Industry News

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten has expressed his concern over Qantas’ decision to cut over 500 jobs through the company’s restructuring of its heavy maintenance operations.

“I’m concerned about the impact this decision by Qantas may have on the Australian aviation industry’s long term skills capacity,” Mr Shorten said.

“Consultations have occurred with various stakeholders during the review, including with unions and state governments. I encourage Qantas to continue to work closely with employees and unions to ensure those affected by this decision are treated with respect.

Mr Shorten stressed that the redundant workers will have access to a range of Government services through the Job Services Australia network.

“These workers are highly trained, highly skilled, and the government will do everything possible to assist affected workers find new employment,” Mr Shorten said.

“To this end, I have asked my Department to make sure that any affected Qantas workers are provided with information about the support available to them.”

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) has announced the backing of a research project that has identified a number of hardy native plants that could be used to grow on walls and roofs of buildings.

Dubbed “vertical gardens”, the concept involves setting up slim-line growing beds on the walls and rooftops of buildings where plants grow in specialised soil and are watered using a drip irrigation system.

One of the project’s chief researchers, Dr Melinda Perkins from The University of Queensland said that the greatest benefit of a vertical garden is its ability to block heat.

“Apart from being attractive, these gardens can reduce the need for air conditioning in warm weather by shading and buffering buildings from heat,” Dr Perkins said.

“Temperature reductions of up to 17 degrees celsius were achieved inside prefabricated metal buildings that incorporated living walls and rooftops.

“In the built environment this can lead to very significant reductions in energy demand for air conditioners.

“The technology used to grow the plants is widely adopted in Europe, particularly Germany, and is becoming more popular in the USA and Singapore.”

The research project identified six native plant species for green roofs and seven for green walls that displayed traits suited to Australia’s harsh sub-tropical environment.

“To be suitable the plants need to have a strong, shallow root system, provide good vegetation cover, be pest and disease hardy, and be tolerant of wind, drought and high temperatures,” Dr Perkins said.

“On the other hand, species prone to become a weed problem or which display aggressive growth rates should be avoided.  Also, where sites are accessible to the public, plants with thorns or which are poisonous to humans are potentially unsuitable.”

Norsk Hydro has announced it is considering ceasing its operations at its Kurri Kurri aluminium plant following the curtailing of three pot lines in January this year, citing the effects of the Federal Government's carbon tax. 

"Our Kurri Kurri workforce has worked intensively to improve the plant's cost position and no stone has been left unturned. Despite extensive efforts to improve profitability, we are faced with a very challenging situation at Kurri Kurri," says Hilde Merete Aasheim, executive vice president of Hydro's Primary Metal business area.

Hydro has also blamed ongoing weak macro-economic conditions, with low metal prices and an uncertain market outlook compounding the effects of the strong Australian dollar.

"The current cash losses are significant, with no sign of improvement anytime soon. We have therefore started to consult about full curtailment and will maintain a close dialogue with employees, unions and local stakeholders," Mr Aasheim said.

The plant, located near Newcastle in New South Wales, currently employs 344 people.

East Gippsland Water has announced there will be no real increase in water bills for average residential customers for five years under a proposal put forward by the corporation. Prices will only adjust in line with inflation.

This is one of a number of proposals put forward by East Gippsland Water in its draft Water Plan for 2013-2018, Water Plan 3, which is now available for customer and stakeholder comment.

Other highlights in the draft include:

• giving customers more control over their bill by reducing the fixed charge of both water and wastewater components and increasing the water usage portion. This means customers who use less water will pay lower bills;
• a proposal to spend around $9 million a year on essential major works - Such as progressing a major upgrade to Bairnsdale Wastewater Treatment Plant, upgrading the sewer networks in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance and renewing sections of ageing water pipeline across East Gippsland;
• expenditure of around $17.5 million a year to maintain and operate water and wastewater infrastructure;
•  the introduction of Guaranteed Service Levels – This means customers who receive a significantly poor level of service in one of five key areas, will be compensated financially.

To view the draft plan and consultation details, visit the website www.egwater.vic.gov.au and click on the ‘Water Plan 3’ link. Five fact sheets have also been prepared to explain areas of greatest interest and are on the same link.

Comments should be emailed by 31 July  to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or posted to ‘Water Plan 3’, East Gippsland Water, PO Box 52, Bairnsdale, Vic, 3875.

The South Australian Government has passed its TAFE SA Statutory Authority Bill through the state’s House of Assembly, a major step in the state’s Skills for All reform.

State Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister, Tom Kenyon, said the legislation will modernize governance arrangements by allowing TAFE SA to operate in a more commercial and competitive capacity.

“TAFE SA will become even more responsive to market needs by providing greater commercial autonomy and accountability through a Board of Directors, as well as flexibility and independence from government processes,” Mr Kenyon said.

The legislation establishes a separation between TAFE SA and the State Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, allowing it to make independent decisions on funding and investment.

TAFE SA is currently the state’s largest public training provider, with around 80,000 students in the system each year.

Newcrest Mining, the country’s largest gold mining company, has announced the appointment of Scott Langford as the company’s General Counsel and Company Secretary, effective from the start of July.

Currently the Partner and co-leader of Energy and Resources Practice Group at Allens Arthur Robinson, Mr Langford has been a key legel advisor for major mining and resources companies for over a decade.

His appointment forms part of Newcrest’s transitional arrangement after the company’s Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs Stephen Creese steps down mid next year.

Managing Director and Chief Executive  Officer, Greg Robinson, welcomed the appointment, which followed a comprehensive search process.  

“We are delighted that Scott has agreed to join the senior executive team at Newcrest and ensure an orderly transition in this role.  His skills, experience and commercial acumen will play a substantial part in Newcrest’s future growth and development,” Mr Robinson said. 

The Fair Work Ombudsman has welcomed a ‘significant increase’ in compliance rates with workplace law within the security industry following a second round of audits.

The Ombudsman’s audit found that the industry’s level of compliance had lifted from just 47 per cent in 2009, to 75 per cent in 2011.

“That is a fantastic improvement,” Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said today when releasing the results of a second targeted education and compliance campaign.

“This follow-up action indicates that our pro-active auditing work is achieving the desired outcomes,” he said.

After releasing the findings of an initial audit of the sector in 2009, the Ombudsman called for improved leadership within the sector to assist employers better understand their workplace obligations.

To assist this, the Ombudsman provided funding to the Australian Security Industry Association in 2010 to rollout a sector wide reform program.

The Association produced a guide for employers with information on the National Employment Standards, classifications, hours of work, breaks, shift work penalties, overtime, employment status, employee records and payslips and rates of pay.

A Fair Work Ombudsman targeted campaign in 2009 recouped $1.125 million back-pay for 1156 security staff nationally who had been underpaid.

Gold mining company Newcrest Mining has taken top honours as the country’s most attractive employer at this year’s 2012 Randstad Awards. Coming in second place was national broadcaster ABC, while Virgin Australia took third place.

The announcement, made at a gala ceremony in front of 150 of the country’s leading HR directors, was made following a vote of 7,000 Australians of working age.

Recruitment specialist Randstad announced seven awards during the evening, with Newcrest Mining also receiving top honours at the mining and natural resources category.

Wespact won the banking and financial services category award, while the ABC took out the award for special recognition for offering the best work-life balance.

BHP was given special acknowledgement for having the strongest leadership team.

Randstad CEO, Fred van der Tang, commended the winning companies on their victories, paying special tribute to Newcrest Mining, which performed particularly well when it came to people looking for a competitive salary and employee benefits, interesting job content, long-term job security, excellent training and development and career progression opportunities.

"With the mining boom in full swing in Australia and companies all searching for people in the same talent pool, it's clearly a competitive environment. Being the country's largest gold producer, a global top 10 gold mining company, and having a strong employer brand , working for Newcrest Mining is definitely seen as a very appealing and attractive employment option for many Aussies," says van der Tang.

The Western Australian Government has called on the people of Perth to submit comments on draft proposals for the suite of changes being made to the state’s local government structure.

The Metropolitan Local Government Review panel’s Draft Findings paper, released last month, discussed proposed changes to ensure future effective local government structures and governance models for the next 50 years.

State Local Government Minister John Castrilli encouraged people to submit online forms before the closing date of Friday, May25.

The draft findings proposed consideration of sweeping changes to local government structures and governance.  The panel is considering models for fewer local governments in the metropolitan area, including changes to local government roles and responsibilities.

“There is a need for considerable change in local government in Perth, and as a city we are going to need significantly enhanced strategic thinking and leadership to manage extraordinary growth into the future,” Mr Castrilli said.

More information can be found here

The Victorian Government has outlined new planning controls for the state’s major ports in a bid to ensure future productivity in the sector.

The Ports and Environs Advisory Committee released the new set of planning controls for the ports of Melbourne, Hastings, Geelong and Portland.

State Planning Minister Matthew Guy welcomed the report, saying that a robust ports planning framework is paramount to the future economic growth of the state.

Mr Guy accepted the key recommendation from the Committee for a formation of a Port Zone, which will specifically recognise the interests of the port and the port’s significance to Victoria’s economy.

The State Government also accepted the recommendation that a new Ministerial Direction be introduced to prevent the encroachment of sensitive land uses, such as dwellings and hospitals, near ports.

The Department of Planning and Community Development will work with Port of Melbourne Corporation to develop further planning measures to account for the recently announced expansion of Webb Dock, which was not considered as part of the Advisory Committee's scope.

The Ports and Environs Advisory Committee Report and Ministerial Direction 14 will be made available at:www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/panelsandcommittees 

The volume of logs harvested in Australia increased by 3.6 per cent in 2010–11, the first increase in three years, taking the total value of logs harvested in 2010-11 to over $1.8 billion.

According to Australian forest and wood products statistics, released today by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, this growth was driven by logs harvested from plantation forests, while the volume of native broadleaved harvest declined by 4.0 per cent.

The volume of logs harvested from both broadleaved plantation and coniferous plantations remained strong in 2010–11.

Broadleaved plantation harvest increased by 12 per cent over the year to over 5 million cubic metres, with growth particularly strong in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

While the plantation area increased only marginally during 2010–11, Australia is beginning to reap some of the benefits from the broadleaved plantations that have been established since the 1990s.

However, this positive story masks difficulty in other parts of the forest sector.

Reduced harvest from the native forest industry, ongoing weakness in Australia’s housing sector and international economic uncertainty contributed to lower imports and exports over the year.

Executive Director of ABARES, Paul Morris, said “As a sign of weakness in both domestic and international demand, the value of imports for the September and December quarters 2011 was down 5.7 per cent relative to the same period in 2010, while the value of forest product exports was down 8.5 per cent over the same period”.

The report, Australian forest and wood products statistics is available from ABARES publications.

Design researcher, practitioner and Australian Future Fellow, Professor Andy Dong has been appointed to the new Warren Chair in Engineering Innovation within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies at the University of Sydney. 

With a background in mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence, Professor Dong is a distinguished researcher in the areas of computational design and design-led innovation. His research investigates how the design of products influences their potential rate of innovation, an area he calls "predictive analytics for engineering innovation."

Professor Dong says his goal is to produce research to help businesses to design or re-design products and services so that they can continually improve.

Professor Archie Johnston, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, said Professor Dong's appointment is further acknowledgement that design orientated innovation in engineering is a crucial focus for the future of the profession and the industry as a whole.

"We have introduced a number of innovation and entrepreneurship subjects across our programs in the faculty, particularly at the postgraduate level. We want to embed a real culture of innovation, one that is truly integrated with the research aspects of engineering and technology."

Professor Johnston says Professor Dong will work closely with the faculty's leadership team including the recently appointed Chair of Engineering Sydney, David Stewart, and Professor David Lowe, its new Associate Dean (Education).

The chair is funded by the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, an independent industry-linked institute committed to fostering excellence and innovation in advanced engineering throughout Australia that is attached to the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies at the University of Sydney.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, has released a statement on how the carbon price will apply to pollution from local landfill sites and the potential impact this might have on rates for local communities.

Mr Dreyfus said that in a number of cases, the potential effect on rates has been over-estimated, misrepresented or misreported.

He said that in determining any impact, some facts need to be taken into account:

• Most councils will have no carbon price liability at all from landfills. Only large sites generating more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas pollution a year are covered. The majority of landfills are too small to be covered.
• The carbon price does not apply to pollution from waste deposited in a landfill before 1 July 2012.
• The Government has made rules deeming landfill emissions in 2012/13 to be zero, so council with large landfills will have no obligation in 2012/13.
• Councils can capture methane gas to earn 'carbon credits' under the Government's Carbon Farming Initiative. Councils can use credits to meet their carbon price liability or generate income by selling them to high-emitting polluters. This income can be re-invested in the local community.
• Best practice rates of gas capture can reduce methane emissions by more than 75% and reduce any carbon price liability to less than $8 per tonne of waste deposited in 2012.
• Capturing enough methane to reduce a council's liability below the 25,000 tonne threshold will mean that the council will not incur the carbon price. Providing an incentive to cut pollution is what the carbon price is designed to do.
• Councils can also use captured methane to generate electricity for the local community and generate another source of income under the Renewable Energy Target. Newcastle City Council currently uses its landfill gas to create enough power to supply 3,000 homes.
• Any potential increase in council rates are factored into the Government's household assistance package.
• Household assistance is, on average, $10.10 per household per week. It is being delivered through tax cuts, increased family payments, pensions and other Government benefits. Some payments have already begun.
• By contrast, any council rate rises associated with a carbon price on landfill pollution are estimated to be as low as 13 cents per household, per week.
• Regarding waste after natural disasters: the Australian Government provides comprehensive disaster recovery assistance and financial support to communities in recovery and clean-up activities. For example, Queensland communities received $6 billion in assistance following Cyclone Yasi. The Government provides assistance on the basis of overall costs which will include various factors, such as the carbon price, where these are relevant.

