VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government that will see the continuation of Avalon Airport’s passenger operations and the expansion of Jetstar’s services at the airport.

"We are delighted that the agreement will see 200 jobs saved, as well as an increase in the number of Jetstar flights from five to seven daily and the introduction of flights to two new domestic destinations," Mr Stone said.

"Avalon Airport supports tourism and business travel in Victoria, particularly to our state’s drawcard tourist destinations such as the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula.

"The expansion will see the arrival of approximately 700 more visitors in the region each week which will be a positive for the local tourism industry.

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

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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THERE's only one week until CeMAT, the global intralogistics and materials handling event, hits Australia for the first time at Sydney Olympic Park, 5–7 May 2015.

The three day exhibition, conference, workshops and site tours promise to inspire the industry and offer solutions to improve all elements of the supply chain.

Here’s a list of the top 5 things that are not to be missed at CeMAT AUSTRALIA:

1. See the industry’s best on the show floor

With five specialist exhibition zones including Store & Load, Move & Lift and Logistics IT; the 100+ exhibitors will showcase a huge range of products and services, some of which have never before been seen in Australia. Highlight exhibitors include Adaptalift Hyster, SeaBox International, Knapp and Dematic.

2. Learn from those who’ve already implemented game-changing solutions

There are sessions and workshops that offer real world solutions to improve processes, including gathering a solid business case for automation, with speakers from Australia Post, Linfox, NICTA, Coles Australia, Foodstuffs NZ and Speedshield Technologies.

3. See the newest products which will set the industry’s trends for the next year

There will be over 33 product launches and demonstrations at CeMAT including the Albany RR3000 ISO which is set to revolutionise the rigid high-performance door market; the Combilift Walkie Reach which is the only pedestrian reach stacker able to work in an aisle width of 2000mm pallet to pallet; and Hyundai’s latest 9-series electric and diesel forklifts.

4. Get a feel for it with product demonstrations

Adaptalift Hyster will be demonstrating their state of the art fleet management and safety system, ForkTrack so attendees at CeMAT will be able to interact with the system to see how it can improve safety and provide greater fleet visibility.

ZiPline Conveyors will be showcasing the Belted Zero Pressure DC Conveyor that provides zero pressure accumulation of products. The model will show how easy it is to convey small cartons due to the small transition gaps between the belted zones.

The new and innovative Tennant T17 battery-powered ride on scrubber is designed to tackle the harshest of environments whilst reducing the cost to clean, the scrubber will be showing attendees its power, with the largest battery capacity in its class.

5. Win a trip to CeMAT Hannover

CeMAT AUSTRALIA is offering all confirmed visitors who attend, the chance to win a trip to CeMAT Hannover including accommodation, airfare and event pass valued up to $10,000 + GST.

Register now: http://www.cemat.com.au/register-expo-conference/

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REPRESENTATIVES from one of Europe’s leading aerospace regions are touring Australia this week to build links with Australian industry.

The delegation from Poland will meet business leaders from the local aerospace sector and conduct site visits to manufacturers and suppliers in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner in Warsaw Steve Rank said Poland was a significant player in global aerospace supply chains.

“There are opportunities for Australian companies to form partnerships with Polish firms, accessing wider networks in Europe and the United States,” Mr Rank said.

“There are also opportunities for Australian firms and research institutions to join cooperative R&D efforts to develop new technologies.”

Poland has a long tradition of aerospace manufacturing dating back to the early 20th Century and was a leading force in the development of helicopters.

Today PwC ranks Poland’s aerospace industry among the world’s top-ten. It includes significant manufacturing and assembly operations, including the Sikorsky Black Hawk S-70i helicopters and Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines.

The delegation includes representatives from Poland’s Aviation Valley, an industry cluster created in 2003 that now employs 20,000 workers and generates sales of A$1.5 billion, 80 per cent of which are exports.

This week’s visit follows a joint business event promoting Australian and Polish capability and collaboration at the last Paris Air Show held in 2013.

“Poland may seem like a distant market to many Australians but the growing importance of global supply chains, particularly in the aerospace sector, makes it impossible to ignore,” Mr Rank said.

