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42 Industry in the media AUSVEG continues to maintain a strong media presence to ensure it can communicate the latest R&D to growers and industry, as well as advocate on behalf of vegetable growers on important issues. AUSVEG Deputy CEO speaks out for the rights of vegetable growers AUSVEG Deputy CEO Andrew White called into question the Australian Labor Party’s proposed amendments to the 457 visa program. Mr White highlighted that amending Australian migration law to raise the minimum wage threshold for the 457 visa to $57,000 and end a two-year freeze on the threshold would be detrimental to the vegetable industry. Mr White also said that foreign workers are crucial to the Australian vegetable and potato industries, and these amendments risk damaging the vital role that 457 visaholders play in struggling rural economies. Mr White supported the Anti-Dumping Commission’s recommendation to impose duties on two Italian tomato exporters who were found to be ‘dumping’ – setting the price of goods lower than they would be in the exporter’s domestic market. Mr White welcomed the duties outlined in the recommendation saying that they will help to ensure Australia’s growers can operate on a level playing field. Mr White was also among the first industry members to welcome Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull, MP, on his appointment to the nation’s top job in September. Consumer research reveals insights into vegetable buying behaviour AUSVEG Assistant Manager – Industry Development Kurt Hermann featured widely across Australian media following Aldi’s double-digit growth in the fresh vegetable market. Mr Hermann said that Aldi and other major retailers have stepped up their focus on fresh <strong>vegetables</strong>, posting growth in sales value across most major vegetable commodities, but that it was important that an increase in sales led to increased returns at the farm gate for Australian growers. Mr Hermann also revealed Project Harvest data that indicated consumers are treating supermarkets like extensions of their own fridges. Mr Hermann noted that many consumers are looking for optimal portion sizes that they can use immediately to limit the amount of waste they create. Funding to deliver export training package welcomed by AUSVEG AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote featured prominently in the media in recent months, welcoming new Federal Government funding for AUSVEG under the government’s Package Assisting Small Exporters program (PASE). Mr Coote said this funding will be used to develop a training package to help vegetable growers improve their exporting skills and that it was an exciting opportunity for those looking to export. PERLKA BENEFITS 20% Stabilized Nitrogen for high yields and quality 36% Calcium for better storability FREE 12% Carbon for soil health BOOKLET Your Crops best Defence against -Sclerotinia -Clubroot Other soil-born problems including -Early weed invasion of salad-mix Used by Australians Biggest and Best Growers for over 15 years 25kg or 1000kg BAGS Discounts on Volume Perlka Fertiliser OVERCOMES the need for Calcium Nitrate and Liming Materials in your programs and Prevents the need for Side-dressing of Nitrogen to your Crops Call or Text James Cathcart 0414 255586 Australian Agricultural Marketing Organisation Pty Ltd Email: JamesCathcart@bigpond.com
Recent issues and developments in Australian labour law THERE ARE MANY LEGAL IMPLICATIONS THAT VEGETABLE GROWERS MUST BE AWARE OF WHEN RUNNING A BUSINESS, ALTHOUGH IT CAN BE CONFUSING TO SIFT THROUGH THE JARGON. CAMILLA THOMAS SUMMARISES RECENT LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY. National Workplace Lawyers Special Counsel Tass Angelopoulos. 43 Vegetables Australia November/December 2015 Protect yourself and your business. This was the key message delivered by lawyer Tass Angelopoulos to the horticulture industry to deal with changing developments in Australian labour law. There have been a number of changes to the country’s labour law in the past five years, including recently introduced bullying legislation, new precedents for sexual harassment compensation and amendments to the Australian Horticulture Award. Mr Angelopoulos, who is a Special Counsel at National Workplace Lawyers, said there was no website or fact book for growers and industry that concisely listed all areas of relevant legislation. “There have been changes and developments in Australian labour law that affects the horticulture industry, but these are often