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Australian Chamber Annual Report and Business Review 2018 Chamber Annual Report and Business Review 2018

Published by Commerce of Commerce and Industry Level 2, 24 Avenue, BARTON ACT 2600 P: 02 6270 8000 www.australianchamber.com.au ISBN 9780646534091

Editors

Sarah McGregor Senior Manager, Membership and Marketing [email protected]

Emily Kennelly Adviser, Public Affairs and Advocacy [email protected]

Zoe Callaghan Communications and Events Coordinator [email protected]

Design

3 Degrees Marketing 3dm.com.au

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission from the Australian Chamber. CONTENTS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 1 CEO’S MESSAGE 3 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORK 5 NATIONAL SECRETARIAT 10 GOVERNANCE 11 OUR BOARD 13 STRATEGIC PLAN 14 YEAR IN NUMBERS 15 PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY 17 ECONOMICS, INDUSTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY 18 EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING 19 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER - TOURISM 20 TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 21 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 23 WORKPLACE RELATIONS 25 SUBMISSIONS 26 BIZ BETTER TOGETHER 27 2017 EXPORT AWARDS 30 2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT 31 2017 BUSINESS LEADERS ANNUAL DINNER 33 BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL EVENTS 35 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

THE EXTRAORDINARY IS BECOMING COMMONPLACE AND THE NEED FOR COLLECTIVE POLICY AND ADVOCACY BY THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER AND ITS MEMBERS HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

The past year has thrown up as series of extraordinary national political events with a major impact on the interests of businesses represented in the Australian Chamber network.

Government entered the year with the slimmest of majorities, staggered through a series of by-elections, elected a new Prime Minister, Treasurer and Cabinet. Instability dominated the political cycle and 24/7 news cycle and repeated businesses pleas for increased policy certainty, sound decision making and bipartisanship where possible, became increasingly loud.

Internationally, the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on trade and unilateral tariff increases put Australian fi rms at risk. Together with uncertainty over Brexit it fuelled continuing debate over the benefi ts of free trade and globalisation and the best way forward for market economies.

This is echoed in the rising debate over population growth and immigration in . Our population reached the 25 million mark and congestion in Melbourne and led to calls to cut back on immigration, while regional centres and rural communities remain desperate to bring in skilled people from overseas to do the jobs that Australians are unable or unwilling to fi ll.

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“The Australian Chamber secretariat has strengthened its policy and advocacy role, with new staff appointments and growth in industry association membership, which boosted the very strong contributions from member chambers and our existing industry association members.”

The skills shortage in our workforce is widening and Business Leaders Council, boosting our network of investment in vocational education and training is at influence and the value we offer to all of our members. critically low levels. At the same time, job creation is strong as baby boomers retire and the economy enters Membership growth, a better than expected trading its 27th year of growth. result and prudent management reduced the operating deficit and led to the adoption of a balanced budget for Despite increasing employment, subdued wages 2018-19 – a year ahead of plan. growth and high costs of living are feeding the unions’ We set aside plans for national membership and campaign to “change the rules” to give them more partnerships to focus on policy and advocacy and to power, force pay rises without regard to affordability, increase the Australian Chamber’s influence at the and take away employers’ management prerogatives. international level through the International Organisation The ACTU agenda sees little or no role for productivity of Employers, the OECD and the International Chamber improvement or greater flexibility to allow Australian of Commerce at the UN. firms to become more competitive. Peter Hood, former President of the Australian Chamber Increased energy costs on business are biting hard. and currently Chair of our Trade & International Affairs Efforts to bring in a combination of short and long term Committee, retired from the Board last year and will solutions to address affordability, reliability and emissions leave the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and reductions ended in a stalemate over the long term plan Industry of , where he served as represented by the National Energy Guarantee. At the President, later this year. Peter was instrumental in same time the new Prime Minister is pressing on with the organisational restructuring and revenue decisions some of the Competition and Consumer Commission’s several years ago which laid the foundation for our recommendations for shorter term price relief. We increasing profile, influence and financial sustainability. need to see both the NEG combined with ACCC recommendations: “NEG plus”. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of the board and the leadership of James Pearson, our CEO, The Australian Chamber secretariat has strengthened its and his team who display a level of commitment and policy and advocacy role, with new staff appointments energy on behalf of business, and engagement with our and growth in industry association membership, which members, that all of us can be proud of. boosted the very strong contributions from member chambers and our existing industry association members. Jeremy Johnson More corporates than ever are now members of our President

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CEO’S MESSAGE

WE GROW STRONGER AS AN ORGANISATION AS WE FACE INCREASING CHALLENGES AS A MOVEMENT.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry membership network has never enjoyed the breadth and depth that it has today.

Over the past three and a half years, the eight state and territory chambers of commerce and some two dozen industry associations, have been joined by over 50 more national and state industry associations. Our Business Leaders Council has gone from the drawing board to a membership of around 60 medium and large corporates. Our ranks swelled by over 20 in the past year alone.

We ran over 60 networking events this year for our Australian Chamber and Business Leaders Council members to bring members and supporters together with political and business leaders, decision makers and influencers.

But the cause of business faces a challenge to its legitimacy and a threat to its viability the like of which we have not seen for generations in Australia.

In the past year, the unacceptable behaviour of banks and insurance companies revealed by the Royal Commission, perceptions of excessive pay for senior executives, concerns at the impact of market dominance in key sectors of the economy such as energy, and

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“The most radical union agenda in generations looms like a spectre over the forthcoming federal election”

allegations of tax avoidance by multinationals have targets. It was adopted by the government but then, severely damaged the reputation of big business. That like many other hard-won policies, became collateral has weakened support for the business policy agenda, damage in the . We continue although the public and politicians remain supporters of to argue for it, and secure wins such as the accelerated small business and their efforts to succeed. tax cuts.

The most radical union agenda in generations looms The Opposition endorsed our call to increase like a spectre over the forthcoming federal election. apprenticeships, appointed us to its inquiry into post- Businesses are deeply concerned that the ACTU secondary education and adopted key planks of our campaign to “change the rules” will drive ALP workplace trade policy as their own. At our Business Leaders relations policy backwards. A more rigid labour market Summit, Labor acknowledged the increasing quality and is the last thing Australia needs as we work harder than frequency of dialogue between the Australian Chamber ever to thrive in fiercely competitive and volatile markets. and the Opposition.

Our resilience will be tested, but we can look to We have recruited strong performers in key advocacy our achievements this year and the increase in our and financial management roles and have again seen organisational capability as reasons to be confident. a year of outstanding commitment and achievement by our team. We continue to build our public profile. With that comes influence, based on the sound policies we advocate, with For that, I want to thank our secretariat and our the support of members. We secured an acceleration of members. The support of our President, Board, and of the tax cut for businesses with annual turnovers of up to our members across the country through subscriptions, $50million, an extension of the instant asset write-off for policy committee work and lobbying alongside us, small business and saw both the small business ministry amplifies our voice. It will be vital in the year ahead. and the workplace relations ministry returned to cabinet. James Pearson We were early advocates for a “NEG plus” ACCC Chief Executive Officer approach to address long and short term energy price and reliability failings, while meeting emissions reduction

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORK

THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST AND MOST REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, COMPRISING STATE AND TERRITORY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND NATIONAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS. WE SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Our Business Leaders Council provides a platform for Our policies encourage productivity, employment individual businesses to get involved in our activities. and growth to benefi t businesses, employees and communities. We work with communities to improve Australian Chamber Member Boards, CEOs and staff use understanding of, and support for business; with legislators to their organisations’ memberships to better inform themselves develop and enact policy; and with government to deliver it. on policy matters and shape economic and social policy.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY MEMBERS

Business SA Canberra Business Chamber of Commerce Chamber and Industry

Chamber of Commece and Chamber of Commerce NSW Business Chamber Industry of Western Australia Northern Territory

Tasmanian Chamber of Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commerce and Industry

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP NETWORK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

Accord Air Conditioning & Mechanical Animal Medicines Association of Financial Association of Independent Contractors’ Association Australia Advisers Schools of NSW

Australia Arab Chamber of Australian Automotive Australian Australian Chiropractors Australian Dental Commerce & Industry Dealer Association Beverages Council Association Association

Australian Dental Industry Australian Federation of Australian Gift & Homewares Australian Hotels Australian Institute of Credit Association Employers & Industries Association Association Management

Australian Made Campaign Australian Meat Processor Australian Mines & Metals Australian Mobile Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Limited Corporation Association Telecommunications Association Federation

Australian Recording Industry Australian Regional Australian Restructuring Australian Retailers Australian Roofi ng Tile Association Tourism Insolvency & Turnaround Association Association Association

Australian Self Australian Steel Australian Tourism Australian Tourism Industry Australian Trucking Medication Industry Institute Export Council Council Association

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INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (CONT.)

Australian Veterinary Bus Industry Business Council of Caravan Industry Cement Concrete & Association Confederation Co-operatives & Mutuals Association Aggregates Australia

Chemistry Australia Concrete Masonry Consult Australia Council of Private Higher CPA Australia Association of Australia Education

Cruise Lines International Customer Owned Banking Direct Selling Australia Exhibition & Event Fitness Australia Association Association Association of Australasia

Franchisee Federation Housing Industry International Society of Large Format Retail Live Performance Australia Australia Association Primerus Law Firms Association

Master Builders Australia Master Plumbers & Medical Technology Medicines Australia National Automotive Mechanical Services Association of Australia Leasing & Salary Packaging Association of Australia Association

National Disability Services National Electrical National Employment National Fire Industry National Retail Association & Communications Service Association Association Association

National Roads & Motorists NSW Hire Car Association NSW Taxi Outdoor Media Association Pharmacy Guild Association Council of Australia

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Phonographic Performance Printing Industries Recruitment, Consulting & Restaurant & Catering Screen Producers Company of Australia Association of Australia Staffi ng Association Australia Australia

The Tax Institute Think Brick Australia Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL MEMBERS (AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

Academies Acumen Health Airbnb Allied Express American Express Australasia

Angus Knight Archerfi eld Capital Argus TrueID Arthur J. Gallagher Australian Eggs Partners

Australian Hearing Bank of China Bendigo Bank BRI Ferrier Brown & Chase

Cabcharge Campbell Page Capital Hill Certica Citrus Group Advisory

City Tattersalls Club Commonwealth Bank Corrs Chambers Crown Resorts DXC Technology Westgarth Lawyers

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Dymocks Eftpos Australia Employers Mutual Energy Industries Google Superannuation Scheme

Heart Foundation Intelledox Intralot Australia Investec The IQ Group Global

Isentia IVE Group Australia JLL Kingsway Australia Laureate International Universities

MasterCard NetLinkz Pfi zer PremierState Primary Communication

Procurement Red Energy ResMed Samsung Sanofi Australia

Sensis Southern Cross SPAR Australia Star Entertainment Sydney Airport Group Group

Telstra Thales Australia The Geo Group Thorn Group Uber

Visa Vodafone Universal Business School Sydney

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NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (AS AT SEPTEMBER 2018)

The Australian Chamber’s national secretariat delivers the Chamber’s day-to-day activities on behalf of Members. Team members are based in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

CEO Offi ce Corporate Affairs

James Pearson Lee-Anne Dean Stephen Schmidt Kathryn Lee Kaisi Chen Michelle Straight Steve Hatzis Chief Execuitve Offi cer Executive Assistant to Company Secretary, Financial Controller Finance Offi cer Executive Support Administration Support the CEO and Offi ce Director of Corporate Offi cer Manager Services

Membership, Marketing and Events Public Affairs and Advocacy

Paul Nicolaou Sarah McGregor Zoe Callaghan Nerida Pearson Duncan Bremner Emily Kennelly Director, Business Senior Manager, Communications and Executive Support Director, Public Affairs Adviser, Public Affairs Leaders Council, Membership and Events Coordinator Offi cer and Advocacy and Advocacy Membership and Events Marketing

Workplace Relations Employment Education and Training; Tourism

Scott Barklamb Alana Matheson Dick Grozier Keith Black Jenny Lambert Krithika Gururaj Director, Workplace Deputy Director, Associate Director, National Policy Adviser Director, Employment Policy Adviser, Employment Relations Workplace Relations Workplace Relations Education and Training Education and Training Director, Tourism Policy Advisor, Tourism

Economics and Industry; Sustainability Trade and International Affairs Workplace Health and Safety

Adam Carr Magdelena Kaczmarska Bryan Clark Tom Stobo Jennifer Low Director, Economics Senior Policy Adviser, Economic Director, Trade and International Business Associate Director, Workplace and Industry Policy and Industry Policy International Affairs Support Offi cer Health and Safety

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GOVERNANCE

THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER) IS A MEMBER BASED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMPANY, WHICH IS LIMITED BY GUARANTEE WITH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOVERNED BY THE (CTH) AND MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. MEMBERSHIP COMPRISES STATE AND TERRITORY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL AND STATE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS.

General Council Deputy President position, which was subsequently filled by Ray Sputore from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Council is a council of members that oversights of Western Australia in July 2018.The Board is supported governance and determines policy on current issues, which by a number of Committees including a Board Executive provides a mandate for advocacy on matters of importance Committee, an Executive Management Group, an Audit to the business community. It is advised by the Board, policy and Risk Committee, a Remuneration Committee and a committees and working parties that meet between council Service Awards Committee. These Committees operate under meetings. Senior office-bearers and executives from the Charters approved by the Board. Australian Chamber’s member organisations, the Australian Chamber Board and senior members of staff attend General Board Executive Committee Council. General Council usually meets three times each year, on a national rotating basis. During the past year, General The Board Executive Committee has been established Council met in Canberra in November 2017, Adelaide in to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities by March 2018 and Sydney in July 2018. Australian Chamber dealing with matters of importance to the Board, which arise President, Jeremy Johnson is Chair of General Council. between Board meetings. The Committee also monitors the management of operational and business risks, advises the Board Board on corporate governance, oversights financial activity, and reviews the effectiveness of the external audit and internal The Board of Directors is responsible for corporate governance, controls. Jeremy Johnson is Chair. performance monitoring and the strategic direction of the company. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that Executive Management Group appropriate management structures are in place and such structures operate efficiently and transparently. Members at The Executive Management Group (EMG) provides support the Annual General Meeting elect Office Bearers. At the 2017 to the Board in achieving objectives identified in the Strategic Annual General Meeting, Jeremy Johnson from the Victorian Plan and developing a strong National Chamber movement. Chamber of Commerce and Industry was elected President The EMG consists of the CEOs of State and Territory Chambers and Dr Agu Kantsler, from the Chamber of Commerce and of Commerce and Industry. James Pearson is Chair. Industry of Western Australia was elected Deputy President. Audit and Risk Committee In December 2017 Dr Agu Kantsler resigned from the