"Australia’s manufacturing and technologies are world class but need to be integrated with global networks to reach their full potential.”

http://www.austrade.gov.au/

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IMPROVING small business skills, strengthening innovation and leveraging new export opportunities must be the priority of governments to keep small business competitive and create jobs.

These are the key findings of VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce report, “Small business. Big opportunities”, released today.

“Small business is important business. Ninety eight per cent of Victoria’s businesses are small. Though small in size, they are big on innovation, major employers and key drivers of economic activity, investment and trade,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone. 

“In recognition of this vital contribution, VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce has developed a series of policy recommendations to drive further small business growth and success through 2015 and beyond.” 

The report outlines priority areas for policy makers including reduced red tape and cuts to direct business costs, improved small business access to competitively priced finance and new initiatives to raise the skills of small business operators and their workforces.

Governments must also work harder to improve small business access to government purchasing and more effectively leverage public and private sector partnerships to strengthen small business innovation.

In light of the exciting growth opportunities presented by the Asian Century and recently signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), it is more important than ever that we get more small businesses into exporting.

The report’s priority areas include:

Skills: Support the skills growth of small business workforces and management.

Costs: Lower small business direct and indirect costs. 

Exports: Get more small businesses into overseas markets. 

Innovation: Encourage more small business innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Finance: Improve small business access to competitively priced finance. 

Procurement: Provide small business with greater opportunity to sell goods and services to government.

“We seek a commitment from governments at all levels to make small business a priority by taking up the recommendations contained in our agenda.”  

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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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) encourages all retailers to understand the trading restrictions that apply to their business this ANZAC Day – Saturday 25 April.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said confusion is common for business owners when it comes to organising rosters around public holidays and trading hours.

“There has been a lot of confusion as to whether businesses can trade on ANZAC Day and whether the following Monday is a public holiday or not.

"Given the fact that all states and territories have quite different restrictions when it comes to public holiday trade, it's important for retailers to do their research and ensure they understand their legal obligations during this time. For example, the only state this year to grant workers a replacement day off on Monday, April 27, is Western Australia. The below summary is a general guide to ANZAC Day retail trading hours, however, the ARA urges all retailers to contact the ARA for any specific enquiries.

“Across the country many retailers will be closing to commemorate ANZAC Day and the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. To this day many Australian retailers carry honour boards in public areas in their businesses as commemoration of the significant sacrifice made by so many,” Mr Zimmerman said.

ANZAC Day retail trade state by state breakdown:

Victoria

Victorian based retailers cannot trade between midnight and 1pm on Anzac Day, unless they fall into the category of “exempt shops”, which includes businesses with 20 or fewer employees or businesses with no more than 100 workers at any one time in the seven days prior to Anzac Day. After 1pm, all businesses may open, however, some shops are free to trade all day, including chemists, petrol stations, cafes, restaurants, takeaway outlets and hire outlets such as video stores.

New South Wales

NSW follows similar rules to Victoria, with most businesses unable to open prior to 1pm. However exempt or small shops can open, including bookshops, chemists, newsagencies, petrol stations and convenience stores. There are also a number of exempt trading areas, based on local government areas.

Tasmania

Tasmanian retailers are restricted from opening before 12.30pm, with some exemptions. Service stations, pharmacies and newsagents are able to trade, as are businesses that are not part of a shopping centre or mall, where the number of employees having worked there in any day during the previous March did not exceed 10.

ACT

Anzac Day is considered a normal day of trade in the ACT, however, many businesses choose to follow the tradition in other states of not trading before 1pm.

South Australia

Adelaide based retailers are prohibited from opening before 12pm as are hardware, furniture, floor coverings and motor vehicle parts businesses. Non-exempt businesses in the Greater Adelaide shopping district and other proclaimed shopping districts cannot trade on Anzac Day. Exempt businesses include service stations, restaurants, cafes, real estate auctions and night clubs and hotels where the main business is selling alcohol.

Queensland

Independent shops must wait until 1pm to trade on Anzac Day, unless they are predominately food and/or grocery stores. However, supermarkets are closed on the Gold Coast, Cairns CBD and Port Douglas. There are exemptions for businesses involved in printing, publishing and distributing newspapers, utility companies, mining businesses, supplying milk, bakeries, cafes and takeaway food kitchens.

