Industry News

Research conducted by the University of Adelaide shows that women who use marijuana during the time of pregnancy can more than double the risk of premature birth.

Premature birth, defined as birth more than three weeks before the baby’s due date, often results in serious and life-threatening health problems for the child, and an increased risk of health problems in later life, including heart disease and diabetes.

The university conducted a study of over 3,000 pregnant women in Adelaide and Auckland detailed the most common risk factors for preterm birth.

The research team, headed by the Adelaide University’s Professor Gus Dekker, found the greatest risk for spontaneous preterm birth included:

• Strong family history of low birth weight babies (almost six times the risk);
• Use of marijuana prior to pregnancy (more than double the risk);
• Having a mother with a history of pre-eclampsia (more than double the risk);
• Having a history of vaginal bleeds (more than double the risk);
• Having a mother with diabetes type 1 or 2 (more than double the risk).

The team also found that the greatest risk factors involved in the preterm rupture of membranes leading to birth included:

• Mild hypertension not requiring treatment (almost 10 times the risk);
• Family history of recurrent gestational diabetes (eight times the risk);
• Receiving some forms of hormonal fertility treatment (almost four times the risk);
• Having a body mass index of less than 20 (more than double the risk).

"Our study has found that the risk factors for both forms of preterm birth vary greatly, with a wide variety of health conditions and histories impacting on preterm birth," Professor Dekker said.

"Better understanding the risk factors involved in preterm birth moves us another step forward in potentially developing a test - genetic or otherwise - that will help us to predict with greater accuracy the risk of preterm birth. Our ultimate aim is to safeguard the lives of babies and their health in the longer term.” 

Sea levels could rise significantly faster than previously thought, according to research conducted by the Australian National University, who’s researchers have used fossil corals to understand how warmer temperatures have impacted on polar ice sheets.

Dr Andrea Dutton, formerly of the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at the ANU’s College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Professor Kurt Lambeck of the RSES, built a significant database by compiling age and evaluation data of fossil corals that live near the sea surface, and used a model to factor in the physics of how changing masses of ice sheets would affect regional sea level at the various fossil coral sites.

“In this way, we were able to account for the geographic variability in sea level observations from this time period and compute the highest point that average global sea level attained. The observations from the corals confirmed the sea level patterns that we predicted using the geophysical model,” Dr Dutton said.

“Sea level change – in the past, present, and future – is geographically variable and we must consider this variability to infer what the average global sea level was doing in the past. We observed 5.5 to 9 metres of sea level rise. To explain that, polar ice sheets must have melted: part of Greenland, most of the West Antarctic ice sheet, and perhaps some of the East Antarctic ice sheet. Our findings have important implications for future sea levels.”

“For the period we studied, the poles were probably only 3 to 5 degrees warmer than present.  That amount of polar warming is well within what we are predicted to reach this century. This implies that the polar ice sheets may be very sensitive to small increases in temperature.

“This magnitude of sea level rise – up to 9 metres – is obviously not going to happen overnight. But it could happen within a few centuries, so it is important to consider the long-term commitment we make in terms of total sea level rise when we talk about various targets and emission scenarios.

The Commonwealth Bank has unveiled its new point-of-sale (POS) system, including the release of its new Albert touch screen omni-commerce device which will run the bank’s new CommBank Pi software platform system.

Commbank said the new system has been built to specifically cater for the needs of business and customers, a result of a significant investment in design and engineering that addresses the complex security needs of POS systems.

The new CommBank Albert system is a 7 inch touch screen device specifically designed by the Commonwealth Bank and will run the CommBank Pi system, which will enable application developers and businesses to easily create applications for business use and distribute them through the AppBank to merchants.

“Every aspect of the customer interaction is being transformed by social, mobile and online technologies,” said Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Executive General Manager of Corporate Banking Solutions, Commonwealth Bank.

“Today we are leveraging our multi-year investment in core banking and ongoing innovation at the edge to transform point-of-sale forever. With CommBank Pi, Australia is positioned to lead the retail revolution globally and deliver outstanding experiences to consumers that are as secure as they are simple.”

The Tasmanian Government has released a comprehensive study of the infrastructure needs of the state’s West Coast, which the it says will be used to inform Government priorities for upgrades in the region.

State Minister for Infrastructure, David O’Byrne, said the Western Tasmanian Infrastructure Strategy has identified transport as the key investment target in the area.

"Through the mining, tourism, forestry and aquaculture sectors, we're seeing a diverse range of industries that make a significant contribution to our economy," Mr O’Byrne said.

"This study has found that the best way to deliver further economic benefits to the region would be through targeted upgrades of both road and rail that will also benefit local communities."

Mr O'Byrne said the study from Sinclair Knight Merz involved  consultation with local infrastructure users, and organisations that provide and manage the infrastructure in the region, with a focus on infrastructure for transport, energy, telecommunications and water over the next two decades.

The report's recommended project priorities focus on road and rail infrastructure upgrades:

• Murchison Highway, Zeehan Highway to Rosebery;
• Murchison Highway, Rosebery to Anthony Main Road;
• Murchison Highway, Anthony Main Road to Cradle Mountain Development Road;
• Pieman Road - upgrade to High Productivity Vehicle (HPV) standards;
• Zeehan Highway, Anthony Main Road to Murchison Highway; and
• The Melba Line - upgrades to increase axle limit, reliability and efficiency.

"Through the Commonwealth's Nation Building 2 program, we're progressing a submission for upgrades to the Murchison Highway from Anthony Main Road to Cradle Mountain Development Road as well as upgrades to the Melba Line," Mr O'Byrne said.

The Western Tasmania Industry Infrastructure Study is available on the DIER website at:

http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/plans_and_strategy/western_tasmania_industry_infrastructure_study

The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of Marcus Geisler as the State’s new chair of the Waste Authority, with State Minister for the Environment, Bill Marmion, saying Mr Geisler is set to continue the authority’s strong growth.

In welcoming Mr Geisler to the role, Mr Marmion thanked outgoing chairman, Peter Fitzpatrick, for his outstanding contribution.

“Mr Fitzpatrick’s guidance has reinvigorated the Waste Authority,” Mr Marmion said.

“Among a significant number of achievements, he oversaw the development and release of the State’s first waste strategy, Creating the Right Environment, launched in March this year.

“The authority’s focus will now be on implementing the Waste Strategy and achieving the targets it sets for improved waste management across the State.”

New chairman, Marcus Geisler, has served on the authority since its inception in 2008 and was deputy chairman in 2011-12.

“Mr Geisler led significant improvements in construction and demolition waste recycling policy during this time,” the Minister said.

“He is currently executive general manager west with Coates Hire and has a wealth of experience in the waste and recycling industry in Australia and overseas.”

The Northern Territory Government has announced the creation of two new parks, the Limnen National Park and the Linmen Bight Marine Park, which collectively add a further million hectares to the state’s parks and marine reserves.

“It will create a world class National Park, creating a conservation area connecting land to the ocean and protecting our beautiful Territory outback for generations to come,” Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said.

Territory Minister for the Environment, Karl Hampton, said the Government had taken its time to strike the balance between new economic opportunity or the region and its environmental conservation.

Limmen National Park will also provide new job opportunities in the region including through increased tourism, more conservation projects and new mining enterprises,”  Mr Hampton said.

Minister Hampton said consideration has been given to the environmental, social and economic benefits of the area and that areas not needed for mining will be folded back into Limmen National Park in the future as areas identified for prospective mining are more accurately defined.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association’s (APPEA) Conference on workforce development and productivity has commenced in Darwin, marking the first time the conference has been hosted in the city.

Territory Minister for Business and Development, Delia Lawrie, welcomed ley representatives of the conference to the city, describing it as a validation of Darwin’s booming oil and gas sector.

“This week the eyes of the oil and gas world are firmly focused on the Territory; our abundant resources, our capacity to deliver certainty for major projects and our bright future as our nation’s oil and gas hub,” Ms Lawrie said.

Speakers from leading companies including ConocoPhillips, Deloitte Access Economics, INPEX, Shell, Woodside, Worley Parsons, Chevron and the Charlie Perkins Trust will hold sessions on productivity, diversity, design, labour markets, attraction and retention Indigenous employment and the challenges and opportunities of LNG skills.

Sydney Water has announced the opening of its new super depot in Prestons, which will service the growing population of South-West Sydney.

“The depot is the third and final super depot and can accommodate up to 100 staff,”  Sydney Water’s Managing Director Kevin young said.

“It will be a centre for maintenance work, planning and scheduling for Western Sydney. It will also provide support for our frontline staff who carry out routine maintenance and are available 24×7 for emergency repairs to local water and wastewater infrastructure.

“The depot has combined office-based and field-based staff from multiple sites at Cecil Hills and Warwick Farm.

“It is ideally located in Prestons as it is situated within an industrial and warehousing area away from houses and close to the main traffic routes.”

The Federal Government has released legislation and explanatory material for the taxation of Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program arrangements.

The legislation aims to eliminate timing differences between when grants are taxed and when deductions are available for items of expenditure under the Program and will apply retroactively from 1 April 2010.

"The measure encourages efficient water use and provides certainty for irrigators to ensure that they will not be left with an unexpected tax bill merely as a result of timing differences.  We welcome comments on the draft legislation and explanatory material," Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said.

Comments on the exposure material are sought by 13 August 2012.  The draft legislation and explanatory material can be found on the Treasury website under Consultations and Submissions.

A list of programs for which the Government has decided the special taxation arrangements will apply, along with others currently under consideration and likely to be added, is also available on the website.

The draft legislation contains provisions that also enable other Program initiatives to be added from time to time as they are approved and announced.

An evaluation of the Western Australian region of Midwest’s groundwater resources has confirmed that there will be no change to water allocation limits across key groundwater areas.

Department of Water Executive Director Science and Planning Greg Davis said despite an increase in Midwest water demand and licences, water remained available from most aquifers in the Midwest areas of Jurien and Arrowsmith.

“In the Arrowsmith area, which extends north to Geraldton, south to Morrison and east to Three Springs, demand increased due to water for mining and industry,” Mr Davis said.

“In the Jurien area, spanning south of Morrison and east to Moora, there was a small decrease in the volume of water licensed.

“Water is still generally available from all the Jurien subareas, including high use resources Watheroo, Nambung and Dinner Hill, where water is more than 70 per cent allocated.”

The Jurien area had a total allocation limit of 94.6 gigalitres (GL) and 189.25 GL was set for the Arrowsmith area.

Evaluation statements for the Jurien groundwater allocation plan and the Arrowsmith groundwater allocation plan are available on the Department of Water websitewww.water.wa.gov.au. The evaluations investigated the extent to which the allocation plan objectives were met from August 2010, when the plans were released, to August 2011.

Victorian Minister for Water, Peter Walsh, has announced he wants to see a ‘significantly changed’ Murray-Darling Basin Plan as a result of last weeks joint feedback provided by Basin Ministers.

Mr Walsh said he expects the changes thanks to a consensus document submitted in response to the Basin Plan by the Commonwealth, Queensland, NSW, South Australian and Victorian Water Ministers.

"This is our message to the MDBA that there needs to be significant changes to the plan before it is presented to Federal Parliament, balancing not only the needs of the environment but also food producers and the communities that rely on them," Mr Walsh said.

"The consensus document particularly addresses the need for the inclusion of a sustainable diversion limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism and fair state apportionment for the downstream contribution.

"Basin states have also clearly outlined to the Commonwealth and the MDBA that state knowledge and expertise must be used in the implementation of the Plan. The MDBA asked for this advice, now it must listen."

Mr Walsh said the State Government remained committed to working with State and Commonwealth counterparts to develop a Basin Plan that would promote environmental sustainability while ensuring that northern Victorian farmers continue to benefit from the river system.

The State Government is continuing to lobby for the reduction of environmental flows to 2,100 gigalitres instead of the proposed 2,750.

"Victoria has used the MDBA's modelling formula to show that the health of the Murray River, including the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, could be secured using 2100 gigalitres of entitlements if water held by the Commonwealth is used more efficiently, instead of the proposed 2750 gigalitres," Mr Walsh said.

CSIRO has been contracted by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) to produce antibodies on a large scale that will be used in the development of a new, safe, affordable and effective vaccination against rotavirus, a major cause of severe and fatal diarrhoea in young children worldwide.

