Program Business tariffs A comparison of business electricity tariffs over time is shown in Figure 31 for small and medium businesses using metropolitan prices obtained from the By-laws. A similar pattern to residential electricity prices is observed for WA businesses across the 2009-2015 period. A general increase in business electricity tariffs is observed, particularly for medium size businesses using more than 50 megawatt hours per annum. These businesses have seen tariffs increase considerably between 2011 and 2012, with the fixed daily charge increasing by 11 cents from 38 to 49 cents per day. Since 2012, prices have risen more steadily. Small businesses (those using less than 50 megawatts per annum) have also seen an increase in prices – a 50 per cent increase between 2009 and 2015 - from 28 to 42 cents.centnationally. forusingcentnationally. BANKWEST CURTIN ECONOMICS CENTRE TIGER, TIGER, BURNING BRIGHT? Western Australia’s trade and economic development with Asia Focus on Western Australia Report Series, No. 5 September 2015 Report Launch - Program Wednesday 16 September 2015 from 7:30am until 9:00am The Hyatt 99 Adelaide Terrace, Perth #tradewithasia About the Bankwest Curtin Program Economics Centre The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre is an independent economic 7:15am Registrations open and social research organisation located within the Curtin Business School at Curtin University. The centre was established in 2012 7:30am Guests seated and welcomed by MC Gareth Parker through the generous support from Bankwest (a division of the Breakfast is served Commonwealth Bank of Australia), with a core mission to examine 7:40am Introduction the key economic and social policy issues that contribute to the Anthony Vella Head of Strategy, Bankwest sustainability of Western Australia and the wellbeing of 7:50am Report Launch WA households. Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright? Western Australia’s trade and The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre is the first research economic development with Asia organisation of its kind in Western Australia, and draws great strength Professor Alan Duncan Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and credibility from its partnership with Bankwest, Curtin University 8:10am Panel Discussion and Q&A facilitated by Gareth Parker and the Western Australian government. Mr Stedman Ellis Chief Operating Officer, Western Region, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association; The centre brings a unique philosophy to research on the major Ms Nicky Cusworth Deputy Director General, Strategic Policy, economic issues facing the state. By bringing together experts from Department of State Development; the research, policy and business communities at all stages of the Ms Stephanie Buckland Chief Executive Officer, Tourism WA; process – from framing and conceptualising research questions, Professor Alan Duncan Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre through the conduct of research, to the communication and 8:50am Vote of thanks implementation of research findings – we ensure that our research is Professor Graeme Wright Deputy Vice-Chancellor, relevant, fit for purpose, and makes a genuine difference to the lives of Research and Development, Curtin University Australians, both in WA and nationally. Session wrap-up by MC Gareth Parker The centre is able to capitalise on Curtin University’s reputation for excellence in economic modelling, forecasting, public policy research, trade and industrial economics and spatial sciences. 9:00am Event ends Centre researchers have specific expertise in economic forecasting, quantitative modelling, micro-data analysis and economic and social policy evaluation. The centre also derives great value from its close association with experts from the corporate, business, public and not-for-profit sectors. Welcome from Professor Alan Duncan Welcome to the launch of the fifth report in the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s Focus on Western Australia series: Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright? Western Australia’s trade and economic development with Asia. There is a general sense of unease with the recent slowdown in China’s economic growth. Large businesses and the state’s finances have suffered as a result. But is China the ‘be all and end all’ of the focus on Western Australia trade policies and objectives? Our report will examine a number of key questions relating to the composition and direction of trade by West Australian businesses and consumers. These include issues that affect current trading patterns with Asia, and opportunities for enhanced future trade and strengthened economic relationships with China, Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. This report reminds us that as important as China is to the economic fortunes of the state, it is by no means the state’s only export destination. To focus solely on China would be myopic. There are new partnerships to forge, emerging industries to support, infrastructure bottlenecks to overcome and the ‘WA’ brand to promote. The report also traces state exports to the regions. It highlights important barriers that regional businesses and residents, together with policymakers, have overcome in their pursuit of efficiency gains and growth. It also outlines what the regions can do to further promote trade. At this breakfast, assisted by commentary from an outstanding panel of experts: Ms Nicky Cusworth, Deputy Director General, Strategic Policy, Department of State Development; Mr Stedman Ellis, Chief Operating Officer, Western Region, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association; and Ms Stephanie Buckland, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism WA. We hope to generate discussion among our audience on strategies and steps that can be taken to improve on the current situation. Please enjoy breakfast and networking with friends, colleagues and new acquaintances. We hope that this report series continues to inform debate and build policy on key issues of importance to the State and the nation. Professor Alan Duncan Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Curtin Business School, Curtin University Anthony Vella Stedman Ellis Head of Strategy, Bankwest Chief Operating Officer, Western Region, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Anthony started his career as a graduate with ANZ and went on to hold roles in relationship management and risk in business banking. After joining the Stedman manages APPEA’s WA, South Australia and NT advocacy and policy Commonwealth Bank in 2005, Anthony held a variety of senior positions and development. He had an extensive career in the resources sector working gained a wealth of experience in global markets and institutional banking. in senior executive roles in both government and industry responsible for regulation and policy development, stakeholder engagement and advocacy. In 2012 Anthony joined Bankwest as Executive Advisor to the Managing He gained international experience while working for BHP Billiton in Papua Director before taking on the role of Head of Specialist Sales, managing a New Guinea and the United States. national team of Specialists. Anthony was then appointed as Head of Strategy in late 2014, which sees him responsible for leading the formulation and Stedman also serves on the boards of several WA research, education and articulation of the Bankwest strategy. cultural organisations. He has a bachelor of arts from UWA. Nicky Cusworth Stephanie Buckland Deputy Director General, Strategic Policy, Department of State Development Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Western Australia Nicky Cusworth has been Deputy Director General - Strategic Policy at the Stephanie Buckland is the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Western Department of State Development since January 2010. Her team provides Australia, the State Government’s economic development agency responsible advice to government on policy issues affecting the Western Australia’s for getting the conditions right so that the tourism industry in WA can economic development, and analyses local, national and global economic thrive. Tourism WA works in cooperation with other agencies and the private trends affecting the State. sector to drive tourism demand and develop the supply side of the industry. Tourism WA promotes travel to and within WA through marketing campaigns Between 2005 and 2009 Nicky was Director, Macro-economic Policy at the in cooperation with the industry and develops, attracts and promotes major Department of Treasury and Finance. The macro-economic policy division sporting, cultural and business events. On the supply side, Tourism WA produced the State’s official economic forecasts and provided policy advice works with other Government agencies and the private sector to facilitate and economic analysis to government. new tourism infrastructure such as hotels, airline routes, caravan parks and attractions. It also plays a role in ensuring that the State’s policies and Before joining the public service, she spent 15 years as Chief Economist at regulations support private investment in tourism. the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA. Nicky migrated to Australia in 1989. She has a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford Stephanie is a marketing and product management professional and prior to University. joining Tourism WA, was head of retail marketing for Bankwest, and worked for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare in the USA and Australia. She is a director of the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, the Deputy Chair of the Scarborough Redevelopment