UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) has delivered a vote of confidence in Australia’s ongoing management of the iconic Great Barrier Reef (GBR). 

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said all Australians would welcome the committee’s decision in Doha (Qatar) to reject activist calls to place the reef on the World Heritage ‘in-danger’ list.

‘We are pleased the committee is as focused on the future management of the Great Barrier Reef as we are here,’ Mr Roche said.

‘The decision is global acknowledgement that Australia is on track to deliver a long-term plan for conservation of the Great Barrier Reef’s outstanding universal value (OUV).

‘The federal and state governments’ progress on improving the reef’s management and health is evident from the recently released Queensland Ports Strategy and Reef Water Quality Report Card.’

Mr Roche said the report card confirmed science-based programs were improving reef water quality, which in turn, would play a role in reducing Crown-of-Thorn starfish outbreaks.

Storm damage, starfish outbreaks and coral bleaching were identified by the Australian Institute of Marine Science in 2012 as the major threats to reef health.

‘In relation to future port management, the Cumulative Impact Assessment prepared for the Abbot Point coal terminal expansion has created a new standard for informing government decision-makers.

‘The cumulative approach to environmental impacts gave the federal government and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority the scientific confidence they needed to approve the project subject to 142 conditions.

‘Maintaining the outstanding universal value of the Great Barrier Reef was the centrepiece of the assessment process, which has set a world class benchmark for marine precinct management.’

Port-related activities along the 2,300 kilometre-long Great Barrier Reef occupy less than one percent of the coastline and the areas set aside for sediment relocation represent less than 0.02 percent of the world heritage property area.

www.qrc.org.au

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PEAK retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) encourages all retailers to be in quick to purchase tickets to the retail industry’s most recognised awards event of the year - the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

Winners of all categories, including the 2014 eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, will be announced at the Awards Breakfast on Tuesday July 15 at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne in front of over 500 of Australia’s finest retail professionals.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said judging has now officially been confirmed and this year’s winning retailers have been chosen.

“The extremely high calibre of this year’s entries simply blew us away. Our expert judging panel had the difficult task of assessing each submission and confirming an overall winner for each category.

“The ARA and all of our sponsors are excited to announce the 2014 award winners in front of their peers and media at the Awards Breakfast.

“Retail has been doing it tough over the last year, but we mustn’t forget to stop and celebrate those innovative retail leaders who are managing to succeed in the face of adversity. We can all learn a great deal from hearing their stories.

“Derek Dyson, Specsavers Global Retail Director, will be delivering the keynote address at the breakfast and we believe the Specsavers story is certainly one worth sharing.

“The Specsavers brand has become a centrepiece of Australian retail, initially entering the Australian market in 2007 as a wholesale business before opening their first stores in 2008 in Melbourne. There followed one of the fastest retail roll-outs ever seen in Australia with 100 Specsavers stores opened over the course of just 100 days – a truly inspiring retail story that needs to be shared.

“Retailers are also looking forward to an address from The Hon Russell Northe MP, Minister for Small Business, who will also present the coveted Victorian Government Victorian Retailer of the Year Award.

“The ARA Awards Breakfast is shaping up to be one of ‘the’ retail events of 2014 and we look forward to recognising the industry’s most successful players ranging from mums, dads and family businesses to retail graduates, entrepreneurs and multi-channel superstars. Grab your tickets now and join the ARA as we celebrate those who are shaping the retail landscape of tomorrow,” Mr Zimmerman said.
 
Tickets are on sale now. Prices are as follows:
ARA members $60
Non members $80
ARA members table of 10 $500
Non members table of 10 $700

eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards -  key information and dates:

WHAT: 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast
WHEN: Tuesday 15 July 2014
WHERE: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne (123 Collins Street)
TO BUY TICKETS: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au
MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.australianretailawards.com.au, call 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

AWARD CATEGORIES: eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, Visa Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Quest Payment Systems Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, eBay Inc Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year, FCB Australian Retail HR Practitioner of the Year, Rest Industry Super Individual Retailer of the Year – male & female, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, Victorian Government Victorian Retailer of the Year and the Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Upgrade of the Year.
 