The disease currently kills an estimated half a million children each year, 85 per cent of whom live in developing countries. The virus is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions for children under five in Australia.

PATH, an international not-for-profit organisation, is working to increase access and effectiveness of existing rotavirus vaccines. CSIRO will produce a large quantity of antibodies that will be used in PATH’s ongoing global vaccination campaign.

"CSIRO will produce a large quantity of antibodies specific to the strains of rotavirus that are in the vaccines our partners are developing, which will serve as important material for our project," said Dr Georges Thiry, director of PATH’s rotavirus vaccine development project.

"New vaccines and suppliers will increase the availability of rotavirus vaccines and increase competition, which in turn will help make all of the rotavirus vaccines on the market more affordable and accessible to the world’s most vulnerable children."

A new report published by the Australian Industry Group has found that while energy efficiency continues to rise, energy prices are still placing mounting pressure on businesses.

Ai Group’s Energy Shock: pressure mounts for efficiency action surveyed over 300 businesses across the economy, gathering information about their use of energy (electricity, gas and liquid fuels), their management of electricity costs and energy efficiency practices and their views on current policies to encourage additional action in these areas.

The report shows a significant turnaround in energy efficiency policies of companies.

“Previous Ai Group research showed that in the five years to 2010, two thirds of businesses made no or negligible improvements in their energy efficiency[1]. The report we are releasing today reveals this situation has been reversed,” Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said.

“In the three years to 2012, two thirds of businesses have achieved improved efficiency performance. Three quarters of respondents have now taken or are planning actions to improve energy efficiency.”

The survey found that average expenditure on energy as a percentage of turnover had increased by 10 per cent between 2008 and 2011, with regulators projecting that retail electricity prices for small users will have risen to 37 per cent by 2013.

"Many businesses are starting to feel these strains. Most respondents described energy costs as a major expense. This appears to have been a catalyst for action by businesses to improve their energy efficiency, although most businesses will need to do more to blunt the impacts of rising energy prices,” Mr Willox said.

The key findings of the report are as follows:

1. An increasing share of business effort is being directed towards energy efficiency improvement, and pressures are mounting to do even more.
2. However, to date most efficiency improvements have been relatively modest, indicating that business capital for investment is either not available or is being used for other purposes.
3. While a growing number of businesses are taking action to improve their energy efficiency, most are looking for quick wins and would only consider an energy efficiency project where the expected payback period was less than three years.
4. Reflecting this, the most popular energy efficiency activities included changing staff practices to encourage energy efficiency and identifying major areas of high energy use in the business (nearly 50 per cent of respondents each).
5. The biggest drivers for efficiency action were concerns about energy prices and the desire to maintain or enhance business profit margins.
6. The anticipated introduction of carbon pricing was also a strongly cited motivation for future energy actions.
7. Many government policies to support efficiency are in place or under consideration, however, results suggest uptake would be greater if industry was more closely engaged in development and roll-out.

The key recommendations in the report are:

1. That government more closely engage with industry in the design, implementation and evaluation of energy efficiency policies.
2. That government conduct further analysis of the reasons businesses would or would not try to access specific forms of government assistance with a view to improving the effectiveness of energy efficiency policy.
3. That further research is conducted to track business responses to changing energy prices, to determine the degree to which those prices are impacting costs and competitiveness, and to identify drivers and barriers to further improvements in business energy efficiency.

The full report can be found here

A new study conducted at the Lyell McEwin Hospital found nurses believe they must accept violence as part of their job.

According to Adelaide Now, nurses do not always report incidence of violence because they feel that nothing will be done, or they would be victimised by managers. In addition, nurses feel they are untrained to deal with violence.

University of Adelaide masters student and clinical nurse, April Stanley-Banks did the study after she herself was exposed to violence in the LMH emergency department.

“Although they had a zero-tolerance policy towards violence in place at the department, it was something that I could see wasn’t addressing the situation enough to prevent it.”

Ms Banks said she was threatened, both verbally and physically. Her jaw was once injured after a patient hit her.

In her study, she also found nurses had felt betrayed by hospital management.

“There are many reasons that nurses don’t report and they extend from a belief of ‘what is the use’ because nothing is going to be done or being victimised if they do report it,” she said.

According to the study, “all (nurses) held an unprecedented belief that violence in the ED was ignored by management and felt insulted and unsupported by unevaluated efforts made to address it despite its escalation.”

“All nurses agreed that they felt they should shut up and put up with violent patients and take personal responsibility for safety.”

Adelaide Now further reported that Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Elizabeth Dabars said nurses must feel they are supported when making a violence incident report.

Safe Work Australia released an Issues Paper on Friday for the review of the national guidance material – Working Safely on the Waterfront which is now open for public comment.

A review of the national guidance material is being conducted to identify content that must be adapted for inclusion in a model code of practice for stevedoring.

This code of practice is currently under development to support the harmonised WHS laws. The code of practice is intended to eventually replace the national guidance material.

Public comment will close on Friday 10 August 2012. To access the Issues Paper, visit the Safe Work Australia website.

South Australia has announced the appointment of new members of the state’s Disability Advisory Council.

State Disabilities Minister Ian Hunter congratulated Katharine Annear for her appointment to Chairman of the Minister’s Disability Advisory Council, while welcoming Michael Taggart to the role of Deputy Chairman.

“Katharine was previously Deputy Chair of MDAC and Michael Taggart was also a dedicated member. They’ll hold their inaugural meeting today along with other newly elected members,” Mr Hunter said.

“Katharine has been a member of the council since 2007. Ms Annear has a Master of Disability Studies from Flinders University, where she also lectures, and continues to pursue her work in the disability and arts sectors.

“I am delighted she has agreed to Chair the MDAC and I am certain her leadership will build on the excellent outcomes the council has already achieved.

“Michael Taggart, the new Deputy Chair, is also a great advocate for people with disability. He’s been recognised for his commitment and achievements in disability access and inclusion in addition to his work in reducing disability discrimination.

The Council will be progressing key issues such as individualised funding for people with disability, the review of the Disability Act and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The National Transport Commission is calling for comment on proposed changes of transport of dangerous goods regulatory framework, saying that while governance is well-established, further improvements are needed according to a review released by commission.

NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said the review released by the commission identified a number of key recommendations to further strengthen the regulatory framework currently in place.

“We believe these proposed changes have the capacity to make the system safer, more efficient and provide greater transparency,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

Key review recommendations to improve the current system include:

• Aligning amendments to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code with the two-yearly international cycle of updates to the United Nation’s (UN) Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods- Model Regulations. This will ensure Australia keeps pace with international best practice.
• Ensuring states and territories implement the same definition of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code in their laws. This will eliminate the inconsistencies in state and territory laws that occur when updates are made to the Code and implementation does not occur on a common date.
  • Introducing a timeframe for regulators to make decisions about applications, to ensure businesses receive a timely outcome.

The NTC’s complete review,Strategic framework review of the regulation of land transport of dangerous goods: options paper is available by clicking here.

Submissions on the Review can be made until 31 August 2012 through the NTC website or by post to the Chief Executive, National Transport Commission, Level 15/628 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

“We encourage all those with an interest in the regulation of dangerous goods to share their views on the proposed improvements,” said Mr Dimopoulos.

A final recommendation will be submitted to the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) by the end of 2012.

The Australian Logistics Council has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s Progress and Action report handed to COAG, saying it goes some way in redressing the poor representation of the freight industry in transport planning.

“The Progress and Action report highlights three key national issues for freight – addressing road governance issues; ensuring freight is an integral part of long term planning and land use; and securing a commitment to reform,” said Michael Kilgariff, ALC Managing Director. 

“These issues have all been highlighted by ALC as priority areas governments and industry must embrace if Australia is to meet its future freight challenges.”

The report recommends some major reforms in the infrastructure sector. These include:

• the agreement to establish single national laws and single regulators for heavy vehicle, rail and maritime safety; and
• the decision to involve the private sector more in infrastructure debates, including on the peak Ministerial committee on transport and infrastructure.

“In particular, we welcome the focus on reforms aimed at improving freight efficiency in Australia by greater utilisation of a freight “backbone” available for priority use by the most efficient and advanced freight vehicles.,” Mr Kilgariff said.

