The minerals industry has been working with key stakeholders including the NSW Farmers Association,
the Irrigators Council of NSW and Regional Development Australia to ensure that there is more information about water for the community and the resources and agricultural sectors.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Dr Nikki Williams said it was important that decisions about land use are made scientifically.

“We’ve been committed to this study for some time now because we recognise the benefits of having more information about water in this region,” Dr Williams said.

“Members of the community in the Namoi catchment area have some very specific concerns about the water resource.

“Just like the community, we support the need for more data in the Namoi catchment to ensure that developments can be assessed against the facts on a case-by-case basis. That’s why resource companies with interests in the region have backed this study with $3 million in funding.

“The information generated by this Study will add to the community’s existing knowledge and the extensive mapping and monitoring of underground aquifers already undertaken by mineral explorers.

Source: http://www.nswmin.com.au/Media-Speeches-and-Info/Media-Releases/default.aspx

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The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) Chief Executive, Ms Belinda Robinson, said the new portal provides an open and transparent understanding of the industry’s water usage, monitoring, and analysis.

“The publishing of this data demonstrates the industry’s commitment to respond to landholder concerns and the industry expects the availability of this data will improve the community’s acceptance of our operations.

“Adverse impacts from CSG activities upon groundwater are very unlikely and manageable however extensive monitoring and analysis programs are being undertaken to establish baseline data and mitigate identified impacts.

Source: http://www.appea.com.au/images/stories/Media_Centre/100901_qld_groundwater_monitoring_portal.pdf

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“Australia has some of the highest rates of food inflation in the entire OECD and we have Coles and Woolworths controlling 80% of the Australian grocery market with a death grip around the throat on our nation. It’s unacceptable for this to be allowed to be ignored by government any longer”, said Mr Driscoll.
“As most Australians now finally realise, the Coles-Woolworths juggernaut is no longer just about food either. Under their many guises and linked corporate entities they are peddling and controlling the petrol bowsers, pubs and bottle shops, department stores, pokie machines, hardware shops and the list marches on, ever centralising power and revenue.

“In my dealings and lobbying of the Rudd-Gillard federal government on behalf of our sector over the recent term of the federal Labor government, we have seen plenty of smoke screens, but precious little that would ever do any real good to increase competition, back local famliy owned businesses and also drive down prices for consumers. Glib slogans, “watch” websites and associated bells and whistles have taken the place of any genuine policy direction.

“On the other hand I’ve had a number of conversations with Tony Abbott and also his senior Shadow Ministers over the last 12 months and I believe we have people there who are genuinely concerned about this issue and are actually prepared to work towards a practical and pragmatic solution in the national interest. The time for talk alone must now stop.

“I obviously implore the three regional and rural independent MP’s in Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor to support those who our sector believe will most aggressively support real action on creating real downward pressure on retail prices for consumers, support Australian family owned small businesses, including farmers and producers and help break down the overwhelming control of the Australian retail sector that is currently in the hands of Coles and Woolworths and their associated corporate powerbrokers,” said Mr Driscoll.

Source: http://www.unitedretailfederation.com.au/media_releases/2010

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The campaign which is in the early stages of development is not intended to name and shame Australian printing companies; the primary target of the campaign is printing industry clients who bypass Australian printing companies in favour of offshore print providers.

Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen said the campaign is being designed to identify entities in government and corporate Australia that place print work offshore and to educate them about the capabilities of the local printing industry and the importance of giving local industry an opportunity to bid for the work.

“Printing Industries acknowledges that we operate in a global environment and that not all printing that is commissioned in Australia will be done onshore. Some will inevitably be done offshore for a host of reasons,” he said.

“Indeed Printing Industries recognises and has promoted the value of business models where local printers developed relationships with offshore companies to better compete in the global environment.

“Our China in focus initiative was developed with the specific aim of assisting Australian printers form strategic alliances with their Asian counterparts. Thus, if in certain circumstances the printing or some elements of print production process had to be done offshore, then they could at least secure a portion of the overall revenue stream.”

Mr Andersen said another core component of the Print in Australia campaign would be to ensure that tender documents do not suggest or stipulate where the printing should be sourced from.

“Printing Industries believes that it is the prerogative of the tenderer to determine how they can best submit the most competitive tender. How or where the production is done should not be a tender requirement,” he said.

Source: http://www.printnet.com.au/news_items/print_in_australia_clarification_2_september_2010.html

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“Whirlpool’s decision to expand its operations and build a new state-of-the-art facility to produce premium cooking appliances is encouraging news for manufacturing. The company says this $120 million investment will replace its existing plant and create an additional 130 jobs in Cleveland.

Manufacturers continue to face new tax and regulatory burdens that create a high level of uncertainty. Whirlpool’s announcement is welcome news as our nation braces for new unemployment numbers this week.

It is critical that lawmakers in Washington put policies in place that will strengthen our nation’s competitiveness and allow our economy to grow. The NAM continues to advocate for its ‘Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America,’ a comprehensive plan for pursuing policies that allow manufacturers to compete in the global market.

To learn more about the Strategy, please visit www.nam.org. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure many more manufacturers can continue to invest in innovation, the American worker and our economy as Whirlpool has done.”

Source: http://www.nam.org/Communications/Articles/2010/09/Manufacturers-Whirlpool-Announces-New-Tennessee-Plant-That-Will-Spur-the-Economy.aspx

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“The most concerning fact is that for the second straight Labor Day, national unemployment remains well above 9 percent, and there are few indications people will go back to work anytime soon,” said NAM President John Engler. “Americans want jobs, but proposals that expand government, increase taxes and impose new regulations will make business in the United States less competitive. These proposals will stifle the already weak recovery and destroy manufacturers’ ability to create jobs.”

According to the “Labor Day 2010” report, manufacturing has the potential to produce long-term opportunities for U.S. workers more than any other sector of the economy.

“To the extent that there is a bright spot in the economy, it comes from manufacturing,” said Engler. “Production has risen since economic growth returned in the second half of last year, and manufacturers started hiring back some employees this year. We also saw a strong rebound in U.S. exports, which was very good news for manufacturers who account for nearly two-thirds of all U.S. exports.”

“We have had four consecutive quarters of economic growth, but much of the increase was temporary in nature,” said NAM Chief Economist David Huether.“More than half of the upturn in the economy over the past year was from business restocking inventories. Now, with inventory-to-sales ratios back to reasonable levels, this source of growth will likely fade.”

In looking at specific legislation, laws and regulations that could magnify the uncertainty that afflicts the economy – if poorly handled – the following could have a significant impact on American workers:

• Expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts
• The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new regulatory regime to control greenhouse gas emissions and raise energy costs
• Government implementation of the new health care law, with its numerous mandates on employers, insurers and consumers as well as a myriad of unintended consequences
• Failure to achieve an ambitious trade agenda necessary to ensure and expand global market share for U.S exporters
• Labor policies, such as the Employee Free Choice Act, that could rob the U.S. economy of its dynamic growth potential

In June 2010, the NAM released its “Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America” to address fundamental challenges facing the U.S economy. The NAM’s “Labor Day 2010” report outlines these policies as a way to strengthen growth, employment and wages.

Source: http://www.nam.org/Communications/Articles/2010/09/NAM-Report-Examines-Impact-of-Anti-Labor-Policies-on-Working-Men-and-Women.aspx

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The accommodation, cafes & restaurants sub-sector was flat in August while retail trade contracted once again. The expansion in activity in communication services, wholesale trade and finance & insurance, largely due to employment growth, wasn’t enough to lift the sector’s overall performance. A slump in supplier deliveries and selling prices particularly impacted personal & recreational services and health & community services.

Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Heather Ridout, said: “The continuing sluggish performance of the services sector reinforces Ai Group’s view of the ongoing patchiness of the recovery in the broader economy. Although there are some promising signs among the services sub-sectors, the sector as a whole is yet to feel the full benefits of the gradual re-emergence of private sector demand.”

Commonwealth Bank Senior Economist, John Peters, said: “The latest Australian PSI® readings are consistent with the latest national accounts, which revealed retail spending by consumers (roughly 40% of total household spending) edged up by just 0.3% in the June quarter. In contrast, the non-retail areas of household spending expanded by 2.3% in the same period.

“We think that households, buoyed by ongoing labour market strength, a falling unemployment rate, and gifted with real wage increases, and likely rising asset prices in the year ahead, will become more confident and relaxed about the future. They will thus become increasingly less jittery about balance sheet repair, and will boost their spending levels and the breadth of their purchases,” Mr Peters said.

Source: http://www.aigroup.com.au/

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“The plans outlined in the Connecting SEQ 2031: A South East Queensland Integrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP), are important for the long-term interests of the $224 billion Queensland economy.

“Queensland businesses, whether they are in the construction sector or in the supply chain, stand to benefit significantly from this proposed pipeline of investment.

“We’ve seen rapid population growth in recent years and if this is to be sustained the implementation of a clear strategic plan is critical.

“The 207 kilometres of new railway line in SEQ, proposed in the rail part of the IRTP, will not only create jobs and opportunities for Queensland industry, the extra capacity from congestion-busting rail projects is vital to boosting productivity and keeping SEQ moving. We are also very encouraged by the proposed ‘ring road’ system which will also significantly improve the current transport network.

