18 January 2010

In 2009, the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) was completed nationwide for the first time. Between 1 May and 31 July, information was collected on 261,203 children (97.5% of the estimated national five-year-old population).

The AEDI is a population measure of children’s development in communities across Australia. The AEDI gives a national picture of children’s health and development – a first for Australia. The results pinpoint strengths in the community as well as what can be improved. The AEDI provides information to help build and strengthen communities for children and for Australia.

The 2009 report shows that the majority of children are doing well but thre are also areas for improvement.

This report was written by the Centre for Community Child Health (at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and a key research centre of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute) and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Perth for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.It is available at www.aedi.org.au.

In mid-December, the Rudd Government released exposure draft legislation that will assign a unique healthcare identifier number to health care providers and consumers – an important step in building a secure e-health system in Australia. 

The legislation is aimed at improving the health system’s ability to share patient information effectively, while safeguarding patient privacy.

To date, there has been no single method of accurately and reliably identifying either the people receiving healthcare, the healthcare providers or the organisations managing care.  Mismatching of patient information has been an acknowledged problem in the health system. The proposed unique identifiers will provide a new level of confidence and accuracy when communicating patient information across and between private and government healthcare providers.

Medicare Australia will be the initial operator of the healthcare identifier service. Medicare has the national infrastructure, as well as the industry and community relationships, needed to  deliver and maintain the identifiers securely.

People do not have to apply for an identifier: one will be allocated automatically to every Australian who currently holds a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs treatment card. People who are not covered by these will be allocated their identifier on an individual basis.

Use of the identifier is strictly limited to health information and health care with jurisdictional regulators including the Federal Privacy Commissioner providing independent oversight.

It is planned to have the healthcare identifiers from mid-2010 subject to legislation having been passed by the Australian Parliament.

The draft legislation follows comprehensive consultations with stakeholders and with state and territory governments.

Although the closing date for comment has closed, for informatin, the exposure draft legislation and explanatory material can be found at www.health.gov.au/ehealth/consultation.

The Federal Government is asking people to share their views on whether an R18+ classification for computer games should be introduced.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says businesses and adult gamers have called on the Government to introduce the category for products to be restricted to customers over 18.

The Government regularly receives representations from both industry and gamers seeking the introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games, as well from those opposed to its introduction. At this stage, neither the Minister nor the Government has formed a view on whether the classification scheme should include an R18+ classification for computer games.

The state and federal attoneys-general must all agreee to the R18+ classification for computer games before it is introduced and while Victoria and the ACT have publicly suported the standard, South Australia's attorney-general has consistently refused to change his position that children need to be protected from violent game content at all times. The  counter-argument notes that many of the games are designed for adults (the average game player is 30 years of age) and further, that there is adult classification for films.

A 14 page discussion paper, outling the arguments for and against, can be accessed at www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification and the closing date for submissions is 25 February 2010.

Matthew Tukaki, the Head of Drake Australia has welcomed the latest job advertisement survey data released by the ANZ bank today saying that it was further evidence that the Australian economy was indeed resurgent with employers trending towards permanent and full time workers versus casual and temporary workers for the same period last year.

“The fact we are seeing record growth in job advertisements both online and in traditional media indicates that the reduction in unemployment over the past two months is gathering pace and, indeed, the signals are good for the ABS Labour Force statistics to be released this Thursday,” Mr Tukaki said.

“As we have predicted an increase in jobs growth would have taken economists by surprise given the majority, up until now, had been predicting higher rates of unemployment whereas Drake, in discussion with employers and jobseekers was actually seeing the reverse aligned with growing confidence.”

Drake also believes that the increase in the retail trade figures for the month of November are a good sign that the retail trade figures for December will remain strong even if they don’t quite reach the record of heights of the last period.

“What we are seeing in December is a resurgent economy without the reliance on economic stimulus, which is an even greater signal that business confidence is growing and therefore investment is being made in workers both current and new. As we move through the first quarter of 2010, the recovery will be well under way especially when compared with other developed countries' growth and unemployment levels,” Mr Tukaki said.

Commercialisation Australia – the Federal Government’s new support initiative for home-grown innovation – is now open to receive applications.

“I call on all innovators wishing to bring their product to the marketplace to apply for tailored, hands-on assistance from Commercialisation Australia,” said Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

“The first step for potential applicants is to visit the new Commercialisation Australia website and fill-in a pre-application checklist.

“Commercialisation Australia is a merit-based, competitive assistance program and will support applications with the strongest commercial potential.

“It has a broad national reach with case managers based in states and territories across Australia offering tailored advice to successful applicants.

“There is no deadline for submitting an application to Commercialisation Australia. Innovators can now access assistance when they need it.

“Bridging the gap between research and successful commercial reality can be difficult.

“From today, Commercialisation Australia will work to facilitate this critical process and support high-wage, high-skill local jobs.”

Commercialisation Australia will assist researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms to commercialise their ideas, offering grants on a co-contribution basis including:

• up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services; 
• up to $200,000 over two years to engage experienced executives;
• proof of concept grants up to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a new product, process or service; and
• early stage commercialisation repayable grants up to $2 million to develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

The pre-application checklist, details on eligibility and merit criteria can be found at www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au or by calling the Commercialisation Australia Hotline on 13 22 56.

Effective from 1 January 2010, all applicants applying to migrate under onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas will be required to have a suitable skills assessment at the time of lodging an application to migrate.

The onshore GSM classes affected by this change are Skilled - Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885), Skilled - Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886) and Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487).

Visa applications that do not include a suitable skills assessment will be deemed invalid and returned and will not be eligible for a visa decision. In such instances, applicants will not be granted a bridging visa to remain in Australia due to an invalid application being made.

Employers who currently employ overseas students that are seeking to apply for the above-mentioned onshore GSM visas should take note of this change.

For further information, contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on (08) 9365 7521 or email migration@cciwa.com.

A higher standard of English for overseas tradespersons applying to migrate to Australia under  General Skilled Migration (GSM) has come into effect this year.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced last year that the English language requirement for all GSM visa applicants who nominate a trade occupation would be increased to a minimum of 6.0 (Competent English) in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

This change takes effect from 1 January 2010 and replaces the previous English language threshold of Vocational English (a minimum of 5.0 on each of the four components of an IELTS test) applicable to overseas tradespersons.

For further information, contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on (08) 9365 7521 or email migration@cciwa.com.

Austal has received authorisation from the US Navy to commence construction on the first of up to ten 103-metre Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV).

Authorisation was given after Austal successfully completed the Production Readiness Review (PRR), which allows Austal’s Mobile, Alabama facility to immediately begin construction of Fortitude (JHSV 1).

As the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the JHSV will provide rapid intra-theatre deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies. The vessel will support military logistics, sustainment and humanitarian relief operations and will be capable of speeds up to 43 knots.

US Navy Program Manager George Sutton said considerable investments in the Austal shipyard coupled with the implementation of proven commercial technology gave high levels of confidence in the shipyard’s ability to execute the program.

Austal was selected as prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.

Fortitude will be the first Austal design to be constructed using the new procedures and processes developed in conjunction with Austal’s recently-completed Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF), which provides Austal with assembly line efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced lead times.

The Austal JHSV will transport medium-size operational units with their vehicles, or reconfigure to provide troop transport for an infantry battalion, allowing units to transit long distances while maintaining unit integrity. The vessel also supports helicopter operations and has an off-load vehicle ramp which enables use of austere piers and quay walls, common in developing countries. A shallow draft (under 4 metres) will further enhance theatre port access.

The Austal JHSV team includes platform systems engineering agent General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems.

IP Lodgement Point, IP Australia’s new state based lodgement service, offers customers a secure way to lodge their IP documents through a select Australia Post outlet in each state.

While the Perth state office transitioned to these new services on 28 September 2009, not all filers seem aware of these new arrangements. Since that date, customers wishing to lodge in person can do so at the Australia Post GPO in Forrest Place in the Perth CBD.

The service is available to IP Australia customers from 9am to 5pm weekdays, where lodgements and payments relating to Trade Marks, Designs and Patents will be accepted on behalf of IP Australia.

Potential filers are encouraged to contact IP Australia's Call Centre on 1300 65 1010 for additional information or visit the new IP Lodgement Point on the  IP Australia website at http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#50.

Further assistance is available through the IP Australia Call Centre on 1300 65 1010, via assist@ipaustralia.gov.au, or through www.ipaustralia.gov.au.

High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

Mr Ian Kemish AM has been appointed as Australia's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. Mr Kemish replaces Chris Moraitis who has been High Commissioner since December 2006 and is expected to take up his appointment in February 2010.

Australia is Papua New Guinea’s largest development cooperation partner. The $414 million aid program in 2009-10 represents over 70% of Papua New Guinea’s development assistance support.

The bilateral trade relationship is strong. Two-way trade is valued at around $4.6 billion annually, making Papua New Guinea our 19th largest trading partner. Australia is Papua New Guinea’s largest trading partner, the principal source of imports and foreign direct investment and the lead destination for Papua New Guinea’s exports.

High Commissioner to Nauru

Reflecting enhanced bilateral relations and the recent upgrade of Australia's diplomatic mission in Nauru from a Consulate-General to a High Commission, George Fraser will become Australia's resident High Commissioner to Nauru.

Nauru, one of the world’s smallest independent, democratic states, is an active partner with Australia in the Pacific Islands Forum and other key international organisations such as the United Nations, where it is currently Chair of the Group of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).

Prime Minister Rudd and President Stephen signed the Australia-Nauru Partnership for Development at the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns on 7 August 2009. The Partnership establishes a shared vision to work together in close cooperation to raise the standard of living of the people of Nauru and to make progress towards attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which came into force on 1 January, a process has been established through which exporters must apply for and obtain a Certificate of Origin (CO) that officially attests to the eligibility for preferential treatment of the product they intend to export to another AANZFTA market.

In Western Australia, exporters who have determined that their goods are eligible for preferential treatment may apply to CCIWA for an AANZFTA CO by first completing and returning the AANZFTA Exporter Registration Form CO4A.

Parties to AANZFTA are Australia, New Zealand and the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The following countries have notified other parties of their ratification and are therefore parties to AANZFTA from 1 January 2010: Australia, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

The remaining ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Thailand) are working to ratify AANZFTA. The Agreement will enter into force for these parties 60 days after the dates of their respective notifications.

AANZFTA will apply in parallel with Australia’s existing bilateral free trade agreements with three of the countries that are also signatories to AANZFTA - New Zealand (ANZCERTA), Singapore (SAFTA) and Thailand (TAFTA). The three FTAs have their own tariff commitments, which apply to goods meeting the relevant ROO provisions under each of the agreements. Exporters and importers will be free to decide whether to make use of AANZFTA or the bilateral FTA when trading with these countries, but need to remember that the tariff commitments contained in each agreement are only applicable to goods that meet the relevant rules of origin in that agreement.

For further information contact CCI's Ian Whitaker on (08) 9365 7684 or ian.whitaker@cciwa.com.

The recession seems to have been coming to an end in Europe in the third quarter of 2009.

The rebound in activity reflects improvements in the external environment, in financial conditions and in confidence. But the outlook remains uncertain as the rebound is underpinned by the massive support provided by governments and central banks worldwide which eventually will have to be scaled back and depends on the ability of the banking sector to increase the present levels of lending to the economy.

In the third quarter, the euro-area economy expanded by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter, marking the end of the recession, after five consecutive negative quarters. Yet, for 2009 as a whole, GDP is expected to have contracted by 4%, according to the northern Autumn forecasts, the biggest fall in output since the second world war.

The 3rd International Fashion Incubator Conference will be held in Perth during the staging of Perth Fashion Festival in September 2011.

The conference will offer new opportunities for fashion business educators and fashion trade events from around the globe to discuss best practice and expand global designer marketing and mentoring opportunities. The event will also launch an International Fashion Incubator Organisation that will join resources to support networks and future opportunities.

Carol Hanlon, manager of the Textile Clothing Footwear Resource Centre (TCFWA), Designedge Fashion Incubator and Belmont Business Enterprise Centre, said the bid for the conference was made possible through a City of Perth Convention Scholarship supported by the Perth Convention Bureau. The scholarship enabled Carol to travel to Atlanta, USA to present the bid to bring the conference to Perth in 2011. 

“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to highlight Perth as a fashion savvy centre and will expose Western Australian fashion to the world,” she said.

The 3rd International Fashion Incubator Conference will aim to build on the successful conferences held in UK and USA. The conference will assist the growth and development of fashion industry business educators and those that nurture and support emerging designers, as well as elevating Perth on the international fashion stage.

Australia recorded a trade deficit of $1.7b in November 2009 - a decrease of 18% on the revised deficit in October of $2.1b.

The November deficit was lower than the October deficit and this was driven by a 3% decrease in imports of goods and services ($670 million) outweighing a 2% decrease in exports of goods and services ($291 million).

Australia’s Trade Minister Simon Crean said the trade figures for November 2009 show the ongoing impact of the global financial crisis on the Australian economy, with a fall in both exports and imports.

The November trade deficit came as the Australian dollar rose by 1% for the month to average US92.02 cents in November.

“There was the encouraging sign of an 8% rise in merchandise exports to the European Union. It is encouraging that growth with our traditional trading partners, such as the United Kingdom, continues to expand,” Mr Crean said.

To help you make the most of international markets, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publishes a wide range of model international commercial contracts, including:

ICC Model International Sale Contract

ICC Model Distributorship Contract

ICC Model Commercial Agency Contract

ICC Model Mergers & Acquisitions Contract

ICC Model International Transfer of Technology Contract 

ICC Model International Trademark Licence

ICC Model Turnkey Contract for Major Projects

ICC Model Confidentiality Agreement

ICC Model Occasional Intermediary Contract

ICC Model International Franchising Contract

These publications are available for purchase from the CCI International Trade Centre, Mezzanine Level, 180 Hay Street, East Perth. Contact documentation@cciwa.com or call (08) 9365 7620 for more information.

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien has announced that the State Government is to contract major Norwegian shipping company Jebsens to provide shipping services to Western Australia’s northwest.

“Communities and industry in the remote North-West will continue to enjoy the benefits of a State-assisted shipping alternative to road transport for the movement of vital freight supplies,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Minister said the Government had been presented with compelling evidence that moving goods by ship helped limit freight costs into remote regions.

“Having a Government-assisted shipping service to the North-West can deliver significant savings in the cost of living and the cost of doing business for communities, industry and Government,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said Jebsens had presented an exciting and innovative proposal, which involved integration with other new international and coastal operations. The Minister said Jebsens was a long standing and successful shipping company with vast experience in coastal shipping services in Australia and overseas.

“Jebsens’ approach will benefit users of North-West shipping services through better delivery times, more shipping capacity and cheaper freight rates. The continuation of the assisted North-West shipping service is timely, given the exciting development taking place in the region. Already, key cargo interests have shown faith in the new contract with in-principle commitments of significant future freight to the service,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said the shipping service also helped make northwest roads safer by taking trucks off the network, especially those carrying over-sized and dangerous freight.

The Australian Institute of Export has appointed Loftus Harris AM as its National President.

Mr Harris, who assumed the role on 1 January, comes with a wealth of experience in trade policy, negotiation and facilitation.  Outgoing President Michael Johnson, who occupied the position for almost five years, said the appointment of Loftus came at a time of strong development, particularly in the field of representing exporters to Government.

With the commencement of the new modern awards on 1 January 2010, employers are now faced with the task of understanding and applying the provisions in each relevant award.

For many employers the provisions of modern awards may be new or unfamiliar, especially in the case where employees have previously been award free.

An example of an issue that is causing misunderstanding in a number of awards concerns reference to a ‘standard rate’. It is often used for purposes of the calculation of allowances (such as in the General Retail Industry Award 2010 and Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2010).

The allowance is expressed as a percentage rather than as a flat dollar amount, or a percentage of the employee’s hourly rate.

For example, the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2010 (the Clerks Award) provides for a first aid allowance to be paid to an employee who has been trained to render first aid, is the current holder of appropriate first aid qualifications and is appointed by the employer to perform first aid duty. The weekly allowance is to be paid at 1.5% of the standard rate.

In order to determine the standard rate for the purposes of the Clerks Award, it is important to look to the ‘definitions and interpretations’ clause. The definition of the standard rate will differ between awards, but remain consistent within each award.

The Clerks Award defines the standard rate as ‘the minimum weekly rate for a Level 2’. The amount set out in the award for the minimum weekly rate for a Level 2 employee is $637.60.

Therefore an employee who is entitled to the first aid allowance (as defined) will be entitled to a payment of $9.56 (1.5% of $637.60) per week.

This amount is the same for any employee engaged to perform first aid duties under the award, regardless of the level at which the employee is classified (and being paid). A Level 1 employee will therefore receive the same weekly first aid allowance as a Level 5 employee.

It is important to check the definition of the standard rate in each award.

For further information on the application of standard rates, or other queries relating to modern awards, please contact the Employee Relations Advice Centre on 9365 7660 or email advice@cciwa.com.

Click here to register

Communications are rapidly changing. Leading brands and marketers come together in Perth, Australia on 25 February to explore and learn how to best use the real-time web.

To remain competitive organisations are following the consumer and adopting social media such as Twitter, live-blogging, Facebook and Youtube. By integrating real-time tools into a marketing strategy a brand can publish information for the customer as soon as it is available, or needed, and so can strengthen customer engagement and loyalty.

Best practice is emerging as marketers experiment to find new and relevant ways to interact with their consumers. Media140 Perth creates a platform to share successes and challenges faced by the early adopters, address the meaning of social media ROI and explore what’s next for marketers and brands on the new real-time frontier.

Founded in February 2009, Media140 is an independent global movement creating unique multimedia conference-style events, to facilitate debate to explore the future of the real-time web and its impact on organisations cross-sector.

Following sold out events in London and Sydney the event is travelling to Perth to explore new ways of connecting, interacting and engaging with global audiences through the real-time web.

Media140 Perth will include keynote speakers, panel discussions and workshops. The emergence of the real-time web has been influential within Perth businesses as it creates a mode of communication that is interactive, international and most importantly immediate. Up to  360 delegates are expected.

Confirmed speakers include:

- Carolyn Hall, Founder of ChatterBlock

- Genevieve Robey, Editor of Wotnews.com.au

- Brett McCarthy, Editor of The West Australian

- Bronwen Clune, new media consultant

- Markus Hafner, Founder of Happener

- Richard Giles, Social Media Specialist - CPSU/CSA

- Gemma Tognini, Director of gtmedia

Further information and early bird tickets (from $185) available at www.media140.com/perth.

Energy Minister Peter Collier is inviting comment to help shape Western Australia’s energy future.

He has released the Strategic Energy Initiative (SEI) Issues Paper, Energy 2030, which will help develop a co-ordinated direction for the State’s energy future.

“How we meet the energy needs of WA during the next 20 years is a critical issue,” Mr Collier said.

“An important component of the SEI is to develop future energy demand and supply scenarios for WA so that we can understand the nature and scale of the challenge in meeting our future energy needs.

“The SEI will recommend a range of initiatives for the short, medium and longer terms to guide government, policy makers and stakeholders in achieving the State’s strategic energy goals.

“This includes ensuring secure and reliable energy, and delivering a cleaner energy future through the development of renewable energy supplies, while meeting our support for the national target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020.”

Comment is sought on the wide-ranging issues based on the SEI’s four strategic goals.

“There will be extensive consultation with industry and community stakeholders in each phase of the SEI’s development,” the Minister said.

“We encourage industry and interested members of the public to take part in the consultation process.”

Written submissions on the issues paper will be accepted until the end of February 2010, before a draft Directions Paper is released in April.

The Strategic Energy Initiative is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

A copy of the issues paper is available on the Office of Energy website at http://www.energy.wa.gov.au or by calling (08) 9420 5600.

As of 1 January 2010, the State Government has introduced new legislation to prohibit a person selling graffiti implements to a person under 18 years of age.

Under the new changes to the Criminal Code (WA) it will be illegal to sell spray paint and certain marker pens to a person under 18 years of age. These new laws are set out in the Criminal Code Amendment (Graffiti) Act 2009 and will be contained in Chapter 24 of Criminal Code (WA) which may be accessed at the State Law Publisher’s website: www.slp.wa.gov.au.

The Legislation will prohibit a person selling the following implements to a person under 18 years of age:

- spray paint;

- a pen or marker pen, or similar implement, that –

1. has a tip over 6mm wide; and

2. contains a fluid that is not water soluble and can mark a surface.

The penalty is a maximum fine of $6,000 for a first offence and a maximum fine of $12,000 for a subsequent offence. Sellers and their employees will have to take reasonable steps to be satisfied that the purchaser is not a minor. This can be done by sighting a current driver’s licence or other suitable identification.

The Office of Crime Prevention is working with the Department of the Attorney General to assist retailers and wholesalers to reduce the impact the pending legislation will have on these sectors.

An information pack has been developed for this purpose containing a fact sheet, a poster that can be displayed in shop windows and a guide book of prohibited items for sales staff. This pack is available for download on the Goodbye Graffiti Website www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au and the Department of the Attorney General website www.justice.wa.gov.au.

For more information on this legislation, please contact the RTA on (08) 9365 7695.

With retailers struggling to cope with the rapid changes with consumer spending, the economy continues to present new challenges for the bottom line. Pressures within the economy mean that stock theft or shrinkage is on the increase. 

Stock shrinkage has grown to approximately 2% of total retail sales in Australia. On a national basis this amounts conservatively to some $5.84 billion dollars, or in Western Australian terms around $500 million dollars annually.

Shrinkage issues encompass the following key areas:

•           external theft

•           internal theft

•           internal processes and systems

•           inter company fraud

External theft accounts for just one third of all retail shrinkage in Australia. Iit pales in comparison to the significance of internal theft which is now accountable for 55% of stock shrinkage within Australia.  The remaining losses are distributed between your systems or processes and inter company fraud within your supply chain.

Retailers need to focus on all these things, not just putting in technology to handle external theft and thinking that you are done. Most overlook the host of factors that are involved with stock shrinkage, which means not having the product available when you most need it, at the point of sale or at stock take.

Despite ongoing efforts to reduce external consumer theft, retailers need to face up to the bigger challenge of reducing theft internally. For a retailer to be successful trust needs to be placed in the hands of employees; unfortunately from time to time this trust is abused. 

The impact can be minimised by ensuring that staff are satisfied in their jobs, meaning your recruitment and engagement processes are critical in minimising shrinkage. Employers also need to be well-trained and have effective systems to detect and report security breaches.