Industry News

A study conducted by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has found that skilled migrants to Australia who are unable to find jobs that utilize their education and qualifications are substantially more likely to suffer from mental health issues after three and a half years.

Led by Associate Professor Alison Reid, the study found that skilled migrants often take jobs well below their capabilities due to the cost of migration, and often end up stuck in the role for a number of years.

"Often those jobs include cleaning, waiting in restaurants, labouring, working in factories or driving taxis - even if they were university educated or have other skills,” Associate Professor Reid said.

"It takes a while to get skills recognised, but if people are still in those jobs after a period of time, that's when mental health problems such as anxiety disorders can affect them."

The study used a questionnaire which asked questions of migrants after six months, 18 months and three and half years. There was no significant difference in mental health during the first two periods, but if people had been unable to find a job which used their qualifications by three and half years there was a decline in their wellbeing.

"Skilled migrants are selected for immigration based on criteria such as age, language ability, qualifications and work experience because they are expected to fill gaps in the labour force," Associate Professor Reid said.

"However this study has shown that there is a large under-utilisation of skills among migrant workers to Australia up to three and a half years post migration," she said.

"Since the mid-1990s Australia's immigration program has focused on encouraging skilled migration. What is needed now are support programs such as employment training, mentoring and supervision if after one year of arrival in Australia they are unsuccessful in obtaining employment in their field."

The study shows evidence that skilled migrants are more likely than Australian-born workers to work in jobs for which they're over-qualified.

The ACT Greens have released their Industrial Relations election initiative, aiming to make Canberra the ‘work safety capital’ of the country.

ACT Greens Industrial Relations Spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan, said the initiative was particularly focused on the health and safety of workers, especially those in the building and construction sector.

“We have seen four tragic deaths on ACT worksites just in the last year and this simply isn’t acceptable. The ACT accounts for just under 1.3% of Australia’s construction industry employment, but in the last year it has accounted for nearly 10% of total fatalities in the industry,” Ms Bresnan said.

The Greens have released two key initiatives for the ACT building and construction sector:

• A proposal to raise approximately $2M annually for improving safety and for training apprentices, especially in recognised areas of skills shortage. The funds would accrue through an increase in the building and construction training levy from 0.2% to 0.3%, and be managed by the Building and Construction Training Fund Authority. The Greens will consult with building and construction industry participants about this proposed change.
• $500K to support proactive inspections of safety and employee conditions on Government construction sites to help prevent accidents, eliminate sham contracting and ensure best practice in Government procurement.

Details of the proposal are available here: http://act.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/Safe_and_Healthy_Workplaces.pdf

Logistics specialist DHL has published its 2012 DHL Export Barometer, showing a recovering business outlook for exporters, despite the strong Australian dollar.

Exporter confidence has returned to rare form following a significant dip in 2011, which DHL attributes to a range of strong new business strategies, including exporting to new markets, product and service innovation and growing orders from existing destination.

The report, now in its ninth year, found that half of exports expect company profits to increase, compared to 41 per cent this time last year.

The report also found that New Zealand has emerged as a market of growing importance for Australian exporters. Not only did it top the list of current export destinations (50% this year compared to 39% last year), but New Zealand has replaced the UK as the third biggest export destination predicted in five years’ time (34%). 

Gary Edstein, Senior Vice President, DHL Express Oceania, believes New Zealand is an important market for Australian exporters, commenting that “New Zealand has always been an uncomplicated trading opportunity for Australians with many using it as a testing ground for their business before launching into larger export markets.”

The key findings of the report are:

• 57% of exporters expect to increase their export orders in 2012, up from 48% last year
• 50% of exporters expect company profitability to increase in the next 12 months, up from 41% in 2011
• Innovation and product refinement identified as the top strategies to manage the strong Australian dollar 
• Shift seen in future export destinations with New Zealand replacing the UK as one of the five biggest export destinations of the future
• Indonesia and Middle East also identified as biggest markets for growth

The Victorian Government has granted approval for the construction of the new $195 million 71 storey at Queensbridge Street, Southbank.