“While these proposed infrastructure projects are welcomed it’s absolutely critical that they are matched with real funding commitments.

“Funding such a visionary blueprint is only feasible if both the Government and the Opposition continue down the path of asset privatisation.

“If the current asset sales process falters then the State’s capacity to invest in these critical projects will also be severely constrained for years to come.

“In recent times SEQ has been home to the largest regional infrastructure program in Australia but with this comes challenges. Skills shortages are again looming and must be addressed, especially as the resources sector starts to kick-on again.

“QR National’s new trade mentoring program, announced earlier this week, is an important step in enhancing Queensland’s skill base and will go some way to ensuring we have the skilled labour necessary to deliver future infrastructure projects, ” Mr Martyn-Jones said.

Source: http://www.aigroup.com.au/

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The latest Retail Trade figures, a Main Economic Indicator (MEI), comes at a time of great uncertainty for retailers as negotiations over who will form the next Commonwealth Government continue amidst warnings of global recession from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

“Retailers are hoping that some stability will return to the governance of the country after a period of great uncertainty through irresponsible Government spending that put pressure on rates and caused business confidence to plummet,” Mr Driscoll said.

“Despite today’s small rise and the patchy retail trends we have seen over 2010 there is still a flat retail outlook and this is primarily due to uncertainty that has been amplified by irresponsible government programs and reckless spending.

“The Rudd-Gillard Government was a period of great instability for retailers and small business. At the top of this list were the Grocery Watch websites which failed and amounted to nothing more than misinformation.

Also the inaction on competition laws that favour the big end of town was a monumental failure on
behalf of the Rudd-Gillard Government.

“Small business has had to contend with policies that have driven up the costs of electricity and laws that have added to the cost of food and retail at every point of the supply chain so a brief reprieve would be welcomed.

“Small business is collectively the largest employer of Australians in the country and we can’t actually afford another period of irresponsible spending and the uncertainty that we have had to contend with over the last three years,” Mr Driscoll said.

Source: http://www.unitedretailfederation.com.au/media_releases/2010

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Delivering his keynote address at ASSOCHAM organized “6th National Conference on Pension, Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits” here today, Mr. Tiwari disclosed that Secretaries level discussions have commenced between Ministries of Finance and Rural Development in this regard because MNREGA falls under the direct jurisdiction of the latter.

The discussions have started on the subject following detailed proposal submitted to Ministry of Rural Development by PFRDA, said Mr. Tiwari adding that after secretary level talks becomes conclusive, relevant Ministers’ involvement would be sought and a cabinet note made for approval of the government. The process will take a little more time before a policy decision is taken in this regard, hinted Mr. Tiwari.

According to him each beneficiary of MNREGA will have to open an account in banks and deposit minimum of Rs. 1000-Rs. 1200 every year, clearly telling the banks concerned that this money should be transferred to National Security Depository Limited (NSDL) which will issue a number to beneficiary of MNREGA scheme so that he becomes entitled for pension benefits after the age of 60 or so.

The government will contribute equal amount in such accounts so that pension benefits are ensured for aam aadmi, said Mr.Tiwari, hinting further that current outgo of central government on MNREGA which works out to be Rs. 70,000 crores p.a. even may be hiked to ensure that NPS covers everybody in lower strata of society.

On the issue of parking surplus funds of pension fund managers in infrastructure and equities, Mr. Tiwari clarified that the regulator will not advice the pension fund managers to place a part of their funds in speculative channels to ensure that public money does not go waste.

In his inaugural speech Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Namo Narain Meena said that under NPS, pension is a shared responsibility of employer and employee to contribute equally. Presently, more than 10 lakh government employees are covered under NPS and this scheme has been adopted by state governments and few PSUs as well.

PFRDA has been taking several initiatives for expanding the reach of NPS among al sections of society and have launched customized models of NPS platform to suit needs of different sections of society. Recently, NPS-Lite, a low cost version of NPS with optimized features for economically disadvantaged persons has also been launched.

Government of India, with a view to promote retirement planning among al sections not statutorily covered by any other provident or pension schemes, have announced that an incentive of Rs. 1000/- per NPS account opened during fiscal 2009-10 and subsequent three years will be given under Swavalamban scheme. Swavalamban benefits will also be available to all subscribers from unorganized sector who have contributed between Rs. 1000-Rs. 12,000/- in a year to their NPS accounts.

Other speakers on the occasion were: Mr. Vinay Rai, Sr. Member, ASSOCHAM Managing Committee and President, Rai Foundation; Mr. Ben Facer, ASEAN and South Asia Business Leader, Retirement, Risk & Finance consulting, MERCER; Mr. D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM.

Source: http://www.assocham.org/prels/shownews.php?id= 2560

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