Bad Timing for NSW Land Tax Hikes

According to ABS Retail Sales Trend Data released in October 2008, retail sales in NSW have shown negative growth for every month this year. Declining sales and increasing costs are making trading conditions for NSW retailers exceptionally difficult.

NRA believes that a 25 per cent increase in land tax rates for property portfolios over $2.25 million will directly impact on the cost structures of most shopping centres and inevitably put upward pressure on rents paid by retail tenants at a time when retailers can least afford it.

Rental costs are the single largest operating cost for most retailers and increases are difficult to absorb in the best of retail environments. Any increase in rents now will increase the risk of small business failure and inevitably lead to reductions in labour.

ABS Labour Force data for October 2008 discloses that NSW’s unemployment rate has increased by 0.4% since September 2008 and now stands at 5.2%, the second highest unemployment rate in Australia after SA at 5.3%. In a dramatic rise, male unemployment in NSW has increased to 5.1% in October from 4.3% in September.

The retail industry is the largest employer of labour in the state and the unemployment data reflects the deteriorating performance of the sector this year.  If the monthly increase in unemployment recorded in October is repeated over the next few months, NSW’s unemployment rate could hit 7% some time in the first quarter next year. By creating upward pressure on retail rents, the NSW Government risks seriously undermining employment levels in our largest employing sector.

Award Modernisation Hearings Conclude

The first stage of the award modernisation process concluded on November 5, 2008, following submissions to the AIRC by NRA and other retail sector organisations.

The AIRC is committed to releasing a new retail award in December this year. The new award however will not come into effect until January 1, 2010. From this date, the national retail award will operate in lieu of NAPSA’s (former state retail awards) which have applied on a transitional basis since constitutional corporations were transferred to the federal industrial relations system in March 2006.

Statutory Declarations to be Uniform Across Australia

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General has agreed on a uniform approach to statutory declarations. Under the new regime, a national uniform statutory declaration form will be developed.

There are currently eight different forms in use across the country and eight different legislative regimes regulating who can witness a statutory declaration.  A standard form should reduce confusion and inconvenience for both individuals and businesses.

One Stop Shop for Information on Anti-Discrimination

A new website will be launched early next year providing a one-stop shop for all Australians to access information relevant to their discrimination issue. The website will implement the first stage of a project launched earlier this year to harmonise anti-discrimination laws across Australia.  The website will be hosted by the Commonwealth Government.

The website should make it easier and simpler for individuals and businesses to get information on human rights and the relevant anti-discrimination commission.

Workplace Relations Ministers Council Meeting

The federal government has announced that it will introduce substantive workplace relations legislation into the Federal Parliament later this year.

The draft legislation which will provide the foundation for a national workplace relations system for the private sector was discussed at last week’s workplace relations ministers’ council meeting. The meeting confirmed that senior officials from all jurisdictions will meet in the near future to discuss matters concerning the transition to a new national workplace relations system for the private sector, in particular issues relating to governance and service delivery including compliance and tribunals.

In terms of OH&S, Ministers were provided with the first report of the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws. The Report addresses key issues such as duties of care, offences and defences. 

Click here to view the report

Harmonisation of Retail Tenancy Legislation

The Small Business Ministerial Council, comprising State and Territory Ministers for Small Business, has established a retail tenancy working group to achieve greater consistency and harmonisation of retail tenancy legislation around Australia.

In the first instance the working group will focus on the form and content of the various retail tenancy disclosure statements with the aim of developing a new disclosure statement to be used by all jurisdictions.

ABS Labour Force Data October – Seasonally Adjusted (Monthly Change)

• Employment increased by 34,300 to 10,768,300. Full-time employment decreased by 9,200 to 7,688,200 and part-time employment increased by 43,500 to 3,080,100.
• Unemployment increased by 7,000 to 487,900. The number of persons looking for full-time work increased by 10,200 to 338,200 and the number of persons looking for part-time work
• decreased by 3,200 to 149,700.
• The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3%. The male unemployment rate remained steady at 4.0%, and the female unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 4.8%.
• The participation rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 65.3%.

Unemployment Changes Across the States – 2007 to 2008 (seasonally adjusted data)

Australian Regional Labour Markets

The quarterly Australian Regional Labour Markets publication presents statistics on employment, unemployment, the unemployment rate and the participation rate by ABS labour force region. The data are also presented by State/Territory and metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, please click here to visit the Workplace website.

DEEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment - November 2008 Release

DEEWR's Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment has fallen for the tenth consecutive month in November. As in the previous month, two out of four components have contributed to the Indicator's decline—the ANZ Newspaper Job Advertisements series and the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index of Economic Activity. The Indicator has been confirming a prospective slowdown in the pace of employment growth below its long-term trend (currently estimated at 2.4 per cent per annum) since July 2008. A cyclical downturn in employment is also confirmed, with cyclical employment now falling for seven consecutive months.

NRA Tenancy and Leasing Service

Retail Head Start (Property Services) is the new partner of the NRA for delivery of property advice. The services offered are:-

• General Property/Leasing advice.
• Site Selection using Demographic Modeling.
• Site Acquisition through to Lease Negotiation.
• Lease Renewals including Market Reviews.
• Project Management of Shop Design and Fitout.
• Specialist Retail Rent Valuations.
• Problems between Landlord and Tenant.
• Business Disruption and Compensation.
• Advice on the Retail Shop Leases Tribunal and Retail Shop Leases Act 1994.
• Exiting non-performing sites.
• Education by way of group or individualized training.

These services would be performed by Ian THOMAS (24 years experience) and Malcolm MACRAE (Specialist Retail Valuer).

Online Training

Online programs are a very cost effective and time efficient way to complete industry training. Employers seeking staff training, or individuals wanting to improve their skills can access training 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any convenient location with computer and internet access.

For busy employers who find it difficult to find the time to sit down and induct their staff, NRA has a Retail Induction package now available on line.

The Retail Induction Online Program involves:

• developing retail industry knowledge,
• delivering customer service,
• acting responsibly and in a non-discriminatory manner,
• maintaining personal hygiene and presentation,
• housekeeping and
• following routine instructions.

It requires the team member to demonstrate an understanding of workplace policies and legislation regarding work availability and rosters, work duties, and relevant awards or agreements. Demonstrated understanding of workplace culture, inclusive behaviour, effective management of personal presentation, hygiene, and time, and the need to efficiently prioritise and complete tasks under instruction are also covered.

For more information click here

Tell Us What Trends are Affecting Your Business

Businesses (small, medium and large Australia-wide) are being invited to help shape the future of workforce and skills development by providing their input and feedback to the Service Skills Australia Environmental Scan 2009.

This report draws together intelligence and research about existing and emerging trends and issues in the service industry sectors, and how these impact on future skill and labour force needs.

The Service Skills Australia Environmental Scan 2009 will be used to determine:

• where government responses should be targeted all around Australia,
• examine future development of training packages, and
• set future priorities for Service Skills Australia for its work on behalf of the service industries.

To contribute your knowledge and perspective to the report, go to the Service Skills website.

Armed Robbery Survival Training

Barrington’s Armed Robbery Survival Skills Training is designed to help your staff protect themselves and others from becoming physical and psychological victims should a robbery occur.

This is a nationally recognised course with a professional trainer for those staff requiring more intensive training, complete with workbooks and certification. The course includes topics such as Surviving a Robbery, Opening and Closing Procedures and Target Hardening strategies.

Day courses will be held as follows:

Melbourne and Brisbane – 25^th November 2008

Cost: Members $300 plus GST

Non members $350 plus GST

Melbourne /Brisbane