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 Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) has partnered with the Victorian Government to bring the key issues facing small business to the top of the national agenda by co-hosting the 12th annual National Small Business Summit to be held at the Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne on 7 – 8 August 2014.

Robert Mallett, Chair for COSBOA said that Melbourne was the logical choice for this year’s summit location with the next State election for Victoria scheduled for Saturday, 29 November and the Small Business Festival Victoria running from 1 - 31 August, providing a robust platform for debate and discussions.

“Partnering with the Victorian Government will help to build on the momentum of last year’s hugely successful Summit held in the lead up to the federal election, and will ensure that COSBOA continues to provide a strong voice for Australian small businesses,” Mr Mallett said.

“We invite anyone interested in the health, wealth and wellbeing of the small business sector to participate in the important debates and discussions at the 2014 National Small Business Summit to help shape the future of our country and economy.”

The 2014 Summit is once again expected to draw a stellar line-up of speakers and attendees, such as the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Treasurer and Small Business Commissioner.

“The networking opportunities and depth of conversation presented will move the issues facing small business forward. The Summit attracts small business representatives, senior politicians, bureaucrats and big business representatives in an annual exchange of ideas, opinions and experiences aimed to drive change and build productivity,” added Mr Mallett.

“The theme of People, Policy and Productivity will continue to drive the Summit agenda and COSBOA will remain focussed on vital issues such as workplace relations; the collection of superannuation; contract law and competition policies; women in business and the burdensome compliance and regulation demands placed on small business people.

“Small businesses are a major part of the Australian economy, employing over 4.5 million people and greatly contributing to local communities. It’s small business people who have the capability to innovate and deal with adversity, and COSBOA is committed to ensuring they receive the recognition and support they need and deserve.”

Registrations for the 2014 National Small Business Summit are now open.

Visit: www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au for more information and to register today.

http://www.cosboa.org.au/

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the recent announcement that the former Myer building in Liverpool St, Hobart will now be redeveloped.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said local retailers, including an ARA Tasmanian board member, are extremely pleased with the outcome delivered by the new Liberal Government and strongly supported by the ARA.

“We were very pleased to hear the news that Premier Will Hodgman approved a $15 million commercial loan that will enable developer ­Emmanuel Kalis to get his $100 million redevelopment of Myer off the ground.

“It has been almost seven years since fire destroyed the Myer store on Liverpool Street, and it is great to see that action is finally being taken to support the local retail sector.

“The ARA has long supported this initiative and looks forward to seeing how Myer’s redevelopment progresses. This is a strong move forward for Tasmania’s largest private employer - the retail sector,” 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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SLASHING the long-running Survey of Tourist Accommodation statistics program has diminished the state’s tourism growth potential, says the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC).

“This data is a vital business resource and without it we will not be able to gauge how accommodation businesses are performing. This will severely hamper the industry’s ability to learn, grow and realise its potential,” says VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments come as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announces the abolition of its Survey of Tourist Accommodation program, which has provided crucial data to the tourism sector for more than 30 years.

“The data provided over three decades has been essential in informing policy and operational decisions across the tourism industry, as well as for building effective business cases for potential investors, both in the accommodation industry and the tourism sector more broadly,” says Ms Smith.

“In partnership with the Accommodation Association of Australia, we call for the reinstatement of this crucial program.

“We strongly urge Minister Robb and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Steven Ciobo, to address this situation which will significantly affect this vital industry.”

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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AUSTRALIA’S resource industry employer group AMMA is calling for superannuation to be removed from industrial awards as retail and industry superannuation funds continue to battle over which should be the default for award-covered employees.

“This has degenerated into a complete mess,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.

“Australia’s retail superannuation funds and industry superannuation funds are at war over the billions in contributions from working Australians who do not choose where their superannuation should be directed.”

AMMA says the review of which superannuation funds are named in industrial awards, designed by Julia Gillard and implemented by Bill Shorten, has become farcical, with two of the three superannuation experts appointed by Labor being disqualified or resigning due to potential conflicts of interest.