Research and development will be one of the key issues addressed in consultations on the Federal Government’s National Food Plan green paper which presents a series of policy options for Australia’s food future.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, launched the green paper ahead of a forum with key representatives from the food and agriculture industries in Sydney.

The forum is the first in a series that will seek community and industry views on ideas presented in the green paper, with feedback to be used to finalise Australia’s first National Food Plan.

“The options presented in the green paper are based on previous stakeholder feedback. These forums will see Australians look into those options and help turn them into the policies we need,” Minister Ludwig said.

The green paper seeks views on possible future food policy options, including:

• Food Security –whether the government should regularly publish a State of the Food System report that analyses our food security and reports on how our supply chains are performing;
• Market Access – how we can assist Australian producers to enter overseas markets and create closer trade ties by expanding our network of overseas agricultural representatives;
• Supply Chain Relationships – how do we foster stronger relationships for more effective and efficient supply chains for the benefit of suppliers, supermarkets and consumers;
• Research and Development – whether the best way to boost Australia’s agricultural productivity is by increasing rural R&D investment over the next 10 years;
• Infrastructure – how to make sure we have the best information about what infrastructure our growing food industry needs to aid decision-making by the private and public sectors;
• Land Use – ways we can ensure Australia’s land is used sustainably, competing land use interests are balanced, and foreign investment reflects the national interest;
• Skills – what action is needed to form an industry-led working group that can create a workforce development strategy for the sector;
• Ongoing food policy development – how we create a key stakeholder/government food forum to drive food policy across government; and
• Disaster Mitigation – how we can develop new strategies to reduce risks and maintain continuity of the food supply in the case of a significant national emergency.

The series of forums on the National Food Plan green paper will be held across Australia from today with public consultation ending on September 30. Those unable to attend a public meeting can contribute a written submission, participate in the National Food Plan blog discussion at daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan or follow on twitter.

“The forums to take place over the next 10 weeks will help make sure Australia’s food policies capitalise on the opportunities before us and can rise to challenges in coming decades,” Minister Ludwig said.

“Australia is food secure and we want to make sure we take the right steps now so that remains the case into the future. This Government also wants to continue to partner with the food industry, across the supply chain, to help increase productivity and seize growth opportunities.

“With global food demand expected to rise by 77 per cent by 2050 and much of this growth predicted to occur in Asia with the rise of a new growing middle class, Australia’s food industry, food and agriculture workers and economy are primed to benefit from new market opportunities.”

The development of the National Food Plan will build on reforms the government has already begun in biosecurity, nutrition, the use of chemicals in agriculture, drought preparedness and water. Most importantly it prepares Australia for future challenges including climate change and finite natural resources.

For more information and how to participate in the consultation process, visit the National Food Plan website.

The Federal Government has opened the consultation period for the creation of a streamlined, nationally consistent licencing scheme for electrical workers, which it says will provide a $22 million annual benefit to the economy, growing to $120 million after 10 years.

Minister for Skills Senator Chris Evans said national licensing would mean electrical workers need only one licence to work anywhere in Australia.

"This reform would boost productivity and labour mobility, which is essential at a time when there is massive jobs growth in the north and west of the country," Senator Evans said.

"We need reform to make it easier for employers to relocate their skilled workers to areas of high demand and slash the amount of paperwork they need to complete to take on an apprentice.

"While more needs to be done, this marks an important step in removing 19^th Century barriers and red tape restricting labour mobility.

The proposed national system will replace current arrangements administered separately by each state and territory and will ensure electrical workers can work anywhere in Australia.

Initially, electrical, property, plumbing and gas-fitting and refrigeration and air-conditioning occupations will be included in the reforms before work begins on harmonising licensing for building and building-related occupations.

"The consultation statement is about giving industry, businesses and licence-holders the chance to see where the reform is headed," Senator Evans said.

"This is about working with Australian businesses and licence holders to make sure we've got the best approach to increase productivity and labour mobility.

The Consultation Regulation Impact Statement is aimed at seeking views from licence holders, business and other stakeholders around the country. Information sessions on the proposed changes will be held in all capital cities.

Information about the proposed reforms is available from the National Occupational Licensing Authority's website at www.nola.gov.au.