australian chamber annual report 2018and …...chamber annual report and business review 2018...

Australian Chamber Annual Report and Business Review

2018

Chamber Annual Report and Business Review 2018

Published by the Australian Commerce of Commerce and Industry Level 2, 24 Brisbane Avenue, BARTON ACT 2600 P: 02 6270 8000 www.australianchamber.com.au ISBN 9780646534091

Editors

Sarah McGregor Senior Manager, Membership and Marketing [email protected]

Emily Kennelly Adviser, Public Affairs and Advocacy [email protected]

Zoe Callaghan Communications and Events Coordinator [email protected]

Design

3 Degrees Marketing 3dm.com.au

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission from the Australian Chamber.

CONTENTS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 1

CEO’S MESSAGE 3

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORK 5

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT 10

GOVERNANCE 11

OUR BOARD 13

STRATEGIC PLAN 14

YEAR IN NUMBERS 15

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY 17

ECONOMICS, INDUSTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY 18

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING 19

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER - TOURISM 20

TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 21

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 23

WORKPLACE RELATIONS 25

SUBMISSIONS 26

BIZ BETTER TOGETHER 27

2017 EXPORT AWARDS 30

2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT 31

2017 BUSINESS LEADERS ANNUAL DINNER 33

BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL EVENTS 35

THE EXTRAORDINARY IS BECOMING COMMONPLACE AND THE NEED FOR COLLECTIVE POLICY AND ADVOCACY BY THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER AND ITS MEMBERS HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

The past year has thrown up as series of extraordinary

national political events with a major impact on the

interests of businesses represented in the Australian

Chamber network.

Government entered the year with the slimmest of

majorities, staggered through a series of by-elections,

elected a new Prime Minister, Treasurer and Cabinet.

Instability dominated the political cycle and 24/7 news

cycle and repeated businesses pleas for increased policy

certainty, sound decision making and bipartisanship

where possible, became increasingly loud.

Internationally, the Trump administration’s aggressive

stance on trade and unilateral tariff increases put

Australian fi rms at risk. Together with uncertainty over

Brexit it fuelled continuing debate over the benefi ts of

free trade and globalisation and the best way forward for

market economies.

This is echoed in the rising debate over population growth

and immigration in Australia. Our population reached

the 25 million mark and congestion in Melbourne

and Sydney led to calls to cut back on immigration,

while regional centres and rural communities remain

desperate to bring in skilled people from overseas to

do the jobs that Australians are unable or unwilling to fi ll.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

1

A U S T R A L I A N C H A M B E R A N N U A L R E P O R T A N D B U S I N E S S R E V I E W 2 0 1 8

The skills shortage in our workforce is widening and

investment in vocational education and training is at

critically low levels. At the same time, job creation is

strong as baby boomers retire and the economy enters

its 27th year of growth.

Despite increasing employment, subdued wages

growth and high costs of living are feeding the unions’

campaign to “change the rules” to give them more

power, force pay rises without regard to affordability,

and take away employers’ management prerogatives.

The ACTU agenda sees little or no role for productivity

improvement or greater flexibility to allow Australian

firms to become more competitive.

Increased energy costs on business are biting hard.

Efforts to bring in a combination of short and long term

solutions to address affordability, reliability and emissions

reductions ended in a stalemate over the long term plan

represented by the National Energy Guarantee. At the

same time the new Prime Minister is pressing on with

some of the Competition and Consumer Commission’s

recommendations for shorter term price relief. We

need to see both the NEG combined with ACCC

recommendations: “NEG plus”.

The Australian Chamber secretariat has strengthened its

policy and advocacy role, with new staff appointments

and growth in industry association membership, which

boosted the very strong contributions from member

chambers and our existing industry association members.

More corporates than ever are now members of our

Business Leaders Council, boosting our network of influence and the value we offer to all of our members.

Membership growth, a better than expected trading result and prudent management reduced the operating deficit and led to the adoption of a balanced budget for 2018-19 – a year ahead of plan.

We set aside plans for national membership and partnerships to focus on policy and advocacy and to increase the Australian Chamber’s influence at the international level through the International Organisation of Employers, the OECD and the International Chamber of Commerce at the UN.

Peter Hood, former President of the Australian Chamber and currently Chair of our Trade & International Affairs Committee, retired from the Board last year and will leave the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, where he served as President, later this year. Peter was instrumental in the organisational restructuring and revenue decisions several years ago which laid the foundation for our increasing profile, influence and financial sustainability.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of the board and the leadership of James Pearson, our CEO, and his team who display a level of commitment and energy on behalf of business, and engagement with our members, that all of us can be proud of.

Jeremy Johnson President

“The Australian Chamber secretariat has strengthened its policy and advocacy role, with new staff appointments and growth in industry association

membership, which boosted the very strong contributions from member chambers and our existing industry association members.”

2


WE GROW STRONGER AS AN ORGANISATION AS WE FACE INCREASING CHALLENGES AS A MOVEMENT.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

membership network has never enjoyed the breadth

and depth that it has today.

Over the past three and a half years, the eight state

and territory chambers of commerce and some two

dozen industry associations, have been joined by over

50 more national and state industry associations. Our

Business Leaders Council has gone from the drawing

board to a membership of around 60 medium and large

corporates. Our ranks swelled by over 20 in the past

year alone.

We ran over 60 networking events this year for our

Australian Chamber and Business Leaders Council

members to bring members and supporters together

with political and business leaders, decision makers and

influencers.

But the cause of business faces a challenge to its

legitimacy and a threat to its viability the like of which we

have not seen for generations in Australia.

In the past year, the unacceptable behaviour of banks

and insurance companies revealed by the Royal

Commission, perceptions of excessive pay for senior

executives, concerns at the impact of market dominance

in key sectors of the economy such as energy, and

CEO’S MESSAGE

3


allegations of tax avoidance by multinationals have

severely damaged the reputation of big business. That

has weakened support for the business policy agenda,

although the public and politicians remain supporters of

small business and their efforts to succeed.

The most radical union agenda in generations looms

like a spectre over the forthcoming federal election.

Businesses are deeply concerned that the ACTU

campaign to “change the rules” will drive ALP workplace

relations policy backwards. A more rigid labour market

is the last thing Australia needs as we work harder than

ever to thrive in fiercely competitive and volatile markets.

Our resilience will be tested, but we can look to

our achievements this year and the increase in our

organisational capability as reasons to be confident.

We continue to build our public profile. With that comes

influence, based on the sound policies we advocate, with

the support of members. We secured an acceleration of

the tax cut for businesses with annual turnovers of up to

$50million, an extension of the instant asset write-off for

small business and saw both the small business ministry

and the workplace relations ministry returned to cabinet.

We were early advocates for a “NEG plus” ACCC

approach to address long and short term energy price

and reliability failings, while meeting emissions reduction

targets. It was adopted by the government but then,

like many other hard-won policies, became collateral

damage in the Coalition leadership spill. We continue

to argue for it, and secure wins such as the accelerated

tax cuts.

The Opposit ion endorsed our cal l to increase

apprenticeships, appointed us to its inquiry into post-

secondary education and adopted key planks of our

trade policy as their own. At our Business Leaders

Summit, Labor acknowledged the increasing quality and

frequency of dialogue between the Australian Chamber

and the Opposition.

We have recruited strong performers in key advocacy

and financial management roles and have again seen

a year of outstanding commitment and achievement by

our team.