It has also placed the President of the Fair Work Commission in a very difficult position and led to his disqualification from heading the review by the Federal Court.

“The Abbott government should fix the mess it has been bequeathed by removing superannuation from the industrial awards system altogether,” Mr Barklamb says.

“Superannuation became a legislated entitlement more than 20 years ago and the My Super products now offer low-cost default fund options with no commission fees.

“There is simply no longer any need for awards to mandate the funds into which employee contributions should be made.

“We urge the government to review recent events in this area, including the Federal Court decision and yesterday’s response from the Fair Work Commission, and to commence a process to remove superannuation from the matters regulated by modern awards.

“The government should either introduce amending legislation or commence an independent expert inquiry, external to the Fair Work Commission, to consider what if any case there is for superannuation contributions to continue to be regulated by awards.

“Those who advocate for regulating default super through awards should be challenged on why this should continue.

“We particularly extend this invitation to the ACTU, union officials, and others who sit on the boards of industry superannuation funds.”

www.amma.org.au

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IMPOSING a new tax on Australia’s 3000 largest companies to fund the Abbott government’s Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme would penalise those employers already leading the way in PPL practices, says Australia’s resource industry.

"In an industry that pays among the highest wages in the country and actively seeks to recruit and retain more women, many of our larger members already have in place more attractive paid parental leave arrangements than the government’s model,” says Steve Knott, CEO of Australia’s resource industry employer group, AMMA.

“Not only would these employers be paying for something they won’t use, but the proposed PPL levy would penalise those who have been leading the way for years.

“This is a particularly bad idea when Australia is already one of the most expensive places in the world for new resource industry development and employers are under increasing competitive and cost pressures.

“We have been very consistent with the Coalition, both in government and in opposition, that a PPL scheme that imposes a new tax on our members won’t be supported.”

AMMA believes increased workforce participation in areas where women are underrepresented is best achieved through investment in attraction and retention programs.

Through its national initiative the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), AMMA has enjoyed funding support from both the current and former Australian Government’s in increasing the level of women in the wider resource industry.

“The resource industry acknowledges the ongoing support from the Australian Government that is assisting to increase our level of women employees. This is highly beneficial to both the resources sector and the national economy,” Mr Knott says.

“Only last month the government announced it would provide a further $440,000 in funding for the AWRA e-Mentoring program, an initiative that has had great success in connecting women in the resource industry with mentors across the country.

“Such initiatives, coupled with company-sponsored childcare, flexible working arrangements and return to work programs as well as innovative parental leave entitlements, have seen our industry make great in-roads in this area.

“Employers in our sector continue to advance on these initiatives even as we face declining commodity prices and a more challenging economic environment.

“Any government PPL scheme should be funded through consolidated national revenues and not pushed onto those employers already heavily investing in gender inclusion initiatives.”

www.amma.org.au

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VICTORIA's peak business body today urged Parliament to quickly resolve the current dispute and get back to the matters of vital importance to the state.

"Parliamentarians must focus on managing the business of parliament and debating important issues crucial to the financial future of Victoria,” says VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“Most importantly they must pass the budget.

"Both parties must resolve the current dispute as a matter of urgency.

"The government has delivered a very good budget and business wants it to be passed and implemented.

“We support the fiscal management, the emphasis on infrastructure including Stage 2 of the East West Link, Melbourne Rail Link and the payroll tax rate reduction.

"However the current uncertainty raises questions for Australian and international businesses looking to invest in Victoria. The budget must be passed so Victoria remains open for business.

"In the coming months we expect both parties to put forward their priorities so Victorian business, and the community, can make a decision on how they will vote at the November election.”

VECCI's recently released Taking Care of Business state election agenda urges both major parties to commit to VECCI’s program to grow the Victorian economy.

"We are calling on the next government, regardless of party, to commit to our four key priorities: jobs, infrastructure, skills and international engagement,” says Mr Stone.

“VECCI has detailed its key recommendations across these four priorities and is seeking support for our recommendations.

"We hope the election brings a government with a clear majority and policies that drive greater investment confidence and business activity.”

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

www.vecci.org.au

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