09 Feb 2023
RBA raises interest rates by 25 basis points
The Reserve Bank increased interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.35 per cent. This is the ninth increase to the cash rate since May 2022 and the highest it has been since September 2012.
With the monthly CPI indicator rising 8.4 per cent in the year to December, this decision comes with warnings that further increases in interest rates will be needed to ensure high inflation remains temporary and CPI returns to the target 2-3 per cent range.
While it is not clear that inflation has peaked, there is evidence inflationary pressure should ease over coming months. The RBA in their November 2022 Statement on Monetary Policy is expecting a decline to 6.3 per cent in June 2023 and 4.2 per cent in June 2024.
National Reconstruction Fund
This week, ACCI made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics review of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2022. In the submission we highlighted our support for $15 billion in investments to target diversity and growth in Australian industry. However, amongst other recommendations, we advocated the need for the NRF to remain a fully independent statutory corporation, free from direct or indirect government influence, and explicitly required to undertake rigorous cost-benefit analysis when assessing investment decisions.
Gas Market Code of Conduct
ACCI also made a submission to the Treasury on the Gas Market Code of Conduct. In the submission, we advocated against the proposed mandatory code of conduct in the gas market and the government-proposed “reasonable price” due to its deterrence on vital investment in the industry. Instead, a voluntary code of conduct should remain in place and more comprehensive long-term strategies need to be developed to increase domestic supply, competition, and efficiency of the gas market. ACCI recommended the development of a national gas strategy and an energy roadmap.
26/07/2024
Modern Awards – Casual Employment Term Last week, the Fair Work Commission President, Justice Hatcher, made a statement announcing proceedings on the Commission’s own initiative to determine...
19/07/2024
Modern Awards Review The Fair Work Commission published its report on the Modern Awards Review 2023-24 yesterday, along with a statement from Fair Work Commission President, Justice Adam Hatcher,...
19/07/2024
Small Business Survey The Small Business Committee met this week, and members received a briefing on the results of the Small Business Survey ahead of...
19/07/2024
There is still time to join the next ACCI Trade Policy Committee on 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST, featuring special guest speaker George Mina. ...
19/07/2024
Sustainable Aviation Fuel submission Australian Chamber - Tourism made a submission to the government's consultation on low-carbon liquid fuels this week. The submission outlines the...
19/07/2024
Apprenticeship Incentives Review The 'What We Heard' summary paper from the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System was released this week. The critical...
19/07/2024
Unemployment rate slightly up Labour force statistics released this week highlight that the unemployment rate increased slightly from 4 per cent in May to 4.1 per cent...
12/07/2024
Right to Disconnect The President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Adam Hatcher, has published a statement and the draft modern award term for the...
12/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting The next ACCI Trade Policy Committee will feature special guest speaker George Mina, followed by a short Q&A session. George is...
12/07/2024
Upcoming forum meeting The Data, Digital & Cyber (DDC) Forum will hold a meeting on Wednesday 17th July from 10:30am to 12pm AEST. Please contact Ross Creelman for more information.
12/07/2024
Upcoming committee meeting The next meeting of the Small Business Committee will be held online on Friday, 19 July from 10:30 am-11:30 AEST. The meeting...
12/07/2024
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke has endorsed ACCI's nomination of Jennifer Low, director of health, safety, resilience, and digital policy, to the...
12/07/2024
Productivity Commission report on economic mobility The Productivity Commission report on economic mobility released this week shows that, on average, Australia’s long-term economic growth has led...
12/07/2024
New NCVER data release: Government-funded students and courses 2023 According to the recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) release, an estimated 7.1 per cent...
5/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting Join us at the next ACCI Trade Committee on Thursday, 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST. This meeting will feature a...
5/07/2024
Payment times reforms pass Amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 passed Parliament this week. The amendments implement recommendations made through the Statutory Review conducted by Dr Craig...
5/07/2024
Engineered stone ban is now in effect The prohibition on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced on...
5/07/2024
Nature Positive Bill introduced The Nature Positive Bill was introduced to Parliament this week. This Bill establishes a new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) responsible for...
5/07/2024
Future Made in Australia The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 was tabled in...
5/07/2024
Changes from 1 July From 1 July (last Monday) a series of changes have taken place in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware...