Invest In Australia News
Export grant to help sportswear manufacturer enter North America
A leading South Australian sportswear manufacturer has received $25,000 in State Government funding to help break into the lucrative North American export market.
Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade Minister, Tom Kenyon said Salisbury South-based J S Sports received the grant as part of the Gateway Business Program designed to help local companies take the next step and begin exporting.
"Since its inception in 1987, J S Sports has become one of Australia's leading performance sportswear manufacturers, producing gear for high profile leagues, such as the NBL and the AFL Northern Territory and ACT/NSW competitions, as well a number of local Adelaide schools and sporting clubs," Mr Kenyon said.Australia working to protect the international marine environment
Australia is acting on the international stage to address ocean fertilisation, an emerging technology that presents a significant risk to the international marine environment.
Environment Minister Tony Burke said Australia has formally submitted a proposed amendment to the London Protocol for discussion at its meeting in October.
"From creating the world's largest network of marine reserves, to preventing the super trawler from fishing without the sufficient scientific checks and putting Ningaloo Reef on the World Heritage List, this Government has made it clear that we will not take risks with our precious oceans,'' Mr Burke said.Anketell Point Port Project approved
Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, today approved the Anketell Point Iron Ore Processing and Export Port project in Western Australia, subject to 45 strict conditions.
Mr Burke said with these conditions in place, he is satisfied that the project can go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters protected under national environmental law.
"My decision comes after a rigorous environmental assessment, and the key measures imposed to mitigate against environmental impacts include six management plans, an ecosystem monitoring program and an environment protection code of conduct for employees during construction of the port," Mr Burke said.Remarks following the exchange of diplomatic notes to bring the Australia-United States Defence Coperation treaty into force
TRANSCRIPT:REMARKS FOLLOWING THE EXCHANGE OF DIPLOMATIC NOTES TO BRING THE AUSTRALIA-UNITED STATES DEFENCE COOPERATION TREATY INTO FORCE
TRANSCRIPTION: PROOF COPY AND E & OE
TOPICS: Defence Trade Control Treaty; Afghanistan; 2013 Defence White Paper
DATE: 16 May 2013Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty comes into force
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the United States Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Jeffrey Bleich, today exchanged diplomatic notes to bring the Australia – United States Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty into force.
The Treaty’s entry into force reflects Australia and the United States’ commitment to cooperation in Defence capability and technology. It is a significant step forward for the Australia-US Alliance.$100,000 solar innovation grant for wine consortium
Winemakers could achieve greater resource efficiencies if a South Australian based study into the use of an industrial scale solar hot water system proves successful.
Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade Minister, Tom Kenyon said the government had committed $100,000 to a Barossa Valley consortium undertaking the study through the State Government's ClevergreenTM Eco-Innovation Program.
"This is a $3 million program over three years designed to assist companies to develop solutions promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction," Mr Kenyon said.‘Best Jobs’ competition boosts interest in working holidays
A Tourism Australia survey has revealed that seven out of ten people (72%) who entered its 'Best Jobs in the World' competition are planning to apply for an Australian working holiday visa, with four out of ten (39%) seriously considering taking a working holiday within the next six months.
The online survey was completed by nearly 15,000 of the 330,000 people who entered the global competition, aimed at encouraging more young people to visit Australia under the country's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.Australia’s 'Best Jobs' finalists get ready for show time
Key facts
> After six weeks, 620,000 applications by 330,000 individuals from 196 countries, 46,000 video entries, the 18 finalists have been selected for the Best Jobs in the World.
> The 18 candidates come from 12 different countries: United States (5), England (2), France (2), Afghanistan (1), Belgium (1), Brazil (1), Canada (1), Germany (1), Hong Kong (1), Ireland (1), Scotland (1) and Taiwan (1).
> The finalists will be flown to Australia and spend a week undergoing a series of challenges relevant to their chosen job. The six winners will be officially announced in Sydney on 21 June 2013.
