Industry News

Recent research shows that the choice of roof material has a significant impact of household energy expenditure through its impact on the internal temperature of the home.

According to the Australian Greenhouse Office, 39% of household energy costs come from heating and cooling the home. Designing and constructing a house that maintains a steady temperature without the need for artificial heating and cooling, can dramatically minimise the amount of energy the household consumes, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Research conducted by the University of Newcastle identified that careful selection of roofing material can have both aesthetic and functional impacts and can assist in creating a comfortable environment for residents all year round while minimising energy consumption.

 An investigation into the thermal performance of common roof materials by the Roofing Tile Association of Australia at the University of Newcastle found tiled roofs significantly outperformed metal roofing in reducing cooling energy consumption in hot climates. 
 

The testing (which adjusted roof material colour, solar radiation, roof size and mean air temperature to a common basis and removed the impact of insulation products) revealed that roof tiles saved a huge $803.12 per year on average compared to metal roofing in dark colours.
 

Commenting on the testing Mr Michael Monro (Sales and Marketing Coordinator of Bristile Roofing) said “Controlling the temperature in the home is the key to saving money on your energy bills and roofing material plays a significant role in achieving this. By choosing a trusted roofing material such as roof tiles, homeowners can cut down the amount of heat absorbed into the building thereby reducing their electricity bill by minimising the need for appliances like fans and air-conditioners.”

The Victorian Government has announced a moratorium on all hydraulic fracturing as part of a suite of reforms aimed at providing greater certainty on the impacts of the coal seam gas industry’s effects on the environment.

The reforms also see a total ban on the use of BTEX chemicals, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, in fraccing practices in Victoria.

The announcement comes as the State and Commonwealth Governments continue to work on the formation of a new National Harmonised Framework for the coal seam gas industry. State and Federal Energy and Resources Ministers are expected to consider the framework in December.

The national framework process is considering leading practice approaches to the regulation of the coal seam gas industry, including water management and monitoring, well design and integrity, hydraulic fracturing, chemical use and industry and community engagement.

"In anticipation of new standards being considered through this reform process, the Coalition Government has decided to place a hold on approvals to undertake hydraulic fracturing as part of onshore gas exploration," Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Michael O’Brien said.

This hold will remain in place until the national framework proposals have been presented, and then considered and responded to by the Coalition Government.

"This approach will help to avoid a situation where applications for hydraulic fracturing works might be approved now, only to be inconsistent with new standards to be set in the near future.”

Mr O’Brien confirmed the reforms do not affect exploration activity approved under existing licenses that do not involve fraccing.

The Minerals Council of Australia described the announcement as ‘profoundly disappointing’, saying that granting exploration licenses should be based on scientific assessment and best practice rather than external pressures.

The Council also expressed its concern over the timeframe required to develop the national framework, saying that by implementing the moratorium, Victoria is ‘turning its back’ on an industry that would generate thousands of jobs and be a reliable source of taxable revenue.

Fraccing was last undertaken in Victoria in 2009, with no current fraccing work being undertaken in the State. 

The Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has delivered the Government’s official response to the 2011-12 Regional Telecommunications, saying that its findings validate the ongoing rollout of the National Broadband Network.

“This independent review has confirmed that people living in regional Australia support the Gillard Government’s investment in the National Broadband Network and our decision to prioritise the rollout of fast, reliable and affordable broadband to regional areas,” Senator Conroy said.

“There is also strong support for our commitment to uniform wholesale pricing, which ensures people living in rural, remote and regional Australia pay the same wholesale price for broadband as those living in cities. This is something the Coalition continues to oppose, meaning higher prices for Australians in the bush.”

Senator Conroy said the Government has already started implementing a range of the review’s key recommendations, such as the extension of the NBN Co’s Interim Satellite Service.

“The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee recognised that many of the Government’s existing programs are successfully helping to improve access to communications for regional Australians,” Senator Conroy said.

The Australian Government’s response to the review report is available at: www.dbcde.gov.au/funding_and_programs/regional_telecommunications_review

For more information, including a copy of the final report, visit the Committee's website at www.rtirc.gov.au or call 1800 064 851 (free-call from a landline).

The Federal Government has launched its new $5 million South Australian telehealth initiative aimed at improving the way mental healthcare is delivered throughout the state.

Launching the SA Digital Telehealth Network project, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said the initiative will significantly improve the delivery of mental health services by:

• Providing over 100 new video conferencing units to deliver better call and image quality to over 80 sites across the state
• Reducing patient travel time
• Enabling health services to be provided online
• Connecting patients with family members who live in different places
• Delivering round the clock emergency triage and liaison services

 “People in rural and remote locations across South Australia now have access to high definition telehealth facilities, which allow psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in Adelaide to provide vital health services to those who need it, when they need it,” Senator Conroy said.

Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler, said the delivery of mental health services via telehealth across South Australia is a good step towards meeting the needs of Australians living with mental illness.

“Through the introduction of these services, the project will reduce patient travel time, improve patient care through regular check-ups, and increase telehealth consultations.”

“This complements the Government’s e-mental health strategy, including mindhealthconnect.com.au which provides a trustworthy source of information, support and a gateway to therapy for people seeking help for mental health disorders.”

The Federal Government has renewed funding for the ongoing access to The Cochrane Library, an online resource that features over 5,000 published systematic reviews of evidence for health care interventions.

The Federal Government will renew the funding through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), meaning that all Australians will be able to access the information about health care methods that work and those that do not.

Australians are currently the highest per capita users of the Library in the world. In 2011, Australians viewed 708,000 Cochrane abstracts, while 501,642 full reviews were downloaded.

The three most popular reviews in Australia were regarding models for care for childbearing women, preventing falls in older people living in the community and the use of zinc for the common cold.

NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson said that NHMRC is committed to a health literate society where all Australians benefit from access to the latest health and medical research.

“Access to high quality research evidence is being increased through support of The Cochrane Library and NHMRC’s open access policy on the research it funds. Ongoing promotion of research findings will ensure translation into clinical practice.”

The Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) has completed its whole-of-port productivity and capacity utilisation review, identifying a number of areas for improvement.

The review identified under-utilised capacity available at the port as well as a number of key development opportunities to access that capacity.

The release of the review comes after the PHPA approved a number of key developments, subject to the State Agreement process:

• Fortescue Metals Group is able to develop the AP5 berth for iron ore export, with one ship loader servicing both AP4 and AP5
• North West Infrastructure is able to develop two berths for iron ore export, in South West Creek, with their operations able to remain in the inner harbour
• BHP Billiton Iron Ore is able to develop two additional berths within the company’s existing State Agreement tenure at Burgess Point

The Tasmanian Government has urged greater participation by employees and employers in a number of events being held around the State in the lead up to the introduction of new workplace health and safety laws at the beginning of next year.

Tasmanian Minister for Workplace Relations, David O’Byrne launched the WorkSafe Tasmania Month Program of Events, which runs from 1 October until 2 November.

With just over four months before new workplace health and safety laws come into effect in Tasmania, WorkSafe Tasmania Month offers an ideal chance for businesses and workers to learn more about their rights and responsibilities under the new laws," he said.

"Practical workshops will be held across the State during WorkSafe Tasmania Month which focus on the new Act, as well as the supporting regulations and codes of practice.

"While the new workplace health and safety laws are an important focus for WorkSafe Tasmania Month events, there are plenty of other free workshops covering a range of topics important to Tasmanian businesses and workers.

"These include managing bullying in the workplace, asbestos awareness for beginners, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex awareness and transport industry pitfalls."

Mr O'Byrne said the new laws would bring Tasmania's workplace health and safety laws into line with other states and territories.

"The new model laws aim to provide a consistent level of WHS for all workers in Australia, reduced regulatory burdens for businesses operating across boundaries, greater ability to move between jurisdictions for workers who have licences or permits, and a larger pool of work health and safety resources for all Australians," he said.

For a copy of the WorkSafe Tasmania Month Program of Events or to register to attend an event go to the WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.tas.gov.au or phone the Helpline on 1300 366 322

Tinkler Group has announced it has pulled out of its $5.3 billion takeover bid for Whitehaven coal, ending a month of speculation over the future of the company.

