THE TCCI 2010 IOOF Tasmanian Business Leaders Awards were announced recently in Hobart.
The Awards are organised by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sponsored by IOOF in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia The awards recognise and reward Tasmanian business leaders and celebrate the leadership and management achievements of individuals (as opposed to organisations or innovations).
Winners and sponsors for this year’s awards: Lisa Tedeschi of Sebachi and Mint Bath and Body (10X owner manager of the year); Dean Demeyer 10X; Damon Wise, The Hobart Media Centre; Maree Davis, The Hobart Media Centre (Corporate Communications Tasmanian business manager of the year; Tony Harrison, Corporate Communications (Tas) Pty Ltd; Philip Molineux, Byron Bonney Group (NAB Tasmanian business leader of the year – corporate); Cedric Manen of the Migrant Resource Centre (Tasplan Tasmanian public and community sector manager of the year); Heather Francis, MS Society (WHK business leader of the year for small to medium business); Vanessa Jarvis, WHK; Robert Fellowes, Woolworths (Park Homes Tasmanian young manager of the year).
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By ROBERT WALLACE
TCCI Chief Executive
THE Federal election campaign is now in full swing and while Tasmanian business will be looking to all parties to exercise fiscal restraint and not engage in flagrant spending sprees to win votes, there are three key issues for Tasmania that must be addressed by those seeking government.
They are arresting the chronic skills’ shortage that is severely inhibiting our capacity to grow our economy and create jobs, the impact and opportunities associated with climate change, and urgent infrastructure development required to promote growth and provide the necessary service for our community.
While the first two issues are highly relevant for all of Australia, infrastructure support is particularly crucial for Tasmania. Our State missed out on its share of the most recent $22 billion national infrastructure funding pool, so many urgent and required projects are in limbo. Funding is required for Bell Bay and other port developments, for the upgrade of the Midland Highway and while money has been allocated for Tasmania’s rail system, more will be required if it is to perform its vital transport role into the future.
Action is required to arrest the shortage of skilled workers in Tasmania. This requires a coherent plan and funds for skills training, employer rebates and trainee allowances. Our research over recent years has pointed to the lack of availability of skilled labour as the key factor holding back business and jobs growth in Tasmania. Resolution of this issue will go a long way towards ensuring a strong economic recovery.
Political leadership is also required on climate change. While Australia would be foolish to ‘go it alone’ when other countries are reluctant to act, government can assist business with tax incentives to adopt energy efficiency and conservation measures and the identification of business opportunities in this area. As a leader in renewable energy generation and development, Tasmania has a key role to play in our national response to climate change.
In the absence of any global consensus, business certainly does not favour any unilateral emissions trading scheme for Australia. However, industry is keen to work on energy efficiency measures where there is common ground on reducing environmental impact and business costs.
Tax incentives for lower-emitting plant and equipment such as the successful investment allowance used during the global financial crisis would be a welcome initiative which would support industry, jobs and the environment.
Tasmania will be looking for response on these issues from our politicians in what should be a financially responsible election campaign.
AUSTRALIA’S peak employer organisation, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has established a series of business priorities it wants the Federal Government and Opposition to address in the lead up to the August 21 election.
The key issues business wants addressed include taxation reform, investment in human and physical infrastructure, budget and fiscal responsibility, skills development and workplace productivity, sustainable economic, energy and environmental policies and the restoration of the flow of capital following the global financial crisis. ACCI also wants government to facilitate the participation of small business and independent contractors in national economic affairs, Australia having deep engagement in the economic activity of our Asian region as well as in the global economy and a program of national regulatory reform.
ACCI says these are the elements of a forward-looking economic reform agenda and were developed following a survey of Australian business on priorities for the next national government.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) chief executive Robert Wallace said ACCI intended to promote this agenda through discussions with the Government, Opposition and the minor parties and in extensive debate in the media and community in the pre-election period.
“While business confidence has dipped in recent months, the opportunity for economic growth and national prosperity for Australia are great and will be materially supported by a conducive policy framework from the incoming national government,” Mr Wallace said.
“Neither the Labor Government nor Liberal-National Opposition have yet released their policy frameworks for the next term of government and ACCI will be taking the opportunity to provide more broadly based and integrated business input to the views and approaches of each party,” Mr Wallace said.
The ACCI survey identified three clear areas of high concern for Australian business - government spending, the high level of taxation, and high interest rates and the cost of finance.
On workplace issues, the lack of availability of skilled employees, compliance with the fair work laws and workers compensation and superannuation costs ranked as areas of high concern.
Mr Wallace said these national results mirrored the concerns of Tasmanian business.”Business welcomes a strong contest over policy ideas to reach the goal of long-term economic reform, but expects the political parties to address the key issues it has identified.”
AN alliance of four peak Tasmania industry organisations has launched an education and awareness program to promote the business advantages and opportunities of the National Broadband Network now in the early stages of roll-out throughout Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA), Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TCIT) and the Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC) have developed NBN4Business as a joint promotion to their members and stakeholders.
A spokesman for the alliance, TCCI CEO Robert Wallace, said the partnership provided an effective mechanism to inform the wide spectrum of Tasmanian business and industry about the NBN.
“The NBN roll-out probably represents the greatest advantage for Tasmanian business and the State economy since hydro-industrialisation and it is vital we maximise this,” Mr Wallace said.
“We have a relative small window when Tasmania will likely be the most connected community, not only in Australia, but around the world and we must grasp this.
“Most businesses will know about the NBN, but they may not know about the opportunities for education and business, or how they can access these.
“That is where NBN4Business comes in and jointly, we will be informing our stakeholders and advising them of the opportunities.”
Mr Wallace said NBN4Business was developing a series of 16 forums and workshops that would be conducted around the State from next month.
“These will take place in smaller centres such as Smithton, Huonville, St Helens and Strahan, as well as in the cities. We’ll also be conducting them on King and Flinders Island to ensure the message is spread far and wide.
“The forums will deliver comprehensive NBN information and awareness to the Tasmanian business community and outline how the NBN is different from the internet, outline the new trend, tools and technology and importantly, what if can do for business, particularly Tasmanian small business.
“Participants will receive practical information and reference material and will hear case studies from businesses already using the broadband to advantage.”
Mr Wallace said other promotional activities would include the distribution of regular information and updates to stakeholders, a dedicated website and broad media communication.
The activity would build on the foundation established by the community forums conducted by NBN Tasmanian Co.
“The NBN roll-out offers fantastic opportunities for Tasmanian business and through NBN4Business our four organisations will be working strategically to ensure we take the greatest advantage,” Mr Wallace said.
TT-LINE, operators of the Spirit of Tasmania ships, celebrated its 25th anniversary at the East Devonport terminal recently.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Lara Giddings presented a special plaque to commemorate 25 years of TT-Line and Bass Strait shipping operations under Tasmanian Government ownership.
Captain Ralph McDonell from Abel Tasman, TT-Line's first ship in 1985, centre, overlooks the cutting of the cake with, from left, Captain Martin Watts from the present twin ships, Captain Jim Lewis from the original Spirit of Tasmania in 1993 and Captain Kon Eliades.
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TASMANIA’s shortage of skilled labour is still a major constraint on business which is preventing employment growth.
Tasmania’s peak employer body, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), says the latest unemployment figures and the most recent Tasmanian Survey of Business Expectations confirmed that the lack of skilled workers was inhibiting growth.
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A FISH farm net cleaner developed in Tasmania by fish farming company Tassal and its employees has won a prestigious innovation award at an international aquaculture conference in Stavanger in Norway.
The marine inspector and cleaner (MIC) was announced as the winner of the Aquavision 2010 innovation award in front of 500 aquaculture industry delegates from 35 countries. The award includes a prize of €10,000.
Tassal chief executive officer and managing director Mark Ryan and Tassal chairman Allan McCallum receive the Aquavision Innovation award in Norway from Robert Kirschbaum, vice president Open Innovation, DSM, the award’s sponsor.
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By ROBERT WALLACE
TASMANIA’S State Budget for 2010/11 delivered on June 17 by Treasurer Michael Aird, represents the beginning of the quest to bring our public finances back into surplus and to establish a fairer and more effective taxation regime.
Robert Wallace, TCCI chief executive officer
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A NATIONAL building and construction industry summit in Hobart has heard that the Australian economy looks set for several years of solid growth that would ultimately benefit the Tasmanian building and construction sector.
But keynote speaker and master of ceremonies Michael Pascoe, one of Australia’s most respected and experienced finance and economics commentators, also told the summit’s 120 delegates that they had to work smarter and more productively in the future.
TBCITB chairman Bob Panitzki, keynote speakers John Mitchell, Thomas Fussell and Michael Pascoe, and BCIC chairman John Pitt at the summit at Moorilla.
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Statement by Robert Wallace - Chief Executive Officer
The State’s peak employer body, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI),has welcomed the 2010-11 State Budget as a responsible strategy that will work towards restoring business confidence. But the TCCI is disappointed the Budget did not address the demographic challenge confronting Tasmania.
TCCI Chief Executive Officer Robert Wallace said the Budget provided a clear and credible path to return to surplus by 2012-13 and for Tasmania to remain net debt free.
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