Full storySpotlight on summer grains
The five grains of summer – maize, soybean, sorghum, sunflower and mungbeans – will again be the focus of the Australian Summer Grains Conference (ASGC) when the 2013 event takes place from 17-19 June.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is helping connect growers and scientists with the latest thinking and research in summer grains with its support and sponsorship of ASGC.
Keith Perrett, GRDC chair will open the conference proceedings which features a broad range of GRDC-supported research and speakers including GRDC northern panellist and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW) agronomist, Loretta Serafin.
For more information, visit www.australiansummergrains.com.au.
16 May 2013Budget 2013-14: $19.2 million to help more Australians find work and regional businesses find apprentices
Australians looking for work and businesses looking for apprentices in areas doing it tough will benefit from an extra $19.2 million from the Australian Government to better link job seekers with employers.
The Australian Government will invest:
• $3.5 million to assist job seekers to relocate to take up employment and apprenticeships before 30 June 2014, helping them to access opportunities in growth industries and regions, and
• $15.7 million to deliver 10 more Jobs and Skills Expos and to continue to support 20 Local Employment Coordinators in Priority Employment Areas until 30 June 2014. These coordinators have been working with businesses to deliver local solutions to local labour market problems.Budget 2013-14: A fairer funding plan for all Australian schools
The Gillard Government has made a $9.8 billion commitment to increase school funding over six years, along with better indexation and reforms to lift student achievement, under the National Plan for School Improvement.
This commitment, first announced in April ahead of the Prime Minister meeting with Premiers and Chief Ministers, is provided for in the Budget, which delivers long term investment in schools. Negotiations with states and territories continue and the Prime Minister’s offer remains open until 30 June.Budget 2013-14: Budget delivers for young Australians
The Gillard Government will commit $127.7 million to extend three key programs to support young Australians into jobs and study.
Minister for School Education and Youth Peter Garrett said the Youth Connections program, School Business Community Partnership Brokers program and the myfuture career website had already helped thousands of young Australians.
“These programs make a real difference to young Australians by helping them complete year 12 or an equivalent qualification,” Mr Garrett said.
“This funding will give more young Australians a much better chance of successful transition to work or further study or training, helping them to achieve their full potential.”
The funding includes:$12.9 million extra for NBN initiatives across Australia
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced an extra $12.9 million for new digital initiatives to showcase the possibilities of the National Broadband Network.
“Since launching in February 2012, the Digital Enterprise and Digital Local Government programs have successfully delivered expert digital training to small businesses and not for profit organisations around Australia, as well as assisting local councils take advantage of the NBN.”
“Over 4,500 participants have already taken part in the training on offer, and over 30 local councils are deploying new NBN-enabled online services to transform how they interact with their communities.The Gillard Government's plan for Australian agriculture
The 2013-14 Budget strengthens the foundation of Australian agriculture, prepares our farmers for future challenges, and lays the groundwork for the opportunities for rural Australia in the Asian Century.
“This Budget is a serious commitment to agriculture, with funding to implement our plan to make farmers stronger, better prepared for the future and with access to more opportunities,” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig said.
The Budget provides for Farm Finance, a package of measures that alleviates the pressures of debt and provides targeted financial assistance for our farmers.Public feedback wanted on draft Regional Mining and Infrastructure Plan
Public feedback is being sought on three mining and infrastructure plans aimed at guiding the rollout of key transport and logistics, energy and water projects in regional South Australia.
The consultation process is part of the development of regional plans covering Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Mid North/Braemar, and Far North regions in South Australia.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said the plans are being developed with the support of $1.5 million from the Federal Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund.
"These interim reports provide an important consultation opportunity for those people with community, mining, infrastructure and environmental interests," Mr Albanese said.Protecting Australia's interests abroad
Measures announced today in the 2013-14 Budget for the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio reinforce the Gillard Government's commitment to protect and advance Australia's interests abroad.
The Government will invest $52.6 million over three years to construct secure, purpose-built residential accommodation in Kabul to provide a more manageable security environment for Australian staff working in Afghanistan.
The Government will also allocate $50.6 million over seven years to construct a new, more secure High Commission in Kenya.
The new High Commission building reflects Australia's expanding trade and investment links with Kenya and East Africa.2013-14 International Development Assistance Budget
The Gillard Government will increase Australia's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to a record $5.7 billion in 2013-14.
This is an increase of $513.4 million on 2012-13 and brings the aid budget to 0.37 per cent of gross national income (GNI).
"This is the highest the aid budget has been as a percentage of GNI in over twenty-five years and, in dollar terms, Australia's largest aid budget in history," Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr said.
Australia remains committed to increasing its aid budget to 0.5 per cent of GNI, however given substantial write-downs to Budget revenues, the Government will defer this target by one year, to 2017-18.Screen Australia announces Jo Dillon as Development Executive
Screen Australia today announced that Jo Dillon will join its Development team. Jo will replace Christopher Sharp, who leaves Screen Australia in June to pursue opportunities in New York.
Jo has been developing screen stories in Australia and the UK for almost 10 years. After a successful career as a national newspaper journalist and broadcast commentator, Jo joined Emmy®-winning UK production company Yipp Films as Head of Development, where she developed factual narratives for network television and established the company’s first drama slate.Australian Government commits to Antarctica
Joint media release with the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon Tony Burke MP
Australia's presence in Antarctica has been bolstered by extra funding in this year's Budget to broaden Antarctic climate change research and extend the working life of the research and resupply ship, Aurora Australis.
Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Minister Craig Emerson and Environment Minister Tony Burke today stepped up the Government's commitment to maintaining Australia's position as a world leader in Antarctic protection and research.Carbon price working to clean up electricity sector
The carbon price is already working to help clean up Australia's electricity sector, along with Gillard Government policies like energy efficiency programs and the enhanced Renewable Energy Target.
New National Electricity Market data shows big falls in electricity generation from the country's most highly-polluting power stations since the carbon price started on 1 July 2012.
In the nine months from July 2012 to March 2013, electricity generated by the seven most emissions-intensive power stations in the National Electricity Market declined by 16 per cent compared to the same nine months in 2011-12.Coalition's growing division extends to climate policy
The Opposition Leader is feeling the heat from within his own ranks, as Coalition members continue to express opposing views on his key policy platforms.
Today more Liberals have joined the likes of Shadow Communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull and former Treasurer Peter Costello in publicly criticising Tony Abbott's proposed climate change policy.
It is especially revealing that Liberal MP Denis Jensen - a hard-line climate sceptic - has said the Coalition would wait until after the September Federal election and then look at watering down or dropping the proposed climate policy altogether.Gillard Government boosts funding for Indigenous education
The Gillard Government is delivering a $22 million funding boost to help more than 3000 Indigenous students across the country complete their secondary education.
School Education Minister Peter Garrett today announced the Government will provide an additional $10 million to the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation this year, and a further $12 million under the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program over the next four years as part of the 2013-14 Budget.
Mr Garrett said the extra funding for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation will help support another 733 Indigenous students to attend boarding school.ACCC releases March 2013 quarterly report
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published the March 2013 quarterly report, ACCCount.
Notable achievements for the quarter include:
• Responding close to 50,000 complaints and inquiries from businesses and consumers
• Commencing five new civil proceedings and two appeals in the Federal Court
• Obtaining four court enforceable undertakings
• Securing over $800,000 in penalties for breaches of the Competition and Consumer Act (2010)
• Receiving payment of $33,000 for nine infringement notices under the Australian Consumer Law
• Completing 65 merger reviews and issuing 12 final authorisation determinationsHigh profile support for ‘Best Jobs' candidates
Two US talk show hosts, an Olympic gold medallist, an Academy Award winning actress, a former Australian cricket captain, a German supermodel, a Welsh world champion boxer, a Bollywood actor and a Canadian celebrity chef are amongst the international figures who have provided support for the candidates still in the running for Tourism Australia’s 'Best Jobs in the World' competition.
The 150 shortlisted candidates were given two weeks to generate publicity and support for their application, including being asked to find influential figures willing to endorse them for their chosen job.