The Government is working with councils to provide guidance and information on the implementation of these policies to cut pollution and create clean energy.

As part of this, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus has written twice to every council in Australia and provided a landfill factsheet.

Earlier this month, a number of councils attended a two day landfill conference in Canberra run by the Australian Local Government Association and Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. ALGA has also provided information in its weekly newsletter to councils.

The Clean Energy Regulator and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency have and will continue to hold information sessions for local councils. Councils can also visit the CER website (www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au) to work out if they are covered by the carbon price.

In addition, the Government has made available $200 million dollars in grants to local councils to improve energy efficiency in council buildings and street lighting to save money on energy costs. The successful recipients will be announced shortly.

More information available at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au and the Regulator's website www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au

The Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) has prosecuted more than 1,500 people for tax and superannuation offences so far this financial year.

Speaking at the release of the ATO's third quarter update of prosecution results, Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said the figures show that there are significant risks and consequences for people who do not properly fulfil their legal and civic responsibilities in relation to tax and superannuation.

"The year-to-date results to 31 March reveal that the ATO successfully prosecuted 1,106 individuals and 400 companies for tax and superannuation offences," Mr D'Ascenzo said.

"We have a range of measures in place to ensure we detect and deal with those who evade their obligations. This includes information sharing and working with other government agencies, and also with overseas counterparts.

"The ATO pursues tax cheats to the full extent of the law to ensure honest taxpayers have their interests looked after. Australians don't want to face an unfair burden when dishonest people avoid their tax obligations, and they expect the ATO to provide a level playing field."

The prosecution results show that the 1,106 individuals and 400 companies successfully prosecuted comprised:

• Thirty people prosecuted and convicted of serious tax crime offences, with sentences ranging from two months up to nine years. Five of these convictions occurred under Project Wickenby. These serious convictions cover a range of offences including attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception, dealing with the proceeds of crime, and illegally seeking access to superannuation funds.
• 1,076 individuals and 400 companies were successfully prosecuted for other tax offences. Of these, 916 individuals and 332 companies had a formal conviction recorded against them. Offences included failing to lodge a tax return, providing false and misleading information, and receiving a fee for preparing an income tax return when not being a registered tax agent.

Further information about ATO prosecutions, including statistics, can be found at www.ato.gov.au/prosecutions

The Australian and Malaysian Governments have signed a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) that will see significant reductions in tariffs in bilateral trade.

Signed by Minister for Trade, Craig Emerson, and his Malaysian counterpart, Mustapa Mohamed, the deal will solidify Australia as Malaysia’s closest ASEAN trade partner.  The agreement will see Australian goods enjoy the same tariff-free entry into Malaysia as currently enjoyed by Singapore.

The FTA will guarantee tariff-free entry for 97.6 per cent of current goods exported to Malaysia once it comes into force, and will rise to 99 per cent by 2017.

Malaysian exporters will enjoy duty-free entry into the Australian market.

Also signed was an agreement to provide a three-year package of up to 21 short and long-term scholarships, fellowships, awards and exchanges in a bid to support Malaysia’s current suite of economic reforms.

Malaysia is Australia's 10th largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth almost $16 billion in the 2010-11 financial year.

Australian exporters of automotive parts, iron, steel and dairy products will benefit from improved market access under the agreement.

The FTA will also help diversify the trading relationship by opening Malaysia's services sector to Australian companies.

Malaysia has committed to allowing majority Australian ownership of service providers in a range of industries, including telecommunications, insurance, education, tourism, research and development, accountancy and mining-related services.

The South Australian Government has announced Peter Nolan as the newly appointed Director of the Sustainable Industries Education Centre (SIEC).

State Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister, Tom Kenyon, welcomed the appointment, saying it is a major step in the development of the $125 million SIEC hub at Tonsley Park.