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Audit and Risk Committee the administration and transparent financial accountability. Underpinning systems allow the Board to play an appropriate The Committee ceased operating March 2018. The Board, and central role for ethical and responsible decision-making, Board Executive Committee and Secretariat management and building capacity within the Australian Chamber. The have subsumed its responsibilities. Strategic Plan was updated in February 2018 to cover the Business Leaders Council 2018-2021 period. The Risk Management Register was restructured and now focuses on strategic issues, which are The Business Leaders Council offers a platform for individual reviewed regularly. Board meeting processes have also been businesses to participate in Australian Chamber activities. restructured to better address strategic issues, governance, It offers a forum to network, share ideas and engage with and performance management. political and business decision makers, influencers and regulators. KPMG provides independent audit services and has verified that the annual accounts provide a true and fair picture of our Governance Activities finances and operations for the last financial year. The external Key governance documents include the Strategic Plan, auditor makes an annual declaration of independence. Risk Management Register, and sound Board agendas and A policy of rotation of audit partners is in place. KPMG support materials. These documents are used by the Board attends the Annual General Meeting to address any member to assist decision making in regards to the oversight of questions.

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OUR BOARD

Jeremy Johnson Ray Sputore Terry Wetherall James Pearson President Deputy President; President, Immediate Past President Chief Executive Offi cer Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia

Stephen Cartwright Nicolle Jenkins Steve Knott AM Don Rankin CEO, NSW Business Chamber Vice President, Chamber of CEO, Australian Mines and President, Victorian Chamber Commerce and Industry of Metals Association of Commerce and Industry Western Australia

Chris Rodwell Mark Stone AM Nola Watson CEO, Chamber of Commerce CEO, Victorian Chamber of President, NSW Business and Industry of Western Commerce and Industry Chamber Australia

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STRATEGIC PLAN 2018 - 2021

OUR VISION OUR MISSION OUR VALUES

To make Australia the best To be Australia’s most influential Unity of purpose, commitment place in the world to do and respected business to excellence, independence business - so that Australians leadership organisation. in advocacy, respect for our have the jobs, living standards stakeholders and integrity in all and opportunities to which they that we do for our members. aspire.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES THAT UNDERPIN THEM:

MOBILISING THE POWER OF MEMBERS: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL:

• Building connections across the network • Prioritising policy and advocacy • Leveraging our collective knowledge and influence • Providing a compelling value proposition for members • Designing & delivering advocacy campaigns with • Engaging with members to resolve the financial members sustainability challenge

ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY: DEVELOPING EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES: • Empowered people working well together • Defining core national issues affecting business • Fit for purpose tools and processes • Prioritising and researching in consultation with members • Effective governance • Leveraging the political cycle • Measuring what matters

ADVOCATING PERSUASIVELY TO GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT AND THE PUBLIC:

• Speaking for all businesses but focusing on SMEs • Arming members and allies with messages and evidence • Leveraging the news cycle

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YEAR IN NUMBERS

145 934 608 Media Releases Print and Online Articles Radio & Television Broadcasts

$22.8m 936,808 51 Media Spend Equivalent Twitter Impressions Policy Submissions

5,474 26,095 2,134 Twitter Followers Facebook Followers LinkedIn Followers

60 5,696 143 Chamber, Industry and Business Networking Events Event Attendees Leaders Council Members

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MEDIA HITS

100

50

0

5AA SA 6PR WA 4BC QLD 2CC ACT 2GB NSW3AW VIC ABC Online ABC News NEWS.com.auRadio NationalSky News Live Daily TelegraphABC Radio Perth The Australian Adelaide Advertiser ABC Radio Melbourne Sydney Morning Herald Australian Financial Review

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY

Director: Duncan Bremner Campaigns Committee Chair: Terry Wetherall, Immediate Past President, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Australian Chamber has maintained a strong media attention nationally worth more than $22 million in equivalent profile and prominent position in national conversations on advertising spend. issues relating to energy, tax reform, workplace relations, vocational education and training and skilled migration. James Pearson’s opinion pieces covered the National Energy Guarantee, Industrial Relations, small business issues and tax policy. Most pieces ran in Fairfax and national print and digital publications.

Over the course of 12 months, the Australian Chamber issued 145 media releases and was mentioned in 934 print and digital articles and over 600 radio and television broadcasts.

The Australian Chamber’s presence across social media continues to grow. This was reflected in the increase in engagement and new followers achieved across social media platforms. On Twitter the Chamber has attained over 5400 followers and achieved a record number of tweet impressions

James Pearson addressing the press at Parliament House during the leadership this year (936,000). The Chamber has also attained over spill in August 2,000 followers on LinkedIn, and over 26,000 on Facebook.

To advance the Chamber’s public advocacy efforts the We continue to assertively challenge false and misleading Australian Chamber employed Duncan Bremner as Director of information that comes from adversaries - such as union Public Affairs and Advocacy and Emily Kennelly as Adviser for campaigns - emphasising the negative impact proposed Public Affairs and Advocacy in March. Since then, Australian policies would have across business. This has included Chamber CEO, James Pearson has undertaken over 30 addressing many of the “selective truths” in debates on issues television and broadcast interviews and held six media conferences. such as casual employment, penalty rates and ‘insecure work’. Across print, broadcast, social media and other channels, the Australian Chamber provided high profile responses This year we also launched the Campaigns Committee to the National Energy Guarantee, Company Tax Cuts, the chaired by Terry Wetherall and began a column residency with Federal Budget and the Fair Work Commission’s decision Fairfax’s regional network, which has allowed us to directly to lift minimum wages, which all attained extensive media communicate our policy agenda with regional Australia.

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ECONOMICS, INDUSTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Director: Adam Carr (outgoing) Economics and Industry Committee Chair: Don Rankin, President, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sustainability Committee Chair: Mark Stone AM, Chief Executive, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

It has been quite an eventful year for the policy areas covered Summary sent to members on Budget night, and despite a by the Economics, Industry and Sustainability policy team. number of policy wins, we continued to express our concern that not enough had been done to address structural budget We advocated for the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) to repair. encompass the recommendations made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in their We will continue to call on Government to ensure government Electricity supply & prices inquiry fi nal report. spending is on a much more sustainable path in our Pre- Budget 2019-20 Submission, and to reprioritise spending so The newly dubbed “NEG-plus” refl ected our policy stance on that a greater proportion of it goes towards well-considered energy and looked to be a signifi cant policy win for Australian investment in physical and human capital. businesses and households. We look forward to working with the new Energy Minister Angus Taylor and Shadow Energy Throughout the year we collaborated with our members in Minister , to ensure Australia’s energy policy does shaping our advocacy efforts and policy messaging. Our not now stagnate. collaborative efforts resulted in the following submissions made to Government, to name a few: Modernising Business We continued our advocacy efforts to ensure Australia has Registers; Designing a modern Australian Business Number a more competitive tax system. Key advocacy efforts were system; Inquiry into Impediments to Business Investment; aimed at bringing forward the legislated company tax rate Research and Development Tax Incentive Amendments; and, cuts for businesses with a turnover up to $50million, lifting the Draft detailed design of the NEG. threshold on the instant asset write-down, making it permanent and indexing the allowance. We also advocated to ensure the With members, we appeared before the House of government’s recent changes to Capital Gains Tax provisions for Representatives Standing Committee on Economics as part of small business were not retrospective or unfair and opposing their inquiry on Impediments to Business Investments. We will the government’s plan to restrict R&D tax incentives. This continue to build on our collaborative efforts next year and thank included meeting with the Prime Minister’s and Treasurer’s our members for their willingness to work with us. offi ce and Senate .

