Tasmanian Business Reporter February 2019

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6 Tasmanian Business Reporter - FEBRUARY 2019 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Never downplay workplace safety Craig Hortle Workplace Health & Safety SAFE Work Australia recently released its reports for the 2016-2017 year. Some of the information is interesting and supports the active participation in a system that supports working safely at work. Just over nine people out of every 1000 workers sustains a serious injury in workplaces in Australia. The average claim per serious injury is $11,500. In Tasmania the incident rate of serious claims and disease for the 2016-2017 was 12.1 per 1000 employees. The value of implementing a safe system of work in the workplace cannot be undervalued for the following reasons: • compliance to WHS legislation; • safety of workforce; • ability to negotiate with workers compensation insurer on premium; • less time off due to workplace injuries; • reduced costs for replacement workers for those that suffer injuries at work; • a more engaged workforce because of structured system of work; and • better productivity due to retained workforce. The development of a safe system of work can be simple and inexpensive as the majority of workplaces do not require the assistance of a WHS consultant. In Tasmania the incident rate of serious claims and disease for the 2016-2017 was 12.1 per 1000 employees. Free information services on WHS requirements are available from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce WHS specialists. This is open to members and non-members of the chamber. For more information contact Craig Hortle or Janelle Whitehouse at the TCCI on 1300 559 122 or safety@TCCI.com.au www.tcci.com.au Launceston Cup holiday confusion Abbey George Workplace Relations LAUNCESTON Cup Day always causes much confusion each year as to whether it is regarded as a public holiday or not. As Modern Awards do not determine public holidays, an entitlement to a public holiday is determined by the National Employment Standards and by the industrial instrument in place at an organisation such as an Enterprise Agreement. For those employers covered by a Modern Award, to determine which days are local holidays, such as Launceston Cup Day, the National Employment Standards refer to those days which are “declared or prescribed by or under a law of a State or Territory to be observed generally within the State or Territory, or a region of the State or Territory” (Section 115(b) Fair Work Act 2009). Although for the vast majority of private sector employees, Launceston Cup Day has not been a legislated entitlement in the past, much confusion existed as Launceston Cup Day was previously listed as a statutory holiday; however, with amendments to the Statutory Holidays Act 2000 in Tasmania in December 2010, Launceston Cup Day was removed and listed as a government holiday only. Therefore, for the majority of employees in the private sector, there is no entitlement to Launceston Cup Day, except for those employees that are covered by an Enterprise Agreement that provides for that specific entitlement. Having said this, some businesses choose to allow employees to have all or part of Launceston Cup Day off in any event and obviously this is a matter for each individual business. More information TCCI on 1300 559 122 or workplacerelations@ tcci.com.au OUR MEMBERSHIP OPENS DOORS Join more than 43,000 experienced directors and senior leaders by becoming a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Membership provides you with exclusive access to our Business Centre and Member Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart CBDs, member-only events and a range of governance tools and resources. Take the next step in your career t: 1300 739 101 w: companydirectors.com.au/SWT 06460-26_18
Tasmanian Business Reporter - FEBRUARY 2019 7 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP www.tcci.com.au Courses tailored for the future LeeWhiteley University College Chief Executive THE saying “All Roads Lead to Rome” may be true, but not all roads make for a smooth journey and that’s something the team at the University College keeps in mind. When we design and implement our courses, we not only ask industry what it is that they are looking for in a graduate, we look at the different ways in which our students learn. There are encouraging examples of how the right pathway into further education can make your journey a positive and life-changing experience. This year is an exciting one with new associate degrees being offered across our three campuses in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart. One of the new courses on offer - Applied Technologies - has taken centrestage at this year’s MONA FOMA in Launceston. University College staff have given two local students a taste of the new associate degree through the creation of two cyborg puppets. Students Eleanor Ivery, 17, a St Patrick’s College Year 12 student and Sebastian Knevett, 21, a third year University of Tasmania ICT student, have spent the last few weeks bringing the large puppets to life by rigging them with sensing technology to control their limb movement via automation. With sensors everywhere and influencing our everyday lives, the Applied Technologies course is catering to a major growth area. The puppets are currently mounted on the wall at the Academy Gal- Students Eleanor Ivery and Sebastian Knevett brought puppets to life with sensing technology. lery at Inveresk and can be controlled through wireless sensors by members of the public willing to give the technology a try. Having the tools to confidently step into