“Mr Nolan brings a wealth of experience to the new position from his previous roles as CEO of a private registered training organisation, a manager of an industry-based training group, a lecturer and Program Manager at TAFE WA, and an Apprenticeship Manager with the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Mr Kenyon said.

The SIEC centre will specialize in training over 8000 students a year in emerging green technologies for the State’s $4.5 billion building and construction industry.

“SIEC complements the State Government’s Skills for All reforms, aimed at revitalising our training system, with more people in training, greater training options for students, better skills resulting in a stronger economy for South Australia,” Mr Kenyon said.

The South Australian Government and the SA Local Government Association have signed a State/Local Government Relations Agreement.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and LGA President Mayor Kym McHugh signed the agreement that will underpin the future relationship between the two tiers of government.

“The State Government has identified seven strategic priorities for South Australia and we will need the co-operation of the State’s 68 councils to deliver the best outcomes for the community,” Mr Weatherill said.

Mayor McHugh welcomed the move towards a more cooperative based system, saying the document will ensure strong communication between State and Local level governments.

“In areas of planning and development reforms, infrastructure, regional development and investment and in recycling and water security, it is vital that we form partnerships with the State Government,” Mayor McHugh said.

The South Australian Government has announced a one off Water Security Rebate aimed at alleviating the cost of increased water prices, which are anticipated to rise 26 per cent.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the rebate will go to over 600,000 residential customers, meaning the average increase in water prices, once the rebate is factored in, should be around nine per cent.

“The Water Security Rebate has been factored into the 2012-13 pricing decision in recognition of substantial price increases experienced by consumers over the past few years,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Minimum and maximum concessions available to assist pensioners and Commonwealth Low Income Health Care Card holders will also increase to take into account the price changes.”

State Treasurer Jack Snelling said the State Budget will include $45.7 million to accommodate for the rebate.

“Households using up to and including 120 kilolitres per year will receive a one-off rebate of $45 while those using more than 120 kilolitres, typically a larger family, will receive a $75 rebate,” Mr Snelling said.

Mr Caica said the pricing path set by the Government over the past few years meant water prices from 2013-14 onwards are expected to be more in line with inflation.

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it has granted approval to Toro Energy to construct the state’s first uranium mine, after the proposal was ‘meticulously examined by the board.’

“As with all the proposals assessed by the EPA, I can assure the public we have applied the highest level of scrutiny in our examination of its environmental acceptability,” EPA Chairman Paul Vogel said.

Toro Energy’s proposal consists of two deposits, Centipede and Lake Way, about 550 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie. The project includes the mining, processing and transport of uranium oxide concentrate product.

It is expected the mine will operate for 14 years, with up to two million tonnes of mineralised ore mined and 1200 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate expected to be produced each year.

Dr Vogel said the Radiological Council, with support from the Department of Health, and the Department of Mines and Petroleum had primary responsibility for ensuring radiation risks were managed within international and national standards to protect human and environmental health.

“These key government agencies are responsible for regulating the mining, processing, packing, handling, storage and transport of uranium oxide concentrate,” Dr Vogel said.

“DMP has primary responsibility on the mine site and the Radiological Council has primary responsibility off-site. The Commonwealth also has legislation and power in relation to transport.

“During our thorough assessment, the EPA consulted extensively with these agencies and considers that the existing regulatory framework provides a comprehensive legislative system for regulating uranium mining and transport.”

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two week public appeal period, closing June 5, 2012.

The report can be found here

Pride in Diversity has held its annual Pride in Diversity Awards, celebrating the top 10 Employers for LGBT employees.

The top 10 employers were:

1. PwC
2. KPMG
3. IBM Australia
4. Accenture Australia
5. Goldman Sachs
6. Lend Lease
7. Joint 7th place and highest ranking public sector organisations (no 8th placement) Macquarie University and University of Western Australia
8. Australian Federal Police
9. Chevron

Winners of the awards were determined using Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, that evaluates and benchmarks LGBT inclusiveness in the country’s workplaces.

“The Australian Workplace Equality Index is close to DCA’s heart, having partnered with ACON and Stonewall UK to establish Pride in Diversity in 2009. The index is now an important indicator of which organisations are strongly committed to embracing and nurturing inclusive workplace cultures. We congratulate the many DCA members who have been acknowledged in this way,” Diversity Council of Australia CEO Nareen Young said.

Dawn Hough, Pride in Diversity’s Program Director said the awards provide a valuable platform for organisations to highlight the quality of their LGBT workplace diversity practices:

"Pride in Diversity's awards are an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the changes happening in our workplaces - and in our society - that make LGBT people feel like they belong," said Dawn.