THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has announced it will scrutinise four new projects referred in June 2021

Details of the projects are:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Construction of National Collections Building, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, ACT - $70 million.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Expansion of the National Sea Simulator, Townsville, QLD - $27.5 million.
• Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Intermediate Level Solid Waste Storage Facility, Lucas Heights, NSW — $59.8 million.
• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division), Scientific Research Station Modernisation, Macquarie Island - $49.8 million.

It is anticipated the committee will conduct a public and in-camera hearing for each inquiry throughout August 2021. The committee wants to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the projects. The deadline for submissions are listed on the Public Works Committee website.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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DUE to the escalating COVID-19 situation in Sydney and increased travel restrictions for interstate delegates and speakers, the Carbon Market Institute has made the difficult decision to postpone this week’s 8th Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit on June 24-25.

New dates for the Summit -- still to be held at the ICC Darling Harbour -- are Wednesday and Thursday, August 11-12, 2021.

A spokesperson said the decision to postpone, rather than continue as a fully virtual event, has been made due to overwhelming feedback regarding the importance of in-person networking and interaction. 

THIS FRIDAY, June 25, the Trade and Investment Growth Committee will commence its program of public hearings on the prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries, with representatives from export businesses.

Committee Chair, George Christensen MP, said the committee was interested in hearing from export businesses in the resources sector about any challenges they have faced in accessing insurance and financial services.

"Australia’s export industries, including the resources sector, are critical in supporting our national economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is timely that this Committee examine the challenges and opportunities for these industries in accessing financial services and insurance," Mr Christensen said.

Witnesses include the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Adani Australia and other peak associations and businesses. Future hearings in coming weeks will feature witnesses from banks and financial institutions, government agencies and a wide range of stakeholder groups.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 25 June 2021
Time: 9am–3.10pm
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including the public hearing program is available on the committee’s webpage.

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A NATIONAL awareness campaign about a free tailored mental health support service for small business owners has begun, amid new research revealing the emotional toll on small business owners during the past year.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said the campaign would raise awareness about Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program, which offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches.

“It is vital small business owners know that help is available if they need it,” Mr Billson said.

“New Access for Small Business Owners offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress.

“Crucially, the New Access for Small Business Owners program is delivered by coaches that have experience in small business. It really helps to know that the person you’re speaking with understands what it takes to run a small business.

“We know many small business owners have been hit hard throughout the pandemic, particularly with going in and out of lockdowns and restrictions, and that has understandably taken a toll.

“New research released by Xero has found almost seven out of 10 (68%) of 500 small business owners surveyed reported the past 12 months have been more emotionally draining than any other year they’ve been in business.

“It also found small business leaders have collectively lost more than eight million hours of sleep each week due to the demands of running their small business. Trouble sleeping can be a sign of stress.

“It’s important small business owners understand if they look after their mental health, they can also help their business.

“Our My Business Health web portal is an excellent support tool for small business owners and it links with the New Access for Small Business Owners program, while also providing easy-to-read, practical tips on the day-to-day tasks of running a small business.”

Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program is available now.

mybusinesshealth.gov.au

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CHANGES to skilled migration rules announced by the Federal Government this week will have a positive effect on the engineering profession and have been endorsed by Engineers Australia.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been expanded to include civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, transport, mining and petroleum engineering occupations. This is in addition to the already-listed occupations of mechanical and software engineer.

Engineers Australia chief executive officer, Bronwyn Evans said, “Engineers Australia welcomes the addition of seven engineering occupations to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. This is an excellent outcome which is set to benefit many companies across a range of engineering-intensive sectors in Australia.

“On behalf of the profession, Engineers Australia has been engaging with the Commonwealth Government about improvements to skilled migration as Australia moves towards the economic recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s pleasing that the government has listened and taken appropriate steps," Dr Evans said.

“Some 58.5 percent  of engineers in Australia’s labour force are born overseas, compared with 30 percent for the broader population, which demonstrates a high degree of reliance on skilled migration and the value of this week’s changes to the PMSOL.

“Resolving long-term skills supply challenges will require further action. Notably, less than half of overseas-born qualified engineers are in engineering roles, compared with two-thirds for their Australian-born peers.

“More support is needed for migrant engineers to break into the domestic employment market to ensure the nation benefits from this under-utilised skills supply.”

Engineers Australia is conducting research into the reasons for different employment outcomes for migrant engineers, which will be finalised next month.

“Engineers Australia is also keen to see the development of a long-term policy for the re-opening of Australia’s international borders,” Dr Evans said.

“This could include metrics that indicate when it is safe for the international border to re-open, such as vaccination rates, and nationally-aligned protocols for management of outbreaks.”

About Engineers Australia

With over 100,000 individual members, Engineers Australia is the profession’s peak body and is the voice of the profession, existing to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. High standards, globally-recognised credentials and international agreements enable Engineers Australia members to live and work around the world – with members currently in more than 120 countries.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will today hold the first public hearing for its inquiry into dispatchable energy generation and storage capability in Australia. 

Committee Chair, Ted O’Brien MP said, “Australia’s energy system is evolving, with the rapid growth in renewables and the retirement of thermal energy capabilities creating risks for reliability and security within the system.

“In assessing Australia’s future energy mix, it is important to ensure that Australia can capitalise on the opportunities presented by new and emerging energy technology, that the lights stay on, and that Australian business can be competitive in seizing new local and global opportunities,” Mr O’Brien said.

At Wednesday’s hearing the committee will hear from the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is responsible for the operations and security of the National Energy Market; and from the Department of Infrastructure, Science, Energy and Resources, about the policy framework and settings for Australia’s dispatchable energy future.

Public hearing details

Date:               Wednesday 23 June 2021
Time:               10.30am to 11.30am (see program below)
Location:         Parliament House, Canberra

Program

10.30am – 11am: Australian Energy Market Operator

11am – 11.30am: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

11.30am: Close

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Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed a new online tool for small business owners, designed to take the stress out of hiring their first employee.

The Employment Contract Tool – recently launched by the Australian Government – guides small business owners through a series of questions to generate an employment contract based on the specific terms and conditions of the relevant award.

Mr Billson said the tool would significantly reduce red tape for small business owners who want to expand their business, saving time and money.

“This technology has been developed in close consultation with small business owners to ensure it meets their needs in regards to making the hiring process far simpler,” Mr Billson said.

“We know that small business owners have found the experience of hiring their first staff member to be overwhelming.

“Research published by NAB shows a small business hiring its first worker can spend up to 18 hours understanding awards and pay rates and complying with taxation, OH&S and record-keeping obligations. That’s about five times more than a large business with more than 200 employees, when hiring additional staff.

“Unfortunately this can lead small business owners to delay their hiring plans or put it off altogether because they are afraid of making a mistake.

“The Employment Contract Tool aims to remove those headwinds by taking the employer through the process step-by-step giving them confidence they are meeting their legal obligations.

“Ultimately it is smart technological solutions like this that will cut red tape and reduce the regulatory burden on small business owners to make Australia the best place to start, grow and transform a business.

“The tool provides another support to help small business employers navigate this difficult space, alongside the valuable role that industry and professional associations continue to play in this complex area.”

To access the Employment Contract Tool and explore hiring options visit https://employ.business.gov.au/

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IN SUPPORT OF a buoyant marine sector, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) in partnership with the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and Superyacht Australia has launched Marine Jobs.

Marine Jobs is an online ‘career centre’ designed to make it easier for employers to advertise vacancies and for people to find the right job for them in the marine industry. 

This new industry jobs platform provides a range of career resources, including information on apprenticeships and industry training, writing a resume and preparing for an interview.

“Until now there hasn’t been a single recruitment website that the marine industry could go to and find every job available in the marine sector.  Using generic platforms is completely unsatisfactory, and often results in literally hundreds of unqualified applications to sift through," MIA CEO Suzanne Davies said. “Marine Jobs offers a place where like-minded employers and job seekers can connect."

Employers can quickly and easily post opportunities to the Jobs Board in the same way they currently post opportunities on platforms such as Seek.  Job seekers can anonymously post their resume to the board while remaining in complete control over which employers they reveal their information to.

BIA co-general manager Nik Parker said, “It’s another example of the type of practical career support we provide to the industry.  It will be available to non-member businesses also, but MIA, BIA and Superyacht Australia members will receive a significant discount in recognition of their on-going commitment to their association.”

CEO of Superyacht Australia, David Good said, “Australians are some of the most sort after superyacht crew, making up about 25 percent of all international crew or around 14,000 mostly young Australians. It is important that this experience is not completely lost to the marine industry when they decide to return home to Australia.

"Marine Jobs will be able to connect these experienced seafarers to marine employers, so this experience is harnessed back into the Australian Marine Industry.”

Marine Jobs is powered by a specialist jobs board provider which delivers such online recruitment solutions to over 3000 industry associations world-wide.

www.marinejobs.org.au

www.marinas.net.au

www.bia.org.au

www.superyacht-australia.com.

About the Marina Industries Association (MIA)

The MIA is the peak body representing the interests of club, recreational and commercial marinas, boatyards and industry suppliers in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.  Working closely with other marina associations around the world, the MIA works in support of developing sustainable marina industries through the delivery of strong leadership, industry guidance, education, accreditation and research.  The MIA has over 300 corporate members and connects over 2000 industry leaders and decision makers.  About 75 percent of members are marinas, clubs and boatyards and over 80 percent of larger marinas (over 100 berths) in Australia are members of the MIA.

About the Boating Industry Association (BIA) 

The BIA is the peak body in Australia that represents the interests of recreational and light commercial boating. BIA is an advocate for boaters and the boating lifestyle and supports safe, responsible, and enjoyable boating. This is achieved with a focus on three key objectives: Grow participation in recreational boating; strengthen government advocacy and support for members; and expand professional development and career pathways. The boating economy generates significant social benefits through employment, much of which is supported by family businesses. In 2019 the industry had a turnover of $7.95 billion, directly employed more than 25,320 people with more than 10,000 contractors. Seventy-five per cent are in small businesses, employing local workers and supporting local communities. The BIA is a not-for-profit that reinvests any surplus towards the organisation's purposes.

About Superyacht Australia 

Superyacht Australia is the peak body for the Australian Superyacht Industry. Its key focus is to develop and promote the South Pacific’s international competitiveness as a destination for the global superyacht fleet, to increase visitations of superyachts to Australia and to promote the capabilities of the Australian superyacht industry to service a visiting vessel’s every need.

About Marine Jobs

Marine Jobs is a ‘career centre’ dedicated to the marinas and boating industry and is a collaboration between the Marina Industries Association (MIA), the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and SuperYacht Australia to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of recruitment processes for employers and increase industry employee retention.  Its primary purpose is a recruitment platform where employers can post jobs to a qualified and targeted job seeker market, but Marine Jobs also provides a range of career resources, including information on apprenticeships and industry training.

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