Whitehaven announced the proposed $5.20 cash per share bid would not proceed following the end of the due diligence period, which expired late last week.

The Whitehaven board announced that it will remain focussed on developing the company’s portfolio of coal assets, while it would also carefully consider any future proposals that would be in the best interest of shareholders.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has proposed new rules to better equip the regulators to set prices so that ‘consumers don’t pay more than necessary for reliable supplies of energy and gas.’

The Commission released a draft determination outlining better economic regulation of network service providers and price and revenue regulation.

The draft determination would:

• allow the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to benchmark network businesses against each other;
• require the AER to publish annual benchmarking reports on network business performance;
• allow the AER to take past efficiency into account when determining future spending allowances for network businesses;

AEMC Chairman, John Pierce, said the draft rules were now available for public review and comment before a final decision was made.

“This draft determination aims to improve the capacity of the AER by giving it new tools to determine efficient costs for each regulated business – and enabling it to decide what costs are efficient.”

While the AEMC has urged the creation of more efficient regulation of the market to ensure better outcomes for capital investment, while also attempting to diversify ways in which consumers can choose electricity access.

Public submissions are being sought on the proposed changes before 4 October before the final determination is released in November.

The draft determination if available here (.pdf)

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has found that housing affordability has continued to strengthen in the June 2012 quarter.

The HIA-Commonwealth Bank Housing Affordability Index posted a 1.1 per cent growth in the June quarter, finishing at 10.6 per cent higher over the year.

HIA’s Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale, said the improvement is heartening news for Australian households.

"Excluding the GFC period when interest rates dropped sharply, housing affordability is at its healthiest level since 2003," Dr Dale said.

"The recent improvement in affordability is welcome news for those trying to get a foothold into or advance within the housing market.

"It is also an encouraging bright spot for an industry that, in terms of current activity, remains a clear area of weakness within the Australian economy.”

Despite the positive news, Dr Dale urged caution in interpreting the data, saying that the improvement is largely cyclical and more work remains to be done to address the ‘high and inefficient’ taxation in the sector.

"Policy reform remains very slow, to the detriment of households, businesses, and overall economic performance," added Harley Dale.

Climate change mitigation by Queensland local government was the focus of a survey conducted by the University of Southern Queensland.

The survey evaluated carbon mitigation actions, greenhouse gas reporting, offsetting, and carbon price preparation by Queensland Councils. This survey was commissioned by Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS), as the first state-wide survey of carbon actions implemented by Queensland Councils.

Some 32 Councils completed the survey, including City, Regional, Shire and Aboriginal Shire Councils.

The survey found 13 Queensland Councils assessed their carbon emissions and five planned to do so. Council measures to reduce carbon emissions were mainly included in waste and water management plans or environment plans.

The Council operations generating carbon emissions include landfill, electricity, vehicle fleet, waste and water services, and street lighting. The main reasons for Councils to reduce emissions are: cost savings, environmental regulations, Council climate change strategies, and leadership.

Councils identified the main impacts of a carbon tax on their operations to be higher energy and fuel costs, a greater need to manage landfill emissions, compliance costs and increased materials costs.

Council preparations for the carbon price are most advanced in larger Councils, in those with a coastal location, and in Councils that already monitor and measure carbon emissions.

The results of this carbon survey were forwarded to all 73 Queensland Councils, local government associations within Queensland, and presented at LGIS Waste Forums in Rockhampton and Brisbane.

The project report can be downloaded from:  www.usq.edu.au/acsbd/publications/workingpapers

Information about this research can be found online at: www.usq.edu.au/acsbd/projects/councils

The long standing animosity shared between Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, and the Queensland Government has culminated with the Minister accusing the State Government of 'environmental vandalism'.

In an open letter written to Premier Campbell Newman, Mr Burke flatly denied the allegations his office was 'sitting on' a number of key projects, going so far as to accuse the Premier of blatantly lying to his constituency.

" Given you have told the people of Queensland that there are a number of projects which I am currently delaying, it would be appreciated if you could let me in on the secret," Mr Burke wrote.

"Please either advise me which projects in your state are waiting my decision or alternatively provide some more honest information to the people of Queensland."

The heated letter comes after Mr Burke granted environmental approval for the construction of Hancock Holding's Alpha coal mine.

While the Queensland Government welcomed the move, Premier Newman wasted little time in urging Mr Burke to rubber stamp the South of Embley bauxite mine. A call that Mr Burke savaged in his letter.

"Let me be clear, if what you want is for me to give approvals without conducting checks, then I will stand in your way," Mr Burke wrote.

"If you want the Government to let you trash the Great Barrier Reef, we will stand in your way."

"If you want to clear fell every acre of koala habitat in south east Queensland, we will stand in your way."

Independent trustee company, The Trust Company (TRU), has announced the appointment of Shailendra Singh as the company's new Chief Financial Officer.

Mr Singh will join the company at the start of September, and will bring over 23 years experinece in the financial services industry to the role.

Mr Singh will take over from outgoing CFO David Grbin, who will move on to take the role of Group Executive General Manager, Corporate Client Services.  Mr Grbin will be charged with further refining the company's services across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

CEO of TRU welcomed Mr Singh, commending him on his wealth of financial services experience. 

The Federal Government has called on stakeholders to contribute to planned legislation that will see the introduction of loss carry-back into the business tax system.

The exposure draft legislation and explanatory materials have been prepared following consultation on the discussion paper , Improving access to company losses, which closed on 6 August 2012.

"Allowing carry-back will encourage businesses to invest and adapt, and will mean companies in the slow lane can use their tax losses now - when they need to - rather than in the future when their businesses are performing better," Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said.

"As part of loss carry-back, from 1 July 2012, companies will be able to carry back up to $1 million worth of losses to get a refund of tax paid in the previous year. From 1 July 2013, companies will be able to carry back up to $1 million worth of losses against tax paid up to two years earlier.

"In its first 4 years, it is estimated that this major tax reform will provide much-needed assistance to nearly 110,000 companies adapting to the challenges of an economy in transition, helping them ride out difficult times and invest for the future, helping to boost their productivity."

The exposure draft legislation and explanatory material on the measure can be obtained fromwww.treasury.gov.au. Consultation will close on 19 September 2012.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has outlined a revitalisation program aimed at making Wollongong the city of choice for future students and staff.

In releasing the university's five-year plan, Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings said that he intends to see the university secure a place in the top one per cent of the world's universities.

"A place in the top 1% *of the world’s universities will advance our capacity to attract highly qualified staff and students that will, in turn, bring the recognition, skills and partnerships to enrich further the quality and impact of our research and teaching. Moreover, it will boost our capacity to open up opportunities for student access and contribute to regional developments,” Professor Wellings said.

He said UOW could already be labelled Australia’s enterprising university enjoying a global presence and making significant contributions to our regions.

The Vice-Chancellor said to achieve aspects of the revitalisation program a reorganisation of existing faculties and administrative centres would be required.

He said among the challenges facing the University over the next five years was the need to refocus and re-invigorate the academic profile and align it to research initiatives, deliver and grow UOW’s off-shore international program and to build and leverage partnerships for mutual benefit – including a lifelong engagement with the University’s alumni.

The proposed reorganisation will create five faculties from the existing 11:

• Arts, Humanities and Law
•  Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Human and Social Sciences
• Medical and Life Sciences
•  Sydney Business School

Research conducted by the University of Melbourne has backed tougher government measures aimed at coercing early school leavers back into the education system.

Researchers from the University investigated what happens to teenagers who leave school prematurely and their likelihood of re-engaging in learing.

The report concluded that the longer a teenage stays out of the educational system, the less likely they are to return.

The study backs earlier research that shows that children who drop out of the system have significantly harder times finding and keeping a job, and often accept low paying jobs.

The study's lead author, Dr Cain Polidano, says the research bolsters the case for 'coercive measures' to be used to make teenagers re-engage with study.

“Already the Federal Government requires some school leavers to return to education before they can claim income support,” Dr Polidano said.

“Similar measures should be considered to further encourage a return to study."

The report questioned the effectiveness of simply lifting the age when teenagers are allowed to leave school, as a means of encouraging further study.

“While keeping kids in school should be the first priority, the modest improvement in school completion rates since the mid-1990s underlines the importance of also having programs to encourage early school leavers to return to study,” Dr Polidano said.

The report found females were roughly 20% less likely to re-engage in formal education after leaving school, because they’re not as willing to undertake vocational training (VET courses).

“VET is historically associated with preparing workers for male dominated jobs in agriculture, mining and manufacturing,” Dr Polidano said.

The Federal Government has passed its Tax Laws Amendment (Investment Manager Regime) Bill 2012 through parliament, which aims to reduce uncertainty around the use of Australian fund managers by international investors.

"This will make Australia more attractive as a destination for investment and encourage employment in the financial services sector," the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten said.

This legislation constitutes the first two elements of the Investment Manager Regime (IMR), which are designed to:

• address the impact of the application of US accounting rules - widely referred to as 'FIN 48' -on managed funds which invested in or through Australia in the 2010-11 and earlier income years;
• exclude from Australian tax, for 2010-11 and later income years, certain income of widely held foreign funds that is taxable only because the fund uses an Australian based agent, manager or service provider; and
• remove uncertainty as to the tax treatment of 'conduit income' of managed funds as recommended by the Henry review.

The reforms are the key recommendation of the Johnson report commissioned by the Government to investigate possible reform pathways that would enable the financial services sector take full advantage of better serving international investors.

These amendments will remove the potential for uncertainty regarding the Australian tax treatment of certain foreign fund income and will allow foreign investors to move forward in their arrangements with confidence of their Australian tax position relating to earlier years.

It will ensure that the law does not operate to discourage foreign funds from engaging the services of an Australian financial intermediary.

National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) Chief Information Officer Claire Rawlins has announced she has stepped down to take up a position at IT group Oracle.

Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Steffens, announced Ms Rawlins' departure, thanking her for her service over the past three years.

Claire has spearheaded the design, build and implementation of our end-to-end business processes, systems, applications and information technology architectures that have enabled NBN Co to operate," Mr Steffens said in an internal memo.

"Under Claire’s leadership, the IT team has achieved an impressive delivery record in the industry.”

Ms Rawlins will be replaced in the interim by NBN Co General manager business support systems David Elmendorf. 

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of seven leading businessmen to assist Innovation Australia in delivering $200 million worth of grants under the Clean Technology Innovation Program.

The committee, chaired by Dr Susan Pond AM, and including Ms Anne-Marie Birkill, Mr Adrian Chegwidden, Mr Peter Janssen, Mr John O'Brien, Dr Jane Sargison, and Ms Fiona Waterhouse, will assess applications by businesses for funding through the Clean Technology Innovation Program.

"This committee of experts, between them, has more than 150 years of experience in working with and in businesses to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in the sustainable energy and environmental industries," Minister for Industry and Innovation Greg Combet said.

"I am pleased we have been able to attract a committee of this calibre to help deliver the Clean Technology Innovation Program. They will play a vital role in assessing applications to this merit-based program."

Biographies of the Clean Technology Innovation committee are available atausindustry.gov.au/CTINP-Committee . Biographies of the Innovation Australia Board are available at ausindustry.gov.au/IA .

The Australian Industry Group (AI Group) has spoken out against the Victorian Government's cut to the TAFE sector, saying the $300 million cuts could not come at a worse time as the demand for skilled workers continues to grow.

"There have been significant changes made to TAFE in Victoria, for instance which have led to closures of dozens of courses at regional TAFE colleges within Victoria… It is of significant concern to industry that we won't be able to then drive that skills pool into the future and kids in regional Australia will miss out on opportunities to gain skills and then get into the workforce," AI Group's CEO Innes Willox said at his National Press Club address.

Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, joined in the condemnation of the cuts, urging the State Government to revisit its planned cuts.

"At the very time we need to grow Australia's skill base, the Baillieu Government is implementing policies that will reduce training opportunities for Victorians, especially those living in regional areas," Senator Evans said.