We made clear our members’ concerns about a reversal to already legislated tax cuts for businesses with a turnover up to $50million, and applauded the Opposition’s willingness to listen to and respond to our concerns.

More broadly, we also called for a wholesale review of Australia’s tax and transfer system in the Australian Chamber’s Pre-Budget 2018-19 Submission and modest spending cuts across James Pearson, Maggie Kaczmarska, Adam Carr and Duncan Bremner at Budget Night Lock-Up, May 2018 all government portfolios. In our Federal Budget 2018-19

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EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Director: Jenny Lambert Committee Chair: Denita Wawn, CEO, Master Builders Australia

Two areas connected by poor public policy decision making have occupied much attention this year - stalled progress with the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) to boost apprenticeships, Jenny Lambert on ABC Weekend Breakfast and the training levy on employers who access the migration program, to fund the SAF. to adequately reflect the major changes in the nature of jobs Throughout the year we have argued against changes to and the boarder economy. We will continue our advocacy with the new Assistant Treasurer to bring forward the timeline for employer nominated skilled migration streams, including the the review. quantum of the Skilling Australians Fund Migration Training Levy. Although unsuccessful in reversing the main thrust of The General Council demonstrated its foresight in July 2018 the changes, our persistent advocacy resulted in levy refund when it established a population and migration working group provisions being included in the 2018-19 Federal Budget. to develop a strong policy position, just as media and public The Australian Chamber frequently engaged with the Minister attention started to focus on this key area of policy. for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and the Department of Jobs and Small Business, on the regional The ailing Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector sponsored migration scheme visa review and advocated for was not a major winner in the 2018-19 Federal Budget with the visa stream to retain all occupations, allowing for regional the Skilling Australians Fund receiving only partial funding employers to continue to access the skills they need. The certainty, and even that was only achieved through substantial Australian Chamber also sits on the Global Talent Scheme Visa advocacy by the Australian Chamber. Although most states Advisory Group and on the Ministerial Advisory Council on and territories have signed on to the Skilling Australians Fund Skilled Migration, and made submissions to the Department National Partnership Agreement, there is a long way to go of Home Affairs on visa simplification, Australia’s permanent to get projects up and running. The Australian Chamber’s migrant intake numbers and the temporary skills shortage ongoing advocacy with former Assistant Minister for Skills visa settings. and Vocational Education, the Hon MP and the Department of Education and Training, reinforced the The Australian Chamber continued to advocate with the importance of industry engagement, backed up by written former Assistant Treasurer and the Australian and New representations made to the COAG Skills Senior Officials Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Network. The Australian Chamber’s voice has been heard list which is long overdue. This however did not bear fruit through media releases, a SWOT analysis, opinion pieces with the ABS postponing a decision on the review until 2021 and other commentary on the need to finalise the Skilling due to labour and resource constraints. With the ANZSCO Australian Fund projects and to invest in VET. There is still underpinning a wide range of labour market data, this poor a long way to go but the combined voices of business are decision leaves our analysis and migration programs unable getting louder.

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER - TOURISM

Director: Jenny Lambert Executive Chair: John Hart

The centre-piece of the Australian Chamber – Tourism’s work for the year has been its contribution to the development of the next long-term tourism strategy. At the instigation of the then Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, the Hon. , key industry representatives, including Australian Chamber - Tourism Chair, John Hart, set about developing a strategy for tourism post 2020. We gathered the views of the membership, framed a submission and advocated member views through the Committee process. The draft report was submitted to the Minister in June 2018.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations the Hon Brendan This strategic process, through a secretariat at Austrade has O’Connor MP, TAFE Directors CEO Craig Robertson, STAR Entertainment Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Lee and Labor Friends of Tourism Convenor Terri galvanised the industry behind longer term plans for tourism. Butler MP These plans have been supported by the implementation of an advocacy plan, Tourism Works for Australia, launched in Officer of STAR Entertainment Kim Lee and the CEO of TAFE late 2017. The launch was at a Coalition Friends of Tourism Directors, Craig Robertson. event, hosted by the Minister, in Parliament House, Canberra. Among other priorities, skills and labour issues facing tourism, The Tourism Works for Australia message is focussed on the capacity constraints at Sydney Airport and the necessity to number of people employed in tourism and hospitality. The support business events bids are significant and strategic collateral includes video and social media material highlighting priorities for Tourism. These were discussed at the first the number of people employed in tourism and hospitality by Australian Chamber - Tourism Networking Luncheon for electorate. In early 2018, the data was used for a mail out to 2018, which included a panel with Sydney Airport CEO Geoff all Members of Parliament reminding them of their electorate’s Culbert, Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan employment and key Australian Chamber - Tourism policy and Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith, who priorities. addressed these issues prior to a Australian Chamber - Tourism Committee Meeting. In the first Parliamentary sitting weeks of the new year, we hosted a Labor Friends of Tourism Reception featuring a The year rounded out with a strengthened membership panel on the Future of Vocational Education and Training in of Australian Chamber – Tourism, the finalisation of the Tourism. A lively panel discussion, leveraging the Tourism Beyond 2020 strategy, the realisation of the Tourism Works Works message was chaired by MP and featured for Australia campaign and the development of a policy Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, framework by members, that positions tourism to reach its the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Chief Human Resources future potential.

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TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Director: Bryan Clark ICC Australia National Committee Chair: Peter Hood

A highlight of 2018 was the ALP accepting many components Throughout the year, we continued to support negotiations for of our trade advocacy at the launch of their trade policy at an free trade agreements and in particular the Business Partnership Australian Chamber event in Sydney. Group for the Indonesian–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) where we initiated an idea The uptake of our policies by major policical parties is a clear for a “digital Special Economic Zone” in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. sign of our influence. Following the oppositions’s trade policy launch, we assisted Shadow Trade and Investment Minister Our work championing trade facilitation improvements was recognised by our invitation to present to the Australia-Pacfic with a series of business roundtable events in Economic Cooperation (APEC) Rules of Origin Workshop in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Each event hosted by the Vietnam and efforts in our participation in the National Committee State Chamber facilitated local companies to talk with the for Trade Facilitation and the Anti-Dumping Commissions’ Trade Shadow Minister about the ALP’s plan to help them succeed Remedies Advisory Group. in international markets if they win government. The Australian Chamber, PwC Australia and the Port of Brisbane We welcomed announcements from the government in the collaborated to develop a new system to link supply chain Federal Budget including support for addressing non-tariff information through block chain technology dubbed the trade barriers, replacing tariffs in many countries as a means ‘Trade Community System’ (TCS). The Australian Chamber to protect local industries against international competition, and its partners hosted an industry showcases for the TCS and the announcement of $50 million in support of the proof of concept in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The development of agricultural exports along with measures to project attracted significant media attention, nationally and support tourism and trade-related infrastructure. internationally.

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We maintained our engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim, Bryan Clark participated in meetings with our international attending the first meeting of the South African leadership partners including the International Chamber of Commerce in Durban where our efforts on Women’s Economic (ICC) World Council meeting and went to China for the Empowerment were recognised. International Certificate of Origin Council meeting. Bryan also participated in the ICC Commission on Competition and held In September, the NSW Business Chamber hosted the 2017 meetings with business representatives at the Organisation for World Chambers Congress, bringing the world’s chamber Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UK network together. Chairman Peter Hood participated in Brexit negotiating team. the Tokyo meeting of Regional National Committees and CEO Forum. Member nominations to the to the ICC Court, In Sydney in March, President Jeremy Johnson led our Nominations Panel and ICC Commission on Arbitration participation in the Prime Minister’s Association of South East (including the task force on Climate Change dispute Asian Nations (ASEAN) Special Summit SME Conference and resolution) were renewed. After six years Bruce Collins QC CEO Forum, with side events hosted by the Australia – ASEAN and Simon Greenburg were replaced by Peter McQueen QC Business Council. In the margins of these meetings Jeremy and Jo Delaney (Partner at Baker and McKenzie) to represent joined Chamber of Commerce and Industry Northern Territory our interest on the ICC Court of Arbitration. The second CEO, Greg Bicknell and Bryan Clark to meet the Prime Annual ICC Asia-Pacific Mediation Competition took place Minister of Cambodia and signed an MoU with the Vietnamese in July 2018, and we begun plans for the third to be held in Chamber of Commerce to enhance trade between our two Melbourne in July 2019. countries.

Participants from the second Annual ICC Australia Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition in July 2018

22 WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Associate Director: Jennifer Low Committee Chair: Nola Watson, President, NSW Business Chamber

Increased public attention and State funding for mental health ‘strategies’ drove a push for employers to take on additional responsibilities in this area. The Dreamworld incident renewed union demands for industrial manslaughter provisions under the model WHS Act, which saw Queensland respond in late 2017 and the announcement of a Senate inquiry into industrial deaths.

For National Safe Work Month the Australian Chamber coordinated a campaign for members based on the theme “Sharing safety knowledge and experience benefits everyone” and produced a webinar through our Biz Better Together initiative that explored issues SMEs face when dealing with workers’ compensation schemes.

We started the new year helping to set the direction of work health and safety and workers’ compensation (WHS&WC) laws for business for the next five years, through reviews of Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) corporate work plans and the mid-term review of the Australian WHS Strategy 2012 - 2022. In a win for the SWA social partners - employers and employees - we achieved long sought after changes to voting rights. We participated in the review of all the model Codes of Practice and four national guides and helped develop the first National Return to Work Strategy.

In preparing for and responding to the 2018 WHS Legislation Review, we coordinated a number of employer consultation forums with the Independent Reviewer. Our state and territory members held WHS&WC workshops and we hosted the Reviewer at our March WHS&WC Committee meeting allowing direct input into the review. From this process, we provided 29 recommendations in our submission to the Legislation Review.

23 We lodged a submission to the Department of Jobs and Small Business on the “Review of WHS Regulatory Framework in the Building and Construction Industry” and to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee in response to their inquiry into industrial deaths in Australia. In late August, the Australian Chamber appeared before the Senate Committee in Fremantle, WA where we challenged perceptions of business accountability in relation to workplace incidents and fatalities, and put to the committee a number of recommendations to improve safety outcomes nationally.

Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand researcher Sujana We actively participated on Standards Australia committee Adapa, James Pearson, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell AO and Jennifer Low at the launch of Enabling Safe and Healthy SF-001 overseeing the proposed adoption of international Workplaces for Small Business report and Part and Parcel campaign safety standard ISO 45001. Throughout the process the Chamber released media statements urging businesses In late June, we launched our new small business WHS not to pre-emptively adopt the standard until a Australian campaign: ‘#PartandParcel’. Working with small biz; it’s in the determination on adoption could be made. The article was delivery’ at Parliament House. The campaign is backed by an picked up by many media outlets with significant follow-up. independent report “Enabling Safe and Healthy Workplaces We were ultimately successful in securing agreement for for Small Business” commissioned by the Australian Standards to develop additional guidance to support SME’s Chamber. This campaign has allowed us to engage with utilising the standard. members, SWA, federal MPs and Senators, federal, state and territory regulators, unions and small business After a long 12 months, we completed the review and commissioners. We have also had high engagement from overhaul of the WHS VET qualifications and relevancy of small business owners through social media. units of competency being managed by PwC.

24 WORKPLACE James Pearson with Workplace Relations Director Scott Barklamb, Workplace Relations. Deputy Director Alana Matheson and CCIQ President Theresa Moltoni OAM, promoting. Australian business Interests at the global general council of RELATIONS employers in Geneva

Director: Scott Barklamb Committee Chair: Theresa Moltoni OAM

Industrial relations debate remains highly divisive and a barrier Work Commission’s Expert Panel increased minimum award to meaningful reform that would better support doing business wages by 3.5%, from 1 July 2018, following the Australian and creating jobs in Australia. Three different ministers held Chamber arguging for a more measured 1.9% increase and the industrial relations portfolio during 2017-2018. The ACTU the ACTU seeking a 7.2% rise. continues its agressive and misleading campaign to ‘change We intervened in various ‘test cases’ addressing: the the rules’ in the Fair Work Act, to further favour unions and operation of the ‘better off overall test’ for approving enterprise skew the system against employers. agreements including ‘loaded rates’ of pay, access of fixed The Australian Chamber has actively fought to air the problems term employees to unfair dismissal and when car allowances employers experience under the Fair Work Act and to dispel should take employees above the high income threshold for myths and misinformation designed to spread perceptions of making unfair dismissal claims. inequality and insecurity and assign blame to big business, The Chamber also participated in reviews of key parts of the flexible work options, migrant visa workers and sensible regulatory framework including greenfields agreements and restrictions on industrial action. the Australian Building and Construction Commission. In the Federal Parliament, the Australian Chamber and The Australian Chamber continues to represent Australian members successfully opposed attempts to reverse penalty employers internationally, taking the leading role representing rate reform in retail and hospitality Industry awards. We employers from more than 180 countries on a proposed represented business in number of parliamentary inquiries International Labour Organisation (ILO) treaty on “violence including a significant inquiry into the future of work, to which and harassment in the world at work”. The Chamber also we argued strongly for policy settings that will help Australia maintained its leading role in shaping the direction and compete in a global marketplace and equip Australians to work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in remain in work in a changing world. We also continue to the International Conference of Labour Statisticians, and influence the implementation of modern slavery reporting, facilitated member input on important questions for safety in and supported measures designed to improve the efficiency the minining industry, the future of work in the health sector, and transparency of the superannuation system and its and recruitment fees in the labour hire industry. compliance structure. The Chamber’s Workplace Policy Committee met four times In the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Chamber directly and undertook additional teleconferences. Committee successfully opposed the ACTU’s ‘family friendly’ working meeting guest speakers included: the Hon , then hours claim that would have given employees a right to Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and unilaterally reduce their working hours. We finalised an unpaid Deregulation, the Hon Brendan O’Connor, Shadow Minister domestic violence leave award clause, having successfully for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Furlong, opposed the unions claim for 10 days paid leave in favour of Executive Director, Tribunal Services Branch with the Fair Work a more realistic entitlement of 5 days unpaid leave. The Fair Commission and the Hon .

25 SUBMISSIONS

1. Submission to the Independent 20. The ’s Role in 37. Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Review into Regional, Rural and the Development of Cities Trade References Committee TPP Remote Education (Sept 2017) (Feb 2018) Inquiry (Jun 2018) 2. Visa Simplification – Transforming 21. Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake 38. Review of Regional Occupations Australia’s Visa System (Sept 2017) – Permanent Migration Settings (Feb 2018) List/Traffic Light Bulletin (Jun 2018) 3. Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in 22. Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) 39. Research & Development Tax Superannuation (Sept 2017) Visa Settings (Feb 2018) Incentive Amendments (July 2018)

4. Fair Work Commission - Navitas 23. STEM Industry School Partnership 40. Draft Detailed Design of the English Pty Ltd v Khayam (Sept (Feb 2018) National Energy Guarantee 2017) 24. Training Product Reform and Unduly (July 2018) 5. Modern Slavery in Supply Chains Short Courses (Mar 2018) Reporting Requirement (Oct 2017) 41. Women in STEM Strategy 25. Annual Wage Review 2017-2018 (July 2018) 6. Superannuation - Trustee (Mar 2018) Arrangements (Oct 2017) 42. Australian Apprenticeship Support 26. Building and Construction Industry Network Discussion Paper 7. Greenfields Agreement Review (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (Oct 2017) (Mar 2018) Response (July 2018) 8. Fair Work Commission - Loaded 27. Clarification, simplification and 43. Modern Slavery Bill (July 2018) Rates in Enterprise Agreements modernisation of the consumer (Oct 2017) guarantee framework (Apr 2018) 44. Australian Government Data Sharing and Release Legislation 9. The Digital Economy: Opening up 28. JSCOT inquiry into the (Aug 2018) the Conversation (Nov 2017) Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific 10. Review of Regional Occupations 45. Designing a modern Australian Partnership (Apr 2018) List/Traffic Light Bulletin (Nov 2017) Business Number system 29. Inquiry into impediments to (Aug 2018) 11. Tourism Pre-budget Submission business investment (May 2018) (Nov 2017) 46. Modernising Business Registers 30. Proposed amendments to the 12. Fair Work Commission - Sam (Aug 2018) Standard Instrument LEP Technology Engineers v Bernadou (May 2018) 47. Designing a modern Australian (Nov 2017) Business Number system 31. Regional inequality in Australia 13. The Greater Sydney Region Plan (May 2018) (Sept 2018) (Dec 2017) 32. Effect of Red Tape on Occupational 48. Reforms to combat illegal phoenix 14. Pre-Budget Submission (Dec 2017) Licensing (May 2018) activity – Draft Legislation 15. The Definition of Bulky Goods 33. Increasing the integrity of the (Sept 2018) Premises (Dec 2017) Commonwealth procurement 49. Fair Work Amendment (Family and 16. In-home Care National Guidelines - process (Jun 2018) Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2018 Child-Care (Jan 2018) 34. Introducing an economy wide cash (Sept 2018) 17. Transforming Cities (with EIP unit) payment limit (Jun 2018) (Jan 2018) 50. Fair Work Commission - Family and 35. Planning for the Future of Retail Domestic Clause (Various) 18. Senate Inquiry Into the Future of (Jun 2018) Work (Jan 2018) 36. JSCFADT Inquiry into access to free 51. Fair Work Commission - Family 19. Inquiry into the Trade System and trade agreements by small and Friendly Working Arrangements the Digital Economy (Feb 2018) medium sized enterprises (Jun 2018) (Various)

26 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

BIZ BETTER TOGETHER

Senior Manager: Sarah McGregor

Over the past twelve months the Australian Chamber’s Biz Speakers at the three events included Netflix’s former chief Better Together Initiative, funded by the Department of Jobs talent officer Patty McCord (US), Zenith USA innovation and Small Business through the Productivity Education and transformation expert Tom Goodwin, Atlassian’s Work Training fund, engaged over 1760 people across 18 events, Futurist Dominic Price, HubSpot Australia’s culture and including the successful NextGen in Business Event series. engagement manager Claudia Shepherd, social researcher and demographer Claire Madden, Ben Gould from Workplace by Facebook and HR experts from Envato, Canva, Australia Post and ANZ.

The NextGen in Business events were underpinned by a strong content series. Over 40 pieces of video and written content were produced and consumed by 417,000 people across a range of media platforms, including the Australian Financial Review, Business Insider Australia, Smart Company, and amplified on social media.

Biz Better Together continued the successful partnership with digital business news publisher SmartCompany by producing a series of events and webinars covering Work Health and

Atlassian Work Futurist Dom Price in Q&A with demographer and Gen Z expert Safety, workers compensation, workplace diversity and Claire Madden management and leadership.

Building on the success of the Mobile-ising Women in The Productivity Education Training Fund also assisted 36 Business event series, Biz Better Together developed the new Australian Chamber staff and members to access professional series NextGen in Business to improve workplace productivity development opportunities such as attending the 2017 by looking at the impact of the growing multi-generational International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers workforce. congress and the Centre for Workplace Leaderships’ Future of Work Conference. The event series attracted 730 event attendees across three consecutive events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. June 2018 saw the conclusion of the funding arrangement Attendees left armed with knowledge on how to establish a with the Department of Jobs and Small Business. Across cohesive and effective workplace, with guidance on managing the six-year funding period the Australian Chamber provided the multigenerational workplace, to lead through uncertainty, 110,000 people with 80 pieces of produced content in to meet growing employee expectations and to manage media outlets and blogs promoted on social media, and diversity and inclusions as drivers of innovation, creativity and delivered 345 events with members and partners throughout productivity. Australia, attracting 15,069 attendees.

27 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

‘Hello Gen Z’ author Claire Madden chatting with NextGen in Business delegates Dom Price, Atlassian Work Futurist delivering his keynote address

Former Netflix Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord (US) delivering her keynote address

NextGen in Business Sydney delegates interacting Zenith Media USA’s transformation guru Tom Goodwin in conversation with Claire Madden

Workforce ReThinkers Panel: Atlassian Work Futurist Dom Price, Envato HR Manager Amber Johnson, Ben Gould from Workplace by Facebook, Canva’s Head of People Zach Kitschke and Australia Post’s Head of HR Lauren Trethowan

28 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

29 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

2017 NATIONAL EXPORT AWARDS

The Australian Chamber celebrated export success at the 54th Australian Export Awards in Canberra in December 2017.

Co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber, the program recognises and honours Australian companies engaged in international business, that have achieved sustainable growth through innovation and commitment.

The Awards measure businesses against their peers based on the strength of their international growth, marketing and financial strategies.

