northern Territory (-0.6%).

“The Australian Retail Index (delivered by BDO and Retail Express) reports that retailers across the country saw mixed sales results during September with all sectors showing a level of inconsistency. By mid-September, retailers in the fashion and accessories sector were grinning after two very strong weeks of sales.

"These results mirror sales growth for the same period in 2013, suggesting that the change in season had a positive impact and that consumers were shedding winter fashion to prepare for the warmer months ahead. By the end of September however, sales were down again across most sectors – continuing the rollercoaster ride for this sector during the first month of spring.

"Overall, September’s results are certainly a positive sign for the retail sector and we remain hopeful that December (year on year) sales will achieve 6 percent growth.

“Pre-Christmas sales are almost upon us and it is now imperative that the Federal Government and RBA do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported. The festive season is an extremely important time for retailers to make up for what has been a tough year in business,” Mr Zimmerman said.

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (August 2014 – September 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (4.1%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0%), Department stores (1.3%), Food retailing (0.4%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4%), Other retailing (-0.2%) and Total sales (1.2%).

Australian Capital Territory (1.9%), New South Wales (1.7%), Victoria (1.3%), Western Australia (1.3%), South Australia (1.2%), Tasmania (0.8), and Queensland (0.4%) and Northern Territory (-0.6%). Total sales (1.2%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (September 2013 – September 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (11.7%), Household goods retailing (9.7%), Food retailing (5.8%), Other retailing (3.4%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.3%) and Department stores (-4.1%). Total sales (5.7%).

New South Wales (9.4%), Tasmania (7.2%), Victoria (6.7%), Western Australia (3.3%), South Australia (2.6%), Australian Capital Territory (2.5%), Queensland (1.8%) and Northern Territory (1.1%). Total sales (5.7%). 

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

THE legal rules for tax disputes will come under scrutiny at a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow.

Tax barrister, Mr John Hyde Page, will give evidence before the House Standing Committee of Tax and Revenue in support of his submission to the Committee’s Inquiry into Tax Disputes.

Mr Page has represented clients previously under investigation by Project Wickenby, a cross-agency task force which plays a role in the Government's fight against tax evasion, avoidance and crime.

In his submission, Mr Page stated that:

• objection decisions by the ATO are “often … little more than a ‘cut and paste’ of the audit decision”
• a body separate to the ATO should be responsible for making “fraud and evasion” findings, imposing large penalties, making large default assessments, and issuing garnishee orders and departure prohibition orders
• the Federal Court should have full powers to review a finding of fraud and evasion by the ATO.

A finding of fraud and evasion against a taxpayer has important consequences. The usual two or four year time limits on audits no longer apply and sometimes taxpayers need to provide documents about transactions going back as far as 10 years.

Committee Chair John Alexander MP said that, “The Committee looks forward to hearing about whether the legal rules for tax disputes could be made fairer for taxpayers, while still helping the ATO do its job. This especially applies for findings of fraud or evasion, which have been one of the key issues in the inquiry.”

The Committee will also hear from Mr Richard Wytkin, an accountant and tax agent in Perth.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
The hearing will be broadcast live at: www.aph.gov.au/live.

4.30 pm (approx.) Mr Richard Wytkin (teleconference) 
5 pm Mr John Hyde Page Submission 22
5.45 pm Adjournment 

For further information: 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 http://www.aph.gov.au/taxrev.

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This World Stroke Day the National Stroke Foundation is urging workplaces and individuals to act FAST to identify the signs of stroke.

FAST is an easy to remember, simple way to recognise if someone may be having a stroke: Face – has the person’s mouth drooped? Arms – can they lift both arms above their head? Speech – is their speech slurred? Can they understand you? And Time – call triple zero (000) immediately, do not delay. 

Standard Solar is among the workplaces supporting the National Stroke Foundation’s FAST campaign through the First Hour initiative. The company is encouraging and supporting its workforce to donate one hour of pay to the National Stroke Foundation in support of FAST in addition to providing stroke education.

Standard Solar Managing Director Rob Grainger said the company is supporting First Hour and FAST initiatives as the team knows first-hand the impact of stroke and the value of time in its treatment.

“I am alive today because my mum recognised the signs of stroke and many of our team have also seen the impacts of stroke within their families,’’ Mr Grainger said.

Mr Grainger was just 41 when he was struck down by a massive stroke. It was a Sunday night and Mr Grainger was alone at home and speaking to his mother interstate on the phone. While talking, Mr Grainger’s mum noticed his speech started to slur and Mr Grainger began feeling weakness in his arms.

“I was talking to my mum [while experiencing symptoms] and over the phone she knew what was happening, she said ‘I think you are having a stroke, you had better get to the hospital.”

On hanging up the phone Mr Grainger’s mother immediately called an ambulance, sending it to Mr Grainger’s home and saving his life. Doctors said, without his mother’s quick action treatment would have been delayed and Mr Grainger may have died or been left with a serious disability.

Following the stroke Mr Grainger spent four months in hospital learning to walk and talk again; today a minor limp and his rapid speech are the only indications of his stroke.

“You think stroke is an older person’s problem and not something to worry about, you don’t think that at 41 you will have a stroke. But it can happen to anyone, you don’t know why or who,’’ he said.

National Stroke Foundation National Director Programs Rebecca Naylor said time was critical in treating stroke.

“Time is a vital weapon against stroke. Every minute counts. The sooner the person having a stroke gets help and critical treatment, the better the chance of survival and quality of life,’’ Ms Naylor said.

“One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime and 30 percent of stroke survivors are of working age, yet most Australians still don’t really understand what a stroke is or what to do about it.”

The National Stroke Foundation is urging work places across the country to get behind First Hour and the FAST initiatives by supporting a donation by their workforce and providing education on the signs of stroke.

“We are asking for people to donate one hours, just one hours pay, this doesn’t seem like much but collectively it makes a huge difference,’’ Ms Naylor said.

“If we can educate more people on the signs of stroke and what to do when they see a stroke happening, we can help save lives and slash disability.”

Register online to join First Hour at www.strokefoundation.com.au

The National Stroke Foundation supports workplaces with resources to help promote and support the campaign including a how to guide, promotional video, posters, digital materials, an elevator speech to start conversations around the campaign and an employee deduction authority.

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VECCI chief executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the release of Victorian Labor’s “Back to School” plan for education and skills.

"The policy contains a number of initiatives consistent with Taking Care of Business, VECCI’s 2014 state election agenda, which will help Victoria’s education and training system meet the skills needs of Victoria’s service industries, emerging high growth sectors and industries undergoing change," Mr Stone said.

"Establishing 10 new technical schools will give many school students a head-start in gaining the skills needed for employment and we welcome the focus these schools will have on local industries.

"Technical schools have a vital role to play in providing students with industry experience through school based traineeships and apprenticeships. This training must be capable of evolving as the nature of industry and occupational requirements change," he said.

"The $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund needs to support system restructuring that is responsive to industry, rather than training providers. Sustainability will depend on the extent to which the TAFE sector can meet the training requirements of traditional goods producing industries, service industries and emerging high growth sectors.

"We welcome the commitment to tighten VET regulation to ensure the quality of qualifications; a move that will engender confidence in the system among all stakeholders.

"Increased funding for schools, including independent schools, is positive, however infrastructure alone will not improve student outcomes. Curriculum reform, school leadership and improvements in teacher training and assessment are also required.

"Labor’s promised VET funding review is timely and highly relevant to informing the future direction of skills reform, which must have as its objective the realisation of a significant improvement in training quality and responsiveness."

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

vecci.org.au

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