DCN December Edition 2019

INFLATION UP
DESPITE “GLOBAL
HEADWINDS”
Image supplied
VTA elects new president
and vice president
Changes were announced for the Victorian
Transport Association following its annual
meeting, with Mike Lean taking over as
president from Cameron Dunn who has
been in the role since 2016.
Mr Lean is chief executive of national
road transport operator Wettenhalls and is
experienced in the transport sector. He has
experience in both the military and senior
levels of business. As well as previously
holding the role as VTA vice-president,
he was also chair of the important VTA
Finance Committee.
Prior to his appointment at
Wettenhalls, Mr Lean was CEO of the
Port of Hastings Development Authority,
general manager of the shipyard in
Williamstown and operations manager of
a workshop and warehousing distribution
Surveys seek to shed light
on maritime gender diversity
Mike Lean (left) and Cameron Dunn
facility in Wodonga. As an army officer,
he commanded an Infantry battalion in
East Timor.
The VTA Executive Council also elected
Mick Rocke as vice president, who has
experience within the industry and was the
recent recipient of the VTA WFD Chalmers
Award. Dennis Ryan was also re-elected
vice president for another term.
VTA chief executive Peter Anderson
congratulated the new office holders.
“On behalf of the Secretariat of the VTA,
we extend our congratulations and best
wishes to Mike, Mick and Dennis on their
elections and wish them every success,” Mr
Anderson said.
“I would also like to acknowledge and
thank Cameron Dunn for {his} energy,
professionalism and enthusiasm.”.
Two surveys aimed at shedding light on gender diversity in the Australian
maritime sector have been prepared by industry group Maritime Industry
Australia Limited.
One survey is aimed at employees and the other targets business owners and
human resource managers.
MIAL chief executive Teresa Lloyd said the surveys were in keeping with the 2019
World Maritime Day theme of Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.
With this data, MIAL is to analyse how organisations promote diversity and will
look to develop industry initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion.
Whereas the MIAL Seafaring Skills Census 2018 focused on seagoing roles, this
survey intends to explore other roles within the industry.
Although diversity and inclusion encompass a range of groups, these surveys
focus on women.
“The maritime industry is taking great strides toward gender parity in terms of
participation, seniority and remuneration,” Ms Lloyd said.”
A Consumer Price Index indicating
national inflation rising 1.7% in the
year to September showed Australia
is weathering global uncertainty,
Australian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry chief economist Ross
Lambie said.
Dr Lambie also urged the
government to retain a surplus and
resist calls to get spending during a
time of quieter economic growth.
“Although inflation remains
outside the Reserve Bank’s target
range of 2% to 3%, it is promising to
see the September quarter Consumer
Price Index improve from a low of
1.3% in the March quarter and 1.6% in
the June quarter,” he said.
“This is despite global uncertainty
- driven by the US-China trade and
technology dispute, Brexit, protests
in Hong Kong and tensions in the
Middle East - presenting a significant
risk to the Australian economy.”
He said the low inflationary
environment was not unique to
Australia, with low inflation the norm
in many developed countries.
“We urge the government to keep
its focus on achieving the budget
surplus and continue to identify
opportunities for productivityenhancing
economic reform,” Dr
Lambie said.
“It is important we look for reforms
which increase the competitiveness
of SMEs and encourage businesses
to take risks, invest, grow and create
jobs,” he said.”
Dr Lambie said the relatively
low level of inflation suggested the
Australian economy was still to
experience the full impact of the
personal tax cuts delivered in July and
the Reserve Bank’s recent decision to
lower the cash rate to 0.75%.
“We would hope to see these
measures reflected in improved
economic conditions in the next few
months,” he said.
“The downturn in the housing
market over the past year has
weighed heavily on consumer
confidence and held back household
spending. However, there are signs
the housing sector has turned the
corner in recent months, with a
modest improvement in Sydney and
Melbourne house prices.”
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