university study is no easy feat, but thanks to the University Preparation Program, 41 students took the plunge last year. Completion ceremonies were held in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart last month, to honour the students, which saw many fast-track into undergraduate degrees. The University Preparation Program is flexible and designed to provide adult learners with academic learning skills and the confidence and personal skills needed to succeed at university. Congratulations to one of our Agribusiness graduates Mady Muirhead, who has been accepted into the Ruralco Graduate Program for 2019. Mady recently completed the Associate Degree in Agribusiness with the University College and completed her Diploma of Equine Business Management at Marcus Oldham College. Her strong passion for horses and interest in livestock and animal systems meant the Agribusiness course was a perfect fit for Mady. Hands-on industry experience within the course means students will not only have a firm understanding of agribusiness theory but know how to apply it in working environments. For more information check out our website at www.utas.edu. au/college Seek advice to navigate trade deals AUSTRALIA has now entered into 11 bilateral or multi-lateral Free Trade Agreements covering 18 countries including New Zealand, Singapore, the US, Thailand, Chile, Korea, Japan, China, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Canada and Mexico. Additionally, agreements with Peru, Hong Kong and nations in the Pacific are concluded but not as yet in force. Negotiations are under Sally Chandler Tradestart Adviser way with the EU, the Gulf Co-operation Council and India and are proposed for the UK once that country’s Brexit negotiations are complete and passed by the British Parliament. It is very important to Under the China-Australia FTA, which came into force on December 20, 2015, most tariffs were reduced to zero note that FTAs don’t just allow for reduced tariffs and increased quotas or better still the elimination of tariffs and quotas, but also cover investment, greater access for services, intellectual property, e-commerce and government procurement. While Australia has been very proactive in establishing FTAs so have other countries – with each other. Under the China-Australia FTA, which came into force on December 20, 2015, most tariffs were reduced to zero on January 1 this year in the latest round of tariff cuts. These included wine, seafood and horticulture products which will positively impact Tasmanian exports. With some countries being covered by more than one FTA, exporters are encouraged to use the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s FTA portal - https://ftaportal. dfat.gov.au/ - to ascertain which Agreement gives their buyer the best customs treatment on market entry at the border. And as always, I am readily available to assist. For international trade and investment assistance contact the TCCI’s TradeStart Adviser, Sally Chandler, at sally.chandler@tcci. com.au or phone 1300 559 122. Disability enterprises deserve support FOR hundreds of Tasmanians living with a disability, there is nothing more important than the dignity of work and the sense of purpose and stability that comes with having a job. Australian Disability Enterprises are notfor-profit organisations that provide supported employment to people living with a disability. Labor went to the March election with a policy to set a target to purchase goods JoshWillie Shadow Minister for Disability and services from local ADEs. Spending at least two per cent of the supplies and consumables budget would provide business opportunities and the chance to offer more training. ADEs not only offer jobs but the chance for inclusion and the opportunity to contribute. Organisations like Oak-Possability started Oakdale Workshop in Tasmania in 1964 and others followed. The focus was not only to see kids in work but to battle and change community attitudes. One of the many success stories is Dylan who, through his work experience at Oakdale Industries, has started his own business. Dylan’s Mowing Service operates across Hobart. Dylan says Oakdale has supported him into his dream job — being his own boss and working outdoors. Tasmanians like Dylan should remind us of the United Nations principle that people living with a disability have the right to economic security and useful work. Tasmania has a 55-year history of achieving just that. But our Government should not overlook that proud history and should not exclude these important organisations. There are 11 ADEs owned and operated by Tasmanian not-for-profits and they employ about 500 Tasmanians. ADEs enable workers with a disability to do jobs including packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen printing, gardening as well as cleaning and food services. They offer conditions similar to other employers and are valued by the employees. ADEs are funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Social Services Department but state governments have a role to play. Last year, National Disability Services signed an agreement with the Hodgman Government to streamline the process for government departments to procure the services of ADEs. Despite the agreement, there are no formal policies to mandate government to use ADEs. It was revealed, the Tasmanian Government agencies are not required to identify contracts awarded to ADEs. I think most Tasmanians would agree that the Government should be procuring ADE services, as well as keeping meaningful data.
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Tasmanian Business Reporter February 2019

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