far reaching and complex for non-lawyers to understand,” he said. Some of these changes and developments have been part of the Australian Fair Work Commission’s four-yearly review of modern awards. The current review commenced in December 2013 to evaluate all Australian awards, including the Horticulture Award. Casual and part-time employment Some key themes and general issues that have arisen from this review include changes to casual and part-time employment, as well as annual leave. “An important issue the review has addressed is that the Horticulture Award required a new employer to recognise the annual leave accumulation of a worker from a previous employer,” Mr Angelopoulos said. “That was in conflict with the legislation that states that when there is a transfer of business between non-associated entities, the new employer has the option to recognise annual leave accumulated with the previous employer. “So the review has removed the requisite from the award and now reflects the legislation.” The four-year review also amended the Horticulture Award to give employees the option to “cash out” their annual leave by agreement, which was previously prohibited. The clause imposes a number of obligations on the exercise of annual leave “cash out”. There are a number of restrictions, however, as it was previously prohibited unless there was an enterprise agreement in place. “A change being proposed by unions for the Horticulture Award is a casual conversion clause, enabling casual employees who have been employed for more than six months on a regular and systematic employment, to become full-time employees.” Get advice Unions are also pressuring the review to introduce minimum engagements (four hours) for casual horticulture work, as well as a clause in which casuals are paid overtime after 38 hours of work per week. Mr Angelopoulos said if any of these changes had the potential to affect your business, he encouraged legal consultation. “When you are asked at any stage to participate in a survey about changes to the Horticulture Award, which you more than likely will be, I encourage you to participate,” he said. “Otherwise, you will have decisions imposed upon you and you will have no choice but to comply – if you are unhappy with it, it is basically bad luck.” i For more information, visit www. nationalworkplacelawyers. com.au. DELIVERING YOUR HARVEST WITH CARE Our Eco-OzCrates are designed to protect your harvest from damage with contoured edges, removable vent covers and four-way forklift access making it convenient for packing and racking. Available Australia Wide. To find out more about our purchase/leasing options call (08) 9353 3113 or visit www.ecopallets.com.au for more information. AUSTRALIAN STANDARD SIZE ECO-OZCRATE KEY FEATURES • Removable vent covers - where vented and non vented applications are required • Dropdown access gates - increasing operating efficiency and handling • Notches on bearers for safe racking • Four-way forklift access - handling efficiency • Interchangeable - with existing crates on the Australian market to provide harmonious integration • Curved edges to minimise damage to stock. • Folds down to save storage space. SEETSTUDIO.COM SS3000 More than just plastic pallets.
Page 1 and 2: vegetables Michael Vorrasi Nuffield
Page 3 and 4: Contents November/December 2015 Reg
Page 5 and 6: AUSVEG Chairman and CEO messages Ge
Page 7 and 8: As we approach the end of 2015, the
Page 9 and 10: Nufarm 9 WIN THE DOWNY FIGHT WITH D
Page 11 and 12: 11 GIVE YOUR CROP A CLEAN GETAWAY V
Page 13 and 14: Dr Kristiansen noted that there was
Page 15 and 16: 15 Photography by Chris Kershaw. gr
Page 17 and 18: 17 Vegetables Australia November/De
Page 19 and 20: The Front Line 19 stakeholders. The
Page 21 and 22: Export Development 21 JAEPA opens g
Page 23 and 24: Two centuries of innovation. A life
Page 25 and 26: moist during incorporation to obtai
Page 27 and 28: Veggie Stats: Beans R&D Drive Train
Page 29 and 30: 29 Gross Value of Production $180 $
Page 31 and 32: VG14031 New product development inf
Page 33 and 34: Sustainable Farming 33 Focus Region
Page 35 and 36: 35 of our soil and the farming prop
Page 37 and 38: 37 Price and Perceived Value Figure
Page 39 and 40: 39 such as ladybirds, spiders and w
Page 41: 41 improve the strength of the root
Page 45 and 46: Minor use permits Permit Number PER
Page 47 and 48: 47 47 Around the states South Austr
Page 49 and 50: 49 Northern Territory Spring is a t
Page 51: CALENDAR 30 January - 2 February 20

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