For that, I want to thank our secretariat and our

members. The support of our President, Board, and of

our members across the country through subscriptions,

policy committee work and lobbying alongside us,

amplifies our voice. It will be vital in the year ahead.

James Pearson Chief Executive Officer

4


“The most radical union agenda in generations looms like a spectre over the forthcoming federal election”

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORK

THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST AND MOST REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, COMPRISING STATE AND TERRITORY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND NATIONAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS. WE SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Our Business Leaders Council provides a platform for

individual businesses to get involved in our activities.

Australian Chamber Member Boards, CEOs and staff use

their organisations’ memberships to better inform themselves

on policy matters and shape economic and social policy.

Our policies encourage productivity, employment

and growth to benefi t businesses, employees and

communities. We work with communities to improve

understanding of, and support for business; with legislators to

develop and enact policy; and with government to deliver it.

Business SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland

Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Canberra BusinessChamber

Chamber of Commece and Industry of Western Australia

NSW Business Chamber

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY MEMBERS

5


Accord

Australia Arab Chamber of

Commerce & Industry

Australian Federation of

Employers & Industries

Australian Hotels

Association

Australian Retailers

Association

Australian

Beverages Council

Air Conditioning & Mechanical

Contractors’ Association

Association of Financial

Advisers

Australian Dental

Association

Association of Independent

Schools of NSW

Australian Dental Industry

Association

Australian Gift & Homewares

Association

Australian Made Campaign

Limited

Australian Self

Medication Industry

Australian Mines & Metals

Association

Australian Steel

Institute

Australian Tourism

Export Council

Australian Paint Manufacturers’

Federation

Australian Recording Industry

Association

Australian Regional

Tourism

Animal MedicinesAustralia

Australian Automotive

Dealer Association

Australian Institute of Credit

Management

Australian Meat Processor

Corporation

Australian Mobile

Telecommunications Association

Australian Restructuring

Insolvency & Turnaround

Association

Australian Tourism Industry

Council

Australian Trucking

Association

Australian Chiropractors

Association

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORKINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

Australian Roofi ng Tile

Association

6


Australian Veterinary

Association

Bus Industry

Confederation

Business Council of

Co-operatives & Mutuals

Caravan Industry

Association

Cement Concrete &

Aggregates Australia

Chemistry Australia Concrete Masonry

Association of Australia

Consult Australia Council of Private Higher

Education

Cruise Lines International

Association

CPA Australia

Customer Owned Banking

Association

Direct Selling Australia Exhibition & Event

Association of Australasia

Housing Industry

Association

Franchisee Federation

Australia

Large Format Retail

Association

Live Performance Australia

Master Builders Australia Master Plumbers &

Mechanical Services


Medical Technology


Medicines Australia National Automotive

Leasing & Salary Packaging

Association

National Disability Services National Electrical

& Communications

Association

National Employment

Service Association

Fitness Australia

International Society of

Primerus Law Firms

National Retail AssociationNational Fire Industry

Association

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (CONT.)

Pharmacy Guild

of Australia

Outdoor Media AssociationNational Roads & Motorists

Association

NSW Hire Car Association NSW Taxi

Council

7


Phonographic Performance

Company of Australia

Printing Industries


Recruitment, Consulting &

Staffi ng Association

Restaurant & Catering

Australia

Screen Producers

Australia

The Tax Institute Think Brick Australia Victorian Automobile

Chamber of Commerce

AirbnbAcademies

Australasia

Allied Express

Angus Knight

American Express

Archerfi eld Capital

PartnersArgus TrueID

Australian Hearing

Cabcharge

Australian EggsArthur J. Gallagher

BRI FerrierBank of China Bendigo Bank Brown & Chase

Campbell Page CerticaCapital Hill

Advisory

Citrus Group

City Tattersalls Club

BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL MEMBERS (AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

Acumen Health

Commonwealth Bank Corrs Chambers

Westgarth Lawyers

Crown Resorts DXC Technology

8

A U S T R A L I A N C H A M B E R A N N U A L R E P O R T A N D B U S I N E S S R E V I E W 2 0 1 8 A U S T R A L I A N C H A M B E R A N N U A L R E P O R T A N D B U S I N E S S R E V I E W 2 0 1 8

Sanofi

Sensis Southern Cross

Group

Sydney Airport

Telstra Thales Australia The Geo Group

SPAR Australia Star Entertainment

Group

Thorn Group

Employers MutualEftpos Australia Energy Industries

Superannuation Scheme

Google

Heart Foundation Investec The IQ Group Global

Isentia

Intelledox Intralot Australia

IVE Group Australia Laureate International

Universities

Kingsway Australia

MasterCard

NetLinkz Pfi zer PremierState Primary Communication

Procurement

AustraliaRed Energy ResMed Samsung

JLL

Uber

Universal Business

School Sydney

Visa Vodafone

Dymocks

9


NATIONAL SECRETARIAT(AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

The Australian Chamber’s national secretariat delivers the Chamber’s day-to-day activities on behalf of Members.

Team members are based in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Sarah McGregorSenior Manager, Membership and Marketing

Zoe CallaghanCommunications and Events Coordinator

Membership, Marketing and Events

Employment Education and Training; Tourism

Paul NicolaouDirector, Business Leaders Council, Membership and Events

Nerida PearsonExecutive Support Offi cer

Jenny LambertDirector, EmploymentEducation and Training Director, Tourism

Krithika GururajPolicy Adviser, Employment Education and TrainingPolicy Advisor, Tourism

Michelle StraightExecutive Support Offi cer

Steve HatzisAdministration Support

Stephen SchmidtCompany Secretary, Director of Corporate Services

Kathryn LeeFinancial Controller

Kaisi ChenFinance Offi cer

Corporate AffairsCEO Offi ce

James PearsonChief Execuitve Offi cer

Lee-Anne DeanExecutive Assistant to the CEO and Offi ce Manager

Jennifer Low Associate Director, Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety

Public Affairs and Advocacy

Duncan BremnerDirector, Public Affairs and Advocacy

Emily KennellyAdviser, Public Affairsand Advocacy

Bryan ClarkDirector, Trade and International Affairs

Tom StoboInternational Business Support Offi cer

Trade and International AffairsEconomics and Industry; Sustainability

Adam CarrDirector, Economics and Industry Policy

Magdelena KaczmarskaSenior Policy Adviser, Economic and Industry Policy

Alana MathesonDeputy Director, Workplace Relations

Dick GrozierAssociate Director, Workplace Relations

Workplace Relations

Scott BarklambDirector, Workplace Relations

Keith Black National Policy Adviser

10


THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER) IS A MEMBER BASED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMPANY, WHICH IS LIMITED BY GUARANTEE WITH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOVERNED BY THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 (CTH) AND MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. MEMBERSHIP COMPRISES STATE AND TERRITORY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL AND STATE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS.

General Council

General Council is a council of members that oversights

governance and determines policy on current issues, which

provides a mandate for advocacy on matters of importance

to the business community. It is advised by the Board, policy

committees and working parties that meet between council

meetings. Senior office-bearers and executives from the

Australian Chamber’s member organisations, the Australian

Chamber Board and senior members of staff attend General

Council. General Council usually meets three times each year,

on a national rotating basis. During the past year, General

Council met in Canberra in November 2017, Adelaide in

March 2018 and Sydney in July 2018. Australian Chamber

President, Jeremy Johnson is Chair of General Council.

Board

The Board of Directors is responsible for corporate governance,

performance monitoring and the strategic direction of the

company. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that

appropriate management structures are in place and such

structures operate efficiently and transparently. Members at

the Annual General Meeting elect Office Bearers. At the 2017

Annual General Meeting, Jeremy Johnson from the Victorian

Chamber of Commerce and Industry was elected President

and Dr Agu Kantsler, from the Chamber of Commerce and

Industry of Western Australia was elected Deputy President.

In December 2017 Dr Agu Kantsler resigned from the

Deputy President position, which was subsequently filled by

Ray Sputore from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

of Western Australia in July 2018.The Board is supported

by a number of Committees including a Board Executive

Committee, an Executive Management Group, an Audit

and Risk Committee, a Remuneration Committee and a

Service Awards Committee. These Committees operate under

Charters approved by the Board.

Board Executive Committee

The Board Executive Committee has been established

to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities by

dealing with matters of importance to the Board, which arise

between Board meetings. The Committee also monitors the

management of operational and business risks, advises the

Board on corporate governance, oversights financial activity,

and reviews the effectiveness of the external audit and internal

controls. Jeremy Johnson is Chair.

Executive Management Group

The Executive Management Group (EMG) provides support

to the Board in achieving objectives identified in the Strategic

Plan and developing a strong National Chamber movement.

The EMG consists of the CEOs of State and Territory Chambers

of Commerce and Industry. James Pearson is Chair.

Audit and Risk Committee

GOVERNANCE

11


Audit and Risk Committee

The Committee ceased operating March 2018. The Board,

Board Executive Committee and Secretariat management

have subsumed its responsibilities.

Business Leaders Council

The Business Leaders Council offers a platform for individual

businesses to participate in Australian Chamber activities.

It offers a forum to network, share ideas and engage with

political and business decision makers, influencers and

regulators.

Governance Activities

Key governance documents include the Strategic Plan,

Risk Management Register, and sound Board agendas and

support materials. These documents are used by the Board

to assist decision making in regards to the oversight of

the administration and transparent financial accountability.

Underpinning systems allow the Board to play an appropriate

and central role for ethical and responsible decision-making,

and building capacity within the Australian Chamber. The

Strategic Plan was updated in February 2018 to cover the

2018-2021 period. The Risk Management Register was

restructured and now focuses on strategic issues, which are

reviewed regularly. Board meeting processes have also been

restructured to better address strategic issues, governance,

and performance management.

KPMG provides independent audit services and has verified

that the annual accounts provide a true and fair picture of our

finances and operations for the last financial year. The external

auditor makes an annual declaration of independence.

A policy of rotation of audit partners is in place. KPMG

attends the Annual General Meeting to address any member

questions.

12


OUR BOARD

Jeremy Johnson

President

Terry WetherallImmediate Past President

Ray Sputore

Deputy President; President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia

James Pearson

Chief Executive Offi cer

Nola Watson

President, NSW Business Chamber

Don Rankin

President, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Stephen Cartwright

CEO, NSW Business Chamber

Mark Stone AM

CEO, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Steve Knott AM

CEO, Australian Mines and Metals Association

Chris Rodwell

CEO, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia

Nicolle Jenkins

Vice President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia

13


STRATEGIC PLAN 2018 - 2021

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES THAT UNDERPIN THEM:

MOBILISING THE POWER OF MEMBERS:

• Building connections across the network

• Leveraging our collective knowledge and influence

• Designing & delivering advocacy campaigns with members

DEVELOPING EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES:

• Defining core national issues affecting business

• Prioritising and researching in consultation with members

• Leveraging the political cycle

ADVOCATING PERSUASIVELY TO GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT AND THE PUBLIC:

• Speaking for all businesses but focusing on SMEs

• Arming members and allies with messages and evidence

• Leveraging the news cycle

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL:

• Prioritising policy and advocacy

• Providing a compelling value proposition for members

• Engaging with members to resolve the financial sustainability challenge

ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY:

• Empowered people working well together

• Fit for purpose tools and processes

• Effective governance

• Measuring what matters

OUR VISION

To make Australia the best place in the world to do business - so that Australians have the jobs, living standards and opportunities to which they aspire.

OUR MISSION

To be Australia’s most influential and respected business leadership organisation.

OUR VALUES

Unity of purpose, commitment

to excellence, independence

in advocacy, respect for our

stakeholders and integrity in all

that we do for our members.

14


YEAR IN NUMBERS

145Media Releases

934Print and Online Articles

2,134LinkedIn Followers

608Radio & Television Broadcasts

$22.8m Media Spend Equivalent

51Policy Submissions

5,474Twitter Followers

936,808Twitter Impressions

5,696Event Attendees

26,095Facebook Followers

60Networking Events

143Chamber, Industry and Business

Leaders Council Members

15


MEDIA HITS

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Sky New

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Nation

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m.au

The A

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ABC Online

2CC ACT

ABC Radio

Melbou

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4BC QLD

Herald

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5AA SA

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ABC Radio

Perth

0

50

100

16


The Australian Chamber has maintained a strong media

profile and prominent position in national conversations on

issues relating to energy, tax reform, workplace relations,

vocational education and training and skilled migration.

To advance the Chamber’s public advocacy efforts the

Australian Chamber employed Duncan Bremner as Director of

Public Affairs and Advocacy and Emily Kennelly as Adviser for

Public Affairs and Advocacy in March. Since then, Australian

Chamber CEO, James Pearson has undertaken over 30

television and broadcast interviews and held six media

conferences.

Across print, broadcast, social media and other channels,

the Australian Chamber provided high profile responses

to the National Energy Guarantee, Company Tax Cuts, the

Federal Budget and the Fair Work Commission’s decision

to lift minimum wages, which all attained extensive media

attention nationally worth more than $22 million in equivalent

advertising spend.

James Pearson’s opinion pieces covered the National Energy

Guarantee, Industrial Relations, small business issues and tax

policy. Most pieces ran in Fairfax and national print and digital

publications.

Over the course of 12 months, the Australian Chamber issued

145 media releases and was mentioned in 934 print and

digital articles and over 600 radio and television broadcasts.

The Australian Chamber’s presence across social media

continues to grow. This was reflected in the increase in

engagement and new followers achieved across social media

platforms. On Twitter the Chamber has attained over 5400

followers and achieved a record number of tweet impressions

this year (936,000). The Chamber has also attained over

2,000 followers on LinkedIn, and over 26,000 on Facebook.

We continue to assertively challenge false and misleading

information that comes from adversaries - such as union

campaigns - emphasising the negative impact proposed

policies would have across business. This has included

addressing many of the “selective truths” in debates on issues

such as casual employment, penalty rates and ‘insecure

work’.

This year we also launched the Campaigns Committee

chaired by Terry Wetherall and began a column residency with

Fairfax’s regional network, which has allowed us to directly

communicate our policy agenda with regional Australia.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY

Director: Duncan Bremner Campaigns Committee Chair: Terry Wetherall, Immediate Past President, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

James Pearson addressing the press at Parliament House during the leadership

spill in August

17


Summary sent to members on Budget night, and despite a

number of policy wins, we continued to express our concern

that not enough had been done to address structural budget

repair.

We will continue to call on Government to ensure government

spending is on a much more sustainable path in our Pre-

Budget 2019-20 Submission, and to reprioritise spending so

that a greater proportion of it goes towards well-considered

investment in physical and human capital.

Throughout the year we collaborated with our members in

shaping our advocacy efforts and policy messaging. Our

collaborative efforts resulted in the following submissions

made to Government, to name a few: Modernising Business

Registers; Designing a modern Australian Business Number

system; Inquiry into Impediments to Business Investment;

Research and Development Tax Incentive Amendments; and,

Draft detailed design of the NEG.

With members, we appeared before the House of

Representatives Standing Committee on Economics as part of

their inquiry on Impediments to Business Investments. We will

continue to build on our collaborative efforts next year and thank

our members for their willingness to work with us.

It has been quite an eventful year for the policy areas covered

by the Economics, Industry and Sustainability policy team.

We advocated for the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) to

encompass the recommendations made by the Australian

Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in their

Electricity supply & prices inquiry fi nal report.

The newly dubbed “NEG-plus” refl ected our policy stance on

energy and looked to be a signifi cant policy win for Australian

businesses and households. We look forward to working with

the new Energy Minister Angus Taylor and Shadow Energy

Minister Mark Butler, to ensure Australia’s energy policy does

not now stagnate.

We continued our advocacy efforts to ensure Australia has

a more competitive tax system. Key advocacy efforts were

aimed at bringing forward the legislated company tax rate

cuts for businesses with a turnover up to $50million, lifting the

threshold on the instant asset write-down, making it permanent

and indexing the allowance. We also advocated to ensure the

government’s recent changes to Capital Gains Tax provisions for

small business were not retrospective or unfair and opposing

the government’s plan to restrict R&D tax incentives. This

included meeting with the Prime Minister’s and Treasurer’s

offi ce and Senate crossbenchers.

We made clear our members’ concerns about a reversal to

already legislated tax cuts for businesses with a turnover up to

$50million, and applauded the Opposition’s willingness to listen

to and respond to our concerns.

More broadly, we also called for a wholesale review of Australia’s

tax and transfer system in the Australian Chamber’s Pre-Budget

2018-19 Submission and modest spending cuts across

all government portfolios. In our Federal Budget 2018-19

ECONOMICS, INDUSTRYAND SUSTAINABILITY

Director: Adam Carr (outgoing)Economics and Industry Committee Chair: Don Rankin, President, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and IndustrySustainability Committee Chair: Mark Stone AM, Chief Executive, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

James Pearson, Maggie Kaczmarska, Adam Carr and Duncan Bremner at Budget Night Lock-Up, May 2018

18


Two areas connected by poor public policy decision making

have occupied much attention this year - stalled progress with

the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) to boost apprenticeships,

and the training levy on employers who access the migration

program, to fund the SAF.

Throughout the year we have argued against changes to

employer nominated skilled migration streams, including the

quantum of the Skilling Australians Fund Migration Training

Levy. Although unsuccessful in reversing the main thrust of

the changes, our persistent advocacy resulted in levy refund

provisions being included in the 2018-19 Federal Budget.

The Australian Chamber frequently engaged with the Minister

for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and the

Department of Jobs and Small Business, on the regional

sponsored migration scheme visa review and advocated for

the visa stream to retain all occupations, allowing for regional

employers to continue to access the skills they need. The

Australian Chamber also sits on the Global Talent Scheme Visa

Advisory Group and on the Ministerial Advisory Council on

Skilled Migration, and made submissions to the Department

of Home Affairs on visa simplification, Australia’s permanent

migrant intake numbers and the temporary skills shortage

visa settings.

The Australian Chamber continued to advocate with the

former Assistant Treasurer and the Australian and New

Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)

list which is long overdue. This however did not bear fruit

with the ABS postponing a decision on the review until 2021

due to labour and resource constraints. With the ANZSCO

underpinning a wide range of labour market data, this poor

decision leaves our analysis and migration programs unable

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Director: Jenny Lambert Committee Chair: Denita Wawn, CEO, Master Builders Australia

Jenny Lambert on ABC Weekend Breakfast

to adequately reflect the major changes in the nature of jobs

and the boarder economy. We will continue our advocacy with

the new Assistant Treasurer to bring forward the timeline for

the review.

The General Council demonstrated its foresight in July 2018

when it established a population and migration working group

to develop a strong policy position, just as media and public

attention started to focus on this key area of policy.

The ailing Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector

was not a major winner in the 2018-19 Federal Budget with

the Skilling Australians Fund receiving only partial funding

certainty, and even that was only achieved through substantial

advocacy by the Australian Chamber. Although most states

and territories have signed on to the Skilling Australians Fund

National Partnership Agreement, there is a long way to go

to get projects up and running. The Australian Chamber’s

ongoing advocacy with former Assistant Minister for Skills

and Vocational Education, the Hon Karen Andrews MP and

the Department of Education and Training, reinforced the

importance of industry engagement, backed up by written

representations made to the COAG Skills Senior Officials

Network. The Australian Chamber’s voice has been heard

through media releases, a SWOT analysis, opinion pieces

and other commentary on the need to finalise the Skilling

Australian Fund projects and to invest in VET. There is still

a long way to go but the combined voices of business are

getting louder.

19


The centre-piece of the Australian Chamber – Tourism’s work

for the year has been its contribution to the development

of the next long-term tourism strategy. At the instigation of

the then Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, the

Hon. Steven Ciobo, key industry representatives, including

Australian Chamber - Tourism Chair, John Hart, set about

developing a strategy for tourism post 2020. We gathered

the views of the membership, framed a submission and

advocated member views through the Committee process.

The draft report was submitted to the Minister in June 2018.

This strategic process, through a secretariat at Austrade has

galvanised the industry behind longer term plans for tourism.

These plans have been supported by the implementation of

an advocacy plan, Tourism Works for Australia, launched in

late 2017. The launch was at a Coalition Friends of Tourism

event, hosted by the Minister, in Parliament House, Canberra.

The Tourism Works for Australia message is focussed on the

number of people employed in tourism and hospitality. The

collateral includes video and social media material highlighting

the number of people employed in tourism and hospitality by

electorate. In early 2018, the data was used for a mail out to

all Members of Parliament reminding them of their electorate’s

employment and key Australian Chamber - Tourism policy

priorities.

In the first Parliamentary sitting weeks of the new year, we

hosted a Labor Friends of Tourism Reception featuring a

panel on the Future of Vocational Education and Training in

Tourism. A lively panel discussion, leveraging the Tourism

Works message was chaired by Terri Butler MP and featured

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations,

the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Chief Human Resources

Officer of STAR Entertainment Kim Lee and the CEO of TAFE

Directors, Craig Robertson.

Among other priorities, skills and labour issues facing tourism,

capacity constraints at Sydney Airport and the necessity to

support business events bids are significant and strategic

priorities for Tourism. These were discussed at the first

Australian Chamber - Tourism Networking Luncheon for

2018, which included a panel with Sydney Airport CEO Geoff

Culbert, Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan

and Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith, who

addressed these issues prior to a Australian Chamber -

Tourism Committee Meeting.

The year rounded out with a strengthened membership

of Australian Chamber – Tourism, the finalisation of the

Beyond 2020 strategy, the realisation of the Tourism Works

for Australia campaign and the development of a policy

framework by members, that positions tourism to reach its

future potential.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER - TOURISM

Director: Jenny LambertExecutive Chair: John Hart

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, TAFE Directors CEO Craig Robertson, STAR Entertainment Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Lee and Labor Friends of Tourism Convenor Terri Butler MP

20


TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Director: Bryan ClarkICC Australia National Committee Chair: Peter Hood

A highlight of 2018 was the ALP accepting many components

of our trade advocacy at the launch of their trade policy at an

Australian Chamber event in Sydney.

The uptake of our policies by major policical parties is a clear

sign of our influence. Following the oppositions’s trade policy

launch, we assisted Shadow Trade and Investment Minister

Jason Clare with a series of business roundtable events in

Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Each event hosted by the

State Chamber facilitated local companies to talk with the

Shadow Minister about the ALP’s plan to help them succeed

in international markets if they win government.

We welcomed announcements from the government in the

Federal Budget including support for addressing non-tariff

trade barriers, replacing tariffs in many countries as a means

to protect local industries against international competition,

and the announcement of $50 million in support of the

development of agricultural exports along with measures to

support tourism and trade-related infrastructure.

Throughout the year, we continued to support negotiations for

free trade agreements and in particular the Business Partnership

Group for the Indonesian–Australia Comprehensive Economic

Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) where we initiated an idea

for a “digital Special Economic Zone” in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Our work championing trade facilitation improvements was

recognised by our invitation to present to the Australia-Pacfic

Economic Cooperation (APEC) Rules of Origin Workshop in

Vietnam and efforts in our participation in the National Committee

for Trade Facilitation and the Anti-Dumping Commissions’ Trade

Remedies Advisory Group.

The Australian Chamber, PwC Australia and the Port of Brisbane

collaborated to develop a new system to link supply chain

information through block chain technology dubbed the

‘Trade Community System’ (TCS). The Australian Chamber

and its partners hosted an industry showcases for the TCS

proof of concept in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The

project attracted significant media attention, nationally and

internationally.

21


We maintained our engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim,

attending the first meeting of the South African leadership

in Durban where our efforts on Women’s Economic

Empowerment were recognised.

In September, the NSW Business Chamber hosted the 2017

World Chambers Congress, bringing the world’s chamber

network together. Chairman Peter Hood participated in

the Tokyo meeting of Regional National Committees and

CEO Forum. Member nominations to the to the ICC Court,

Nominations Panel and ICC Commission on Arbitration

(including the task force on Climate Change dispute

resolution) were renewed. After six years Bruce Collins QC

and Simon Greenburg were replaced by Peter McQueen QC

and Jo Delaney (Partner at Baker and McKenzie) to represent

our interest on the ICC Court of Arbitration. The second

Annual ICC Asia-Pacific Mediation Competition took place

in July 2018, and we begun plans for the third to be held in

Melbourne in July 2019.

Bryan Clark participated in meetings with our international

partners including the International Chamber of Commerce

(ICC) World Council meeting and went to China for the

International Certificate of Origin Council meeting. Bryan also

participated in the ICC Commission on Competition and held

meetings with business representatives at the Organisation for

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UK

Brexit negotiating team.

In Sydney in March, President Jeremy Johnson led our

participation in the Prime Minister’s Association of South East

Asian Nations (ASEAN) Special Summit SME Conference and

CEO Forum, with side events hosted by the Australia – ASEAN

Business Council. In the margins of these meetings Jeremy

joined Chamber of Commerce and Industry Northern Territory

CEO, Greg Bicknell and Bryan Clark to meet the Prime

Minister of Cambodia and signed an MoU with the Vietnamese

Chamber of Commerce to enhance trade between our two

countries.

Participants from the second Annual ICC Australia Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition in July 2018

22


Increased public attention and State funding for mental health

‘strategies’ drove a push for employers to take on additional

responsibilities in this area. The Dreamworld incident renewed

union demands for industrial manslaughter provisions under

the model WHS Act, which saw Queensland respond in

late 2017 and the announcement of a Senate inquiry into

industrial deaths.

For National Safe Work Month the Australian Chamber

coordinated a campaign for members based on the theme

“Sharing safety knowledge and experience benefits everyone”

and produced a webinar through our Biz Better Together

initiative that explored issues SMEs face when dealing with

workers’ compensation schemes.

We started the new year helping to set the direction of work

health and safety and workers’ compensation (WHS&WC)

laws for business for the next five years, through reviews of

Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) corporate work plans and the

mid-term review of the Australian WHS Strategy 2012 -

2022. In a win for the SWA social partners - employers and

employees - we achieved long sought after changes to voting

rights. We participated in the review of all the model Codes of

Practice and four national guides and helped develop the first

National Return to Work Strategy.

In preparing for and responding to the 2018 WHS Legislation

Review, we coordinated a number of employer consultation

forums with the Independent Reviewer. Our state and territory

members held WHS&WC workshops and we hosted the

Reviewer at our March WHS&WC Committee meeting

allowing direct input into the review. From this process, we

provided 29 recommendations in our submission to the

Legislation Review.

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Associate Director: Jennifer LowCommittee Chair: Nola Watson, President, NSW Business Chamber

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We lodged a submission to the Department of Jobs and Small

Business on the “Review of WHS Regulatory Framework in

the Building and Construction Industry” and to the Senate

Education and Employment References Committee in

response to their inquiry into industrial deaths in Australia.

In late August, the Australian Chamber appeared before the

Senate Committee in Fremantle, WA where we challenged

perceptions of business accountability in relation to workplace

incidents and fatalities, and put to the committee a number

of recommendations to improve safety outcomes nationally.

We actively participated on Standards Australia committee

SF-001 overseeing the proposed adoption of international

safety standard ISO 45001. Throughout the process the

Chamber released media statements urging businesses

not to pre-emptively adopt the standard until a Australian

determination on adoption could be made. The article was

picked up by many media outlets with significant follow-up.

We were ultimately successful in securing agreement for

Standards to develop additional guidance to support SME’s

utilising the standard.

After a long 12 months, we completed the review and

overhaul of the WHS VET qualifications and relevancy of

units of competency being managed by PwC.

In late June, we launched our new small business WHS

campaign: ‘#PartandParcel’. Working with small biz; it’s in the

delivery’ at Parliament House. The campaign is backed by an

independent report “Enabling Safe and Healthy Workplaces

for Small Business” commissioned by the Australian

Chamber. This campaign has allowed us to engage with

members, SWA, federal MPs and Senators, federal,

state and territory regulators, unions and small business

commissioners. We have also had high engagement from

small business owners through social media.

Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand researcher Sujana Adapa, James Pearson, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell AO and Jennifer Low at the launch of Enabling Safe and Healthy Workplaces for Small Business report and Part and Parcel campaign

24

WORKPLACE RELATIONS

Industrial relations debate remains highly divisive and a barrier

to meaningful reform that would better support doing business

and creating jobs in Australia. Three different ministers held

the industrial relations portfolio during 2017-2018. The ACTU

continues its agressive and misleading campaign to ‘change

the rules’ in the Fair Work Act, to further favour unions and

skew the system against employers.

The Australian Chamber has actively fought to air the problems

employers experience under the Fair Work Act and to dispel

myths and misinformation designed to spread perceptions of

inequality and insecurity and assign blame to big business,

flexible work options, migrant visa workers and sensible

restrictions on industrial action.

In the Federal Parliament, the Australian Chamber and

members successfully opposed attempts to reverse penalty

rate reform in retail and hospitality Industry awards. We

represented business in number of parliamentary inquiries

including a significant inquiry into the future of work, to which

we argued strongly for policy settings that will help Australia

compete in a global marketplace and equip Australians to

remain in work in a changing world. We also continue to

influence the implementation of modern slavery reporting,

and supported measures designed to improve the efficiency

and transparency of the superannuation system and its

compliance structure.

In the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Chamber

successfully opposed the ACTU’s ‘family friendly’ working

hours claim that would have given employees a right to

unilaterally reduce their working hours. We finalised an unpaid

domestic violence leave award clause, having successfully

opposed the unions claim for 10 days paid leave in favour of

a more realistic entitlement of 5 days unpaid leave. The Fair

Director: Scott BarklambCommittee Chair: Theresa Moltoni OAM

Work Commission’s Expert Panel increased minimum award

wages by 3.5%, from 1 July 2018, following the Australian

Chamber arguging for a more measured 1.9% increase and

the ACTU seeking a 7.2% rise.

We intervened in various ‘test cases’ addressing: the

operation of the ‘better off overall test’ for approving enterprise

agreements including ‘loaded rates’ of pay, access of fixed

term employees to unfair dismissal and when car allowances

should take employees above the high income threshold for

making unfair dismissal claims.

The Chamber also participated in reviews of key parts of the

regulatory framework including greenfields agreements and

the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The Australian Chamber continues to represent Australian

employers internationally, taking the leading role representing

employers from more than 180 countries on a proposed

International Labour Organisation (ILO) treaty on “violence

and harassment in the world at work”. The Chamber also

maintained its leading role in shaping the direction and

work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in

the International Conference of Labour Statisticians, and

facilitated member input on important questions for safety in

the minining industry, the future of work in the health sector,

and recruitment fees in the labour hire industry.

The Chamber’s Workplace Policy Committee met four times

directly and undertook additional teleconferences. Committee

meeting guest speakers included: the Hon Craig Laundy, then

Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and

Deregulation, the Hon Brendan O’Connor, Shadow Minister

for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Furlong,

Executive Director, Tribunal Services Branch with the Fair Work

Commission and the Hon Bruce Billson.

James Pearson with Workplace Relations Director Scott Barklamb, Workplace Relations. Deputy Director Alana Matheson and CCIQ President Theresa Moltoni OAM, promoting. Australian business Interests at the global general council of employers in Geneva

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SUBMISSIONS1. Submission to the Independent

Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education (Sept 2017)

2. Visa Simplification – Transforming Australia’s Visa System (Sept 2017)

3. Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation (Sept 2017)

4. Fair Work Commission - Navitas English Pty Ltd v Khayam (Sept 2017)

5. Modern Slavery in Supply Chains Reporting Requirement (Oct 2017)

6. Superannuation - Trustee Arrangements (Oct 2017)

7. Greenfields Agreement Review (Oct 2017)

8. Fair Work Commission - Loaded Rates in Enterprise Agreements (Oct 2017)

9. The Digital Economy: Opening up the Conversation (Nov 2017)

10. Review of Regional Occupations List/Traffic Light Bulletin (Nov 2017)

11. Tourism Pre-budget Submission (Nov 2017)

12. Fair Work Commission - Sam Technology Engineers v Bernadou (Nov 2017)

13. The Greater Sydney Region Plan (Dec 2017)

14. Pre-Budget Submission (Dec 2017)

15. The Definition of Bulky Goods Premises (Dec 2017)

16. In-home Care National Guidelines - Child-Care (Jan 2018)

17. Transforming Cities (with EIP unit) (Jan 2018)

18. Senate Inquiry Into the Future of Work (Jan 2018)

19. Inquiry into the Trade System and the Digital Economy (Feb 2018)

20. The Australian Government’s Role in the Development of Cities (Feb 2018)

21. Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake – Permanent Migration Settings (Feb 2018)

22. Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Settings (Feb 2018)

23. STEM Industry School Partnership (Feb 2018)

24. Training Product Reform and Unduly Short Courses (Mar 2018)

25. Annual Wage Review 2017-2018 (Mar 2018)

26. Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (Mar 2018)

27. Clarification, simplification and modernisation of the consumer guarantee framework (Apr 2018)

28. JSCOT inquiry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (Apr 2018)

29. Inquiry into impediments to business investment (May 2018)

30. Proposed amendments to the Standard Instrument LEP (May 2018)

31. Regional inequality in Australia (May 2018)

32. Effect of Red Tape on Occupational Licensing (May 2018)

33. Increasing the integrity of the Commonwealth procurement process (Jun 2018)

34. Introducing an economy wide cash payment limit (Jun 2018)

35. Planning for the Future of Retail (Jun 2018)

36. JSCFADT Inquiry into access to free trade agreements by small and medium sized enterprises (Jun 2018)

37. Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee TPP Inquiry (Jun 2018)

38. Review of Regional Occupations List/Traffic Light Bulletin (Jun 2018)

39. Research & Development Tax Incentive Amendments (July 2018)

40. Draft Detailed Design of the National Energy Guarantee

(July 2018)

41. Women in STEM Strategy (July 2018)

42. Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Discussion Paper Response (July 2018)

43. Modern Slavery Bill (July 2018)

44. Australian Government Data Sharing and Release Legislation

(Aug 2018)

45. Designing a modern Australian Business Number system (Aug 2018)

46. Modernising Business Registers (Aug 2018)

47. Designing a modern Australian Business Number system

(Sept 2018)

48. Reforms to combat illegal phoenix activity – Draft Legislation

(Sept 2018)

49. Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2018 (Sept 2018)

50. Fair Work Commission - Family and Domestic Clause (Various)

51. Fair Work Commission - Family Friendly Working Arrangements

(Various)

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BIZ BETTER TOGETHER

Over the past twelve months the Australian Chamber’s Biz

Better Together Initiative, funded by the Department of Jobs

and Small Business through the Productivity Education

Training fund, engaged over 1760 people across 18 events,

including the successful NextGen in Business Event series.

Building on the success of the Mobile-ising Women in

Business event series, Biz Better Together developed the new

series NextGen in Business to improve workplace productivity

by looking at the impact of the growing multi-generational

workforce.

The event series attracted 730 event attendees across three

consecutive events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Attendees left armed with knowledge on how to establish a

cohesive and effective workplace, with guidance on managing

the multigenerational workplace, to lead through uncertainty,

to meet growing employee expectations and to manage

diversity and inclusions as drivers of innovation, creativity and

productivity.

Speakers at the three events included Netflix’s former chief

talent officer Patty McCord (US), Zenith USA innovation

and transformation expert Tom Goodwin, Atlassian’s Work

Futurist Dominic Price, HubSpot Australia’s culture and

engagement manager Claudia Shepherd, social researcher

and demographer Claire Madden, Ben Gould from Workplace

by Facebook and HR experts from Envato, Canva, Australia

Post and ANZ.

The NextGen in Business events were underpinned by a

strong content series. Over 40 pieces of video and written

content were produced and consumed by 417,000 people

across a range of media platforms, including the Australian

Financial Review, Business Insider Australia, Smart Company,

and amplified on social media.

Biz Better Together continued the successful partnership with

digital business news publisher SmartCompany by producing

a series of events and webinars covering Work Health and

Safety, workers compensation, workplace diversity and

management and leadership.

The Productivity Education Training Fund also assisted 36

Australian Chamber staff and members to access professional

development opportunities such as attending the 2017

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers

congress and the Centre for Workplace Leaderships’ Future

of Work Conference.

June 2018 saw the conclusion of the funding arrangement

with the Department of Jobs and Small Business. Across

the six-year funding period the Australian Chamber provided

110,000 people with 80 pieces of produced content in

media outlets and blogs promoted on social media, and

delivered 345 events with members and partners throughout

Australia, attracting 15,069 attendees.

Senior Manager: Sarah McGregor

Atlassian Work Futurist Dom Price in Q&A with demographer and Gen Z expert Claire Madden

27


‘Hello Gen Z’ author Claire Madden chatting with NextGen in Business delegates

Former Netflix Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord (US) delivering her keynote address

NextGen in Business Sydney delegates interacting

Dom Price, Atlassian Work Futurist delivering his keynote address

Zenith Media USA’s transformation guru Tom Goodwin in conversation with Claire Madden

Workforce ReThinkers Panel: Atlassian Work Futurist Dom Price, Envato HR Manager Amber Johnson, Ben Gould from Workplace by Facebook, Canva’s Head of People Zach Kitschke and Australia Post’s Head of HR Lauren Trethowan

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2929


2017 NATIONAL EXPORT AWARDS

The Australian Chamber celebrated export success at the

54th Australian Export Awards in Canberra in December

2017.

Co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber, the

program recognises and honours Australian companies

engaged in international business, that have achieved

sustainable growth through innovation and commitment.

The Awards measure businesses against their peers based

on the strength of their international growth, marketing and

financial strategies.

Hosted by the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, the then Minister for

Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Awards covered 12

industry categories recognising excellence in fields including

agribusiness, education, health, environmental and creative

industries and included special categories for small and

regional business.

Technology company NEC Australia, was named ‘Exporter

of the Year’. Operating in Australia for over 50 years, NEC

Australia has invested more than $200 million in research and

development in recent years, providing 1,800 Australian’s

jobs in the ICT Industry. It has established an Innovation Centre

in Melbourne, a Global Security Intelligence Centre in Adelaide

and has created 180 new jobs in regional NSW alone.

Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson presented the

award for Environmental Solutions to SRA, an information

technology company from the Northern Territory. SRA assists

clients to meet environment and sustainability goals by

improving resource sector productivity, meeting compliance

requirements and managing community welfare. With its

head office in Darwin and branches throughout Australia and

Singapore, the company services North America, Sub Sahara

Africa, South East Asia and Oceania and increased its exports

by 127 per cent last financial year.

James Pearson presenting the Environmental Solutions Award to NT exporter SRA Information Technology

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2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT

A RECORD NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERS, POLITICIANS, BUSINESS LEADERS, POLICY MAKERS, REGULATORS AND INFLUENCERS GATHERED AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN CANBERRA ON 18 AND 19 SEPTEMBER TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES FACING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND HOW TO CAN TACKLE THEM TOGETHER.

Opened by Energy Minister the Hon Angus Taylor MP, the

Summit explored issues ranging from the energy crisis,

education, skills and workplace relations to the role business

can play in building trust and influence in the public debate.

Addresses were provided by Trade, Tourism and Investment

Minister Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Shadow

Innovation Minister Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Small Business

Minister Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Workplace Relations

Minister the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP and Deloitte Access

Economics Partner Chris Richardson.

Sponsored by Google the Summit also heard from small

businesses who are making the most of the internet to grow

their business. Owners and directors of Dogue Retail Group,

Life Interiors and Erilan Mastectomy Collection spoke about

how they have improved their digital skills using Google’s free

online learning platform, Digital Garage. They were joined by

Google’s Head of Business Marketing Richard Flanagan and

small business champion and TV personality David Koch who

moderated the discussion.

Over 30 politicians joined 170 guests of the Australian

Chamber at the opening cocktail reception.

Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP and Australian Chamber President Jeremy Johnson

Australian Chamber President Jeremy Johnson, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash and Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson

Google’s Head of Business Marketing Richard Flanagan, Owner/Manager of Erilan Mastectomy Collection Jill Tucker, Life Interiors’ Co-founder & CEO Basil Karam and Dogue Retail Group’s Owner/Director Margaret Hennessy with TV personality David Koch who moderated the discussion on digital skills

Deloitte Access Economics Partner Chris Richardson delivering the Luncheon Address

31


Energy Panel: Energy Minister the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Australian Energy Regulator Chair Paula Conboy, Shadow Energy Minister the Hon Mark Butler MP, ACCC Chair Rod Sims and Victorian Chamber CEO Mark Stone AM

VET Skill Panel: Shadow Skills Minister Senator the Hon Doug Cameron, Restaurant & Catering Executive Director John Hart, the Mitchell Institute’s Professor Peter Noonan and Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn

Campaigns Panel: PremierState Chairman Michael Photios, Sue Cato of Cato & Clegg, GetUp! Chair Dr Phil Ireland GAICD, Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson and Willard Director Andrew Plumley

Reforms Panel: Senator Rex Patrick, Senator David Leyonhjelm, Senator Cory Bernardi, Senator Pauline Hanson and Victorian Chamber President Don Rankin

Workplace Relations Panel: Shadow Workplace Relations Minister the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, IRIQ Law Managing Director Theresa Moltoni OAM, ACTU Policy Director Tom Roberts, Former BCA President and prominent businessman Tony Shepherd AO and Australian Business Lawyers CEO and Director Nigel Ward

32


2017 BUSINESS LEADERS ANNUAL DINNER

Treasurer Scott Morrison joined 300 guests at the Australian Chamber Business Leaders Annual Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia

in Canberra in November. The event was sponsored by MYOB, CareSuper, the Australian Made Campaign and 3 Degrees Marketing.

James Boyce, Medicines Australia, Josh Bihary, Pfizer and Jon Dart, Commonwealth Bank

Then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with then Australian Chamber President Terry Wetherall

James Pearson with Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSCThen Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with then Australian Chamber Director Theresa Moltoni OAM and MYOB CEO Tim Reed

Pharmacy Guild President George Tambassis with then Small Business Minister the Hon Michael McCormack MP

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone AM, then Australian Chamber Deputy President Jeremy Johnson, Australian Chamber Director Nola Watson and then Australian Chamber Director Professor Trevor Cairney OAM

33


Guests listening to then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP

The Hon Senator Bridget McKenzie with then Australian Chamber Deputy President Jeremy Johnson

Former Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia CEO Deidre Willmott with Senator Slade Brockman Senator David Leyonhjelm with CareSuper CEO Julie Lander

Then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with Melina Morrison, CEO, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals

34


October 30 Boardroom Luncheon with the Hon Jason Clare MP, Shadow Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment; Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

Natalie Cope, Australia China Business Council (NSW), the Hon Warwick Smith AM, Australia China Council, the Hon Jason Clare MP, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson, Craig Emerson Economics and Bryan Clark, Australian Chamber

October 20 Luncheon with the Hon Christian Porter MP, then

Minister for Social Services, hosted by MinterEllison.

November 8 Reception and Energy Market discussion with Rod Sims, Chairman, ACCC, hosted by ACIL Allen Consulting in Sydney.

Adam Carr, Australian Chamber, Andrew Macaulay, Printing Industries Association of Australia, Stephen Ferguson, Australian Hotels Association, Dominique Lamb, National Retail Association and Rod Sims, ACCC

November 13 Greek Investment Roadshow, Forum and Luncheon in conjunction with Enterprise Greece and the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, hosted by NAB.

The Hon David Elliott MP, NSW Minister, Prof Dimitri Papadimitriou, Minister of Economy & Development of Greece and Dr Stavros Kyrimis, Consul-General of Greece in Sydney

BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL EVENTS

November 14 Luncheon with the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition, sponsored by First State Super.

35


November 15 Book Reception with Warren Mundine AO and Ray Hadley OAM, to mark the release of the book “Warren Mundine in Black and White” hosted by City Tattersalls Club, Sydney.

Ray Hadley OAM, Gillian Stapleton, Direct Selling Australia and Warren Mundine AO

November 27 Book Reception with Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC to mark the release of his book “Incorrigible Optimist” hosted by VACC in Melbourne.