Particular areas of Queensland come with restrictions on trading before 1pm, including South East Queensland, New Farm, Yeppoon Tourist Area, Townsville (excluding the CBD and North Ward), Tourist and Seaside resorts, Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, Cairns Tourist Area, Port Douglas Tourist Area and Mossman, Whitsunday Shire Tourist Area, Hervey Bay Area, Townsville CBD (including North Ward, Toowoomba, Mackay, Innisfail, Atherton, Mereeba, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Emerald, Moranbah, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie and Biloela.

Northern Territory

Anzac Day is considered a normal day of trade in the Northern Territory, although businesses many opt to remain closed before 1pm as a sign of respect.

Western Australia

Retailers in the Perth metropolitan area cannot trade on Anzac Day, with the exemption of small shops and “special retail shops” which can trade between 6am and 11.30pm. These include pharmacies, garden nurseries, hardware businesses, newsagencies, boating shops, shops at sporting venues and international standard hotels. All retailers in the Perth metropolitan area will be free to trade between 8am and 6pm on the replacement public holiday on Monday, April 27.

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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AUSTRADE, the Australian Government’s international education promotion agency, is holding a series of open workshops across Australia seeking input on future directions for Australia’s international education and training sector.

The workshops are part of the AIE 2025 Roadshow and will help develop a long-term market plan, Australian International Education (AIE) 2025. They are open to all industry representatives and interested parties.

Austrade’s General Manager, Education, John Angley, said international education contributed $17.6 billion to the national economy last year, making it Australia’s fourth-biggest export, and this could grow considerably.

“To unlock the potential we are seeking creative and bold thinking to identify sustainable opportunities matching Australia’s strengths and global trends,” Mr Angley said.

“We need ongoing investment and innovation to recruit students to Australia and to build on opportunities to deliver Australian courses, skills and content in overseas countries, often with local partners,” he said.

“As highlighted by Trade and Investment Minister, Andrew Robb, there is potential not only to double the number of students coming to Australia, but also to engage millions of people in their own countries in Australian education, training and skills, through offshore delivery, blended learning and digital technologies,” Mr Angley said.

Development of the plan will complement the Draft National Strategy for International Education launched by Minister for Education and Training, Christopher Pyne, on 1 April 2015. The plan aims to support a competitive, innovative and sustainable industry and generate jobs and prosperity for Australia and our partners around the world.

So far the AIE 2025 roadshow has met with more than 300 people in Darwin, Townsville, Sydney and Brisbane. Austrade invites participation in upcoming workshops in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart and via a webinar on 28 April.

For information visit www.austrade.gov.au/AIE2025 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Twitter #AIE2025.

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AS AT 5pm AEST Thursday April 16, 2015, the bidding window has officially closed for the first Emissions Reduction Fund auction.

In line with the auction guidelines, the Clean Energy Regulator has five business days to compile and publish the outcomes from the auction.

All bidders will be notified of the outcome of their bid and the auction results will be published on our website by 2pm on Thursday  April 23, 2015.

No information will be released before this date.

The Clean Energy Regulator will publish:

• the total volume of abatement to be delivered by the successful bidders
• the average price per tonne of abatement and,
• for each successful bid:
• the name of the contractor
• the project(s) covered by the contract
• the volume of abatement committed under the contract
• the duration of the contract.

Chloe Munro, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Clean Energy Regulator, will be available for media interviews on Thursday April 23, 2015.

www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) welcomed NSW Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business, John Barilaro at its Learning and Development meeting yesterday in Sydney.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the ARA Learning and Development Committee encompasses some of NSW biggest employers, representing hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“We were honoured to have Minister Barilaro attend our meeting yesterday and provide an overview of the NSW Governments small business and skills policies. The NSW Government is seeking consultation with the retail industry as to how the Government can best provide workforce development and skills from entry to management level retail staff.

“It was welcoming to see how passionate the Minister was about the retail sector. Retail is the largest private sector employer, encompassing 10.6% of the total workforce. Our industry is responsible for jobs creation and career opportunities for thousands of Australians, and we look forward to working alongside the NSW Government to ensure these opportunities are available to retailers both now and in the future,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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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