Hosted by the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, the then Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Awards covered 12 industry categories recognising excellence in fields including James Pearson presenting the Environmental Solutions Award to NT exporter SRA Information Technology agribusiness, education, health, environmental and creative industries and included special categories for small and Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson presented the regional business. award for Environmental Solutions to SRA, an information technology company from the Northern Territory. SRA assists Technology company NEC Australia, was named ‘Exporter clients to meet environment and sustainability goals by of the Year’. Operating in Australia for over 50 years, NEC improving resource sector productivity, meeting compliance Australia has invested more than $200 million in research and requirements and managing community welfare. With its development in recent years, providing 1,800 Australian’s head office in Darwin and branches throughout Australia and jobs in the ICT Industry. It has established an Innovation Centre Singapore, the company services North America, Sub Sahara in Melbourne, a Global Security Intelligence Centre in Adelaide Africa, South East Asia and Oceania and increased its exports and has created 180 new jobs in regional NSW alone. by 127 per cent last financial year.

30 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT

A RECORD NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER MEMBERS, POLITICIANS, BUSINESS LEADERS, POLICY MAKERS, REGULATORS AND INFLUENCERS GATHERED AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN CANBERRA ON 18 AND 19 SEPTEMBER TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES FACING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND HOW TO CAN TACKLE THEM TOGETHER.

Opened by Energy Minister the Hon Angus Taylor MP, the Sponsored by Google the Summit also heard from small Summit explored issues ranging from the energy crisis, businesses who are making the most of the internet to grow education, skills and workplace relations to the role business their business. Owners and directors of Dogue Retail Group, can play in building trust and influence in the public debate. Life Interiors and Erilan Mastectomy Collection spoke about how they have improved their digital skills using Google’s free Addresses were provided by Trade, Tourism and Investment online learning platform, Digital Garage. They were joined by Minister Senator the Hon , Shadow Google’s Head of Business Marketing Richard Flanagan and Innovation Minister Senator the Hon , Small Business small business champion and TV personality David Koch who Minister Senator the Hon , Workplace Relations moderated the discussion. Minister the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP and Deloitte Access Economics Partner Chris Richardson. Over 30 politicians joined 170 guests of the Australian Chamber at the opening cocktail reception.

Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson, the Australian Chamber President Jeremy Johnson, Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP and Australian Chamber Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash and Australian Deloitte Access Economics Partner Chris President Jeremy Johnson Chamber CEO James Pearson Richardson delivering the Luncheon Address

Google’s Head of Business Marketing Richard Flanagan, Owner/Manager of Erilan Mastectomy Collection Jill Tucker, Life Interiors’ Co-founder & CEO Basil Karam and Dogue Retail Group’s Owner/Director Margaret Hennessy with TV personality David Koch who moderated the discussion on digital skills

31 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

Workplace Relations Panel: Shadow Workplace Relations Minister the Hon Brendan Energy Panel: Energy Minister the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Australian Energy O’Connor MP, IRIQ Law Managing Director Theresa Moltoni OAM, ACTU Policy Regulator Chair Paula Conboy, Shadow Energy Minister the Hon Mark Butler MP, Director Tom Roberts, Former BCA President and prominent businessman Tony ACCC Chair Rod Sims and Victorian Chamber CEO Mark Stone AM Shepherd AO and Australian Business Lawyers CEO and Director Nigel Ward

VET Skill Panel: Shadow Skills Minister Senator the Hon Doug Cameron, Restaurant & Catering Executive Director John Hart, the Mitchell Institute’s Professor Peter Noonan and Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn

Campaigns Panel: PremierState Chairman Michael Photios, Sue Cato of Cato & Clegg, GetUp! Chair Dr Phil Ireland GAICD, Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson Reforms Panel: Senator , Senator David Leyonhjelm, Senator Cory and Willard Director Andrew Plumley Bernardi, Senator and Victorian Chamber President Don Rankin

32 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

2017 BUSINESS LEADERS ANNUAL DINNER

Treasurer joined 300 guests at the Australian Chamber Business Leaders Annual Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra in November. The event was sponsored by MYOB, CareSuper, the Australian Made Campaign and 3 Degrees Marketing.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone AM, then Australian Chamber Deputy President James Boyce, Medicines Australia, Josh Bihary, Pfizer and Jon Jeremy Johnson, Australian Chamber Director Nola Watson and then Australian Chamber Director Dart, Commonwealth Bank Professor Trevor Cairney OAM

Pharmacy Guild President George Tambassis with then Small Business Minister the Hon Then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with then Australian Chamber Michael McCormack MP President Terry Wetherall

Then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with then Australian Chamber Director Theresa James Pearson with Senator the Hon CSC Moltoni OAM and MYOB CEO Tim Reed

33 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

Guests listening to then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP

Then Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison MP with Melina Morrison, CEO, Business Council of Co- The Hon Senator Bridget McKenzie with then Australian Chamber operatives and Mutuals Deputy President Jeremy Johnson

Former Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia CEO Deidre Willmott with Senator Senator David Leyonhjelm with CareSuper CEO Julie Lander

34 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

BUSINESS LEADERS COUNCIL EVENTS

October 20 Luncheon with the Hon MP, then November 8 Reception and Energy Market discussion with Rod Minister for Social Services, hosted by MinterEllison. Sims, Chairman, ACCC, hosted by ACIL Allen Consulting in Sydney.

Adam Carr, Australian Chamber, Andrew Macaulay, Printing Industries Association of Australia, Stephen Ferguson, Australian Hotels Association, Dominique Lamb, National Retail Association and Rod Sims, ACCC

November 13 Greek Investment Roadshow, Forum and Luncheon in conjunction with Enterprise Greece and the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, hosted by NAB.

October 30 Boardroom Luncheon with the Hon Jason Clare MP, Shadow Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment; Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern

Australia, hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney. The Hon David Elliott MP, NSW Minister, Prof Dimitri Papadimitriou, Minister of Economy & Development of Greece and Dr Stavros Kyrimis, Consul-General of Greece in Sydney

November 14 Luncheon with the Hon MP, Leader of the Opposition, sponsored by First State Super.

Natalie Cope, Australia China Business Council (NSW), the Hon Warwick Smith AM, Australia China Council, the Hon Jason Clare MP, the Hon Dr , Craig Emerson Economics and Bryan Clark, Australian Chamber

35 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

November 15 Book Reception with Warren Mundine AO December 8 Christmas Luncheon with the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer and Ray Hadley OAM, to mark the release of the book MP, then Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, hosted “Warren Mundine in Black and White” hosted by City by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Melbourne. Tattersalls Club, Sydney.

Ray Hadley OAM, Gillian Stapleton, Direct Selling Australia and Warren Mundine AO

November 22 - Small Business Roundtable Lunch with then Prime Minister and then Minister for Small Business at Parliament House

The Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, James Pearson, Australian Chamber and Wendy Machin, COBA

Stephen Cartwright, NSW Business Chamber, Megan Motto, Consult Australia, then December 13 Christmas Breakfast with Senator the Hon Australian Chamber President Terry Wetherall, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and James Pearson, Australian Chamber. , then Minister for Defence, hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney. November 27 Book Reception with Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC to mark the release of his book “Incorrigible Optimist” hosted by VACC in Melbourne.

