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28/06/2024 | Public Access
Workplace Relations
Changes Commencing 1 July From Monday 1 July, a series of changes will occur in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware that: The national minimum wage will be $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per (38 hour) week Modern award minimum wages will increase by 3.75% The modern award...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Trade and International Affairs
US Chamber Delegation Lunch ACCI was delighted to host a senior business delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce in Canberra on Wednesday. The delegation, headed by Senior Vice President and Head of International John Murphy and Executive Director, Southeast Asia John Patrick Goyer, also included senior corporate representatives from...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Employment and Skills
National Skills Taxonomy Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released a discussion paper on the new National Skills Taxonomy (NST), which will replace the existing Australian Skills Classification. The NST aims to provide a common language and understanding of skills to better connect the education, skills and employment sectors. The discussion...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Tourism
International visitor survey Tourism Research Australia this week released the results of national and international visitor surveys from March 2024. The national survey provides statistics on how Australian residents travelled in each state or territory and nationally during this period, and the international survey includes information on how overseas visitors...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Small Business
2023-24 Budget measures pass Only days before the measures were due to expire, the legislation extending the instant asset write-off and the Small Business Energy Incentive passed the Parliament. The extension to the write-off will allow small businesses with aggregated turnover of less than $10 million to immediately deduct the...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Energy
AEMO highlights need for gas investment The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released the Integrated System Plan (ISP), the roadmap to transition the National Electricity Market to net zero by 2050. The report said renewable energy supported by storage and gas-powered generation is the most cost-effective solution for supplying electricity...
28/06/2024 | Public Access
Economics
Inflation rises to 4 per cent The monthly consumer price index rose to 4 per cent in the 12 months to May, up from 3.6 per cent in April, exceeding the market’s expectations. It was the third monthly rise in the CPI, indicating that more needs to be done to...
21/06/2024 | Public Access
Workplace Relations
Right to Disconnect A consultation hearing before a full bench of the Fair Work Commission was held on Wednesday, during which ACCI discuss its submission and those of the unions concerning a modern award term for the right to disconnect. ACCI disputed union claims and reiterated calls for the new...
21/06/2024 | Public Access
Economics
Reserve Bank kept rates steady at 4.35 per cent The Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35 per cent at its meeting this week amid signs that inflation is declining more slowly than expected. Governor Michele Bullock said the economic outlook remained uncertain and will remain “vigilant...
21/06/2024 | Public Access
Employment and Skills
Strengthening Employer Compliance Act commences 1 July The Strengthening Employer Compliance Act commences on 1 July. ACCI sent members the series of fact sheets and related information from the Department of Home Affairs this week to help inform relevant parties about the changes. VET Qualification Reform Design Group Next Tuesday,...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Trade and International Affairs
New Vice Chair of World Chambers Federation The ICC World Council executive board has announced Peter McMullin AM as the new Vice Chair (Oceania and Southeast Asia) of the World Chambers Federation. ICC Australia congratulates Peter, the current president of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry and...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Tourism
April overseas arrivals and departures data Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week notes that short-term visitors in April 2024 increased by 8.8 per cent compared to April last year. Although the figures represent an increase from April 2023 levels, they are still significantly lower (15.3 per...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Small Business
Small Business ministers meet ACCI chief of policy and advocacy, David Alexander, addressed a meeting of federal and state small business ministers in Melbourne today. David updated ministers on the Small Business Committee's priorities and what we've been hearing from small businesses lately. This was also an opportunity to provide...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Employment and Skills
International Education and Skills Framework ACCI submitted to the consultation on the draft of Australia’s International Education and Skills Strategic Framework this week. The submission emphasises Australia’s international education sector’s significant economic contribution, worth nearly $48 billion in 2023. ACCI highlights concerns over recent government policies and proposed regulations that could adversely impact the...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Energy
New guaranteed supply of gas for Australia’s east coast gas users An additional 40 petajoules will be made available for the domestic market for gas power generation until 2027 through an enforceable supply commitment with Walloons, part of Shell, under the government’s Gas Code of Conduct. With this commitment, the...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Economics
Unemployment rate declines to 4 per cent in May Labour force statistics released this week highlight that unemployment declined from 4.1 per cent in April to 4.0 per cent in May, with the number of unemployed people down by 9200. The number of employed people increased by 39,700 to 14.3...
14/06/2024 | Public Access
Workplace Relations
Right to Disconnect ACCI submitted its reply to the Fair Work Commission’s process to vary modern awards to include the right to disconnect this week, which is here. The submission disputed union claims and reiterated calls for the new modern award term only to provide the rights guaranteed under the legislation. ACCI...
06/06/2024 | Public Access
Small Business
Payment times amendments pass Lower House The Payment Times Reporting Amendment Bill 2024 has passed the House of Representatives unamended. However, the opposition has flagged its intention to move amendments once the Bill moves to the Senate. The Bill will implement recommendations from the statutory review conducted last year and...
06/06/2024 | Public Access
Tourism
Final THRIVE consultation session Australian Chamber - Tourism members have been invited to attend a final consultation session on Phase 2 of the THRIVE 2030 Strategy. The Chamber has held a number of consultations with Austrade and the facilitator Martin Ferguson AO, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. The...
06/06/2024 | Public Access
Employment and Skills
Updated apprenticeship incentive guidelines Updated Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System guidelines were published on 1 June. The guidelines have been updated to reflect the changes to the New Energy Apprenticeships Program announced in May, which will expand the eligible apprenticeships. Previously, the apprentice had to work exclusively on clean energy-related activities. Under the...