November 22 - Small Business Roundtable Lunch with then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and then Minister for Small Business at Parliament House

December 13 Christmas Breakfast with Senator the Hon Marise Payne, then Minister for Defence, hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

Nikki Brouwers, Interact Injury Management and Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC

Stephen Cartwright, NSW Business Chamber, Megan Motto, Consult Australia, then Australian Chamber President Terry Wetherall, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and James Pearson, Australian Chamber.

Senator the Hon Marise Payne and James Pearson, Australian Chamber

December 8 Christmas Luncheon with the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, then Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Melbourne.

The Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, James Pearson, Australian Chamber and Wendy Machin, COBA

36


February 23 Luncheon with the Hon Craig Laundy MP, then Minister for Small and Family Business, and Workplace and Deregulation hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

March 6 Highlights from the 2018 Asia Pacific Legal Frontiers Seminar, hosted in conjunction with Primerus and Tricor Dormers, at Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney.

The Hon Andrew Robb AO, Former Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, in Q&A with Zoe McKenzie, Trade & Investment Advisory.

Panel facilitated by Tony Dormer, Tricor Dormers with the Hon Ed Husic MP, Murray Thornhill, HHG Legal Group and Nola Watson, President, NSW Business Chamber

March 20 Reception with then Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman, hosted by Lander & Rogers, Melbourne.

Charles Cameron, RCSA, Natalie James then Fair Work Ombudsman, Leyla Yilmaz, VACC and Keith Ryan, HIA


Natalie James then Fair Work Ombudsman and Stephen Ferguson, Australian Hotel Association

37


March 23 Networking Lunch with the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Federal Shadow Treasurer to mark the release of the book “Fair Share” by Professor Stephen Bell & Michael Keating AC, hosted by KPMG, Sydney.

April 5 Networking lunch and TAFE skills announcement with the Hon John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Small Business and Skills hosted by the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney

March 21 Luncheon with the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, then Minister for the Environment and Energy, hosted by PwC, Sydney.

Panel discussion with Stephen Cartwright, NSW Business Chamber, Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia and the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Adam Carr, Australian Chamber with the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Michael Keating AC and Professor Stephen Bell

Sue Bussell AM, KPMG, and the Hon Chris Bowen MP

Philippa Kelly, Large Format Retail Association and the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Jenny Lambert, Australian Chamber, Megan Aitken, TAFE NSW Digital, the Hon John Barilaro MP

38

April 23 Morning tea and roundtable with the Hon Alex Hawke MP, then Assistant Minister for Home Affairs in Sydney.

Russell Zimmerman, Australian Retailers Association with the Hon Alex Hawke MP

April 30 Australian Chamber Tourism Lunch with Geoff Culbert, Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Airport hosted by City Tattersalls Club in Sydney.

May 11 Federal Budget Briefing Luncheon with the Hon David Coleman MP, then Assistant Minister for Finance hosted by MinterEllison in Sydney.

John Hart, Australian Chamber –Tourism, John O’Sullivan, Tourism Australia, Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney and Geoff Culbert, Sydney Airport.

Chris Richardson, Deloitte Access Economics, Nicole Green, MinterEllison and the Hon David Coleman MP


The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP with Stephen Conry, JLL

April 18 Reception with the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury, Shadow Assistant Minister for an Australian Head of State hosted by Hall & Wilcox in Sydney.

John Mangos and Katia Gkikiza, Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia

April 16 Welcome Reception for the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras and the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Katia Gkikiza hosted by Clayton Utz in Sydney.

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May 15 Major Luncheon with the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney sponsored by Telstra.

James Pearson, Australian Chamber, the Hon Michelle Landry MP, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, and Kieran Gilbert, Sky News

May 17 Federal Budget Reply Reception with Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Shadow Minister for Finance hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia, Dr Jim Chalmers MP and Robert Regan, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

May 25 Breakfast with the Hon Christian Porter MP, Attorney-General hosted by Clayton Utz in Sydney.

The Hon Christian Porter MP with Ian Burgess, Medical Technology Association of Australia

June 13 Reception with Senator Tim Storer, Independent Senator for South Australia hosted by KPMG in Sydney.

Senator Tim Storer with Nigel McBride, Business SA

June 12 Reception with Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations hosted by Clayton Utz in Sydney.

Amanda Mansini, Australian Mines and Metals Association and the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP

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August 6 Reception to mark the release of Professor the Hon Bob Carr’s book “Run for Your Life” at the City Tattersalls Club, Sydney.

Professor the Hon Bob Carr with Jodi McKay MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight


August 2 Reception with the Hon Craig Laundy MP, then Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation at MYOB, Melbourne.

Australian Chamber’s James Pearson, Tim Reed, MYOB, the Hon Craig Laundy MP and Samantha Reed, Chemistry Australia

July 31 Luncheon with the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, then Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities at JLL, Brisbane.

The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Megan Motto, Consult Australia and Jeremy Johnson, Australian Chamber

July 17 Reception with Stephen McBurney, Commissioner, Australian Building and Construction Commission at Lander & Rogers, Melbourne.

Steve Knott AM, AMMA, Scott Barklamb Australian Chamber, Denita Wawn, Master Builders, ABCC Commissioner Stephen McBurney, Suresh Manickam, NECA, Derek Humphery-Smith, Lander & Rogers

June 14 Reception and Book Launch, ‘Why Australia Slept’ by the Hon Dr Peter Hendy hosted by Lander & Rogers in Melbourne.

Mark Stone AM, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeremy Johnson, Australian Chamber, Professor Judith Sloan, the Hon Dr Peter Hendy and the Hon Peter Costello AC

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September 27 Breakfast with Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs at Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Nick Pilavidis, Australian Institute of Credit Management with Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

August 29 Lunch with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, marking National Skills Week. Hosted by William Blue Dining | Laureate Australia.

NSW Business Chamber’s Stephen Cartwright with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

August 15 Luncheon to launch an Australian Chamber and Heart Foundation joint initiative ‘Business Women Champions of the Heart’, with Patron Lucy Turnbull AO, at MinterEllison, Sydney.

Sally Sinclair, National Employment Services Association, Joyce Di Mascio, Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia, Hon Patricia Forsythe, Sydney Business Chamber, Melina Morrison, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, Lucy Turnbull AO, Megan Motto, Consult Australia (back), Gill Stapleton, Direct Selling Australia, Nola Watson, NSW Business Chamber (back), Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia, Samantha Read, Chemistry Australia, Mobinah Ahmad, Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

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2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Dr Geoff Newcombe AM with the Hon Julie Bishop MP

Stephen Porges, Australian Alliance for Data Leadership, Jenny Muir, Primary Communication, Senator Brian Burston, Aisling Finch, Google Australia and New Zealand and Joe Murphy, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors

Australian Chamber President Jeremy Johnson, Senator Pauline Hanson and Australian Chamber Deputy President Ray Sputore

John Dunn, Egg Farmers of Australia with Rod Sims, ACCC

The Hon Warren Entsch MP and Joyce DiMascio, Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia

Archie Petsas, Southern Cross Group showing support for his local small businesses

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The Hon Anthony Albanese MP with Christopher Campbell, Academies Australasia

Philippa Kelly, Large Format Retail Association with Chris Rodwell, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia

Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham addressing cocktail reception guests

The Hon David Coleman MP with Chris Downy, The Star Entertainment Group

Alexander Macaulay, Senator Tim Storer and Andrew Macaulay, Printing Industries Association of Australia

Senator the Hon Kim Carr addressing cocktail reception guests

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australian chamber annual report 2018and …...chamber annual report and business review 2018...

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