Nikki Brouwers, Interact Injury Management and Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC Senator the Hon Marise Payne and James Pearson, Australian Chamber

36 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

February 23 Luncheon with the Hon Craig Laundy MP, then Minister for Small and Family Business, and Workplace and Deregulation hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

The Hon AO, Former Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, in Q&A with Zoe McKenzie, Trade & Investment Advisory.

March 20 Reception with then Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman, hosted by Lander & Rogers, Melbourne.

March 6 Highlights from the 2018 Asia Pacific Legal

Frontiers Seminar, hosted in conjunction with Primerus and Charles Cameron, RCSA, Natalie James then Fair Work Ombudsman, Leyla Yilmaz, Tricor Dormers, at Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney. VACC and Keith Ryan, HIA

Panel facilitated by Tony Dormer, Tricor Dormers with the Hon MP, Murray Natalie James then Fair Work Ombudsman and Stephen Ferguson, Australian Hotel Thornhill, HHG Legal Group and Nola Watson, President, NSW Business Chamber Association

37 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

March 21 Luncheon with the Hon MP, then Minister for the Environment and Energy, hosted by PwC, Sydney.

Panel discussion with Stephen Cartwright, NSW Business Chamber, Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia and the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Sue Bussell AM, KPMG, and the Hon MP

April 5 Networking lunch and TAFE skills announcement with the Hon MP, Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Small Business and

Philippa Kelly, Large Format Retail Association and the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP Skills hosted by the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney

March 23 Networking Lunch with the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Federal Shadow Treasurer to mark the release of the book “Fair Share” by Professor Stephen Bell & Michael Keating AC, hosted by KPMG, Sydney.

Adam Carr, Australian Chamber with the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Michael Keating AC and Jenny Lambert, Australian Chamber, Megan Aitken, TAFE NSW Digital, the Hon Professor Stephen Bell John Barilaro MP

38 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

April 16 Welcome Reception for the Consul General April 23 Morning tea and roundtable with the Hon Alex of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras and the Trade Hawke MP, then Assistant Minister for Home Affairs in Sydney. Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Katia Gkikiza hosted by Clayton Utz in Sydney.

Russell Zimmerman, Australian Retailers Association with the Hon MP

April 30 Australian Chamber Tourism Lunch with Geoff Culbert, Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Airport hosted by City Tattersalls Club in Sydney.

John Mangos and Katia Gkikiza, Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia John Hart, Australian Chamber –Tourism, John O’Sullivan, Tourism Australia, Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney and Geoff Culbert, Sydney Airport. April 18 Reception with the Hon MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury, Shadow Assistant May 11 Federal Budget Briefing Luncheon with the Hon Minister for an Australian Head of State hosted by Hall & David Coleman MP, then Assistant Minister for Finance Wilcox in Sydney. hosted by MinterEllison in Sydney.

Chris Richardson, Deloitte Access Economics, Nicole Green, MinterEllison and The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP with Stephen Conry, JLL the Hon David Coleman MP

39 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

May 15 Major Luncheon with the Hon Michael McCormack June 12 Reception with Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Shadow MP, Deputy Prime Minister, held at the Hyatt Regency Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations hosted by Sydney sponsored by Telstra. Clayton Utz in Sydney.

James Pearson, Australian Chamber, the Hon MP, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, and Kieran Gilbert, Sky News

May 17 Federal Budget Reply Reception with Dr MP, Shadow Minister for Finance hosted by Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney.

Amanda Mansini, Australian Mines and Metals Association and the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP

June 13 Reception with Senator , Independent Senator for hosted by KPMG in Sydney.

Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia, Dr Jim Chalmers MP and Robert Regan, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

May 25 Breakfast with the Hon Christian Porter MP, Attorney-General hosted by Clayton Utz in Sydney.

The Hon Christian Porter MP with Ian Burgess, Medical Technology Association of Australia Senator Tim Storer with Nigel McBride, Business SA

40 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

June 14 Reception and Book Launch, ‘Why Australia Slept’ August 2 Reception with the Hon Craig Laundy MP, then by the Hon Dr hosted by Lander & Rogers in Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Melbourne. Deregulation at MYOB, Melbourne.

Mark Stone AM, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeremy Johnson, Australian Chamber, Professor Judith Sloan, the Hon Dr Peter Hendy and the Hon Australian Chamber’s James Pearson, Tim Reed, MYOB, the Hon Craig Laundy MP Peter Costello AC and Samantha Reed, Chemistry Australia

July 17 Reception with Stephen McBurney, Commissioner, August 6 Reception to mark the release of Professor Australian Building and Construction Commission at Lander the Hon ’s book “Run for Your Life” at the City & Rogers, Melbourne. Tattersalls Club, Sydney.

Steve Knott AM, AMMA, Scott Barklamb Australian Chamber, Denita Wawn, Master Builders, ABCC Commissioner Stephen McBurney, Suresh Manickam, NECA, Derek Humphery-Smith, Lander & Rogers

July 31 Luncheon with the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, then Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities at JLL, Brisbane.

The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Megan Motto, Consult Australia and Jeremy Johnson, Professor the Hon Bob Carr with Jodi McKay MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Australian Chamber Transport and Shadow Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight

41 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

August 15 Luncheon to launch an Australian Chamber and Heart Foundation joint initiative ‘Business Women Champions of the Heart’, with Patron Lucy Turnbull AO, at MinterEllison, Sydney.

Sally Sinclair, National Employment Services Association, Joyce Di Mascio, Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia, Hon Patricia Forsythe, Sydney Business Chamber, Melina Morrison, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, Lucy Turnbull AO, Megan Motto, Consult Australia (back), Gill Stapleton, Direct Selling Australia, Nola Watson, NSW Business Chamber (back), Elizabeth McIntyre, Think Brick Australia, Samantha Read, Chemistry Australia, Mobinah Ahmad, Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

August 29 Lunch with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, September 27 Breakfast with Senator the Hon Linda Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Reynolds CSC, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs at Corrs Education, marking National Skills Week. Hosted by William Chambers Westgarth. Blue Dining | Laureate Australia.

Nick Pilavidis, Australian Institute of Credit Management with Senator the Hon NSW Business Chamber’s Stephen Cartwright with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash Linda Reynolds CSC

42 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

2018 BUSINESS LEADERS SUMMIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Dr Geoff Newcombe AM with the Hon MP John Dunn, Egg Farmers of Australia with Rod Sims, ACCC

Stephen Porges, Australian Alliance for Data Leadership, Jenny Muir, Primary Communication, Senator , Aisling Finch, Google Australia and New The Hon MP and Joyce DiMascio, Exhibition and Events Association Zealand and Joe Murphy, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors of Australasia

Australian Chamber President Jeremy Johnson, Senator Pauline Hanson and Archie Petsas, Southern Cross Group showing support for his local small Australian Chamber Deputy President Ray Sputore businesses

43 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

The Hon MP with Christopher Campbell, Academies Australasia The Hon David Coleman MP with Chris Downy, The Star Entertainment Group

Philippa Kelly, Large Format Retail Association with Chris Rodwell, Chamber of Alexander Macaulay, Senator Tim Storer and Andrew Macaulay, Printing Industries Commerce and Industry Western Australia Association of Australia

Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham addressing cocktail reception guests Senator the Hon Kim Carr addressing cocktail reception guests

44 OUR MEMBERS

CHAMBER

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION