ACCI 2011 Annual Report - Business Review

ANNUAL REPORT BUSINESS REVIEW

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CONTENTS04 ACCI IN THE MEDIA

06 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

08 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

11 ABOUT ACCI

12 GOVERNANCE

18 MEMBER NETWORK

20 NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

22 STRATEGIC PLAN AND COMMUNICATIONS

24 2011 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

30 MEMBER SERVICES

32 ACCI’S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

36 POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY

44 RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

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ACCI IN THE MEDIAANNUAL REPORT

& BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

ACCI IN

THE MEDIA

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ACCI IN THE MEDIAANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

ACCI IN THE MEDIAANNUAL REPORT


Finally, it is worth remembering that ACCI and each organisation in our National Member Network is a membership-based business that requires the strong support of business owners and continuing re-investment of resources. Success in past years lays the foundation for future activities, but does not guarantee future success. With that sentiment in mind, I urge businesses and member organisations to value the activities and achievements of ACCI and its National Member Network during 2011, and support my successor in the same way that members have supported my Presidency.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEANNUAL REPORT


ACCI ends 2011 in a healthy position, with a strong and active

membership, a widening network of influence domestically

and internationally, and a reputation for unambiguous business

advocacy.

It has indeed been an honour to serve ACCI as its President and I thank you all for your support and encouragement.

David MichaelisPresident

Throughout 2011 the Australian business community wrestled with economic and political uncertainty, at both domestic and international levels. Each in their own right present a challenge, but in combination they tested the

underlying strength of the economy, and the resilience of business in both the corporate sector and amongst small and medium business owners. I am pleased to report that despite these trying times and the continuing presence of some threatening clouds on the horizon, the economy has continued to grow, albeit at a rate slower than forecast at the start of the year. Australia’s economic fundamentals remain sound but, as I advised our General Council dinner in Sydney in March 2011, policy complacency and drift must be resisted. ACCI has worked closely with our National Member Network of Chambers of Commerce and national Industry Associations to help the private sector navigate these uncertain conditions and their uneven impacts and has strongly advocated for change in Government policy where that was seen as being in the best interests of business and employment. Both ACCI and our National Member Network expanded services and grew membership during 2011, suggesting that tougher trading or regulatory times have accentuated the value to businesses of their representative organisations. ACCI ends 2011 in a healthy position, with a strong and active membership, a widening network of influence domestically and internationally, and a reputation for unambiguous business advocacy and representation on major issues confronting commerce and industry.

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ACCI’s health stems not only from the authority of its voice and the relevance of its services, but also the support of its National Member Network. Without that support we would not be able to achieve the results outlined in this Annual Report and Business Review.

In addition to membership of the principal Chambers of Commerce in each State and Territory, during 2011 ACCI enjoyed the membership of twenty eight national Industry Associations, with the Australian Hotels Association and the Housing Industry Association joining our number since my report 12 months ago. It is this combination of Chambers and Industry Associations, together with their breadth of membership that made it possible to truly present ACCI as the nation’s largest and most representative business organisation.

Overseeing ACCI’s governance during 2011 has been our Board, and overseeing our policy development has been our member committees, working parties and General Council. To Board and committee members, all of whom commit to the service of ACCI on a voluntary basis, I express my sincere appreciation. With 2011 drawing to a close, so does my two year term as your President. These have been years in which ACCI has taken important steps forward with modernisation of its operations and value-adding through new service delivery. All of this has been done alongside a well-structured and service-oriented four-year Strategic Plan. Progress has only been made possible through the commitment of management, led by Chief Executive Peter Anderson and his executive team. During my presidency, they have successfully completed years two and three of the four-year Strategic Plan and have been strong advocates on behalf of business both publicly and behind the political scenes. This has made my job as President much easier, and the Board’s governance more effective.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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Whatever one’s view of the outcome of the carbon tax debate, we have been able to look the business sector in the eye and know that we have not shirked the issue or gone missing when advancing ACCI policy. I am appreciative to members for this mandate, yet respectful of organisations that hold different views. It is this combination of unambiguous business advocacy and respect for others that makes us a strong organisation where members and governments know what we stand for, and why.

We made gains in the vital but contested industrial relations debate, with the Gillard government agreeing to an externally conducted review of fair work laws

during 2012, and the federal Opposition announcing that it will have a policy to alter these laws.

We invested heavily in skills development on the back of our National Skills Survey, with the government making major budget announcements in May, asking ACCI to develop case studies on mature aged employment and administer a project on productivity and career paths, and then appointing us to the Skills Australia body in September.

A big advocacy win was our ability to convince the government to resist calls for the re-imposition of a compulsory training levy on the nation’s employers.

Not surprisingly, a large portion of our time during 2011 was

devoted to tax issues, with the carbon tax, the mining tax, the

October Tax and Jobs Forums and the superannuation levy.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORTANNUAL REPORT


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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

2011 saw the implementation of Year 3 of our four-year Strategic Plan. Our goals for Year 3 were to expand our membership services; to build on improved communication activities which accompanied the first two years of

the Plan; and to maintain a high level of excellence in policy advocacy and representation.

An assessment of our activities and achievements, many of which are identified in this Report, indicates that these goals are being achieved, despite the bumpy economic ride many of our members experienced during 2011.

At the forefront of our activities has been constant attention to sound business advocacy in the context of tightening economic and business conditions. Without an accurate read on what is happening in the global and domestic economy, we cannot be effective advocates for business.

Our Service Industries Blueprint, launched in April, was a landmark moment that captured the attention of political leaders and commentators. It is a resource that ACCI and our National Member Network can use well beyond 2011.

I am pleased that our survey work was well supported by member organisations during the year. This gave us an unparalleled insight into trading conditions and the uneven business cycle. Aside from our Economic Surveys, we also conducted national surveys on Workforce Skills, and on business impacts of national wage increases.

The range of policy issues at a national level on which the secretariat is asked to provide advocacy and representation continues to expand. To undertake these tasks we have increased reliance on working arrangements with policy experts and executives in our National Member Network. I thank all members for this input and support.

We also expanded our coverage in the national and international media, print, electronic and web-based, culminating in an address to the National Press Club in October. Our Communications Strategy does not seek media profile for its sake alone, but only as a tool for advocacy and representation. In the more crowded political space of a minority government and parliament, our heightened profile has been of benefit to the private sector. I thank media executives, editors and journalists for their support and willingness to allow ACCI to present the business message to the broader community.

Our dealings with governments continue to be primarily directed at the national government, although the COAG regulatory reform agenda intersects national and State-based advocacy. ACCI’s federated structure as a peak council made us ideally placed to influence that dynamic during 2011. Important regulatory matters remain outstanding, not the least of which is harmonisation of workplace health and safety laws. This area of reform occupied much time in 2011, led ably by Carolyn Davis and Toula Papadopoulos in our secretariat.

The Australian parliament remains a complex and central forum for business advocacy and lobbying, especially with a minority government and the half-Senate elected in 2010 coming into being from 1 July this year.

Not surprisingly, a large portion of our time during 2011 was devoted to tax issues, with the carbon tax, the mining tax, the October Tax and Jobs Forums and the superannuation levy.

Early in the year I was pleased to be asked by the Gillard Government to be a member of its Business Roundtable on Climate Change, and although ACCI disagreed strongly with the final package, the forum provided respect for our views and representation of small and medium business interests in particular. I was also pleased that ACCI was able to carry our advocacy on this issue into the public arena through our support for paid advertising by the Australian Trade and Industry Alliance. CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

ABOUT ACCIANNUAL REPORT


ABOUT ACCI

these are small and medium business.ACCI stands for a free enterprise economy with a strong focus on the promotion of a world class environment for doing business through the encouragement of private sector investment and entrepreneurship as essential elements of a prosperous and fair society.

Through our General Council and its policy committees, ACCI’s advocacy and business representation is developed democratically by and on behalf of representatives of all Australian business.

These member organisations provide the mandate and authority for ACCI to be the essential connection between industry, governments, regulators, tribunals and influential policy forums which affect the doing of business at home and abroad.

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The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is Australia’s peak council of business organisations and the nation’s largest and most representative business organisation.

It is also the nation’s longest serving business network, with its roots traced back to the formation of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce in 1826.

ACCI members combine the historic role of Chambers of Commerce and Employers Federations in our nation’s history.

ACCI speaks at a national and international level on behalf of the nation’s peak State and Territory Chambers of Commerce and Industry and national Industry Associations from almost all sectors of the economy.These significant and representative organisations make up ACCI’s National Member Network, which represents 350,000 business owners and managers. 85% of

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During 2011 ACCI also invested in our international network. Our administration of the International Chamber of Commerce Australia allowed us to expand service delivery, with some very successful seminars on commercial arbitration. Our work with the International Organisation of Employers saw us re-elected as the only Australian business representative on the Governing Body of the ILO. We also commemorated the 50th anniversary of business involvement in the OECD, through our membership of BIAC. And we also supported business advocacy in the forums of the B20, CACCI, and the World Chambers Federation.

In September, ACCI was asked by the ILO and the Gillard government to support economic development and workforce skills in our Pacific Island nations over the next two years, as a co-partner in the Pacific Growth and Employment Project.

In June, the inaugural Australian Chambers Congress was held on the Gold Coast, an event strongly supported by ACCI and one which reflected well on the depth of the Chamber network.

I was pleased that we were also able to expand our member services during 2011, with the commencement of our Corporate Leaders Dinners, and a capacity-building Workshop for member organisations around the theme ‘Influencing Canberra’. These successful events are profiled in this Annual Report.

These activities built on the further development of our web site, which commenced its new format from 1st January and has been well received by members and wider stakeholder groups.

Our secretariat has been refreshed over the year with new members of the executive team joining us, supported by new administrative staff. My personal thanks are extended to all outgoing staff, especially long serving executives Mary Hicks and

Brett Hogan, and a warm welcome to our new colleagues. It should be mentioned that Steve Hatzis in our Melbourne office clocked up 20 years of service early in 2011.

Our secretariat continues to be supported by wonderful executives in our member organisations. Within our membership there are so many good people, devoted and committed like us to the private sector. Thanks especially to outgoing Chief Executives Philip Andersen of Printing Industries and Wayne Kayler-Thomson of VECCI.

Over the year we were deeply saddened to lose three friends and colleagues, Jim Atkinson (President of Printing Industries) and two of VECCI’s very best executives John Smith and Todd Blake. These were severe losses to our Member Network, yet their past service is still making a difference today.

Finally, a sincere word of thanks to outgoing President David Michaelis, and outgoing Immediate Past President Tony Howarth. Both David and Tony have been gilt-edged leaders of the ACCI Board. They have been instrumental in making our Strategic Plan effective, and securing resources needed to make ACCI successful. They have been a great support to me as Chief Executive, and to my executive team. I thank them.

As 2011 closes, our mind turns to 2012. We approach it with enthusiasm for the task, knowing that not only is the work of business organisations incomplete, but ever more important if we are to lift productivity and competitiveness and keep our business organisations at the forefront of service provision.

Peter AndersonChief Executive

In the more crowded

political space of a

minority government

and parliament, our

heightened profile has

been of benefit to the

private sector.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORTANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

Peter McMullin Chairman, ACCI Employment, Education and Training Policy Committee; President, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Ian Penfold Chairman, ACCI Economics and Taxation Policy Committee; Immediate Past President and Director, NSW Business Chamber

Andrew Scobie Chairman, ACCI Industry Policy Committee; Co-Chairman ACCI Business Finance Taskforce; Director, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Peter Anderson Chief Executive

Directors who retired at the 2010 Annual General Meeting and who are thanked for their service were:

Jeremy Johnson Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Russell Varley Agribusiness Employer’s Federation

Tony Blake Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce

BOARD COMMITTEES

Audit and Risk Committee

The ACCI Audit and Risk Committee is a committee of the Board established by ACCI’s Constitution to report on risk and financial management, statutory accountability and corporate governance.

The following directors were Committee members during 2011: Peter Hood (Chairman), Bruce Fadelli and Ian Smith.

ACCI President David Michaelis, Chief Executive Peter Anderson and Company Secretary Rozanne Crawford attended Committee meetings during 2011, by invitation. The Company Secretary acted as Committee Secretary.

The Committee met with ACCI’s external auditor during 2011.

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GOVERNANCEANNUAL REPORT


Directors during 2011 were:

David Michaelis ACCI President; Past President, NSW Business Chamber

Richard Holyman Deputy President; Chairman, ACCI Membership, Marketing and Communications Committee; Past President, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Tony Howarth AO Immediate Past President; Past President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia

Nicholas Begakis AM Chairman, ACCI Trade and International Affairs Policy Committee; Director, Business SA

Bruce Fadelli AM Chairman, ACCI Small Business and Service Industry Policy Committee; Director and Past President, Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory

David Goodwin Chairman, ACCI Environment Policy Committee; President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland

Graham Harris Chairman, ACCI Workplace Policy Committee; Director and Past President, Australian Federation of Employers and Industries

Peter Hood Chairman, ACCI Audit and Risk Committee; President Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia

Ian Smith (from April 2011) President, Australian Mines and Metals Association

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GOVERNANCEACCI is a membership-based peak council governed by its Memorandum and Articles of

Association. Oversight of ACCI’s governance is undertaken by the Board and its committees.

Oversight of ACCI policy development is undertaken by General Council and its committees.

BOARDThe Board is comprised of directors who are elected at each year’s annual meeting of members on the nomination of member organisations, or subsequently appointed to casual vacancies. They are industry leaders with expertise in a wide range of business activities. Together with executives from member organisations and the secretariat, they collectively form a powerful base of knowledge and experience on which ACCI draws.

GOVERNANCEANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

During 2011 the following standing policy committees were administered:

Trade and International Affairs Policy Committee

Chairman, Nicholas Begakis AM; Secretariat, Bryan Clark

Small Business and Service Industry Policy Committee

Chairman, Bruce Fadelli AM; Secretariat, Greg Evans

Environment Policy Committee Chairman, David Goodwin;Secretariat, Greg Evans

Workplace Policy Committee Chairman, Graham Harris; Secretariat, David Gregory

Employment, Education and Training Policy Committee

Chairman, Peter McMullin; Secretariat, Jenny Lambert

Economics and Taxation Policy Committee

Chairman, Ian Penfold; Secretariat, Greg Evans

Industry Policy Committee Chairman, Andrew Scobie; Secretariat, Greg Evans

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POLICY COMMITTEESTo assist its work, ACCI’s General Council receives reports from policy committees, working parties and taskforces established by the Council or secretariat on a standing or ad hoc basis.

Policy committees are comprised of a representative of each member

organisation nominating to the committee, and are administered by senior executives of the secretariat.

They ensure that ACCI policy development, policy advocacy and strategy have a clear member mandate.

MEMBERSHIP, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEEThe Membership, Marketing and Communications Committee is a Board committee reporting on ACCI’s membership, member services and marketing activities. During 2011 the Committee’s mandate was expanded to include strategic oversight of communications activities between ACCI and the member network and external media. This aligned the Committee’s oversight with ACCI’s Strategic Plan and Communications Strategy.

The Chairman during 2011 was Vice President Richard Holyman.

Company Secretary Rozanne Crawford acted as Committee Secretary.

SERVICE AWARDS COMMITTEEThe Service Awards Committee is a Board committee established to consider proposals and make recommendations for the future conferral of ACCI Service Awards, and to oversee their administration.

The Chairman during 2011 was President David Michaelis.

The Chief Executive acted as Committee Secretary.

GENERAL COUNCILACCI’s peak policy-making organ is General Council.

General Council is comprised of a representative of each member organisation, together with alternate representatives. Board members attend, as do senior executives of the secretariat and invited guests.

General Council is chaired by the ACCI President.

During 2011, General Council met in Sydney (April), Darwin (July) and Canberra (November).

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GOVERNANCEANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

WORKING PARTIES AND TASKFORCESIn addition, the following ad hoc Working Parties and Taskforces were convened on an as-required basis:

Workplace Relations Working Party Taskforce on Business Finance

Service Industry Working Party Occupational Health, Safety and Compensation Working Party

Superannuation Working Party Contracting and On-hire Working Party

Workplace Relations Legal Roundtable Food Industry Sub-committee

Business Law Working Party Corporate Social Responsibility Working Party

Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Working Party

Communications Group

During 2011 ACCI also moved to establish a Sustainability Working Party, and a Not for Profit Sector Working Party, both on an ad hoc basis.

ACCI also administered industry-wide consultative bodies including the National Employers’ OHS Consultative Forum and the Small Business Coalition.

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We needed a solution that enabled us to support our ongoing business while pursuing overseas opportunities. EFIC provided more than just a financial solution, they took the time to get to know our business and considered

our performance risk as well as our experience in delivering on past projects.

EFIC supported us with an advance payment bond as well as a performance and warranty bond, enabling us to reassure our buyer and successfully fulfil the contract. EFIC were focused on helping us realise our export ambitions. This deal transformed our business, and we’ve gone on to win multiple contracts in the region.

Overcoming financial barriers for exportersVisit efic.gov.au/acci

Bob Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Systems & Services

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During 2011 ACCI’s National Member Network comprised:

Chambers of Commerce and Industry

ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Australian Federation of Employers & Industries

Business South Australia Chamber of Commerce & Industry Western Australia

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland

New South Wales Business Chamber

Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

National Industry Associations

ACCORD Agribusiness Employers’ Federation

Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors’ Association

Australian Beverages Council

Australian Dental Industry Association Australian Food and Grocery Council

Australian Hotels Association Australian International Airlines Operations Group

Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign

Australian Mines and Metals Association

Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation Australian Retailers Association

Bus Industry Confederation Consult Australia

Housing Industry Association Live Performance Australia

Master Builders Australia Master Plumbers’ & Mechanical Services Association of Australia

National Baking Industry Association National Electrical and Communications Association

National Fire Industry Association National Retail Association

Oil Industry Industrial Association Pharmacy Guild of Australia

Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association Printing Industries Association of Australia

Restaurant & Catering Australia Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce

MEMBER NETWORKANNUAL REPORT


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MEMBER NETWORK

ACCI is more than one business organisation. It is the peak council of multiple business organisations forming the ACCI National Member Network. This Network comprises each of the major State and Territory Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and 28 national Industry Associations.

This is Australia’s largest and most representative business network, connecting 350,000 business representatives from all regions and all major sectors of the economy.

Our National Member Network means that ACCI speaks with the authority of authenticity about the effect of public policy on businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to the top 100 companies. 85% of ACCI’s National Member Network are small and medium businesses.

ACCI forms a vital link between business and the Australian government, regulatory

authorities and the community. And because it is representative, when ACCI and our National Member Network speak, people listen.

Each organisation in ACCI’s National Member Network is an independent body providing a wide range of member services.

During 2011 ACCI supported many of these activities and services, including presentations at member conferences and seminars.

Amongst these was the inaugural Australian Chambers Business Congress, which was held on the Gold Coast in June 2011. Over 1,000 delegates attended with an array of international and national speakers including Canadian and US author Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Wozniak co-founder of Apple and Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School.

MEMBER NETWORKANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

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SENIOR EXECUTIVE GROUP

SENIOR EXECUTIVE GROUPANNUAL REPORT


Peter AndersonChief Executive

Carolyn DavisManager Workplace Health, Safety & Compensation

Jenny LambertDirector Employment, Education & Training

Kay GilchristEcecutive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Greg EvansDirector Economics & Industry Policy

David GregoryDirector Workplace Policy

Daniel MammoneManager Workplace Relations & Legal Affairs

Rozanne Crawford Director of Corporate Services & Company Secretary

David TurnbullDirector Communications

Bryan ClarkDirector Trade & International Affairs

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NATIONAL SCRETARIAT

The ACCI national secretariat is the hub of ACCI’s day-to-day activities. It comprises ACCI’s

executives, policy advisers, communications and member services, and corporate staff. It also

houses our bilateral business councils and project consultants. ACCI’s secretariat is based in

both Canberra and Melbourne.

Secretariat staff during 2011 included:

Chief Executive’s Unit Peter Anderson , Kay Gilchrist

Corporate Affairs Unit Rozanne Crawford, Michelle Orford, Charlotte Russell, Coreena D’Souza, Steve Hatzis, Samantha Goodall (from July 2011), Madelyn Norton (to September 2011), Kirsten Lawarik (from September 2011).

Communications Unit David Turnbull, Brett Hogan (to February 2011), Ben Carter (to September 2011), Monica Mosmondor.

Economics, Industry Policy and Small Business Unit

Greg Evans, Burchell Wilson, Dr. Si Wei Goo, Cate Clunies-Ross.

Employment, Education and Training Unit

Jenny Lambert, Mary Hicks (to April 2011), Stephen Bolton, Ewan Brown (from September 2011)

Workplace Policy and Legal Affairs Unit

David Gregory, Daniel Mammone, Carolyn Davis, Toula Papadopoulos, Catie Maher.

Trade and International Affairs Unit

Bryan Clark, Lewis Hirst,

Bilateral Business Councils Paul Gallagher, Cynthia Dearin, Colin Mackenzie, Marcela Bernal de Castro, Ana Belgun.

NATIONAL SECRETARIATANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

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COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGYIn 2011 ACCI took the next steps in implementing our Communications Strategy, which was adopted in 2010 as part of our Strategic Plan.

The Communications Strategy implements measures to enhance ACCI’s effectiveness in communication with external media, as well as lifting communication and co-ordination between the ACCI secretariat and our National Member Network.

Under the strategy, a Communications Group of public relations and media professionals drawn from the ACCI secretariat and member organisations was formed during 2011.

ACCI’s Communication Strategy seeks to achieve the following goals:

1. Policy effectiveness

2. Credibility building

3. Service provision

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIESAs the nation’s largest and most representative business organisation, ACCI has a high media profile across the full spectrum of economic, trade, workplace and employment issues. Actively engaged in this wide debate, ACCI is not content to cherry-pick ‘special’ media opportunities, but expresses the business position news-bulletin-by-news-bulletin 24/7. Media monitoring figures underline ACCI’s position as the voice of Australian business.

For example, in the six months to 30th June ACCI had 531 mentions in major metropolitan newspapers, issued 104 media releases, conducted 26 press conferences and held 223 radio and television interviews.ACCI’s presence was prominent (evidenced by a large number of page 1 or bulletin leading stories) and thought leading (with regular opinion pieces published by Chief Executive Peter Anderson and policy executives in major daily newspapers and on-line publications).

ACCI’s voice was heard in all forms of the media and in both national and regional markets. It covered an enormous range of issues, from interest rates at one end of the spectrum to industrial relations and occupational health and safety regulation at the other. Indeed, ACCI spoke authoritatively on almost all national or international issues affecting Australian business, large and small. STRATEGIC PLAN &

COMMUNICATIONS


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ACCI’SSTRATEGICPLAN &COMMUNICATIONS

STRATEGIC PLAN

1. Quality member services

2. Excellence in policy development

3. Effective lobbying and advocacy

4. Relevant business representation

5. Building internal strength and capacity

VALUES

ACCI’s values expressed in our Strategic Plan express the way we go about our business and the culture of our organisation.

Our five strategic values are:

1. Unity of purpose

2. Commitment to excellence

3. Independence

4. Integrity

5. Respect

2011 saw the implementation by ACCI of year three of our four year strategic plan. The strategic plan, adopted in 2008 for the period 2009-2012, is a framework for strengthening the business voice through ACCI and our National Member Network.

It implements five key goals and strategies, underpinned by specific recommendations for the progressive modernisation of ACCI’s activities and member services.

STRATEGIC PLAN & COMMUNICATIONS


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• Endorsed by Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

• Brought service industry employment to the Jobs Forum

SUPPORTING MANUFACTURERS• Highlighted the impact on

manufacturing competitiveness from a carbon tax and higher dollar

• Supported measures to increase manufacturing competitiveness at Tax and Jobs Forums

• Opposed calls for a return to protectionism

• Supported the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS• Fought against small business having to

administer paid parental leave scheme

• Forced a parliamentary inquiry into conduct of banks

• Established a member-driven Business Finance Taskforce

• Framed banking reform proposals for Treasury and the parliament

• Succeeded in getting a first phase of reform through the parliament

• Led the case against pre-emptive interest rate rises

• Led national debate on banking fees charged to business

• Appointed to government’s Small Business Advisory Panel

SUPPORTING RESOURCE INDUSTRIES• Lobbied against the mining tax

• Highlighted dangers to efficiency from mandatory procurement policies

• Supported skilled migration where needed to fill gaps in labour supply

• Supported investment in port, transport and logistics infrastructure

BUSINESS REPRESENTATION IN THE PARLIAMENT• Member submissions on economic, tax,

workplace, regulation, superannuation and trade issues

• Represented members and business in parliamentary committees and hearings, and with federal politicians from all political parties


2011 ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS

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POLICY LEADERSHIP• A 10-point reform plan for the Australian

Government, the ACCI Jobs and Growth Reform Agenda

• Commissioned independent research on small business impacts of carbon tax

• Pressured government to announce external review of fair work laws in 2012

• Pressured Opposition to commit to an industrial relations policy

• Member communiqué on unfair impacts of new workplace laws

• Secured federal budget funding in workforce skills and measurers to address labour shortages

• Put sagging productivity on the national agenda through calls for economic and workplace reform

• Campaigned with the Australian Trade and Industry Alliance against the carbon tax

• Called for reduced cost pressure on doing business including through tax reform

• Opposed carbon and mining taxes

• Opposed increases in the superannuation levy and raised equity issues for employers funding retirement incomes

• Worked to minimize business red-tape

• Supported national harmonisation of health and safety laws but on fair grounds

• Pressured government to restrict spending and get federal budget back into balance by 2013

• Drew public attention to the impact of the high dollar and global uncertainty on exporters and competitiveness

• Highlighted the bluntness of interest rate rises on a multispeed economy

• Championed the problem of accessing capital from banks on fair terms

GETTING SERVICE INDUSTRIES ON THE MAP• Published Australia’s first policy reform

agenda for service industries, the ACCI Service Industries Blueprint

• Helped Chambers and Industry Associations promote the Blueprint to members

• Landmark work acknowledged by Australian government

• Case profiles on tourism, event, hospitality, construction, business, retail and education services

• Distributed nationally and globally



Policy representation and advocacy strives for short, medium

and long term goals. ACCI was involved in many activities

during 2011, with plenty of achievements that gave expression

to the needs and circumstances of business people and their

organisations. Here is just a snapshot.

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• Re-elected to Governing Body of International Labour Organisation

• Secretariat to Bilateral Business Councils

• Administrator of International Chamber of Commerce Australia (ICCA)

• Supported exporters though certificates of origin

• Forced government review of APEC Business Cards

• MOU with Indonesian Chamber of Commerce

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT• Member influence through national

policy committees and working parties

• Established Business Finance Taskforce

• Co-ordinated consultation with Australian industry on OHS regulation

• General Council meetings in Sydney, Darwin and Canberra

• Supported inaugural Australian Chambers Business Congress

• Supported Industry Association events and forums

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• Secured inquiries by parliamentary committees on Banking Industry Competitiveness and Access to Finance

• Led industry input to Senate Committee on Industry Skills Councils

IN THE FAIR WORK TRIBUNAL• Represented Australian employers in the

2011 National Wage Case

• Represented employers in female dominated industries against union pay claims

• Protected employers in lower-paying industries from wage flow-ons

• Fought for the right of retailers to employ after school workers on short shifts

• Fought to limit uninvited union right of entry into workplaces

• Fought to prevent union rights to strike being expanded

• Advocated improved unfair dismissal processes

• Scrutinised workplace intervention by inspectors and regulators

FIGHTING RED TAPE• Fought against build-up of

Commonwealth regulation

• Fought for fewer differences in health and safety regulation around country

• Supported NSW members to remove unfair burdens on employers under NSW OHS laws

• Secured better regulation review of business impacts before cabinet decisions

• Fought to reduce regulatory burdens in new workplace awards

REDUCING BUSINESS COSTS• Successfully opposed proposals to re-

introduce a compulsory training levy on Australia’s employers

• Successfully argued the case for pauses in interest rate rises

• Won government, not employer, funding of paid parental leave

• Won 6 month deferral for parental leave scheme administration

• Won phasing in of labour costs under new awards

• Won reduced minimum wage rises compared to 2010 and 2011 union claims

• Won phasing of changes to apprenticeship incentive payments in 2011 federal budget

• Forced review of laws requiring employers to pay leave loading in termination pay

• Slowed down union gender pay claims by requiring robust evidence

• Slowed down government plans to increase employer superannuation levy from 9% to 12% of payroll

GLOBAL VOICE FOR BUSINESS• Represented Australian business in:

• International Chamber of Commerce• International Organisation of

Employers• OECD’s Business and Industry Advisory

Committee• Confederation of Asian Chambers of

Commerce and Industry• Confederation of Asia-Pacific

Employers• Business representation in lead up to

G20

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INFLUENCING DECISION MAKERS• Seat at the table in the Tax Forum and

the Jobs Forum

• Prime Minister guest at 2010 Annual Dinner, Productivity Commission Chairman guest at 2011 Annual Dinner

• Regular meetings with Ministers, Shadow Ministers and regulators

• Member of Prime Minister’s Business Taskforce on Carbon Pricing

• Member of Prime Minister’s Business Taskforce on Flood Recovery

• Appointed to Board of Skills Australia

• Influence on superannuation industry reforms acknowledged by government

RESPECTED BUSINESS ANALYSIS• Research on Attitudes to Carbon Pricing

• Regular Economic Surveys on business expectations, investor confidence, industrial trends and small business

• New National Workplace Skills Survey conducted and released

• New National Survey of Impact of Award Wage Rises conducted and released

• National coverage of ACCI surveys, including use by Treasury and Reserve Bank

• Released research on mature aged apprenticeships and apprenticeship retention

A CREDIBLE PUBLIC VOICE• Extensive public commentary in print

and electronic media

• New Director of Communications with national media connections

• Regular formal media statements and interviews

• Regular published opinion pieces in national and member press

• Widened ACCI communications network

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT• Balanced annual budget

• Strategic Plan implementation

• Communications Strategy up and running

• New members (Housing Industry Association, Australian Hotels Association)

• Attracted new executive talent into secretariat

• Encouraged businesses to join member associations

participating members and guest presenters scored the event a resounding success. Secretariat staff who put the Workshop together were delighted to be part of extending ACCI’s member services.

During the Workshop members heard from:

Bernard Wright, Clerk of the House of Representatives, on how the parliament and parliamentary committees work, and how submissions on legislation can be made effective;

Brendan Nicholson, Defence Editor of The Australian and former Bureau Chief, on how business gets its views reported through the media and press gallery;

Sandra Parker, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, on how the public sector is organised and how executive government operates;

Guy Barnett, recently retired Senator and author of ‘Make A Difference: A Practical Guide to Lobbying’, on how politicians respond to lobbying activities;

Les Timar, Managing Director of Government Relations Australia, on strategies for effective business lobbying and policy campaigns.

Guest presentations were supported by executives from the ACCI secretariat including Cate Clunies-Ross, Greg Evans, David Gregory, David Turnbull, Bryan Clark and Chief Executive Peter Anderson.

Members were also addressed by Rob Oakeshott, Member for Lyne, one of the independents in the parliament who holds a decisive vote on both legislation and

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MEMBER SERVICESANNUAL REPORT


parliamentary confidence in the government. Members also found a few moments to be escorted through the Canberra Press Gallery by ACCI’s Director of Communications David Turnbull.

ACCI LEADERSHIP DINNERSDuring 2011 ACCI commenced a series of Leadership Dinners. These dinners provide opportunity for groups of ACCI member organisations to showcase to a select number of executives from the corporate or small business world their connection with ACCI through informal discussion with an invited ACCI guest.

The first Leaders Dinner was held in Sydney in July with the Deputy Secretary General of the International Organisation of Employers, Brent Wilton. Brent is the global business interlocutor with United Nations style agencies on labour standards, human rights and corporate social responsibility.

His message to corporate executives was to become aware of global developments in these areas, develop proactive strategies should companies or those in their supply chains be targeted by global union or human rights campaigns, and to not panic should problems arise.

The second ACCI Leadership Dinner was held in September on the evening preceding ACCI’s ‘Influencing Canberra’ Workshop. Members had their appetite for the day ahead wetted by the National Political Correspondent for News Limited, and senior press gallery journalist, Steve Lewis.

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MEMBER SERVICES

ACCI’s Strategic Plan places strong emphasis on quality member services. These services include effective policy development, advocacy and representation. These services cover regulatory, trade, workplace and economic issues that impact the private sector.

They also include supporting and profiling the work done and services delivered by the nation’s State and Territory Chambers of Commerce and Industry and national Industry Associations.

2011 MEMBER SERVICESDuring 2011 ACCI’s member services included:

• Inaugural ‘Influencing Canberra’ capacity building workshop for business associations

• Commencement of ACCI Leadership Dinner series

• Direct member input into policy • Submission development and

presentation• Regular member Bulletins, Circulars and

Briefs• Policy Snapshots• National and international business

representation• Regular Communication Updates• Joint advocacy to strengthen member

voice• Speeches and support to member forums• Articles in member publications• New ACCI web site – rated highly by

industry and members• New ACCI national magazine –

Commerce & Industry• Weekly CEO Update for members

• Regular President’s Report• Corporate branding re-fresh• Administered Employment and Training

Advisers project• Oversaw Certificate of Origin service by

Chambers• Negotiated for Chambers to administer

APEC business card scheme• With ICCA, conducted seminars on

commercial arbitration • Giving Voice to Business in the Media• Member Meetings and Networking• Project Delivery• Strategic Planning

INAUGURAL CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPIn October 2011, in Parliament House Canberra, ACCI convened a Workshop for members about business advocacy, called ‘Influencing Canberra’. It was the first time in national public affairs that a business association had conducted a capacity building forum of this type about businesses lobbying for business.

The Workshop was an idea developed during discussion with members about ACCI’s Strategic Plan.

The goal was to convey a better working knowledge about ways to make business lobbying effective. It also sought to de-mystify how national affairs work in the complex world of parliaments and governments.

Better lobbying capacity makes stronger business associations, and stronger associations get policy results for members. Effective business associations at the grass-roots level also makes a stronger ACCI at the peak level. Feedback from

MEMBER SERVICESANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

ACCI’s is a membership based organisation whose core

business is national and international business advocacy on

behalf of our 350,000 strong National Member Network.

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In June 2011 ACCI’s Director of Trade and International Affairs (and also ICCA Chief Executive) Bryan Clark joined other colleagues from Australian Chambers at the World Chambers Federation congress in Mexico City.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF EMPLOYERS (IOE)ACCI is the representative of Australian employers in the Geneva-based International Organisation of Employers.

The IOE is the global voice of private sector employers on employment, labour and social policy, both in the forums of the tri-partite International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the wider United Nations (UN) and multilateral community. 148 peak national employer federations from nations across all continents and regions comprise the IOE’s direct membership.

ACCI’s Chief Executive Peter Anderson is a member of the IOE’s Management Board.

2011 also saw the election of an IOE President from the Asia-Pacific Region, the former President of the Malaysian Employers’ Federation Mr. Dato’ Azman.

By working with the IOE, ACCI ensures that Australian employers have their views heard and acted on when key labour or employment policies are debated or adopted at an international level.

The IOE provides ACCI with direct opportunities to be involved in the affairs of the ILO, which sets global labour standards – many of which have been adopted by the Australian government and influence the framing of Australian law and practice.

ACCI’s Peter Anderson is a member of the ILO’s Governing Body representing employers from the Asian region. He is also supported by the IOE as the global employer spokesperson on the ILO’s influential Committee of Freedom of Association – which hears cases lodged against national governments for alleged breaches of core labour conventions.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OECD (BIAC)Australia is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is the global


ACCI’S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

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INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)ACCI administers the secretariat functions of the International Chamber of Commerce Australia. ICC is a global business network of which ACCI is an integral part.

ICC’s key aim is to serve businesses by promoting trade and investment, open markets for goods and services, and the free flow of capital. The ICC’s activities cover a broad spectrum from international arbitration and dispute resolution, to developing a strong policy case for open trade and the market economy, international rule setting and standards, and fighting corruption.

The ICC holds a privileged consultative status with major intergovernmental organisations, and enjoys a close working relationship with the UN, the G20, and the World Trade Organisation. Since 1946, the ICC has had consultative status with the UN and its specialised agencies.

ICC Australia is an independent company administered by ACCI with a governing Board responsible to ICC Australia members and reporting to ICC headquarters in Paris, and regionally.

Under ACCI’s leadership, the organisation has grown and is increasing its Australian profile.

The ICC makes policy in:

• Anti-Corruption • Arbitration • Banking Technique & Practice • Commercial Law & Practice • Competition • Corporate Responsibility & Anti-

corruption • Customs & Trade Regulations • E-business, IT & Telecoms • Economic Policy • Environment & Energy • Financial Services & Insurance • Intellectual Property • Marketing & Advertising • Taxation • Trade & Investment Policy • Transport & Logistics

In September 2011, ICC Australia together with the NSW Business Chamber and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia, hosted a two-day seminar on international arbitration for business in Sydney and Perth. The seminars were well attended and included a number of key speakers involved in international arbitration.

These seminars followed ICC Australia, together with a number of State Chambers, delivering a series of seminars on the new international commercial trade terms (Incoterms 2010). Incoterms define and explain what commercial trade terms mean, such as Free on Board (FOB) and Cost and Freight (CFR). They are key commercial terms used by exporters, importers, banks, and the international legal community.



As the largest and most representative business organisation

in Australia and with deep institutional links into the Chamber

and Employer movements, ACCI services an extensive

international network in which it speaks on behalf of Australian

business in international forums.

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conference of the Confederation of Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Turkey. ACCI also presented a policy paper entitled ‘Promoting a Conducive Climate for Trade and Investment in Infrastructure Development’, which was subsequently adopted by CACCI members.

In October, ACCI’s Director of Trade and International Affairs Bryan Clark attended a CACCI Strategic Planning Summit in Taiwan.

Regional Chamber matters took a further step forward in April, when ACCI Director Bruce Fadelli AM travelled to Jakarta to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between ACCI and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin). The MOU opens the way for closer organisational and economic cooperation, paralleling government to government trade talks. The MOU was formalised during the Indonesia-Australia Trade Ministers’ Meeting and witnessed by Australia’s Minister for Trade Dr. Hon Craig Emerson MP and Indonesian counterpart Mari Elka Pangestu.

CONFEDERATION OF ASIA-PACIFIC EMPLOYERS (CAPE)ACCI is the Australian member of the regional employer federation network, the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Employers.

CAPE acts as a forum for employer bodies from the high growth Asia and Pacific regions to share information and experiences about labour market, employment and labour relations policies.

Given Asia’s relatively youthful population, policies to activate youth employment and entrepreneurship are high on CAPE’s agenda.

During 2011 the secretariat of CAPE moved from the Japan Business Federation to the Malaysian Employers Federation. At its annual meeting in June, ACCI joined with colleagues in thanking Nippon Keidanren for hosting the secretariat and building an informative web site over the past decade.

ACCI’s Chief Executive Peter Anderson is a Vice President of CAPE.

BILATERAL BUSINESS COUNCILSACCI values its links to international organisations and during 2011 continued to host bilateral business councils and committees including:

• Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee

• Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry

• Australia Malaysia Business Council• Australia Thailand Business Council • Australia - Russia Business Council

Highlights of Business Council activities included:• the May 2011 inaugural Australia Arab

Forum and Business Expo in Melbourne, hosted by the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Organised by its Chief Executive Chief Executive Cynthia Dearin, National Chairman Ray Najar and the Chamber’s Board, the Forum was a resounding success. Four Australian government Ministers participated including Trade Minister Emerson, Small Business Minister Sherry, Resources Minister Ferguson and (by video link from Washington) Foreign Minister Rudd. Three Victorian government Ministers also supported the event. Ministers and delegates from the Middle East and North Africa were also amongst the 250 delegates. Austrade and DFAT provided great support;

• the June 2011 joint infrastructure mission to Indonesia (Jakarta) which was undertaken by the Australia-Japan Business Co-operation Committee and its sister counterpart, the Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee. The mission, organised by ACCI’s Paul Gallagher, was headed at the Australian end by AJBCC Chair Sir Rod Eddington and supported by Austrade. The mission was attended by 74 persons from Australia and Japan, and included constructors, design professionals, trading houses and banking representatives.

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forum of industrialised nations dealing with national economic, taxation and labour market policy.

The OECD secures private sector business input from BIAC, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. ACCI is the Australian business representative to BIAC.

Through BIAC, ACCI secures first hand awareness of major OECD research and is well positioned to compare and contrast national policy settings that inform our tax, economics and labour market advocacy.

ACCI recently worked with Business NZ to successfully secure a seat for Australasia on the BIAC management board.

2011 saw the 50th anniversary of the formation of the OECD. To mark the event, ACCI contributed testimonials for a global BIAC publication ‘The OECD’s 50th Anniversary’ which was presented to OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria at BIAC’s General Assembly Business Roundtable held in April 2011 in Budapest, Hungary.

These testimonials were from ACCI’s Chief Executive Peter Anderson and Past President and former Chairman of ACCI’s Trade and International Affairs Committee, Peter O’Brien.

CONFEDERATION OF ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (CACCI)ACCI is the Australian member of the regional Chamber network, the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Together with ACCI, Australian colleagues Ken Court (CACCI Life Member) and Tony Park (CACCI Vice President) represent Australian Chambers in CACCI forums.

In March 2011, ACCI Chief Executive Peter Anderson attended the annual ANNUAL REPORT



37

enable inefficient State and payroll tax to be reduced and, over time, abolished

• Linking tax reform and reduction of the tax burden on business to reform of government expenditure

SERVICE INDUSTRIES• Development and publication of 159-

page Service Industries Blueprint

• Analysis of service industries coupled with 83 specific policy reform proposals to encourage growth and productivity of service industries

• Profiling the contribution the services sector makes to the Australian economy

• Identifying issues and challenges for the services sector, including taxation policy, the regulatory burden, government assistance, workplace regulation, human capital development and international trade in services

• Issues and challenges facing specific sectors in the services industries including the construction services industry, the business services industry, the tourism and event services industries, the accommodation, restaurant and catering services industries, the distributive (wholesale and retail) trades and the higher education services industry.

SUSTAINABILITY AND CARBON PRICING• ACCI appointed member of Prime

Minister’s Business Roundtable on Climate Policy

• Opposition to carbon tax, including support for advertising campaign by Australian Trade and Industry Alliance

• Support for carbon abatement through technology, innovation and efficiency measures POLICY DEVELOPMENT


36

POLICY DEVELOPMENT & ADVOCACY

The following is a snapshot of major issues covered by ACCI Policy units during 2011:

JOBS AND GROWTH REFORM AGENDA• In late 2010 ACCI’s General Council

adopted a 10-point Jobs and Growth Reform Agenda which framed ACCI’s 2011 advocacy.

• This agenda also acted as one of the highlights of our previous Annual Dinner with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who was presented by ACCI Vice President Richard Holyman with a symbolic pair of ‘walking the reform road shoes’, to mark her commitment ‘to walk the reform road every day in government’.

ECONOMICS• Analysis of economic and market

volatility, globally and domestically

• Profiling challenges for policy from uneven economy

• Identification of policy challenge to arrest sliding and sluggish productivity and competitiveness

• Investor Confidence Survey

• ACCI-Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends (50th anniversary in 2011)

• Commontwealth Bank-ACCI Business Expectations Survey

• Analysis of small business conditions given market and economic volatility through Small Business Survey

• Opposition to interest rate rises given impact on under-performing sectors

• Analysis of impact of bank fees on SME’s

• Analysis of SME access to finance

• Input into policy reforms to banking sector

• ACCI appointed to government’s Small Business Advisory Panel

TAX• Opposition to the carbon tax

• Response to Henry Tax Review

• Advocating accelerated depreciation of business assets

• Support for carrying back of tax losses against prior years taxable income

• ACCI appointed business representative at Tax Forum

• Making case for aligning personal income tax with corporate tax rates

• Supporting reduction in corporate tax rates

• Support for increase to the small business entity turnover threshold

• Opposition to the mining tax

• Engagement in debate on flood levy

• Putting capital gains tax on Tax Forum agenda and opposition to removal of small business CGT concessions

• Arguing the case for GST reform to POLICY DEVELOPMENTANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

ACCI is engaged in an extensive and substantive range of

policy work, advocacy and representation conducted through

the national secretariat and its member policy committees,

working parties and taskforces.

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• Submissions to parliament on Industry Skills Councils

• Advocacy in support of employer incentives in apprenticeship system

• Negotiating for commencement incentive for a Certificate II traineeship being paid post May budget for hiring 4,000 trainees during cross-over period ($5 million to employers secured)

• Appointed project manager for government mature aged employment case study project

• Appointed project manager for government project into productivity and career paths

• Administration of employment and training advisors project (and securing one year extension)

• Advocacy on VET standards and employer engagement to the Australian Qualifications Framework Council

• Joint project with Innovative Research Universities raising employer awareness of integrating Work Integrated Learning into workforce strategies

• Input to DEEWR and ASQA on the National VET Regulator legislation and proposed fee structures for the Australian Skills Quality Authority

• Submission to the 2011 Base Level Funding of Higher Education Review

WAGES POLICY• Representation of employers in the 2011

national wage case

• Opposition to union test cases on award wages in community sector

• Opposition to union test case on award wages in aged care sector

• Advocacy of need for stronger productivity links to wage determination

• Advocacy in support of transitional provisions for employers experiencing cost increases under new industrial awards

WORKPLACE RELATIONS POLICY• Assessing impact and outcomes of fair

work laws

• Highlighting adverse impacts on employer’s capacities and rights, particularly in bargaining, agreement making, right of entry and termination of employment

• Establishing a case for amendment to fair work laws

• Developing broader analysis of desired workplace regulation for coming decade

• Advocating for external government review of fair work laws in 2012

• Preparing advocacy for review by Fair Work Australia (FWA) of new awards in 2012

• Regular meetings and exchange of information with members on fair work laws and workplace policy

• Assessment of productivity and efficiency impacts of fair work laws

• Assessment and communication of tribunal and court decisions on fair work laws

• Identifying emerging industry concerns at general protection provisions in the Fair Work Act

• Analysis of unworkability of current individual flexibility agreements

• Advocacy in support of legislative amendments to overcome extensions to right to strike laws

• Assessment and input into government proposals for ratification of international labour conventions

• Joint project management for ILO of Pacific Growth and Employment Project

• ACCI’s Manager of Workplace Relations and Legal Affairs, Daniel Mammone, selected as a representative of employers in an internship programme

POLICY DEVELOPMENTANNUAL REPORT


38

• Profiling absence of small business compensation in government’s July 2011 carbon pricing package

• Awareness raising amongst industry of sustainability issues

• Support for adoption of economically responsible binding global agreement on carbon abatement amongst developed and developing nations

• Advocacy of binding global agreement as pre-condition for Australian carbon price

• Commissioning independent research by Castalia Strategic Advisors on carbon pricing impacts on small and medium businesses

• Publication of research on public attitudes to carbon tax

• Advocacy of carbon policy forming component of broader energy policy

• Analysis of Productivity Commission findings on comparative carbon pricing

• Submissions and appearances before parliamentary committees on carbon policy and legislation by ACCI’s Director of Economics and Industry Policy Greg Evans

• Widespread engagement in public and media debate

SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT • Input into structure of proposed National

Workforce Development Agency

• ACCI appointed to Board of Skills Australia

• Promotion of engagement of workers with disability

• Released research on engagement and retention strategies for mature aged and existing apprentices

• Input into future apprenticeship policy

• Input into and support for May 2011 budget announcements on skills

• National Workplace Skills Survey, profiling skills shortages and skills deficits

• Advocacy in support of responsible skilled migration programme including submissions to reviews of visa subclasses and employer sponsored visa categories

• Submission to the Howells Review on deterrent and educational value of changes to the Migration Act

• Opposition to compulsory employer training levyPOLICY DEVELOPMENT


41

permanent impairment, definitions, death benefits, multi-state employers and self-insurance (via Jill Allen, Australian Federation of Employers and Industries)

• Judging national Safe Work Awards

• Representation of Australian employers and presentation of paper to global audience at 19th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work and IOE WHS Forum (via senior adviser Toula Papadopoulos)

SUPERANNUATION• Opposition to proposed rise in

compulsory superannuation levy from 9% to 12% of payroll

• Input and advocacy on StrongerSuper and SuperStream reforms

• Membership of ATO’s Superannuation Consultative Committee (via Dick Grozier, NSW Business Chamber)

• Membership of Stronger Super Peak Consultative Group (via Dick Grozier, NSW Business Chamber)

LEGAL AFFAIRS • Advocacy in support of civil justice

system meeting needs of the business community

• Submission to the Attorney-General’s Access to Justice Taskforce Report

• Contribution to the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Research Report on Australian Courts: Serving Democracy and its Publics

• Participation in the first federal Justice Roundtable convened by the Attorney-General

• Advocacy on dispute resolution models for smaller firms, including a proposal for a federal small business dispute resolution service

• Advocacy in support of a national

POLICY DEVELOPMENTANNUAL REPORT


tribunal or ADR scheme allowing businesses, particularly SMEs, access a low cost federal ADR service for the resolution of regulatory and business related disputes

• Support for measures to reduce red-tape for the not for profit sector

• Analysis, consultation and submissions to government expressing concern at proposals for an independent statutory office, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission

• Advocacy to ensure that reporting obligations under federal equal opportunity laws continue to apply only to large firms with 100 or more employees whilst retaining existing non-financial sanctions

• Liaison with officials from the Department of Finance and Deregulation and Attorney-General’s office on a project to create a single federal anti-discrimination Act

• Consultations with the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse in response to ALRC Issues Paper

• Advocacy on national privacy laws for the public and private sector ensuring amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 do not affect existing exemptions for small business (with annual turnover of $3 million) and employers (employee records)

• Assessment of a government consultation paper on a proposed federal statutory privacy tort

TRADE POLICY• Consultations and support for Doha

ministerial

• Advocating case against protectionism in response to jobs losses in manufacturing

• Opposition to border carbon tariffs

• Strengthened engagement with key

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conducted by the International Institute for Labour Studies

• ACCI Chief Executive Peter Anderson re-elected to ILO Governing Body

• ACCI hosting Deputy Secretary-General of International Organisation of Employers, Brent Wilton at a joint meeting of ACCI’s Workplace Policy and Education and Training Policy Committees

WORKPLACE SUBMISSIONS AND ADVOCACY • Retail minimum engagement

• Annual wage review

• Training wage review

• Strike action test case

• Low paid bargaining test case

• Equal pay test case

• Public holiday penalty rates

• Paid parental leave legislation

• Road transport pay rates

• Annual leave loading on termination

• ‘Sham contracting’ inquiry

• Family violence ALRC inquiry

• Unlawful workers inquiry

REPRESENTATION ON WORKPLACE BODIES• National Workplace Relations

Consultative Council

• Paid Parental Leave Scheme Implementation Group

• Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act Amendments implementation advisory group

• Standards Australia technical committee on a proposed new voluntary standard (Gender Inclusive Job Evaluation)

• International Labour Affairs Committee

• Committee of Industrial Legislation

• Fair Work Australia minimum wage research branch

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY• Principal business interlocutor with

governments on national harmonisation of workplace health and safety (WHS) laws

• Advocacy in support of regulatory harmonisation but not at any cost

• Submissions and support on harmonisation of principal WHS Acts

• Analysis and submissions on harmonisation of WHS regulations and codes of practice

• Establishment of industry Reference Groups on WHS harmonisation

• Negotiation of harmonisation proposals with governments collectively and bilaterally

• Representation on Safe Work Australia (via Anne Bellamy, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia), and safe Work committees

• Analysis of Regulatory Impact Statements and cost / benefit of harmonisation proposals

• Submissions on areas of concern in draft regulations and codes

• Briefing industry and member organisations on harmonisation proposals

• Public commentary on harmonisation objectives and proposals

• Representation on Safe Work Australia Temporary Advisory Groups considering harmonisation of workers’ compensation schemes in relation to return to work,

POLICY DEVELOPMENTANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

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MEMBER SERVICESANNUAL REPORT


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POLICY DEVELOPMENTANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region and internationally

• Strategic expansion of ACCI’s trade policy committee and development of a closer working relationship with State-based stakeholders

• Co-operation with ACCI members through the provision of value-added services

• Strengthened trade facilitation activities

• Lobbying and influencing Australian government and agencies, including restructure of Austrade

• Support for Australian Made Australian Grown domestic and overseas promotion

• Consultation with Export Finance Investment Corporation

• Partnering with Austrade on annual Export Awards

• Representation on Standards Australia’s International Policy Advisory Committee

• Representation to ACCI’s international business network (ICC, CACCI, IOE, CAPE, BIAC)

• Policy analysis of public private partnerships in Asian region

• Supporting documentation for Australian exporters seeking preferential tariff treatment under Free Trade Agreements through implementation of the governments’ Scheme for the Recognition of Bodies to Issue Certificates of Origin for Free Trade Agreements

• Business representation on reform of government’s APEC Business Travel Card scheme following business backlash at 2010 scheme revision

• Border trade facilitation through Customs and AQIS committees (AQIS Industry Cargo Consultative Committee and Customs and Border Protection National Consultative Committee)

• MOU with Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin)

Despite the global economic downturn, Australian businesses continue to find exciting opportunities to trade and expand overseas. It’s at times like these that viable international opportunities can be at risk due to the challenges in providing adequate security to underpin the financing required. Often the bank may agree with their customer’s potential for success, but simply can’t look beyond the balance sheet.

In times of market uncertainty the role of export credit agencies or ECAs comes to the fore. In the year ended 30 June 2011, Australia’s ECA, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) supported export contracts and overseas investments to over 40 countries worth $3.4 billion.

So what is export credit, how does it differ from trade credit or project finance?

Export credit is a term widely used to refer to a financing arrangement enabling the foreign buyer of exported capital goods and / or services to defer payment over time, but the term is often used in reference to an insurance or guarantee arrangement. Trade credit as supported by ECAs like EFIC refers to international contractual arrangements between businesses to buy goods or services on account. The increased complexity in managing the flows across international borders creates a role for EFIC to work with exporters and the commercial finance sector to manage risks such as payment, currency or country risk.

Project finance usually refers to larger transactions involving finance and / or insurance on international projects that involve a significant investment due to the size and nature of the project. These transactions can often involve a number of corporations, commercial financiers and ECAs coming together to tailor a solution to fit the project’s requirements.

EFIC works across the full range of these financing solutions, providing loans, bonds, guarantees and insurance products to Australian exporters, large and small,

either directly or through their banks. With a mandate to support the growth of Australian business internationally, EFIC works alongside the banks, using similar credit criteria but with the ability to go further through environmental and technical assessments to review the business’s track record and understand their ability to deliver on the export contract.

But EFIC’s support is not limited to offshore contracts. Today, the resources boom is creating a new gap in financing for export contracts. Strong demand from both the large corporate and SME sectors, particularly those involved in or supplying to the Australian mining and resources industry is creating further demand for services from EFIC. Onshore projects with export supply contracts in place are increasingly calling on EFIC and international ECAs to participate in their financing while SMEs supplying these projects are also seeking EFIC and bank support.

For more information visit www.efic.gov.au.

BACKING THE FLOW OF EXPORT AND TRADE FINANCE THROUGH GLOBAL MARKET UNCERTAINTY

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RECOGNISING EXCELLENCEANNUAL REPORT


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RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

ACCI SERVICE AWARDSIn March 2011, at a gala dinner in Sydney, ACCI President David Michaelis conferred the ACCI Service Award on its third recipient, Kevin Redfern.

The ACCI Service Award is an initiative commenced in 2009 in recognition of those who make a special contribution to the national and international work of Australian business through their service to ACCI and our National Member Network.

The Award showcases the depth and quality of people within the ACCI National Member Network, and fosters collegiality and a sense of connection between members and the work of the secretariat.

The first two recipients of the ACCI Service Award were John Collins (for service to international trade, commerce and customs) and Sylvia Kidziak AM (for service to workplace health, safety and compensation).

Kevin Redfern is the former General Manager of ACCI member, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce. On his retirement Kevin had served ACCI for 20 years as a leading member of not one but two of our principal policy forums – The Workplace Policy Committee, and Employment, Education and Training Committee.

Kevin navigated major changes to industrial relations and vocational training across the Hawke, Keating, Howard and Rudd governments. He became an authoritative and respected figure amongst his peers.

He brought to ACCI real life experience – going back to his days as an apprentice motor mechanic, with Henderson’s Industries and Renault Australia, and as an executive responsible for apprentices working in the retail motor industry under VACC’s oversight.

The citation in the conferral of Kevin’s Service Award was ‘for outstanding service over more than 20 years to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on

employment, vocational training, labour relations and health and safety policy, and for his mentoring and loyalty to friends and colleagues.’

Kevin addressed ACCI members with typical charm, humility and humour.

NATIONAL SAFE WORK AWARDS The Safe Work Australia Awards recognise the commitment of Australia’s workplace health and safety champions to making Australian workplaces safer.

Finalists for each of the Award categories were winners of WHS Awards in their individual State and territory.

An independent judging panel, which includes ACCI, considered each finalists award submission prior to deciding on a final winner for each category.

The annual Safe Work Australia Awards ceremony was held at Parliament House Canberra in April 2011.

ACCI is proud to participate in these Awards and help profile business owners, managers and employees who are making a real and practical difference to workplace health and safety cultures, behaviours and outcomes.

AUSTRALIAN EXPORT AWARDSThe Australian Export Awards are co-presented by Austrade and ACCI. They are acknowledged by the business community as one of Australia’s most prestigious industry Awards.

2011 marks the 49th year in which ACCI has been proudly involved in these Awards. Since their inception, the Awards have:

• Identified and rewarded Australia’s most successful and innovative exporters;

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCEANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

STATE & TERRITORY CHAMBERS

ACT AND REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY 12A THESIGER COURT DEAKIN ACT 2600T: 02 6283 5200 F: 02 6282 2436E: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF EMPLOYERS & INDUSTRIES LEVEL 2, 97-99 BATHURST STREET Sydney NSW 2000T: 02 9264 2000 F: 02 9264 5699www.afei.org.au

BUSINESS SA ENTERPRISE HOUSE 136 GREENHILL ROAD UNLEY SA 5061T: 08 8300 0000 F: 08 8300 0001 E: [email protected]

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY QUEENSLAND INDUSTRY HOUSE 375 WICKHAM TERRACE BRISBANE QLD 4000 T: 07 3842 2244 F: 07 3832 3195E: [email protected]

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY WESTERN AUSTRALIA180 HAY STREETEAST PERTH WA 6004T: 08 9365 7555 F: 08 9365 7550E: [email protected] www.cciwa.com

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NORTHERN TERRITORY CONFEDERATION HOUSE SUITE 1, 2 SHEPHERD STREET DARWIN NT 0800T: 08 8982 8100 F: 08 8981 1405 E: [email protected]

NEW SOUTH WALES BUSINESS CHAMBER LEVEL 15, 140 ARTHUR STREET NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060T: 132696 F: 1300 655 277 E: [email protected] TASMANIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY 30 BURNETT STREET NORTH HOBART TAS 7000T: 03 6236 3600 F: 03 6231 1278E: [email protected]

VICTORIAN EMPLOYERS’ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY 486 ALBERT STREET EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002T: 03 8662 5333 F: 03 8662 5462E: [email protected]

NATIONAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

ACCORD FUSION BUILDING SUITE 4.02,LEVEL 4, 22-36 MOUNTAIN STREET ULTIMO NSW 2007T: 02 9281 2322 F: 02 9281 0366E: [email protected]

AGRIBUSINESS EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION 250 FOREST ROAD LARA VIC 3215T: 03 5272 9223 F: 03 5274 2084E: [email protected]

AIR CONDITIONING & MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION 30 CROMWELL STREET BURWOOD VIC 3125T: 03 8831 2800 F: 03 9888 8459E: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN BEVERAGES COUNCIL LEVEL 1, SUITE 4 6-8 CREWE PLACE ROSEBERRY NSW 2018T: 02 9662 2844 F: 02 9662 2899E: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LEVEL 5, 757 ELIZABETH STREET ZETLAND NSW 2017T: 02 9319 5631 F: 02 9319 5381E: [email protected] www.adia.org.au

AUSTRALIAN FOOD AND GROCERY COUNCILLEVEL 2, SALVATION ARMY BUILDING, 2 BRISBANE AVENUE BARTON ACT 2600T: 02 6273 1466 F: (02) 6273 1477www.afgc.org.au

AUSTRALIAN HOTELS ASSOCIATION LEVEL 4, COMMERCE HOUSE 24 BRISBANE AVENUE BARTON ACT 2600T: 02 6273 4007 F: 02 6273 4011 E: [email protected] www.aha.org.au

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES OPERATIONS GROUP C/- QANTAS AIRWAYS QANTAS CENTRE QCA4, 203 COWARD STREET MASCOT NSW 2020

AUSTRALIAN MADE, AUSTRALIAN GROWN CAMPAIGN SUITE 105, 161 PARK STREET SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205T: 03 9686 1500 F: 03 9686 1600 E:[email protected]

AUSTRALIAN MINES & METALS ASSOCIATION LEVEL 10, 607 BOURKE STREET MELBOURNE VIC 3000T: 03 9614 4777 F: 03 9614 3970E: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN PAINT MANUFACTURERS’ FEDERATION INCSUITE 1203, LEVEL 12275 ALFRED STREETNORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060T: (02) 9922 3955 F: (02) 9929 9743E: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS’ ASSOCIATION LEVEL 10, 136 EXHIBITION STREET MELBOURNE VIC 3000T: 1300 368 041 F: 03 8660 3399E: [email protected]

BUS INDUSTRY CONFEDERATION LEVEL 2, 14-16 BRISBANE AVENUE BARTON ACT 2600T: 02 6247 5990 F: 02 6230 6898E: [email protected]

CONSULT AUSTRALIA LEVEL 6, 50 CLARENCE STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000T: 02 9922 4711 F: 02 9957 2484E: [email protected]

HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 79 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, CAMPBELL ACT 2612T: 02 6245 1300 F: 02 6257 5658E: [email protected] www.hia.com.au

LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA LEVEL 1, 15-17 QUEEN STREET MELBOURNE VIC 3000T: 03 9614 1111 F: 03 9614 1166E: [email protected]

MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA LTD LEVEL 1, 16 BENTHAM STREET YARRALUMLA ACT 2600T: 02 6202 8888 F: 02 6202 8877E: [email protected]

MASTER PLUMBERS’ & MECHANICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (THE) 525 KING STREET WEST MELBOURNE VIC 3003T: 03 9329 9622 F: 03 9329 5060E: [email protected]

NATIONAL BAKING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION BREAD HOUSE 49 GREGORY TERRACE SPRING HILL QLD 4000T: 07 3831 5961E: [email protected]

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL & COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION LEVEL 4, 30 ATCHISON STREET ST LEONARDS NSW 2065T: 02 9439 8523 F: 02 9439 8525 E: [email protected]

NATIONAL FIRE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PO BOX 2466 WERRIBEE NSW 3030T: 03 9865 8611 F: 03 9865 8615E: [email protected] NATIONAL RETAIL ASSOCIATIONPO Box 1544COORPAROO DC QLD 4006T: 07 3240 0100 F: 07 3240 0130E:[email protected]

OIL INDUSTRY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION C/- SHELL AUSTRALIA GPO BOX 872K MELBOURNE VIC 3001F: 03 9666 5008 PHARMACY GUILD OF AUSTRALIA LEVEL 2, 15 NATIONAL CIRCUIRT BARTON ACT 2600T: 02 6270 1888 F: 02 6270 1800E: [email protected]

PLASTICS & CHEMICALS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION LEVEL 10, 10 QUEEN STREET MELBOURNE VIC 3000T: 03 9611 5412 F: 03 9611 5499E: [email protected]

PRINTING INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA 25 SOUTH PARADE AUBURN NSW 2144T: 02 8789 7300 F: 02 8789 7387E: [email protected]

RESTAURANT & CATERING AUSTRALIA SUITE 17, 401 PACIFIC HIGHWAY ARTARMON NSW 2064T: 1300 722 878 F: 1300 722 396E: [email protected]

VICTORIAN AUTOMOBILE CHAMBER OF COMMERCELEVEL 7, 464 ST KILDA ROAD MELBOURNE VIC 3004T: 03 9829 1111 F: 03 9820 3401E: [email protected]

4746

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCEANNUAL REPORT & BUSINESS REVIEW 2011

• Recognised the importance of exports to the Australian economy;

• Developed a community awareness about the importance of exporting to Australia’s economic future;

• Promoted top exporters as corporate role models in order to encourage other Australian businesses to strive for success in world markets.

The Awards are national and cover all sectors of the economy. The finalists from State and Territory Awards are businesses which demonstrate an unwavering commitment to change and innovate in order to achieve exporting success.

The Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year is selected by the Prime Minister form the winning categories.

The 2011 winners of the Austrade / ACCI Export Awards are announced at a gala function in Brisbane in December 2011.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE AWARDSACCI is a participating organisation in the biennial National Work-Life Balance Awards.

The Awards are part of ACCI and the Australian government’s joint commitment to create incentives for businesses, government and community organisations to make workplaces more flexible and family-friendly, and through that more productive.

The Awards provide public recognition for businesses, government and community organisations that are leaders in successfully integrating work-life balance whilst managing business demands.

The Awards acknowledge businesses, government and community organisations that:• recognise the business benefits in

responding to the actual work-life needs of their employees

• make efforts to ensure that managers, supervisors and employees accommodate work-life needs as

appropriate; and• demonstrate a commitment to

continuous improvement in the development and implementation of work-life policies, practices and initiatives.

The Awards are next to be conferred in 2012 and will again be supported by ACCI.

PROMOTING AUSTRALIAN MADE, AUSTRALIAN GROWN

ACCI is a founding member of the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign.

In 2011 the Campaign reached a landmark 25th anniversary. This milestone was celebrated with special presentations at the ACCI Annual Dinner in Canberra in November 2011.

The Australian Made Australian Grown Campaign is made famous by the stylised green and gold Australian Made kangaroo logo. Only products that meet the strict rules approved by the government and administered by the not-for-profit Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign are allowed to use the Australian Made logo.

Independent research shows the logo to be the most trusted product symbol in Australia.

It is also a logo which reaffirms quality and excellence in Australian products.

With pressure on Australian manufacturers building during 2011, ACCI and the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign reminded consumers during the year of the benefits to jobs and the economy of purchasing goods displaying the logo.

ABN 85 008 391 795

Canberra:

Commerce House

24 Brisbane Avenue

Barton ACT 2600

PO Box 6005, Kingston ACT 2604

Tel: +612 6273 2311

Fax: +612 6273 3286

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.acci.asn.au

Melbourne:

Industry house

Level 3, 486 Albert Street

East Melbourne Vic 3002

PO Box 18008, Collins Street East

Melbourne Vic 8003

Tel: +613 9668 9950

Fax: +613 9668 9958

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.acci.asn.au

Advertising:

Barry Telfar

Design:

HSA Design, Melbourne

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ACCI 2011 Annual Report - Business Review

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