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07/07/2023 | Public Access
WHS update | 7 July 2023
Following advice that WHS ministers would be asked to make a decision on whether to continue regulatory impact analysis for nine chemicals of concern - including silica and formaldehyde - ACCI and Ai Group have written a joint letter to responsible state and territory ministers. We strongly urged the ministers...
07/07/2023 | Public Access
Workplace relations update | 7 July 2023
Next tranche of workplace relations law changes The ACCI workplace relations team continues to consult with members and industry on the government’s next tranche of IR changes, including “employee-like” changes which will impact independent contracting arrangements, “same job, same pay” changes which will impact labour hire arrangements, casual changes and...
07/07/2023 | Public Access
Trade and international affairs update | 7 July 2023
ICC Australia National Policy Committee meeting The ICC Australia National Policy Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, 27 July, from 2:30 – 3:30pm AEST/ Special guest speaker Paul Hubbard, acting deputy head of the Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce, will provide a brief overview of the taskforce and the...
07/07/2023 | Public Access
Employment and skills update | 7 July 2023
Skills ministers meeting Federal, state and territory skills and training ministers met last week to progress key reforms. On a new National Skills Agreement (NSA), it appears the states and territories have obtained complete autonomy. This is another missed opportunity for reform in the VET sector, with the wording in...
07/07/2023 | Public Access
Economics update | 7 July 2023
Reserve Bank pauses, though high inflation still a concern Contrary to market expectations, the Reserve Bank this week left the cash rate unchanged at 4.1 per cent. With 12 interest rate increases since May 2022, the interest rate continues to be the highest in 11 years. This pause follows consumer...
30/06/2023 | Public Access
Tourism update | 30 June 2023
The ACCI Sustainable Tourism Advisory Committee met virtually last week to plan the basis for a net zero emissions target for tourism. Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, delivered a presentation about ‘The Tourism Net Zero journey’. Professor Becken challenged the committee to understand the science behind...
30/06/2023 | Public Access
Trade update | 30 June 2023
ICC Australia National Policy Committee Meeting The ICC Australia National Policy Committee Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, July 27 (2:30 – 3:30pm AEST). Special guest speaker Paul Hubbard, Acting Deputy Head of the Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce, will provide a brief overview of the Simplified Trade Taskforce...
30/06/2023 | Public Access
Data, digital & cyber update | 30 June 2023
ACCI's Data, Digital and Cyber Security Forum will meet on July 6 to discuss topics such as the recently released discussion paper Safe and Responsible AI in Australia and the Cyber Security Strategy. Interested members not already on the forum are requested to contact [email protected]. Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, will...
30/06/2023 | Public Access
Economics update | 30 June 2023
The inflation rate slows to 5.6 per cent, defying expectations, but still well above the target range The monthly consumer price index retreated to 5.6 per cent in the year to May 2023, slowing from a 6.8 per cent rise in the year to April 2023. This defied the market...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Data, digital & cyber update | 23 June 2023
New discussion paper scoping artificial intelligence (AI) regulation – due 26 July 2023 Industry Minister Ed Husic released a discussion paper, Safe and Responsible AI in Australia, alongside National Science and Technology Council’s paper Rapid Response Report: Generative AI. Both available here. Given the recent warnings of many of the world’s top AI experts,...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Trade update | 23 June 2023
ICC Australia National Policy Committee Meeting The ICC Australia National Policy Committee Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, July 27 from 2:30-3:30pm AEST. Special guest speaker Paul Hubbard, acting deputy head of the Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce, will provide a brief overview of the taskforce and the benefits...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Work health & safety update | 23 June 2023
National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023 Legislation to establish a national registry of respiratory diseases caused by workplace conditions, including silicosis, was introduced into Parliament on June 21. The National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023 will create a legislative framework for the establishment and ongoing management of the National Occupational...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Employment & skills update | 23 June 2023
Startup Year loans Startup year legislation passed Parliament this week. From 2024 in the first-year pilot, up to 1,000 eligible students will be able to access a new form of Higher Education Loan Program assistance, STARTUP-HELP, and participate in a higher education-based accelerator program. Students will be able to access...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Workplace relations update | 23 June 2023
Protecting Worker Entitlements Bill The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Bill 2023 passed both houses of Parliament yesterday. The legislation will: insert a right to superannuation in the National Employment Standards clarify that the Fair Work Act applies to temporary migrant workers provide stronger access to unpaid parental leave clarify...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Tourism update | 23 June 2023
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released the visitor arrival and departure numbers for April 2023. Short-term visitor arrivals (tourists) were 544,920, which accounts for an annual increase of 309,450 trips. The report is available HERE. The highest number of visitor arrivals for short-term trips were in NSW (200,230), whilst the...
23/06/2023 | Public Access
Economics update | 23 June 2023
Cybersecurity Risks and Skilled Workforce shortages pose challenges for Australian businesses The recent report released by the ABS on the characteristics of Australian business sheds light on the risks faced by Australian businesses due to cyber attacks. During 2021-22, 22 per cent of the businesses experienced a cyber security attack, up...
16/06/2023 | Public Access
Workplace relations update | 16 June 2023
Childcare Supported Bargaining Authorisation Application The United Workers Union, Australian Education Union Victorian Branch and the Independent Education Union of Australia lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission for a supported bargaining authorisation on June 6. The authorisation proposes to cover more than 60 employers and is the first application under the new multi-enterprise bargaining...
16/06/2023 | Public Access
Employment & skills update | 16 June 2023
Quality apprenticeships gain global endorsement New recommendations on developing and establishing quality apprenticeships were endorsed at the International Labour Organization conference. ACCI Director of Skills, Employment and Small Business Natalie Heazelwood spoke to the plenary on behalf of employers on the benefits the recommendations will bring. These recommendations are designed to provide...
16/06/2023 | Public Access
Economics update | 16 June 2023
Robust increase in employment ABS Labour Force data released yesterday shows strong employment growth of almost 76,000 in May, taking the number of people employed above 14 million, a record high. This also pushed unemployment back down to 3.6 per cent. This strong growth in employment is driven mainly by...
16/06/2023 | Public Access
Tourism update | 16 June 2023
National Visitor Survey results for March 2023 released this week show nights away and spend exceeding pre-pandemic levels. However, overnight trips were down. The report for Tourism research Australia is HERE. Domestic tourism spend was up 32 per cent ($2.1 billion) on March 2019 to $8.5 billion. This was generated by...