Dubbed ‘The Falls’, the 236-metre building is expected to create over 600 construction jobs and, when completed, will be Melbourne’s fourth tallest building.

"The approval of The Falls is consistent with the Victorian Coalition Government's commitment to grow a greater Melbourne CBD and to continue the transformation of the city centre to a world-class, 24-hour city,” State Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said.

The development will see a total of 586 apartments constructed as well as a large ground level retail arcade. The development will also include communal meeting rooms, a north facing lap pool and spa as well as function rooms, lounges and bars for residents and guests.

Details of the proposal are outlined in the planning permit available at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/permits

WorkSafe Victoria has announced it will be focusing its Return to Work inspectors in the western Melbourne suburbs of Laverton, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee, aiming to ensure that employees are complying with their return to work obligations for injured workers.

WorkSafe’s Return to Work Director, Ross Jones, said employers played a key role in helping injured workers get back to safe work.

“We know businesses are faced with a range of competing demands but it’s essential workplaces are addressing their legal obligations,” he said.

“Helping injured workers return to work in a safe and sustainable way can be a complex process so our inspectors’ role is to provide guidance and advice to employers as well as talk them through possible options.”

“We want employers to do all they can to maximise an injured worker’s chance of getting back to work, whether it be to their original job or on modified or alternative duties.”

“In many cases, you do not need to be 100 per cent recovered to return to work, in fact, getting back to work is an important part of the rehabilitation process.”

Almost 5000 injuries in the Wyndham region were reported to WorkSafe over the last five financial years to 30 June 2011, costing employers nearly $100 million in medical costs, wages and other expenses.

The Federal and Victorian Governments have struck a deal that will see the Barwon Region host one of the first National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial sites.

The trial in the Barwon Region is due to start in July next year and will see some 5,000 people with significant and profound disabilities, their families and carers have their needs assessed and start to receive individual car and support packages under the scheme.

Under an NDIS people with disability in the Barwon region will:

• be assessed to receive NDIS individualised care and support packages;
• have decision-making power about their care and support, including choice of service provider;
• be assisted by local coordinators to help manage and deliver their support; and
• access a system they can easily navigate and that will link them to mainstream and community services.The Australian and Victorian Governments will work together to provide people with disability, their families and carers with the care and support they need, when they need it.

This work will include developing a consistent approach to assessing people's needs; and working with service providers to build the capacity of the disability care workforce in the Barwon region.

The Victorian launch is in addition to launches already agreed with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.

The Victorian funding contribution and governance arrangements are consistent with those agreed with other jurisdictions.

The Victorian Government will invest over $300 million for disability services for people in the Barwon Region over the trial period.

The Australian and Victorian Government's will hold further discussions regarding the location of the agency and a potential $25 million contribution from the Victorian Government for the establishment of the agency in Geelong.

The Victorian Government has officially opened the new $17.5 million Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal.

Deputy Premier and Minister for regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan, attended the official completion of works at the facility, which is set to relieve supply chain bottlenecks in the rail and port handling facilities of the state.

It will also overcome the constraints that have existed with the ageing terminal in the middle of Horsham and pave the way for even better infrastructure to support the movement of containerised exports and bulk grain through a bulk loading facility also to be built at the site,” Mr Ryan said.

The facility was jointly funded by the State Government ($9.3 million), local councils ($1 million), the private sector ($660,000) and the Federal Government ($6.5 million).

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the modernisation of the Interstate Rail Network was central to Federal Government’s broader efforts to lift productivity, curb harmful carbon emissions and take the pressure off the nation's highways.

Within five to six years it's expected the new facility will be able to process up to 18,600 containers—more than twice the capacity of the existing Horsham facility.

The Federal Government has announced the process of appointing a board for the Government Business Enterprise to oversee the private sector delivery of the new freight handling facility at Sydney’s Moorebank has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Penny Wong, was joined by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese in announcing that executive search firm Hudson Global Resources has been selected for identifying suitable candidates for the position.      

“From the outset, we have been determined to put in place an experienced board made up of individuals with a strong commercial focus and capable of delivering the best financial and policy outcomes for both taxpayers and national economy,” Senator Wong said.

“This is an opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to deliver a project which will boost national productivity, increase efficiencies for business, and ease congestion on Sydney's roads.”

From January 2013, the GBE will oversee the remediation of the site as well as manage the tender process to select the private sector company or consortium to design, build and operate the new facility.

Mr Albanese said the Detailed Business Case released earlier this year calculated that the Intermodal Terminal would generate $10 billion in economic benefits, take 1.2 million trucks a year off Sydney's roads and inject $135 million into the economy of Western Sydney annually.

“Over the longer term, this facility has the potential to transform the movement of freight along the entire east coast,” Mr Albanese said.

“Already there has been strong private sector interest in building and operating this vital piece of new infrastructure, with some 40 major domestic and international freight and logistics companies attending market briefing sessions in recent months.”

Subject to planning and environmental approvals, the new Moorebank Intermodal Terminal is expected to open for business in 2017.

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of three industry executives as the new Resources Sector Supplier Advocates.

Appointed by Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation. Greg Combet, the advocates are:

• Christian Larsen – Industrial, Precious and Specialty
• Paul Johnson – Energy
• Chris Chalwell – Iron Ore

"Their diverse and extensive industry experience, insight and leadership will help local firms get a fair go when competing for work in the resources sector," Mr Combet said.

Mr Combet said the advocates would build on existing industry programs, including Enterprise Connect, the Industry Capability Network and Austrade.

"They will work with major project owners, prime contractors, industry associations, unions and state governments on practical strategies to help Australian companies capitalise on opportunities from the resources boom," Mr Combet said.

The Federal Government has confirmed the appointment of Jillian Broadbent as the chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) Board for a five-year term. Also announced were the appointments of Michael Carapiet, Ian Moor, Anna Karbek and Andrew Stock as the inaugural members of the Board.

Ms Broadbent brings extensive experience in banking to the new role, having been made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003 for her services to the economic and financial development of the country. Ms Broadbent is currently a member of the Board of the Reserve Bank, having held that role for over 14 years.

Mr Carapiet recently retired from a 22-year career as an investment banker in Macquarie Bank, where he headed the investment banking divisionof Mcquarie Capital and became executive chair in 2010.

Mr Moore brings over two decades of experience in the banking and fiancne sectors, having served at Banker’s Trust for the majority of his career in the sector.

Ms Skarbek is the executive director of ClimateWorks Australia. Before this, she worked in London's carbon markets, as vice president at Climate Change Capital a specialist investment manager and advisor dedicated to raising and deploying capital for low carbon activities.

Mr Stock recently retired after a long career at Origin Energy. As executive general manager, major development projects and an Australia Pacific LNG director, he was responsible for Origin's major capital projects in upstream petroleum, power generation, and low-emissions technology businesses.

The National Capital Authority has invited public comment on a draft Development Control Plan aimed at guiding future development of a 40-megawatt large-scale solar generation facility in Tuggeranong.

The release of the draft plan comes after the ACT Government announced a request for proposals to support the development of the facility.

Draft DCP 12/08 will establishes planning and urban design provisions for the area, including building height, setbacks and design, landscape character, access and parking.

The NCA's Chief Planner, Mr Andrew Smith said the draft DCP has been prepared to guide the future development of the site within the framework of the National Capital Plan and the Territory Plan.

"The draft DCP maintains the integrity of the approach route, and ensures the setting, buildings and purpose of development enhance the area," said Mr Smith.

An advertisement will appear in The Canberra Times tomorrow, inviting public comment.

The draft DCP can be downloaded here, or viewed at the NCA reception and National Capital Exhibition.

A public information session will be held at the NCA offices on Thursday 23 August 2012, between 12.00pm and 1.30pm. RSVP to Jordan Smith on 02 6271 2888 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community feedback is sought via:

•  NCA's consultation website, Have Your Say
• by hardcopy submissions
• Twitter using @nca_media

The Queensland Government has ruled out the privatisation of any of its electricity assets ‘unless it has a mandate from voters.’

State Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said that selling its power assets would result in Queensland taxpayers losing over $1.5 billion through ‘massive devaluations of electricity assets due to the Carbon Tax.

Mr McArdle said that the coal fired power stations, through which the state derives almost 60 per cent of the Queensland-Government owned generating capacity, have been significantly devalued as a result of the introduction of the Carbon Tax.

Mr McArdle also took the opportunity to take a swipe at Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s ‘grandstanding’ over calls to control inflating electricity prices, which she likened to ‘this generation’s petrol prices’.

The New South Wales Government has released its long awaited Commission of Audit Final Report, outlying key ways to improve public sector management and service delivery in the State.

Its release comes after the State Government commissioned Dr Kerry Schott to produce the Commission of Auit last year in a bid to develop an improved framework for the future of the State’s public sector.

The final report touches on six key themes for future reform of the state’s public sector:

• Devolution
• Partnerships and outsourcing
• Workforce flexibility
• Transparent and evidence based decisions
• Collaboration and coordination
• Budget constraint

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia’s CEO, Brendan Lyon, says the release of the final report highlights the case for the full privatisation of the state’s electricity sector.

“The Schott Review provides a clear remedy to fix the State’s ailing finances and restore capacity to deliver the infrastructure that’s needed,” Mr Lyon said.

“Funding infrastructure in the immediate term demands the sale of assets, and in the short, medium and longer term, it means cutting waste in the public sector so that the State is living within its means and using debt to fund new projects, not to pay wages.

“Dr Schott correctly identifies the sale of electricity assets as a key opportunity to invest in new infrastructure and bring down the cost of electricity for the State’s consumers and businesses.”

Mr Lyon said that the sale of the state’s electricity assets is crucial to keeping prices down, an issue which has entered the public limelight since Prime Minister Julia Gillard declared electricity bills to be ‘the new petrol prices’, faced by Australian households.

“But since privatisation, electricity prices in Victoria and South Australia have risen at half the rate of NSW, because private companies are competing for customers. Meanwhile, the continued monopoly public ownership in NSW has seen inefficient work practices and infrastructure investments jack up prices, vandalising the competitiveness of NSW businesses and squeezing low income household,” Mr Lyon said.

International telecommunications hardware specialist has announced a $11 million expansion to its Dee Why fibre manufacturing facility in New South Wales.

The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has welcomed the decision, with CEO Mike Quigley hailing the commitment to keep as much fibre manufacturing in Australia as possible.

"The expansion came about after a commitment was made to source approximately 80% of the value of the NBN Co Prysmian cabling contract within Australia," Mr Quigley said.

"It's great to see Prysmian, a global manufacturer of telecommunications cabling, investing here in Australia due to the Federal Government's decision to build the National Broadband Network," he said.

The expansion of the facility comes after the company was awarded a $300 million contract to provide cabling for the NBN project.

On top of the multi-million dollar investment, the five-year contract also secures job certainty for approximately 100 existing staff within the Dee Why facility, with the potential for up to 50 additional jobs to be created as the project ramps up.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has lashed out at Liberal State Premiers for their opposition to the opt-out provisions in their NBN rollout agreements, urging them to cease their politically motivated opposition to this nation-building reform.’

The call by Ms Giddings comes after the National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) released its updated Corporate Plan, which has adopted the Tasmanian opt-out policy.

The new policy will require businesses and households who do not wish to be connected to the NBN to opt out of the process.

Tasmania was the first state to adopt the opt-out model, which means optic fibre will be laid to all homes and businesses at no cost to residents, unless they advise otherwise.

"The opt-out model will be used in the current and final stage of the roll-out in Tasmania and we expect that it will assist with the take-up of this revolutionary new technology,” Ms Giddings said.

The Victorian Government has launched eight new projects to be funded through its $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund.

"The Government and local community have a vested interest to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes, and that is why we have created the $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund and are working with the community through the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee to develop an environmental strategy for the Lakes,” State Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the first eight projects to be approved by the Committee include:

• evaluation of the economic and community impact of the 2011/12 Nodularia Algae Bloom - $30,000
• funding to support a range of care groups to enhance the biodiversity of the Gippsland Lakes - $160,000
• nutrient reduction in the Upper Gippsland Lakes Catchment - $137,500
• Latrobe Estuary and wetlands restoration - $120,000
• meander restoration along the Lower Latrobe River - $150,000
• engaging the Gippsland Lakes community -$80,000
• andholders fencing and revegetating the Gippsland Lakes rivers - $44,000
• monitoring the environment health of the Gippsland Lakes - $126,000

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, who helped develop the implementation strategy for the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee and Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund, said the initial eight projects would go a long way to improving the health and prosperity of the Gippsland Lakes

"A report which looked at the economic impact of the 2008 non-toxic algal bloom found it had a direct economic cost of $18 million and more than 300 jobs. By evaluating the economic and community impact of the 2011/12 Nodularia Algae Bloom and comparing the results with the 2008 bloom, we can identify trends or lessons that can inform future management decisions," Mr Bull said.

The Victorian Government has called for industry feedback on its plan to overhaul information and communication technology procurement practices of government departments and agencies.

Speaking at last weeks 2012 iAwards, Minister for technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said the State Government had developed an implementation plan to transition to an eServices register by mid 2013.

"A report into the eServices panel set up by the former Labor Government found the panel lacked visibility and transparency, resulted in lengthy tender processes, incomplete expenditure reporting and poor evaluation of life cycle costs and benefits,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

Mr Rich-Phillips promised a speedier and more efficient procurement framework following the introduction of the new register, which is outlined in the draft implementation plan.

"This is a move toward a more flexible procurement model to give more companies, including small and medium enterprises, an opportunity to conduct business with government,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

Under the new plan, all existing eServices panel members will be automatically transferred to the Register. For more information or to give feedback on the plan over the next two weeks visit www.vgpb.vic.gov.au

Communications giant Motorola has officially launched its Innovation Centre in Melbourne’s east.

Showcasing new technology that will benefit local and international services and business, the centre’s launch was attended by State Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips.

The establishment of this facility is a vote of confidence in Victoria's vibrant information and communications technology (ICT) industry," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

"The centre includes systems and technologies that will help the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) in Ballarat dispatch services including police, firefighters and rescue workers around the state.

"The technology helps keep first responders from Victoria Police, MFB, the State Emergency Service and the Country Fire Authority connected to critical communications on the frontline."

Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand managing director Gary Starr said the Innovation Centre was a development hub that would deliver important technologies to the local market.

"Through our investment in innovation, Motorola Solutions has been able to achieve strong growth over the past two years, both in terms of revenue growth and new jobs within the local ICT industry," Mr Starr said.

Forecasts for jobs growth released by the Western Australian Government predict a boom in health and social care sectors that ‘resemble those in the State’s resources sector.’

Speaking at the official opening of the 2012 Skills West Expo, State Minister for Training and Workforce Development Minister Murray Cowper said the healthcare sector is on the cusp of experiencing a massive spike in demand.

 “Health, including social, care is expected to be one of the industries leading jobs growth in WA in coming years, with about 6,100 additional jobs per year,” Mr Cowper said.

“This sector is facing ever increasing community demands; we have an ageing workforce at a time when people are living longer and major new hospitals and medical services are opening.”

Other industries leading the growth include construction; education and training; and transport and logistics.

The National iAwards have been held in Melbourne last week, honouring 25 of the nation’s top performing ICT companies.

Attended by Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, the gala event attracted over 800 industry figures from across the country.

Hosted by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIA), the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the Pearcey Foundation, the iAwards are currently in its 18^th year.

ACS Chief Executive, Alan Patterson, said winners of iAwards had presented a wide range of innovative developments which had social and economic benefits for all of Australia, benefits which could also extend internationally.

This years National 2012 iAwards winners are: